Vaughn, William

VAUGHAN, MAXON, MOREHOUSE, SEYMOUR, EBERHART

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 1/21/2009 at 16:37:28

VAUGHN, William
Banker, also of the firm of W. Vaughn & Sons, hardware, his residence corner of Washington and Market streets. He was born 17 Aug 1817 in Genessee Co., NY and in 1837 went to Lenawee Co., MI. In 1856 he came to Newton, Iowa and commenced the hardware business. In 1863 he commenced the banking business which he still continues. He married Almyra SEYMOUR in 1846. She was born in 1824 in Seneca Co., NY. They had five children, three living---Fred, Henry and Ella. They lost Seymour in 1854 aged 7 years, Hattie died in 1854 aged 2 years. He is a Republican.~ "Newton Township Biographies," The History of Jasper County, Iowa, (Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878)
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William Vaughan, the subject of this sketch, was born August 30, 1817, at Varysburgh, N. Y., being the eldest of eleven children. His father was John Vaughan, and the mother's name was Hannah Maxon. April 16, 1844, he was married to Cynthia Morehouse. She died October 16, 1844. April 16, 1846, he was married to Myra, daughter of Frederick A. Seymour, who still survives to be a comfort to their sons, Fred W., now in San Francisco, Cal.; Henry M., now filling the father s place in the hardware business; and one daughter, Ella V., who married D. J. Eberhart April 9, 1878, and resides in Newton, Iowa.

When about eighteen years of age, William Vaughan went to Clinton, Mich., and through the influence of his old townsman, John A. Fulsom, readily obtained a clerkship in the dry-goods house of J. W. King. In a few years, with S. B. Rose, he bought the business. In 1856 he removed to Newton, Iowa. Here he engaged in the hardware and implement business, and continued therein until the time of his passing away, August 14, 1891. He was also prominently identified with the banking interests of the city. Mr. Vaughan was ever a public-spirited citizen, and greatly aided in the growth and prosperity of Newton. Having reached it in its mere infancy, he lived to see and enjoy its growth into one of the most prosperous towns of central Iowa. An intelligent, courteous, Christian gentleman, he was influential in the diffusion of sentiments of true, pure morality. Being a consistently practical temperance man, he labored quietly, yet persistently, against the use of liquor and tobacco in every form. Uniting with the Congregational Church with his wife in 1857, at its beginning, he labored for its up building and always bore a heavy share of its financial burdens and his full share of its labor. He was a friend to its Sabbath school, teaching its classes and serving for years as its Superintendent. As a businessman he was successful, always maintaining the confidence of his fellow-citizens.

The social nature of Mr. Vaughan won for him hosts of friends, who mourn the loss of his genial presence. Few men have lived in any community who would be so much missed, as is Mr. Vaughan by so large a circle of friends and citizens. He was universally loved, and is universally mourned. Businessmen most respectfully closed their houses during the burial services. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 501.