Pioneer pottery basics:

Hobson Family information extracted and summarized from 'Chats with Old Timers of the Fayette Area'
Full Chat's articles follow in the section below.)
...John W. Hobson located his family in Auburn, Auburn Township, Fayette County, Iowa in the early 1850's and started a pottery business.
...The Hobson family then moved to section 21 of Smithfield Township in 1855 and started up the pottery business again, making all kinds of jugs, bowls, jars, churns, cuspidors, etc. 

....Joseph Hobson entered Smithfield land Apr. 4. 1855, and on May 12, 1857, conveyed part of it to John W. Hobson.
...In the school just south of the John W. Hobson farm,  when Jennie Smith was the teacher, the pupils the Hobson boys went to school with were Will and Jay Stevenson, Charles and Hattie DeBow, Polk and Chas. Smith and the Paul's. He knew "Nat" and "B" Williams and Cronks, who were Neighbor; also the Smiths, Maynard's, and Barnse's who lived in Maynard.First
....Center School Boys to UIU---Harr Hobson and your pap (O.W. Stevenson father) was the first from Center school district to attend UIU (Upper Iowa University in Fayette) and roomed together.
...John W. Hobson and his family were active members of the M.E. Chruch in Fayette.
...Some Members of the Hobson Family---Elizabeth DeBow Bills, if still on hand, would be able to tell more about the Hobson's as Grove's sister, Helen, married Park Hobson. And Austin Knight, who was the last I knew of him living at Waucoma, Iowa, as his sister, Ada, married Harr Hobson. Nora Hobson was more than average in intelligence and good looks and married R.R. Pember of Maynard. She died of pulmonary consumption (TB) before middle life and left several sons.
...Need for Printed Family Histories---The need already arising for printed family records is shown by the fact that Ed Hobson and Mrs. A.N. (Judge) Hobson say that Joseph Hobson and John W. Hobson were brothers. Mrs. Martha Chittenden Knight writes that they were (first) cousins; that Joseph was son of a John Hobson and John was son of Joseph Hobson---two brothers. No county history record throws light on the matter.
...In the mid 1870's (probably a typo and should be in the mid 1850's, bz), Joseph Hobson in the village of Fayette, was a Notary Public, Collector and land agent of prairie and timber land and town lots.
...Joe Hobson built a frame house in the middle of the east edge of section 21 of Smithfield Township.  He lived in this house until he was elected Clerk of Court and then he located in West Union where he would live out his life.  Before going to West Union, he would open his first law office in the village of Fayette. 
...Joe Hobson taught the first school near section 21 in his house.  When he relocated his law office in West Union his house idle only to be used as a school house until a few years later when a school house was built 40 rods (about 200 yards south of his house and on the east side of the road in section 22 of Smithfield Township.
...Jo Hobson, eventually sold his farm, the S1/2 of the NE1/4, and the NE1/4 of the NE1/4 of section 21, Smithfield Township to R.A. DeBow, sometime after Joe moved to West Union.
...The area known as Hobson's Grove, later to become Parson's Grove sat on top of the Westfield hill just to the east of the Westfield village, between Water.St and the Volga River.   Today in the area to the ExNE of the Hwy 93/150 intersection.  Joseph Hobson probably bought and owned that land when he first opened a law office in Fayette, just before taking county positions and moving to West Union.
...John W. Hobson having only a medium sized farm and plenty of help so did a good deal of outside farming, renting and working land for others.  At John's farm was his wife, wife's brother Barney Lynch, Park the oldest boy, Harr called Durf, Nora, Edward and two younger brothers.
...John Hobson was the first in the area to buy a McCormick Reaping and Mowing Machine. Until that time wheat and oats where hand cut and cradled.  The area farmers would hire John and his family to cut wheat crops with his machine.  The Hobson's could not keep up with the area demand so area grain would become too ripe and wasted, thus in a few years area farmers were buying their own machines including the McCormick and the John  P. Manna Reaper.
...Shortly after buying a McCormick Reaper, John Hobson would buy a threshing machine and thus had a monopoly on area threshing until his neighbor Richard A. DeBow also purchased a thresher for hire.
...John W. Hobson was drafted to go to the Civil War, but hired a substitute.  Not only did he probably not want to go, but the farm, custom farming and pottery business would have been highly depended on his knowledge and background.  To raise the $500 need of a substitute he sold 80 acres of land, the S1/2 of the SE 1/4 of section 21, Smithfield.  This 80 acres probably had never been broken (plowed) until he sold it, around 1863 +/-.
...John W. Hobson operated a pottery in Section 21 of Smithfield Township.
...After buying the reaper and thresher and doing custom jobs for local farmers, the next move for the John W. Hobson family was to build a shed and kiln make of brick to back pottery.  They hauled clay from the banks of Bear Creek, near where Walter Rawson had a saw mill,  3-4 miles to the ExNE.  Wood for fuel was hauled along the same general pathway but from within a couple of miles to the west of Wadena 5-7 miles to the NE.  John W. and the family began turning pottery, a trade he had learned when a young man back in Pennsylvania....The Hobson pottery business operated for about ten years.
...The Hobson children, Park, Edward, John Harr (Durf),  would travel to Bear Creek for potters clay and to the Wadena area for wood to burn in the kiln.
...Barney Lynch, brother-in-law of John W. Hobson, came from England with the family.  He lived and worked on the Hobson farm/pottery.
...The family sold their pottery in a fifty mile radius, delivering by team and wagon, selling to anyone along the road on route to the villages where they sold to merchants. 
...In the fall of 1877, John W. Hobson sold the Smithfield farm and moved the family to the Sioux Falls, S.D. area in the spring of 1878 where new land was just opening up.  (Actually they moved to section 21 near Shindler in Springdale Twp, Lincoln Co, S.D., in the far SE corner of the state/territory just across the Big Sioux River from NW Iowa and the Sioux City/Sioux Falls area.)
...In  September, 1877, O.W. Stevenson's father bought of J. E. Robertson and wife the W1/2 SE1/4 Sec. 16-32-8 and started breaking sod the following spring, Mar. 18th. The Hobson home being a short distance from their field. John W. Hobson, came out one morning and went around the field several times holding the plow, saying he loved to see the sod turn over. Well, a short time after they went to South Dakota---the spring of 1878|
...In the early 1890's the old pottery kiln was in a dilapidated condition in a thicket of brush and trees.  The old pottery ruins were cleaned out and the debris scattered on the farm fields.  Old crocks, jugs, vases, etc. were still there but not saved.
 

