FAVILLE, Amos S.

FAVILLE, CRAY

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 10/25/2007 at 16:36:22

Amos S. Faville came to Mitchell in June, 1854, and selected for his home a claim about one mile north of the village. He took pride in the fact that he taught the first public school in the county. It was in a log house in East Mitchell, and commenced December 9, 1854. October 2, 1855, he was married to Esther D. Cray, and they soon moved on to their claim, and resided there until 1883, when they moved to Osage and there lived for many years.

Mr. Faville was born in Herkimer county, New York, February 21, 1823. He was educated in the public schools of his native county, and in Cazenovia Seminary, but failing health caused him to quit the seminary before graduation. In March, 1849, he took sail for the goldfields of California, and remained there about three years. Then, he and several others chartered a vessel to Sydney, Australia, and touched on the voyage the Sandwich, Society, Friendly, and other islands of the Pacific Ocean. He remained in the gold mines of Australia about two years, when he concluded to return to his old home. This he did by way of New Zealand and Cape Horn.

But the lure of the west was upon him, and he came almost immediately to Mitchell county. He was very soon elected justice of the peace, then county surveyor, county judge two terms, county supervisor, and member of the legislature of the thirteenth general assembly, all of which positions he filled with diligence and honor.

His marriage proved a happy one. Mrs. Faville was a woman of culture and poise. Four sons of the marriage grew to manhood: George C., Horace C., Fred F., and Alfred S. Horace died many years ago. George and Fred graduated at Iowa State College at Ames. George has won distinction as a veterinarian, and Fred as an attorney at law. Julia A. Faville lived with them, like an own daughter, for many years.

Mr. Faville was a member of the Congregational church, and was an independent republican in politics. He was always an ardent and aggressive temperance man. The Favilles moved from Osage to Chicago, and later to Norfolk, Virginia, where George lived, and where Mr. Faville passed away December 23, 1900. Mrs. Faville has since died. Fred has filled many places of honor and responsibility, among them that of United States district attorney for the northern district of Iowa. He is now in practice at Fort Dodge, a member of he firm of Healy & Faville.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, page 351.