George W. Poffinbarger

BURD, HULTZ, POFFINBARGER, SMITH

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 8/13/2004 at 10:38:57

George W. Poffinbarger, a well known stone, brick and cement mason and contractor of Winterset, was born upon the site of this city on the 17th of June, 1850, a son of Samuel W. and Hannah (Smith) Poffinbarger. The father, who was born near Boonesboro, Washington county, Maryland, on the 10th of March, 1818, accompanied his parents to Ohio when about twelve years of age, settlement, being made near Columbus. His father carried on agricultural work there for about six years and then removed with his family to Springfield, Illinois, arriving there when that section was still a frontier region. In 1846 Samuel W. Poffinnbarger removed westward and settled in Jefferson county, Iowa, near Fairfield. Two years later he came to Madison county, where he had entered land and where the family remained until 1856, in which year they returned to Jefferson county. The father farmed there and worked on the construction of bridges for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in that county. In 1859 he went to California, where he remained for three years, after which he went to the far north, penetrating to a point thirteen hundred miles above the mouth of the Fraser river. He kept a record of his trip until he reached the Fraser and wrote of many interesting experiences. The boat in which he went up the Fraser river sank and he was in danger of his life. He returned home by way of South America and thus gained much knowledge concerning various parts of the western hemisphere. In 1864 he settled in Jefferson township, this county, and purchased land, which he operated until 1875, when he went to Texas. During his early residence in this county he helped to cut the timbers with which the old St. Nicholas Hotel was built. He was well acquainted with a number of prominent men of his time, including Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, General Logan and Colonel Baker. The last named, whom he met on the plains, was killed at the battle of Bald Bluff while bringing back troops from Oregon. While living in Jefferson county Mr. Poffinbarger was among the first to keep a good grade of cattle, having started his herd with blooded stock brought from Pennsylvania by his father and a Mr. Gillette. Samuel W. Poffinbarger also raised hogs extensively and in an early day drove them to Keokuk, as that was the nearest market. Upon his removal to Texas he followed agricultural pursuits there for some time but subsequently went to Arkansas, and still later to Missouri. At the time of his death he was residing at Winterset with our subject. He was a democrat in his political belief and his religious faith was that of the Universalist church. He was a man of broad views and of scholarly tastes and was well read. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Smith, was born in Rockcastle county, Kentucky, in February, 1822, and arrived in Burlington, Iowa, in 1844. To their union were born five children, of whom the subject of this review was the first in order of birth.

George W. Poffinbarger attended school in Abingdon, Iowa, pursuing his early studies in a log schoolhouse, and he was later a student in the schools of Winterset. When sixteen years of age he began learning the trade of a stone mason and has continued to follow that occupation to the present time. He also works in brick and cement and understands his trade thoroughly. He has of late years given much time and attention to general contracting and has erected a number of excellent buildings. He has filled contracts in stone work in various parts not only of this county but of the state, and his reputation is very high as a contractor as he insists upon everything being done in a workmanlike manner and always lives up to his contracts. He has held a number of county offices, beginning with 1884, when he was elected deputy county auditor. He held that position for about three years and in 1888 was elected to the position of auditor on the fusion ticket. He served in that capacity for five years and proved very systematic and efficient in the discharge of his duties. He was also assessor of Lincoln and Center townships and has served as secretary of the school board in the former township. He is a socialist and has given much thought to the economic, social and political problems that have arisen in our modern complicated life and that seem to demand a change in our social order.

In 1886 Mr. Poffinbarger married Miss Ida Burd, who was born in Noble county, Indiana, of the marriage of S. S. and Mary (Hultz) Burd. Her father, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1831, was a blacksmith and farmer. In his young manhood he was married in Michigan City, Indiana, and later lived in Buffalo, Michigan. While a resident of the Wolverine state he turned his energies to farming and stock-raising and continued in those occupations after his removal to Illinois in 1857. He lived in Menard county, that state, until 1865, when he arrived in this county, settling in Walnut township, where he became a well-to-do landowner. He raised, bought and fed stock extensively and gained a large measure of material prosperity. He was very active in church work, belonging first to the Methodist Episcopal church and later to the Christian church. He quite frequently preached and held service in all parts of the county. In 1885 he retired from active life and removed to Winterset, where he was residing when he passed away on the 5th of May, 1911. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Hultz, was born in Richmond county, Ohio, on the 21st of April, 1837, and is still living. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom Mrs. Poffinbarger is the second. Mr. and Mrs. Poffinbarger have one child living, a daughter, Jessie, who is clerking for the Graham Latimer Mercantile Company.

Mr. Poffinbarger is well known in local Masonic circles, belonging to the blue lodge, in which he has held the office of junior warden; the chapter, in which he is secretary; and the council. He is intensely interested in local history and was one of the organizers of the Historical Society and also of the Old Settlers Picnic. He, with W. W. Gentry and S. W. Wilkinson, wrote the by-laws of the Old Settlers Association and he has continued to do all in his power to increase the knowledge of the early settlers and early conditions in this county, believing that the story of pioneer days is one that is well worthy of preservation for all generations and that it is one that has in it much inspiration, as it gives an account of the courageous conquering of obstacles and of disinterested devotion to the general good.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915”
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Coordinator's note: The father, Samuel Poffinbarger, does not appear in any Madison County census (there were 5) between 1850 and 1856. He does appear in Polk Township, Jefferson County in 1852, 54 & 56. But, he also appears in the Madison County marriage register in 1849. It appears that the account listed above is not completely accurate in that he may have come to Madison County around 1849 but did not stay for seven years as stated but, rather, returned to Jefferson County by 1852.