IowaJones/Biographies/W. B. Skinner

W. B. Skinner–A. W. Smith

Dr. Wm. B. Skinner
Born April 11, 1825

DR. WM. B. SKINNER, physician. dealer in drugs, medicines, wall paper, toilet and fancy articles, Anamosa; is a native of Onondaga Co., N.Y.; was born April 11, 1825; he grew up to manhood and received his education in that State; he studied medicine in Fulton and graduated at Woodstock, Vt., in 1850. During the same year, on the 15th of October, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Parker, a native of Oswego Co., N.Y.; they came to Iowa and located in Anamosa in November, 1856; in spring of 1857, they went to Clear Lake and returned here the following year; in 1859, they went to Colorado and again returned here in 1860; he served as Deputy Recorder for one year, and, in the fall of 1862, they engaged in their present business and have continued in it since then, and it in one of the oldest business houses, without change, in Anamosa. Dr. Skinner is ably assisted in his business by his wife, who has been in the store for fifteen years. Mrs. Skinner has entire charge of some departments of their business, and has a large trade of her own, and is justly popular with all. Dr. Skinner has held the office of President of the School Board, City Alderman and others; they have one son-William B., born June 13, 1860; now studying medicine.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 577.

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D. Slawson
Born February 20, 1824

D. SLAWSON, manufacturer of butter-tubs and firkins, Monticello; is a native of Fulton Co.; N.Y., and was born February 20, 1824; he was brought up and learned his trade in New York State; he came to Iowa in December, 1872, and located in Delaware Co.; he remained there one year; he returned to Jones Co. and located at Monticello; and since then has carried on his business here, except eighteen months in the same business at Ottumwa; he employs from five to fifteen men; he manufactures butter-tubs of a superior quality, and does the largest business in his line west of Chicago, having a capacity to make 500 tubs daily. In 1818, he married Miss Jane H. Darrow, from Oswego Co., N.Y.; they have two sons—Byron J. and Dennis N.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 679.

Valentine Slife
Born October 3, 1822

VALENTINE SLIFE, farmer, Jackson Twp., Sec. 26; P.O. Olin; born October 3, 1822, in Fairfield Co., Ohio; in 1846, came to Johnson Co., Iowa; remained there eighteen months, then removed to Jones Co. and to his present farm; owns ninety acres of land. Married Margaret M. Houstman in 1842; she was born in August, 1817, in New Jersey. Mr. S. has been Township Trustee about sixteen years. Democrat.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 613.

George Slouha
Born September 8, 1845

Over half a century has come and gone since the arrival of George Slouha in Iowa and through the passing years he has witnessed the development of one of the finest agricultural districts of the country, which sixty years ago was a vast wilderness inhabited by the Indians who hunted the deer, elk and buffalo that roamed wild through the forests and over the plains. Born in Bohemia, September 8, 1845, nine years later he accompanied his parents, Paul and Anna Slouha, also natives of that country, on their emigration to America. They first took up their abode in Maquoketa, Jackson county, Iowa, but shortly afterward removed to Jones county, where the father purchased fifteen acres of land which he cultivated and improved, adding to the tract each year, as his income increased by reason of the abundant harvests, until when he sold the farm to his son George, it contained ninety acres. Unto Paul and Anna Slouha were born six children; George, the subject of this sketch; Joseph, John and Frank, now deceased; Anna, who became the wife of Bert Nowcheck and resides in Oxford township; and Mary, who wedded John Wlach, of Oxford Junction. The father of this family lived to be eighty-three years of age but the mother died when she was in her fifty-second year.

Early thrown upon his own responsibilities in the new world, George Slouha sought and secured employment as a farm hand, working by the month, and in return for his labors received his board and clothing. Energetic and enthusiastic, however, he had worked only a year and a half in this way when he was able to command a more substantial equivalent for his labor and eventually purchased a part of the farm whereon he now resides, which has now been in possession of the family for about fifty years and has been owned by three successive generations.

