Alpheus M[addox]. GUSTIN, an old settler of Ringgold County, and an active and enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Jefferson Township, living on section 7 was born in Adams County, Ohio, February 25, 1844. His father, Jeremiah GUSTIN, brought his family to Iowa in 1855, when he located in Marion County, coming to Ringgold County in the spring of 1857. The family settled on wild land and the first night camped on their new homestead, while the wolves howled all around them. Their house was the first frame dwelling in Ringgold County, the frame-work being hewed from the timber, and the siding, doors and flooring being hauled from Marion County, a distance of 100 miles. For two years they went to Marion County for provisions, and their nearest mill was in Missouri, fifty miles from their home.

The father at one time was snow bound while going to the mill, and was unable to return home for three weeks. They tramped their grain out, and sometimes flailed it out, on a dirt floor. Such were some of their experiences of pioneer life, but their hardships and privations are over, and they now enjoy the fruits of their years of toil.

Alpheus M. GUSTIN, the subject of this sketch, was reared amid pioneer scenes, and his youth was spent in assisting to clear and cultivate the home farm.

He was married June 4, 1865, to Miss Catherine T. HARVEY, and of the six children born to this union two are deceased - Emmitt (sic) and Oscar. The names of those yet living are - William, Charles, Blanch (sic) and Fred.

Mr. GUSTIN has met with success in his agricultural pursuits, and has now a well-cultivated farm, where he resides, containing 340 acres of valuable land, which is farmed by himself with the assistance of his two sons, besides which they thresh and shell corn for the neighborhood. He has the latest improved machinery on his farm, and good farm buildings for the accommodation of his stock.

Mr. GUSTIN takes an interest in any enterprise for the advancement of the cause of education or religion. He has taught school himself, following that vocation during seven winters, and was president of the School Board for two terms. He has held the office of justice of the peace one term, was township trustee two terms, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is superintendent of Mortimer Sabbath-school.

NOTE: Alpheus' father Jeremiah Wilson GUSTIN was born in Adams County, Ohio, on January 6, 1813, and died at the age of 67 years on May 16, 1880, Ringgold County, Iowa. Alpheus' mother Rachel Lovina (MADDOX) was born February 27, 1820, Wood County, Virginia, and died February 12, 1903, Jefferson Township of Ringgold County, Iowa. Jeremiah W. and Rachel were interred at Union Cemetery, Ringgold County, Iowa. Jeremiah W. and Rachel L. (MADDOX) GUSTIN were the parents of nine children:

1) Alpheus Maddox GUSTIN (1844-1910)

2) Jeremiah C. GUSTIN (1846-1919)

3) Hannah S. GUSTIN, born 10 May 1848, Adams Co. OH; died 1892, Ringgold Co. IA
    married 01 Oct 1868, Ringgold Co. IA to George C. COY

4) Rachel Violet (GUSTIN) DUNLAP, born 1851, Adams Co. OH; married Mr. DUNLAP in 1874

5) Sarah Annette GUSTIN, born 1853, Adams Co. OH; died 1857, Ringgold Co. IA

6) Israel S. GUSTIN, born 1855, Adams Co. OH; died 1855, Ringgold Co. IA

7) Emeline M. GUSTIN, born 1855, Adams Co. OH; died 1855, Ringgold Co. IA

8) William M. GUSTIN, born 1858, Ringgold Co. IA; died 1858, Ringgold Co. IA

9) Rosetta A. GUSTIN, born 1860, Ringgold Co. IA; married 1880 George FORD (1860-?)
Some family records indicate a tenth child, Thomas GUSTIN.

Alpheus Maddox GUSTIN died at the age of 66 on October 27, 1910, Jefferson Township, Ringgold County, Iowa Alpheus married first June 4, 1865, Ringgold County, Iowa, to Catherine T. HARVEY. Catherine T. (HARVEY) GUSTIN was born in 1844, Virginia, and died before 1900, Jefferson Township, Ringgold County, Iowa. Alpheus and Catherine were the parents of seven children:

1) Wellington Jay GUSTIN, born 23 Jun 1866, Ringgold Co. IA
    married 17 Jul 1888 Ringgold Co. IA to Emma SCHNEIDER (1863-?)
    Child: Clara Belle GUSTIN, born 11 Apr 1890, Ringgold Co. IA
    Child: Esther Frances GUSTIN, born 18 Jul 1895, Ringgold Co. IA; died 11 Apr 1898, Knowlton IA
    Child: William Ward GUSTIN, born 16 Dec 1896, Ringgold Co. IA; died 20 Apr 1898, Knowlton IA

2) Jeremiah "Emmet" GUSTIN, born 22 Apr 1868, Ringgold Co. IA; died 24 Feb 1871, Ringgold Co. IA

3) Charles E. GUSTIN, born 27 Apr 1870, Ringgold Co. IA
    married 1892 to Flora J. KILLINGSMITH (1869-?)
    Child: Harold GUSTIN, born 17 Dec 1899, Ringgold Co. IA; died Nov 1968, Creston IA

4) Oscar Melville GUSTIN, born 13 Aug 1872, Ringgold Co. IA; died 12 Oct 1873

5) Anna "Blanche" GUSTIN, born 06 Jan 1877, Ringgold Co. IA
    married 21 Feb 1901, Ringgold Co. IA to Thomas G. LAUGHEAD (1874-?)

6) Fred Loomis GUSTIN, born 16 Mar 1881, Ringgold Co. IA
    married 12 Mar 1902, Ringgold Co. IA Louise BEEN (1879- ?)

7) Elbert LeRoy GUSTIN, born 18 Mar 1887, Ringgold Co. IA; died Mar 1975, Brownsville TX

Alpheus Maddox GUSTIN married second May 1, 1904, Ringgold County, Iowa, to Mary (JACKSON) HANEY, who was born in Greene County, New York, in 1844. No children were born to this second marriage.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 382, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z