Biographies
For
Muscatine County Iowa
1889



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 298

ISAAC NEGUS, deceased, was an honored citizen of Muscatine County. He was born in Fayette County, Pa., June 30, 1822, and is a son of John and Mary ( Burge ) Negus. When a lad of eleven years, he removed with his parents from Fayette County to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he made his home for thirteen years. His educational advantages were limited, attendance at the common schools being the only opportunity for an education afforded him, but his subsequent reading and observation in after life proved an able substitute for his lack of instruction in earlier years. In 1845 he emigrated to the West, locating in Salem, Henry Co., Iowa, where he was employed in a nursery for two years, when he went to Denmark, Lee County, continuing in the same line of business in the employ of Reuben Brackett. From Denmark he returned to Henry County, Iowa, where he engaged in the nursery business for himself.

Mr. Negus was united in marriage, in 1850, with Miss Mary Cappock, a daughter of Aaron and Amy ( Cobbs ) Cappock, the former born Jan.1, 1797, the latter born Dec.12, 1800, and who were the parents of eleven children : Thomas born Oct.1, 1819; James, born April 25,1821; Lindsay, born Oct.23, 1823; Eli, born Feb. 17, 1826; Mary and Margaret (twins), born Dec. 15, 1827; Benjamin, born March 12, 1830; Rebecca, born Dec. 29, 1831; Jacob, born Jan. 1, 1834; Aaron, born June 29, 1837; Henry, born, April 15, 1839. The mother of these children died April 30, 1842, after which Mr. Cappock was again married, Miss Mary Ratliff, of Henry County, Iowa becoming his wife. By their union one child was born, Robert, April 2, 1844. In 1851 Mr. Cappock crossed the plains to California, where he died in the month of August. He was reared in the faith of the religious sect known as Friends, and was a consistent member of that body.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Negus they settled in Henry County, Iowa, where he embarked in the nursery business, there residing until 18511, when he removed to Muscatine County, still continuing in tha same line. His nursery was situated on land now within the city limits of Muscatine. upon which he continued to reside until 1857, when he removed to a farm in Bloomington Township, where Mrs. Negus still resides. A family of ten children were born to this worthy couple: John, born in Salem, Henry County, July 7, 1851, is now living in this county; Eli, born May 17, 1853, died on the first day of August, 1854; Amy C., born Dec.14, 1854, is the wife of Martin Nolte, of Osceola, Iowa; Marian, born Feb. 13, 1857, wedded Newton Branson, of Cedar County, Iowa; Henry A., born May 27, 1859, died Nov. 19, 1882; William T., born Aug. 15, 1861, died Aug. 31, 1862; Suel F., born Oct. 30, 1863, is residing on the old homestead; Rebecca, born Oct. 6, 1865, is the wife of M. N. Bond, of Muscatine, Iowa; Israel O., born April 20, 1867, is now living in Washington Territory; and Anna M., born Feb. 14, 1870, is at home.

Isaac Negus was truly a self-made man. Dependent from early youth upon his own resources, by his honest industry and perseverance he made his way in the world, gaining for himself and family a comfortable competence. He was a consistent member of the Friends Church, toiling early and late in its behalf, and giving liberally of his time and means for the upbuilding of the cause. As a neighbor, he was kind and accommodating; as a citizen, loyal and true; as a Christian, devoted and faithful. For about a half-century he was a citizen of Iowa, which at the time of his arrival was but sparsely settled, there being only a few cabins scattered over its broad prairies. Everything was in a wild state, hardly a furrow had been turned, and but few improvements made. Even the most far-sighted could not have dreamed, much realized, the brightness which the future had in store for Iowa. He lived to see the little log cabins replaced by substantial and elegant residences, the unbroken prairies transformed into beautiful farms, cities and villages spring up, and every convenience and luxury known to the East brought within its borders. On the 18th day of August, 1883, Mr. Negus was called to his final home. His death proved a sad loss to the whole community, for he was loved and respected by all who knew him. His good wife is still living on the old homestead, and is one of the most estimable ladies known to the people of Muscatine County.


Back to 1889 History of Muscatine Co. Index Page

Back to the Muscatine Co. IAGenWeb Index Page