Vincent, Gilmore

VINCENT, PARR, LEWIS

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 10/30/2020 at 11:30:20

Gilmore Vincent, residing on section 16, Brighton Township, is numbered among the pioneers of Washington County of 1842. He was born in Belmont County, Ohio, Aug. 12, 1825, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Parr) Vincent. They were natives of Ireland, but came to America with their parents when children, and were reared in Pennsylvania. Just before the last struggle with Great Britian, they emigrated to Belmont County, Ohio, where Thomas Vincent enlisted and served during the war which followed. At the close of his term of service, he returned to Belmont County, opened up a farm, and subsequently engaged in the mercantile business.

Thomas Vincent was a man of decided views upon all questions of public interest, and was one of the first to advocate the abolition of slavery in the United States. His home was at all times a refuge for the escaping slave, whom he assisted on his way to freedom. In 1842 the family came to Washington County, Iowa, and located in Franklin Township, about two miles from Washington, where the father died in 1845. Mrs. Mary Vincent died in 1871. They were members of the United Presbyterian Church, and were strong in the faith. Two children yet survive them – Thomas B., and Gilmore, the subject of this sketch.

Gilmore Vincent, proprietor of the Brighton Mills, and general farmer, came with his parents to this county in 1842, at which time he was seventeen years of age. He assisted them in opening up their farm. His father dying soon after coming to this county, he was thrown upon his own resources, and at once went to work to carve out his own fortune. Success has crowned all his efforts, he now being the owner of 510 acres of land and the home farm, together with 280 acres, which includes the mill property. He was united in marriage with Miss N. C. Lewis, a daughter of Hon. William D. Lewis, of this county. Nine children have been born to them: Melissa, the wife of D. Herold; Addison, a miller at Brighton; Retta, the wife of Samuel Alexander, of Guthrie Center, Iowa; Eva, the wife of Samuel Longacre, agent of the C., R. I. & P. R. R.; Lillie, Ira, Robert, Thaddeus S. and Rena. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent are members of the United Presbyterian Church of Brighton.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Gilmore Vincent, pages 242-243.