Dawson, Isaac M.

DAWSON, BOMBERGER, CROSS, LONES, PARISH, FRANCIS, LINT, COOPER, KELLUM

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/22/2009 at 12:32:30

Dawson, Isaac M.

Agriculture has been the true source of man's dominion on earth ever since the primal existence of labor and has been the pivotal industry that has controlled for the most part all the fields of action to which his intelligence and energy have been devoted. In a civilized community no calling is so certain of yielding a compensatory return as that which is culled from a kindly soil, albeit the husbandman at times is sorely taxed in coaxing from mother earth all that he desires or even expects; yet she is a kind mother and seldom chastens with disappointment the child whose diligence and frugality she deems it but just should be rewarded. The Dawson family, of which Isaac M. and his son, Francis M., now living in Independence Township, Jasper County, are most creditable representatives, have been, it would seem, specially favored by Ceres, supposed to be, according to the ancient mythologies, the goddess of husbandry, having charge of crops, especially grains; for they have been known as among the most successful agriculturists of Story and Jasper County, where their operations have been confined since pioneer days.

Isaac M. Dawson was born in Indian Creek Township, Story County, Iowa, March 21, 1867, and with the exception of two years spent in Dakota, and two in Des Moines, he has always been a resident of Story and Jasper counties. His parents, Cyrus P. and Frances (Bomberger) Dawson, were natives of Hancock County, Ohio, the father born on August 26, 1834, and the mother on March 31, 1831. There they grew to maturity, received what education they could in the old-time schools and were married, beginning life on the farm. They came to Iowa in 1854 and located here in 1856. The father died in Des Moines on September 1869, and the mother, now advanced in years, is making her home with her son, Isaac M., of this review. Her family consisted of five children, one of whom is deceased, namely: Mrs. Mary M. Cross, born August 27, 1856, lives in Independence Township, this County; Mrs. Martha Lones, born February 27, 1859; Mrs. Jemima Cross, born June 28, 1861, lives in Woonsocket, South Dakota; Mrs. Rebecca E. Cross, born November 9, 1863, lives in Madison County, Iowa; and Isaac M., of this sketch.

Isaac M. Dawson grew up on the home farm and assisted with the general work about the place during the summer months when he became of proper age, and he received his education in the schools of his home district. On December 25, 1888, he was united in marriage with Lillie F. Parish, who was born at Belvidere, Winnebago County, Illinois. February 7, 1868, and in 1870, when she was two years of age, she came with her parents, Lucian L. and Anna (Francis) Parish, to Iowa and they located in Black Hawk County. The father, who was a native of Connecticut, is now residing in Nebraska, the mother having died in Story County, Iowa, October 23, 1910; she was born in England, emigrating to the United States in early life. The Parishes became well established on a farm in Black Hawk County. This family consisted of three sons and six daughters, as follows: Frank L., born September 4, 1856, is residing at Redwood Falls, Minnesota; George was born in 1858 and died in infancy; Henry L., born December 12, 1860, is living in Cascade, South Dakota; Mrs. Hattie Lint, born March 12, 1863, lives at Maxwell, Iowa; Mrs. Nettie M. Cooper, born October 6, 1865, lives at Mitchell, Nebraska; Lillie F., wife of Mr. Dawson of this review; Mrs. Anna B. Budrow, born August 1, 1871, died January 14, 1899; Mrs. Mattie E. Kellum, born August 29, 1873, lives at Caldwell, Nebraska; Grace E., who was born February 16, 1877, lives in Pasadena, California.

To Mr. and Mrs. Dawson have been born four sons as follows: Francis M., born in Story County, August 11, 1891, received a good common school education and has devoted his life to farming and his efforts have been crowned with a large measure of success, although he is but now merging into his majority, but he gives much promise of a successful business man, and is assisting his father with the general farming and stock raising on the home place. The other children in this family were named in the following order: Freddie E., born July 14, 1894, died November 24th of that year; Royal R., born December 17, 1902, died December 14, 1903; Morris, born in Dakota, March 21,1906.

Isaac M. Dawson brought his family from Dakota to Jasper County in 1906 and purchased one hundred and thirty-nine acres of productive and well located land in Independence Township, upon which he has erected modern and substantial improvements, and they are making a success in diversified farming and stock raising. He has a substantial and pleasant home and such outbuildings and up-to-date farming implements, as his needs require.

Politically, Mr. Dawson is a Republican and he has been school director and road supervisor. Both he and his son, Francis M., are members of the Yeomen lodge at Baxter. This family has not only secured a competency since locating here, but they have made a host of friends and are highly respected throughout the County. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1161.