Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 937
GEORGE W. STEBBINS

The STEBBINS family have been identified with the history of Harrison county, Iowa, since 1873, when they drove to this county with ox teams from Minnesota. George W. STEBBINS was nine years of age at the time, and has spent his whole life, since that year, in this county. He has been engaged, in general farming and stock raising, and now has a well-improved farm in Raglan township, where he makes his home.

George W. STEBBINS, the son of Abner M. and Armeta STEBBINS, was born on November 1, 1854, near the city of South Bend, St. Joseph county, Indiana. His parents were natives of Vermont and Indiana, respectively, his mother's people being early settlers of Indiana. Abner STEBBINS and his wife did not live long in Indiana, after their marriage, owing to the fact that the neighborhood in which they resided seemed to be infested with the ague. Consequently, they removed to Dodge county, Minnesota, where they lived for seven years. They felt then that they could improve their condition by going farther south, and started to drive through to Harrison county, Iowa, with an ox team. After being on the road six weeks, they located about one and one-half miles west of Magnolia, where Abner STEBBINS lived until his death. Six children were born to them, George W. being the third in order of birth, the first two, Merrick and Monroe, being twins.

George W. STEBBINS lived with his parents until he was married. He received a good common school education in his boyhood days and spent his time, until his marriage, assisting his father on the home farm. After his marriage, he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land in Raglan township, and on this farm he has since made his home. There were no improvements whatever on the farm when he purchased it and, by his own good management and unceasing industry, he has made it one of the most attractive farms of the county.

Mr. STEBBINS was married on October 24, 1883, to Mandy ABRAMS, who was born in Bigler's Grove, Harrison county, Iowa, and is a daughter of George and Sarah (VORE) ABRAMS. The ABRAMS family came to Harrison county, in 1853, and were among the very first settlers to locate here.

Mr. and Mrs. STEBBINS are the parents of eight children, five of whom are living, Effie, who married Walter BLANKENSHIP, and lives two and one-half miles southwest of Logan; Verne, who married Perry BLANKENSHIP, and lives two and one-half miles west of Pisgah; and three, Roy, Clarence and Opal, who are still living at home. The mother of these children died on February 7, 1911. Opal is now keeping house for her father and two brothers, Roy and Clarence.

Mr. STEBBINS is a Democrat, but has never been active in the affairs of his party. He and his sons are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The wife and mother was also a loyal member of this same denomination, and gave to it her hearty support, at all times. Mr. STEBBINS is a progressive farmer and is highly esteemed throughout the neighborhood, where he has long made his home.

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