Finton, Luke H.

FINTON, CROCKER, DUNN, HODGES, EDMONDS, GILLUM, EATON, LEPPERD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/14/2003 at 20:35:03

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

LUKE H. FINTON.

Luke H. Finton, well known among the enterprising agriculturists of the county, was born on the old family homestead. He pursued his education in the district schools and in Maquoketa, where he continued his studies for five years. He then returned to his parents’ home upon the farm, where he has since remained, his attention being given in an undivided manner to agricultural pursuits.

On the 19th of October, 1892, he chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Mrs. Mary Ellen Dunn Crocker, widow of Frank Crocker. The wedding was celebrated at Quincy, Illinois. Mrs. Finton, who was born in Kentucky, May 4, 1860, was a daughter of Christopher Dunn, whose father, Michael Dunn, was a native of County Cork, Ireland. Her mother was Selissia Marsberry, and she, too, was a native of Kentucky, in which state she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn took up their abode in Kentucky, where they resided for about eighteen years, and on the expiration of that period they removed to Adams county, Illinois. After the death of Mr. Dunn his widow married Garrett Hodges, who was a soldier of the Civil war, who enlisted in the Eighteenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry and was killed at Macon, Georgia, in 1865. After his death Mrs. Hodges took up her abode in Quincy, Illinois, where she is now living. She had four children by her first marriage: John W. entered the Union army and his term of enlistment covered four years, of which time he served three years. He was a member of the Fourth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded in battle in 1865, his death resulting from the injury. The second member of the family was D. O. Dunn, who married Miss Annie O. Edmonds. They have five children, and reside in Fall Creek township, Adams county, Illinois. Sue is the wife of C. H. Gillum, of Quincy, Illinois. Mary E., now Mrs. Finton, completes the Dunn family.

By the second marriage of the mother there were two children, namely: Sidney A. Hodges, who married Miss Katie Eaton, of Quincy, Illinois, and has four children; and McClelland, who married Rickey Lepperd. They, too, reside in Quincy, and have four children. In 1871 Mary A. Dunn became the wife of Francis F. Crocker, a native of Illinois, and to them was born one child, Harry Crocker, whose birth occurred March 13, 1873.

Luke Finton devotes his entire time and energy to agricultural pursuits, and his earnest, persistent labor has resulted in bringing to him creditable and well-merited success. He is one of the most progressive young farmers of the county, and the neat and tidy appearance of his place well indicates his careful supervision and his thorough understanding of the business in every department.

Socially he is connected with Monitor Lodge, No. 330, F. & A. M., of Delmar, and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star Lodge of that place. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and Mrs. Finton is a consistent member of the Christian church. In the memorable cyclone which occurred on the 18th of May, 1898, the Finton home was in the path of the same and the farm hand, Sarion Clemanson was killed. Mr. Finton suffered loss through the destruction of property, but with characteristic energy he set to work to retrieve his lost possessions, and is now meeting with prosperity in his work. His life is consistent with manly principles, and throughout the community in which he has always lived he is held in the highest regard.