STANLEY, Henry

STANLEY, VAN WINKLE, VANCE, BLAIR

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/14/2014 at 14:15:39

Biography ~ Henry Stanley

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), Pp. 668-69.

HENRY STANLEY, section 7, Grand River Township, is a native of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, born December 27, 1836, a son of C. and ELIZA (VAN WINKLE) STANLEY, his father a native of Cayuga County, New York, and his mother of New Jersey. He remained in his native county until manhood, and in the spring of 1859 came to Iowa and bought eighty acres of wild land in Decatur County, where he now resides. He first built a small box house, and commenced to improve his land and make a home. He was the first settler on the prairie, there being but one house within seven miles west of him, and one house between his place and FUNK’s Mills. He has added to his original purchase, until he now owns 220 acres, which are under good cultivation, and has a pleasant story and a half house the main part built in 1885, surrounded with shade and ornamental trees. His farm buildings are good and his farm betokens the thrift and energy of its owner. December 19, 1860, Mr. STANLEY was married to Miss HANNAH E. VANCE, a native of Tennessee, daughter of HUGH and RACHEL (BLAIR) VANCE. They have had nine children, one of whom, MARY, is deceased. Those living are – L. W. WENDELL, RACHEL, EMMA, IDA, ANNA, SELBY and BERTHA. In politics Mr. STANLEY is a Republican. He has served his township as trustee, assessor, treasurer and as a member of the School Board. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 437. When Mr. STANLEY commenced life for himself, he had but $100, but by industry and good management he has acquired a fine property valued at from $6,000 to $8,000. His father’s family consisted of ten children – JOHN, HENRY, C. W., MARY JANE, L. C., VIOLA, JULIA, EUGENE, BERTHA and MAYBERRY.

NOTE: Henry died February 18, 1921, Grand River IA. He was interred at Oak Hill Cemetery, rural Grand River IA.

Submission by Sara LeFleur, Decatur County Historical Society Museum, January of 2014

Note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014