…HOBSON'S POTTERY and HOBSON'S FARMING
Many years ago father told me that in early days a man named John W. Hobson operated a pottery on what is now the Eugene ("Jim") Paul estate farm in Section 21 of Smithfield township. Who can tell us anything about the old pottery and about the Hobson family by whom it was operated. Was Hobson, the potter, the man who bought and preserved "Parsons Grove?"
...Mrs. Eugene Paul, who with her husband and family, have owned this farm since November 2, 1891, says that when they moved onto the farm the old pottery kiln was in a dilapidated condition but was still there. A thicket of brush and trees had grown up in and around it. The Paul's cleaned out the ruins of the old kiln, scattering the debris on the farm. Mrs. Paul wishes she had saved some of the old crocks, jugs, vases, etc.
...Martha Chittenden Knight writes that her first knowledge of the Hobson pottery business "was of his harum-scarum lads going past farm houses."   They had been after potter's clay and how they did make themselves known singing and shouting on their way home." Mrs. Knight mentions: Park, Edward and John Harr (nicknamed "Durf") who married Ada Knight, her sister-in-law. She also says "There was a helper who came with them named Barney Lynch. He was from England, I understand, a quaint, droll character."
...Lee Dresser, at Sioux Falls, SD, read the inquiry about the Hobson pottery, and drove out into the country there to interview Ed Hobson. J.W. (John) Hobson located in Auburn, Iowa, and went into the pottery business for a number of years. Then he moved to Smithfield and started up his business again, making all kinds of jugs, bowls, jars, churns, cuspidors, and sold them in a radius of fifty miles each way. They delivered them with team and wagon and would sell to anyone along the road while they were en route to the town where they sold the merchants. In about 1873 (deed records show Sept. 20, 1877--O.W.S.) they sold out the farm to Nathan P. Ames, and he sold to Jim Paul. After selling, the Hobson's went west (to the Dakota's) where they got land and were Ed, J.W.'s son, is still living on the same land. When he was eighty years old, he (Ed in SD) and his wife lived on the farm all alone. He has helped to put up two hundred tons of hay this season, runs the mower, rake, cocks up hay, in fact he makes a hand and is spryer than a lot of men at sixty.
...EARLY COUNTY SCHOOL MATES: Ed Hobson, son of J.W. Hobson of the pottery business related to Lee Dresser at Sioux Falls: When Jennie Smith was the teacher, the pupils he went to school with were Will and Jay Stevenson, Charles and Hattie DeBow, Polk and Chas. Smith and the Paul's. He knew "Nat" and "B" Williams and Cronks, who were Neighbor; also the Smiths, Maynard's, and Barnse's who lived in Maynard.
My uncle Jay M. Stevenson in Torrance, Calif. (O.W.S.) sent a letter dated Aug. 13, 1938, that Joe and John Hobson were located on farms when in 1857 father (Stevenson) and mother, Amanda, Mary, your pa and I settled in the log house on the S.W. corner of the SE 1/4 of Sec. 15-92-8 (Smithfield) I was only about two years old then and all I write about during the years 1857-1862 or 3 is from what I remember of what I heard older members of our family tell when I was old enough to remember.
…The First Sheep and Hogs---Dear nephew: You seem to think my memories of the Hobson's helped some, so will try again. When the south part of Fayette Co. was new all the oldest settlers were along the edge of the woods. The Henderson, McGee's, Whitley's, Fusell's, Brook's, Babcock's, Moines', etc., and they were the first to get hog and sheep tight fences. As the grazing was not so good as on the prairie they went in for raising corn and sheep more than horses and cattle. Our folks kept nothing but horses and cattle until the early 1860's when sheep became the fashion
…"Seeing the Sod Turn"---I have read but one article of "Chats with Old Timer." It spoke of the Hobson's leaving Smithfield in 1973 or '75. In September, 1877, I bought of J.E. Robertson and wife the W1/2 SE1/4 Sec. 16-32-8 and started breaking sod the following spring, Mar. 18th. The Hobson home being a short distance from my field, Mr. Hobson Sr. came out one morning and went around the field several times holding the plow, saying he loved to see the sod turn over. Well, a short time after they went to South Dakota---the spring of 1878
…Business in Fayette (village area) Joseph Hobson---Notary Public, Collector and land agent. Prairie and timber land and town lots.
...FIRST SCHOOL IN JOE HOBSON HOUSE: Jo (as everybody called him) Hobson built a frame house and lived in it. There being no school house he taught school in his own house until he was elected Clerk of Court. (Think he opened a law office first at Fayette--O.W.S). Then he went to West Union and his house was idle only it was used for a school house for a few years until a school house was built 40 rods south of there and on the east side of the road. Moved in 1879 to where it now is. I attended (Jay M. Stevenson) school in Jo's house with sister Mary (later Mary Ellen Babcock--O.W.S.) for teacher. If she did not make me go straight then my memory is no good. I was five years old. I had to be an example for the others. I complained to ma but it availed me nothing and it was the same as long as I attended district school under Jennie Smith and then Mr. Edgar, than Emma Potter, daughter of Ira Potter. Jo. Hobson sold his farm, the S1/2NE1/4 and NE1/4NE1/4 Sec. 21-92-8 and it was finally occupied by Mr. and Mrs. R.A. DeBow and their family. Their descendants still have it I think.
...John W. Hobson lived on his farm until 1873 or 5 (that's my guess) the records would show. Then he sold it to N.P. Ames and it is now the Eugene (Jim) Paul estate. John, his wife and wife's brother, Barney Lynch, Park the oldest boy, Harr (nicknamed Durf), Nora, Edward and two younger bros. Made up the family. Having a large family and his brother-in-law Lynch always with him, he had plenty of help and only a medium sized farm. He did a good deal outside of farming.
...The First McCormick Reaper---John Hobson was the first in that vicinity to buy a McCormick Reaping and Mowing Machine. Father after cradling a crop or two fell in with the rest and hired Mr. Hobson to cut it with his machine. But he had so much to do that some grain got too ripe and wasted before he got around, so father bought a John P. Manna and in a few years R.A.DeBow got a John H. Manna machine.
...The First Threshing Machine---John Hobson, after buying the McCormick Reaper, would then buy a threshing machine and had a monopoly on that job until Richard. A. DeBow (grandfather of our grocer, Roy C. Debow---O.W.S.), followed his example and went to threshing.
...The Pottery Started---The Hobsons' next move was to build a shed and kiln made of brick to bake pottery in and hauling clay from the banks of Bear Creek near where Walter Rawson had a saw mill, and wood for fuel from within two miles of Wadena, began turning out pottery. He had learned the trade young.
…(The Hobson's) Operated (their pottery business for) About Ten Years---I remember hearing good business people saying they could not see how he ever dared attempt the business and haul both wood for fuel, and the clay, so far. But they seemed to make it pay expenses for quite a while (perhaps 10 years). Then they sold the farm and went to S. Dak. And settled near Sioux Falls I think. That ended the pottery business. The kiln was there yet that last time I saw the place 50 years ago (about 1890).
...Church and War Record---He (J.W. Hobson) and his wife and Mr. Lynch were active members of the M.E. Church. Mr. J. W. Hobson was drafted to go to the Civil War, but hired a substitute. No one could blame him for that surely with so much depending on him at home. To raise the $500 he turned out 80 acres of land, i.e. the S1/2 of the SE1/4 Sec. 21-92-8. I don't think that 80 was ever broken up until he sold it.
...First Center School Boys to UIU---Harr Hobson and your pap was the first from Center school district to attend UIU (Upper Iowa University in Fayette) and roomed together.
...Some Members of the Hobson Family---Elizabeth DeBow Bills, if still on hand, would be able to tell more about the Hobson's as Grove's sister, Helen, married Park Hobson. And Austin Knight, who was the last I knew of him living at Waucoma, Iowa, as his sister, Ada, married Harr Hobson. Nora Hobson was more than average in intelligence and good looks and married R.R. Pember of Maynard. She died of pulmonary consumption (TB) before middle life and left several sons.
...Need for Printed Family Histories---The need already arising for printed family records is shown by the fact that Ed Hobson and Mrs. A.N. (Judge) Hobson say that Joseph Hobson and John W. Hobson were brothers. Mrs. Martha Chittenden Knight writes that they were (first) cousins; that Joseph was son of a John Hobson and John was son of Joseph Hobson---two brothers. No county history record throws light on the matter. Joseph Hobson entered Smithfield land Apr. 4. 1855, and on May 12, 1857, conveyed part of it to John W. Hobson.

