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James A. Pangborn
James
A. Pangborn is numbered among the leading agriculturists of Willow
township and to his enterprising and progressive spirit the farm which
he now owns owes its growth and prosperity. He was born in Winnebago
county, Illinois, April 19, 1848, and is a son of Levi and Diantha
(Worchester) Pangborn, the former a native of New York and the latter
of Vermont. His father was an enterprising agriculturist of Benton
county, Iowa, where he lived until his demise in 1888, being
seventy-seven years of age at that time. These worthy people were the
parents of eight children, three of whom are now living.
James A. Pangborn was reared to manhood upon his father’s farm. As soon
as old enough to handle the plow he began aiding in the labors of the
farm and to that work devoted his energies during the summer months,
while in the winter seasons he conned his lessons in the public
schools. When twenty-three years of age he came to Greene county and
the following year purchased eighty acres on section 22, Willow
township. This was formerly owned by Henry Bowman and was raw prairie
land. By wise management and skillful husbandry Mr. Pangborn was able
to add one hundred and sixty acres on section 15 to his original
purchase. This land he bought of his brother, L. W., and a few years
later added eighty acres more on section 23, which he purchased of E.
V. Filkins. In addition to these extensive holdings he also has sixty
acres in Highland township, Guthrie county. All of this land he has
broken, has set out the trees and recently erected a horse barn,
twenty-four by thirty-two, with a fourteen foot shed, a stock barn
sixty-four by sixty-four, and has engaged in stock-raising, making a
specialty of Hereford cattle, red hogs and draft horses. Industry and
enterprise have ever been numbered among his chief characteristics and
his success is well deserved.
In 1871, Mr. Pangborn was married, in Benton county, Iowa, to Lydia V.
Adamson, who was born September 13, 1852, in Ohio. Their union has been
blessed with ten children: Della, the wife of S. C. Hildreth; Guy; Mrs.
Dollie Jack; Mrs. Alice Bryson; Mrs. Nellie Caple; Mrs. Mary Simpkins;
Mrs. Inez Hunter; and Lawrence, Lester and Viola, who are at home. Mrs.
Pangborn is a daughter of John and Martha (Votaw) Adamson, who were
born and reared in Mahoning county, Ohio, where the father continued to
carry on farming until after the death of his wife, which occurred in
1856. About 1865 he came to Iowa and first located in Brenton county
but in 1878 removed to Greene county, locating in Willow township,
where he owned and operated a farm on section 23. He died there at the
age of sixty-three years. He was reared in the Quaker faith but as
there was no church of that denomination here he became an active
worker in the Methodist church, although not a member of the same. Mrs.
Pangborn was only thirteen years of age when she accompanied her father
on his removal to Iowa and she was practically educated in the public
schools of this state. She has been a faithful companion and helpmate
to her husband and has contributed her share toward accumulating their
property. Both are earnest members of the Christian church.
Mr. Pangborn is actively identified with the republican party and has
served as treasurer of the school board for nine years and a half and
as trustee and supervisor of the township. The duties of these offices
he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. He is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is widely and favorably known, for
he has won the friendship and respect of all with whom he has come in
contact both in his business and social relations. Success comes to
those who labor for it, and well directed efforts, good man agement and
business ability have won him prosperity.
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