Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 181

GEORGE SATTERTHWAITE, a farmer residing on section 4, Bloomington County, was born in Bucks County, Pa., on the 2nd of March, 1823, and is a son of Samuel and Rachel ( Buckman ) Satterthwaite, who were also natives of the same county. The family is of English descent, the paternal grandparents, William and Esther Satterthwaite, having been born near Craig, England. In 1740, accompanied by their children, one son and three daughters, they came to this country. They were members of the Society of Friends. The maternal grandparents, Isaac and Joyce Buckman, were born in Pennsylvania, of English parentage, and were also members of the Society of Friends. The father of our subject followed the occupation of farming throughout his life, residing near the home of his childhood until his death, which occurred in 1858, aged sixty-five years. His wife had departed this life several years previously.

Our subject grew to manhood upon his father's farm, receiving his education in the district schools of Pennsylvania. In 1846 he left the parental roof and went to Indiana, making the journey by stage from Reading to Pittsburg, Pa., and from there by water to New Albany. Remaining in that State for a year, he then walked from New Albany to Salem, and in the year 1847 made an overland trip to Henry County, Iowa, where he spent a few months. In the fall of that year he came on foot to Muscatine County, where he secured work by the day, receiving three bushels of corn for a day's labor. In the summer of 1848 he planted his first crop in Iowa, and the following year took up his residence on the farm which still continues to be his home. Purchasing 160 acres of raw prairie land he immediately began its cultivation, and made many improvements, planting a good orchard, setting out shade trees, building a barn, and erecting a substantial and comfortable home. He has sold part of his original farm, but is now the owner of eighty acres, comprising one of the richest and best cultivated farms in the community. Mr. Satterthwaite gives considerable attention to the raising of stock, in which he is quite successful.

On the 17th of November, 1847, our subject led to the marriage altar Miss Almeria Anthony, who was born in Ohio, and is a daughter of Thomas C. and Judith ( Timberlake ) Anthony, who were natives of Virginia. Her father was a lawyer by profession until 1847, when he came to Muscatine County, where he bought and improved a farm, there making his home until called from this earth by death, in 1854. His wife departed this life in 1862.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Satterthwaite six children have been born: Elizabeth, who married Clifton Healy, died in March, 1885; Edwin is married, and resides at Wilton; Mary and John are both at home; Cyrus is married, and resides on a part of the old homestead, which he has purchased, and Sarah also resides with her father. On the 1st of July, 1886, the death of Mrs. Satterthwaite occurred very suddenly, caused from heart disease, which had troubled her for several years past. She was united with the Methodist Episcopal Church Aug. 1, 1862, and always took an active part in the church work. A devoted wife, a loving mother, and a kind neighbor, her death proved a sad loss to the community.

Mr. Satterthwaite takes an active part in political affairs, casting his vote with the Republican party. In early life he was a Whig, and took part in the parades during the campaign of 1840, when Gen. W.H. Harrison was candidate for President. He has held several offices of public trust in the township, was Road Supervisor for several terms, and also Justice of the Peace. He assisted in organizing the school districts, and took an active part during the Lincoln campaign in organizing and drilling the Wide-Awakes. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one of the early settlers of Bloomington Township. He has witnessed many changes in this county, and has seen it transformed from a wild, unsettled prairie into beautiful homes and farms, where live many of the State's best citizens.


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