YARRINGTON, Alvah

YARRINGTON, NICHOLSON, TOWERS, POST, GLIPIN, HUNT, ROBINSON, CUSHING FUYUA

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/16/2014 at 13:49:40

Biography ~ Alvah Yarrington

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), Pp. 505-06:

ALVAH YARRINGTON, hardware merchant of Lamoni, Decatur County, has been a resident of the Hawkeye State since 1857. In that year he settled near New Oregon, in Howard County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for three years. Then selling his farm, which he had improved from a state of nature, he engaged in business at New Oregon. Mr. YARRINGTON was the first to introduce in Howard County, the “Universal Clothes Wringer.” In November, 1864, he changed his residence to Hancock County, where he purchased 340 acres of land and opened up a farm under the best of improvements. In 1865, he was elected sheriff of that county, receiving every vote but one which was cast in the county. In 1871 he disposed of his farm and engaged in the hotel business at Concord, the county seat, and also engaged in the general mercantile trade, and the following year he opened a branch store at Garner, in the same county. In 1873 he traded all of his property for a farm property in Concord Township, and for two years he cultivated a farm of 320 acres, improving the same and realizing a handsome profit. In 1873 he opened a hardware store at Garner, which he conducted about fifteen months, when he traded his stock for a farm in Harrison County, Iowa. For ten years he was successfully engaged in general farming in that county, raising stock and shipping to Chicago and other markets, an during this time he served acceptably and efficiently three terms as magistrate. In August 1886, he traded his fine farm property with DELOS F. NICHOLSON, of Lamoni, for his business block and hardware stock, when he removed to Lamoni, and intends to spend the rest of his life among the good people of this city. As a business man and as an agriculturist Mr. YARRINGTON has made an honorable record. He has been the architect of his own fortunes, having come to the Hawkeye State in poor circumstances, but energy and industry, combined with sound common sense and good management, have enabled him to succeed in life, and he is now possessed of a good competency, and what is of still greater value, the confidences and esteem of all who know him. Mr. YARRINGTON dates his birth in Eric County, Pennsylvania, September 3, 1824, a son of AVAH and ALMIRE (TOWERS) YARRINGTON, who were born and reared in Canadaigua County, New York. They were cared for by in their last years by our subject. Of their family of four children, three sons and one daughter, he was the second child. He was married September 6, 1846, to Miss PRUDA POST, a daughter of SAMUEL and MARY POST, her mother now deceased. Mrs. YARRINGTON was born in Canadaigua County, New York, April 28, 1829. They have ten children living – JOSIAH, in Harrison County, Iowa; Mrs. ANNA GILPIN, in Harrison County; Mrs. PRUDA HUNT, living in Idaho Territory; Mrs. VIOLA ROBINSON, of Clarke County, Wisconsin; Mrs. ADELIA CUSHING, of Howard County, Iowa; Mrs. ROSA FUYUA, of Harrison County; ALVAH J., in business with the firm of Yarrington & Co; IDA and HERBERT, living at home. CORA and SOLOMA ANN are deceased, the former dying at the age of fourteen years, and the latter in infancy. The children have been given fair chances in the way of fitting them for the serious duties of life, and all are respected members of society. Through yet on the meridian of life, Mr. and Mrs. YARRINGTON delight in being able to count twenty-five grandchildren. Both Mr. and Mrs. YARRINGTON have been members of the Reorganized Church of Latter-Day Saints.

NOTE: Alvah died August 11, 1892, Lamoni IA. Pruda Medora (Post) Yarrington died September 16, 1888. They were interred at Davis City IA, probably Old Davis City Cemetery.

Transcribed by Sara LeFleur, Decatur County Historical Museum, January of 2014

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014