HOBSON'S GROVE, Later to be called The Parson's Grove (extracted from Chat's)
...Mrs. Martha Chittenden Knight from Simms, Montana wrote and recalled the year after year, use of the ground for Sunday School picnics and believed the first harvest Home picnics were held there. On the platform, used to gather beautiful singers, Henry Grannis, Erwin Comstock, many fine talkers, ministers and old settlers. They were all so proudly seated and to my childish eyes they looked grand--an event joyously looked forward to, and something always to be remembered.
...Mrs. Kittie Holmes Banning, who lived as a girl in that neighborhood, says the Congregational Sunday school had picnics in Hobson's Grove, and that there was once a very fine, smooth croquet ground with boarded up sides at the east end of the grove. She thinks the croquet ground may have been put in by Fussell's.
...Roy R. Fussell says he also remembers playing croquet there. Just who built and equipped the croquet ground he does not remember. It may have been his father, Martin H. Fussell, who lived about three years in the house across the street, or it may have been Roy's grandfather, David E. Fussell, to whom martin sold the house. Fussells had a cow pasture of about six acres north of the grove.
...Lewis W. Coates, who came to Fayette at age eight, with his parents, on Nov. 23, 1863, writes: In regard to the fourth of July celebration in Hobson's grove in 1867. I and my brother walked to Fayette, four miles. The procession formed on Main street, headed by the Flag, marshal and band. Albert Hulbert, one of the drummers. He lived west of the old stone school house that used to stand southwest of Fayette. The next year Fayette had a brass band of thirty one. Carley Childs was one of them. George Bar---?, Henry Harrison, Warren Emmons, Henry Boyce. H.J. Mott had a son that was in the band. Mr. Mott kept a restaurant near where Mr. McCormack's barber shop is now (in 1938, that was in the middle of the west side of the first block of Main going south from Water street,bz/2002).
...Jean Orvis Allen wrote that, "We went to Fayette in the spring of 1870 and I remember the UIU Commencement Day exercises were held in the grove. Mr. Frank Robertson and sister, Amanda, son and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Robertson, graduated that year. The graded school had its picnic there the same year too."

THE PARSON'S GROVE
...Some Fayette folks are grieved to see that Mr. U.J. Odell, who has purchased the property long known and occupied by George W. Parsons at the top of the Westfield Hill, has just cut down almost the last trees of what was sometimes called "The Parsons Grove."
...This attractive park-like area, on all of block six of Alexander's Addition to Fayette, being across the street north from the find maple grove and ginseng beds of the Charles Pooler place, has been one of the nearest things we have had to a natural park within the platted and built up portion of Fayette.
...I think I was told once that in early years this grove was used as a spot for public assembly. Will somebody give us the facts for a short obituary of this, our most recently deceased, local beauty spot?
...Mrs. Mary Grannis Hoyt indicated that what was Parsons' Grove was first called Hobson's Grove. Several others have verified this name for the place.

Fayette County Iowa

Land Entries into Section 21 of Smithfield Twp, Fayette Co, Iowa
James Smith, Dec 26, 1854, SE 1/4, 160 acres.
Joseph Hobson, April 20, 1855, NE 1/4 and E 1/2 of NW 1/4, 240 acres.
Andrew Harkins, June 22, 1855, N 1/2 of SW 1/4, 80 acres.
John Harkins, June 22, 1855, W 1/2 of NW 1/4, 80 acres.
Aaron M. Mott, July 5, 1855, S 1/2 of SW 1/4, 80 acres.

Joseph's family would have been living in West Union village.
125 Hobson Joseph 36 M Pennsylvania
125 Hobson Elizabeth 34 F Pennsylvania
125 Hobson A. N. 13 M Pennsylvania
125 Hobson J. B. 10 M Pennsylvania
125 Hobson Frank 5 M Iowa
125 Hobson E. M. 2 F Iowa

1880 Census : West Union, Fayette, Iowa
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace

Joseph HOBSON Self M M W 56 PA Occ: Lawyer Fa: ENGL Mo: NJ
Elizabeth HOBSON Wife F M W 54 PA Occ: Keeping House Fa: NS Mo: PA
Joseph B. HOBSON Son M S W 30 PA Occ: 1st Lieutenant U.S.N. Fa: PA Mo: PA
Fannie E. HOBSON Dau F S W 22 IA Occ: At Home Fa: PA Mo: PA
Leroy T. HOBSON Son M S W 19 IA Occ: Printer Fa: PA Mo: PA
Ella C. HOBSON Dau F S W 16 IA Occ: Attending School Fa: PA Mo: PA
Caroline LAMPARTER Other F W 20 NY Occ: Servant Fa: --- Mo: ---

Alfred N. HOBSON Self M M W 32 PA Occ: Lawyer Fa: PA Mo: PA
Mattie K. HOBSON Wife F M W 28 PA Occ: Keeping House Fa: IRE
Ida M. INGHAM Sister-in-law  F S W 18 PA Fa: IRE
Mary MENCOMEY Other F S W 20 IA Occ: Servant Fa: IRE Mo: IRE

Frank HOBSON Self M M W 24 IA Occ: Editor Fa: PA Mo: PA
Sarah E. HOBSON Wife F M W 25 IA Occ: Keeping House Fa: ENGL Mo: PA
Charlotte C. BRODE Mother-in-law F M W 58 PA Fa: PA Mo: PA
Y. Earnest E. BRODE Brother-in-law M S W 30 IL Occ: Painter Fa: ENGL Mo: PA

John W. HOBSON Self M M W 53 PA Occ: Farmer Fa: ENG Mo: NJ
Mary A. HOBSON Wife F M W 53 PA Occ: Housekeeping Fa: PA Mo: PA
Charles I. HOBSON Son M S W 16 IA Fa: IA Mo: PA (Built a blacksmith shop in Shindler, Lincoln Co, SD, early 1900's)
Eimanah HOBSON Dau F S W 14 IA Fa: PA Mo: PA

Benjamin P. HOBSON Self M M W 32 PA Occ: Farmer Fa: PA Mo: PA
Hellen I. HOBSON Wife F M W 25 IL Occ: Housekeeping Fa: VT Mo: PA
Frank W. HOBSON Son M S W 5 IA Fa: PA Mo: IL
Silas J. BILLS Other M S W 28 IL Occ: Mason Fa: VT Mo: PA

