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G.W. Mabon

G. W. Mabon, who since 1869 has resided in this county, his home being now on section 17, Center Township, is extensively engaged in stock-dealing and is one of the leading business men of the community. He is a native of the Empire State, his birth having occurred in Montgomery County, in 1840. In the family to which he belongs were nine children, he being the second in order of birth. The parents, Thomas C. and Julia A. (McMasters) Mabon, were also born in New York and married in that State. The father was a furrier by trade, but after his emigration to Kane County, Ill., in 1854, he devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. The succeeding fifteen years of his life he spent in that community and in 1869 we find him living upon a farm in Center Township, Fayette County. He was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife who died in August, 1888, but the county still has the honor of numbering him among her citizens. Eight of the children are now living, namely: Mrs. Margaret A. Wilkins, of Kane County, Ill.; G. W., of this sketch; Mrs. Susan Howard, of Whiteside County, Ill.; John P., who is married and resides in Smith County, Kan.; Mrs. Arabella Cornwall, of Winona, Minn.; Mrs. Elizabeth Curley, of Fair Haven, Wash., where her husband is engaged in the lumber business; Ida, wife of G. H. Austin, a resident farmer of Center Township; and Byron, who is married and resides in Hawkeye.

We now take up the personal history of our subject and with pleasure present this brief sketch to the readers of the Album, knowing it will be received with interest by many. The first fourteen years of his life were spent in Montgomery County, N. Y., and he attained his majority in Kane County, Ill., whither he accompanied his family in 1854. He began farming for himself on reaching man's estate and in Kane County, in 1862, was united in marriage with Eliza A. Howard, daughter of Dennis and Unity (Nash) Howard who were natives of New York, and at an early day emigrated to Illinois, locating in Kane County, where their daughter was born. The father died in 1867 but the mother is still living in her Illinois home. The year 1869 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Mabon and his family in Fayette County, Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. This was in its primitive condition, not a furrow having been turned or an improvement made, but with characteristic energy he began its development, transforming it into rich and fertile fields. He disposed of forty acres of that amount but has since extended the boundaries of his farm until it comprises three hundred and seventy-five acres, devoted to the raising of grain and pasturage. Mr. Mabon now gives his undivided attention to stock-dealing which he has followed more or less for fifteen years. Hawkeye is his principal shipping point and he always has on hand from fifty to one hundred head of cattle.

In 1887, Mr. Mabon was called upon to mourn the loss of his estimable wife who died in March of that year, leaving three children, namely: Dimic A., who is married and resides in this county; Alberto A., a resident of Hawkeye; and Judd at home. Mr. Mabon was again married in 1887, his second union being with Jessie G. Averill, daughter of George and Laura (Barstow) McFall, who were natives of New York and Ohio respectively. Her mother is now deceased and her father resides in Wisconsin. In political sentiment Mr. Mabon is independent when voting at local elections but on National questions generally supports the Republican party. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees and as Township Treasurer, proving a capable officer in both positions. Socially he is a member of Randalia Lodge, No. 177, of Randalia; and of the Legion of Honor, of Hawkeye. He is a man of good business ability, sagacious and far-sighted and is upright and honorable in all his dealings, his course winning him the regard of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.

Since the above was written there has been a son born to Mrs. and Mr. Mabon on the 11th of November, 1890, named Hugh A.