Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 742
THOMAS F. JEFFERSON

The life history of Thomas F. JEFFERSON, one of the well known and highly esteemed older citizens of Harrison county, Iowa, now living in Woodbine in honorable retirement, shows what industry, good habits and stanch citizenship will accomplish for success in the battle of life. For over a quarter of a century he has been a valued factor in the development of the agricultural business of this county, being prominently identified with its various phases. His well-directed energies in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his own business interests and his sound judgment have demonstrated what may be accomplished by the man of energy and ambition, who persevering, often in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, proves that he is the possessor of those innate qualities that never fail to bring success if properly directed, as they have evidently been in the case of Mr. JEFFERSON. He has not only won material success in life, but has so directed his manner of living that he is granted honor and respect by those who know him.

Mr. JEFFERSON is a native of Harrison county, having first seen the light of day on his father's farm in Boyer township on August 13, 1859. He is a son of Luke and Mary A. (FARNSWORTH) JEFFERSON, the latter of whom was a native of Marion county, Ohio. Luke JEFFERSON was born in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, and was brought to this country by his parents when a lad of seven years. He was the son of William and Phoebe JEFFERSON, who, upon reaching this country, first settled in Troy, New York, later going to farming lands in the western portion of that state. There they remained for a comparatively short time, when the father decided to investigate the still greater opportunities seemingly offered in the midwestern section of the country. While working their way toward their goal, they lived for a time in Marion county, Ohio, where William, grandfather of Thomas F., died. The wife and family finally reached Harrison county, where the mother soon died. Luke JEFFERSON had very little opportunity for schooling when young and married in Illinois, making the journey to this county by the overland route in company with several other families. He arrived here in 1852, and immediately secured a tract of wild land, which he courageously set about converting into the well-ordered farm which was his ideal. He passed the remainder of his life in Boyer township, adding to his original holdings from time to time, until he was at one time the owner of one thousand acres. He was highly successful for that day, being considered one of the most successful stock raisers and feeders of his section. He was a man of excellent character, practical in his plans and energetic in carrying them out. He was a Republican in politics and while not an aspirant to office, was a man who took considerable interest in political affairs, anxious to see the proper men in positions of trust. His death occurred in January of 1904, he then being in his seventy-sixth year. His wife had preceded him into the Great Beyond a number of years, her death occurring on December 31, 1882, when she was forty-nine years of age. They were the parents of a family of six children, namely: John W., who is a farmer in Boyer township, this county; Olive L. (deceased), who was the wife of E. C. CARRIIER, also of Boyer township; Phoebe L., who married B. S. CARRIER, both now being dead. The fourth child in order of birth is Thomas F., the immediate subject of this sketch, and then follows Mary E., who is Mrs. Howard MURPHY, and resides in Michigan, and the youngest of the family is Samuel L., who resides in Woodbine, this county.

Thomas F. JEFFERSON received such education as the schools of the country districts of the state at that time afforded, and remained under the parental roof until twenty-five years of age. In 1885 he decided to go to southern California, where he remained for three years, at the end of which time he returned to his native state and county, where he engaged in farming.

On March 22, 1894, Thomas F. JEFFERSON was united in marriage with Minnie L. HUNTER, who was born and reared in Boyer township, this county, a daughter of William and Carrie HUNTER, farmers. Mr. and Mrs. JEFFRESON have been blessed with a family of six children, namely: Gladys V., Frank M., Cecil H., Clifford J., Evadna M. and Donald S. Immediately after marriage Mr. JEFFERSON and his bride took up their residence on the old JEFFERSON homestead in Boyer township, and there remained until 1907, when they retired from active labor and removed to Woodbine, which has since been their home. Mr. JEFFERSON has for many years been widely known as a stock breeder and shipper of the highest order, and still owns six hundred and twenty acres of valuable lands in Boyer and Douglas townships, besides real estate in Woodbine.

Although a strong supporter of the Republican party, Mr. JEFFERSON never desired the honor of public office. His religious membership is with the Presbyterian church, to the support of which congregation he gives liberally. His fraternal affiliation is held in the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons, through the local organization at Woodbine. Mr. JEFFERSON is one of those sterling men who are the bone and sinew of any community, and the nation as well. Possessed of broad mind and exalted and practical ideals, he belongs to the class which assume the leadership in all affairs of life. Of generous impulses and kindly sympathies, he is genial and friendly and is not only widely and well known throughout the whole of this county, but also has a large circle of warmly admiring friends. It is, therefore, peculiarly proper that a sketch of the career of such an influential man should be embodied in a volume of the character of the one in hand.

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