Neasham, William

NEASHAM, ROBSON, WILLIAMS, WHITTAKER, REED, SNOOK

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/13/2009 at 13:33:55

William Neasham, an influential citizen of Jasper County, owning a farm on section 5, Palo Alto Township, is a native of Durham County, England, and was born January 9, 1832. His parents, William and Ann Neasham, were likewise natives of England, as were his ancestors for many generations. His parents being poor he was obliged in boyhood to depend upon his own exertions for a livelihood. Before he was nine years old he became an employee in the coal mines near his home, and he continued thus engaged until he was about twenty. In the meantime his education was neglected, owing to the necessity for constant labor on his part. In childhood he was a student in the pay schools for a brief time, but after he was nine years old he was unable to attend school.

From this it will be seen that Mr. Neasham had few advantages in his youth. At an age, when boys are usually prosecuting their studies in the schools, he was working from early morning until late at night in order to support himself and aid in the maintenance of the family. His was not a nature, however, content to struggle continuously in this manner, and upon arriving at man's estate, he determined to seek a home in America, of which he had heard so much. In 1852 he took passage at Liverpool on the sailing vessel "John Howell," an American ship, and after an uneventful voyage of forty days landed at Quebec, Canada. Thence he proceeded direct to Missouri, and for about two years resided in St. Louis County, where he engaged in mining.

From Missouri Mr. Neasham went to Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the mines of Schuylkill County for several years. Subsequently, he removed to Michigan and spent several years near Jackson. In the spring of 1869 he settled on the farm where he has since resided. The place was then unimproved, the land being covered with a dense growth of hazel brush and trees, and it required years of untiring exertion in order to bring the soil under good cultivation. He now owns seventy-six acres, upon which he engages in general farming.

In Pennsylvania, November 12, 1855, Mr. Neasham was united in marriage with Miss Jane Robson, who was born in England, September 12, 1826. Her parents, Charles and Mary Robson, were also natives of that country. When she was four years old, the family came to America and settled in Schuylkill County, Pa., where Mr. Robson followed the trade of a blacksmith until his death. He and his wife both died in the Keystone State, and there Mrs. Neasham was reared and married. She had one surviving brother and sister, John and Mary A., the latter being the wife of Griffith Williams. Her eldest brother, William (now deceased), was a soldier in the Mexican War under the command of General Scott, and her brothers, Edward and John, participated in the Civil War.

Of the children born to Mrs. Neasham, the following survive: Jennie, who is the wife of Joseph Whittaker, an engineer of the Rock Island Railroad, Lizzie, wife of Joseph Reed, of Oregon, William; and Sarah F., wife of James Snook. The eldest daughter, Anne, is deceased. Politically independent, Mr. Neasham votes to sustain principles and not party. For two terms he served as Trustee of Palo Alto Township, and has filled other positions of trust. He has always been stanch advocate of public schools, and is in favor of every measure calculated to promote the welfare his fellow-citizens. Socially he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in Newton. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 290.