Richard Elwood, b. 19 Aug 1821

DANIELS, STEPHENS, FELL, LUCE, RILEY, BROCKWAY, CLARK, DAWS, KEEN, HALL, SQUIER, BEARD

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 3/13/2004 at 09:31:53

Richard Elwood, a prominent and well-known citizen of Jackson County, lives on a comfortable and well-stocked farm in South Fork Township. His grandfather was born in England, moved to the State of Maryland in an early day, and reared a family of ten children. Some of the older ones fought bravely, and finally gave up their lives in the Revolutionary War.

Thomas Elwood, the father of our subject, was the youngest child of his parents' family; his father died when he was but three years of age, and his mother when he was seven. At the age of seventeen, he having a desire to try the frontier life, crossed the Allegheny Mountains alone. Without a friend or relative to encourage him he made his way to Western Pennsylvania, where he enjoyed the kind hospitality of a gentleman by the name of Elliot. As he grew to manhood he formed an acquaintance with, and finally married a young lady by the name of Getty Daniels, daughter of Isaac Daniels, of Mercer County, Pa. After their marriage the worthy couple started together in life with bright prospects, engaging in farming. They were blessed with ten children, seven sons and three daughters: John, the eldest, married Eliza Stephens, of Mercer County, Pa.; Polly, the second child, married W.G. Fell, also of Mercer County, Pa.; the third, Sally, married Jonathan Luce, of Pennsylvania; James, the fourth child, married Jane Riley, also of Pennsylvania; Thomas, the fifth, married Elizabeth Riley, of Mercer County, Pa.; Richard was the sixth in order of birth, and married Mary Ann Brockway, of Trumbull County, Ohio; the seventh child, Getty Mariah, married G. R. Clark, of Mercer County, Pa.; Kinsey, the eighth, married Percy E. Daws; the ninth, Isaac, married Clara Keen, of Crawford Co., Pa.; Jonathan, the tenth, married Mary Hall, of Jackson County, Iowa.

Richard Elwood was born in Mercer County, Pa., Aug. 19, 1821; was reared on a farm, and educated at a select school in Greenville, Pa. After teaching a few terms he, with his brother Kinsey, engaged in the tanning business. In the year 1851 he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Mary Ann Brockway, from the State of New York. Mr. Brockway and his wife, formerly Polly Squier, were both natives of Wyoming County, N.Y., but settled in an early day on a rich tract of land in Trumbull County, Ohio. Both Mr. and Mrs. Elwood's fathers served in the War of 1812.

In the spring of 1851 our worthy subject and wife came to Jackson County, Iowa, where they engaged in farming and stock raising. He has always dealt very extensively in real estate and livestock.

To Mr. and Mrs. Elwood have been given seven children, three daughters and four sons, they are recorded as follows: Roseltha, the eldest, was married to C.A. Beard, of Clinton County, Iowa; James D. is at present engaged in the mercantile business; John D., the third child, died May 7, 1889, at his home.

"There is no flock, however watched and tended,
But one dead lamb is there.
here is no fireside, howsoe'er defended,
But has one vacant chair."

Charles H., the fourth, and Herbert R., the fifth, are both at home on the farm; the two youngest daughters, Anna M. and Carrie M., are also with their parents at home.

Mr. Elwood is a man of sincere piety and irreproachable habits. The Republican party has no more loyal follower in its ranks than he. Of Mrs. Elwood we can faintly portray her excellence by saying, "Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her." Their children are all blessed with bright intellects and good business capacity, have all been well educated, receiving their instruction at the Maquoketa High School, the State Normal at Valparaiso, Ind., and Cornell College, Mt. Verson, Iowa; they are also rich in musical talent.

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