George William Safley

SAFLEY, BROWN

Posted By: Kenneth D. Tyler II (email)
Date: 4/24/2024 at 11:17:05

George William Safley, the son of James Safley and Sally Eliza Tryon, was born on December 4, 1853, in Cedar County, Iowa and grew up there on a farm north of Tipton.

For the 1860 federal census enumerated in July of that year, George was living with his widowed father, 4 step-brothers, and 2 siblings in Red Oak Township (Cedar County) Iowa. He was then 6 years old. The record verified that he had been born in Iowa.

George was not listed in his father's home for the 1870 federal census enumerated in June of that year. He would then have been 16 years old. George moved to Calhoun County, Iowa in 1878 at age of 25. He first met Minnie Brown when he went to Calhoun County to visit his first cousin James Safley, son of Scottish immigrant John Safley. James lived just a mile from the Brown farm.

For the 1880 federal census enumerated in June of that year, George was living with his sister Laura and her husband, Amos Hawley, in Union Township (Calhoun County) Iowa. He was then 26 years old. Just a few days after the enumeration, George and Minnie Jane Brown, then 18, were married in Lohrville on June 30, 1880. Over the next 25 years 11 children -- 9 sons and 2 daughters -- were born to them. Their two youngest were fraternal twin boys. All 11 of George and Minnie's children lived to adulthood.

George was included in the 1892 Iowa Farmer's Directory for Lohrville (Calhoun County) Iowa. For the 1895 Iowa State Census, George was listed in Union Township (Calhoun County) Iowa. He was then 41 years old. The record verified that he had been born in Cedar County, Iowa. Living with him was his wife Minnie, sons Harry (14), John (12), Floyd (10), Marlin (7), and Charley (1), and daughter Della (4).

For the 1900 federal census enumerated in June of that year, George was listed in Union Township (Calhoun County) Iowa. He was then a 46-year-old farmer. The record verified that he had been born in Iowa in December, 1853 and married for 19 years. Living with him was his wife Minnie and 8 children -- Harry (19), John (17), Floyd (15), Marlin (12), Della (9), Charles (6), Martha (2), and George, Jr. (2 months).

In 1907, the family moved from south of Lohrville to a farm some 10 or 12 miles north of Farnhamville (Calhoun County) Iowa. They farmed there for a couple of years and then moved into the town of Farnhamville. They bought the Workman house just west of the town park. George had part-time work at the Dohrman Elevator Company helping to unload wagon loads of grain, especially at the harvest season. Besides the elevator in Farnhamville, he also worked at the one in Easley about 4 miles north of Farnhamville. George was a member of the Presbyterian Church.

For the 1910 federal census enumerated in April of that year, George was listed in the village of Farnhamville in Reading Township (Calhoun County) Iowa. He was then 57 years old and was living on his own income. The record verified that he had been born in Iowa and married for 30 years. Living with him was his wife Minnie, sons John (28), Marlin (23), Charley (16), George (10), Archie (8), and twins Herbert and Robert (5), and daughters Della (19) and Martha (12).

In 1918 or 1919, George was appointed as county assessor for the township. For the 1920 federal census enumerated in February of that year, George and Minnie were still living in Farnhamville, Reading Township. He was then a 66-year-old laborer. Living with them were four of their sons, George, Jr. (19), Archie (17), and twins Herbert and Robert (14). George listed his occupation as laborer.

George and Minnie lived on a farm near Lohrville for 25 years and in Farnhamville for 21 years.

For the 1925 Iowa State Census, George was listed in Farnhamville (Calhoun County) Iowa. He was then 71 years old. The value of his home was then $3000. Living with him was his wife Minnie and sons George, Archie, and Herbert.

Near the end of his life, George suffered from heart trouble. About a week before his death he became seriously ill suffering from the flu which developed into pneumonia. He passed away in January, 1929, in Farnhamville at 75 years, 1 month, and 25 days of age.

George and Minnie are buried at Reading Cemetery, one mile west and 1/2 mile south of Farnhamville (Calhoun County) Iowa about 18 miles north of Jefferson, Iowa.