Van Fossen, James W.

VAN FOSSEN, BARKER

Posted By: Marilyn Norris Holmes (email)
Date: 11/30/2012 at 00:43:13

1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

DEEP RIVER TOWNSHIP

Page 748

VAN FOSSEN, JAMES W.--Section 2, P.O. Deep River. Was born in Frederick county, Maryland, March 2, 1831. When he was six months old his parents moved to Morgan county,Ohio, where he was raised on a farm and educated. When fifteen years of age he learned the trade of blacksmithing, and in the fall of 1855 he immigrated to Iowa, and commenced the improvement of his present place, all but 54 acres of which is the gift of his father-in-law. During the spring of 1857 he returned to Ohio, where he plied his trade for seven years, and in 1864 finally made his permanent settlement upon his farm. He married in Morgan county, Ohio, September 5, 1855, Cordelia Barker, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, March 10, 1833. She has borne him the following children: Elmer H. (born February 7, 1856), Everett C. (born October 22, 1857), Albert I. (born September 15, 1859), Orvilla Lucetta (born August 21, 1862), Augustus A. (born October 4, 1865) and La Sharon (born August 18, 1869). Mr. Van Fossen owns 148 acres of farming land and 12 acres of timber. His farm is well stocked and in excellent condition.