FINTON, Marvin

FINTON, GOODANOW, POTTER, JENKINS, ATHERTON, SIMPSON, BAKER, DICE, WHEATON, THOMPSON, LESTER, JOHNSTON

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/19/2003 at 00:17:13

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

MARVIN FINTON.

One of the enterprising agriculturists of Bloomfield township is Marvin Finton, and to-day he is numbered among the progressive citizens of the community, owing his success to qualities which may be acquired by all-close application, energy and perseverance.

He was born in Warren county, New York, in the town of Bolton, February 14, 1830, a son of Jabin and Sarah (Goodanow) Finton, the former a native of Dutchess county, New York, and the latter of Vermont. The parents were married in Warren county, New York, in 1829, and there the father engaged in the lumber business and operated a gristmill. His death occurred in April, 1836, and his remains were interred in the cemetery near his home. In politics he was a supporter of the Whig party. In his family were three children, the eldest being Marvin, of this review. Marshall, the second son, served for three years as a soldier in the Union army in the Civil war, and now resides at Maquoketa, Iowa. He married Almeda Potter, and they have three children. Luke, the youngest son, died at the age of three years. After the death of the father the mother was married, in the winter of 1842, to Alexander H. Jenkins, and four children were born to this union, namely: Palmer, who married Helen Atherton, and died in Bloomfield township. His widow still lives on the old homestead farm west of the Union church, Jedd, of Maquoketa, who married Alice Simpson, and has six children. Maria, who is the twin sister of Jedd, and the wife of Martin Baker, of Marion, Iowa, by whom she has four children: and Harriet, the wife of Samuel Dice, who resides upon a part of the old farm. They also had two children.

Mr. Finton, of this review, pursued his education in the district schools in the neighborhood where his birth occurred, and when thirteen years of age he accompanied his mother and her family to Oakland county, Michigan. There he continued his education in a log school house in Sutherland township, remaining a pupil there until seventeen years of age. At that time the step-father removed with the family to Clinton county, Iowa, settling in Brookfield township, where he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres. It was then a tract of wild prairie land, which he at once began to break, and he also erected buildings upon the land and continued to work, providing a good home for the family. For two years Mr. Finton, of this review, was a student in the district school, and after that time he went to work in the lumber district, living in a log shanty, and devoted his time to cutting timber. There were panthers and wild animals in the woods, and deer could be had in abundance, and very often came so near that he could hit them with a stone. Turkey and other small game were also numerous, and Indians came and camped each fall in the neighborhood. They also visited Lost Nation, and while they were not hostile, they were regarded as a nuisance on account of their begging propensities.

At the age of nineteen Mr. Finton left school and assisted his father on the farm, remaining there until he was twenty-two years of age, when he began farming on his own account. He purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the homestead and proceeded to cultivate it. He erected a house and barn, and for four years remained upon his first property.

As a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Mr. Finton chose Miss Maria D. Potter, their wedding being celebrated at Maquoketa March 23, 1854. The lady of his choice was born in Licking county, Ohio, March 18, 1838, and was a daughter of Nicholas H. and Eliza (Wheaton) Potter, natives of New Jersey and Ohio, respectively. Their marriage was celebrated in Ohio, where they located upon a farm, making that state their home until 1841, when they came to Iowa and established a home in the midst of the forest in Jackson county. The father secured from the government one hundred and sixty acres, and with characteristic energy he began to clear and improve the place, transforming it into a valuable farm. There he remained until 1850, when he sold out and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Brookfield township—the property now occupied by William Phillips. Mr. Potter and his family remained at that place for about four years, and then selling out removed to Maquoketa, but after a year purchased one hundred and twenty acres a mile and a half east of the city, upon which he remained for two years. He next went to Minnesota and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Dakota county, remaining there for twelve years. When that time had passed Mr. Potter sold his home and removed to Hastings, Minnesota, where he resided for ten years, after which he returned to his farm in Vermillion county, which he had purchased. On disposing of his property there he went to Aberdeen, Dakota, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, but he never lived upon that land. He bought a house and lot, which he occupied for two years, and then came to Maquoketa, where Mr. Potter remained until his death, which occurred in 1896, his remains being interred in the Union church cemetery in Brookfield township. His widow is now living near Maquoketa, at the age of eight-three years. This worthy couple were the parents of six children, as follows: Maria D., the wife of Mr. Finton. Jason, who married Maggie Thompson, now deceased, and resides west of Maquoketa, with his two children and his second wife, who bore the maiden name of Mattie Lester. Almeda, the wife of Marhshall E. Finton, of Maquoketa, by whom she has three children. Victorine, wife of John Lester, who resides near Maquoketa, by whom she has one child. Almira, who died at the age of eight years. And John W., who married Emma Johnston, who moved near Colorado Springs, where she died.

Mr. and Mrs. Finton have become the parents of five children, but only one is now living. Those who have passed away are Lenora, who died at the age of fourteen years. Edwin, who died at the age of five years. Edna Lillian, who passed away at the age of two years; and Jennie, who died at the age of three months. Luke H., the surviving son, is mentioned elsewhere in this work.

After his marriage Mr. Finton removed to the farm which he operated for three years, and then took up his abode on the north fork of the Maquoketa river, where he built a sawmill, but only retained the ownership a short time. In 1860 he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 19, Bloomfield township. This was a tract of raw prairie, which he worked and cultivated, transforming it into rich fields. He afterward bought and adjoining tract of eight acres and subsequently added one hundred and twenty acres, so that he now has four hundred and forty acres of land, which is highly improved. He has erected thereon three residences and good barns, and he rents two hundred acres of the farm, while the remainder is managed by his son. In the present year, 1901, he has erected a fine modern residence, one of the best to be seen in Clinton county., It is supplied with all the latest equipments and improvements, and is tastefully furnished. Moreover, it is noted for its hospitality, and the members of the household enjoy the warm regard of all who know them.

Mr. Finton is a member of Monitor Lodge, No. 330, F. & A. M., and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scotish Rite in the consistory of Lyons. This was the first chartered consistory in the state. He has frequently been elected to office, but has refused to qualify, preferring to give his time and attention to his business affairs. He is public spirited, and with holds his support from no movement which he believes will prove of general good. He is a man of generous qualities, of kindly disposition and of sterling worth, and all who know him entertain for him warm friendship. In his political views he is a Republican.