Alex Livingston

LIVINGSTON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 3/20/2015 at 07:10:57

The Globe-Journal, Dubuque, Iowa, September 7, 1906

DELAWARE COUNTY PIONEERS

Hopkinton, Ia, Sept. 6-Special
Mr. and Mrs. Alex Livingston, living near Hopkinton, claim to be the oldest residents of Delaware county and Mrs. Livingston is said to be the oldest living resident of Iowa. The Livingstons have lived in Delaware county since 1837, but three years prior to this date Mrs. Livingston became a resident of Dubuque county. The Livingston boys came to this section of the county from the Selkirk settlement in British America, attracted to Dubuque by marvelous stories of the great wealth of the lead mines just being opened up at that time. The journey was made overland with ox teams. The country was filled with savages and hostile Indian bands and experienced guides were necessary to pilot the party on its way to safety.

Arriving at Dubuque after many vicissitudes the party found what is now Delaware and Jones counties. Alex Livingston and his wife are still living on the farm near Hopkinton, where they first settled in 1837, and which has been continuously occupied by them since that time. The original claim was only eighty acres, which has since increased to 200 acres. They were married in 1848. Mr. Livinston is 82 years of age and his wife is 76. They are the parents of eleven children, all of who are living.