High, William R.

HIGH, PENNYPACKER, LOWRY

Posted By: Volunteer Subscribers
Date: 4/15/2003 at 21:58:29

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

WILLIAM R. HIGH.

Among the thrifty and enterprising farmers of Orange township is number William R. High, who owns and operates a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 27. He was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1828, and is a son of Mathias High, who was a native of the same county and a representative of an old and honored Pennsylvania family. By occupation the father was a potter and farmer. He is a lineal descendant of Heinrich and Eve Pennypacker. Heinrich Pennypacker was born in 1673 and was the founder of the Pennypacker family in America, and at one time owner of the mill which was Washington’s headquarters at the battle of Germantown, near Philadelphia.

In the county of his nativity William R. High grew to manhood, and in early life learned the carpenter’s and joiner’s trade. In 1848 he went to St. Louis, where he followed that occupation for two years, and then returned to Pennsylvania. In 1852 he came to Iowa, and for over ten years he and his brother, James A. High, were engaged in the livery business in Davenport. He came to Clinton county in 1865, and purchased eighty acres of land in Orange township, where he now resides. Upon this place a small house had been erected, and to the further improvement and cultivation of his farm he at once turned his attention. He has remodeled the residence, built a barn and other outbuildings, tiles and fenced the land and set out shade trees. He also bought an adjoining tract of eighty acres, and now has a well improved and valuable farm.

During his residence in Davenport, Mr. High was married, October 2, 1855, to Miss Mary Lowry, who was born and reared in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and early in the ‘50s came to Iowa with her father, Louis Lowry, who lived for some time in Scott county and then removed to Clinton county. Mrs. High died October 14, 1900, and was laid to rest in Elmwood cemetery, DeWitt, where a substantial monument has been erected to her memory. She was the mother of four children, who are still living, namely: Richard, Henry, and Robert, who are now carrying on the home farm and also run a steam threshing machine and corn sheller in season; and Edith M., who keeps house for her father and brothers. In the family were five children, now deceased: Jessie, Thomas, Mary and Sarah, who all died in early childhood; and Clara, who died at the age of ten years.

In politics Mr. High is independent, voting for the best men regardless of party. For thirty-six years he has been a resident of this county and is widely and favorably known, having a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who esteem him highly for his sterling worth.