Lister, Alfred

LISTER, BROWN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 9/14/2009 at 15:43:22

Lister, Alfred

One of the most enterprising and public-spirited men in Jasper County is Alfred Lister, who was born in Yorkshire, England, July 11, 1861, coming to this country in 1865. Affable and kindly of manner, it is a pleasure to talk with him, for his life is rich in that romance of genuine heart interest, which appeals at once to us all. Mr. Lister recalls that the vessel he came over in was held for a considerable time in New York harbor and his landing upon the new shore was delayed on account of the assassination of President Lincoln. When he and his family did land, the father and mother secured employment in the woolen mills of Philadelphia. Here his parents, hardy English people, worked for four years, coming to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1871.

Prior to moving to Jasper County the father had visited the region and purchased the farm upon which Mr. Lister now lives. Here the family lived until September 1896, when the father and mother died within a few days of each other, a double funeral, being held.

The father's name was William Lister and the mother's name was Hannah (Brown) Lister. They were both natives of England and of that hardy stock which has furnished so much bone and sinew for this continent. Mr. Lister, the subject of this sketch, is one of seven living brothers, as follows: James Lister, residing in Providence, Rhode Island; Joseph Lister, residing in Sinterdale, Rhode Island; John Lister, residing in Cloud County, Kansas; Samuel, Arthur and Thomas H., residing in Jasper County. All are well-to-do, prosperous people. Since the death of his father in 1896, Mr. Lister has purchased the interests of his several brothers and now owns individually the old homestead. It lies but a short distance south of the city of Newton and consists of one hundred and sixty acres. It is one of the good farms of the County. Besides owning this farm, Mr. Lister owns a three-sevenths interest in the opera house block in the city of Newton and is generally prominent in business and financial circles. Besides farming, he pays considerable attention to stock raising and operates a coal bank upon his farm.

Mr. Lister has never married, but lives alone in the great house on his domain. But his dwelling thus has in no manner soured him, for he is a genial, broad-minded gentleman, respected and liked by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. While he is not a member of any church, he prefers the Congregational. In politics he is a Republican.

Mr. Lister recalls that when he came to Jasper County, land was very cheap and much stock roved free over the plains. He says that since coming to the County, many changes have taken place, especially in the country itself, in its lands, buildings and roadways. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 856