Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 516

JOHN W. MAYLONE, a farmer residing on section 26, Moscow Township, is an early settler of Muscatine County, dating his residence back to 1856. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1826, and is descended from Irish and German ancestors, his grandfathers both being born of Irish parentage, while his paternal and maternal grandmothers were of German origin. His parents were Abraham and Nancy ( Workman ) Maylone. His father was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Sept. 12, 1797, and was a son of Daniel Maylone, who was born in Ireland, but who emigrated to America, locating in New York, whence he afterward removed to Ohio. Mrs. Maylone was born Nov.3, 1799, and was a daughter of John Workman, who was of Irish descent.

The father of our subject was but two years of age when he removed with his parents to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood, united in marriage, and lived for more than seventy years. By his union twelve children were born, ten of whom lived to maturity: Julia Ann, who became the wife of Jonathan Hockenberry, died in Sciota County, Ohio, leaving a large family of children; Eliza J., married William Douglas, by whom she had several children, and died in Columbiana County, Ohio; William H., is a resident of Muscatine County; Louisa C., is the wife of William Hollar, a resident of Alleghany City, Pa., and to them have been born five children; John W., is the next in order of birth; Nancy R. wedded John Davidson, a resident of Columbiana County, Ohio, and has five children; George W. went to California in 1852, where he was married, but has not been heard of for many years, and is supposed to be dead; Mary K. wedded George Meetter , of Muscatine County; Phoebe H. is the wife of William Etherton, of Ft. Scott, Kan; Melvina J.married John Hale, but lived only a short time after their marriage; Marcus W. and Albert G. both died in childhood. The children of this family were all born in Columbiana County, Ohio.

Our subject was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, and received his education in the public and subscription schools of his native county. At the age of nineteen he began learning the trade of brickmaking, which he followed for several years. In the spring of 1851 he crossed the Father of Waters into Iowa and remained until the following January, when he returned to his native State, and with a party consisting of fifty-two men started overland to California to visit the gold mines that had been discovered. The company took with them five ox-teams and crossed the Missouri at St. Joseph on the 6th of May, 1852, reaching the mining town of Volcano, in Eldorado County, Cal., August 23. For four years our subject remained on the Pacific Slope, operating a brick yard in Sacramento during the summer season, while the winter months, or rather the rainy season, were spent in the mountains, engaged in mining. In his business enterprises he was quite successful and returned to his Ohio home in June, 1856, but remained there only until the 22d of July following, when he again came to Muscatine, where, without interruption, he has since continued to reside.

On the 28th of August, 1856, our subject led to the altar Miss Mary C. Fryberger, a daughter of William B. Fryberger, with whom the young couple lived for some time after their marriage. By their union two children were born: George C., who is now living in Perkins County, Neb., and Edwin C., who makes his home in Merriam, Johnson County, Kan. In 1863 the death of the mother occurred, she dying June 7. Our subject was again married, April 4, 1867. becoming the husband of Miss Ruth E. Gifford, a daughter of Burton Gifford, one of the early settlers of Cedar County, Iowa, who is still living, in the eighty-second year of his age. Her mother Rebecca ( Worrall ) Gifford, died several years ago. Five children graced the union of Mr. Maylone and Miss Gifford, but only two are now living, Ella May and Eugene, who are both at home. Stella died when four years of age, and two little sons, twins, Willard and Wilfred, died in infancy.

In 1856 our subject purchased his present farm, but did not begin its improvement and cultivation until several years later, taking up his residence thereon in 1865. The many improvements of their beautiful home are the result of their own industry and good management, for many years of patient labor have been bestowed upon it. In his political sentiments our subject has been a life-long Democrat, and since 1832, when he hurrahed for Gen. Jackson, has supported the principles of that organization. His wife is a strong advocate of the principles of the Prohibition party as taught by its eminent leaders. The parents, together with their daughter, Ellen M., are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are numbered among the highly respected citizens of Muscatine County.


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