Hon. John M. Slosson, Sr.
Hon. John M. Slosson, Sr. Hon. John M. Slosson, Sr., was one of the valued pioneer settlers of Worth county. He was born in the village of Maine, Broome county, New York, March 29, 1835, and in the year 1856 removed west to Fillmore county, Minnesota, settling a year later, or in 1857, on land adjoining Northwood. A part of the original farm has recently been platted and added to the town of Northwood. In the spring of 1859 Mr. Slosson returned to New York and was married to Jennie R. Finch, bringing his bride across the almost trackless prairies to the settlement at Northwood. The nearest railroad then was at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Slosson: Charles E., who has passed away; Mary; Frank A.; John M.; and Roy, who is also deceased. Together Mr. and Mrs. Slosson endured the privations and hardships of pioneer days, witnessing the trackless wilderness being transformed and made to blossom into a beautiful, wealthy farming country. The bride of that spring of 1859, after assisting in many ways, for forty years and more, to make Worth county what it is today, is rounding out a good and useful life in a rose-embowered cottage at Monrovia, in southern California..
In 1865 Mr. Slosson removed with his family to Kensett township, purchasing six hundred acres of land on sections 15 and 16, and thereafter he was known as one of the leading and prominent agriculturists of that section of the county. In 1879, when the Worth County Agricultural Society was organized, he was elected vice president and took an active part in helping to make the first agricultural fair of the county a notable success. He was also prominent in connection with political interests and was elected one of the trustees at the first election held in Kensett township. He was also chosen to represent his district in the twenty-second general assembly of Iowa and in that body was a close student of legislation and was accounted a helpful member.
Mr. Slosson passed away upon the home farm in Kensett township, March 28, 1900. He was a man of tried integrity and worth, loved and respected by his neighbors far and near, as is shown by the numerous positions of honor and respect to which he was called, and his life record may well serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, showing what may be attained through individual effort intelligently directed and honorably guided.
SOURCE: HISTORY OF MITCHELL AND WORTH COUNTIES, IOWA, 1918, VOL. II; Pages 56 - 59
Transcribed by Gordon Felland, September 3, 2006