GEORGE SCARBOROUGH, b 4 Jul 1813

SCARBOROUGH, BARKER

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 10/9/2004 at 08:25:55

When this good man passed away it was said that the poor had lost a sympathizing friend, his family an affectionate husband and tender father, and the community at large a valuable member of society. His life had been signalized by industry, economy, large-heartedness and integrity, and all the qualities which go to make up a worthy and noble character. He was born in the town of Holm, Yorkshire, England, July 4, 1813, and departed this life at his homestead in Iowa Township, Jan. 18, 1880.

Mr. Scarborough left England permanently with his family in September, 1842, embarking on a sailing-vessel, and after a stormy voyage of eight weeks, landed in the city of New Orleans. Thence they proceeded by a river steamer to St. Louis, Mo., and from there to this county in a wagon drawn by one yoke of oxen, reaching Iowa Township Jan. 4, 1843, and within its limits he spent the balance of his life. He had been married, March 19, 1839, to Miss Jane Barker, who was born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, July 31, 1820. It is proper to state that Mr. Scarborough came to the United States first in 1836, sojourned in Albany, N.Y., one year, then returned to England, was married, and remained there for six years, when he set out the second time for America. His father, James Scarborough, a native of Yorkshire, removed to Lincolnshire when George was a small child, and there the latter was educated and reared to man's estate.

About 1849 Mr. and Mrs. Scarborough removed to a tract of wild, unimproved land, and for a time occupied a small log house with a floor of mother earth, but which was afterward covered with puncheons, and a window consisting of a single row of small panes of glass. The structure contained one room only, and has been built by Thomas Scarborough, who accompanied his brother George to America in 1836, and coming to Iowa sojourned in this county from 1839 to 1850, then went overland to California, returning to Iowa in 1851, and who is now deceased.

Our subject and his estimable wife occupied this humble dwelling until the fall of 1855, then removed to that now occupied by his widow and her son and two daughters. It should be understood that the land upon which they settled is now included in the Scarborough homestead, which has undergone such a series of improvements that it bears not the faintest resemblance to the original farm. Of the twelve children who in due time gathered around the fireside, nine are living, namely: Mary J., Rose, Elizabeth, Sarah, Harriet, John W., Phebe, George and Douglass, all located near their mother.

Mr. Scarborough, politically, supported the Democratic party, and although no office-seeker, discharged the duties of Assessor, and officiated in those positions where his sound sense and good judgment were of great service to the people. In his native England he had identified hiself with the I.O.O.F. He was singularly unselfish and sympathetic in his nature, willing to sacrifice his own inclinations and convenience in order to bestow a favor and assist others. So unobstrusive and modest were his benefactions that it might have been said of him that he literally suffered not his right hand to know what his left was doing. He took a warm interest in the various projects tending to benefit the people at large, and was always to be found on the side of truth, justice and right. He paid careful attention to the training of his children, who in their position as worthy members of society do honor to his memory. Miss Mary Scarborough is especially intelligent and well educated, and has followed the profession of a teacher in Iowa Township for a period of ten years, being remarkably successful and popular.

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