Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 835
SAMUEL C. BARTHOLOMEW

Samuel C. BARTHOLOMEW, who is prominently known throughout Harrison County as one of the representative citizens and well-to-do farmes, is a resident of Jackson Township. He is a leader in those projects that tend to progression in moral as well as in financial matters. He came to the county in September, 1870, with a capital of but $125, and an eighty-acre tract of land , which he had previously purchased. He came to the county with his family nestled within a covered wagon drawn by one span of horses. He at once set about building for himself a home, and one who surveys his goodly possessions to-day can testify as to the success he has made. His farm is among the best in the county, and everything about the premises gives evidence of a thrifty, painstaking husbandman who, be it said to his credit, has carved out his own fortune.

That the reader may know of his earlier history of that period of his life prior to his coming to Harrison County it may be stated that he was born in Ripley County, Indiana, January 6, 1845.  He is the son of James and Mary (ALDEN) BARTHOLOMEW. His father was a native of Essexshire, England, and came to America, settling in Dearborn County, IN, where he was united in marriage to Miss Mary ALDEN, a native of the last-named county, and the daughter of Samuel J. ALDEN, who is a direct descendant of the famous puritan, John ALDEN, who came over in the "Mayflower" in 1620, and who is the hero of Longfellow's poem so highly prized in American literature.

Our subject, S. C. BARTHOLOMEW, was the second child of a family of three born to his parents. When eight years of age he went to live with a man named Stillman RANSOM, in Ripley County, IN, where he remained five years, at the end of which time he went to live with his grandfather, Samuel J. ALDEN and there remained until he was seventeen years old, at which time (August 13, 1862) he enlisted in Company G, Eighty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry and served two years and ten months, when the civil conflict closed. He was discharged June 13, 1865, at Washington, D.C. During his service Mr. BARTHOLOMEW participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, December 28, 1862; Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863; Battle of Vicksburg; Jackson, Miss. He then returned to Memphis and went to Chattanooga, and took part in the Battle of Mission Ridge, Battle of Resaca, and Kenesaw Mountain. He was also at the Battle of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, when Gen. MC PHERSON was killed. Also July 28, 1864, at Atlanta, which was the hottest engaggement he ever experienced. He was also with SHERMAN on his famous "March to the Sea." After being discharged he returned to his old home and for a time worked for his grandfather. He then attended a graded school at Greensburgh, Decatur County, IN, for seven months, then worked out for awhile and commenced farming on a piece of land with his brother, James L., who a year later came West and located in Monona County, Iowa. S.C., of whom this notice is written, remained in Indiana another year, and we next find him in Harrison County, Iowa, located on section 7, of Boyer Township, upon eighty acres of land, where he farmed until 1873, when he sold out and invested his money in cattle, which proved to be the foundation for his present home. For two years he rented the Graham farm in Monona County, and came to Jackson Township in May, 1875. He now possesses eleven hundred and fifty acres of choice land in Jackson Township. Three hundred acres are under the plow, while the balance is in timber, pasture, and meadow land. His fine faarmhouse was built in the summer of 1888. It is a two story structure, 24x28 feet, with an addition. It is looked upon as the best house withiin the township, and was erected at an expense of $3,000.

Mr. BARTHOLOMEW was married July 4, 1869, in Ripley County, Indiana, to Mrs. Christina (ERTEL) CLARK, who had two children by her former husband. Mr. CLARK. The names of the children were Henry L., deceased, and Ida May, now Mrs. William ARTHUR, Jr., of Jackson Township.

Mr. And Mrs. BARTHOLOMEW are the parents of James Orval, born February 29, 1868, and now residing in Jackson Township; he married Maggie LITTLE, of Jefferson; Clara A., born January 7, 1873; Charles Albert, February 11, 1875; Mary A., April 2, 1877; Gracie B., May 6, 1886.

Mr. BARTHOLOMEW has been prominent in political circles, and in the 1891 campaign was a candidate for repreesentative on the Independent ticket, receiving five hundred and eighty nine votes. He did not expect to be elected, hence was not disappointed. But his canvass proved him to be a strong man, and one who is thoroughly honest in his political dealings, and he stands high among men of all political faiths.

When one reviews the career of this gentleman, and the success he has made in Harrison County, they are impressed with the thought that industry and honesty are almost certain of final reward.

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