LOVING, William

LOVING, LEE, ESTES

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/10/2014 at 18:38:48

Biography ~ William Loving

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), p. 534:

WILLIAM LOVING, of Leon, came to Decatur County in November, 1854, and settled in Hamilton Township. He purchased an unimproved farm, lying on both sides of the State line, his residence being on the Iowa side of the line. He also purchased at claim of 160 acres adjoining the other, which he afterward entered. He lived on this place from 1854 until March, 1883, when he sold out and removed to Leon. Mr. Loving was born in the State of North Carolina, near the virginia line, in November, 1806. When eleven years of age, his father, John Loving, immigrated to Monroe County, Indiana. This was before Indiana became a State, and the Indians inhabited the land. The railroad had not then been thought of. The father survived only one year after settling in his new home. He was a native of the South, and of English descent, his father having emigrated from England, and settled in North Carolina. The mother of William Loving, was Lora Estes. The Loving family, although long residents of a slave State, were opposed to the institution of slavery, and none of them were slave holders, although the maternal ancestors of our subject were slave holders. John Loving left his native State because of that institution. The Loving family in this county, descended from two brothers, who came to this country from England. William's grandfather Loving fought under Washington, in the Revolutionary war, John Loving left ten children, five sons and five daughters; only two now survive - William, and the youngest daughter, Lora (sic), who was born in 1815. She lives with her brother at Leon. Mr. Loving was married in 1831, to Elizabeth Lee, who was born in North Carolina [April 22, 1810], and reared in Kentucky. Her father was Edward Lee, a cousin of General Robert E. Lee, of the Southern Confederace. They have not been blessed with children. They have traveled the journey of life together for fifty-five years. They celebrated their golden wedding, April 3, 1881, at their home in Pleasanton, Hamilton Township. On this occasion over 200 guests were present to do honor to Mr. and Mrs. Loving, on the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. Mr. Loving was formerly a Democrat, but he cast his last Democratic vote for Franklin Pierce, and since then has been a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Loving are worthy representatives of that grand old pioneer element that is fast passing away.

NOTE: The Lovings contributed most generously toward the construction of Loving Chapel, Leon, Iowa, giving $5,000 which was half of the cost. The church was named in their honor, Loving Chapel, and was dedicated on Sunday, March 17, 1889. William "Uncle Billy" Loving died on July 28, 1891. Elizabeth "Aunt Betty" (Lee) Loving died July 28, 1894. William's sister, Lorey Loving, died shortly after Elizabeth's death in 1894. All interments at Leon Cemetery, Leon IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014

Decatur Biographies maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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