Arthur Barton Marston

BARTON, BOND, EVANS, FIFE, MARSTON, STREIGLE, WHITE

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/14/2005 at 10:20:27

For a quarter of a century Arthur B. Marston has carried on general farming in Jackson township and he is not only well known but highly esteemed. He was born in Henderson county, Illinois, on the 29th of March, 1856, a son of Nathaniel and Lots (Barton) Marston, the former of whom was born in New Hampshire in 1810 and the latter ift Massachusetts in 1815. Nathaniel Marston learned the cabinetmaker's trade, which he followed in New Hampshire until about 1830, and then removed to Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he continued to work at his trade Eight years later he went by water to Yellow Banks, now Oquawka, Henderson county, Illinois, becoming one of the early settlers of that county. Pioneer conditions largely prevailed and there was an abundance of game. He was quite active in the early life of the county and was a leader in local republican circles. He held a number of township offices, discharging his duties with circumspection and ability and was prominent in the Methodist Episcopal church in the early days. Before a house of worship was erected meetings were held in his home and he aided in building the first Methodist church in his locality. He owned two hundred and forty acres of land, on which he carried on general farming successfully and he was also a stockholder in the Biggsville Bank. In 1890 he retired to Olena, Illinois, but two years later removed to Stronghurst, that state, where he passed away in 1895. His son Fletcher, now residing in Dexter, Dallas county, Iowa, was a member of Company C, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was accidentally wounded while on the march. Mrs. Marston’s people went to Henderson county, Illinois, about 1837 and were well known and highly esteemed there. She passed away in 1893.

Arthur B Marston entered the district schools of Henderson county, Illinois and there acquired a knowledge of the fundamental branches of learning. After arriving at maturity he assumed charge of the farm upon which his father first settled in Illinois and continued to operate that place until 1888. In that year he removed to this county and purchased land on section 17, Jackson township which he immediately began to cultivate, having now resided there for more than twenty-five years. He raises a good grade of Poland China hogs and short-horn cattle but his time is chiefly devoted to the cultivation of his land and the raising of grain. He owns two hundred acres and is ranked among the substantial men of his township.

In 1888 Mr. Marston married Miss Sarah Evans, also a native of Henderson county, Illinois. Her parents, Hamilton and Anna (White) Evans, were born respectively in Monroe county, Ohio, on the i8th of January, 1828, and in Greene county, that state, on the 8th of October, 1833. The father passed away in 1899 but the mother is still living in Pottawattamie county, Iowa. Mr. Evans accompanied his parents on their removal from Ohio to Henderson county, Illinois, in 1835 and resided there until 1850, when he joined a train of thirty-six wagons drawn by ox teams and made the tedious and hazardous journey across the plains and mountain passes to California. He worked in that state for a considerable time and was given a bag of gold by his employer in recognition of his honesty and integrity, but this was later stolen from him. On the westward journey one of the party was taken sick and the company camped upon the present site of Winterset for several days, but at that time there were only a few cabins and little evidence of white settlement. Mr. Evans returned by the water route and the Isthmus of Panama, where all goods were transported by the natives. He took up his residence upon a farm which his father had entered from the government in Henderson county, Illinois, and continued to live there until his death. He owned three hundred and forty acres of land and received a handsome income from his farming operations. He gave considerable attention to the raising of stock and fed cattle and hogs extensively. A brother of his served in the Eighty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was killed in battle.

Mr. and Mrs. Evans were the parents of eleven children, of whom Mrs. Marston was the eighth, and by her marriage she has become the mother of six children: Lois is the wife of Irvin Streigle, a farmer of Rolla, Missouri, and they have three children, Rena, Delbert and Clifford. Ethel is the wife of Irwin Bond, a farmer of Jackson township and a representative of a prominent pioneer family of Madison county. Two children have been born to them, Enolia and Wilma. Florence married Clarence Fife, who is farming land belonging to our subject. The Fife family is among the oldest in the county and is highly esteemed. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Fife have twin daughters, Laura and Lura. Laura, Alta
and Merle complete the family.

Mr. Marston supports the candidates of the republican party but takes no other part in political affairs. He belongs to the United Presbyterian church at Pitzer and the rectitude of his conduct has won the respect of all who have had dealings with him. He is of a retiring disposition and finds his greatest pleasure in the companionship of his family and in the cultivation and improvement of his two hundred acres of fine land.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.