GEORGE W. FOUCH, the youngest son of Isaac and Eleanor Fouch, was born in the State of Indiana, August 21, 1845. When he was nine years of age he came to Clarke County, and was mostly educated in the common schools, and later attended a select school six months, taught by J.H.L. Scott. He then lived on a farm until 1878, when he came to Osceola, and was associated with J.C. Harrison in the grocery and boot and shoe trade. Here he continued for six years, since which time he has been collecting and discounting paper, and to some extent, buying and shipping stock. During the great grasshopper scourge in Kansas, Mr. Fouch, in company with Dickinson Webster, went to Kansas and purchased 1,400 hogs, fattened and shipped them to Chicago; is a member of and stockholder in the Clarke County Farmers and Mechanics Society, of which he was vice-president three consecutive years, and later, was made president. Mr. Fouch is also a member of Lodge No. 95, I.O.O.F.
Submitted by: Lora
Clarke County Historical and Biographical Record by Lewis Publishing, 1886. p. 166
ISAAC FOUCH was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, January 11, 1804. He was the eldest of twelve children--seven girls and five boys. Only three survive. His father, James Fouch, was a Virginian by birth, and was born in Loudoun County. His mother, Elizabeth (Baty) Fouch, was a native of the same county and State. After living there several years they moved to Indiana, where they both died. Isaac was reared on a farm and remained in Kentucky until he reached maturity.In 1826 he married Eleanor Saunders who was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, in 1806. After marriage they settled upon a farm, and afterward moved to Indiana, remaining there until 1853, then came to Henry County, Iowa, and later to Clarke County, settling in Ward Township, where he purchased a farm on the prairie. He still owns this farm which consisted of 700 acres before dividing with his children. He resided on the farm until 1880 when he moved to Osceola where he built a comfortable brick residence.
Mr. Fouch is now eighty-two years old and his wife is eighty. They have lived together sixty years. Eight of their nine children lived to maturity--Emily, Margaret, James, Mary, Roany, Sarah, George W., at home with his parents, and Matilda. Mrs. Fouch is a member of the Christian church. Both enjoy very good health and are able to wait upon themselves and do some light work.
Submitted by: Lora
Clarke County Historical and Biographical Record by Lewis Publishing, 1886. p. 166
ROBERT JAMISON has the honor of being the first settler of Clarke County. He still lives on section 19 of Franklin township, at the homestead selected by him May 1, 1850. His selection was made on the Mormon Trace, a well-traveled road which was traversed by the Mormons on their way to Salt Lake City. Later, the trace becoming the California trail, emigrant trains made the first market for the pioneer settlers who had wisely made their homes by the roadside. Mr. Jamison says: Had it not been for the emigrants to Salt Lake and California passing our doors, buying all our corn at $1.00 per bushel, I hardly know how we could have lived. Two Mormon families lived in Green Bay Township, and a man named Wilson lived in Franklin township. When Mr. Jamison settled here the two Mormon families moved to their promised land, and Mr. Wilson moved back to Lucas County, thus leaving Mr. Jamison the first permanent settler of this county. A few months brought him several neighbors,
every man living within half a score of miles being called a neighbor. Mr. Jamison was born in Logan County, Kentucky, July 11, 1816. His parents, Robert and Mary (McWhorter) Jamison, were natives of North Carolina. Both were descendants of Scotch Covenanters. The families of both came to America about the middle of the last century. Robert was the youngest of seven children, his father dying before his birth. When six years of age his widowed mother, with her family, moved to Washington, County, Indiana, where his mother died in 1841.There Robert grew to manhood, and in June, 1845, married Christena Kyte, born in Washington County, November 8, 1818. Her father, Lewis Kyte, died in Indiana in 1852, and her mother, Catherine Kyte, survives, at the advanced age of ninety-three years, cared for by herself and husband. Mr. and Mrs. Jamison came to the Hawkeye State in 1848, first settling in Monroe County, on a claim near Albia.Selling that claim, he removed to his present
home, and in 1850 made a claim of 160 acres, receiving a deed for the same in 1853. His farm now contains 380 acres of good land, well improved, and under a high state of cultivation. It is well stocked, and on it is a good orchard. They have passed through all the trials, hardships and privations of pioneer life, and now enjoy the fruits of a life of industry and frugality. He is justly proud of Iowa and of Clarke County. He has assisted in building up one of the grandest States in the Union.Mr. and Mrs. Jamison have had nine children, five of whom are living-- John H., a resident of Osceola, has served several years as clerk of the court; Lewis, now living in Weldon, Decatur County; Francis M., a partner with his brother in the mercantile business at Weldon, Iowa; William died at the age of four years; Catherine, wife of James McAllister, died in 1881, leaving three children; Mary and Rebecca died in 1885; James and Thomas are still farming the homestead. Mr. Jamison was the
first school commissioner elected in this county; served two years on the County Board of Supervisors, and has served as township trustee. In politics, he was formerly a Whig, but is now a Republican.
Submitted by: Lora
Clarke County Historical and Biographical Record by Lewis Publishing, 1886. p. 29
JACOB M. LINDER, an early settler of Clarke County, Iowa, was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, January 24, 1828, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bunger) Linder. When he was three years old his parents moved to Indiana, and from there in 1852 to Illinois, where he had gone in 1850.In the spring of 1853 he came to Iowa and located in Knox Township, Clarke County. He afterward sold his claim and returned to Illinois, where, in November 1853, he was married to Jane Hunt, and soon after came again to Iowa and located in the same township. He lived in Knox Township until the fall of 1873, when he was elected treasurer of Clarke County, assuming the duties of his office January 1, 1874. He served four years in this capacity and at the expiration of his term in 1879, he was appointed deputy recorder, a position he held two years. He is now serving as deputy clerk of the courts. Mr. Linder has a good farm of 157 acres, in Knox Township, on which his son, Jonas A., is living. He has four
children, one son and three daughters.
Submitted by: Lora
Clarke County Historical and Biographical Record by Lewis Publishing, 1886. p. 128
LEMUEL MCKINNEY, an enterprising farmer, living on section 15, Liberty Township, was born in Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa, in October, 1851. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Pynor) McKinney, were both natives of Indiana. They were married in Champaign County, Illinois, and soon after their marriage moved to Iowa, where the father died in 1854 leaving a widow and four children--Mrs. Matilda Coombs, of Cherokee County; Elias, now of Liberty Township; Lemuel, our subject, and Riley, of Liberty Township. His widow subsequently married again, taking for her second husband George Beal, and is now living in Liberty Township.Lemuel McKinney was left fatherless before reaching the age of three years. After his mother married again he was taken to the home of his uncle, Riley Pynor, then a resident of Champaign County, Illinois, with whom he remained till he came to Iowa in 1864. Mr. Pynor now lives in Washington Territory. After coming to Iowa with his uncle, our
subject lived with his sister, Mrs. Coombs, remaining with her till fifteen years of age, when he came to Clarke County and settled in Liberty township, where he has a good farm containing 130 acres of well-improved land.Mr. McKinney was married to Miss Mary E. Jackson, a daughter of Andrew Jackson, of Liberty Township. They have a family of seven children--Ralph, Riley R., Wesley R., Lemuel L., Elias F., Mary A. and an infant. In his political views Mr. McKinney is a Democrat. He has held the office of justice of the peace for two terms, and in 1885 was elected township clerk, which position he still holds, and is serving with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
Submitted by: Lora
Clarke County Historical and Biographical Record by Lewis Publishing, 1886. p. 128