Edwin W. HOBSON Self M M W 21 IA Occ: Farmer Fa: PA Mo: PA
Jennie HOBSON Wife F M W 19 IA Occ: Housekeeping Fa: NY Mo: NY

John H. HOBSON Self M M W 28 PA Occ: Farmer Fa: PA Mo: PA
Ada B. HOBSON Wife F M W 26 WI Occ: Housekeeping Fa: PA Mo: PA
Lula B. HOBSON Dau F S W 3 IA Fa: PA Mo: WI
Austin A. KNIGHT Father-in-law M M W 60 PA Occ: Farmer Fa: VT Mo: VT
Cynthia M. KNIGHT Mother-in-law F M W 58 PA Occ: Housekeeping Fa: VT Mo: VT
Emma KNIGHT Sister-in-law  F S W 14 WI Fa: PA Mo: PA

...In the late 1850's, John W. Hobson stayed on the farm in Sec21 of Smithfield.Twp, Fayette.Co.IA,  after his brother or first cousin Joseph moved 5miles north into Fayette village and then shortly, 8miles north of Fayette into West Union village to open his law office and other business endeavors.
...John W. Hobson was one of the first pioneer farmers to bring in farm machinery, i.e. the McCormick reaper and then a threshing machine.  John W. and his young sons would travel down the Bear Creek and Brush Creek Trail  to the Rawson saw mill area on Brush Creek, 7 miles to Sec 3 & 4 of Fairfield Township,  to collect 'blueclay' and fuel/wood (for their pottery business on the Sec 21 farm), from the banks of Bear & Brush Creek along the same route to the mill.  The Rawson family were early settlers into the area to the north of Brush Creek village and Taylorsville.  The Rawson's had built a water powered sawmill on Bear Creek on the trail directly north of Brush Creek running to Wadena.  There milling operation was fed by timber from their 200+ acre farm immediately west of the mill in section 4 of Fairfield.  The Rawson's were close contacts of my Thompson side of the the Brush Creek area, with my Ggrandfather Samuel Andrew 1 and his brother's William and Morris J. owning farm/timber land just to the east of the mill.  The Thompson's would assist with milling at various times.  The Rawson's began operating one of the first steam powered saw mills in Fayette County, thus John W. Hobson would have been visiting some of the first machinery and steam power which may have been a connection to bring in the reaper and also thresher which would have likely been steam powered.  The only other power for threshing was the multiple team horse powered wheel type.

...The flood of 1878...On Saturday night, June 1, 1878, Fayette County was hit with one of the heaviest rain storms experienced since its first settlement.  For several days, rain had fallen in large quantities  until the earth was completely saturated.  When the water began to fall in torrents about 8pm of June 1, and it all drained into the streams.  the Volga River rose at least four feet higher than every known before.  Every movable article in the watershed was afloat.  Fences were swept away.  The old bridge at Maynard was taken out.  Hardly a bridge on the upper Volga remained when the waters subsided.  The iron bridge across the Volga at Lima was demolished, involving great loss to the county.  The south abutment was undermined and crumbled, letting the heavy mass of iron down into the seething flood, tumbling it about like a feather, leaving it a few rods down the stream, a sad wreck of twisted, bent and broken rubbish.  It was built in 1875, and cost over $4,000.  Earle's mill, at Albany , was left on an island, a channel sixty feet wide, having been washed out from the inland side. Rawson's old sawmill, an unused building on Brush Creek, three miles from Wadena, was washed away with much valuable property.  Rawson's steam mill was out of the reach of the flood.  (1878 History of Fayette County).

1860 Census:

Philander's family was living at the Rawson Mill, Sec 3, Fairfield Twp and farming/timbering in section 4, Fairfield Twp.

1795 Rawson  Philander  35   M   Sawyer  $2,000 $1,000   Ohio
1795 Rawson  Marinda   33   F   New York

1795 Rawson  Elizabeth  13   F   Illinois                

1795 Rawson  Walter      11   M  Ohio                    

1795 Rawson Buel           9    M  Ohio                    

1795 Rawson Edward       7    M   Ohio                    

1795 Rawson Philander   11/12 M Iowa

 1806 Rawson   Geo. L.     30   M   Farmer  $800  $400  Ohio

 1806 Rawson   Si*ni         30    F    New York

 1806 Rawson   James D.  18   M   Farm Lab  Ohio                    

 1806 Rawson   Wm           3   M    Illinois                

 1806 Rawson   Chas         3    M   Iowa

1880 Census, Fairfield, Fayette, Iowa
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
Walter RAWSON Self M M W 32 OH Occ: Owns Saw Mill Fa: OH Mo: NY
Hattie RAWSON Wife F M W 31 VT Occ: Keeping House Fa: VT Mo: VT
Edie M. RAWSON Dau F S W 8 IA Occ: At School Fa: OH Mo: VT
Guy RAWSON Son M S W 7 IA Occ: At School Fa: OH Mo: VT
Alta RAWSON Other F S W 1 IA Fa: OH Mo: VT
James HAINES Other M D W 46 PA Occ: Laborer Fa: PA Mo: PA
Romy WILCOX Other M S W 18 IA Occ: Laborer Fa: NY Mo: NY

Walter Rawson, from the 1878 History of Fayette
...Walter Rawson, proprietor of Rawson sawmill, located on section 3 of Fairfield Twp., P.O. Brush Creek.  Born in Lake Co, Ohio, Nov. 13, 1848.  In 1856 he came to Taylorsville with his parents (Philander and Mirinda)  In 1868 the Rawson families erected their first saw-mill on Brush Creek run by water power.  (By the 1878 flood the mill was an abandoned building and washed away in the flood waters.  The Rawson had built a steam powered mill sometime mid 1870's upland from the creek in section 3, Fairfield.  By 1878 the mill was turning out 500k to 800k board feet yearly. Walter married Hattie Gibbs August 21, 1870.  She was born in Windso Co., Vt., April 4, 1849.  There children are---Eda, born Sept. 15, 1871; Guy, Jan. 17, 1873.  He is a Republican.  Property valued at $5,000.

Note:  The Rawson's came to Brush Creek village, Fairfield Twp, very early in the settlement.  They were very well known around Arlington, one family being in banking and another in farming, with offspring staying in the area to farm and run businesses.  There are still Rawson connections in the area, with numerous burials in the Taylorsville Cemetery.  The Rawson's ran the Lumber Yard at Brush Creek/Arlington which is likely a major outlet for the lumber from the Rawson Mill four miles to the north of Brush Creek.  In 1873 the railroad was running from Arlington to Marion and the markets to the south and west.  Since Walter's father Philander is listed as a sawyer in the 1860 census, it is likely he had entered the Rawson farm four miles north of Brush Creek and had a first generation saw mill operating on Brush Creek by 1860.  That mill was probably added too and rebuilt depending on resources and flood damage.  By the 1879 plat map, there was a school near the mill location along with several craftsman.  In 2003 one of the owners of the area reported the possibility of an abandoned cemetery just to the north of the stream mill site but there has been no verification.  The owners also reported a post office, blacksmith shop, merchant, cooper at the location.  The 1879 plat does indicate structures near the mill location.

