Nathan Gould Platt was born in Greenfield, Huron County, Ohio, Feb. 23, 1829, and was a son of Levi and Abigail (Bodman) Platt, the former a native of Connecticut, the later of New York. They had a family of nine children, Nathan being the third child and second son. He attended the common and select schools, also the academy at Norwalk, until twenty-one years old, when he went to Allen County, Ohio, purchased land and remained until the fall of 1852, then came to Iowa. He spent the winter in La Motte, Jackson County and in the spring of 1853, bought his present farm in section 27, Lodomillo Township. He was married Oct. 6, 1854, to Harriet, daughter of Selden and Florina (Blackman) Bush, natives of New York. Mrs. Platt died July 24, 1855. He was again married, March 6, 1856, to Margaret W. Goodell, who was born in Vermont, and was a daughter of William and Narcissa (Buxton) Goodell. They had five children--Laverne De Forrest, married Cora Kratzer; Edward G.; Abbie N., born July 11, 1863, died April 13, 1878; Cynthia G., and Hattie L. Mrs. Margaret Platt died Sept. 10, 1877. Mr. Platt owns 500 acres of land, 250 under excellent cultivation. He has a fine nursery on his farm where he raises fruit and ornamental trees, shrubbery, etc., for sale. He has held various township offices of trust, and in politics is a Republican, is also a staunch temperance man, and a member of the Congregational church. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 900 |