For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 208
EDWARD W. DENTON. Edward W. Denton, a wealthy farmer and stockman owning and cultivating a tract of land comprising two hundred acres situated four miles north of Muscatine, in Bloomington township, has continuously made his home thereon for the past fifty-five years. His birth occurred in Denton, Orange county, New York, on the 17th of March, 1833, his parenst being Horace E. and Adelaide L. ( Little ) Denton, who were likewise natives of the Empire state. The progenitor of the family in America was Richard Denton, who came here from Scotland in 1630, settling at Hempstead, Long Island, where he preached the gospel as a minister of the Presbyterian church. He is said to have founded Presbyterianism in the United States.Horace E. Denton, The father of the gentleman whose name introduces this review, came to Iowa from New York in 1855 and purchased eighty acres of wild land in Bloomington township, Muscatine county, where he developed a fine farm and made his home until called to his final rest in 1871 when seventy-five years of age. His wife who survived him for a number of years, passed away in 1877 at the age of seventy-six years. Both were old-school Presbyterians in religious faith and their lives were at all times upright and honorable. They became the parents of seven children, four of whom died in early life. Those who grew to maturity are as follows: Eliza B., who is deceased; Edward W., of this review; and Charles H., living in New York.
Edward W. Denton was reared to manhood on the home farm in New York and attended the old-fashioned country schools in the acquirement of an education. In 1855 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa and bought one hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie land in Bloomington township, Muscatine county. As the years passed he developed the property into an excellent farm, placing many sunstantial improvements thereon and bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation. Coming into possession of his father's farm at the time of the latters death, he now owns two hundred acres of rich and productive land, which returns to him a gratifying annual income. The neat and attractive appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision and practical and progressive methods.
On the 24th of August, 1864, Mr. Dentom was united in marriage to Miss Rose A Farnsworth, a native of Sweetland township, Muscatine county, and a daughter of Aziel and Ann ( Shepherd ) Farnsworth, who were born in Vermont and New York respectively. They took up their abode among the very earliest settlers in this county, coming here in 1836. Aziel Farnsworth died in California in the 80's, while the demise of his wife occurred in Muscatine county, Iowa, in 1847. They had four children, namely: Alvin, John, Shepherd and Rose. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Denton were born seven children as follows: Horace F., who lives in the west; George Albert, who passed away in 1899; Erminia Florence, who keeps house for her father; Lewis Edward, who died at the age of eighteen months; Jessie L., who passed away when four and a half years old; Charles A., who operates the home farm and wedded Nina Hild, by whom he has one child, Rose K.; and Jasper J., still at home. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 17th of September, 1904, when more than sixty years of age, passing away in the faith of the Methodist church.
In politics Mr. Denton is an independent republican, not considering himself bound by party ties at local elections. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Iowa Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey and receives the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has at all times been above reproach.
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