ALFREY, Jacob P.: Died 1914

ALFREY, BORDEN, NEWPORT, MCCLINTOCK, COLLINS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/24/2016 at 04:34:43

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. Sat. 19 Dec. 1914

FIRST V.B. BORN COUNTY CHILD
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Jacob P. Alfrey Dies at Farmington
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WAS BORN JANUARY 17, 1836
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He Was the First White Male Child Born in Van Buren County.

Jacob P. Alfrey of Farmington, who had been very low for some time, passed away at his home shortly before 11 o'clock Sunday night. He was surrounded by his wife and family and other relatives and friends.

Mr. Alfrey is said to be the first white child born in Van Buren county. He was the seventh child of Mr. and Mrs. James Alfrey, who came from Kentucky in 1834. He was born Jan. 17, 1836. A few weeks since the Democrat gave the date of Mr. Alfrey's birth as Jan. 17, 1834, and that is the date given in the Van Buren County History published in 1878. But the history is full of errors and this is one of them. He himself gave the date of his birth as in 1836. It is claimed however that Mrs. Lorenzo Dow Borden, a daughter of John Newport, was born near Farmington July 31, 1835. It seems probably that Mr. Alfrey was the first white male child born in the county and Mrs. Borden the first girl.

Mr. Alfrey's father settled on the Baggy Nelson claim Sept. 15, 1834, and Mr. Alfrey was born in the old log cabin, which stood on the banks of the Des Moines river just outside the present corporate limits of Farmington, and was a stage coach station in an early day.

Mr. and Mrs. Alfrey celebrated their golden wedding Aug. 8, 1909. Besides his aged widow he is survived by a son and three daughters: O.S., the son, Mrs. Leonora McClintock and Miss Daisy living at Farmington. The other daughter, Mrs. George Collins lives at Knoxville. The deceased as a member of the Christian church. He was noted as a kind hearted man with many friends who sympathize for those who are left.

The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon from the late home.

**Handwritten: St. Line Dem. Sat. Dec. 1914

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book G, Page 175, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA