Du BOIS, Reuben D. - 1912 Bio (1842-1922)

DU BOIS, DUBOIS, DILL, WELCH, DAY

Posted By: Debbie Nash - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/17/2005 at 22:52:39

From the “History of Jefferson County, Iowa” – 1912, Volume II
Pages 306-308

REUBEN D. DU BOIS

“Reuben D. Du BOIS is numbered among the pioneer residents of Jefferson county, where he has spent almost his entire life, having been brought to the county by his parents when but three weeks old. He was born near the little village of Blandinsville, Illinois, on Christmas day of 1842. His father, John W. Du BOIS, brought the family to Jefferson county in January, 1843, and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers who were active in reclaiming the wild land for the uses and purposes of civilization. The father was born in New York city but before his married removed to the middle west. In his youthful days he learned and followed the cabinet-maker’s trade in New York and on attaining his majority he left that state for Illinois. He married Elizabeth DILL, a native of White county, Tennessee, who had gone to Illinois with her parents when twelve years of age. Both the Du BOIS and DILL families were excellent people who took active part in the development of their respective communities, especially along agricultural lines, and ever commanded the esteem and regard of those who know them by reason of their upright lives.

In the country school of Jefferson county, R. D. Du BOIS pursued his education, having the privilege of attending only in the winter months, for his services were needed upon the home farm during the summer seasons. He early became familiar with the arduous task of developing new land and was busy in cultivating the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the late autumn. He continued upon the old homestead until the time of his marriage and then began farming on his own account, devoting three years to tilling the soil. On the expiration of that period he removed to Fairfield, where he engaged in contracting in building material for seven years, meeting with success in that undertaking. He next turned his attention to the live-stock and butchering business, in which he engaged for twenty years, his intelligently directed labor and unfaltering industry bringing him substantial prosperity. He has ever regarded as one of the best investments that he ever made the purchase of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Buchanan township, two and a half miles northeast of Fairfield. This he still owns and in it takes considerable pride, his supervision being manifest in the excellent appearance of the place and in the improvements found thereon.

On the 21st of December, 1865, Mr. Du BOIS was united in marriage to Miss Sarah WELCH, a daughter of John and Clarissa WELCH, of Tuscarawas county, Ohio. Her father followed the occupation of farming in the Buckeye state and in 1854 removed westward to this county, settling on a farm in Buchanan township. Both he and his wife died in the home of their daughter, Mrs. Du BOIS, the father passing away in 1905 and the mother in 1911. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Du BOIS was born a daughter, Charlotte A., whose birth occurred October 16, 1866, and who became the wife of the Rev. John W. DAY. Both were students in Parsons College of Fairfield, completing a course there. Mrs. DAY passed away June 7, 1901, leaving two children, Herald Du Bois and Wilbur Minton. Since the death of his mother Herald has made his home with his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Du BOIS, while Minton is living with his father, the Reverend DAY.

In his political views Mr. Du BOIS has always been a republican where national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot, supporting the candidates best qualified for office. His first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has served as a member of the board of county supervisors for two terms and as a member of the city council for three terms and has ever exercised his official prerogatives in support of measures and movements which he deems of value and benefit to the community. For thirty-eight years he has been a loyal member of the Odd Fellows society and for fourteen years of the Knights of Pythias lodge, while for more than forty years both he and his wife have led consistent Christian lives as members of the Methodist church.”

I am copying this for genealogical purposes and am not related to said individuals.