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James H. Stover farmed in this county for a number of years and at the time of his demise was residing upon
his homestead of eighty six acres on section 2, Hamilton township. He was born in Clarksburg, West Virginia, April
16, 1851, a son of the Rev. Jacob and Elizabeth Stover, the latter a native of Ohio. The father, whose birth occurred
in West Virginia, removed to Ohio with his family when our subject was but a child and there both he and his wife
passed away.
James H. Stover grew to manhood in the Buckeye state and there attended the public schools in the acquirement of
an education. He was married in Ohio in 1877 and continued to reside there, devoting his time to agricultural pursuits
until 1885, when he came with his family to Decatur county, Iowa, locating in the vicinity of Leon. For some time
he operated a farm in Center township but subsequently removed to Eden township and in 1902 purchased the farm
of eighty six acres on section 2, Hamilton township, which his family still owns. He was not privileged to enjoy
his new home for very long as his demise occurred on the 11th of June, 1903. He carried on general farming and
stock raising and met with gratifying success therein, as he was both practical and progressive and was unremitting
in his labor.
Mr. Stover was married on the 13th of December, 1877, in South Plymouth, Fayette county, Ohio, to Miss Caroline
C Hill, a daughter of McIntosh Hill, who was a son of Abraham Hill. The last named was a son of Isaac Hill, a farmer
of Maryland. Abraham Hill was born in that state and was by profession a trained nurse. His wife bore the maiden
name of Marry Brittain and was a native of Pennsylvania. Their son, McIntosh Hill, was born in Washington county,
Ohio, and during his early manhood followed the carpenter's trade although he later gave his attention to farming.
During the Civil war he enlisted at Marietta, Ohio, in Company I, Thirty sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served
with credit to himself for three years. In 1871 he removed to Fayette county, Ohio, where he followed the carpenter's
trade and farmed until 1886, in which year he emigrated westward, locating in Wayne county, Iowa, where he engaged
in agricultural pursuits for fifteen years. At the expiration of that period he came to Decatur county and purchased
land in Hamilton township, where he resided for three years, or until his death, which occurred on the 15th of
February, 1905. He was of Irish and Pennsylvania-Dutch ancestry. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Lovina Johnston,
was a daughter of Peter and Comfort Johnston, natives respectively of West Virginia and of Maine. Her maternal
grandmother bore the maiden name of Lois Cottle and was also born in the Pine Tree state. Mr., and Mrs. Peter Johnston
removed westward to Indiana in their youth and there their marriage was solemnized. Their daughter Lovina was married
to McIntosh Hill in Washington county, Ohio. Her demise occurred in 1909, in Pleasanton, Iowa, where she had removed
following the death of her husband. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom survive: Hannah Elizabeth,
who makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Stover, the next in order of birth; Orin J., who is following agricultural
pursuits in Hamilton township and a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; John M., a resident of Custer,
Oklahoma; George C., of Davis City, an account of whose life is given on another page of this volume; and James
Henry, a carpenter living in Mercer county, Missouri.
To Mr. and Mr. Stover were born twelve children, as follows. Samuel H., born September 23, 1878, is now a successful
osteopath of Northfield, Minnesota. He received his professional training in the School of Osteopathy at Kirksville,
Missouri, of which he is a graduate. He married Miss Anna Hanning and they have a daughter, Carrol Harriet. Ralph
L., born March 22, 1880, is a telegraph operator and is stationed at Smithville, Texas. He married Miss Legend
Murray and their three children are Raymond, Cleve and Ludie Caroline. Harry K, born August 2, 1881, is at home
and operates the farm for his mother. He married Marian J. Huston, a daughter of Francis M. and Sophronia (Warner)
Huston. Mr. Huston is now deceased but his widow is a resident of Pleasanton. Maude, who was born January 30, 1883,
is teaching in Eden township. Ethel, born December 20, 1884, is the wife of J. H. McDaniel, a farmer of Burrell
township. They have five children: Leland R., Harrold, Phelma, Mildred, and Forrest. The next in order of birth
was a son, who was born November 23, 1886, and who died in infancy. George was born March 5, 1888, and is now living
in Des Moines. He married Gail Speers. Pearl, born November 16, 1889, gave her hand in marriage to Edward Bright,
a farmer of Lineville, Iowa, by whom she has two children, Earldine and Vera Doris. Lovina, born December 26, 1891,
married Earl Howell, a farmer of Salina, Kansas. Willard Arthur, born November 25, 1894, was graduated from the
Leon high school with the class of 1915. Mabel, whose birth occurred on the 17th of September, 1896, is a student
in the Leon high school. Walter, the youngest of the family, was born February 27, 1899, and is also attending
the local high school.
Mr. Stover was a republican in politics and was active in the work of his party. He served as a director of his
school district while living in Eden township and was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. Fraternally
he was identified with the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows lodges at Leon and his religious faith was that of
the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. He gained financial independence and was recognized
as one of the up to date and efficient farmers of the county. His personality was such that he readily made and
gained friends and there was never the slightest question as to his integrity. Since his demise his wife has continued
to reside upon the home place and with the aid of her children is operating the farm, proving herself a woman of
excellent business ability and of marked force of character.
From:
History of Decatur County, Iowa
And its People
Vol II
The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Chiago 1915
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