Scarbrough, Samuel

SCARBROUGH, WELLS, CRAFT, SCHENCK, MCCAULEY, CORL

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/15/2009 at 09:14:23

Samuel Scarbrough, a resident of Palo Alto Township, Jasper County, is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Fayette County, on the 28th of February 1826. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Wells) Scarbrough, natives respectively of Germany and England, who were residents of the Keystone State during the larger part of their active lives. In the county of his birth he was reared to maturity, and in his childhood was a pupil in the subscription schools of that locality. They were held in log cabins of primitive construction, containing meager furnishing; instead of the comfortable desks now in vogue, there were slabs supported by wooden pins; a board was placed against the wall and supported by a pin fastened in the logs, this answering for a writing desk for the larger pupils. It may, therefore, be understood that ambitious lads in days gone by had few if any of the advantages now placed within the reach of all.

In his youth, Mr. Scarbrough became familiar with agriculture, and upon choosing an occupation in life it was natural that he should select the calling to which he had been reared. In Pennsylvania on the 16th of November 1843, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Craft, who was born in Fayette County, Pa., being a daughter of John Craft, likewise a native of the Keystone State. Eight children were born of this union, five of whom are now living, namely: William K.; Charles F.; John C.; Emma, the wife of William Schenck, and Edward. The deceased are: Elizabeth, Belle and Newton.

Accompanied by his family, Mr. Scarbrough removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the spring of 1852, and settled in Knox County, where he resided until 1874. That year witnessed his arrival in Jasper County, where he first made settlement in Fairview Township, engaging in farming there until 1891. He then came to Palo Alto Township, and has since that time made his home with his son Charles F. In political opinions he is a supporter of Democratic principles, and is numbered among the most honored and upright of Jasper County citizens. He now owns ninety-one acres of land, from the rental of which he derives an income sufficient to support himself in comfort.

The deepest bereavement of Mr. Scarbrough's life was the loss of his faithful wife, who during the six and forty years of their wedded life was ever a true and efficient helpmate, and one of whom it may be truly said that she divided his sorrows and doubled his joys. At an advanced age, on the 3d of January 1889, she passed away. A lady of deeply religious nature, she was for many years active in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her memory is revered by her husband and children, to whose interests she was always so tenderly devoted.

Charles F. Scarbrough, with whom our subject makes his home, was born on the 16th of December 1854, and grew to manhood in Knox County, Ohio, whence he accompanied his parents to Jasper County, Iowa. On New Year's Day, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Debbie McCauley, who was born in Stephenson County, Ill., June 11, 1856, being a daughter of James R. and Rebecca (Corl) McCauley, natives respectively of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Her mother died in Illinois, and shortly afterward she accompanied her father to Iowa, where she has since resided. Mr. McCauley is still living and makes his home in Des Moines Township, Jasper County. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Scarbrough there have been born seven children, namely: Laura M., Mary B., Verdie D., Ida, Iden, Helen E. and Ruth.

The two brothers, Edward and Charles F. Scarbrough, own one hundred and sixty acres of land, under good cultivation, and in connection with farming they engage in raising Poland-China hogs and a good grade of horses and cattle. Charles F. is a warm adherent of Democratic principles, and is prominent in local affairs, but has never aspired to office, preferring to devote his attention to his personal affairs. He and his wife are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are highly esteemed in the community where they reside. Their home was formerly in Fairview Township, whence, in 1891, they removed to Palo Alto Township and settled upon the farm they now own and occupy. Portrait and Biographical Record, Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, IA Page 581.