Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 474
BENJAMIN DRAPER

Benjamin DRAPER, came to Harrison County in the autumn of 1865, and is now a farmer on section 1, of Union Township. His first work in the county was cutting saw logs, and railroad ties, following this business eighteen months, during which time he earned money enough to send for his family in Canada. He and his family were taken sick with the fever and ague, and they "shook" about one year, which left our subject without money, and in debt for a doctor's bill. After recovering, Mr. DRAPER split rails at two dollars per hundred to support his family for six months, after which time his parents came on from Canada, bringing with them eight hundred dollars in gold, and bargained for one hundred and twenty acres of school land in Union Township. This land was improved by our subject and his father, and constitutes a part of his present farm.

He has held the office of township treasurer, and school treasurer, having as high as three thousand dollars in his possession at one time.

He was born in England May 1, 1839, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (CLARK) DRAPER, who reared a family of six children. Mr. DRAPER was married November 22, 1861, to Elizabeth A., daughter of William and Margaret CORNWELL.

Mr. and Mrs. DRAPER have the following children--Benjamin E., born September 19, 1862; William P., September 5, 1866; Eliza J., October 17, 1863; Alfred, November 25, 1870; Arthur, August 8, 1873; Paul, July 24, 1876; and Ella, August 30, 1884.

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