William Howe Scaggs
Highly esteemed and respected throughout the community, William Howe Scaggs, who died May 30, 1907, was one of the useful citizens of Denison, whose example of industry and progressiveness still stands as an object lesson to those who knew him.
He was born in Newcastle county, Delaware, March 19, 1841, a son of Thomas and Emelina (Roberts) Scaggs, both of whom spent their entire lives in Delaware. There were nine children in their family, six of whom are still living.
Mr. Scaggs of this review was educated in the public schools of his native state and continued at home until twenty years of age. Being an ambitious young man, desirous of seeing the world and also of taking advantage of favorable opportunities for advancement, he went to Benton county, Iowa, and spent the winter there. In the spring he crossed the plains to Colorado, and the Civil war being then in progress, he enlisted in behalf of the Union and served most creditably. Subsequently he settled in Clinton county, Iowa, but after his marriage took up his residence in Denison, where he continued during the remainder of his life, becoming actively identified with its business interests as a carpenter contractor.
In Clinton county Mr. Scaggs was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Allison, who was born in Orange township, that county, in October, 1852, a daughter of A. S. and Rosanna (Betz) Allison. The farmer was a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio. They settled in Clinton county in 1849 and Mr. Allison entered eighty acres of government land and became one of the leading farmers of the county, adding largely to his possessions as the years passed. The mother died upon the home farm in 1895 and the father in March, 1910, he having then reached the age of eighty-eight years and six months. There were seven children in their family, three of whom are now living.
Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Scaggs, all of whom are deceased except Birdie M., who is now the wife of Richard R. Robinson, of Milford township.
Mr. Scaggs was a stanch champion of the democratic party and was for many years an active worker in its behalf. For a number of years he served as one of the aldermen of Denison. He was well known in fraternal circles, being a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 626; and John A. Logan Post, G. A. R., both of Denison.
Mrs. Scaggs is still living in this city and owns two residences, in one of which she makes her home. She is a member of Relief Corps, No. 56, of John A. Logan Post, and takes an active part in its work. She is also a member of the Rebekah Lodge, No. 420, and has filled all the chairs in both of these organizations, being recognized as one of their most active and capable officials. She has spent her entire life in this state and by her unselfish labors in behalf of others has made many friends in Denison.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.