Jacob Derflinger

DERFLINGER, BARROW, COOKSEY, GRANT, SPACKMAN, BROOKS, QUITMYER

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 12/31/2003 at 00:02:51

JACOB E. DERFLINGER, who is engaged in farming on section 18, Putnam Township, has been a resident of the county since 1864, during which time he has been prominently identified with its agricultural interests. A native of Shenandoah County, Virginia, he was born February 23, 1819, and is a son of PHILIP DERFLINGER, a native of Virginia --- the family of German descent. On attaining to mature years he married ELIZABETH BARROW, also a native of that State, where they spent their entire lives. Indians were among their neighbors during those earlier days and they witnessed much of the development of the Old Dominion. By trade Mr. DERFLINGER was a mechanic, and in connection with that occupation he also followed farming. He was a quiet, industrious citizen, worthy the respect and confidence in which he was held by those who knew him. In earlier life he was Whig but afterward became a Democrat, and in religious belief was a Lutheran. His wife died prior to the war, but he lived until after its close, his death occurring the day succeeding his ninety-first birthday. He was a vigorous man who labored untiringly for the interests of his family. His children are ---- WILLIAM, who died in Virginia; CATHERINE, a resident of that State; REBECCA, living in Pennsylvania; BAYLESS, of Virginia; JACOB E.; CHARLES, of Virginia; and JONAS, who became a pioneer settler in Scott Township, and was killed in this county.

Our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home. His educational advantages were limited, as the public school system was not in force in Virginia during his earlier years. He earned his first money by making rails and followed various pursuits until 1847, when he left his native State, emigrating to Licking County, Ohio, where he purchased seventy acres of timber land. This he developed into a good farm and operated it until 1851, when he spent about eighteen months in the mercantile line. The succeeding three years he devoted to sheep raising in Ohio, and then came to Iowa in 1864, purchasing land where he now lives. However, he first rented and the products of the farm procured him the means to make the purchase. He now has eighty acres on Section 18, a good house and other equipments and improvements, but does not engage actively in farm labor at this time for he has rented his land and is living a retired life.

Mr. DERFLINGER was married in Licking County, Ohio, May 3, 1849, to ALICE COOKSEY, a native of Fairfax County, Virginia and a daughter of JOHN N. and NANCY ANN (GRANT) COOKSEY. They removed to Ohio when their daughter was nineteen years of age and there spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. DERFLINGER are the parents of seven children yet living and have lost two ----- PHILLIP THOMAS who was born in Ohio, is now a merchant of Hand County, South Dakota. He married LIZZIE SPACKMAN; JOHN WILLIAM who was born in Ohio, and married LYDIA BROOKS, a native of the same State, is now operating a creamery in Linn Point, Linn County, Iowa; ELLA, who was born in the Buckeye State, died at the age of twenty-one years; JAMES HARVEY, who was born in Ohio, is now in engaged in farming in Linn County, Iowa, where he became acquainted with and wedded MARY BARROW; GIBSON A., also a native of the same State, is engaged in the ceamery business in Aurora, Buchanan County; THADDEUS NEWTON, also a native of Ohio, married MISS QUITMYER and follows farming in Putnam Township; JOSIE, born in Iowa, is the wife of HENRY QUITMYER; EUNICE ALICE, born in Iowa, is at home; CHARLES, also born in this State, is now deceased. The children all received good educational advantages and have started out in life under favorable circumstances.

The parents are members of the Christian Church in Brush Creek, and Mr. Derflinger is a Democrat in politics never failing to cast for that party. He cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison, and continued to advocate Whig principles until the dissolution of that party. He has given his principal attention to general farming and by the exercise of good business ability has acquired a comfortable competence. He is an honorable and respected citizen and the famy have many friends in the county.

from "1891 Portrait and Biographical Album of Fayette County", pages 667 & 668