Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 270
SAMUEL S. LEA, One of the prominent and progressive farmers of Muscatine County, Iowa, who is living on sevtion 17, Lake Township, is a native of England, born in Gloucestershire, Oct.16, 1837. His parents were Edward and Elizabeth ( Smith ) Lea, who were also natives of the same country, and to them were born a family of twelve children, eight of whom are yet living, though our subject is the only one who ever came to America. Both his parents died in England, where the rest of the family still make their home. Samuel received his education in his native land, and was there reared upon a farm. He chose farming as his life work, and remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which occurred Dec. 18, 1866, when he became the husband of Miss Catherine H. Shield, who was born Aug. 17, 1836, and is a daughter of Robert and Hannah ( Smith ) Shield, who were born in Gloucestershire, England. After their marriage Mr. Lea rented a farm, which he continued to cultivate until 1868, at which time he bade goodby to his friends and home, and accompanied by his wife and little daughter, Annie E., who died shortly after their arrival in this country, embarked for America. Coming directly to Muscatine County, he purchased eighty acres of land on section 17, Lake Township, where he has since continued to reside. He immediately began to improve and cultivate the land, and now has one oof the most finely developed farms in the county.

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Lea, four children have been born : Annie E., before mentioned; Jennie E.; Catherine E.; and Lucy who have been born in Muscatine County. They have an adopted daughter Bessie. None rank higher in Muscatine County than Mr. and Mrs. Lea. Their Christian lives have won them the respect and esteem of all with whom business or social relations have brought them in contact. They daily endeavor to follow the teachings of Christ, and are ready to aid those in need or distress, and furnish an example that anyone might do well to follow. Mr. Lea always gives his aid and influence to the best interests of the county, though he has never become an American citizen. His sympathy is with the party that best serves the interest of the people.

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