George W. Belknap, b. 11 Nov 1810

NOBLES, MONTAGUE, HILL, WINNER

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/21/2004 at 14:01:28

George W. Belknap is one of the eldest living pioneers in Jackson County. He is now residing on section 6, Richland Township, where he has one of the finest farms in the county, recently purchased by him, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He is of New York birth and lineage. His father, Eli Belknap, was also a native of the Empire State, born in Oneida County, and later in life he was engaged in hotel-keeping there in the town of Rome. He subsequently removed to Chautauqua County, and located near the town of French Creek, where he followed agricultural pursuits and was also engaged in school teaching. He was possessed of superior intellectual gifts and became a prominent man in the county, serving as Constable, Justice of the Peace, Collector, etc., and was always a conspicuous figure in public life. He was considered one of the best writers of the day, and contributed to newspapers and magazines. He and his wife were among the leading members of the Baptist Church, and were ever zealous to raise the social, intellectual and moral standing of their community. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Lydia Nobles. She was born in Nova Scotia, and came to the United States with her parents, who located in Oneida County, where she was married. Her peaceful and happy wedded life with the father of our subject was blessed to them by the birth of the following children; George W.; Francis, deceased; David, in Kansas; Edward, in Chautauqua County; Joseph, in Chautauqua County; Squire, deceased; Andrew, in Chautauqua County; and Melvina, in Fayette, Iowa.

He of whom this biographical sketch is the life-record, was born near Rome, Oneida Co., N.Y., Nov. 11, 1810. He received the educational advantages given to children in that day. He accompanied his parents in their journey to their new home in Chautauqua County, and remembers various incidents connected with it in passing through what was then a sparsely settled country, and can compare in his mind the city of Buffalo as it is today with what it was then with its few rude houses. He remained on the home farm, giving his father his valuable assistance in its cultivation til he attained his majority, when he engaged in farming for himself, buying 160 acres of land. As his farm was in a new country where but few settlers had preceded him, he had to clear it from the depths of the primeval forests. He made many improvements on the place, and continued to live on it till the spring of 1844, when he decided to try farming on the rich virgin soil of the prairies of Iowa, and, accompanied by his family, he made the slow and tedious journey from his old home across the forests and prairies of the intervening States, and finally came to what is now Prairie Springs. He chose a site for his new home one-fourth of a mile from LaMotte, his brother-in-law, Mr. Montague, having been the founder of that place, and our subject thus became one of the very first settlers of the Township of Prairie Spring, where he took up a claim to a tract of 160 acres of land. This he improved, and from time to time made further purchases till he had a fine farm of 350 acres. In the early days of his settlement in that part of Jackson County, the face of the country presented a very different appearance from what it does today, with its smiling farms and many beautiful homes. Then all was wild, scarecely removed from its original uncultivated and uninhabited appearance, and deer, wild turkeys, prairie chickens, etc., furnished a welcome addition to the meagre bill-of-fare of the pioneers. Our subject was obliged to go to Galena, Ill., to market, and he has been chased by prairie wolves many a time, and has had numerous frays with the savage, hungry beasts. He engaged in farming and stock-raising, and also in the dairy business, making butter and cheese extensively. In 1883 Mr. Belknap sold his Prairie spring estate and removed to Dubuque, where he lived a retired life, having accumulated a fine property, from which he derived a good annual income. But a sedentary life did not suit a man of his independent, active temperament, and in 1885 he returned to Jackson County, and bought a residence in LaMotte. He resided in that village till the spring of 1889, when he bought his present place of 160 acres of fine prairie land, which is well improved, has a neat set of farm buildings, and all the conveniences for carrying on agriculture in all its branches to the best advantage, and he has it well stocked with cattle of good grades, horses, etc.

Fifty-four years ago, Jan. 1, 1835, Mr. Belknap took a step that has had an important bearing on his after life, and has contributed much to its prosperity and happiness. On that auspicious New Year's Day he took unto himself a wife in the person of Miss Malinda Hill, and their union was solemnized in French Creek Township. Thus for over half a century they have walked life's path together, sharing its joys and dividing its sorrows, ever true to each other and to the obligations imposed on them by family ties and in their relations with others beyond the household. Mrs. Belknap was born in Geneseo County, N.Y., received a good education, and was a successful school teacher till she abandoned the profession to unite her life with our subject's. They are the parents of three children living - Emory, Mary, and Ella. Emory, a graduate of Davenport College, is at present farming with his father; Mary married G. Winner, a butcher, living near Fayette; Ella married Charles Winner, and they reside in LaMotte.

Mr. Belknap is a man of sound understanding and unswerving integrity of character, and in him Jackson County has always found a trustworthy, desirable citizen; his neighbors, a kind, true friend; his family an affectionate husband and a devoted father, and in all relations of life he has done his part as an honest, virtuous man should. He affiliates with the Democratic party, and is stanch in its support. He has served on the grand jury. Our subject has watched with pleasure the development of this county from its primitive wildness to its present highly civilized condition, and has had an honorable share in bringing about the great change. As a good citizen, he has done all that he could for its moral, educational and religious advancement. He was one of the first to propose the organization of the Baptist Church in LaMotte, and was active in its upbuilding, and has since been one of its most faithful members.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois)