Fales, John M.

FALES, AVERY, SISSON, METZ, BIGFORD, ANSON, BARKER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/12/2009 at 16:24:33

John M. Fales, residing on section 15, Palo Alto Township, is one of the successful farmers of Jasper County. He owns and occupies a farm comprising two hundred and forty acres of fertile land, upon which he has erected suitable buildings and introduced all the improvements of a model estate. In connection with general farming, he engages successfully in the raising of a good grade of stock. As an agriculturist he is keen to discern every opportunity and quick to avail himself of it, and the prosperity he has attained may be attributed to his shrewd discernment, excellent judgment and strict integrity.

Born in Steuben County, Ohio, in April 1843, our subject is the son of Ellis and Julia A. (Avery) Fales, natives of New York. At the age of ten years he accompanied his parents to Wisconsin, where, a short time afterward, the mother died. Later, in company with his father and the other members of the family, he removed to Marquette County, the same state, where he remained for several years. Thence he went to Crawford County, WI, where he made a short sojourn. He received a limited education in the common schools, but did not have the advantages now offered the young.

In his nineteenth year Mr. Fales enlisted in the Union Army, becoming a member of Company A, Second Battalion, Sixteenth United States Infantry. Immediately after enlistment, February 12, 1862, he, with other recruits, was sent to the headquarters at Columbus, Ohio, whence, a short time afterward, be was ordered to Columbus, KY. There he remained in the capacity of a guard at headquarters until February 1864, when he was ordered to join his regiment at Chattanooga, TN. He participated in the battle of Buzzard's Roost, and subsequently, under the command of General Sherman, marched from Chattanooga to Jonesboro in the rear of Atlanta, being under fire most of the time. When General Sherman marched to the sea, our subject and the regular brigade were sent back to Lockout Mountain. He was honorably discharged February 12, 1865, and on account of disability now receives a pension of $l2 per month.

After the war Mr. Fales removed to Chickasaw County, Iowa, whence in 1870 he went to Jasper County, MO, and from there came back to Iowa during the following year. He resided for a time in the northern part of the state, returning to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1873. In September 1866, be married Miss Sarah J. Sisson, and they became the parents of five children, four of whom are now living, namely: Annie D., wife of Henry Metz, L. A.; Cora, wife of Charles Gibford; and Sidney M. Anson is deceased. In 1878 Mr. Fales was united in marriage with Mrs. Betsey Barker, and their union resulted in the birth of two children, both now deceased.

In politics Mr. Fales is a Republican, with Prohibition sympathies. For three years he served as Trustee of Palo Alto Township, and has also filled the position of Road Supervisor. In those offices, as well as in every position to which be has been elected; he has shown good judgment and fidelity in the discharge of his duties and obligations. In his religious connections he is identified with the United Brethren Church, in which lie has served as Steward. He has also officiated as Secretary of the quarterly conference. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 158