No history of Cedar county would be complete without mention of Samuel Enlow, who was long associated with farming interests. His success, however, was not measured alone by the terms of business, for while he won prosperity through his farming operations and his judicious investments he was at the same time a man and citizen of whom the community had every reason to be proud. While quiet and unostentatious in manner, his life was fraught with many good deeds and he ever lived in close conformity to the teachings of the Society of Friends.
He was born in Marlborough, Stark county, Ohio, December 30, 1826. His parents, James and Ruth (Hewitt) Enlow, were both natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Ohio, where their remaining days were passed. They had a family of eight children: Mrs. Emily Shreeve, who died in Ohio; Mrs. Susan Whinery, who also passed away in that state; Mrs. Rebecca Pennock, who died in Ohio; Mrs. Mary H. Cope, who died at West Branch, Iowa; Samuel, of this review; Thomas and Luke, who died in Cedar county; and Jonathan, who died when a young man in Ohio.
Samuel Enlow resided in Stark county, Ohio, until his marriage in 1851. The district during his boyhood days largely presented the appearance of a pioneer region, for the work of progress and civilization had scarcely been begun there. He was reared to farm work and early gained practical acquaintance with the best methods of developing and cultivating the fields. At the time of his marriage he went to Columbiana county, Ohio, and settled near Salem, where he spent two years upon a farm. The succeeding three years were passed as a farmer in Jennings county, Indiana, and the fall of 1856 witnessed his arrival in Cedar county, Iowa, at which time he located on a farm five miles northeast of West Branch, where he remained until about a year prior to his death, when he retired from active business life and took up his abode in the town of West Branch, where he passed away November 22, 1884. Throughout his entire business life he carried on general agricultural pursuits. He was the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land. His fortune was principally made in Cedar county, and his life was that of a quiet, industrious farmer. He closely watched every detail of the business and labored for success along lines that brought practical and substantial results. He seemed to know just how to use his time and talents to the best advantage and always followed progressive methods in his farm work, using the latest improved machinery to facilitate the cultivation of the fields and the care of the crops.
As previously stated, Mr. Enlow was married in 1851, the lady of his choice being Miss Hulda Whinery, who was born near Salem in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 18, 1832. She resided in that county until her marriage and afterward accompanied her husband on the removal to Indiana and Iowa, where she has since made her home. She is a daughter of Joseph and Martha (Crew) Whinery, who spent their entire lives upon a farm in Columbiana county. The mother was a representative of an old Virginia family, while the father’s people came from Pennsylvania. Both were members of the Society of Friends. Their marriage was blessed with eight children, namely: Mrs. Angeline Barber, who died in Ohio; Mrs. Enlow; Joshua, who died in Marshalltown, Iowa; Mrs. Rebecca Crew, who died in Marion, Iowa; Mrs. Susan Shaw, of Winfield, Kansas; Joseph, a resident of Columbiana county, Ohio; Mrs. Martha Test, of Marshall county, Iowa; and Sarah Jane, deceased.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Enlow were born four children. William, the eldest, a native of Ohio, died near West Branch, leaving a widow but no children, James Sullivan, who was born in Indiana, died in Chicago, leaving a widow. Mrs. Martha Steer, who was born in this county, also died here and left one child, Earl. Lauretta became the wife of Edward L. Hollingsworth, a merchant of West Branch, and they reside with Mrs. Enlow. They have three children, Lawrence E., J. Everett and Lois.
When Mr. and Mrs. Enlow came to Cedar county the town of West Branch had not been founded, and they did their trading at Springdale or Iowa City. There were no railroads and the journey westward from Ohio to Indiana and from Indiana to Iowa was made by wagon, Mrs. Enlow carrying her baby in her arms all the way. On reaching their destination Mr. Enlow purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, on which was a small house. A portion of the tract had been broken and with characteristic energy Mr. Enlow began the further development and improvement of the place, upon which he continued to reside throughout the remainder of his active business life. He prospered exceedingly during the period of the Civil war, receiving high prices for everything that he raised. In the early days the family went to Springdale for their supplies and for their mail. Their home was situated five miles from the village, but when the railroad was built Springdale was left off the line and the town of West Branch was started, so that they came to the latter place for their mail and trading. Mrs. Enlow has witnessed the entire growth of West Branch and has manifested keen interest in what has been accomplished there. Mr. Enlow was one of the original stockholders of the West Branch State Bank and Mrs. Enlow was one of the first stockholders of the Citizens Saving Bank. She still retains stock in both, but when they removed to the town they disposed of their farm. Mr. Enlow was also one of the original stockholders in the Cedar County State Bank of Tipton and in the West Liberty State Bank, now the Peoples Bank. His judicious investments enabled him to leave a handsome competence to his family.
He manifested a citizen’s interest in politics and in religion. He was a member of the Society of Friends throughout his life and was identified with the West Branch church, contributing largely to its building and to its support. In the antebellum days he was a strong opponent of slavery and when the republican party was formed to prevent its further extension into the territories he joined its ranks. He was a generous, kind-hearted man, always looking for opportunities to do good, and in all of his benevolent work Mrs. Enlow shared. She has generously used her means for the benefit of others. She gave to West Branch not only the public library but also the site which it occupies. The only condition attached to her gift was that the town should keep it up. She is ready to help every public enterprise that promises to benefit the community and promote its growth. She is recognized as one of the most active, helpful and valued members of the Friends church, and her life has been an exemplification of her Christian faith and belief. She has ever made it her purpose to follow the golden rule and whenever the opportunity has come to speak a kind word or do a generous deed she has done it. Although now seventy-eight years of age she retains her mental faculties unimpaired and in the management of her affairs displays keen business discernment and notable enterprise. For more than a half century she has lived in this county and all with whom she has come in contact are glad to call her friend.
