 |
 |
What's
New | Bios | Birth/Marr/Death | Cemeteries | Census | Courts | Directories/Lists | Family | History | Maps | Military | Photos | Resources | Schools
1907 Past and Present Biographies
Samuel Jefferson SayersDuring his boyhood Milton C. Sayers obtained a good common school education and acquired an excellent knowledge of farming, which he decided to make his life work. On the 1st of December, 1863, at Columbus, Ohio. he enlisted as a seaman in the Ohio Volunteer Navy and was assigned to the gunboat Grampus, but was later transferred to the steamship General Pillow and was mustered out July 15, 1864. He soon afterward moved to Walnut, Bureau county, Illinois, where he engaged at first in mercantile business and later in farming. In 1871 he came to Greene county, Iowa, and purchased a farm in Jackson township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his energies until 1893, when he rented the place and removed to Iowa City, remaining there with his family while our subject pursued a college course. He then returned to Jefferson, where he died soon afterward on the 7th of August, 1897. Being industrious and economical he met with success in his undertakings and became one of the prosperous farmers of his community. He was one of the pillars in the Baptist church to which he belonged and always took a very active interest in all church work, doing all in his power to promote the moral and social welfare of those around him. In early manhood he married Miss Henrietta Jones, a native of Bureau county, Illinois, who is still living in Jefferson. She, too, was a member of the Baptist church and was a most earnest Christion woman. By her marriage she became the mother of two children: Milton C., a druggist of New Hampton, Iowa; and Samuel Jefferson, of this review. Reared upon the home farm, Samuel J. Sayers is indebted to the country schools for his primary education. Later he attended Dunning’s Academy at Jefferson, and the Jefferson high school, graduating from the latter in the class of 1891. Two years later he entered the State University at Iowa City, where he pursued a philosophical course and was graduated in 1897 with the degree of Ph. B. He then entered the lawofiice of I. D. Howard at Jefferson, reading law under his instruction for two years, and in 1899 he was admitted to the bar. He at once began the practice of his chosen profession in Jefferson and in 1903 was admitted to practice in the United States courts. Success has attended his efforts in his chosen field of labor and he is now regarded as one of the most brilliant young lawyers of this part of the state, having a large and representative clientage. In 1901, after his admission to the bar, he took a post graduate course of two years at his alma mater. He owns an interest in the old home farm in this county. In 1901 Mr. Sayers married Miss Jessie Custer, who was born in Hardin township, May 7, 1877, a daughter of Matthew and Martha (Siling) Custer. Her father was one of the pioneer farmers of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Sayers have two children: Margaret, born January 27, 1903; and Marshall, born July 24, 1906. They are members of the Baptist church and Mr. Sayers is also identified with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being the present master of Morning Star lodge, No. 159, A. F. & A. M. He is an honored member of the Greene County Bar Association and stands high in the esteem of his professional brethren. In 1903 he was elected city attorney and so acceptably did he fill the oflice that he has been twice re-elected and is now serving his third term. In his political affiliations he is a republican. |
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.  Site Terms, Conditions & Disclaimer |