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         REUBEN STAPP, residing on section 16, Columbus City Township, is one of the leading farmers of Louisa County, and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock, his paternal grandfather having served in the War for Independence, when the Colonies threw off the British yoke of oppression. He is a native of Lehigh County, Pa., born Dec. 15, 1821, and is a son of Jacob and Anna Berry (Stapp) both of whom were born in the Keystone State, and were of German descent. They were the parents of three children: Reuben, of this sketch; Caroline, widow of Jonas Deihl, now residing in Columbus City Township, and Mary, the deceased wife of William Klotz, of Columbus Junction. The parents were members of the German Reformed Church. The father died when Reuben was six years old, and the mother died in August, 1865.

As his mother was in limited circumstances our subject early began the battle of life for himself, and earned the money which paid his tuition at school. In his twentieth year he began learning the carpenter’s trade, serving an apprenticeship of two years in Lehigh County, Pa., and after having mastered his trade migrated to Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1844, and there worked at his trade for eight years. While residing in that county, on the 28th of December, 1848, he was joined in wedlock with Sarah A. Reece, who was born in Virginia, and is a daughter of John and Jane (Nichols) Reece, who were natives of that State. They are the parents of eight living children: Anna, wife of T. J. Klotz, of Columbus City Township; John J., who is engaged in farming in Union Township; Ada, wife of J. S. Blair, a resident farmer of Columbus City Township; Ida, wife of J. J. Duncan, living in Columbus City Township; George, Cora, Harry and Garry (twins), are at home.

In the autumn of 1852 Mr. Stapp bought his present homestead, and in 1853 migrated to Louisa County, Iowa, where he has since continued to reside. Upon this wild, unimproved farm he built a log cabin, 18x18 feet, into which he moved, making it his home for about eight years, when he built a more commodious residence. He began the improvement of his land and soon had it under a fine state of cultivation. His farm now comprises 600 acres, all under cultivation, which pay a golden tribute to his care and labor. In connection with his other interests Mr. Stapp also engages in stock-raising, and is one of the self-made men of the county. Commencing life as a poor boy he has worked his way up, and by good management and fair dealing has become one of the well-to-do farmers of the community. He and his wife are both . . .

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. . . members of the Reformed Church. When only sixteen years of age he united with that denomination, and has since been one of its earnest and devoted members. He has always been one of its liberal contributors, and does much to advance its interests. In his political views he is a Democrat, and is also a stockholder and Director of the Farmers’ and Merchants’ Bank of Columbus Junction. His family stands high in the social world and enjoys the respect of all.