REES, John Miles (1855-1925)

REES

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 5/30/2021 at 17:04:43

John Miles Rees
(1855 – 1925)

J. M. Rees, a prominent and influential farmer and stock-raiser of Silver Creek Township, residing on section 35, was born in Dubuque County, Iowa, in 1855. He was the son of J. M. and Elizabeth (Ellis) Rees, natives of New York and England, respectively. The ancestry of the father can be traced back to the early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam. Mr. and Mrs. Rees, Sr., removed to Chicago, and while there Mr. Rees was engaged keeping books. In 1858 they moved to Dubuque County, Iowa, where the father died, but the mother is still living.
Our subject was reared and educated in the schools of Dubuque County, finishing his education at the Epworth Seminary. After that he proceeded to put to use the truths he had learned during his school life and followed the life of a teacher for some time, both in Dubuque and Ida counties. Upon coming to this county our subject purchased 120 acres of land, which he broke and improved. Mr. Rees has added to his first purchase until he now has 240 acres of land, situated nine miles from Ida Green. The farm is well watered by the Elk creek that passes through it. On this farm Mr. Rees has a substantial farm residence, the main part is 16 x 26, with an L, 16 x 16, all a story and a half high, and a kitchen, 12 x 14, one story in height. On this place also may be found all necessary outbuildings for the feeding, housing and raising of stock. He is building a basement barn, 32 x 44, 16 feet high, with a shed 16 feet wide on the east side and a shed 18 feet wide on the north end, 14 feet high. The barn will be supplied with a grain dump and elevator, making it very convenient for feeding. The premises are surrounded by a beautiful grove of two acres, and in the yard are ornamental trees. The house is built on an elevation, overlooking the surrounding country. He was one of the first settlers of the township, and by his energetic efforts has contributed much toward the growth of the settlement.
Mr. Rees was married, in 1883, to Miss Hannah, of Dubuque County, Iowa, a daughter of James and Isabella Cunningham, natives of Ireland and early settlers of Galena, Illinois, from which they came to Dubuque county, Iowa, where the father died in 1861, but the mother is still alive. Mrs. Rees was educated in Dubuque county and was one of the leading teachers of the county for some years. Mr. and Mrs. Rees have three children: Esther, Joseph and Mary Isabella. Mr. Rees and his wife are active members of the Congregational Church, of Silver Creek Township, in which he is a Deacon and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. Both are worthy people and enjoy the esteem of all who know them.
Source: Biographical History of Crawford, Ida, and Sac Counties, Iowa, 1893, p.513