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Eyestone, J. W.

EYESTONE, GARDNER, MARTIN

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 10/30/2020 at 09:52:00

J. W. Eyestone is a prominent farmer residing on section 1, Seventy-Six Township. He is a native of Rush County, Ind., born in 1837, and is the son of John and Alice Eyestone, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Kentucky. The family came to this county in June, 1845, and located in Cedar Township. Here our subject grew to manhood and was educated in the common schools of this county. He remained at home with his parents until the war of the Rebellion commenced, when he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 13th Iowa Vol. Inf., and served his country till the close of the war.

As is probably well known to the readers of this volume, the 13th Iowa formed part of Crocker’s Iowa Brigade, and did probably as much hard service as any regiment during the war. Mr. Eyestone was promoted First Sergeant Dec. 20, 1862, near Oxford, Miss., and Lieutenant at Lake Providence, La., Feb. 2, 1863, and served as such till the close of the war. He was in many of the most noted battles in the West, including those of Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka, the sieges of Vicksburg and Atlanta, on the 22d of July, 1864, he was taken prisoner, and was confined in various rebel prisons, including Macon, Charleston, Columbia and Charlotte, for seven months and eight days. He was then paroled for exchange near Wilmington, N. C., March1, 1865 and was sent to Annapolis, Md., where he remained in parole camp until his discharge, April 28, 1865.

On receiving his discharge, Lieut. Eyestone returned to his home in Washington County, and on the 12th of October, 1865, was united in marriage with Miss M. A. Gardner, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, and daughter of James and Eliza A. (Martin) Gardner. Nine children were born to them, of whom one died in infancy. Those living are Ralph E., J. Bruce, Mary J., Maggie L., Carrie A., John W., Eunice May and Grace Lillie. Mr. and Mrs. Eyestone are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Republican of the stalwart kind. In his business career he has been quite successful. His first purchase of land was made in 1868, when he bought 160 acres on section 1, Seventy-Six Township, which he was improved, until to-day it is one of the finest farms in Washington County. He has added to his original purchase until he now owns 280 acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. The farm buildings were erected at a cost of about $5,000. Starting in life without a dollar, at the age of twenty-one, all that he owns has been secured through his own efforts, assisted by his estimable wife. In addition to general farming, he is engaged quite extensively in stock-raising, keeping a high grade of Short-horn cattle, together with Poland-China hogs. Of the latter he turns off about $1,500 worth per year. While never aspiring for office, he has yet been honored by his fellow-townsmen with various township offices. As a citizen, no man ranks higher in Washington County.

A fine view of the residence of Mr. Eyestone will be found in this connection. When looking upon the picture, the young men of this day may form and idea of what may be acquired by any man who has a willing mind, and who will work for the same end.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of J. W. Eyestone, pages 420, 423. Portrait of Lieut. Eyestone home and property found on page 421.


 

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