Buena Vista County, IA
USGenWeb Project

John M. Heywood, in connection with his sister, owns two hundred and forty acres of land, situated on section 35, Nokomis township, known as the old Heywood homestead. Mr. Heywood was born in La Salle county, Illinois, July 7, 1860, a son of John and Sarah (Folsom) Heywood, the former a native of Massachusetts, born in 1824. He was reared in that state and in New Hampshire and later removed to Maine, where he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Folsom, a native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. For a time the father worked in a factory in the east, but believing that the west offered greater opportunities to the ambitious man, he made his way to La Salle county, Illinois, and located on a farm, he and his brother-in-law each purchasing eighty acres of raw and undeveloped land. After improving and cultivating his tract for some years he purchased a farm near Tonica, La Salle county, where he made his home until 1884, when he removed to Buena Vista county and purchased a farm of two hundred and forty acres, situated on section 35, Nokomis township. This was an improved tract when it came into his possession and in due course of time he made it a valuable property. He spent his remaining years on the farm, passing away in December, 1896, while his wife departed this life in October, 1892. Their family numbered three children, of whom our subject is the only son, his sisters being: Elizabeth, who was married and reared a family of nine children, her death occurring in 1898; and Lucy, who is with her brother.

John M. Heywood was reared in Illinois and there received a good education, completing the high school course. He was a young man of twenty-four years when he accompanied his parents on their removal from the Prairie state to Buena Vista county. He helped his father and assisted in the operation of the farm until the latter's death, when he and his sister Lucy purchased the interest of the other sister in the farm, which is still their home. The land is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, while the soil has been made rich and arable through the rotation of crops and the practical methods of farming which Mr. Heywood employs in carrying on his work. In connection with general farming he also raised and feeds cattle and hogs, having some pure-blooded, registered shorthorns. He is also a stockholder in the elevator and creamery at Alta.

Politically Mr. Heywood is a prohibitionist, adhering to strict principles of temperance. He and his sister are members of the Alta Presbyterian church, in which Mr. Heywood is serving as an elder and both are teachers in the Sunday School. They are well known in both Alta and Storm Lake, where they are highly esteemed, while by those with whom Mr. Heywood has business dealings he is known for his strict integrity and honesty in every transaction and is now numbered among the honorable and substantial agriculturists of his home locality.