Tool, Quinn H.

TOOL, FOUCH, RIGOULOT, OLDHAM, MARSHALL, FOSTER

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 10/22/2009 at 19:47:45

Tool, Quinn H.

Among the earnest men whose enterprise and depth of character have gained a prominent place in the community and the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens is Quinn H. Tool, of Fairview Township, Jasper County, where he has spent his life, being the representative of one of our most prominent pioneer families. A farmer and stock raiser and a man of decided views, his influence has ever been for the advancement of the community.

Mr. Tool was born here on July 6, 1852, the son of James A. and Sarah (Fouch) Tool, the father born in Virginia, June 12, 1825, and the mother in Indiana, December 14, 1826. The paternal grandfather, Adam Tool, was one of the three first, if not the first white settler in Jasper County, a Mr. Highland probably preceding him a few months. The elder Tool settled at Tool's Point, near where the town of Monroe stands, in 1843, and in the fall of that year the father of the subject came here with the rest of the family. Adam Tool entered one hundred and sixty acres where Monroe now stands, and his son, James A., owned three hundred and twenty acres four miles east of there. The latter took a leading part in the affairs of his community, and for many years he was trustee of his township. He was a Republican and later a Greenbacker. He belonged to the Methodist Church. He was a pillar in the church, and no man ever did more for the early churches here than he, being a very earnest and devout man and conscientious in all that he undertook. He was a local preacher and did an incalculable amount of good in that connection. He was universally esteemed for his excellent qualities of head and heart. He remained on his fine farm here until his death, on October 10, 1910, at an advanced age, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1890. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom three died in infancy. Those who grew up are, Charles W., Mrs. Cynthia Rigoulot; Quinn H., of this sketch, was the third in order of birth; John H. is living in Elk Creek Township; Mrs. Sarah E. Oldham, of this county; Oscar N. is living at Lebanon, Kansas; Harrison F. L. is a resident of Atkin, Minnesota; Mrs. Ulysses A. Marshall, and Flora A.

Quinn H. Tool grew up on the home farm and attended the Oak Grove district school. But being one of the older members of the family he had to assist with the work at home when he was a boy. When twenty-two years of age he bought eighty acres in Fairview Township, where he now lives. He has added to his original purchase until he owns two hundred and ten acres in this and Elk Creek Townships, which he has placed under modern improvements and kept well tilled, having one of the best farms in the locality. He keeps a good grade of livestock. He has a pleasant home and his labors as an agriculturist have been amply rewarded. Part of his land lies in Fairview Township and part in Elk Creek Township. He is independent in politics. For two years he was assessor of his township. He belongs to the Methodist Church.

On November 28, 1876, Mr. Tool was married to Selina E. Oldham, who was born in Knox County, Illinois, November 28, 1853, the daughter
of Joseph Oldham, who was born in Cheshire, England, and who came to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1866.

The following children have been born to the subject and wife: Arthur A. is attending school in Germany; Alvin S. is living in Des Moines Township; Mrs. Pearl J. Foster. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 987.