Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 671
MATHEW L. JENNINGS

Mathew L. JENNINGS, one of the representative farmers of Harrison Township, was born near Pittsburg, Pa., April 9, 1832. He is a son of Levi and Emily JENNINGS, whose sketch will be found at another place in this work. When our subject was two years of age, the family remove to La Salle County, Ill., where he was reared and spent his early life, and remained nearly always until 1881, when his family came to Harrison County, Iowa. He has always devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He was married January 5, 1870, to Clara C. PHERGUSON, who was born in McKeen County, Pa., April 30, 1851. She is the daughter of Ambrose S. and Lydia (MORSE) PHERGUSON, both natives of York State and possibly of Scotch extraction. The father was born April 30, 1815, and died November 29, 1887. His wife was born July 24, 1831, and is still living in Harrison County. The father was a farmer, and came to Harrison County, Iowa, in 1881. They had a family of six children: Mary, deceased; infant daughter, deceased; Clara C., the wife of our subject; DeWitt C., a resident of Harrison County; Frank, a resident of the county; Martha, wife of Charles TEDMAN, residing in Harrison County.

Our subject located on a one hundred and twenty acre improved farm on section 27, of Harrison Township. Here he has made his home for the past ten years, having been engaged in farming and stock raising exclusively. He has a family of five children: Jennie, deceased; Emily L., deceased; Arthur L., Minnie and Edna, at home.

Politically, Mr. JENNINGS is a Republican, and in religious affairs it may be said that he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is looked upon as one of the leading citizens in his part of the county. Mrs. JENNINGS is a member of the Farmers Wives Society; she and her husband are hearty supporters of anything which tends to better the condition of society around them.

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