LAFOLLETTE JOHN & JOSEPH

LAFOLLETTE, HINTON, HENRY, HAMILTON, HARSHBARGER, EASLEY, DEATHRIDGE, JONES, KENT

Posted By: John Daniel (email)
Date: 11/3/2001 at 15:35:26

Portrait & Biographical Album of Wapello County, Iowa 1887

JOHN H LAFOLLETTE, a pioneer settler of Wapello County, Iowa came to Iowa in the fall of 1850. He purchased Eighty Acres in Admas Township and opened up the farm which he still owns and occupies, and which now empraces 266 acres, under a good state of cultivation. He has been remarakably successful in his farming and business transaction, and besides the homestead, owns 240 acres in Union County, Iowa and 164 acres in Guthrie County, Iowa. He was born in Putnam County, Indiana, June 05 1828, and is the son of JOSEPH and HEATHER(HINTON) LAFOLLETTE, both natives of Kentucky, where they were reared married about the time that Daniel Boone became famous for the exploits in that region.

JOSEPH LAFOLLETTE, was born 1801 and died about 1877, in Putnam County, Indiana, whence he removed after his marriage. He was one of the pioneer settlers of that State, and opened up a farm in the wilderness. His wife, HESTER, was born January, 1799 and accompanied her husband to Indiana, cheerfully enduring with him the hardships and privations of pioneer life. They became the parents of Ten children, all of whom lived to mature years, and seven of whom still survive; DAVID is in Salem, Oregon, NANCY became the wife of MARTIN HENRY, of Montgomery County, Indiana; JOHN H lives in this county; CHARLES is in Polk County, Oregon; JEREMIAH lives near St. Joseph, Missouri; CHRISTIANA is the wife of THOMAS HAMILTON of Putnam County, Indiana; MARY C
married SAMUEL HARSHBARGER, and they live on the old homestead in Indiana. The father of our subject died in 1877, at the age of seventy six years, and the mother about 1872. The latter was a member in good standing of the Baptist Church.

The great-great grandfather of our subject came to America from France with GEN. LAFAYETTE, and served with the latter in the Revolutionary War, where he was killed and left upon the field. His son, the great-grandfather of our subject, settled in New Jersey, whence he subsequently moved to Kentucky, where, later the father of our subject was born. From this brance of the family in France sprang the LAFOLLETTE of America.

JOHN H LAFOLLETTE, of our sketch, received his early education in the log school house of his native county, which was built and furnished after the fashion of those time, and which has been described on various other pages of this work. To reach this temple of learning he was obliged to travel two miles in the severe winter weather, being guided through the forest by "blazed" trees. In 1850, after attaining his majority, he crossed the Mississippi and came into Wapello County, Iowa where he purchased land and opened up the farm which constitutes his present homestead, first building a log house 16 x 18, which is yet on the place. The following year he was married in this county, on the 8th of May, to MISS ANGELINE NANCY(DEATHRIDGE) EASLEY, who were early pioneers of the Hoosier State, and in the spring of 1850 came to Adams Township, this county. Of this marriage there were born Eight children, viz; JOSEPH, a natural mechanic and artist, of Ottumwa, Iowa; PARY, the wife of HENRY JONES, of Union County, Iowa; HESTER, who married J.T.KENT of Oregon; DANIEL of Wapello County, Iowa; JEREMIAH, a merchant of Ottumwa, Iowa; JOHN and WILLIAM HENRY, at home.

When our subject and his wife came to this county there were but few settlers, and very little of the land was improved, but they have witnessed with interest and satisfaction the remarkable changes which have taken place around them since that time. They have also contributed their share toward the progress and development of this vicinity. Our subject came here poor in pocket, and his present possessions are the result of his own industry and enterprise, able assisted by the good judgment, encouragement and industry of his helpmeet and partner. MR LAFOLLETTE has been prominent in the affairs of his township, and help various local offices. He has been the encourager and supporter of everything calculated to advance its interest, and in all respects has fulfilled his obligations as a good citizen.