Taylorsville Cemetery burials

Old Yard (Old entrance to the NW).
Rawson, M.D., lot?
Rawson, Alla, lot 31.
Rawson, Laura A., lot 30.
Rawson, Joseph, lot 32.

First Addition (just to the north of the old yard).
Rawson Will, lot 69.
Rawson, F. lot 77.

Second Addition (surrounds old yard to the east and south).
Rawson, Orin, lot 147.

Third Addition (northern 2/3rds of the southern 1/2).
Rawson, Walter, lot 204.
Rawson, Delos, lot 211.

Fourth Addition (southern most lots).
Rawson, Orange, lot 7.

Rawson Burials listed at Taylorsville.
Rawson, Emma D., 1845-1917
Rawson, Florence L., 1876-1961
Rawson, G.L., d. July 16, 1885, 63y18d. (George, head of one of two pioneer Rawson families).
Rawson, James D., Nov. 9, 1841-Nov. 9, 1913.
Rawson, Jessie R. King, May 14, 1871-Feb. 19, 1901, wife of Orange.
Rawson, Joseph T., Aug. 8, 1814-Mar. 22, 1874.
Rawson, Josie T., d. Aug. 22, 1874, 1m6d, son of A. & M.L.
Rawson, Marinda D., Aug. 17, 1825-May 1, 1889, wife of P. (Philander).
Rawson, Mary D., Mar. 16, 1817-Dec. 7, 1893.
Rawson, Mary E., 1869-1953.
Rawson, Mary E., Nov. 28, 1848-may 13, 1920.
Rawson, Minnie, 1864-1865.
Rawson, Orange S., 1869-1956.
Rawson, P.B., June 26, 1825-Dec. 11, 1905. (Philander, head of pioneer Rawson family).
Rawson, Roy J., June 17, 1876-Jan. 15, 1878.
Rawson, Theda A., Mar. 17, 1853-Oct. 28, 1916.
Rawson, Walter, Nov. 13, 1848-Feb. 2, 1909.
Rawson, William O., Aug. 28, 1846-June 15, 1917.

Rawson, Laura E. (Horton) d. 1902.

John W. Hobson was in the first group to utilize farm machinery in Fayette.Co.IA

In the 1850-60's a great deal of wheat was grown in Fayette County, as well as oats, barley, rye.  Corn would slowly take over as the major crop.  Wheat would completely disappear, as well as the other grain crops except for oats, which would continue to be produced in rotation with other crops until about the 1960's when small farming rapidly disappeared.  The first pioneer farmers entering into Fayette County were doing all their farm operations by hand with a single shear (share) plow pulled by oxen and sometimes a horse.  Farm machinery and steam power started showing up by the late 1850's and accelerated into the 1860's.  By the late 1860's nearly all of the land in Fayette County was being utilized for agriculture by the 'white tide' and farm machinery was becoming quite common.

Cyrus Hall McCormick
Born Feb 15 1809 - Died May 13 1884
...Cyrus Hall McCormick invented a mechanical reaper that combined all the steps that earlier harvesting machines had performed separately. Patenting his invention in 1834, after Obed Hussey had announced (1833) the construction of a reaper of his own, McCormick started to manufacture the machine on the family estate in 1837. Six years later he began to license its manufacture in other parts of the country. In 1847 he set up a factory in Chicago, founding what eventually became one of the greatest industrial establishments in the United States. McCormik's reaper allowed farmers to more than double their crop size and accelerated other inventions in farm machinery.  Born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, Cyrus McCormick derived his interest in invention from his father, a Virginia landowner who patented several improved farming implements and worked without success for many years to perfect a mechanical reaper. In July 1831 McCormick succeeded where his father had failed, producing a model reaper with all the essential components of later commercial machines.
...Cyrus McCormick revolutionized the farming industry in 1831 by inventing the McCormick (also called the Virginia reaper) reaper, which saved hours of work for farmers and their hands.  At the time, 90 percent of the United States population were farmers.   Cyrus was one of five children and was born in 1780. His father Robert McCormick owned different businesses, which included grain mills, a distillery, and a sawmill.
...McCormick had always been a keen inventor. In 1824, at age 15, Cyrus invented a lightweight cradle for harvesting grain. Cyrus' father, Robert, had worked in the farm's blacksmith shop intermittently since about 1815 on a horse-drawn reaper, but was never successful in perfecting it. He finally abandoned the project at the beginning of the 1831 harvest.
...Cyrus picked up where his father had left off and added several key features to his father's design, with the help of a black assistance Jo anderson. By the end of the same 1831 harvest, Cyrus had the first successful demonstration of his reaper. Cyrus further refined his reaper, and finally took out a patent in 1834.   It took three years to perfect the machine, and he finally got a patent for it in 1834. He continued improving it and sold the first two machines in 1840. The Middle West was the grain belt of the nation, and McCormick opened a manufacturing facility in 1847. His brothers William and Leander were his partners in the business. It wasn’t long before the plant was getting many orders. As time went on, the factory produced many mowers and reapers and began expanding its product line to include other tools to make the hard work of farming easier.
...McCormick's reaper spread - slowly at first, but then at a pace that quickly outstripped his ability to produce the machines at the Walnut Grove blacksmith shop. In 1847, he moved to Chicago to serve the vast prairie grain fields of the Midwest. Shortly thereafter he sent for his brothers William and Leander, who became partners with Cyrus. By 1856, Cyrus was famous the world over. McCormick's "Virginia Reaper" hastened the westward expansion of the United States, and this expansion produced new markets for the reaper.
...The McCormick Reaper, which cut grain much faster than a man with a scythe, failed to catch on at first. McCormick sold his first unit around 1840; by 1844 only 50 had sold. After taking his operation to Chicago, McCormick prospered. By 1871 his company produced and sold 10,000 reapers per year.

