Reasoner, Samuel

REASONER, PAXTON, PARRILL, SAPPINGTON, GRAFFIS, RISSNER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/15/2009 at 07:19:07

Samuel Reasoner

At the time he settled upon his present farm in Palo Alto Township, Jasper County, the subject of this sketch was surrounded by all the evidences of frontier life. His nearest neighbor was two and one-half miles distant. Improvements there were none, and of cultivation not a trace was to be seen. During the period covering about thirty years that has since come and gone, he has witnessed the growth of the county, the prosperity of the people and the gradual introduction first of the comforts, and later of the luxuries of civilization. He is now the owner of two hundred and fifty-five acres, upon which he has placed excellent improvements, including a neat residence and a substantial barn. The town site of the thriving village of Reasnor was platted on his farm and the place named in his honor, although for suitable reasons the spelling of the name was slightly altered.

A native of Muskingum County, Ohio, Samuel Reasoner was born July 28, 1822, being a son of Joseph and Mary (Paxton) Reasoner, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. His paternal ancestors were of French and German extraction, while his maternal forefathers are said to have been Irish. At the age of eleven years he accompanied his parents to Indiana and was reared to manhood in Grant County, of which he was a pioneer. His education was limited to such knowledge as could be gained in the subscription schools, which were held in rudely constructed log cabins, with seats made of oak slabs and writing desks consisting of boards resting on pins in the walls; greased paper answered the purpose of window panes, and the entire furnishings were of a crude character, while the and the method of instruction was equally primitive.

Not feeling satisfied with the knowledge gained in the country schools, Mr. Reasoner, at the age of eighteen, entered Muskingum College, at Concord, Ohio, where he prosecuted his studies with diligence for a period of eighteen months. He then taught school for a short time, after which he attended Hanover College, in Jefferson County, IN, for one year. In his youth he assisted his father in clearing the home farm, and later cleared a farm, which he purchased in Grant County, IN, and upon which he engaged in agricultural pursuits for a number of years.

In Indiana, August 15, 1844, Mr. Reasoner was united in marriage with Miss Mary J. Parrill, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Enoch and Esther (Sappington) Parrill. Twelve children were born of this union, of whom eight are now living, as follows; Joseph P., Henry M., William M., Robert A., Dorsey B.; Frances A., wife of T. J. Graffis; Mary E., who married William Rissner; and Clara A., formerly a teacher in the public schools of Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Reasoner are identified with the Presbyterian Church, and are a kind and worthy couple, exemplifying in their lives the sincerity of their religious belief.

In 1864, accompanied by his family, Mr. Reasoner emigrated to Jasper County, Iowa, making the trip overland with a four-horse team and a wagon loaded with household goods; also a mule team and a spring wagon, in which the family traveled. About four weeks were consumed on the road, and reaching Buena Vista Township; they sojourned there for a short time. From there in the winter of 1864-65 they came to the farm, which they have since occupied. Mr. Reasoner has become prominently connected with the history of Palo Alto Township and has served efficiently as its Trustee. He is a Republican in his political preferences, and always rejoices in the triumphs of his party. Mrs. Reasoner's grandfather Sappington was a native of England, and his wife was of Irish descent. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 213.