Bartholomew, W. S.

BARTHOLOMEW, JONES, WATSON

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 7/31/2020 at 13:37:06

W. S. BARTHOLOMEW, farmer and stock-raiser, section 2, Cedar Township, is a native of New York, and was born in Washington County, that State, March 7, 1832. He is the son of Thomas and Sophia (Jones) Bartholomew, both of whom were also natives of New York, but of Irish descent. They were the parents of the following children: Stanley Lucius, a retired farmer, residing in Batavia, Kane Co., Ill.; Mariana, the widow of Eliphalet Watson, residing in Geneva, Ill.; Hannah, the wife of Daniel Warren, a farmer residing in Kane County, Ill.; Jeremiah, a retired farmer living at Richmond, Iowa; W.S., the subject of this sketch, and Ira, a farmer in DuPage County, Ill.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bartholomew moved from New York to Illinois about the year 1850, and settled on a small tract of land, where Mr. Bartholomew commenced farming, at which occupation he continued throughout his lifetime. He served in the War of 1812, and for his service received a land warrant. He was a charitable and public-spirited man, giving of his means to aid all public enterprises. He was a devoted member of the Congregational Church until the time of his death, which occurred about the year 1878, in DuPage County, Ill. Mrs. Bartholomew died in the fall of 1879. She was a true type of the Christian woman, a kind and indulgent mother, taking great pride in the education of her children. She was a member of the Congregational Church. Our subject made his home with his parents until thirteen years of age, when he started out in a life for himself. He first made his home with a man by the name of Willson, remaining with him until twenty-one years of age. For these eight years of hard toil he received $100. With this $100 young Bartholomew started for Illinois, and upon his arrival in DuPage County, engaged with a gentleman by the name of Stephen Hill, at $140 per year, and remained with him twelve months, then went to work for James Brown, at the same wages, remaining with him one year. Soon after he married Miss Amelia Watson, a native of New York, born May 16, 1837. She was the daughter of Eliphalet and Louisa Watson, both natives of New York.

In 1855 Mr. Bartholomew came with his young bride to Washington County, and here purchased 122 acres of wild land which he commenced to improve, making for himself a home in his adopted State. He now owns 322 acres of the fine prairie land, together with eight acres of timber, in all 330 acres. The farm presents a good appearance with its well-tilled fields and fine farm buildings, all which are the result of his own toil and industry.

Mr. and Mrs. Bartholomew were the parents of seven children: William H. is a farmer in Lime Creek Township; Sanford died at the age of five years; Clara A., deceased, was the wife of Samuel Wilkins; Edward H. is now helping in the management of the home farm; Ira T. and Eliphalet, are at home; and Thomas, a twin brother of Eliphalet, is deceased. On the 15th of October, 1871, death visited this happy home taking from it the wife and mother. She was a kind parent to her children, a true and loving wife, and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was greatly beloved, and missed not only by her family but also by the many dear friends with whom she was daily associated. She has left them only to wait their coming on the other shore. Mr. Bartholomew is a member of the Baptist Church. He is a Republican in politics, and takes a great interest in the upbuilding of the State in which he lives.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of W. S, Bartholomew, pages 454-455.