JACOB B. WYATT
Jacob
B. Wyatt, a worthy representative of one of the most prominent
and highly respected pioneer families in Iowa, controls
extensive property interests in this state, owning two hundred
and ten acres of land in Union township, besides a comfortable
and well furnished residence in Derby where he makes his home. For a number of
years he was closely and influentially associated with
agricultural interests in this locality and did a great deal
to promote farming development, his success and the honorable
methods by which it was attained gaining him the respect and
esteem of the entire community.
He has now however practically retired from active life
and does only a small amount of teaming work, his labors in
former years having brought him a substantial fortune which
enables him to spend the evening of his life in well earned
leisure.
Mr.
Wyatt was born in Edgar county, Illinois, on the 27th
of June, 1852, and is a son of Sacker Y. and Eliza (Scott)
Wyatt, natives of Virginia.
They were among the earliest settlers in this part of
Iowa, making the journey overland in 1853 and settling in
Clarke county, where they made their home for a number of
years. They
found here a frontier wilderness, with miles of unbroken soil
stretching in all directions, sparsely settled, and inhabited
mostly by Indiana. Here
they endured all the hardships and difficulties of pioneer
existence, meeting the conditions of their life with
confidence and courage, and they eventually developed a well
improved and productive farm.
The father died in Clarke county at the age of
eighty-six and the mother passed away in Lucas county. They had ten
children, four of whom grew to maturity, as follows: W. E., a resident
of Derby; Jacob, of this review; James, of Montana; and Mrs.
Electa Jane Wells, who has passed away.
Jacob
Wyatt was only one year old when his parents came overland to
Iowa, and in the public schools of Clarke county he acquired
his education, dividing his time between his studies and work
in clearing, developing and improving the new farm. He thus became
thoroughly familiar with all the details of farm operation and
when he began his independent career turned his attention to
the occupation to which he had been reared. He became a
prosperous and successful farmer, acquiring extensive holdings
in Clarke and Lucas counties, and proving able, farsighted and
discriminating in the conduct of his interests. He owns today two
fine farms one of two hundred and ten acres in Union township,
Lucas county, and another of two hundred and forty acres in
Clarke county, both well improved and reflecting everywhere
the many years of care and labor which the owner has expended
upon them. In
the course of time Mr. Wyatt accumulated a substantial fortune
and feeling that he had earned a period of rest and leisure,
moved into Derby where he occupies one of the finest and most
modern homes in the town.
He engages in teaming to some extent, preferring to
have some work to occupy his time and he is well known and
highly respected by all who know him.
In
Osceola, this state, on the 1st of January, 1872,
Mr. Wyatt was united in marriage to Miss Dora E. Wolverton,
who was born in Decatur county, Iowa, on the 4th of
May, 1856. She
is a daughter of John and Rebecca Jane (Swinehart) Wolverton,
the former born in Ohio, February 14, 1829, and the latter
born January 29, 1833. The
father died in Derby, Iowa, December 17, 1907, and his wife
survives him, making her home with her son in Derby. They were among the
earliest settlers in Decatur county. Mr. and Mrs. Wolverton became the
parents of six children:
Mrs. Margaret Jane Canfield, who was born May 10, 1853,
and who died in 1878; Louise, who was born January 7, 1855,
and who passed away on the 9th of January, 1855;
Mrs. Dora E. Wyatt, the wife of the subject of this review;
Samuel Byron, who was born on the 30th of January,
1859, and who has passed away; John K., who was born April 15,
1870, and resides in Stoutsville, Missouri; and W. P., of
Derby. Mr. and
Mrs. Wyatt have two sons:
Fred C., born in Clarke county, April 10, 1875; and
Ernest Orville, who was born December 5, 1878, and who is now
employed in National Park, Montana.
Mr. Wyatt is a devout member of the Christian church and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs, of which latter organization his wife is also a member. He and his wife are also members of the Yeomen at Derby. He is a stanch democrat and has held several offices of public trust, in all of which he has proven capable, reliable and efficient in the discharge of his duties. In the course of an active, useful and honorable life he has made many substantial contributions to the agricultural development of this part of Iowa, and his record is a credit to a name that has been a respected and honored one since pioneer times.