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         JOHN L. JARVIS, a farmer and stock-raiser residing on section 26, Morning Sun Township, was born in Wayne County, Ind., April 22, 1843, and is a son of John B. and Charlotte W. (Burgess) Jarvis, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Kentucky. The father left his native State at the age of fourteen, locating in Wayne County, Ind., where he became acquainted with and married Miss Charlotte W. Burgess, April 28, 1835. He then engaged in farming and teaming in that county until 1847. Five children were born unto them there: Walter S., who died in infancy; Caroline M., born May 17, 1837, died Oct. 21, 1866, in Louisa County, and was buried in Morning Sun Cemetery; Sarah E., born Jan. 11, 1839, became the wife of Eugene C. Lyman, a farmer of Henry County, Iowa, and her death occurred Dec. 29, 1871; James M., born Jan. 29, 1841, and now residing in Pueblo, Col., was united in marriage, July 31, 1877, in Mason County, Ill., with Susan Ismael, but her death occurred April 19, 1883.

In 1847, John B. Jarvis, accompanied by his family, emigrated to Louisa County, Iowa, and for three or four months after their arrival lived in the home of Zadok Jarvis. In the meantime a cabin was being erected on the farm on section 26, where our subject now resides. On coming to this county the father purchased 320 acres of land, where he lived until his death, which occurred Feb. 10, 1880, at the age of seventy-two years, four months and twenty-eight days. His wife had passed to her last rest July 11, 1873, at the age of sixty-six years, four months and sixteen days. Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being liberal in its support and active workers in its interest. Mr. Jarvis was a public-spirited man, and in his political views was a supporter of the Democratic party.

The subject of this sketch came to Louisa County with his parents when four years of age. Here he received his education in the log school-house that stood on a plot of ground adjoining his father’s land, though he attended school for one term in Morning Sun and one in Burlington. On his arrival in this county there were but thirteen houses from the south point of Virginia Grove, which received its name from a number of men who settled there in 1835, who formerly were residents of Virginia. In that year Mr. Guinn was selling a tract of land, and on making the deed was asked how the article should be headed and decided that they should call it Virginia Grove.

For forty-one years Mr. Jarvis has lived upon the old homestead. On the 10th of June, 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Samantha Siverly, who was born Dec. 18, 1845, in Morning Sun, Louisa Co., Iowa. Seven children graced this union: The first died in infancy; Charlotte I., born Oct. 17, 1871; Amanda M., July 29, 1873; John M., Nov. 4, 1874; Wilbur L., June 26, 1880; Austin C., Aug. 7, 1881, and Wesley R., born June 1, 1884, died August 2 of the same year. Mrs. Jarvis is a consistent and esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Jarvis is now the owner of 378 ½ acres of land, all in one body in Morning Sun Township, 300 of which is tillable and highly cultivated. All the improvements necessary to a well-regulated farm have been made, and upon his land may be found good grades of all kinds of stock. In politics Mr. Jarvis has always identified himself with the Democratic party. He is ever ready to aid in the upbuilding of the community in which he resides, and is a man of sterling worth, who receives the respect and esteem of the entire community.