Osmond Hall Plato

PLATO, LIVERMORE

Posted By: Marie Salisbury <marie@mariesalisbury.com>
Date: 9/3/2009 at 22:24:19

O. Plato is now living a retired life at Anthon, but for a number of years was one of the substantial and progressive farmers of Kedron township. He is also entitled to representation in this volume from the fact that he is one of the early settlers of the county, dating his residence here from 1856, while since 1844 he has made his home in the state. His mind, therefore, bears the impress of the historic annals of Iowa and what to many people are matters of history in Woodbury county are to him affairs of personal knowledge and experience. Mr. Plato is a native of New York, his birth having occurred in Chautauqua county, January 8, 1834. He is a son of Walton Plato, one of the early settlers of Chautauqua county, who was a mechanic, possessing much natural ability in that direction. He followed the cabinet-making trade and also the trade of a carpenter and joiner. Removing westward to Illinois he died there about two years later. His wife survived him and reared her children in Illinois and in Iowa, removing to the latter state about 1844, at which time she took up her abode in Jackson county.

It was there that Mr. Plato of this review remained until sixteen years of age, when he went to Dubuque. He attended the common schools and also pursued an academic course previous to this time, and in Dubuque he entered the law office of Platt Smith, where he read law for five years. He then returned to Jackson county and was engaged in the practice of his profession for a few years or until 1856, when he came to Woodbury county and purchased land, becoming the owner of a tract in Miller township. There he carried on general farming for a few years. He afterward removed to Kedron township, settling on the Sioux bottoms, where he opened up a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, developing a most valuable property, on which he remained for thirty-five years. The rich alluvial soil was made to produce excellent crops and continued cultivation and improvement resulted in the development of a splendid property. In 1892 he rented his farm and located at his present home adjoining Anthon. He also improved a farm of two hundred and forty acres on the river and in connection with the cultivation of the fields he was engaged in raising and feeding stock, winning very desirable success in that work. He had no capital when he came to Woodbury county, but through his persistent efforts and capable management he accumulated a handsome competence, becoming the owner of two large farms and also some residence property in Anthon. He was one of the first lawyers of the county and practiced in the courts here for thirty years.

On the 20th of September, 1857, in Sioux City, Mr. Plato was united in marriage to Miss Hepsy Livermore, a native of Ohio, who was brought to Iowa during her infancy and was reared in Jackson county. They were the first couple married in Sioux City, the wedding ceremony being preformed by Esquire John H. Charles. They became the parents of five children, of whom three are living: Charles A., who resides in Anthon, is a stockdealer and shipper. He is married and has five children: Nettie, Cecil, Bert, Hepsy, and Raymond. C.H. Plato, the second son, is engaged in the grain business. He is married and has three children: Edna, Marcus, and Sadie. H.P. Plato, the youngest, is residing upon a ranch in Idaho and his children are John, Osman, Netta, Lester, Alta, Winnifred, Ada, and Fred.

In his political allegiance Mr. Plato has always been an unfaltering Democrat, but the honors and emoluments of the office have had little attraction for him. He was, however, deputy county surveyor for a number of years and was engaged in surveying here and also did government surveying in Wisconsin before coming to Woodbury county. He likewise did work along that line in Nebraska. He is today one of the honored pioneer settlers of Woodbury county. In the early days of his residence here he knew every man for miles around and he is one of the few remaining pioneer lawyers of northwestern Iowa. He has seen this portion of the state transformed from a wilderness and swamp into a well developed district, which is the home of a contented, happy and prosperous people, and he has borne his full share in the work of improvement. He can relate may interesting incidents of pioneer life here and he is numbered among those who bravely faced the hardships and trials which fall to the lot of the frontier settler. He had no capital when he arrived here, but through his untiring energy, capable management and well directed efforts he has won for himself a place among the substantial residents of Woodbury county and his life history forms no unimportant chapter in the annals of this portion of the state.

from Past and Present of Woodbury County, pp.231- 232

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