Thomas STAMPER, engaged in farming and stock-raising on sections 20 and 21, Grant Township, where he has 720 acres of good land, is a native of England, born September 30, 1832, a son of Thomas and Mary [SANDERS] STAMPER, who were also natives of England. On first coming to America Mr. STAMPER located in Michigan, where he remained two years. He then removed to Illinois, and for thirty-five years made his home in Kendall County. On leaving Illinois he came to Ringgold County, and settled on the farm where he now resides, which is one of the best farms to be found in the county. His residence is large and commodious, and his barn and out-buildings are noticeably good, and his orchard covers twelve acres of land. In connection with his general farming he is extensively engaged in feeding stock, and is one of the best farmers in Grant Township.

Mr. STAMPER was united in marriage [April 9 1858, Kendall County, Illinois] to Miss Anna TURBEY, who was born in the year 1840, a daughter of William and Mary TURBEY, natives of England. They are the parents of seven children, six sons and one daughter -- William, Frank, John, Edward, Richard, Minnie and Thomas.

In politics Mr. STAMPER casts his suffrage with the Republican party.

NOTE: Thomas STAMPER died at the age of 61 years on January 4, 1894. Mary "Anna" (TURBEY) STAMPER was born at Totternhoe, Bedfordshire, England on October 6, 1840, and died at the age of 70 years on April 26 1911. Mary Anna's maiden name has also been spelled "TURVEY." Thomas and Anna were interred at Clearfield Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Thomas and Anna were the parents of eight children, seven living to maturity:

1) William STAMPER was born August 1, 1861 in Illinois, and died June 18, 1919 at Malvern, Mills County, Iowa. William married in 1882 to Maggie (?) who was born in 1865 in Iowa. William and Maggie were the parents of three children: Marie, born 1887 in Nebraska, married Bert AWORD; Archer, born in 1893, Nebraksa; and Myrtle, born circa 1901 at Elk Creek, Custer County, Nebraska.

2) Frank STAMPER was born in Plattesville, Illinois, in March of 1862,and died in Wyoming in August of 1931 at the age of 69 years. Frank was married in Iowa on March 5, 1888 to May E. McMILLEN, born August 26, 1868, the daughter of John McMILLEN (1844-1920) and Lettitia (WRIGHT) McMILLEN (?-1900). May died at the age of 69 years in August of 1937. Frank and May moved to Kit Carson County, Colorado by 1920, and on to Mill, Natrona County, Wyoming by 1930. Frank and May were interred at Casper, Wyoming. They were the parents of ten children: Zene STAMPER (1893-1929), Galene (STAMPER) TOWERS (1895-?), Myrtle STAMPER (1897-1898), Leonard Eugene STAMPER (1898-1956), Gladys (STAMPER) CHAPMAN (1902-?), Pearl STAMPER (1903-?), Rob STAMPER (1904-1954), Roy STAMPER (1904-1977), Florence STAMPER (1906-1920) died in influenza epidemic, and Harold STAMPER (1910-1978).

3) John H. STAMPER was born in Illinois on November 1, 1865, and died in a cave on the family farm near Clearfield in Ringgold County, Iowa, on October 28, 1901, at the age of 35 years. John married in 1886 to Ida M. (?), who was born November 1, 1867. Ida died January 19, 1955, and was interred beside John at the Clearfield Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. John and Ida were the parents of six children: Doll STAMPER, born 1877 IA; Lee STAMPER, born September 1889 IA; Sue K. STAMPER, born September 1890 IA; Harry STAMPER, born 1892 IA; John Earl STAMPER, born June 10, 1894, Diagonal IA; and, Dewey STAMPER, born 1899 IA

4) Edward T. STAMPER was born in Illinois in 1867, and died at Diagonal, Ringgold County in 1950. Edward married Villa Loretta DENNIS, who was born 1872, and died in 1945. Edward and Villa were interred at Clearfield Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Edward and Villa were the parents of six children: Grant STAMPER (1893-1977), died at Diagonal, Ringgold County, Iowa; Hallie STAMPER (1894-?); Mary Opal (STAMPER) MILLER (1896-1966), interment Redding Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa; June G. STAMPER, son (1898-?); Virgil Eugene STAMPER (1900-1950), interment Graceland Cemetery, Creston, Iowa; and, Burnett STAMPER (1902-1905).

5) Mary Emily STAMPER was born March 16, 1868, in Illinois, and died young.

6) Minerva L. STAMPER was born in 1869 in Iowa, and died in 1939. Minerva married Charles W. SHELDON, born in March of 1860, Iowa, the son of Francis and Charlotte SHELDON. Minerva and Charles were interred at Clearfield Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Minerva and Charles were the parents of three son: Charles SHELDON (1885-?); Frank SHELDON (1889-1943); and, ORville SHELDON (1897-1971).

7) Richard STAMPER was born August 24, 1871, Grundy, Illinois, and died March 8, 1926, Clearfield, Iowa. Richard married Jennie PORTER (1875-1963). Richard and Jennie were interred at Clearfield Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Richard and Jennie were the parents of two sons: Paul STAMPER, born 1904; and, Ralph STAMPER, born 1906.

8) Thomas STAMPER was born at Plattsville, Illinois, on May 23, 1874, and died at the age of 75 years, Mount Ayr, Iowa on September 10, 1949. He was interred at Clearfield Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 377, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

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

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z