Thomas R. Gaskill

GASKILL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 11/7/2022 at 19:14:48

Thomas R. Gaskill

Thomas R. Gaskill settled on section 16, Fertile township, Worth Co., Iowa, in 1869, where he has since lived. He was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Aug. 1819. His parents were Thomas and Nancy (Ratliff) Gaskill. The father was born in October, 1787; the mother, March 28, 1787, both natives of Lancastershire, England, where they were married. They followed carding and spinning until they came to the United States. The English government forbade the emigration of manufacturers during the War of 1812. When Mr. Gaskill first attempt t emigrated, he was arrested. He afterward was smuggled over the ocean by the captain of a vessel. He came to Wayne Co., Ohio, and then sent for his wife and child. They died in Trumbull Co., Ohio, the father, Feb. 12, 1843, and the mother, Nov. 21, 1863. They raised a family of three children, Thomas R. being the second. He grew to manhood in Turnbull Co., Ohio, receiving a common school education. He was a tanner by trade, following that business for himself from 1845 until 1859. From this time until 1863 he ran a flax mill. In 1863 he removed to Grant Co., Wis., where he engaged in farming until 1869, at which time he settled on his present farm in Worth Co., Iowa. Here he owns 160 acres of good farming land. In politics he is a strong republican. He has been a member of the school board. Mr. Gaskill planted the first willow grove in Fertile township, in 1870. He was married. Oct. 17, 1844, to Rebecca McIntyer. She was born Aug. 26, 1821, in Bucks Co., Penn. By this union they have five children - Sarah J., Arial C., Nancy C., Lizzie H. and Ulysses G. Sarah J. was educated at Newton Falls, Trumbull Co., Ohio and has followed school teaching more than sixteen years. Mr. Gaskill is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mrs. Gaskill's parents were Robert and Christina (Delan) McIntyer. In 1823 they settled in New York, where the father died in September, 1830, at the age of thirty-five, the mother died in September, 1871, at the age of eighty-four. They raised a family of eight children, Mrs. Gaskill being the fifth child. Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1884, p.755