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JOHN L. MARSHALL, a farmer residing on section 9, Marshall Township, is one of the pioneers of Louisa County. He was born April 4, 1835, in Wellsburg, Brooke Co., W. Va., and is a son of Joshua S. and Margaret (Maxwell) Marshall. His father came to this county in 1835, for the purpose of looking up a location, and being pleased with the country moved his family in 1837. His history appears in the sketch of William H. Marshall on another page of this volume. Almost the entire life of our subject has been spent in Louisa County, he having been but two years of age at the time of the family’s emigration. Like so many hundreds of others of those pioneer days, he received his education in the log school-house in the intervals of his school days, and after completing his education he aided his father in the cultivation of the farm, which was one of the largest in the vicinity.
At the age of twenty-five our subject left his parental roof in order to defend the flag of his country, enlisting Aug. 30, 1861, in the 1st Iowa Cavalry as musician. He was only permitted to serve about eighteen months, for being taken sick at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, he was discharged on account of physical disability. The band of which he was a member was mustered out of service, and mustered into a brigade band, and though Mr. Marshall offered his services he was not accepted, as he could not perform the labors which would have been required of him. Returning to his home in the winter of 1862, he resided upon the farm, and the following spring, hiring sufficient help, he engaged in the cultivation of the land. He made his home in the first cabin erected upon the claim, the doors and windows of which were shipped from Virginia. It is yet standing, and is one of the few landmarks of the pioneer days which has withstood the ravages of time.
On the 3d of September, 1861, the marriage of John Marshall and Eliza J. Hamilton was celebrated. She was born in Preble County, Ohio, Jan. 16, 1840, and is a daughter of Andrew A. and Margaret (Hewitt) Hamilton, the former a native of Ohio, the latter born on the ocean, while her parents were en route from Ireland to America. She is now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Margaret Hunt, of Henry County, Iowa. Mr. Hamilton died Aug. 9, 1871, and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Blandinsville, McDonough Co., Ill. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall eight children have been born: Jennie Irene, born Dec. 11, 1862, died April 8, 1884; Mary F. and Curtis L. both died in infancy; Charles W., born Dec. 21, 1865; William H., Jr., July 23, 1867; Lorenzo D., Oct. 3, 1870; Margaret A., Oct. 24, 1874; and Albert W., Sept.24, 1876.
In 1870 Mr. Marshall removed with his family to his present farm on section 9, Marshall Township, which comprises 140 acres of fine land under a high state of cultivation. He has since made his home on that farm with the exception of about three years, when he was engaged in the nursery business in Morning Sun. While residing in that town he was elected to the office of Mayor, and was also a member of the School Board. He has held various township offices, and with his wife, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has always taken an active part in church work, and is one of the respected citizens of the community in which he resides.
The following poem was written by a friend on the death of Irene Marshall, who was a young lady . . .
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. . . of the greatest promise and nobility of character. None knew her but to love her, and her death proved a sad affliction, not only to the family, but also to a large circle of friends. The poem is as follows:
Over the threshold stepped the silent Guest,
That lingering guest that ne’er goes forth alone;
And her who long the happy household blessed,
He led the way in silence for his own.
Your darling! Who as daughter, sister, friend,
With helpful ways of sweet unselfishness,
And patient spirit, that unto the end
Strove only how her loved ones she might bless.
‘Till sunshine followed wheresoe’er she went,
And where she came did care and discord cease.
Her life the symbol of a calm content,
Her very name another word for “Peace!”
Here was a maiden strong in very weakness,
Her Help she knew, while passing ‘neath the rod;
Without a question—Oh! With heavenly meekness,
She rendered up her maiden soul to God.
Could she from happy heights look down upon
Her dear ones, all heart-broken, hopeless-eyed,
Through the sweet soul a throb of pain must run—
“Was it for this, my darlings, that I died?
“Ah! No. I passed in lingering, weary pain,
To happier lands and brighter skies than thine;
Call me not back ‘cross the dark sea again,
But, oh! Make sure to share this joy of mine!”
The dead are blessed. The living bear the load;
Ah! Had she lived to see her dear ones’ clay!
Pluck comfort, for her sake, along the road;
Your saint is spared the grief you bear to-day.
And when the hand of sorrow sorely presses
To longings for the rest that seems not near,
Turn to that spot, and say: “From life’s distresses,
Irene, the ‘peaceful,’ sleeps securely here.”
