Samuel ENGLAND, an active farmer and stock-raiser, living in Tingley Township, was born in Cass County, Michigan, May 13, 1833, a son of Thomas and Varlinder [sic, should be Worlinder] (HARRISON) ENGLAND, the father a native of Maryland and a farmer by occupation, and the mother born in Clarke County, Ohio. The parents settled in the State of Michigan in 1828, where the mother died. After the death of his mother our subject was taken by his father to Louisa County, Iowa, the father dying in that county in 1844, leaving Samuel an orphan at the age of eleven years. He then lived with his guardian, Judge SPRINGER, of Louisa County, till sixteen years of age, when he began life on his own account, his only capital being a pair of willing hands and a determination to succeed. He was variously employed till reaching maturity.

He was married in his twenty-third year to Miss Drusilla BUTLER, a daughter of Jacob BUTLER of Jefferson County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. ENGLAND have seven children - Joseph T. W., William S., Jacob M., Emma A., Letta M. and Nellie E.

After his marriage Mr. ENGLAND settled on a farm in Jefferson County, containing 160 acres which he converted from a wild tract to a well-cultivated farm living on it till he came to Ringgold County in May, 1868. He then settled on section 29, Tingley Township where he has since made his home, his farm containing 320 acres of well-improved land, besides which he owns forty acres in Washington Township, all of which has been acquired by his persevering industry and good management. Since coming to this county he has traded in real estate, buying and selling some 1,800 acres of land in the county. He devotes considerable attention to raising stock of a high grade, having on his farm at present 140 head of cattle, part of which are thorough-bred, 100 head of Poland-China hogs, besides a good stock of horses.

Mr. ENGLAND in politics is a Republican, and has taken quite an active part in the politics of his county. He was elected a member of the Board of County Supervisors in 1876, which position he filled acceptably for three years.

NOTE: Worlinda (HARRISON) ENGLAND, died when Samuel was three months old, circa February of 1835. Samuel's father Thomas ENGLAND was born in 1795, and died at the age of 50 years in 1845. Thomas was among the earliest settlers in Wapello Township and served as county commissioner of Louisa County, Iowa, from 1837 to 1838. He was interred at Wapello Cemetery in Louisa County, although no marker exists at his gravesite.

Samuel's brother George ENGLAND was born in Michigan [stating that he was born in January of 1833, the same year as when Samuel was born, although it is believed that he was born in 1832], and died March 25, 1902 with interment at Tingley Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. He married on April 10, 1858, Louisa County, Iowa, to Margaret McNABB, born in 1834, and died February 5, 1911.

Dora (ENGLAND) MOONEY, sister of Samuel and George ENGLAND, was born in Iowa in October of 1865, and died March 9, 1908, with interment at Tingley Cemetery.

Drusilla A. (BUTLER) ENGLAND, born September of 1842, and died at the age of 52 years, 7 months and 7 days on April 19, 1905. Samuel ENGLAND died on January 13, 1922 at the age of 89 years and 8 months. Drusilla and Samuel were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Interred on the same plot at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa, are Samuel and Drusilla's infant children: George O. ENGLAND, died at age 2 years and 10 days on October 31, 1873; and, Sitnah I. ENGLAND, died April 11, 1870.

In the 1900 Federal Census, Drusilla stated that she and Samuel were the parents of twelve children, six of whom were still living. Of the known children of Samuel and Drusilla A. (BUTLER) ENGLAND:

Joseph T. W. ENGLAND, farmer, born December 1863, died 1965 with interment at Clearfield Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Joseph married Margaret Ellen (?), born in 1870 and died in 1946. Joseph and Margaret were the parents of Samuel, born December 11, 1888, IA and died 1865, married Vera D. (?) (1895-1977, interment Clearfield Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa; Jerry, born March 9, 1891, IA and died October 4, 1937 with interment at Tingley Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa; Edward, born May 7, 1893, IA; Harry, born December 5, 1894, IA; Elmer, born circa 1897 in Iowa and died December 29, 1935 with interment at Clearfield Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa; Mary, born April 2, 1898, IA; Ethel, born December 1899, IA; and, Walter, born circa 1902, IA.

William S. ENGLAND, farmer, born January of 1867 in Iowa, and died in 1948 with interment at Tingley Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. William married Emma (?), born January 29, 1871 in Iowa. William and Emma did not have children.

Jacob M. "Jake" ENGLAND, farmer, born October 29, 1879, Iowa, and died in 1954 with interment at Tingley Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Jake married Mary (?), born November 20, 1879 in Iowa, and died in 1974. Jake and Mary were the parents of John ENGLAND, born November 2, 1897, IA and died in 1974 with interment in Tingley Cemetery, Ringgold County, IA; Grace A. ENGLAND, born in September of 1899, IA' Howard S. ENGLAND, born circa 1904, IA and died in 1980 with interment in Tingley Cemetery; Lloyd C. ENGLAND, born circa 1907, IA, married Evelyn B. (?) age 19, and had son Robert L. ENGLAND, born circa 1928; and, Florence L. ENGLAND, born circa 1908 IA.

Sitnah I. ENGLAND, died April 11, 1870.

George O. ENGLAND, died at age 2 years and 10 days on October 31, 1873

Emma ENGLAND, born August 23, 1876, IA; and married James A. COFFMAN, born October 27, 1872, and died before 1930, Dekalb County, Missouri. After James' death, Emma workd as a hospital attendant at the Missouri State Hospital, St. Joseph, Missouri. James and Emma COFFMAN were the parents of four known children: Samuel J. COFFMAN, born April 1896, IA; Harold COFFMAN, born in January of 1899, IA, and died January 29, 1905 with interment at Tingley Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa; Opal COFFMAN, born circa 1901 IA; and Lelia Merea COFFMAN, born April 4, 1902, and died May 3, 1902 with interment on same plot as her brother Harold, Tingley Cemetery.

Lettie ENGLAND, born circa 1877 IA, and married Ora D. RICE. Lettie and Ora were the parents of four children: Paul C RICE, born circa 1901 IA; Ardra C. RICE, born September 13, 1903 IA, died December 22, 1991, Riverside CA, married George A. WYANT; Ora "Lucille" RICE, born circa 1905 IA, married Mark OWENS, a farmer; and, John S. RICE, born circa 1906 IA.

Nellie Credia ENGLAND, born March 15, 1879, Mount Ayr, IA, died March 10, 1958, Witchita, KS, interment Tingley Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Nellie married on Febuary 21, 1896, Tingley, IA to Merton M. COFFMAN, who was born May 5, 1875 IA, and died in 1955.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 338, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

1900 Federal Census, Ringgold County, Iowa

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z