Tish, Samuel Preston

TISH, RAY, SELLS, WATSON, RIVERS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/17/2009 at 16:48:16

History of Poweshiek County
Publ. 1911
Page 583-585

SAMUEL PRESTON TISH

Iowa is constantly attracting a class of progressive citizens who recognize the opportunities here offered and utilize them for the advancement of their individual prosperity. Almost three decades have passed since Samuel Preston Tish came to Poweshiek county, and during the intervening period he has gained a prominent place among the progressive, enterprizing and prosperous farmers of this locality.

One of Ohio's native sons he was born in Knox county on the 26th of August, 1857, his parents being James and Harriett (Ray) Tish, whose births also occurred in Ohio, the former's in Knox county and the latter's in Coshocton county. The father carried on agricultural pursuits on a farm near Fredericktown for a number of years prior to his demise and served for several terms as constable. He was a democrat in politics and both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Both passed away in Knox county, Ohio. In their family were eight children, as follows: Jane, the wife of Henry Sells, of Mount Vernon, Ohio; Mary, deceased; Samuel Preston, of this review; Henry, a resident of Mount Vernon, Ohio; Velaningham, Edward and Isaac, all deceased; and John, of Mount Vernon.

Samuel Preston Tish is indebted to the district schools of his native county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed during the period of his boyhood and youth, and the home farm was the training ground upon which he received his preparation for life's practical duties. He assisted his father in the cultivation of the fields for a time, and then was employed by others until he was twenty-six years of age. In 1882 he came to Iowa, first locating on a farm near Searsboro in Washington township, Poweshiek county, which he rented for five years, after which he spent a similar period in New Sharon, Mahaska county, Iowa. Returning to Poweshiek county, he took up his abode in Sugar Creek township, purchasing a farm of eighty acres which has since remained the scene of his activities. He has greatly enhanced the value of the property since it came into his possession, for he has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and has introduced upon the place all of the modern inventions in farm machinery with which to successfully carry on his occupation. He is engaged in general farming and his well directed efforts and close application are meeting with substantial success, his annual harvest enabling him to place himself in comfortable circumstances.

Mr. Tish was married, in 1884, to Miss Annie Watson, a daughter of Simon and Susan Watson, both natives of Owen county, Indiana, where the father's birth occurred on the 11th of March, 1835, and the mother's on the 6th of June, 1845. The father, a farmer by occupation, came to Poweshiek county, Iowa, in 1856, locating on a farm in Sugar Creek township, while later he purchased the place upon which Mr. Tish now resides, and upon which his death occurred on the 4th of April, 1908. The mother still survives, however, and resides with her children. Like her husband, she holds membership in the Society of Friends. In his political belief Mr. Watson was a democrat. In their family were seven children, as follows: Mrs. Tish, who was born in Sugar Creek township on the 9th of August, 1863; Belle, the wife of Jesse Rivers, residing in Washington township, Poweshiek county; George, a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa; Walter, deceased; Fred, of this township; Winslow, who has also passed away; and Elmer, of Union township. Mr. and Mrs. Tish have been blessed with three children, as follows: Edward E., born December 11, 1892, at Washington township; Martha, deceased; and Marie, born November 29, 1896, at New Sharon, Mahaska county, Iowa. They also have one adopted son, Fred, who was born on the 28th of March, 1890, at Searsboro, Iowa.

Mr. Tish's religious belief is that of the Christian church, while in politics he casts an independent ballot, unhampered by party ties or machine rule. He votes for the best men and most desirable measures, and his influence is ever cast upon the side of those issues which have for their object the development and improvement of the community. Upright character and sterling worth have gained him a favorable place in the regard of many friends, and Sugar Creek township numbers him among her valued and representative citizens.