For
Muscatine County Iowa
1879
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1879 | |
Here is what the abbreviations in the bios stand for: far: farm; Co.: company or county; dir: dealer; IVA: Iowa Volunteer Artillery; IVC: Iowa Volunteer Cavalry; IVI: Iowa Volunteer Infantry; P.O.: Post Office; S. or Sec.: section; and st.: street.
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Biographical Section, 1879, page 679
JOSEPH OURS, retired; residence. Fourth street, corner Elm, Wilton; born near Philadelphia, Penn., Dec. 16, 1812; having lost both of his parents at the age of 8 years, was taken by an uncle to Berks Co., Penn.; having served an apprenticeship at the millwright trade, he worked at that from 18 to 25 years of age, and in the fall of 1837, went to Columbia Co., Penn., where April 17, 1838, he married Catharine, daughter of John Newhart of that county; she was born in Lehigh Co., Penn., 1820, Nov. 25; he then engaged in milling in Northumberland Co., Penn., for six years; returned to Columbia Co., and farmed for eleven years; in the spring of 1859, came to Iowa and settled on a farm in Wilton Tp., for three years; then removed to Wilton and kept the Wilton House and engaged in the livery business on Railroad street, corner of Cherry; this he continued until December, 1874, with the exception of three years, and renting his hotel, has returned to his present place of residence; they have had nine children, eight still living--John H., born Feb. 2, 1839, now of Union Co., Iowa; Ann S., Nov. 29, 1840, the wife of Dan Harker, of this city; Rebecca Sept. 10, 1842, and wife of L. F. Critz, of this county; George F., Sept. 28, 1844; Mary M., Sept. 24, 1846; died Sept. 8, 1868; Amelia, Jan. 5, 1849, the wife of Joseph McConnel, of Wilton; Isaiah R., June 2, 1851; Emma S. October, 1853, and Effie J., Aug. 31, 1855, the wife of William Densmore. Mr. and Mrs. Ours were among the original members of the Reformed Church of Wilton; he was a member of the Board of Aldermen for many years, and Trustee for several years. Republican.
Back to Biographical Index Page