Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Manoah HEDGE, S.J. Clarke Publishing Co.
1906

Jacob T. TIMBREL owns and occupies a valuable farm in Richland township [Mahaska Co. IA], his landed possessions comprising four hundred and ninety- seven acres and he is a representative of the class of self-made men who owe their success entirely to their own well directed efforts. He was born in Mercer county, Ohio, March 16, 1844, his parents being Lot and Amy (GRANT) TIMBREL, both of whom were natives of Butler county, Ohio, the father born September 25, 1815, and the mother in 1821. They were married in that county and removed to Mercer county, where they lived upon a farm until 1853, when Mr. TIMBREL sold his property there and removed to Mahaska county, Iowa, Here he purchased eighty acres of government land in Richland township and built thereon a log cabin, while subsequently he erected a frame residence which he occupied until 1886. He then removed to Adams county and purchased a little place which he occupied until his death.

In 1863 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, who died in Richland township on the 5th of February, of that year. He afterward wedded her sister, Mrs. Rebecca ELLIS, and when she, too, had passed away he married Sarah LYONS, also now deceased. His death occurred in Adams county, Iowa, June 4, 1891.

Jacob T. TIMBREL was the second in order of birth in the family of ten children: C. A., who married Margaret EVANS and is living in Prairie township; Jacob T.; Jasper N., who wedded Margaret SHELLY and resides at Blackwell, Oklahoma; Margaret, who become the wife of Amos EVANS, who purchased her father's old homestead in Richland township, upon which the wife died a few years ago; J. W., who married Laura BOYD and is living in Knowlton, Ringgold county, Iowa; Jonathan, who married Sadie GRAHAM and made his home in Richland township until his death; Melinda, the wife of Lewis SHOYER, living in California; Melissa, who died at the age of five years; and twins, who died in infancy.

Jacob T. TIMBREL was a youth of nine years when he accompanied his parents to Iowa and his education was acquired in the district schools of this state and of Ohio. He lived at home, working upon his father's farm until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted on the 18th of October, 1861, at Oskaloosa as a member of Company C, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry.

The regiment rendezvoused at Keokuk, and four months later went south. Mr. TIMBREL participated in some of the most hotly contested engagements of the war, incluching the sanguinary battles of Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh and Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, Kenesaw Mountain and the siege of Atlanta. He was shot in the thigh at Shiloh and for some time was in the hospital and at Atlanta he was again wounded, this time in the arm. He was then sent home on a furlough and while at home his regiment was mustered out January 11, 1865, by reason of the expiration of the term of service.

Mr. TIMBREL was not yet eighteen years of age at that time, yet there was no more brave or loyal soldier than this boy, who, true at all times to his duty, was often found in the thickest of the fight. He now receives a pension of twelve dollars per month in recognition of the aid which he rendered his country.

After his return from the army Mr. TIMBREL began farming, working some of his father's land and also renting some which he operated for himself. The first land which he ever owned was a tract of forty acres given him by his father. It was wild and unimproved but he fenced and broke it and erected a dwelling thereon. In 1868 he bought eighty acres of land in Prairie township, upon which he built a house and barns, making his home there continuously until 1890 and bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation.

In 1889 he was elected sheriff of Mahaska county on the democratic ticket, and during his two years' service in that office resided in Oskaloosa. Upon his retirement from the position in 1892 he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, at that time comprising two hundred and ninety acres and known as the Baldwin farm. There was a good house and barn and other buildings upon the place, but the fences were in a state of dilapidation. These Mr. TIMBREL rebuilt and has continued the work of improvement until he has a splendid property. He has also extended the boundaries of his place until he now owns four hundred and ninety-seven acres of good land and he has also assisted his sons in purchasing property.

On the 23d of February, 1865, Mr. TIMBREL was married to Miss Jemima SPAIN, who was born in Union county, Ohio, March 15, 1845. Her father, Isaiah SPAIN, was born in Ohio, May 7, 1821, and died in Prairie township, Mahaska county, December 24, 1866. Her mother was Mary Ann MILLER, who was born April 25, 1827, and died in Prairie township, this county, August 18, 1892. After the death of Mr. SPAIN she became the wife of Lyman JOHNSON and following his demise married Calvin SEXTON.

It was in 1854 that Mr. and Mrs. SPAIN came to Mahaska county, making their home on a farm in Prairie township. They had five children, namely: Mrs. TIMBREL; Emily C., who is the wife of Charles FLEMING and is living in this township; one who died in infancy; Pearl J., of Prairie township, who married Emma BURKETT and afterward wedded Eva LITTLEMAN; and Milton N., who is living in Adams township.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. TIMBREL have been born three children, but they lost their first born, Alma Rillis, who died at the age of two years. J. N. TIMBREL, who was educated in Penn University, at Oskaloosa, married Cora SCOTT. He served for two years as sheriff of the county as the successor of his father, owns a good farm in Richland township and is a member of the Lost Creek Coal Company, of which he has been superintendent for the past eight years. The younger son, A. P. TIMBREL, wedded Louise STANLEY and owns and operates a good farm in Richland township. They have one child, Floyd.

Jacob T. TIMBREL has followed in his father's political footsteps and has always been a stanch democrat. In addition to the office of sheriff he has filled several minor positions. He was assessor of Prairie township for six years, has been township trustee and school director and has frequently been a delegate to party conventions. Although his party is in the minority he has always received good support when a candidate for office. He is a good neighbor, a social, hospitable man and well informed. The home which he occupies was built many years ago and is a large old-fashioned roomy residence. There are fair buildings upon his place and in connection with the tilling of the soil he feeds two or three carloads of cattle each year. The farm work is largely done by a hired man, who with his family lives in a tenant house upon the farm.

Mr. TIMBREL is familiar with the history of the county from pioneer times down to the present and can relate many interesting incidents of the early clays.