John F. Sloan 1851-1926

SLOAN, WOODSON, GILBERT

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 8/21/2015 at 12:47:04

JOHN F. SLOAN The farm occupied by this gentleman is the old family homestead and is one of the most valuable tracts of land in Dubuque County on account of the fertility of the soil the careful tillage it receives, the system used in its cultivation and the various other improvements that mark a first class estate. The residence although it has stood for more than thirty years is still substantial a model rural abode which is kept in excellent repair and furnished in a manner corresponding with the cultivated tastes of the family.

In Dubuque Township where he now lives the subject of this sketch was born on the 18th of December 1851 and is the son of James and Elsie Woodson Sloan. The Sloan family was numbered among the earliest settlers of Illinois with the early history of which its members were for years closely identified. Grandfather John Sloan was the first representative of the family in Illinois having settled there during the territorial days. There he continued to reside until his death which occurred at the age of seventy two years. His wife Jane passed away near Dubuque also at th age of seventy two. Upon coming to Dubuque County James Sloan entered the land now occupied by our subject. Through the exercise of frugality and excellent judgment he gradually built up a finely improved farm and accumulated a fair share of this world's goods. Here surrounded by the comforts which he had gained by unceasing toil he spent his latter days retired from the arduous labors of earlier years. Here at the age of seventy two years he passed from earth. His widow still lives on the old homestead making her home with her son John F. The first marriage of James Sloan united him with Miss Rhoda Gilbert who bore him three children and died on the home farm. His second marriage was to Elsie Woodson a native of Missouri and daughter of Cheric and Martha A. Woodson. Five children resulted from the second union three of whom are living. The family residence was for a number of years the primitive log cabin which is still standing but as prosperity came to the father and he became the possessor of sufficient means he erected in 1862 the house where our subject has since made his home. To the political questions of the age Mr. Sloan has given due consideration and advocates the principles of the Republican party. As a citizen he is held in high esteem as he is law abiding enterprising and intelligent and in the social circles which he frequents he is deservedly popular. He has much of the spirit of progress and the unflagging energy which are moving principles among the Americans of to day and his work as an agriculturist is being pushed forward systematically and successfully.

THE HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY, IOWA
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