Oldest Native Iowan

UTTER, COUSINS

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 2/17/2011 at 12:21:12

The Oldest Native Iowan

An item relating to the oldest native Iowan has been going the rounds of the papers, and we believe the credit is given to a Davenport lady, born in 1836. Mrs. John Utter, living south of New Hartford, beats this one year. She was born in or where Dubuque is now located, in October, 1835, and her brother, J. A. Cousins, of New Hartford, in the same place, in April, 1837.

--Iowa State Reporter (Waterloo, Iowa), 2 February 1876

The Oldest Hawkeye

Our item relating to the oldest white person born within the present limits of Iowa brings out a statement from Hardin Nowlin, in the Iowa State Reporter, to the effect that his daughter, Mrs. H. B. Allen, was born in Dubuque county, on the 26th day of Oct. 1835. This is the same year and month in which we stated Mrs. John Utter was born. But we have one which beats the above by some six or seven years. John Adams, now living in Wapello county, in this state, was born near the present side of Council Bluffs, in 1828 or 1829, his father being a soldier in the regular army--his mother being there also--John was drafted and assigned to the "infantry" branch of the service. Adams came to this place when he was 22 years of age and worked for S. H. Rownd. This is 25 years since, making him now some 47 years of age. We think this cannot be beaten without palming off an Indian which can't be did in this connection.--Cedar Falls Gazette

--Iowa State Reporter (Waterloo, Iowa), 9 February 1876