Stephen D. Fellows

FELLOWS, HARRISON, HINKLEY, MANN, BOWEN, HOPKINS

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/5/2001 at 22:04:46

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
STEPHEN D. FELLOWS
Stephen D. Fellows is engaged in farming and stock-raising on Section 36, Van Buren Township, Van Buren County, where he owns a good farm, comprising some four hundred and fifty-two acres of land. A man of practical yet progressive ideas he keeps abreast of all improvements, and his home with its surroundings indicates the thrift and enterprise of its owner. Mr. Fellows was born in Luzerne County Pennsylvania on October 3, 1833, being the fourth in a family of nine children whose parents are Asahel and Susannah Harrison Fellows. They were both natives of the Keystone State, and there on May 7, 1827, their marriage was celebrated. Asahel Fellows made farming his life occupation and followed that pursuit in Pennsylvania until 1836, when he immigrated to the Territory of Michigan, but not being satisfied to make a home in that locality, in November of the same year he continued his journey to Van Buren county Iowa, and here purchased a claim located on Section 31, Van Buren Township. The following year he brought his family to the home, which he had prepared, and here during the remainder of his life he continued to reside. He became an influential citizen of the community, and at his death, which occurred March 19, 1869, friends and neighbors felt that they had suffered a great loss. He also took an active part in political affairs, voting with the Democratic Party. When a resident of Pennsylvania he served in the State Militia for seven years, and was also a regularly enlisted soldier in the War of 1812. His wife survived him a number of years, dying on November 30, 1888. Of their family of children, the following yet survive—Whiting A., who is now married and resides in Van Buren Township; Mrs. Elvira A. Hinkley, of Clark County Missouri; Stephen D., of this sketch; and William M.V.B. who is married and makes his home in Van Buren Township.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were Abiel and Catherine Mann Fellows, both natives of Connecticut and of English descent. The family dates its residence in America back to Colonial days, and Abiel Fellows gallantly served his country during the War for Independence. On the maternal side of our subject is of German and Welsh descent. His mother’s father was Stephen Harrison.
In the usual manner of farmer lads, Stephen D. Fellows spent the days of his boyhood and youth. The educational advantages, which he received, were very limited, in fact, his school life covered a period of several years, though he never attended but one full term. At the age of nineteen years he began life for himself, taking charge of his father’s farm, and displaying in its management ability and business knowledge, which would have done credit to a man farther advanced in years. From that time without interruption he has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He aided in opening up and clearing a farm for his father, after which he performed the same task for himself, and he is now the owner of 452 acres of highly improved land, which yields to him a good income. He raises good grades of stock, making a specialty of Shorthorn cattle, and has all the improvements and conveniences known to the agriculturalist of the nineteenth century.
It was in 1862 in Van Buren County that Mr. Fellows led to the marriage altar, Miss Ann Bowen, a native of Wales, and a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Hopkins Bowen, both of whom were born in the same country. In 1847, accompanied by their family, they left their native land for America, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel. After a pleasant voyage of forty-five days they dropped anchor in the harbor of New York, but did not continue in the metropolis; but made a settlement in Pennsylvania. Some five years later, in 1852, we find them in Van Buren County, Iowa, and in 1857 they removed to a farm in Van Buren Township. Mining was the life occupation of Mr. Bowen, and in 1869 he was called from the toils of life dying in Mahaska County Iowa. His wife survived him eight years, and was called to her final rest in 1877. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fellows, eight children have been born, of whom seven are now living. The eldest, A.G., is married and resides on the home farm; A.D. is married and makes his home in Auburn, California. He completed his literary education by graduating from the School of Pharmacy of Chicago in which city he is now carrying on a drug store. Chloe; T.H., S.L and Keo are still with their parents.
Among the representative men of the county is numbered Stephen D. Fellows, who from the days of his early boyhood has made his home in this community. He is acquainted with every phase of pioneer life, and shared in the hardships and trials, which come to those who make homes on the frontier. The first day which the family spent in the county, they were surrounded by four hundred Indians encamped upon their claim; and the red men were frequent visitors at their home for some years afterward. The greater part of the land at the time was wild and uncultivated, the homes were mostly log cabins, oxen were used in breaking land, and the condition of affairs at that day gave little promise of the present prosperity and progress of the county, but the work and efforts of the pioneers have wrought a wonderful transformation, and in all possible ways, Mr. Fellows has aided in this beneficial change. The cause of education has found in him a special friend, and he did effective service while on the School Board. He was also a member of the State Militia and holds a commission as Second Lieutenant. The moral interests of the community receive his support, and both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church, of Pleasant Hill. He takes considerable interest in civic societies, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Odd Fellow’s Lodge, and the Keosauqua Encampment, belonging to Keosauqua Lodge No. 10, A.F. & A.M., Moore Chapter No. 23, R.A.M. and Keosauqua Lodge No. 3 I.O.O.F. For four consecutive years he was Worthy Master, and also filled the various offices in the chapter and Odd Fellows society, representing the latter in the Grand Lodge. He is an influential member of the Democratic Party, and in 1849 was honored by the nomination for Representative, but his party being in the minority was, inconsequence, not elected. His public and private life alike, are above reproach, his name is honored throughout the community, and as one of the leading citizens of the county he deserves representation in this volume.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.