Jefferson, Thomas H. (1839-1911)

JEFFERSON

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 8/20/2008 at 16:17:12

Thomas H. Jefferson
Feb 23, 1839 - Nov 26, 1911

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.121, James Twp.)
Thomas H. Jefferson, farmer, P. O. Oakland, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, February 23, 1839, son of William and Elizabeth (Hewitt) Jefferson, both natives of England, he born April 24, 1804, and died in August, 1878, in Black Hawk County, this State; she, born September 2, 1801, and died in the same place as her husband, February 12, 1878. They were farmers, and had four children - three sons and one daughter. Our subject received his education in his native county, and began life as a farmer. He was married, in Erie County, Penn., March 22, 1864, to Rose M. Stewart, born in that county October 12, 1842. She is the daughter of Simeon and Hannah (Blakeslee) Stewart, he born in Genessee County, N. Y., October 2, 1795; she born in Chenango County, N. Y., January 8, 1808. Our subject came to this State January 15, 1868, locating in Black Hawk County. The following year, he moved to Missouri, where he engaged in farming. In 1872, he came to this county and purchased eighty acres in Belknap Township, at $12.50 per acre. In 1876, he bought 160 acres more, at $10 per acre. In 1879, he traded the first eighty acres for 160 acres in James Township, where he now resides, and has a good farm of 320 acres, including a grove and an orchard. He engages in general farming, and raises and feeds his own stock. He has three children - Stewart S., born March 13, 1865; Charley C., born February 26, 1869; and Thomas W., born August 19, 1874. Our subject has served the township several times in an official capacity. In politics, he is a Democrat.

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.235)
THOMAS H. JEFFERSON, a prominent farmer of Pottawattamie Co, Iowa, is a son of William JEFFERSON, who was born in 1801 and was married to Elizabeth HEWETT, daughter of John HEWETT, a native of England. Mr. JEFFERSON came to America in 1823 and settled in Trumbull Co, OH, where he was among the early settlers. He was the only member of his family that ever came to this country. He was engaged first in driving a stage for the Ohio Stage Company for 16 years and next in clearing a farm from heavy timber. The country at that time was covered with giant beech, oaks, walnut, maple, hickory and almost all kinds of timber native to that state, and wild beasts were also plentiful. To Mr. and Mrs. JEFFERSON were born five children: William, Mary, Thomas, Edward, and one who died when young. The father lived on his farm for many years, where he was a well-known and prominent man and both he and his wife were members of the Church of England. In 1863 he went to Black Hawk Co, Iowa, where he lived the remainder of his days, dying at the age of 76 years. He was a hard working and upright man.
THOMAS H. JEFFERSON, our subject, was born February 23, 1839 and after his marriage was engaged in the oil country in Warren and Erie counties, Pennsylvania, for three years. In 1867 he came to Iowa, settling in Black Hawk Co, where he remained two years; he next lived on the Missouri line in Polk and Cedar counties and in 1872 came to Belknap Township, Pottawattamie Co, settling on wild land. There was but one home between him and Big Grove, now Oakland, which then contained a store, blacksmith shop, a saw mill and three small cabins. In 1881 he came to his present fine farm of 320 acres, one-half of which is in Belknap Township. Politically he is a Democrat and stands deservedly high as a straightforward and honorable man. Mr. JEFFERSON was married in 1863 in Pennsylvania to Rose STEWART, daughter of Simeon and Hannah (BLAKESLEY) STEWART, and they have three children: Stewart, Charles C. and Tommy. Simeon STEWART was born in New York state and was the father of 5 children: Tryphenia, Calphurnia, Perry, Rose and Dora. He was a carpenter by trade, but owned a farm in the woods of Erie Co, Pennsylvania where he lived for many years and where he was a pioneer settler. He went 32 miles to Erie on horseback for his flour. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and lived to the age of 82, dying on his farm. He was a member of the Masonic order, and a man well known and respected in his county. He kept a hotel n the road from Oil City to Corry, Pennsylvania, and during the oil excitement did an immense business, accumulating a handsome property.