Fisher, Henry G.

FISHER

Posted By: Joyce Hickman (email)
Date: 10/8/2008 at 13:59:35

Henry G. Fisher

(From the 1883 History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, by J. H. Keatley, p.200, Norwalk Twp.)
Henry G. Fisher, farmer, P. O. Neola, was born in York County, Penn., June 18, 1837; he is the son of Robert and Catharine (Gatrost) Fisher. His father was a native of New York, and his mother of Hazen, Germany, and she was born about 1812. Our subject's education was wholly acquired in that practical school which has experience for its teacher. While a boy, he lived with his grandfather, who taught him the butcher's trade. At the age of sixteen, he apprenticed to a carpenter for three years, named Charles Neff, of Dallastown, York Co., Penn. He came West in 1856, traveling by rail from Harrisburg to Iowa City; at the latter place, he paid out his last money for a passage by stage to Des Moines. At this place, he was compelled to part with a good watch, in order to secure a stage ticket to Council Bluffs. He arrived at the latter place on a very stormy winter day, December 19, 1856. The balance of that winter he spent with his uncle, Philip Gatrost. For several years following, he worked at his trade - carpentering. September 25, 1862, six miles east of the Bluffs, he was married to Hannay Graybill, who was born in Hancock County, Ill., August 3, 1842. She is the daughter of George and Mary (Smith) Graybill. Her father was a native of Ohio and her mother was born near Indianapolis, Ind. They were among the first settlers in Pottawattamie County, coming here when Mrs. Fisher was only three years old. Shortly after his marriage, our subject began farming. He rented land for for years of Dr. Phillips. One year, he sub-rented the farm, and 500 bushels of corn, along with the stable, was burned by the careless ness of the renters. He then purchased part of his present farm, and improved it. In 1867, he was engaged in butchering for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad while it was being constructed through this county. This adventure proved to be very successful to our subject. he owed at times as high as $3,000 for cattle, and held accounts amounting from $5,000 to $6,000. Part of this was lost, however, by dishonesty on the part of one of the contractors. The next year, he moved to Neola and engaged in the grain business, which he followed for three years. He lost two car loads of wheat and the same of corn in the great Chicago fire. In the spring of 1873, a fire destroyed his house and effects in Neola. He went back to his farm, and after living there for two years, was again burned out, on July 3, 1875. He then bought an addition to his farm, and built the house in which he now resides. In 1881, he butchered for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad while it was in course of construction through this county. The present year, he has completed a canal for the same railroad through a portion of his own place. This was undertaken and made a success after the failure of seven other contractors. Mr. Fisher has six children - George E., born November 15, 1863; Manuel D., born February 15, 1865; Lucinda E., born June 18, 1868; Mary C., born June 20, 1870; Massa Anne, born October 4, 1873, and Stephen Ira Isaac, born Aguust 23, 1881. In politics, Mr. fisher is a Republican Greenbacker.