Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 281
THOMAS MONFORD, deceased, one of the pioneers of Muscatine County of 1838, was born in Greene County, Pa., in 1805. He was there reared to manhood, and on the 16th day of September, 1828, was united in marriage with Sarah Stoope, who was born in Greene County, June 18, 1810. About two years later the young couple removed to Rising Sun, Ind., where they resided for a short time, when they started for the almost unbroken wilderness lying west of the Mississippi River. Making the journey by steamer, they landed at Muscatine, then a little hamlet known as Bloomington, on the 7th day of April, 1838. In a little log cabin situated on the site of the Ogilvie House they made their home for about a fortnight, during which time a small dwelling was erected on the land which Mr. Monford had purchased about one mile north of the village. The house being completed, the family then removed to their new home, where they endured all the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life.

The children who passed their early lives in that little cabin were eight in number, five of whom are yet living; Cynthia J., born June 29, 1829, was the wife of George Kirkpatrick, and died Aug. 26, 1848; Eliza J., born Nov. 25, 1830, wedded Dr. Fulliam, and her death occurred Nov. 16, 1852; Clarissa, born Aug. 13, 1832, is the wife of Henry Smith, of San Rosa Cal.; Remembrance, born March 16, 1834, is a resident of Washington Territory; Wiliam, born March 22, 1837, is living in Pottawattamie County, Iowa; Sarah, born July 10, 1840, died Aug. 26, 1843; Mary, born March 29, 1844, is the wife of William H. Reader, of Muscatine, Iowa; and Thomas J., born Jan. 26, 1852, is living in this county.

On the 12th day of October, 1868, Mr. Monford departed this life. Frequently for a short time previous to his death he alluded to the subject, always expressing implicit confidence in the Savior, and in the promise of eternal life and happiness. In early youth he had given his heart to God, and for thirty-six years was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being most of the time Class-Leader of the organization of which he belonged. Earnest and devoted, he was one of the willing workers in his Master's vineyard, and did all in his power to promote the cause of Christ on earth. An enterprising and industrious man, year by year he added to his property, and when death called was able to leave his widow and children in comfortable circumstances.

In all his church labors Mrs. Monford was his assistant, being indeed a helpmate to him. She was one of the seven persons who organized the first Methodist Society in Muscatine County. In 1870 she became the wife of Rev. J. B. Hawley, and is now living in the old home in which she spent her pioneer days in this county.

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