AZARIAH PRUSIA, b 13 Nov 1822

PRUSIA, CLAYTON, OSBORN, BARKER, BRADEN, PAEPKA

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 9/16/2004 at 17:47:43

Among the many men who have labored to excellent purpose and are now enjoying the reward of their toils, the subject of this notice occupies a prominent place, and is spending his later days amid the comforts of a pleasant home in Preston. His has been a remarbly interesting experience, he having come here during the pioneer days of this county, in advance of the march of civilization. From a tract of wild and uncultivated land he constructed one of the best farms in this region, and by the exercise of industry and economy procured for himself a competence, and more than enough to provide for him in his old age. In the fall of 1882 he retired from active labor, leaving the property in the hands of his son, Charlie O. His landed estate comprises 260 acres, on sections 15 and 22, in Van Buren Township. The soil has been brought to a good state of cultivation, and thereon have been erected substantial buildings - a comfortable residence, barns and the other structures necessary for the storage of grain and the shelter of stock. The whole is an admirable illustration of the labors of one man endowed with perseverence and energy.

Our subject is of excellent Pennsylvania stock, being the son of George Prusia, who was born in Berks County, Pa. The paternal grandfather was Christian Prussia, a native of Germany. The mother was Rebecca Clayton, daughter of Edward Clayton, who was born in England, and who, on account of his liberalism and his courage in expressing his views, was driven from his native soil. The father of our subject, during early manood, migrated to Livingston County, N.Y., and was there married near Danville, where he followed his trade of a tanner. Three children were there born to the parents, Azariah being the eldest. In 1826 the family removed to Ann Arbor, Mich., where the father established a tannery, the first institution of its kinds in Washtenaw County. He also took up land, and was prospered in his labors. The building devoted to the medical department of the Michigan State University now stands upon a portion of that land.

After the removal of the Prusia family to Michigan, there were born three more children, and then the mother died, while still a young woman, in 1834. Mr. Prusia continued prosperous, and became quite wealthy, still continuing to operate his tanner, and also conducting a boot and shoe store, a harness shop and other branches of the latter business. After the death of his first wife he was married a second time, and there were born five more children. After a time misfortunes overtook the father, and he parted with the greater portion of his property. He finally came to Iowa, and died in Jackson County in 1880.

The subject of this sketch, who was the eldest child of the first marriage of his father, was born Nov. 13, 1822, in Livington County, N.Y., and was but four or five years old when his parents removed to Michigan. Ann Arbor was then a town of a few houses. The parents made the journey by water, and endured many hardships and difficulties during the years which followed. Azariah was full of life and energy, however, and none of these things cast a damper upon his spirits. He was likewise full of mischief, and frequently played truant, causing his mother at times great anxiety, but his exuberant spirits were obliged to find a vent in some manner. As soon as old enough he was set to grinding bark in the tannery, and in due time became master of the trade. At the early age of fifteen years he determined to see something of the world, while at the same time he had a premonition that his father's fortunes were turning, and that in time he would be obliged to look out for himself. After much argument with his father, who was very unwilling to have him take such a step, he finally gained permission, and set out on foot, with the rifle which he had learned to handle perfectly, a jack-knife, and a rude knapsack containing a few clothes and provisions. It was a perilous journey for a lad of that age, but our hero saw in it nothing but romance and adventure. He was accompanied by William Latta, Lucas B. Walker, and his dog, "Major,: who was his confidential and trusted friend. They passed through the little towns of Chicago and Rockford, and met with sufficient adventure to make the journey anything but monotonous. It was not all smooth sailing by any means, and they often suffered weariness in sometimes traveling over a rough country, where there was often but an Indian trail to mark their pathway.

