DELAVAN, Alfred M. Sr., (1808-1883)

DELAVAN, SHAW

Posted By: Mike Delavan (email)
Date: 5/9/2010 at 00:29:57

Obituary.

DIED -- On April the 24th, 1883, at his home in Rawles township, Mills county Iowa. Alfred M. Delavan, Sr. in the 75th year of his age. Alfred M. Delavan was born in the state of New Jersey, near Jersey City, July 27th, 1808, where he attended school until fifteen years of age. He then entered a store in New Jersey as a clerk and remained there for four years. After which he served a two years apprenticeship as a carpenter, which trade he followed until 1839. In that year he went to Ohio and afterwards to Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1840 he bought a farm in Morgan county, Ind. where he resided for nineteen years. While there he was elected to both branches of the State Legislature serving one term in the Lower House and two in the State Senate. He afterwards was appointed by Gov. Wright commissioner of swamp lands in Morgan county, and was otherwise identified with the interest of his county and state. In 1850 he went to Cass county Missouri, and lived in different sections of the state until 1863 when he came to Mills county, where he has since resided. He was married July the 9th, 1834, to Miss Olive Shaw, a native of Dayton, Ohio. They are the parents of eight children, six of whom are now living. All were present during his sickness, except his oldest daughter who lives in Santa Ana, California, and his oldest son in Cass county Missouri, were not permitted to be with him in his last days. He has been a member of the Christian Church since 1835, was ordained a minister of that denomination at Indianapolis in 1839, and continued preaching until 1875 when his health failed him. M.A. Delavan.