SALTS, Samuel - 1890 Bio (1844-1920)

SALTS, STEPHENSON, BARBY, BALLARD, FISHER, CLOKE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/24/2007 at 20:46:52

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 297-298

Samuel SALTS, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 13, Locust Grove Township, Jefferson County, is a native of Warren County, Ind. In a family of twelve children born unto John and Jane (STEPHENSON) SALTS, he is the eldest and his birth occurred in 1844. His father is a native of Ohio, but when a lad of ten years, in 1832, removed to Indiana and in Warren County was married. Both he and his wife are still living in that county, being numbered among its highly respected citizens. The paternal grandparents of our subject were John and Elizabeth (BARBY) SALTS, natives of Virginia and South Carolina, respectively. His maternal grandparents were John and Barbara (BALLARD) STEPHENSON, and both grandfathers served in the War of 1812.

The early life of our subject passed uneventfully. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads and acquired his education in the schools of his native county. When he had attained a sufficient age he enlisted in the service of his country, becoming a member of Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana Infantry. He was mustered into service in 1864 in Indianapolis, was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland and in his One Hundred Days' service was engaged in garrison duty. He was honorably discharged after six months and returned to Warren County, Ind., where he remained until the year of his removal to Jefferson County, Iowa -- 1868. Settling in Locust Grove Township, he purchased an eighteen-acre tract of timber land, which he at once began to clear and develop. He is now the owner of a good farm of eighty-five acres under fence, the greater part of which is highly cultivated, while the remainder is devoted to pasturage. Many excellent improvements greatly enhance the value of his farm as well as give evidence of the thrift and enterprise of the owner.

In 1871, in Jefferson County, Mr. SALTS was united in marriage with Miss Rhoda FISHER, who was born in this county and is a daughter of George and Mary (CLOKE) FISHER. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania but emigrated to Indiana, where he was married, and thence removed to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1836. At that time there were five Indians to every white man in the county, deer and other kinds of wild game was plentiful, and wolves were still numerous in the neighborhood. Mr. FISHER made a claim in Des Moines Township, where he continued to reside until 1865, when he located in Locust Grove Township. There he remained until his death, which occurred in 1876. He had served in the Black Hawk War, had assisted in organizing the county and was a prominent man in the community. His wife died many years previous to the death of her husband.

Mr. SALTS, for a number of years after his marriage, resided in Fairfield Township, but for the last nineteen years has made his home in Locust Grove Township. He has taken quite an active part in public affairs and has ever identified himself with the best interests of the community. He is now serving as President of the Township Board of Trustees, of which he has been a member for three years; he was the enumerator for Locust Grove Township in 1890, and has frequently been sent as a delegate to the county conventions of the Republican party, of which he is a stalwart advocate. He helped to nominate Gov. Gear and is an influential member of the conventions. Socially, Mr. SALTS is a member of George Strong Post, No. 19, G. A. R., and was appointed Aid-de-camp on Gen. Tuttle's staff. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church of Brookville. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. SALTS -- John and Samuel G., who are yet under the parental roof.

[Transcriber's note: The G.A.R. is the Grand Army of the Republic, the fore-runner of the American Legion.]

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