BOURNE, Robert Lee

BOURNE, DENNIS, HARRINGTON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/19/2003 at 21:09:20

ROBERT LEE BOURNE. 

R. L. Bourne, who is familiarly known as Dick by his many friends throughout the county, owns and operates a valuable farm of two hundred acres adjoining the village of DeWitt, it having been the home of the family since pioneer days. He is living in the house where he was born, March 29, 1868, and since reaching man's estate has been prominently identified with the farming and stock raising interests of that locality.

Hon. James D. Bourne, the father of our subject, was born in Prince William county, Virginia, January 27, 1811, and was a son of William Bourne, a native of Calvert county, Maryland, born in 1776. In 1812 the family moved west and settled in Spencer county, Kentucky, where William Bourne followed farming for a number of years, and in 1824 went to Hannibal, Missouri, where the following year was passed, that place being then a mere hamlet with a few cabins. He next bought land in Lewis county, that state where he opened up a farm and continued to make his home there until death.

The father of our subject remained with his parents until 1832, and then started out in life for himself, going first to Galena, Illinois, where he worked in the mines for about a year. He then went to Potosi, Grant county, Wisconsin, where he purchased a mine and erected a furnace, being engaged in business there for about a year. From 1833 until 1836 he followed mining in Dubuque, Iowa, and then joined his brother in Clinton county, having taken up a claim on the Wapsipinecon river, on which they built a double log house. During the following winter he engaged in hunting and trapping, and on his return to Dubuque in the spring found a commission as postmaster of Wapsipinecon awaiting him. While filling that office he and his brother commenced to improve their land. In 1840 he removed to the present site of DeWitt, where he made his home with Colonel Wheeler for a time, but the following year began the erection of the house now occupied by his son, hauling the lumber from Camanche, Iowa. In 1841 he was married her to Miss Christian Dennis, who was born near Lockport, New York, and was a daughter of Absalom Dennis, also a pioneer of this county. Mr. Bourne took a very active and prominent part in public affairs during early days, and was the first sheriff in Clinton county, being appointed by Governor Dodge in 1840, and serving eight years. He was also collector of the county one year, at which time the collections only amounted to three hundred dollars. In 1851 he was elected recorder and treasurer, in which capacity he served for two years, and in 1848 was elected to the state legislature. Originally he was an old line Whig and later a Democrat in politics. At one time he studied law and was admitted to the bar, but never engaged in practice. He was a self-educated and self-made man, and during a successful business career accumulated a large estate. He was very prominent and influential and was well-known in this and adjoining counties. He died here in 1893, and his wife passed away in 1890.

R. L. Bourne, whose name introduces this review, is the only son in a family of ten children, four of whom are still living. He obtained his literary education in the public schools of DeWitt, and in aiding in the operation of the home farm he early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. After his father's death he succeeded to the home place, and has since made many improvements thereon, including the erection of a good large barn. For ten or twelve years he has been engaged in feeding stock for market, and is also interested in breeding a high grade of road horses. In business affairs he has met with excellent success and is accounted one of the substantial men of the community. He is interested in the Electric Light Company, and the Savings Bank, of which he was a charter member.

At DeWitt, in the fall of 1894, Mr. Bourne was united in marriage with Miss Alta Louise Harrington, who was also born in this county and was reared and educated in DeWitt. She is a daughter of L. S. Harrington, the present mayor of DeWitt, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume. Our subject and his wife have two children: James H. and Robert Irl.

In his political views Mr. Bourne is a Democrat, but at local election when no issues are involved he votes for the best man regardless of party lines. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and his wife is connected with the Eastern Star Chapter of the Masonic order. A man of superior executive ability and sound judgment, he occupies an enviable position in business circles, and he has the respect and confidence of all who know him.
Source: The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.