From: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1883.
The subject of the following sketch is a descendant of John Upham, born in England about 1597. He came to New England with his wife (Elizabeth Webb) sailing March 20, 1635. He died Feb. 25, 1681, aged eighty-four years.
He was chosen a member of the General Assembly of Massachusetts, serving six years, and for his fearless piety, integrity and wisdom he was chosen for this place of trust so many years in succession.
Z. H. Upham, postmaster at Stillwater, came to Lincoln township, Mitchell Co., Iowa, in 1869. He was born in Windsor Co., Vermont, October 19, 1811, and when three years old his parents moved to Windham Co., VT., where he was reared on a farm. When twenty years of age he went to Boston, Mass., and clerked six weeks in a grocery store, but returned home on account of feeble health, and was ill for five years. He then engaged in thee manufacture of trunks until 1837, when he bought a harness shop and tannery and followed this business until he sold out, bought a farm in Windham county, in November, 1851, and commenced farming.
In 1867 he traded that farm for his present home, but continued to follow harness making in Chester, VT., until 1869, when he located here and commenced the improvement of his land.
In 1838 he married Louisa Putman, a native of Windham Co., Vt., who bore him three children – Bradford H., now in San Francisco; Abel P., now living in Chicago, and Mary L., now the wife of George F. Moore, of Athol, Mass. Mrs. Upham died in 1850 and in 1851 he married Jane E. Pierce, a native of Vermont, by whom he has three children – Nellie J., wife of S. F. Whitcomb; James H. and Willie P. Mrs. Upham died in 1872. Mr. Upham has taken a deep interest in township matters, and is at the present time a justice of the peace, and also postmaster, and was chiefly instrumental after coming here in securing a post office and school house. His son James H., who assists his father on the farm, was born in Windham Co., Vt., attended the common school and afterwards the academy at Chester, Vt.
He came to Iowa with his parents and was married in August, 1876 to Delia J. Swat, a native of Iowa, by whom he has two children – Arthur J. and Orin N. The youngest son, Willie, is also at home and was married at Stillwater, Sept. 19, 1883 to Alice Jones.
Transcribed by Gordon Felland, Sept. 2004