Morris Haskin

HASKIN, ROE, CULVER, BANKS

Posted By: Gail Meyer Kilgore (email)
Date: 2/14/2004 at 03:08:41

MORRIS HASKIN, was, at the time of his demise, one of the most extensive and enterprising farmers of Grundy County, and one of the largest land owners in Felix Township, where his farming and stock-raising interests were centered. His career in life bore out the sayings of an eminent jurist, who asked what qualities contribute most to success, replied: "Some succeed by great talent, some by high connections, and some by a miracle, but the majority succeed by commencing without a shilling." Mr. Haskin was one of the most successful men of his class, and was a fine representative of those who began life without a cent and worked their way to prosperity solely through their own efforts.

A native of Jefferson County, N. Y., our subject was born May 31, 1816, a son of Benoni and Elinor (Roe) Haskin. He was a lad of five years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois. The trip was made by flat-boat on the Mississippi as far as possible, and in the place where they settled there were more Indians than white men. A year later our subject's father removed to Alton, which place he made his home for two years, and there followed his trade of shoemaking. Later, going to Knox County, Ill., he began farming, having purchased property from Revolutionary soldiers.

In the above county and state our subject was reared to manhood, and like other lads of that early day conned his lessons in the rude log cabin which was called a schoolhouse. Upon establishing a home of his own, he married, April 9, 1840, Miss Louisa, the daughter of Obediah and Lovina (Culver) Banks. The father of Mrs. Haskin was reared on a farm located between Hartford and New Haven, Conn., and when quite young went to New York City, where he learned the trade of a carpenter. After being thus engaged for about three years, he purchased a farm in the Empire State, where he remained until Mrs. Bank's death, twenty years later, when he went to Fulton County, Ill., where he died.

Soon after his marriage, Mr. Haskin of this sketch established his home in Knox County, Ill., with whose interests he was identified for fifteen years. Then, in 1855, coming to Grundy County, he was numbered among the early pioneers of this section. At the time the county was not yet organized, and the tract of land which Mr. Haskin entered from the Government was wild prairie, which he soon improved. He first lived in a rude log cabin which was on the land, it having a dirt floor and clapboard roof. Later he hauled logs to Albion and built a better log house, which was considered a fine home in those days. He made a good business of farming, and his career in life marked him a man of superior energy, foresight and thrift, whose keen judgment in regard to business matters soon placed him among the well-to-do men of the county. His landed interests when coming here comprised two hundred acres, and at his death, which occurred November 7, 1880, he left a fine estate of three hundred and forty broad and fertile acres.

To Mr. and Mrs. Haskin were born six children, namely: Lorin L., Ella M., Florence S., Manly E., Clara A., and George M. Lorin, Ella and Manly are deceased. The children were all given the best educations which it was possible to obtain near their home, and Manly E. served as Deputy Surveyor for many years. Mr. Haskin was a devoted member of the Universalist Church at Eldora, and was a man of many Christian virtues. At his death, his estate was divided among his children and widow, one hundred and sixty acres of home estate being under the direct supervision of George M. Mr. Haskin was an unswerving Republican, and at all times and in all places ever showed himself to be a loyal citizen, and was well beloved by his fellow-townsmen.

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

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