PUGH, Isaac A. (1842-1932)

PUGH

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 8/28/2019 at 13:05:30

Isaac Adam Pugh
Sep 3, 1842 – Apr 11, 1932

Traer Star Clipper, Traer, IA., Fri., Apr 15, 1932, p.18, col.5
I.A. Pugh of Toledo, Joins Great Majority
Early Tama County Settler Passes at the Age of 90 Years – Lived Near Toledo Seventy-Eight Years
Isaac Pugh, one of the first settlers to locate in Tama County, died Monday last, at his home west of Toledo after a prolonged illness. He was one of the earliest settlers of Tama County, locating near where he died before Toledo or Tama was founded.
Mr. Pugh was born Sept. 3, 1841, in Ohio. At the age of 13 years he came to Iowa with his parents and four brothers. They came part way by rail and crossed the Iowa river in a canoe, coming to Muscatine. They were met there by an uncle, who took the family in a covered wagon to where Tama now stands. They passed the night in a log cabin and then came to where Toledo stands. The family stayed for awhile with the uncle, Mr. Blosser. The place is known as the Mrs. Frances Kremenak farm, about one mile northwest of Toledo. There were no towns of Tama and Toledo, just a few houses, and no railroad. Mr. Pugh helped cut the ties to build the first railroad which ran through Tama County, the Chicago & North-Western. When he was 19 years of age his father died, leaving him to take care of the family. He experienced many of the hardships in those days, when he had to break the land with oxen. Mr. Pugh lived for twenty years on his father’s farm in Howard Township, one mile northwest of the present location of Rose Hill church, after which he moved to a farm he had purchased about a mile south and lived on this farm until his death.
Mr. Pugh was twice married. His first wife was Martha Hathorn and they were married in 1863. Two children were born to this union, Fannie McFate, who died several years ago, and Daniel, who lives at home. Ten years later he was married to Miss Sarah Betts, and they were the parents of four children. These are John, Mrs. Lillie Turbett, both deceased; Mrs. Mabel Davis, living near the old home, and Mrs. Anna Taylor, of Forest City. There are also ten grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. One grandson, Ray Taylor, is a minister in South America. One brother, Nathaniel, of Toledo Township, and a sister, Mrs. Amanda Granger, of Glen Elder, Kan., survive. The funeral was held on Wednesday afternoon at Rose Hill church and burial was in the cemetery nearby.