David PRESTON, a successful farmer of Liberty Township, residing on section 30, is a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, born near Monongahela City, January 3, 1833, his parents Bernard and Margaret (WILLIAMS) PRESTON, being natives of the same county, the mother dying in Washington County in 1852. Of a family of ten children born to them seven still survive, our subject, David PRESTON, being the fifth child. He passed his youth on the home farm, remaining in his native county until the spring of 1856, when he came to Ringgold County, Iowa, and settled on sections 30 and 31, Liberty Township, where he began to improve the land which at that time was raw, unbroken prairie. His first house was built of logs, with a clapboard roof, its size being 16 x 17 feet.

Mr. PRESTON was married in 1862 to Miss Ann Eliza LORIMER (sic), a native of Ohio, but at the time of her marriage living in Madison County, Iowa. She died in August [25], 1881, leaving three children - Jessie M, wife of Brown THOMPSON; E[llsworth]. K[eith], and Nellie K.

Mr. PRESTON was again married in April, 1884, to Miss Anna WIRT, who was also a native of Ohio, and a daughter of Joseph WIRT, of Ringgold County.

In February, 1859, Mr. PRESTON was appointed sheriff of Ringgold County to fill vacancy caused by the resignation of Samuel ALLISON. After holding the office of sheriff for one year Mr. PRESTON went to Colorado where he was successfully engaged in mining gold. Two years later he returned to Ringgold County andhas since been actively engaged in farming and stock-raising, his cattle and horses being of a high grade.

His farm is mostly seeded to grass. His rude log house has given place to his present commodious residence, the old clapboard roof of the former being now on the roof of his barn.

Both Mr. and Mrs. PRESTON are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and respected citizens of Liberty Township.

Bernard PRESTON came to Ringgold County about six months after his son, David PRESTON, settled here, and died in Liberty Township in 1873.

NOTE: Anna Eliza (LORIMOR) PRESTON was born December 21, 1836, the daughter of Benjamin LORIMOR (1796-1874) and his first wife Eleanor (SAYRS) LORIMOR (1800-1856).

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 362, 1887.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

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