A. B. NEWBERRY

NEWBERRY, SMITH, DUTY, SAWYER, GRAY, BELLANY

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 10/3/2021 at 21:07:14

A. B. NEWBERRY, is a fine representative of the pioneer element of the Hawkeye State, who came here at an early day and assisted, with others, in opening the way for a grand civilization. He has seen great changes in his time, and his experiences would fill a volume. He has contributed largely to the growth and development of this section of country, and is regarded with that peculiar veneration and respect which is accorded the little band of pioneers who are now fast passing away.

Mr. Newberry settled in Des Moines Township in 1838, making his first location on section 5, upon which he has remained since that time. He is a native of Orange County, N. Y., born March 1, 1816. His father, James A. Newberry, was a native of the same State and county, and engaged all his life in agricultural pursuits. He was married in early manhood to Miss Mary Smith, who, like her husband, was born and reared in New York State. Both families came of excellent stock, and were early settlers of the Empire State. Their marriage was celebrated in Orange County, and they became the parents of four children, the subject of our sketch being the third in order of birth.

A. B. Newberry was a child of only five years of age when his parents left their native State and county, and went into Pennsylvania. There another child was born, and subsequently the family removed to Lorain County, Ohio, where they lived for a few years, thence turned their faces westward, crossed the Mississippi, went into Missouri, and located in Clay County, on a tract of new and un-improved land. They remained there for only two years, removing to Caldwell County, the same State, where they located upon another new farm, and from there removed into Iowa, and located upon the land which now constitutes the family homestead. Here the children were reared to years of maturity, and the father afterward went to Mills County, Iowa, where he died in 1883, at the age of ninety years. In 1838 the family made their home in Hancock County, Ill., and there the mother departed this life at an advanced age, in 1842.

After becoming of age, the subject of our sketch began farming operations on his own account. He was married in this township, on New Year's Day, 1842 to Miss Eliza Duty, a native of Newbury, Vt., who was born Oct. 24, 1824. She came with her parents to Iowa in about 1839, and they located in Des Moines Township. The name of her father was Israel Duty, and the name of her mother, Mehitable Sawyer. They were both natives of Vermont, and became very successful in their farming operations in the West. The father died in Missouri, near Peaksville, and the mother is still living at the age of ninety years.

Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Newberry have been born three children, one of whom is deceased; Orson O. married Miss V. H. Gray, a native of Missouri, and they occupy part of the Newberry homestead, and have three children - Rosa, Bessie and Ollie; Charles is married and lives at Montrose; he is owner and manager of the steamboat Hope, on the Mississippi River; his wife's maiden name was Miss Jennie Bellany, and they have one child, Eula. Rosaline is deceased.

Mr. Newberry is the proprietor of 1,800 acres of land, lying in what is known as String Prairie, and belonging to the old "half-breed" tract. A part of this land is under good cultivation, and besides his agricultural interests, Mr. Newberry is largely engaged in stock-raising, in which he has been uniformly successful. He makes a specialty of mules and horses. He is a man of prominence in his community, has held the minor offices of his township, and in politics is a reliable Republican.

A view of the fine farm residence and surrounding of Mr. Newberry is shown in connection with this sketch.

Source:
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF LEE COUNTY, IOWA
CHICAGO: CHAPMAN BROTHERS, 1887

Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1887

A. B. NEWBERRY RESIDENCE
 

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