Fee, Isaac

FEE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 14:39:44

ISAAC FEE
born Jan 26, 1821, Ohio

Isaac Fee, Redfield, Iowa, dates his identity with this State from 1846, the year it was admitted into the Union. At that time its white settlers kept pretty close to the river, and the central part of the State was inhabited chiefly by Indians, and gave little promise of ever becoming the rich agricultural district it is today, dotted over with prosperous towns and cities and covered with a network of railroads. Mr. Fee, however, chose the central portion of the State for his place of settlement, making his way direct to Fort Des Moines, which was at that time abandoned. As one of the early pioneers of this region he experienced many of the hardships and privations incident to frontier life. He possesses a remarkable memory, and his reminiscences connected with the early history of Iowa he relates in a manner that is both entertaining and instructive. We are here pleased to present a brief review of his life:
Born in Gallia county, Ohio January 26, 1821, the son of a worthy pioneer of the Western Reserve, Isaac Fee inherited to a marked degree many of the characteristics which enter into the make-up of a true frontiersman. His father was a native of Kentucky, was one of the first settlers of Ohio, and was well advanced in years at the time of his death. By occupation he was a farmer, and religiously he was all his life an earnest and active Methodist. He was twice married. By his first wife he had eleven children and by his second wife three, Isaac being the eldest of the three and the only living representative of the family. He was very small at the time his mother was killed by a stroke of lightning, and soon that his father died. Thus early in life the youth deprived of the loving care and protection of both parents. He was entrusted the care of his father's particular friend, who, however, lived but a short time afterward. The boy was then again rendered homeless. At the age of twelve years young Fee went to work in a salt factory at $4 per month. In referring to that period of his life, he says he was the proudest and happiest boy in America on his first pay- day. He was industrious, proved himself a valued employee, and at end of the first year his salary was raised $16 per month. After five years in the he left it to learn the carpenter's trade, which he served an apprenticeship of years and a half, and at which trade he worked off and on for several years. Soon after serving his time he married and settled down farming. From this time on he worked at trade only when he had nothing to do on farm. In the spring of 1846 Mr Fee came west as far as Canton, Illinois, and in the fall of that year he purchased a wagon and team of horses and other suitable outfit and came to Iowa, arriving in due time at Fort Des Moines, as already stated. His health was not very good the first year and during the following two years he was dissatisfied and “blue” and, indeed, the outlook then was not flattering. Little did he think at that time that a railroad would ever cross the State or that the broad sweep of country before him would ever reach its present high state of development. For two years he rented part of a Government farm, - land which is now covered by the beautiful city of Des Moines. Then he came to Dallas county and bought 240 acres on section 34, Linn township, of which the eighty he now owns and occupies was a part. The money he paid for this tract would have purchased two or three times as many acres of prairie land, which is much more valuable; but it was thought in those days that the most desirable location was near the timber and close to water as possible. His home is on the edge of the forest and only a stone's throw from running water. During the first years he lived here he made up his mind than once to sell out and return East, but various reasons he never did so. Now he has a good farm, valued at $45 per acre, unincumbered and all under cultivation, and he is in comfortable circumstances. In connection with his farming operations he has given some attention also to stock raising. He has always been a lover of a fine horse, especially a fast one, and is known for miles around as a first- class judge of horse flesh; and a good race run on its merits yet has its attractions for him. Mr. Fee is a Democrat. He was first a Whig, later a Republican, and since 1885 has given his support and influence to the Democratic party; and while he has ever taken a lively interest in the doings of his party he has never sought an office. He served two terms as School Director. In 1841 Mr. Fee married Miss Louisa A. Slaughter, a native of Ohio, and by her had thirteen children, ten of whom are living: John; Richmond M., a physician; William, Alfred H., Thomas, Lovina, Caroline, Ellen F., Abigail, and Sarah A. Those deceased are Mary E., Dulcina, and Nora L. His first wife having passed away, he was married November 11, 1880 to Miss Nancy Jane Garwood, a native of Michigan, born June 18, 1842. This union has resulted in the birth of two children: Eunice, born August 23, 1881, a bright interesting girl, now on the verge of young womanhood, and Samantha, born December 27, 1885, died February 10 1888. Mr. Fee is now practically retired from the active duties of the farm, having given its management over to his son, Thomas, who is one of the enterprising and prominent young men of this vicinity. Mr. Thomas Fee is a charter member of the Redfield Lodge No. 346, K. P.; and is also identified with Wiscotta Lodge No. 158, A. F. & A. M., and has been identified with that order for thirty five years. Source: A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1896, vol.1, p.878