Mark Jackson Mabry

Mark Jackson Mabry, deceased.

The subject of this sketch was a man who figured prominently as one of the pioneers of Lucas county, Iowa, he having arrived in this State the year after Iowa was admitted to the Union. He was born in Lumpkin county, Georgia, in 1815, son of Patrick Mabry, a native of Georgia and a veteran of the war of 1812. On a farm in his native State Mark J. spent the first twenty-one years of his life and after attaining his majority went to Arkansas and later to Texas, and finally came north to Indiana, settling in Fountain county, where October 5, 1845, he married Miss Meriba Carson, with whom he lived happily the rest of his life and who proved herself in every way a worthy helpmate. She was born near Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, in 1825. Her father David Carson, was a soldier in the war of 1812 and was a son of Henry Carson, a native of Ireland, and one of the early settlers of this county, first locating in Pennsylvania and later in Ohio. David Carson was married at Cincinnati, Ohio, to Margaret Ellis, who was born on the Atlantic coast in New Jersey, daughter of John Ellis, one of the early pioneers of the Western Reserve. David and Margaret Carson had thirteen children, viz. : John, Hannah, Mary, Henry, Elizabeth, David, Nancy, Almira and Alvira (twins), Isabelle, Meriba, and the other two died when young. Mr. Carson died in Piatt county, Illinois, and Mrs. Carson in Fountain county, Indiana.

Mr. Mabry continued to reside in Indiana for two years after his marriage, adn then in 1847 came West to Iowa, making the journey hither with a two-horse wagon and first settling in Monroe county. In 1852 he entered Government land in Union township, Lucas county, and also secured some school land here. Subsequently, as prosperity attended his earnest efforts, he purchased additional land and finally became the owner of over 800 acres, on which he as largely engaged in farming and stock-raising, meeting with signal success in his operations. At first he and his family made their home in a log house, but in time this gave place to a modern and commodious residence, and he also erected large barns and planted a grove and orchard, and made various other improvements on his land. Here he spent the rest of his life, and July 9, 1887, quietly passed to his reward. He was a man of many sterling characteristics and had the respect of all who knew him. In politics he harmonized with the Democratic party, and his religious belief was that of universal salvation. His widow is still living, now seventy years of age, and maintains her residence at the old home farm, honored and loved by her children and many friends.

The children of this worthy couple are Margaret and Ellis. Margaret is the wife of Smith Boggs, of Clarke county, Iowa, and they have eight children, namely: Oliver, Francis, Cora, Elmer, Fred, James, Donald and Lee. Ellis Mabry, the son, is one of the leading men of Union township. He was born in Monroe county, Iowa, in 1850, and was reared on his father's farm in Lucas county, receiving a good education. For a number of years he was one of the successful teachers of Lucas county. September 7, 1875, he married Miss America Skidmore, who was born in Brown county, Indiana, and reared in Lucas county, Iowa, daughter of M. and Naomi (Stuart) Skidmore, her parents being pioneers of Jackson township, this county. Mr. Mabry and his wife have five sons and one daughter, as follows: Roy, Mark, Alva, George, Clarence and Oma. He owns a well-improved farm of 320 acres, is a successful farmer and business man, and takes an active interest in political matters. He is a Republican. Fraternally he is identified with the K. of P., I.O.O.F., and A. F. & A. M.