Carrington, Joseph 1825-1907

CARRINGTON, LAVENDER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 4/23/2008 at 14:07:44

WAS A REAL PIONEER

JOSEPH CARRINGTON SUFFERED THE PRIVATIONS AND HARDSHIPS WHICH BEFELL THE
EARLY SETTLERS OF THE NORTHWEST.

Joseph Carrington, brief notice of whose death was chronicled in the last
issue of this paper, was one of the very early settlers in Plymouth county.

With his family he came to Sioux City forty years ago in 1867, and while
working at his trade of butcher there, homesteaded the farm on the Floyd
river which was his home until his death occurred last Sunday. When Mr.
Carrington homesteaded his land, the country was sparsely settled. There
were no bridges and roads and very little else but prairie. It is related of
him that he walked from Sioux City Saturday nights to his home where his
wife and little children were, returning on Sunday nights, and on these
trips often carried a sack of flour or other provisions on his shoulder for
the wife and little ones waiting his return on the prairie claim. It is
recorded also that on one occasion he carried a breaking plough all the way
from Sioux City on his shoulders. He was of rugged physique, an athletic
mould and well fitted for the hard and arduous work which he accomplished in
his long life, working hard from his youth up in his native land and harder
when he came to the new land. He suffered the privations incident to the
grasshopper time when crop after crop was destroyed by the ravenous insects
and more than once he and his faithful wife stinted themselves so that the
growing boys and girls might not suffer from hunger. Brighter days came as
the prairie developed into a fine farming country and Joe, as everybody
called him, was a good farmer and always took pride in having his place neat
and thrifty and it was his boast, which he made good, that no man in the
country could plow a better or a straighter farrow. His long life was
devoted to simple pursuits and honest labor occupied his days on the farm.

In pioneer days when there was no bridge across the Floyd river but only a
ford he acted the part of a good Samaritan when many travelers got mired and
stuck in the stream. He had a stout yoke of oxen and used to pull out teams
and wagons almost daily. He was a staunch friend and to those whom he liked
he would extend any kindness or favor in his power. He was a strong man
physically and mentally and if he had not been denied the advantage of an
education would have done things. As it is he lived a simple life doing the
best he could, respected and liked by nearly all who knew him.

He was born at Ramsey, Huntingdonshire, England, on August 8, 1825, and was
married on March 2, 1850, to Mary Anna Lavender, who for fifty seven years
has been his faithful, constant and loving wife in joy and sorrow, weal and
woe, adversity and happiness. The separation from her life long companion is
a terrible blow to her and not being in strong health her condition is
serious.

Five children survive him. They are Charles, who lives at Wallace, Idaho;
Harry, who is at Felida, Washington; Fred, of Denver; Mrs. Ira Betsworth,
Mather, Wis.; and Miss Carrie Carrington, who lives at home.

His son Fred and Mrs. Betsworth came to attend the funeral which will be
held this afternoon at the residence.

The other sons were notified by telegram but owing to snow and uncertainty
of trains running in the west, it is doubtful if they will get here although
Harry signified his intention of coming.

~Source: LeMars Sentinel, February 1, 1907