On December 28, 1868, was celebrated the marriage of George Slouha and Miss Josephine Wlach, who was born in Bohemia, December 20, 1848, and is a daughter of Joseph and Josephine Wlach, who came to Johnson county, Iowa, in 1854, where Mrs. Slouha resided until her marriage. Joseph Wlach died in Johnson county in October, 1868, while the mother resided with Mrs. Slouha until she had reached her eighty-fourth year, her death having occurred August 8, 1899. There were eight children in her family, of whom four are now living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George Slouha were born six children, namely: Frank, who makes his home in Oxford township, this county; Anna, who became the wife of Frank Fritz, of Wyoming township; Mary, who died at the age of three years and three months; Emanuel, who died in infancy; Christina, who wedded Mike Wacek, of Oxford township; and Charles, who is operating the home farm.

Charles Slouha, the youngest son, was born November 18, 1882, and has here continued to make his residence, having bought the old home place which contains one hundred, seventy-seven and a half acres. Since his father retired from active participation in the work of the fields, he has taken upon his shoulders the entire responsibility of caring for his parents and operating the farm. He not only engages in general agricultural pursuits but makes a specialty of stock raising. The life record of the father, George Slouha, serving as his inspiration and an example well worthy of emulation, the son is now attaining that success which is ever the reward of earnest, persistent toil. On the 4th of October, 1904, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Anna Burda, who was born in Oxford township, August 16, 1884, and is the daughter of John and Anna Burda, also of Oxford township, Jones county, and unto Mr. and Mrs. Charles Slouha have been born two children, Gracy and George Ernest.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 382.

Anthony Smemerdor
Born 1835

ANTHONY SMEMERDOR, farmer, Oxford Twp., Sec. 6; P.O. Wyoming; born in Europe in 1835; came to America in 1852, and settled in Jackson Co.; remained about thirteen years, then came to Jones Co.; owns 260 acres of land, and has built a barn 30x62 feet, with all the modern improvements, with a wind-mill, which he uses for all the labor about the house. He has been Road Supervisor. His wife, Catherine Jabokrcy, was born in Bohemia in 1837; came to America in 1854, and settled at Cedar Rapids, and was married in 1857; they have ten children living—Josephine, Annie, Anthony, John, Mary, Emmie, Henry, Frank, Charlie, Francis and Isabel.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, page 596.

Asa W. Smith
Born December 7, 1867

The fine farm to the south of the village of Anamosa, which is the home of Asa W. Smith, is one of the attractive places of Fairview township. Bounded in part by the Wapsipinicon river and situated upon an elevation, it commands a view enjoyed by few homes in its vicinity, for up and down the course of the river, and over well tilled fields and shady woods the eye may travel and be refreshed. Although this tract has been Mr. Smith's possession for almost a quarter of a century, it is only within the last five years that he has taken up his residence upon it and been numbered among the agriculturists of the township. He was born in Ashland county, Ohio, December 7, 1867. His father was also a native of that state, where for years he followed farming. He married Miss Mina Newkirk, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Reuben Newkirk. They became the parents of three children: Asa W., of this sketch; Josephine, who married Jones Freeman, of Independence, Iowa; and Jessie L., who is living in Anamosa. Mr. Smith died when his son was but three years of age and his widow with her children came to Jones county, locating in Anamosa.

It was in 1869 that Asa W. Smith came with his mother to Anamosa, where he made his home throughout his youth and through many years of his young manhood. He attended the public schools there until he reached the age of sixteen, when he entered upon his own career as a man of business. Stock first commanded his interests, and for about thirteen years he was engaged in shipping horses to North Dakota, his operations in this field of activity being the outgrowth t of his early employment in a livery in the town. Twenty-two years ago he purchased his farm, of three hundred and twenty-six acres, and has prepared one hundred and forty acres of this for agricultural purposes, the rest being pasture and timber land. As he won success in business and ever looked forward to the day when he might own a tract of his own and during the five years he has followed farming, he has met with most excellent success. He possesses the skill of the born husbandman, but he is also endowed with the love of nature and of life in the outdoors. Since exercising his right of franchise he has steadfastly given his support to the republican candidate, for he feels in greater sympathy with its principles, but he has evinced no desire to enter the arena of public affairs. He enjoys the respect of many friends, who coming to know him intimately esteem him highly for the man he is.

From History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 644.