Amspoker, David L.

AMSPOKER, LYONS NELSON

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 3/26/2020 at 09:31:28

DAVID L. AMSPOKER, one of the earliest settlers of Washington county, Iowa, resides upon section 23, Washington Township. He was born Oct. 23, 1833, in Harrison County, Ohio, his parents, Alexander and Mary (Lyons) Amspoker, being among the pioneers of that county. In 1834 they moved to Hancock County, in the same State, but returned to Harrison County in 1840. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters: Eliza, the wife of Almon Dunning, of Adams county, Iowa; David L., the subject of this sketch; Samuel, of Keya Paha, Neb..; James, of Wyoming; Mary, of Harrison County, Ohio; Martha, the wife of Hugh Mitchel, of Ohio. Mrs. Amspoker died in Harrison County, Ohio, in February, 1876. She was a sincere Christian woman, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and her death was deeply mourned by family and friends. Mr. Amspoker is still living in Harrison County, Ohio at an advanced age.

David L. Amspoker was reared in Harrison County, Ohio, and was educated in the common schools, receiving a good education for that day. In 1856 he left Ohio and came to Washington County, Iowa where he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Nelson, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born Dec. 27, 1826. Her parents, William and Ann Nelson, were natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Wayne County, Ohio, at an early day, and who were also early settlers of Washington County, Iowa, arriving here in 1845, and locating in Washington Township. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living: Martha, of Lenox, Taylor Co., Iowa; Mary, of Washington; Sarah J., and Lizzie, the wife of John Hall, of this county. They were members of the Seceders’ Church, and were very hospitable people.

Mr. and Mrs. Amspoker have become the parents of eight children, four of whom are living: Lurena, the wife of Mathew Lewis, of Grainfield, Gove Co., Kan.; Frank, Etta and Myrtle at home. The deceased were Anna, Alex B., William N. and Ross L. Politically Mr. Anspoker is a Republican, but has never asked for nor accepted office. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, his wife also being a member of the same body. Mr. Amspoker has 120 acres of land which is well improved, having a good house, barn and all necessary out-buildings. While not a large land-owner, he has sufficient to make him a comfortable living, and is content with his lot. What he has is the result of his own labor, he not having inherited a cent.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of David L. Amspoker, page 248.