Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 558
DAVID R. WARFIELD, a pioneer settler of Muscatine County, of 1837, was born in Easton, Md., March 30, 1816. In his native town he grew to manhood, and as his parents were in comfortable circumstances, he received liberal educational advantages. He was united in marriage with Miss Joanna L. Steinberger, a native of Ohio, born in Chillicothe, on the 5th of October, 1817. By their union five children were born, four of whom lived to mature age : Alice C., who was born June 2, 1843, is the wife of Daniel Hayes ; George A., born Feb. 14, 1846 ; Frank, Dec. 30, 1849 ; Charles L., Sept.22, 1851 ; Edward D., born July 9, 1860, died July 26, 1861. The death of Mr. Warfield occurred on the 23d of April, 1872, and Mrs. Warfield departed this life Jan. 8, 1875. They were both members of the Congregational Church. As citizens they were loyal ; as neighbors accommodating ; and as Christians, true and faithful.

In the month of November, 1837, accompanied by A. O. and Charles A. Warfield, our subject reached Burlington, Iowa, en route to Muscatine, then known as Bloomingtin. As the river was covered with ice, the boats had to be taken off, and wishing to reach Bloomington, David and his cousin consequently had to make the trip on foot. With their guns upon their shoulders they started, and after traveling four miles, stopped for the night at a log cabin, where, with true hospitality they were entertained, a supper and breakfast being furnished them of pickled pork, corn-dodgers, and tea sweetened with honey, which, to the young appetites, made keen by their walk, proved a delicious repast. In the morning purchasing a horse, saddle, and bridle, for which they paid $110, the young emigrants again set out, one riding the horse for some distance,when dismounting, he would tie the animal and proceed on his journey on foot. The other one coming up would then mount and ride for a while, when he would again walk, and in this manner the journey to Bloomington was completed, they being three days and a half in reaching that village after leaving Burlington. The first enterprise in which the young men embarked, was that of building a mill.. A site was selected on Mad Creek, and a mill for the manufacture of lumber erected. After a short time our subject purchased the interest of his cousin, carrying on the business alone with varied success : for the creek was true to its name, and would sometimes wash out the dam, causing a loss of time and money. For many years Mr. Warfield engaged quite extensively in the real estate business, and also in raising fine stock; he taking great delight in his stock, to which he was much attached. In early life he was a supporter of the Whig party, but at its dissolution, joined the Republican party, with which he cast his ballot until his death. He was a man well informed on all questions of interest in his day, and was a great friend to education.

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