Upon reaching the Father of Waters our travelers crossed on a ferry-boat to what was then Charleston, but is now Sabula, and thence came directly to Van Buren Township, this county. Young Prusia took up two quarter-sections of land, and his father sent him a yoke of oxen. He occupied himself at farming until the fall of the year, and then his father sent for him to come home. He was just as anxious to get back as his parent was to have him, and he started out bright and early one morning from Buckeye, and before night had reached Oregon, Ill., on the Rock River. A part of this distance he really ran, as may be supposed from the quick time in which he accomplished it. The natural consequence was that the next morning he was so lame that he could scarcely walk. He managed to reach home, however, and was warmly welcomed by his father and his old associates. The winter following he attended school, but the next spring returned to Iowa with the Swaneys. He remained there during the summer, employed at farming; then returned to Michigan, and came to Iowa the following spring. It was a beautiful scene which was presented to his eyes as he looked upon the vast prairie covered with waving grass and wild flowers, while the forests and creeks which intervened were no less enchanting. The latter contained choice fish, such as black bass, pickerel, silver-sides, red-horse, perch, suckers, bull-heads, etc. Young Prusia was an expert angler and a good shot, and thus found abundant amusement and employment. He brought down many a deer, also wild turkeys, ducks and prairie chickens.

Our subject was a member of the militia, and attended the first execution in Jackson County - that of a desperado by the name of Jackson, who was hanged at Andrew. He was placed on top of a dry-goods box on a wagon, and the latter was driven directly under the tree from which he swung as the wagon was driven away at the appointed moment. He voted for the adoption of the first State constitution; subsequently made the acquaintance of Gov. Briggs, and assisted in electing him. He paid his first taxes in coon skins, as he did for several years afterward.

Mr. Prusia occupied himself at farming until the spring of 1850; then, seized with the California gold fever, started for the Pacific Slope, in company with Ebenezer Garland. They arrived there on the 15th of July following, and our subject remained until April 15, 1851. He has been successful, and brought back with him enough to build his house, pay for his land, and get himself in readiness to bring home a wife and helpmate. The lady of his choice was Miss Louisa Osborn, daughter of Samuel and Betsy (Barker) Osborn, of whom furtheR reference is made in the sketch of Ebenezer Osborn.

Mrs. Prusia was born in Tioga County, N.Y., Jan. 18, 1834, and was a maiden of fifteen years when she accompanied her parents to Iowa, in the yar of 1849. Two years later she was married to our subject, Nov. 4, 1851. Of this union there have been born three children - George W., Charlie Orson, and Ann Jenette, the latter dying when ten months old. The eldest son married Miss Libby Braden, of Shiawassee County, Mich.; they have one child, a son, Frank, and live on a farm; Charlie O. married Miss Annie Paepka, and they reside on the old homestead, in Van Buren Township.

Mr. Prusia cast his first presidential vote for Pierce, and usually votes for the candidates of the Democratic party, though he voted for Lincoln and Grant; yet he refuses to be bound by party lines, and aims to support the men best qualified to serve the people. He has served as School Director in his district, and has uniformly distinguished himself as an active, stirring man - one who has a healthy contempt for the idler, and who likes to see those prosper who will endeavor to help themselves. Mrs. Prusia has been a most suitable companion and helpmate to her husband, being a lady of sound common sense, great industry and much intelligence. She is of a benevolent and charitable disposition, and belongs to the Ladies' Aid Society.

The recollections of other days often come back to our subject, and he can tell many an interesting tale of pioneer life in the Hawkeye State. As a young man he was a genial companion and a great favorite among his associates. The young people of those days had their pleasures and their pastimes, and probably enjoyed themselves more thoroughly than many of the present day, with their later civilization and modern jealousies. They would make up parties and go ten or twelve miles with an ox team, as horses were a luxury which few could command. A young man thoughT nothing of making this distance in order to secure the company of his "best girl," and if he did not get home until daybreak nothing was thought of it. It was no unusual sight to see the pioneer wife and mother driving into the village with a yoke of cattle hitched to the farm wagon. The dog "Major" survived many years after accompanying his master to Iowa, and the latter would scarcely have parted with him for any amount of money. He was a very brave and sagacious animal, and could whip any canine in the country, even though it were larger than himself, as was proven upon more than one occasion. The first wedding he attended was at Green Island, in this county. It was opened by a dog fight between "Major" and a bull-dog owned by a man named Brown, of Belleue, for a wager of $1. The dog "Major" won the fight.

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