Biography of JOHN C. LIVINGSTON

John C. Livingston, who devotes his attention to farming on section 4, Vernon Springs township, Howard county, is a native son of Wisconsin. He was born in Rock county of that state on the 27th of February, 1847, his parents being Oliver and Mary (David) Livingston, who were natives of West Virginia. They removed to Wisconsin in 1845, casting in their lot with the pioneer settlers of that state and sharing in all of the hardships and privations of frontier life. The father was a stanch republican in politics and held the office of county supervisor and also that of justice of the peace in Rock county. He was likewise a most active and devoted member of the Methodist church and by reason of his services in behalf of the moral and political progress of the county he was numbered among its leading citizens.

It was in Rock county that John C. Livingston was reared and educated. He was a young man of twenty-five years when he came to Iowa, settling at Vernon Springs in the fall of 1872. Throughout the intervening period he has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits and has cleared one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he converted into a fine farm that is his present home. His life has been one of activity and enterprise and his progressiveness has brought him prominently to the front as a leading agriculturist of his section of the state.

In 1869 Mr. Livingston was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Barnett, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and to them were born three children: Lillie J., who is the wife of Frank Peckham, of Cresco, Iowa; Inez S., the wife of Leslie D. Barker of Janesville, Wisconsin; and Arthur J. who married Cora Hollenbauh and resides upon the home farm, assisting his father in its further cultivation and development. The wife and mother passed away May 31, 1889, and in 1890 Mr. Livingston was again married, his second union being with Miss Kate C. Cooley, a daughter of Gilbert and Martha (Hammond) Cooley, who were pioneer residents of Clayton county, Iowa.

Mr. Livingston has always been a stanch advocate of republican principles and gives loyal support to the party. He has held the position of road supervisor and was also constable for three terms about forty years ago. He and his wife attend the Baptist church at Cresco and he and his son Arthur are members of the Masonic lodge at. Cresco. He is a loyal exemplar of the craft, holding faithfully to its teachings, and the genuine worth of his character is recognized by all with whom he has come in con tact. Those who know him, and he has many friends, speak of him in terms of the highest regard and Howard county numbers him among her representative citizens. He has here resided for forty-seven years and has therefore long been a witness of the growth and development of this section of the state.

History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties,
By Robert Herd Fairbairn (Published 1919 - Volume II)
S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois
Transcribed by Bernie Glienke, June 2009