Silas B. Finney

FINNEY, BELL, HALL, LEIMBRICH

Posted By: J. Breen (email)
Date: 6/9/2015 at 19:41:22

Silas B. Finney, photographer, Washington, is a native of Union County, Ohio, born Oct. 7, 1853.

His father, Rufus Finney, is a native of New York, but at the age of ten years, was taken by his parents to Ohio, where he became acquainted with and married Mary Bell, by whom he had seven children, three of whom are living: S.B., a photographer of Washington; Nora, wife of Calvin Long, of Washington; Cynthia, wife of L. G. Adams, also of Washington; Abla, Alfred, Eliza and Mary are deceased. Rufus Finney came with his family to Washington in 1855, where he has since resided, with the exception of a few years spent in farming in Cedar Township, this county. In early life he learned the trade of a carpenter, which has been his occupation all the years he has been in Washington. In politics, he is a Republican, and religiously, he has for many years been connected with the Baptist Church, of which body his wife is also a member. Both are highly respected in the city where they reside.

S. B. Finney, the subject of this sketch, was reared in this county, and was seven years of age when his parents moved to the farm in Cedar Township. As soon as physically able, he had to do his share of the farm work in the summer, and in the winter was permitted to attend the common district school. On returning to the city, he entered the High School, in which he received a liberal education.

On the 24th of October, 1877, he was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Hall, a daughter of Amos and Catherine Hall, and a native of this State. Mrs. Finney died in 1880. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and her early death was mourned by many kind friends. For his second wife Mr. Finney chose Miss Minnie Leimbrich, a daughter of Kelian and Barbara Leimbrich.

In 1883 Mr. Finney moved to Keota, where he resided about two years, being first employed as a clerk, after which he entered a photograph gallery, and in time became quite proficient in the art. In the fall of 1885 he returned to Washington and opened a gallery, and in the prosecution of the business has been quite successful. That he is a good photographer, a glance at specimens of his work will convince anyone. Few galleries can show a better array of first-class work.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, IA, page 334 (1887)