KOONS, Dillen

KOONS, NOLAN, MCGUIRE, FERGUSON, COLWELL, DOWNEY, RICHARDSON, WALKER

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/12/2007 at 20:37:37

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 625-626

Dillen KOONS, who is living on section 26, Locust Grove Township, is an honored pioneer of Jefferson County of more than half a century, dating his residence from the spring of 1838. He is now in his declining years but though he should soon pass away, he will not be forgotten on account of the active part which he took in the upbuilding of the county and the promotion of her best interests. The record of his life is as follows: He was born in Henry County, Ind., in 1820, the fifth child in a family of nine children whose parents were John and Bridget (NOLAN) KOONS. His father was born in Ashe County, N. C., and there grew to manhood and was married and at an early day removed with his family to Indiana, where he made his home until the spring of 1838, when accompanied by his wife and children, he again started westward, his destination being what is now Jefferson County, Iowa. Here he continued to spend the remainder of his days and by the early settlers was held in high regard. He died in 1850, and his wife, who was a native of North Carolina, survived him twenty-six years, passing away in 1876. Of their family of nine children only four are now living: Dillen, of this sketch; Nancy, now Mrs. McGUIRE, of Adair, Iowa; Rebecca, wife of Allen FERGUSON, of Clark County, Mo.; and Henry, a stock-raiser of Wyoming Territory.

Dillen KOONS was educated in the schools of his native State and when a young man of eighteen years accompanied the family to Jefferson County, Iowa. Shortly after his arrival, he made a claim of two hundred acres which was included within the new purchase. The land at the time had not been surveyed and not a house marked the site of the present thriving city of Fairfield. The nearest market was then at Keokuk, about seventy-five miles distant, where he drove his hogs and cattle and hauled his grain. He assisted in raising the first frame house in Bonaparte and in many other ways has been identified with the early history of the county. Great indeed have been the changes which have taken place since that time. Jefferson County, which was then very sparsely settled, has now a greater population than almost the entire of Iowa contained in those early days. The Indian wigwams might yet be seen along the banks of the rivers but the red men were friendly, giving little trouble except by occasional thefts. All kinds of wild game was plentiful and wolves often made the night hideous with their howling. The farming implements with which the land was developed were very crude as compared with the improved machinery of today and the land was broken with oxen, yet notwithstanding these many disadvantages the pioneer often looks back with a sigh of regret for it was in those days that true hospitality existed, that friendship was not a mere game, when neighbors were willing to make sacrifices for each other and share with those less fortunate than themselves anything which they might possess.

Mr. KOONS came to this county a single man but here became acquainted with the lady he desired to make his wife. In 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Jemima COLWELL, who was born in Indiana and was a daughter of David and Susan (DOWNEY) COLWELL, who are numbered among the pioneer settlers of Jefferson County. The family born of this union numbered eight children: George, who died in infancy; David, a resident farmer of Phelps County, Neb.; Sarah, wife of William RICHARDSON, of Holdrege, Neb.; Allen, a farmer of Locust Grove Township; Susan, wife of Michael WALKER, of Phelps County, Neb.; Henry, a resident farmer of Locust Grove Township; John, who is engaged in farming in Wyoming; and Etta, deceased.

Mr. KOONS participated in the organization of this county and was present at the first sale of lots in Fairfield. He enlisted for the United States service during the late war but was rejected on account of having weak lungs. The cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend who manifests his interest in a substantial manner, he having given an acre of land for the schoolhouse and helped to organize the school district. In politics he takes an active part but is not bound by party fetters, voting for the measure and the man regardless of the party to which he belongs. The death of Mrs. KOONS occurred in 1875. She was a most estimable lady and her loss was deeply mourned by many friends outside her immediate family.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Jefferson Biographies maintained by Joey Stark.
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