JAMES NEWBY

James Newby, is a well-known pioneer settler of Harlan Township, having come to the county in 1868. He was born in Pasquotank County, North Carolina, six miles from Elizabeth City, in 1824. He is a son of John L. and Melissa (Perry) Newby, both of whom were born in North Carolina. James Newby was left an orphan at the age of ten years, when he went to live with a half-brother, with whom he remained five years. He was trained to agricultural pursuits, but his literary education was entirely neglected, and he was obliged to work very hard in his youthful days.

He was married, April 22, 1847, to Miss Julia Stallins, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Ward) Stallins, natives of North Carolina, where Mrs. Newby was also reared. She was born February 28, 1822, in Perquimans County, North Carolina. Our subject remained in his native State until 1860, when he moved to Henry County, Indiana, where he lived four years. He then went back to North Carolina for a short time, and afterward removed to Virginia, where he resided four years. His next place of abode was in Carroll County, Indiana, where he lived until 1867, when he came to Mills County, Iowa. In the spring of 1868 he moved to Pottawattamie County, and in the spring of 1869 to this county. In 1871 he came to his present farm, which was then wild land; he has since improved the place until the Newby farm is one of the best in the neighborhood. He has a two-story house, built in good style, and surrounded with shade trees; he has twenty-five acres of fine timber, and an orchard; everything is conveniently arranged for farming in good style.

Mr. and Mrs. Newby are the parents of nine children---John L., Joseph W., Quinten, Ellsberry, William G., Elvira Jane, Alexander and Laura B. James died at the age of eighteen years.; he was the sixth child. Mr. and Mrs. Newby are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the family are among the respected and honored citizens of the township. Politically, Mr. Newby is a Republican.


Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pp. 319. Family Researcher: Transcribed and submitted by Craig and Nancy Poole - cpoole@unmc.edu