M.O. Newman

NEWMAN, STAUFFACHER

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/30/2010 at 07:00:02

General agricultural and stock raising engage the attention of M. O. Newman, a substantial farmer and representative citizen of Peterson township, this county who was born in Green county, Wisconsin, March 6, 1860, a son of Samuel A. and Mary (Roderick) Newman, his father having been a native Pennsylvania. He removed to Wisconsin about the year 1846, locating in Green county, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising, and remained there until his death, which occurred November 17, 1876. His mother, who was a native of Virginia, lived in Pennsylvania to the age of twelve and then removed to Wisconsin. She was united in marriage in Wisconsin and departed this life in Green county March 3, 1906. They were the parents of six children: Elliot, who passed away in 1861; George, a stock buyer of Monroe, Wisconsin; Ella, who departed this life in 1888; Hattie, matron of a hospital in Monroe, Wisconsin; Marion J., a dentist; and M. O.

In the common schools of his native town M. O. Newman acquired his education and remained on the home farm until he was twenty-four years of age, when he went to Kansas, thence to Nebraska, and after a sojourn of two years he returned to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1897, which year found him settled in Clay county, this state, having located in the southeastern portion of section 12, in Peterson township. After a period he removed to the southwestern portion of section 14, where he now resides and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved land, on which he raises general crops and pays some attention to stock raising. In addition to this tract of land he owns eighty acres in section 15 and a quarter section of land in Brooks township, Buena Vista county, these tracts of land being highly improved and under cultivation. Mr. Newman’s farms present the appearance of thrift, and the neat and complete fencing, together with a comfortable residence, barns, outbuildings and other conveniences, evidence the industry and prosperity of the owner.

In 1887 Mr. Newman wedded Miss Catherine Stauffacher, a native of Green county, Wisconsin, and the couple are the parents of two sons, Ralph, who departed this life in 1903, and Harold J., and one daughter, Marian. Mr. Newman votes with the republican party, and among the other services which he has rendered the township is that of trustee, in which capacity he is now acting. He belongs to Royal Lodge, A. J. & A. M., the Eastern Star, of which his wife is also a member, and both attend divine services at St. John’s Evangelical church. Mr. Newman is among the substantial farmers of the township and all he has he acquired by his own efforts, having started out in life with few educational advantages and without means, but with the more valuable assets of laudable ambition, patience and perseverance, by which he gradually bettered his condition. Now he is in comfortable circumstances and occupies a prominent place in the financial interests of the county, and is a stockbroker and director in the First National Bank of Peterson.

Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 483.