STOW, COMFORT P.

STOW, GODDEN

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/2/2004 at 16:44:45

Biography reproduced from page 442 of the History of Kossuth and Humboldt Counties, Iowa published in 1884:

Comfort P. Stow came to Burt in 1881, also, and began blacksmithing, and put up the first hotel, which was 16x32 feet, with a wing 11x16 feet. This he continued to operate until the summer of 1883, and, although he has quit it as a business, still he will keep the weary traveler rather than turn him away.

Comfort P. Stow was born in Geneva Ashtabula Co., Ohio, Feb. 25, 1848. When one year old his parents moved to Paw Paw Grove, Lee Co., Ill., where Comfort lived until eighteen years of age. In 1864 he enlisted in company E, 140th Illinois Volunteers, being mustered in at Camp Butler, near Springfield. He was sent to guard railroads, and was mustered out in the same year. In 1866 Mr. Stow moved to Algona, Kossuth Co., Iowa, where he lived until the fall of 1880. When Burt was organized, in 1881, he he moved there, and engaged in work at the blacksmith trade. He built the first hotel in Burg. In 1882, in connection with his brother, Mr. Stow started a hay press. He was married May 11, 1872, to Eliza Godden, of Algona township. They have five children—James P., Mary A., Fred O., Laura E. and Caroline, all living at home. In politics Mr. Stow is a republican.