JOHN B. SAWYERS

SAWYERS, GILLESPIE, DRAKE, CRUMRINE, CHRISTENSEN, HOLLEN

Posted By: Norma Nielson (email)
Date: 5/16/2004 at 20:17:18

"During the past thirty-two years John B. Sawyers has been actively engaged in the operation of an excellent farm of four hundred and eighty acres which he owns on section 12, Grand River township. His birth occurred in Ohio on the 19th of October, 1856, his parents being George and Margaret (Gillespie) Sawyers, who spent their entire lives in the Buckeye state.

John B. Sawyers attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and spent the period of his minority under the parental roof. When twenty-one years of age he made his way to Madison county, Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand for three years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode on a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 12, Grand River township, Adair county, to which he subsequently added until now he owns four hundred and eighty acres. This has remained in his possession to the present time and its improvement and operation has continuously claimed his attention. He planted a fine orchard thereon and in connection with the cultivation of cereals makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, this branch of his business materially augmenting his income.

On the 24th of July, 1883, Mr. Sawyers was united in marriage to Miss Barbara A. Drake, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of A. D. and Maria (Crumrine) Drake, who were also born in the Keystone state. They took up their abode on a farm in Madison county, Iowa, at an early day and there spent the remainder of their lives. To them were born five children, four of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyers have seven children, as follows: T. J., who married Esther Christensen; Mabel, who gave her hand in marriage to O. H. Hollen; Grace M., a college student; James R., who is an engineer by profession; Pearl, at home; John K., who is a graduate of the college at Ames and is also yet under the parental roof; and Rosa. All of the children have enjoyed excellent educational advantages.

Politically Mr. Sawyers is a democrat and ably served as school director and in other minor positions. He well merits the proud American title of self-made man, for his presesnt prosperity is attributable entirely to his own efforts, and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the successful and esteemed citizens of his adopted county."

Source: The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People," Volume II. (Chicago, The Pioneer Publishing Company) 1915.