Scarbrough, Andrew J.

SCARBROUGH, JACKSON, ELROD, SCARBRO, WELLS, MIDDLEBROOK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 11/29/2008 at 17:51:02

SCARBROUGH, A. J.
Farmer; Sec. 18; P. O. Monroe; born in Fayette Co., Penn., in 1822. In 1850, he removed with his parents to Knox Co., Ohio. Married Miss Emily JACKSON; she was born in Fairfield Co., Conn. They moved to this county in 1856; hv six children - Edgar S., Orrin L. (who married Miss Libbie ELROD), Clarence F., Viola Fidelia, Ella and Charles. Mr. SCARBROUGH owns 320 acres of land. In politics he is a Republican; himself and family are members of the M. E. Church. ~ Fairview Township Biographies "The History of Jasper County" (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878) ~ Fairview Township Biographies "The History of Jasper County" (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878)
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Andrew J. Scarbro, the owner and occupant of a well-improved farm in Fairview Township, Jasper County, is numbered among the industrious and prosperous agriculturists of this productive county. Our subject was born in Fayette County, Pa., January 1, 1829, to Samuel and Elizabeth (Wells) Scarbro, natives of the same state. The grandfather was also born in the same state and followed farming as his life occupation. His father came from Germany to the United States in an early day and located in the Keystone State.

Our subject's father was married to Elizabeth Wells, the daughter of Joseph and Nancy Wells, also natives of Pennsylvania. To this union were born eleven children, to whom were given tile names of James, William, Eliza, Joseph, Samuel, Rebecca, John, Andrew J., Charlotte, Mary and Margaret. The mother of this large family received a fair education, and when young she united with the Presbyterian Church. She died in her seventieth year, beloved by her family and friends. Samuel Scarbro, soon after his marriage, moved to Ohio, and there purchased a small farm. In the year 1862 he sold out and came to Iowa, and made his home among his children until his death at the age of seventy-three. He was a stanch supporter of the Democracy.

The marriage of our subject was celebrated when he was twenty-four years of age, the lady of his choice bearing the maiden name of Emily Jackson, she was a daughter of Lucius and Mary (Middlebrook) Jackson, natives of Connecticut. To this union eight children were born, two of whom died in infancy. Those living are, Edgar S. and Orrin L. (twins), Clarence F., Charley W., Viola F. and Ella D. Mrs. Scarbro is a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a lady well liked by all who know her.

The gentleman of whom we write obtained only a common-school education, but having an industrious and energetic disposition he has surmounted many obstacles, which lie in the road to prosperity. It was in 1856 that he decided to start for Iowa, and selecting Fairview Township as his future home he purchased eighty acres of wild land near the town of Colfax and commenced its cultivation. He was successful in his pursuit, and in 1861 was enabled to deposit in a Newton bank the sum of $800. At this time he went to Ohio on a visit, and while there the bank failed, and he thereby lost every dollar he had. This necessitated his commencing in life again. He immediately purchased the two hundred and thirty-three acres on which he now 1ives. He has so improve this property that it is now worth $80 per acre. Politically he is a stanch supporter of the Republican Party. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is at present holding the office of steward. He has been superintendent of the Sunday school for a great many years. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 446.