Joseph Hobson Histories and Notes

 Joseph Hobson,
from the 1910 History of Fayette County, Iowa, page 1216

…"One of the early settlers in Fayette county was Joseph HOBSON, late of West Union, now deceased. He came to Iowa in May, 1855, and after a few months spent in Westfield township (Westfield village area)  and vicinity, located upon a farm in Smithfield township (Section 21 of Smithfield Twp, 5+ miles south of Main Street Fayette).  Here he built a residence, improved his land, and resided for about two years. He had for some years studied law as opportunity and leisure from other pursuits permitted, and in 1856, was admitted to the bar in this county. In 1857 he removed to Westfield (Westfield was the area to the NW of the Hwy 150/93 intersection in 2000 Fayette.  Thus the area on the Westfield knoll where the second water tower is not located would become known as Hobson’s Grove, and be sold to George Parson’s to become Parson’s Grove.)
, where he taught school, and later opened an (law) office and engaged in the practice of law. In the fall of 1858 he was elected clerk of the district court, and in December of that year removed to West Union where he ever after resided until his death, December 15, 1893.
…Mr. Hobson was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1823. He was the eldest son and second child of John Wainwright Hobson and Abigail Bishop (SCOTT) Hobson. His father was born at Peniston, Yorkshire, England, August 22, 1794, and was the son of Joseph Hobson, of that place.
The subject of this sketch traced his ancestry back to his grandfather, Joseph Hobson, of Yorkshire, England, who was born at nor near Peniston. In early life he was a woolen manufacturer, but later discontinued this business, and subsequently carried on business at Bullhouse Hall, at farming and colliery work. He was prominent locally, quite successful in business, full of enterprise, and something of a musician. Joseph Hobson was thrice married; his first wife was a WAINWRIGHT (the grandmother of the subject of this sketch), with whom he had one son and two daughters. He resided in that vicinity all his life, and died at seventy;-four years of age and was buried at Peniston church.
…John Wainwright HOBSON, son of Joseph HOBSON, just referred to, came to America with his uncle, Joseph WAINWRIGHT, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1816. He settled in Pittsburg and married Abigail Bishop SCOTT, in 1819. She was a daughter of Joseph SCOTT, a paper manufacturer, and a native of Massachusetts, who subsequently removed to, and was one of the early settlers of, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and later located at Pittsburg, where he passed the later years of his life.
…The mother of the subject was of Scotch-English ancestry. She was born in New Jersey, April 10, 1799, and crossed the mountains with her parents in childhood, when they removed to Pennsylvania. She resided in Fayette county, in that state (Penn), nearly all her life, and died at Connellsville in 1883.
…John Wainwright HOBSON was stricken with Asiatic cholera during the prevalence of that epidemic, and died August 14, 1834, at Pittsburg, after a sickness of a few hours. The son (Joseph, bereft of his father at the early age of eleven years, obtained such education as the times afforded and limited means could command. Public schools as we now know them being few in number, if any, at that time, he was compelled to depend upon such opportunities for securing an education as were afforded by private tutors and his own endeavors. He was always fond of reading, a good student, with a strong memory, and by the time he arrived at mature life had a wide range of knowledge, covering history, literature, politics, and general information. In early boyhood he was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker, but, not liking that avocation, learned the carpenter's trade. In the autumn of 1848 he removed to Connellsville, Pennsylvania, where he was employed at his trade, and was for a short time a partner in a foundry business. In the spring of 1853 he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he had charge of extensive building operations in connection with his brother-in-law, the late John B. INGHAM, of Allegheny City. Between the time he located at Cleveland, and his arrival in Iowa, he resided for a short time in Sanilac county, Michigan.
…A competent observer, who had known Mr. HOBSON intimately for many years, said of him "that he never knew a man who excelled him in his ability to get along with men in his employ, or one for whom men would willingly do more for him." His varied experience well fitted him for his work in the future. He entered upon the duties of the clerk's office when the county was new, and many of our modern methods and aids to officials were unknown, or even unthought of. During his incumbency of the office, extending from January, 1859, to January, 1869, he applied to the office that system which early gave to it the orderly and business-like methods which have ever since been employed, and which distinguish the clerk's office to the present time, as one of the best kept and managed offices of its kind in the state.
…During the years of the Rebellion - 1861 to 1865 - there was no bank or railway in the county, and the express business was done by stage coaches, or by private messengers, between West Union and the terminal of the railroad (Dubuque and Marion).  Mr. HOBSON was during all this period designated by the soldiers in the field as the consignee of funds sent by them to their families at home and many thousands of dollars were sent to him for distribution, and by him delivered to the designated beneficiaries, without expense for services rendered by him. During this trying period he was ever active and vigilant in rendering such services as he could in befriending the families of the soldiers at home, in sustaining the soldiers at the front, and in upholding the government in its efforts to suppress the Rebellion. Next to the soldier in the field is the need of the loyal friend and supporter at home. Each in his own way equally important, although one is at the seat of carnage, and in daily peril, while the other, remote from the danger of disease and battle, by his cooperation helps to make the success of the soldiers possible. Few who have not given the matter thought, can conceive how necessary to the welfare and success of the soldier at the front is the earnest support of the great army of loyal men and women who by their voluntary efforts sustained and encouraged the forces in the field. Many were the acts of kindness performed, and numerous the sacrifices made, by the subject of this sketch, in that trying ordeal of which it would not be proper to speak; sufficient it is to say that at all times, by speech, act, and purse, he loyally upheld the efforts of the government to suppress the Rebellion.
…Upon retiring from the clerk's office, Mr. HOBSON was elected to the thirteenth General Assembly of Iowa, and served as a member of that body in 1870. In that year he was, without solicitation on his part, appointed assessor of United States internal revenue for the third congressional district of Iowa, and served efficiently and to the entire satisfaction of the officials in charge of the department until May, 1873, at which time the office expired by limitation and the duties connected with it merged with those of collector of internal revenue. Upon the conclusion of his services as assessor he received from the commissioner of internal revenue, at Washington, D.C., strong commendation of the manner in which the office had been conducted during his incumbency.
…Joseph HOBSON was one of the founders of the Fayette County National Bank in 1872, and was its first and only president until his resignation as such in December, 1887. He also served as vice-president of the Fayette County Savings Bank, from its organization, in 1875, until December 1887. Much of the early success of each of these financial institutions was due to the business ability and integrity of Mr. HOBSON, to his extensive acquaintance and to the personal confidence the people reposed in him after an acquaintance extending over so many years. He served as mayor of West Union for two years, and as a member of the school board in that town for twelve years. He was active in encouraging all public enterprises and liberal in aiding them. He had been a resident of the county many years before the advent of a railroad, and when a prospect of obtaining one presented itself, he was earnest in his advocacy of the measure and contributed liberally of his time and means to secure it.
…The present generation knows nothing of the disadvantages of living in a county destitute of these necessities, but take them as a matter of course. The pioneers of fifty years ago obtained them by voting taxes and donating money to build them, and the community was satisfied if it could secure railroad accommodations by contributing liberally to their construction.
…Politically, Mr. HOBSON was originally a Whig, and later a Republican. He often alluded with pride to the fact that he cast his first vote for President for Henry CLAY, and made a long journey by stage-coach to reach his voting precinct for this purpose. Upon his arrival in Iowa, he took an active part in politics. He had speaking talent of a high order and for many years was prominent in convention work and as a political speaker, Perhaps he made more political speeches in the county than any other man who has lived in it. His fund of facts, and acquaintance with history, literature, and politics, combined with the happy faculty of always being able to illustrate his point with an appropriate story, well told, enabled him to entertain and instruct an audience.
…Mr. HOBSON was married at Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1847, to Elizabeth BAKER, daughter of James and Rachel (WIGFIELD, sometimes erroneously written WAKEFIELD) BAKER. She was born at Bakerstown, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1825, that village having
been founded by her family, one of the earliest to settle in western Pennsylvania. Mrs. HOBSON was a woman of strong common sense, unusual force of character, untiring energy and industry, an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she was a life-long member, and an efficient laborer in societies connected therewith, and was highly esteemed where she so long resided. She was from among that best of human-kind, the intelligent home builder, the affectionate wife and mother, and in her life she proved an exemplar in all that pertains to the best and highest welfare of the family and the home. She died in her eighty-fourth year, on April 15, 1909, the anniversary of her marriage.
…Mr. and Mrs. HOBSON were the parents of eight children, six of whom grew to mature age. Leta, a daughter, died in infancy, and Loyd, a son, died in his eighth year. Joseph B. HOBSON graduated at the United States Naval Academy with honor, and remained in the service until after he attained the rank of lieutenant, when he resigned. While he was in the navy he visited Japan, Australia, France, South America, England, Italy and other countries and many of the islands of the sea. Frank HOBSON and Leroy T. HOBSON founded the Argo at West Union, recently merged with the Gazette, and at this time conducted under the name of the Argo-Gazette, and published the paper successfully for many years. Frank HOBSON had talent of a high order as a newspaper man, and was a public spirited citizen. The columns of the Argo will show that he zealously advocated every measure calculated for the upbuilding of the community and the city. The mechanical department was efficiently managed by L. T. HOBSON, who was accomplished in everything necessary to the printer's art. Sickness in the family of Frank HOBSON, in the person of his only child, and his subsequent death, necessitated the disposing of the property, and the removal of the father to Oklahoma, where he now resides.
…The surviving daughters of Mr. and Mrs. HOBSON are each married. Ella married H. I. McGUIRE, and resides at Cincinnati, Ohio. Fannie Elizabeth married C. W. KNICKERBOCKER, M.D. and resides at Cedar Falls, Iowa. L. T. HOBSON and A. N. HOBSON reside at West Union, Iowa."

