PUMPHREY, William Frank - 1890 Bio (1822-1883)

PUMPHREY, CROMWELL, WELLS, MORGAN, KINSLOE, SULT, WALTERS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/21/2007 at 21:02:23

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 175-176

William Frank PUMPHREY, deceased, was an early settler of Jefferson County. In the latter part of the eighteenth century, three brothers of that name, natives of England, braved the dangers of an ocean voyage and located in Virginia, where they became wealthy citizens. One of their humber joined Harrison in his Indian campaign, and another brother was the father of our subject. He emigrated from Virginia to Knox County, Ohio, where in the midst of a heavily timbered region he developed a fine farm. His mother was a CROMWELL and a relative of Oliver CROMWELL. He married Edith WELLS and died when the subject of this sketch was seventeen years of age.

Thus thrown on his own resources, William, in order to provide for his own maintenance, learned the carriage-maker's trade, but after following that business a few years, began the manufacture of windmills. About that time, in Alexandria, Ohio, on the 16th of January, 1851, he wedded Miss Mary J. MORGAN, who was born at St. Albans, Licking County, Ohio, December 22, 1825, and is the daughter of Joseph and Mary (KINSLOE, nee SULT) MORGAN. Her grandfather, Joseph MORGAN, a brother of Gen. MORGAN, of Revolutionary fame, emigrated to this country from Scotland, his native land. Mrs. PUMPHREY's father was born on the 10th of February, 1781, near Trenton, N. J., and emigrated to Pennsylvania, where he married Mrs. KINSLOE. She was born near Philadelphia, Pa., March 18, 1785, and was of Holland descent. From the Keystone State they emigrated to Ohio, and settling in Licking County, made a farm in the heavy beech woods. He was one of the substantial men of the county, and was widely known throughout the region roundabout. At the time of his death he was seventy-five years of age and his wife had attained her eighty-first year when she was called to her final rest. They were the parents of eight children, but only three of the number are now living.

Soon after his marriage, Mr. PUMPHREY accompanied by his brother, went to Boyle County, Ky., and during the succeeding eight years engaged in the manufacture of fanning mills in that State and Tennessee. He then continued the same enterprise in Danville and Duquoin, Ill. In 1860, we find him in Iowa. Landing in Jefferson County on the 4th of May, he made a purchase of a quarter section of land, the greater part of which is now comprised within the city limits of Fairfield. He also owned an additional seven hundred acres and in connection with the manufacture of fanning mills which he still continued, he carried on farming. As will be seen he as an energetic and enterprising man and by the exercise of those characteristics combined with good business principles, he won for himself and family a comfortable competence.

The death of Mr. PUMPHREY occurred on the 16th of September, 1883, and his loss was felt throughout the entire community. In his political affiliations he was first a Whig and afterwards a Republican and socially was a member of the Masonic fraternity. For many years he held membership with the Methodist Church, was an earnest laborer for its interests and gave liberally for its support and for the advancement of all other worthy interests.

Mrs. PUMPHREY stil survives her husband and also belongs to the Methodist Church. In their family were four children -- Ora B., who was born in Kentucky, is the wife of Gideon B. WALTERS; Henry P., born in Ohio, is the next younger; Leon C., was born in Tennessee; and Rosa, is a native of Fairfield. Since the death of the father, Henry and Leon have managed the business affairs. Like Mr. PUMPHREY, they are industrious, energetic and successful in all their undertakings. They raise fruit, manufacture bee hives and deal in ice, and well deserved to be ranked among the representative and wide-awake business men of Jefferson County. The PUMPHREY family is ranked among the old settlers of the community and is well worthy a place in a work preserving their lives and deeds.

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