Landes, John F.

LANDES, SIPLE, JOHNSON, TROWER

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/1/2019 at 13:24:10

JOHN F. LANDES
Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), p. 477.

"JOHN F. LANDES, merchant at Westerville, was born in Augusta County, Virginia, October 26, 1831, son of Samuel and Magdalene (Siple) Landes, natives of the same State. They immigrated to Iowa in 1855, first settling in Clarke County, where they remained until 1870, then came to Decatur County and settled in Westerville, where the father died, June 12,1886. The mother is still living, aged eighty-two years. Mr. Landes traces his ancestry back to three brothers who came from Germany many years ago. One of them returned to his native country and the others remained. Mr. Landes believes that all of the name (sic) in the United States spring from these two brothers. There is a tradition that the one who returned to Germany died a few years ago leaving a large estate, but the matter has never been investigated by the relatives here.

"Mr. Landes was reared on a farm until he was eighteen years old. During this time he was engaged in the mercantile business a portion of the time. In 1865 he was elected to the Legislature on the Republican ticket, and served with entire satisfaction to his constituents. He has held township and school offices. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, as a private, but was promoted First Lieutenant. He participated in the battles of Parson Spring, Jenks' Ferry and several others of less note . He was mostly in Missouri and Arkansas. He was honorably discharged, and was mustered out in Davenport.

"He located in Westerville in 1870, since which time he has been engaged in general merchandise, keeping a large and well-selected stock of goods of about $20,000, and commands a large trade. In 1865 he was married to Miss Emma Johnson, daughter of C. R. and Lucinda M. Johnson, early settlers of Clarke County. Her father was a prominent politician of that county. He served in the Legislature both in the Senate and House; also held the office of county clerk. Mrs. Landes was born in Pennsylvania. She died in 1872, leaving one child, Lucius. Mr. Landes was a second time married, in Westerville, to Elizabeth Trower, born in Fairfield, Jefferson County, and they have three children -- Mary M., Harry L. and Medora L. Mr. Landes is a member of the Masonic fraternity."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)