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George W. Ensign

ENSIGN, BENJAMIN, BENNETT, FALLS, BOULTON, DELAPP, BENSON

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 11/11/2011 at 17:06:33

GEORGE W. ENSIGN, whose sketch now claims attention, is one of the highly esteemed agriculturists of Fairfield Township, Grundy County, and after a long life, well and pleasantly spent, looks back upon the years with great satisfaction, remembering how faithfully he performed every duty that fell to him. He was born in Delaware County, N. Y., August 14, 1831, and is the son of Elias and Clarissa (Benjamin) Ensign, natives respectively of Connecticut and New York.

Grandfather Eliphet Ensign, who was likewise a native of the Nutmeg State, was a farmer by occupation. The Ensigns in this country trace their ancestry back to three brothers who came from England and made their home in America, where they carried on agricultural pursuits.

By his marriage with Miss Benjamin, the father of our subject had born to him nine children, eight of whom grew to mature year, and bear the names of Charles, Elias, Amos, Silas, George W., Ezekiel, Mary A. and Clarissa. The mother of these children was born and educated on a farm in western New York, and was fifty years of age at the time of her decease. Elias Ensign received his education in his native place in Connecticut, and when old enough to work began rafting on the Delaware River. He possessed a fair education, and died at an advanced age.

George W. Ensign, of this sketch, was a lad of four years when he went to live with his uncle, Bradley Bennett, of Syracuse, N. Y. There he was given a fair education, and on attaining his majority started out for himself. In the fall of 1855 he came to Fairfield Township, this county, where he entered eighty acres of Government land, paying for the same $1.25 per acre. He was a brickmason and carpenter by trade, and when first locating here worked at his calling until he had accumulated a sufficient sum to enable him to give his entire attention to the improvement of his farm.

In 1863 Mr. Ensign and Miss Adeline, daughter of Peter and Mary (Falls) Boulton, were united in marriage. The lady was born in Virginia, which was the home of her parents, and by her marriage with Mr. Ensign she has become the mother of six children. Those living are Harriet A., William B., Millie D, George H. and Charles J. Ellen M. is deceased. William B. married Lucy DeLapp, and resides near his parents’ farm; Millie is also married, now being Mrs. Charles Benson, and resides in Black Hawk County, this state.

The parents of Mrs. Ensign were members of the Baptist Church, and died at the respective ages of sixty-two and seventy-nine years. They were farmers by occupation, and came to this state, locating in Cedar County, when Mrs. Ensign was a young lady of twenty-one years. She was reared by her parents in the Baptist faith, and holds membership with the congregation in New Hartford.

Although sixty-two years of age, Mr. Ensign still does much hard work upon his farm. He is a prosperous man and one much liked throughout the community for his sterling worth and integrity. He is a member of the Republican party, and has been Assessor of his township, as well as holding many other offices of public trust.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894


 

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