GAYLORD, Edson 1826-1914

GAYLORD

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 6/14/2009 at 11:06:50

EDSON GAYLORD was born in Northville, Litchfield county, Connecticut, October 16, 1826; he died at his home near Nora Springs, Iowa, March 18, 1914. He began work on a farm at the early age of six years and at nine was hired out to work on a farm at six dollars a month. He began teaching school at the age of seventeen years. He continued working and teaching in the East until 1853 when he came West to make his home, and after stopping in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota, finally settled in Floyd county, Iowa.

In October, 1863, he cut the first tree for his home, which was made entirely without nails. He cut the first tree for the first school house in Floyd county, cut out and made the first pioneer road through Rock Grove township and burned the first lime in a regular kiln. During his long residence he served as justice of the peace, member of the board of township trustees and member and chairman of the school board. For some years he was a correspondent of the New York Tribune.

He was considered an authority on agriculture and horticulture and gave especial attention to apple culture in the northwest.

- "Notable Deaths" Annals of Iowa. Vol. XI, No. 1, 3rd Series. p. 634. Historical Society of Iowa. Des Moines. April, 1913.