Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 800
JOHN W. DEAL

Among those persons who have by virtue of their strong individual qualities earned their way to a high standing in the estimation of their fellow citizens, John W. DEAL, the subject of this short biographical sketch, stands in the foremost rank of Harrison county's citizens. Beginning life under none too favorable auspices, he allowed nothing to deter him and by persistent industry and the exercise of sound common sense in his operations, he has gained the rewards for which he labored and is today numbered among the substantial and influential men of his community.

John W. DEAL was born on July 29, 1852, in Putnam County, Indiana, a son of James E. and Sarah (Case) DEAL, both natives of the Hoosier state. They grew to years of maturity in their native state, receiving such meager schooling as the educational facilities of that time afforded, but being well trained in all that made for competent manhood and womanhood. Shortly after marriage, they secured from the Government a tract of land containing some hundred and sixty acres. This was all heavily timbered, and the brave young couple set about the task of making themselves a home. After the first small clearing was made, the typical log cabin of pioneer times was erected and gradually the acres were wrested from the grasp of the virgin forest, about 80 acres having been put into a state of cultivation when, in 1854, they disposed of their place and decided to try their fortune in the state of Iowa. They came directly to Harrison county and located in St. Johns, where they remained for almost two years. In the fall of 1856, they purchased 80 acres of bottom land in section 24 of St. Johns township, which they made their future home. Their original purchase also included 40 acres of timber land, and to this they added from time to time for several years. James E. DEAL was known as one of the most thorough farmers of this section and was a man highly respected by all who knew him. Both were members of the Primitive Baptist Church and were honorable and devout people. In politics, James E. DEAL was a Democrat although never aspiring to the honor of public office. They lived many years in this section, leading happy and busy lives, and death found both of them on the farm which represented so much of their endeavor. They reared a fine family of ten children, whose names follow: Isaac, deceased; Sarah, widow of Thomas Acre, of Logan, Iowa; John W., the immediate subject of this sketch being the third child in order of birth; Timothy, a farmer located in Washington; Tabitha A., wife of William A. Jones, of St. Johns township, Harrison county, a sketch of whose career will be found elsewhere within the pages of this book; Hannah, wife of Harry Wood of Sumner, Nebraska; Jemima, wife of J. Ellis Jones, of St. Johns township (a sketch of whose life also will be found within these covers); Jacob, a cement contractor located at Council Bluffs, Iowa; Eli, a farmer in Oklahoma; and Harvey, who lives at Missouri Valley, this county.

John W. DEAL was but a small child when his parents came to this state, and all his schooling was received in the very limited schools of the pioneer days; but he, however, managed to lay a good foundation for the education he acquired for himself in later years by reading and close observation. He remained in the paternal home until he was 26 years of age, at which time he was united in marriage to Mary E. Boyd, who was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of John and Cordelia (Brookhouser) Boyd, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Harrison county first in 1860 and remained but a short time, returning to their former home. A little later, however, they returned to Harrison county and located at Honey Creek. They did not, however, remain there but secured a tract of land in section 19 of St. Johns township, where they remained for some time. In later years, they disposed of their holdings in this county and went to Missouri, where they remained but a comparatively short time, returning to this county and making their home with Mr. DEAL and wife until the time of their deaths. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are now living: Mrs. DEAL, Elwin, and Martin.

Mr. DEAL's first independent business venture came directly after marriage, when for two years he farmed rented land in St. Johns township; and succeeded well in his undertaking. He then purchased the land where he has since made his home, in section 19, of the same township, but when he first secured possession of it, it presented a far different appearance from the up-to-date farm now seen. It was then wild land and much careful thought and endeavor have been required to bring it to its present condition. Mr. DEAL has succeeded well in his undertaking and in addition to the 211 acres contained in the home place, he also owns 280 acres of valley land in St. Johns township, in addition to city property in Missouri Valley. The farm residence is a beautiful home with many conveniences and an air of genuine old-fashioned hospitality that appeals at once to friend and stranger alike. The farm is known as "Pleasant View Fruit Farm" and is located about four and one half miles east of Missouri Valley and eight miles southwest of Logan. Mr. DEAL's farm is devoted to general farming, as practiced by the most expert agriculturalists throughout this region, considerable attention being paid to stock raising and also to fruits of various kinds. The various departments of his farm work are conducted along lines most approved by modern practice, for he has given much study and thought to the things which he has made his life business, which accounts very largely for the success which is his.

There are six children in the DEAL family: Maggie, the eldest, is the wife of Clem Murphy, a farmer, who is associated with Mr. DEAL in the work of his farm and who lives in La Grange township. Both Edward and Russell are farmers in St. Johns township, the former of whom married Edna Yeager, the latter having chosen as his wife Mabel Nelson. Raymond, Robert, and Ruby remain with the parents, and the family is among the most highly respected of the community. Mr. DEAL is a Democrat, and has held some minor offices for his party. All in all, Mr. DEAL belongs to the finest type of American citizenship. Of undoubted integrity, high ambition and industry, he has brought the best of his brain and brawn to the task before him and has not only won material success, but what is more worthy, he has the undivided respect of all who know him, standing as an example of fine manhood to the younger generation.

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