Robert Fairweather
Lodomillo Twp.

Lodomillo Twp. -- Robert Fairweather, son of John and Hannah Fairweather, nee Barker, was born in Pockley, Yorkshire, England, Sept. 30, 1816. His parents had a family of eleven children, of whom Robert was the fifth son. He followed farming until April 5, 1842. when he embarked for America, arriving in New York after a journey of six weeks. From New York he went to Chicago, which was at that time a small mud hole, thence to Lake County, Ill., where he pre-empted land, and hired as a farm laborer for $14 a month. He was married there to Melissa Benson, May 11, 1848. She is a native of Wyoming County, N.Y., born Dec. 30, 1831, and was a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Lanphier) Benson, of New York. Of five children born of this union four are living-- John, who married Jennie Vanalstine; Frances, wife of George Wheeler; Rob, married Clara Storts, and Lavina, now Mrs. James Morey. In 1855 Mr. Fairweather came to Iowa, and bought a quarter of a section of land in Lodomillo Township, which he still owns, and cultivated until January, 1877, when he built the "Fairweather House" in Edgewood, which he now conducts. He has his hotel fitted up in good style, large, pleasant rooms, and excellent accommodations throughout. In politics he is independent, voting for the man rather than party.

source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 887
transcribed by Sally Scarff and Marlene Chaney