E. C. Jefferis was born in the
State of Pennsylvania, Sept. 24, 1826, and came to
Clayton County in 1848. He helped to build a saw and
grist mill in Mallory Township, having to hew out timber
to construct his work bench. The mill was completed in
1849, and during this time he did not see a woman's face.
He returned to his native State in 1851, and was there
married on June 5, of that year, to Rebecca Woodman, who
was born in the Keystone State, Aug. 19, 1826. He came at
once to Clayton County with his bride and settled on the
Little Turkey River, Sept. 12, and lived in the first log
cabin that was raised in the county without whisky. He
built a saw-mill on section 31, Millville Township, which
he ran until July, 1852, when he built his present
flour-mill on section 30. There were over 100 men present
at the raising, and no whisky, and they had it up by five
o'clock in the evening. The mill is 36 x 46 feet, three
stories in height, and contains all the latest improved
machinery for manufacturing first-class flour. Mr.
Jefferis also owns 1,200 acres of fine land, and is known
as one of Clayton County's most prominent and substantial
citizens. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1016 |