Tool, J. A.

TOOL, FOUTY, FOUTS, STINSON, BARNES

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 11/29/2008 at 18:07:34

TOOL, J. A.
Farmer and stock raiser; Sec. 34; P. O. Monroe; is one of the pioneers of this county; born in Washington Co., Va. When he was 11 years of age, he moved with his parents to Illinois, where he attended school and received a liberal education. He came to this county with his parents in 1843. Married Miss Sarah FOUTY, in Warren Co., this State, in 1847. She was born in Indiana. The have nine children. Mr. TOOL has been prominently identified with the religious and educational interests of this county; he was licensed minister of the M. E. Church in 1858, and in early history of the county he was Justice of the Peace and member of the Board of County Commissioners. In politics, he as originally a Whig; on the decline of that party, he became a Republican, with which party he acted while he thought it was for the best interest of the country. He is now a firm supporter of the Greenback party. He owns about 700 acres of land, and is engaged in stock raising to a large extent. ~ Fairview Township Biographies "The History of Jasper County" (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878)
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James A. Tool is one of those worthy citizens who have won a comfortable fortune by the exercise of unflagging industry, wise economy and good judgment in the conduct of the business to which they have devoted themselves. His home in Fairview Township, Jasper County, is one of the most attractive of the farm residences within its bounds, and everywhere upon the estate one sees evidences of the qualities which have won for its owner his worldly success and good standing in the community.

Mr. Tool is a son of Adam M. and Susan H. (Stinson) Tool, both of whom were born in Virginia and were classed among the respected agriculturists of the community. In 1843 the father came to this county and entered three hundred and twenty acres of raw land, upon which now stands the flourishing town of Monroe, he claiming the credit of founding the place. He started in life for himself with but a very limited education, but possessing fine business qualities amassed for himself a competence which served him well in his old age. He passed away when about eighty-three years of age. Politically he was a stanch supporter of the Republican Party.

Our subject is one in a family of seven children born to his worthy parents, whose names are as follows: Eliza J., Mary S., Susan A., James A., Mariah E., Martha C. and John M. The mother of these children received a good education in her youth, and when eleven years of age became a follower of Christ, uniting herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church. She remained true to her pledge until her death, which occurred in 1862, at the age of sixty-one years. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of England but came to the United States in an early day, locating in the State of Virginia, and there was interested in agriculture and teaming.

The birth of our subject occurred in Washington County, Va., June 12, 1825. He attended the common district school in the vicinity of his home and thereby gained a good education. Remaining with his parents until twenty-two years of age, he married Sarah Fouts, a daughter of Noah and Phoebe Fouts, of North Carolina. To this union were born twelve children, three of whom died in infancy. The others bore the names of Charles W., Cynthia A., Quinn H., John H., Sarah E., Oscar N., Harrison F., Ulissia A. and Flora A. The mother of these children was called to the land beyond in her sixty-third year. She was highly respected by all who knew her and was a member in good standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The church structure stands on our subject's farm and is known as Tool's Chapel. The second marriage of Mr. Tool was solemnized in 1892, the lady of his choice bearing the name of Mary E. Barnes, a daughter of Hodgen and Mary A. Barnes, natives of England and Wales, respectively. Mrs. Tool is also a member of the Methodist Church, and is a lady who is much esteemed by her neighbors.

The home estate of Mr. Tool consists of three hundred and twenty acres of fine farming land, on which he located in 1847. He has resided on this place since his advent into this township, and by his industrious habits and economy has been enabled to gain a good property, at one time being the possessor of over six hundred broad acres. He has been very generous to his children, dividing between them over $15,000. He affiliates with the People's Party and has held the offices of County Commissioner, Trustee and Justice of the Peace, besides other minor positions. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is at present the local preacher and Trustee of his church. A respected and honored man, he is ever ready to bear such a part as he can in the progress of the county. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 297.