ELI T MARLOW, b 9 Aug 1827

MARLOW, BLAKELY, SIMS, LOWBERBAUGH, RICHEY, PURDY

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 6/19/2004 at 22:09:26

In the career of this gentleman is illustrated that of the self-made man, who began life without other resources than his own independent and persevering disposition. He was content to operate as a farm laborer until he could save enough to purchase land, and his first property required the outlay of years of labor, and thousands of dollars before it could be brought to the condition in which we now find it. He first secured ninety acres, only a small portion of which had been broken, put up a house and labored a number of years before he found himself on solid ground, financially. He then invested his surplus capital in additional land, and is now the owner of 400 acres, the whole of which he has brought to a good state of cultivation.

While building up for himself the reputation of a thorough and skillful agriculturist, Mr. Marlow, in the meantime, established himself in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He stands second to no man in his township, socially and financially, and has furnished an example which could be profitably imitated by many a young man. He has made it the rule of his life to live within his income, and to meet his obligations when they became due. Consequently he has preserved his property unincumbered, and now has a competence for his old age.

Mr. Marlow was born near the city of Fredericktown, Md., Aug. 9, 1827, and when a child, was taken by his parents to Fayette County, Pa., where he grew up on a farm, and pursued his studies in a log school-house. He remained a member of the parental household until a man of twenty-seven years, then, in 1854, decided to seek his fortunes west of the Mississippi. He made his way to the city of Pittsburg by boat, thence by rail to Freeport, Ill., and from there overland by stage to Union Centre. Thereafter for three years he employed himself as a farm laborer by the month, and then purchased land as we have already state. The fields of the Marlow homestead, are mostly enclosed with hedge and wire fencing, the former kept beautifully trimmed and adding greatly to the appearance of the landscape. Mr. Marlow set out fruit and forest trees, a large number with his own hands, put up a house and two barns, and has wagon-sheds and hay-scales, a wind-mill and water-tanks, and all the other necessary equipments of the modern agriculturist, including two houses. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, also buys and feeds about two car-loads of cattle annually. His favorites are the Durhams, of which he keeps about eighty head. He also raises Chester-White swine, shipping two car-loads annually, and keeps eighteen head of roadsters and draft horses, utilizing four teams to operate his farm. The homestead with its ample fields, the improved machinery, the well-fed stock, and all its other goodly appliances, forms a picture of peace and plenty, which is most delightful to contemplate.

Mr. Marlow was married at Union Centre in 1857, to Miss Eliza Blakely, who had for some time prior to this, followed the profession of a teacher. She was a well-educated and intelligent lady, and a native of Washington County, Pa. She only lived about eight years after her marriage, passing away at the homestead in 1865. She was the mother of four children, the eldest of whom, a daughter, Florence, is now the wife of Alex Sims, who is in the employ of the Chicago, Minneapolis & St. Paul Railroad Company, at Savanna, Ill. Davis remains at home with his father; Edgar is married and farming in Maquoketa Township; Emma is at home.

Our subject, in 1868, contracted a second marriage, with Mrs. Margaret (Lowberbaugh) Richey, the wedding taking place in DeWitt, Clinton County, this State. This lady was born in Clay County, Ind., Nov. 6, 1836, and is the daughter of Miles Lowberbaugh, now deceased. This union results in the birth of three children - Alice, Albert and Freddie. The daughter is attending school at Maquoketa, and the boys are at home with their parents. Mrs. Marlow is a member in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Union Centre. Mr. Marlow, politically, votes the straight Democratic ticket, and socially belongs to the A.F. & A.M., at Maquoketa. He has served as School Director in his district; also as Road Supervisor.

The parents of our subject were James and Jemima (Purdy) Marlow, both natives of Fredericktown, Md., and the mother born in 1801. She is still living, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and makes her home with her son, our subject. James Marlow was a blacksmith by trade, which he followed in his native State until 1830, then removed to Fayette County, Pa., and purchased 400 acres of land. He followed agriculture, and was also engaged in hotel-keeping. He there spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1855 or 1856. Politically, he was a Democrat. Religiously, he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. The parental family included thirteen children, eleven of whom grew to mature years, namely: Rebecca, Eli T., our subject, Singleton D., James N., George and Hamilton, both now deceased; Edgar, Luther, Addie, Emma, and Delia. Mrs. Marlow is the mother of one child, by her first marriage, a son, named George T. Richey, who resides in Chicago.

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