J. W. PAULK

J. W. PAULK is one of the most successful men in Lincoln Township. He is a native of Germany, born January 12, 1851, and a son or Christian and Lucinda (Piper) Paulk. He was six years old when his parents emigrated to America and settled in Morgan County, Missouri, where they lived until 1865. They then removed to Iowa, and settled in Cedar County. J. W. was reared on a farm and received his education in the public schools. He was married January 28, 1873, to Miss Elvira Miller, who was born, reared and educated in Jones County, Iowa. She is a daughter of E. V. and Susanna (Granel) Miller, both natives of Ohio. In 1874 Mr. Paulk came to Shelby County and bought 120 acres of unimproved land in section 19, where he labored and lived for two years and a half. He then sold the place and bought his present farm of Frank Pierce. He has made many improvements and placed his farm in a fine state of cultivation. He has a comfortable house, large and commodious barns, and a grove and orchard of five acres. He now owns 360 acres of as fine land as lies in Shelby County. He is largely engaged in stock-raising and feeding. Mr. Paulk and wife are the parents of five children - Laura Lucinda, Ida Estella, Emma lone, Gertrude Anna and Charles Everett. Mr. Paulk is a strong supporter of the Democratic party. He is yet in the prime of life, and has gained an enviable position socially and financially in the community.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa, pg. 410. Transcribed and submitted by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs