IAGenWeb Project - Allamakee co.

Samuel Waters

 

A native of Allamakee county, Samuel Waters was born in Ludlow township on June 27, 1873, and has devoted practically all of his active life to agricultural pursuits, now owning a valuable farm of one hundred and twenty acres near Postville. His parents were Samuel and Catherine (Lyons) Waters, the former a native of County Wicklow, Ireland, where he was born on May 26, 1833, and the latter born not far from Dayton, in Montgomery county, Ohio, on August 6, 1845. When sixteen years of age the father came with his parents to the new world, the family making settlement at Pittsburg. Samuel Waters had already worked in the lead mines of Ireland and took up similar work near Pittsburg, continuing so until 1852, when he came west to Iowa and purchased land from the government in Ludlow township. For thirty years he resided thereon, bringing it to a high state of cultivation, and then made removal to Clayton county, having put his old homestead into pasture. There he operated a farm of several hundred acres until 1891, when he returned to the homestead, where he remained for another seventeen years active in its cultivation, when he went to Frankville, Winneshiek county, where he now lives retired. The mother passed away on February 7, 1910. Mr. Waters, Sr., had been previously married to Miss Anna Overholt, by whom he had four children. Of the second marriage eight children were born. In the acquirement of his education Samuel Waters attended district school for three terms in Ludlow township and subsequently the district schools of Clayton county. He remained at home until about twenty years of age, when he hired rented land in Ludlow township, successfully cultivating it for two years, and then removed to Emmet county, Iowa, where for ten years he rented, returning at the end of that time in order to assist his father for two years with his work on the old homestead. He then bought one hundred and twenty acres of land where he now lives. The farm was but partially improved at that time but he has since brought it to a high state of productivity, has erected a modern and comfortable residence, a substantially built barn and other necessary buildings which greatly increase the value of the property. He engages in general farming and in addition to his holdings rents eighty acres, which he also operates. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Cooperative Store at Postville and also in the Cooperative Creamery.

On March 13, 1895, Mr. Waters married Miss Jennie Hughes, who was born near Red Cloud, Nebraska, on November 21, 1873, her parents being Frank and Emily (Early) Hughes. The father is a native of Indiana and the mother was born in Post township, this county. Mr. Hughes always followed agricultural pursuits, coming from Indiana to this county and later removing to Nebraska. About 1890 he proceeded to Oklahoma, where he took up government land, retaining his Nebraska land, and he now lives at Hartwell, Arkansas, still active in his occupation. The mother passed away in 1884. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were three children, of whom Mrs. Waters is the oldest. Mr. and Mrs. Waters have one daughter, Clara Catherine, born August 6, 1902. The religious faith of Mr. Waters is that of the United Brethren church and he is helpful in its work and expansion. Politically he is independent, giving his support of the best men available without considering party affiliations. However he inclines toward the prohibition party, taking a firm stand upon matters which concern the liquor question. While he has attained success, he has been a factor for good in his community and has contributed towards the upbuilding of moral and intellectual standards as well as to agricultural development.

-transcribed by Cathy Joynt-Labath

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