Samuel N. May, one of Clayton County's most enterprising and representative men, was born in Burlington, Otsego County, N.Y., March 9, 1821. He was a son of Harmon May, of Connecticut, and Sarah, nee Monroe, of New York. He assisted on the farm and attended school until twenty-one years of age, when he became self-supporting. He engaged in merchandising until his marriage to Emily Brayton, which occurred Feb. 2, 1848. She was born in Herkimer County, N.Y., and was a daughter of Jonathan and Eunice (Allen) Brayton. Mr. May followed merchandising after his marriage until 1867, when he came to Clayton County, and settled on his present farm in Lodomillo Township. It consists of 160 acres, 120 under cultivation and well stocked. Mrs. Emily May died Dec. 2, 1871, having been the mother of four children--Herbert B.; Nettie C., wife of V. G. Beach; Frank H., married Bertha Armbruster, and Ida C., who died in infancy. Mr. May was again married Aug. 11, 1873, to Mrs. Orinda Noble, nee Randall, who was born in Norridge, N.Y., and was a daughter of Abraham and Betsey (Merrihew) Randall. She has two children--Evelon L., and Ira F. Noble. In politics Mr. May is a Rebublican. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 896 |