John N. Lytle, one of the enterprising farmers of Clayton County, was born in Erie County, Pa., Oct. 14, 1828, a son of Mathew S. and Jane (Nicholson) Lytle. They were married in Erie County Pa., in 1827, where a family of six children was born, five living-- John N., Isabell E. (wife of W. P. Eno), George, Mathew S. and William H. In the spring of 1854 Jonn N. and George Lytle left their home in Pennsylvania and came to Clayton County, when it was yet in its infancy. Being pleased with the country, they located in what is now Monona Township. The following year their parents immigrated to Clayton County, where they spent their last days, the father dying here July 31, 1871, and the mother Aug. 11, 1868. The subject of this memoir was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. On June 4, 1868 he married Jennie Woodmansee, a daughter of David Woodmansee, of Howard County. She was born in Geauga County, O., April 7, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Lytle have been blessed with three children, two living-- Jay, born June 10, 1871, and Clarice, May 27, 1876. Mr. Lytle has a beautiful farm of 230 acres under cultivation, valued at $50 per acre. Mr. Lytle has been identified with the county for a quarter of a century and lived to see the wild prairies transformed into beautiful farms and homes. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for old Zachariah Taylor. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1048 |