Children of Anna Hobson Neff, sister of Joseph & John Hobson
from the 1910 History of Fayette County, Iowa

Joseph Hobson Neff
…Among the enterprising business men of West Union whose labors and influence have tended greatly to the city’s advancement and prosperity the name of Joseph Hobson Neff, of the firm of Neff Brothers, proprietors of the Electric Light and Power Plant, occupies a deservedly conspicuous place. A native of Fayette county and for many years identified with its interests, he has contributed materially to the building up of an enterprise of great value to the community and, as a man and citizen, recognized his obligations to the public and in a manner creditable to himself discharged the same to the satisfaction of all concerned.
…Joseph Hobson Neff was born in Fayette county, Iowa, May 22, 1861, and spent his childhood and youth in his native town of Auburn where, at the proper age, he entered the public schools and in due time acquired a fair education. While still young he took up his study of telegraphy, at which he soon became quite proficient and in 1882 accepted a position as agent with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad, which he held during the ten years following. While thus engaged he had charge of offices at Scotch Grove, Delhi and Waucoma and on severing his connection with the above line spent the ensuing ten years with the Chicago Great Western road, during which time he was stationed at Sumner, Iowa. On the death of his brother, H.M. Neff, the subject abandoned the railway service and returned to West Union, became a partner of his older brother, Charles G. Neff, in the City Electric Light and Power Plant, with which enterprise he has been connected since January, 1902. Since becoming a member of the firm of Neff Brothers he has labored diligently to familiarize himself with electric lighting and it is needless to state that the plant under the able and judicious management of the present proprietors has kept pace with the growth of the city and fully met the requirements of the public. (See sketch of C.G. Neff.)
…Mr. Neff, on February 24, 1881, was happily married to Katie M. Davis, daughter of Daniel Davis, late banker and prominent business man of Fayette county. Mrs. Neff was born in Wisconsin, received her education at a ladies’ seminary in the state of Vermont, and has presented her husband with five children, Mabel, Frank A., Anna L., Joseph D. and Ruth N., all living and at home, Frank and Anna being twins.
…For a number of years Mr. Neff has been prominent in Odd Fellowship, and at this time is one of the leading members of the order in the state. He has been very active in the lodge at West Union, besides holding various positions in the general work of the order, serving for five years as a member of the board of instruction, one year as chairman of the committee on mileage and per diem and one year as chairman of the committee on transportation, all being grand lodge appointments. He has passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodge, encampment and Patriarchs Militant, has been active and influential in the Daughters of Rebekah lodge and was the first past grand to serve on the board of instruction, higher official attainments having been required for the position previous to his appointment. During the year 1899 he was a special officer, appointed by the grand master to institute new lodges and while thus engaged was instrumental in arousing a deep and widespread interest in Odd Fellowship throughout the state and reviving the work in a number of places where it had formerly flourished, but afterwards gradually subsided and at several points ceased altogether. He has long been a leading spirit in the grand lodge, where his abilities are recognized and appreciated, and in the deliberations of that exalted body his voice and influence have had much to do in formulating policies and directing the general work of the order. He was district deputy grand master two terms and in that capacity traveled quite extensively visiting lodges and promoting an interest in the fraternity in various other ways.
…Mr. Neff votes the Republican ticket, but can hardly be called a politician as he has never been an aspirant for office nor has he entertained any ambition for leadership. In all that concerns the material welfare of the community or the general good of the populace he has manifested a deep and abiding interest and, as an intelligent, broad-minded, progressive American of the present day, he is easily the peer of any of his fellow citizens. Mrs. Neff is a Presbyterian in her religious faith and an active member of the church at West Union, being president of the Ladies’ Aid Society and otherwise interested in religious and philanthropic work.

Abner Gilbert M. Neff
…"A well-remembered old settler of Fayette county and one of the brave officers of the Ninth Iowa Infantry was the late Lieut. Abner Gilbert M. Neff, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in August, 1829, the son of John NEFF, a native of Germany who emigrated to America in his youth. Abner Neff received a fairly good English education and served as an apprentice to the shoemaker's trade in his father's shop, and became an expert workman. He also studied medicine, but did not complete the course. On October 27, 1851, he married, in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, Anna HOBSON, daughter of John W. and Abigail Bishop (SCOTT) HOBSON and a sister of the Hon. Joseph HOBSON, of West Union. Her father was born in Peniston, Yorkshire, England, August 22, 1794, and emigrated to America in 1816. While living in Pennsylvania, in 1819, he was married to the daughter of Joseph SCOTT, a wealthy manufacturer there. Mrs. Hobson was born in New Jersey, April 10, 1799, and crossed the mountains on horseback with her parents during her girlhood, the family coming to Fayette county, Iowa. They were originally from Massachusetts, of English and Scotch descent. Mr. Hobson died of cholera, August 14, 1834, his wife surviving many years, dying in 1883; their daughter, wife of Mr. Neff, was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, October 29, 1829.
…For several years Mr. Neff engaged in the boot and shoe business at West Newton, Pennsylvania. In June, 1856, he located in Fayette county, Iowa, opening a shop at Auburn. His medical studies were interrupted by the Civil war, and in August, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Ninth Iowa Infantry, and on September 12th following was made first lieutenant. He was mortally wounded in the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, his first regular engagement, March 9, 1862, receiving a gunshot wound in the region of the heart from the effects of which he died on March 11, 1862, in the hospital. He was much esteemed by his brother officers and men as a true soldier and a brave and faithful defender of the country's cause.
…Lieutenant Neff was survived by a widow (Anna Hobson Neff) and five children, four sons and one daughter, namely: John Devitt, born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, January 4, 1853, received a common school education and wedded Mary C. HARE of Summerfield, Ohio; he died July 10, 1884, leaving a wife and two children, Homer M. and Minnie M.; his wife survives and is a teacher in the institute for the deaf at Olathe, Kansas. At sixteen years of age he became a clerk in a drug store and two years later was appointed deputy clerk of the court of Fayette county, filling the office until 1877, when he embarked in the drug business at West Union. In the fall of 1880 he was elected clerk of the court and re-elected in 1882, serving his second term at the time of his death. Mary Elizabeth NEFF was born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1854, and became the wife of Rev. S. P. MARSH, now of Birmingham, Alabama. Homer M. NEFF, born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, March 6, 1856, studied for the profession of architect and engineer, at Chicago. Returning to West Union in 1881, he served from 1884 to 1889 as clerk of the court. Since then he has carried on the work of his chosen calling.
…Mrs. Anna NEFF, mother of these children, resides in Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Neff was a Republican, studious, honest, talented and a born leader of men, -- in short, a most estimable citizen. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows."

