Stover, James H.

STOVER, HILL, BRITTAIN, JOHNSTON, COTTLE, HANNING, MURRAY, HUSTON, MCDANIEL, SPEERS, BRIGHT, HOWELL

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2019 at 13:18:32

JAMES H. STOVER

James H. Stover farmed in this county for a number of years and at the time of his demise was residing upon his homestead of eighty-six acres on section 2, Hamilton township. He was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, April 16, 1851, a son of the Rev. Jacob and Elizabeth Stover, the latter a native of Ohio. The father, whose birth occurred in West Virginia, removed to Ohio with his family when our subject was but a child and there both he and his wife passed away.

James H. Stover grew to manhood in the Buckeye state and there attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. He was married in Ohio in 1877 and continued to reside there, devoting his time to agricultural pursuits until 1885, when he came with his family to Decatur county, Iowa, locating in the vicinity of Leon. For some time he operated a farm in Center township but subsequently removed to Eden township and in 1902 purchased the farm of eighty-six acres on section 2, Hamilton township, which his family still owns. He was not privileged to enjoy his new home for every long as his demise occurred on the 11th of June, 1903. He carried on general farming and stock-raising and met with gratifying success therein, as he was both practical and progressive and was unremitting in his labor.

Mr. Stover was married on the 13th of December, 1877, in South Plymouth, Fayette county, Ohio, to Miss Caroline C. Hill, a daughter of McIntosh Hill, who was a son of Abraham Hill. The last named was a son of Isaac Hill, a farmer of Maryland. Abraham Hill was born in that state and was by profession a trained nurse. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Brittain and was a native of Pennsylvania. Their son, McIntosh Hill, was born in Washington county, Ohio, and during his early manhood followed the carpenter’s trade although he later gave his attention to farming. During the Civil war he enlisted at Marietta, Ohio, in Company I, Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with credit to himself for three years. In 1871 he removed to Fayette county, Ohio, where he followed the carpenter’s trade and farmed until 1886, in which year he emigrated westward locating in Wayne county, Iowa, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for fifteen years. AT the expiration of that period he came to Decatur county and purchased land in Hamilton township, where he resided for three years, or until his death, which occurred on the 15th of February, 1905. He was of Irish and Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lovina Johnston, was a daughter of Peter and Comfort Johnston, natives respectively of West Virginia and of Maine. Her maternal grandmother bore the maiden name of Lois Cottle and was also born in the Pine Tree state. Mr. And Mrs. Peter Johnston removed westward to Indiana in their youth and there their marriage was solemnized. Their daughter Lovina was married to McIntosh Hill in Washington county, Ohio. Her demise occurred in 1909, in Pleasanton, Iowa, where she had removed following the death of her husband. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom survive: Hannah Elizabeth, who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Stover, the next in order of birth; Orin J, who is following agricultural pursuits in Hamilton township and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; John M., a resident of Custer, Oklahoma; George C., of Davis City, an account of whose life is given on another page of this volume; and James Henry, a carpenter living in Mercer county, Missouri.

To Mr. And Mrs. Stover were born twelve children as follows. Samuel H., born September 23, 1878, is now a successful osteopath of Northfield, Minnesota. He received his professional training in the School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, of which he is a graduate. He married Miss Anna Hanning and they have a daughter Carrol Harriet. Ralph L., born March 22, 1880, is a telegraph operator and is stationed at Smithville, Texas. He married Miss Legene Murray and their three children are Raymond, Cleve and Ludie Caroline. Harry R., born august 2, 1881, is at home and operates the farm for his mother. He married Marian J. Huston, a daughter of Francis M. and Sophronia (Warner) Huston. Mr. Huston is now deceased but his widow is a resident of Pleasanton. Maude, who was born January 20, 1883, is teaching in Eden township. Ethel, born December 20, 1884, is the wife of J. H. McDaniel, a farmer of Burrell township. They have five children: Leland R., Harold, Phelma, Mildred, and Forrest. The next in order of birth was a son, who was born November 23, 1886, and who died in infancy. George was born March 5, 1888, and is now living in Des Moines. He married Gail Speers. Pearl, born November 16, 1889, gave her hand in marriage to Edward Bright, a farmer of Lineville, Iowa, by who she has two children, Earldine and Vera Doris. Lovina, born December 26, 1891, married Earl Howell, a farmer of Salina, Kansas. Willard Arthur, born November 25, 1894, was graduated from the Leon high school with the class of 1915. Mabel, whose birth occurred on the 17th of September, 1896, is a student in the Leon high school. Walter, the youngest of the family, was born February 27, 1899, and is also attending the local high school.

Mr. Stover was a republican in politics and was active in the work of his party. He served as a director of his school district while living in Eden township and was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. Fraternally he was identified with the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows lodges at Leon and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He gained financial independence and was recognized as one of the up-to-date and efficient farmers of the county. His personality was such that he readily made and gained friends and there was never the slightest question as to his integrity. Since his demise his wife has continued to reside upon the home place and with the aid of her children is operating the farm, proving herself a woman of excellent business ability and of marked force of character.