TEMPLETON, David Wallace - 1890 Bio (1828-1910)

TEMPLETON, BEATTY, MCCOY, LUCAS, MCKINZIE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 8/30/2007 at 20:50:35

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 221-222

David Wallace TEMPLETON, a grain dealer of Fairfield, claims Ohio as the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred in Fayette County, on the 6th of February, 1828. The family is originally of Scotch (sic) origin, but the grandfather of our subject, David TEMPLETON, was born in the North of Ireland, and when a lad of nine years accompanied his parents to America, locating in Chester County, Pa. He aided his adopted country in her struggle for Independence, and afterward became a resident of Washington County, Pa., whence he removed to Fayette County, Ohio. Robert R. TEMPLETON, the father of David Wallace, was born in Washington County, Pa., in 1794, and at the age of eighteen years we find him in the Buckeye State, where he became acquainted with and married Miss Jane BEATTY, a native of Northumberland County, Pa. Her birth occurred in the same year in which her husband was born, and during her girlhood she accompanied her parents to Fairfield County, Ohio. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. TEMPLETON made a location in Fayette County, Ohio, and there lived during the remainder of their lives. He was an industrious and enterprising man, and in the Buckeye State developed and improved an excellent farm. In his political affiliations he was first a Whig, later a Free-soiler, and on the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. The husband died in 1882, having survived Mrs. TEMPLETON eleven years. Of their family of eight children, which numbered four sons and four daughters, the sons and one daughter, are yet living -- John B., a farmer of Kansas; Robert R., who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Nebraska; James C., who is similarly employed in Ohio; and Eliza J., wife of J. C. McCOY, of Washington, Iowa.

David W. TEMPLETON was the fourth in order of birth in the family. He received such opportunities as were afforded farmer lads of that day, acquiring his primary education in the common schools, which he supplemented, after reaching manhood, by a course of study in Greenfield, Ohio. He remained at home and assisted his father in the labors of the farm until he had attained to mature years, when he started out in life for himself, devoting his time and attention to farm work in the summer months and to school-teaching in the winter season. On the 10th of March, 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. LUCAS, who was born in Highland County, Ohio, November 6, 1833. Her paternal grandfather, Isaac LUCAS, was a prominent citizen both of Massachusetts and Ohio. From Plymouth, Mass, accompanied by Gen. Putnam, he made his way to the Buckeye State and became one of the first settlers of Marietta. His son Ezra, the father of Mrs. TEMPLETON, born about 1789, was the first white child born in the State, unless we except some Moravian missionaries. This people have been noted for their loyalty to the Government. The grandfather was a patriotic soldier of the Revolutionary War, and his discharge bears the handwriting of Gen. Washington, while the father enlisted and served in the War of 1812. He was a farmer by occupation, and married Miss McKINZIE, and they became the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to mature years.

Mr. and Mrs. TEMPLETON began their domestic life in Fayette County, Ohio, where they made their home for two years, when, in 1860, they came to Jefferson County, Iowa, arriving on the 1st of March. Purchasing a farm of one hundred and forty acres, he engaged in its cultivation for five years, when he came to Fairfield and embarked in the grain business in a small way. Meeting with success in his undertaking, he was at length enabled in 1871 to erect the first elevator of the city, which was built near the Q depot at a cost of about $5,500. Five years later he built the elevator now owned by Mr. Jordan, the cost of construction being the same as that of the other. In 1879 he began operations on the Rock Island Railroad, where a small elevator stood, but increased business soon demanded enlarged facilities, and tearing down the same, he erected an elevator at a cost of $4,500 with storage capacity for twenty-five thousand bushels of small grain and twenty thousand bushels of corn.

Mr. TEMPLETON ranks among the substantial and representative business men of the county. He began life with limited capital, but by the exercise of such talents as were given him, he has made his career a prosperous one and is now doing a flourishing business, receiving a handsome income as the result of his efforts.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. TEMPLETON were born four sons, but three of the number died in early childhood. The only survivor is John E., an employee of A. M. Henderson, a commission merchant of Chicago. Both parents are members of the Congregational Church, and in his social relations, Mr. TEMPLETON is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He cast his first Presidential vote for John P. Hale, and on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks and has since continued to fight under its banner.

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