 Charles Gilbert Neff
…Of the firm of Neff Brothers, proprietors of the West Union Electric Light and Power Plant, Charles G. Neff, one of Fayette county’s native sons, was born at the town of Auburn on March 26, 1859. His father was Abner G.M. Neff, whose birth occurred at Connellsville, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, October 13, 1829, and his mother, Anna Hobson, a native of the same place, was born October 26th of the same year in which her husband first saw the light of day. These parents were married in Connellsville, November 27, 1851, and in 1857 came to Fayette county, Iowa, where Mr. Neff worked at the shoemaker’s trade until the breaking out of the late Civil war. Then he enlisted in Company F, Ninth Iowa Infantry, with which he served until fatally wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 9, 1862, dying two days later. Mrs. Neff, who is still a widow, has reached the ripe old age of eighty-one years and for some time past has lived with a married daughter in Birmingham, Alabama.
John Dewitt Neff, the oldest of the family of Abner and Anna Neff, was born January 4, 1853, at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, grew to maturity in Fayette county, Iowa, and for a number of years followed the drug business at different places. He served some time as deputy county recorder and later was elected clerk, in which position he was serving his first term when his death occurred, on the 10th day of July, 1884, at West Union, Iowa. As a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church he took a very active part in religious work and his life measured up to a high standard of Christian manhood and citizenship. By his marriage, June 17, 1878, with Mary C. Hare, of Summerfield, Ohio, he had two children, Homer M. and Minnie H. Mary Elizabeth, the second of the family, was born at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1854, married, on September 24, 1877, Rev. S.P. Marsh, then of Summerfield, Ohio, now of Birmingham, Alabama, where she and her husband now reside. Homer Marsh Neff, the third in order of birth, is also a native of Connellsville, Pennsylvania, where he first saw the light of day on the 6th of March, 1856. In early life he studied architecture and civil engineering, in both of which professions he acquired great proficiency, and his studious habits led him to make investigations in various other lines of thought. He served as official surveyor of Fayette county, was city engineer of West Union for some years and held the position of county clerk for two terms, proving a very capable and courteous official. He stood high in the esteem of the public, ranked among the representative citizens of the county and will be remembered as one of the leading men of his day in the city of West Union. He died, unmarried, on the 5th day of January, 1902.
Charles Gilbert Neff, whose birth is noted in a preceding paragraph, is the fourth child of Abner G.M. and Anna (Hobson) Neff and one of the two representatives of the family now living in the county of Fayette. He was reared to manhood in West Union, received a good education in the city schools, and began life for himself as a druggist, which line of business he followed for some years with his brother, John D. Neff. While thus engaged he was located at different places, and at one time filled the responsible position of pharmacist for the Iowa Hospital for the Insane at Independence.
…Severing his connection with that institution at the end of one year, he took charge of a large drug store at Rock Rapids, Iowa, but after a limited period was obliged to relinquish the business on account of ill health and return to his home in West Union. Later he was associated with the drug trade in his native city and continued the same until June, 1885, when he severed his connection to accept the position of deputy county clerk, which he held for a period of fourteen years and in which he demonstrated ability of a high order and gained the confidence of the public irrespective of party ties.
Resigning the above position in 1899, Mr. Neff, in partnership with his brother, Homer M. Neff, purchased, in October of that year, from the founder, C.F. Freehauf, the West Union Electric Light and Power Plant, the franchise for which had been issued on the 20th of March preceding for a period of twenty years, subsequently, July, 1908, renewed for ten years to C.G. and J.H. Neff, the present proprietors. After the death of Homer Neff, his brother, J.H., became the subject’s partner, the firm thus constituted continuing as before under the name of the Neff Brothers, by which it is still known.
…The West Union Light and Power Company was installed at a cost of eight thousand dollars, but with additions and improvements since made it now represents a capital considerable in excess of that amount. Nothing has been spared to make it answer the purposes for which intended and the plant at this time is a model of its kind, being equipped with the latest and most approved electrical appliances and, with a capacity of something over four thousand lights, affords the city ample illumination. Under the efficient management of the present proprietors, both experienced business men and familiar with every phase of electric lighting, the establishment has become a necessity to the city and is rapidly increasing in value. In addition to the proprietors, who devote all of their attention to the plant, the services of two other men are required, all selected with reference to efficiency and skill in their respective departments.
…Mr. Neff is not only a wide-awake business man of progressive ideas, but he also manifests a lively interest in everything pertaining to the growth and advancement of his city and community. As a member of the city council for thirteen consecutive years, he had much to do in promoting important municipal legislation and to him the public is indebted for many of the utilities which the city now enjoys. A Republican in politics, he wields a potent influence for his party in local and state affairs and in the various nominating conventions his opinions and counsel always carry weight and command respect. For a number of years he has been a leading member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodge and encampment, besides taking an influential part in the Rebekah lodge, to which his wife also belongs.
…On November 24, 1880, Mr. Neff and Lillie A. Dorland, daughter of Cornelius A. and Mary A. Dorland, were united in marriage, the Dorlands being one of the old and well known families of West Union and for many years actively identified with the county and municipal affairs. Cornelius A. Dorland served as sheriff in an early day and was long a peace officer in West Union, his eminent fitness for the various positions with which he was honored being recognized by the public. He had a son and a daughter who grew to maturity, the former, Charles M. Dorland, having married Eva Neveler, by whom he had five children; the latter became the wife of Mr. Neff. The father died October 26, 1902, the son on May 29th, of the following year; the mother, who is still living, is making her home with the subject of this sketch. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Neff has been blessed with two children, Harry A., born September 26, 1882, is a telegraph operator and station agent at West Branch on the Rock Island & Pacific railroad; he married Ella Wickham, of Clermont, this state, and is the father of two sons, Paul and Edward Allen. Florence Marie, the second of the subject’s family, a young lady still under the parental roof, is her mother’s efficient assistant in the management of the household and a favorite in the social circle in which she moves. Mrs. Neff is well known and greatly esteemed in the city of her residence, being active in its social and religious life and a leading worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which she has long been identified. At present she is secretary of the Ladies Aid Society, member of the official board of the same and is also prominent in the work of the Daughters of Rebekah lodge, of West Union.