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1907 Past and Present Biographies

James A. Pangborn

James A. Pangborn is numbered among the leading agriculturists of Willow township and to his enterprising and progressive spirit the farm which he now owns owes its growth and prosperity. He was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, April 19, 1848, and is a son of Levi and Diantha (Worchester) Pangborn, the former a native of New York and the latter of Vermont. His father was an enterprising agriculturist of Benton county, Iowa, where he lived until his demise in 1888, being seventy-seven years of age at that time. These worthy people were the parents of eight children, three of whom are now living.

James A. Pangborn was reared to manhood upon his father’s farm. As soon as old enough to handle the plow he began aiding in the labors of the farm and to that work devoted his energies during the summer months, while in the winter seasons he conned his lessons in the public schools. When twenty-three years of age he came to Greene county and the following year purchased eighty acres on section 22, Willow township. This was formerly owned by Henry Bowman and was raw prairie land. By wise management and skillful husbandry Mr. Pangborn was able to add one hundred and sixty acres on section 15 to his original purchase. This land he bought of his brother, L. W., and a few years later added eighty acres more on section 23, which he purchased of E. V. Filkins. In addition to these extensive holdings he also has sixty acres in Highland township, Guthrie county. All of this land he has broken, has set out the trees and recently erected a horse barn, twenty-four by thirty-two, with a fourteen foot shed, a stock barn sixty-four by sixty-four, and has engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of Hereford cattle, red hogs and draft horses. Industry and enterprise have ever been numbered among his chief characteristics and his success is well deserved.

In 1871, Mr. Pangborn was married, in Benton county, Iowa, to Lydia V. Adamson, who was born September 13, 1852, in Ohio. Their union has been blessed with ten children: Della, the wife of S. C. Hildreth; Guy; Mrs. Dollie Jack; Mrs. Alice Bryson; Mrs. Nellie Caple; Mrs. Mary Simpkins; Mrs. Inez Hunter; and Lawrence, Lester and Viola, who are at home. Mrs. Pangborn is a daughter of John and Martha (Votaw) Adamson, who were born and reared in Mahoning county, Ohio, where the father continued to carry on farming until after the death of his wife, which occurred in 1856. About 1865 he came to Iowa and first located in Brenton county but in 1878 removed to Greene county, locating in Willow township, where he owned and operated a farm on section 23. He died there at the age of sixty-three years. He was reared in the Quaker faith but as there was no church of that denomination here he became an active worker in the Methodist church, although not a member of the same. Mrs. Pangborn was only thirteen years of age when she accompanied her father on his removal to Iowa and she was practically educated in the public schools of this state. She has been a faithful companion and helpmate to her husband and has contributed her share toward accumulating their property. Both are earnest members of the Christian church.

Mr. Pangborn is actively identified with the republican party and has served as treasurer of the school board for nine years and a half and as trustee and supervisor of the township. The duties of these offices he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is widely and favorably known, for he has won the friendship and respect of all with whom he has come in contact both in his business and social relations. Success comes to those who labor for it, and well directed efforts, good man agement and business ability have won him prosperity.


Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.


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