Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 920
THOMAS J. FEWINS

For more than twenty years, Thomas FEWINS has been a resident of Harrison County, Iowa. He rented land for the first few years, after locating in the county, but since 1901 has been living on a farm of his own. He has shown himself to be progressive, along all lines, and not only has those qualities which assure material success, but also takes an active part in the life of the community about him. In all respects, he measures up to a high standard of good citizenship and fully merits the approbation of his neighbors and friends.

Thomas J. FEWINS, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hunt) FEWINS, was born in Burlington, Iowa, October 23, 1856. His parents were both born in England, the father being a native of Lincolnshire. They came to the United States in 1854, after their marriage, the father following his occupation of blacksmithing in Burlington, Iowa, until his death ten years later.

Thomas J. FEWINS was adopted by William Lindsay, a personal friend of his father. Mr. Lindsay was a farmer living about fifteen miles north of Burlington, where Mr. FEWINS made his home with him until he was 20 years old. Mr. Lindsay was a blacksmith by trade and had worked in the Burlington & Missouri Railroad shops at Burlington with the father of Mr. FEWINS. Mr. Lindsay was the man who installed the first steam hammer in the Burlington shops, and after moving to his farm north of Burlington he operated a blacksmith shop and kept his forge flaming until shortly before his death. Mr. FEWINS is glad to acknowledge the indebtedness he owes to Mr. Lindsay for the admirable training he received in his home during his boyhood and early manhood.

When Thomas J. FEWINS was 22 years of age, he went to York County, Nebraska, and rented land there for six years. Owing to a crop failure in 1894, he left the county and state and located in Harrison County, Iowa, where he has since resided. Upon coming to this county, Mr. FEWINS rented land in Douglas and Cass townships for four years and then moved to Lincoln Township, where he rented for about five years longer. He bought 80 acres of land in section 20 of Douglas Township in 1901, where he now lives. Five years later, he doubled his acreage by buying another 80 acres in section 29 of the same township. He is a progressive farmer and has had the satisfaction of seeing his own farm return a handsome income year after year. He has one of the few silos in Douglas Township and was one of the first farmers in the township to plant an orchard. Since purchasing his farm he has built a large ten-room house, with acetylene gas plant, a commodious barn, corn cribs and various other outbuildings in order to care for his grain and stock. There were no improvements upon the farm when he purchased it, but owing to his aggressive management, he has made it one of the best and most attractive in the township.

Mr. FEWINS ws married on October 11, 1887 to Ila Vannice, who was born on January 22, 1862, in Des Moines County, Iowa, and is a daughter of James and Polly Ann (Howe) Vannice, natives of Indiana. Mr. And Mrs. FEWINS are the parents of six children: Melvin, born October 6, 1888; Elsie, born March 1, 1890; Chester, born August 25, 1892, married Oma Robinson and is farming with his father; Emerson born May 8, 1894; Nellie, born October 5, 1898; Floyd born July 26, 1901. Melvin married Florence Alice of Gresham, Nebraska, while all the other five children are under the parental roof.

Mr. FEWINS gives his hearty support to the Republican party and has served as school director and road supervisor in his township. The family are all loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and give that denomination their hearty support.

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