Robert Sizer

SIZER, RANDALLS, DAVIS

Posted By: Marthann Kohl-Fuhs (email)
Date: 5/16/2009 at 07:56:00

1889 BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF
SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES, IOWA
W. S. DUNBAR & CO., PUBLISHERS
113 ADAMS STREET, CHICAGO

pages 769-770

ROBERT SIZER was born in Lincoln-
shire, England, January 13, 1840, and
is a son of George and Jane (Randalls)
Sizer, who remained in the old country, the
father being a small farmer. When ten years
old Robert Sizer emigrated to the United
States with his uncle, John Barker. They
proceeded by water to Davenport, Iowa, stop-
ping there one year; from Davenport Robert
went to Comanche, Iowa, remaining there
about twelve months; at the expiration of this
time he went to Jackson County, Iowa, and
was there employed on a farm, working by
the month for four years. He then left the
State of Iowa and went to Camden, Illinois,
and worked in a brick-yard one summer.
Mercer County, Illinois, was his next place of
abode, and he remained there until 1861, at
which time he returned to Jackson County,
Iowa. In August, 1861, Mr. Sizer joined the
M. S. Lancers, three months' men, who were
engaged in State service. After this com-
pany disbanded he returned to Jackson County.
In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A,
Twenty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and
was sent to Muscatine, Iowa. On the organi-
zation of the regiment he was sent to Helena,
Arkansas, at which place he scouted and
skirmished until 1862; he then entered Gen-
eral Grant's campaign and took part in all
the engagements; among them are Fort Gib-
son, Champion Hills, the siege of Vicksburg,
which lasted forty-two days, many skirmishes
and small engagements. After the fall of
Vicksburg he was assigned to the chief de-
partment under General Banks, and later he
was transferred to the department under
General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley,
taking part in all the engagements of that
campaign. After some further service he was
ordered to Davenport, Iowa, and was honor-
ably discharged and received his pay. Re-
turning to Jackson County, Iowa, Mr. Sizer
engaged in farming, which he followed suc-
cessfully until the spring of 1881, when he
removed to Audubon County, Iowa, and pur-
chased his present farm in Hamilton Town-
ship; the farm contains 310 acres, which at
that time had no improvements in the way of
buildings. The land is now under a high
state of cultivation, and there is a substantial
residence attractively surrounded by evergreen
trees. Mr. Sizer was united in marriage Janu-
ary 4, 1865, to Anna, the youngest daughter
of John and Sarah Davis, of Jackson County,
Iowa. Mrs. Sizer was born in Canada. Five
children have been born of this union -- Thad-
deus, Sarah E., Clara, James, and one child
that died in infancy. Mr. Sizer is a member
of Allison Post, No. 31, G. A. R. He began
his career penniless and among strangers, but
by energy and industry he has accumulated a
goodly competence for his declining years.