TIPTON, Bozell F., Hon.

TIPTON, DENISON, JACKSON GARDNER

Posted By: Norma Jennings, Administrator (email)
Date: 3/30/2013 at 11:53:22

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, IOWA 1877; Page 181

HON. BOZELL F. TIPTON, residing on section 17, Cedar Township, a fine portrait of whom appears upon the opposite page, is a native of Franklin County, Ohio, born June 27, 1828, and is a son of Jonathan and Melinda (Denison) Tipton, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Ohio and Illinois. In 1838 the family moved from Ohio to Fulton County, Ill., and then removed to Knox County, Ill. Here our subject grew to manhood, and in 1851 came to Washington County, Iowa, and settled on the present site of West Chester, where he rented land for one year, and then bought 240 acres of land on section 7, Cedar Township, and section 24 of Lime Creek Township. He built a house on the northeast quarter of section 7, Cedar Township, improved the land, and there lived until the spring of 1858, when he bought 120 acres on section 17, Cedar Township, where he now owns one of the best improved farms in the county. That same year he also purchased ten acres of timber on section 28. He owns 457 1/2 acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, with a good dwelling-house, fine barns and other out-buildings. He is now engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

Mr. Tipton was married, July 5, 1849, to Miss Lucinda Jackson, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, and the daughter of John Jackson. They are the parents of seven children: Israel now resides in the Indian Territory, and is engaged in stock-raising; John is a farmer residing in Cedar Township; Florence is the wife of C. C. Gardner, also of Cedar Township; Alvonzo is engaged in stock-raising in Indian Territory; David is a farmer residing in Smith County, Kan.; Myrtle and Hazard are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Tipton are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1862, when the call was made by President Lincoln for more men, Mr. Tipton enlisted in Co. A, 25th Iowa Vol. Inf., and as a Sergeant served till the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Atlanta, and was with Sherman on the march to the sea, and in the last engagement of the war, at Bentonsville, N. C. After participating in the grand review at Washington, he was mustered out with his regiment, June 6, 1865. He then returned home and at once resumed farming, in which occupation he has since been engaged. As might well be expected, Mr. Tipton is a stanch Republican, one who firmly believes in the principles advocated by that party. He has been honored by his friends and neighbors with various township offices, and in 1885 was elected a member of the Twenty-first General Assembly of the State of Iowa, and as such served with credit to himself and

his constituents upon some of the most important committees in the Lower House. While this work was in preparation he was renominated for the same position, which is proof of the esteem in which he is held by the party. He is also a strong advocate of prohibition, and of the enforcement of the law. On coming to this county, Mr. Tipton was in limited circumstances, but he has by hard work, assisted by his faithful wife, accumulated sufficient property to render them comfortable during the remainder of their lives, and to amply provide for their children. Socially he is esteemed by all.

Jonathan Tipton, the father of our subject, died at the residence of his son in 1885, at the age of eighty-one years. He was a man of more than ordinary ability and served as Justice of the Peace in his township for a number of years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our subject is still living, at the ripe old age of eighty-one years. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.