SAFFORD F. SMALL

SMALL, UMPHRIES

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 3/8/2009 at 10:57:40

SAFFORD F. SMALL, County Commissioner and farmer, residing on section 9, Wapello Township, is a native of Vermont, and was born in Chittenden County, Nov. 6, 1844. His parents were natives of the same county, and his father, who was born in 1808, ia still living there, though the mother died in 1862. The subject of our sketch was brought up on his father's farm, receiving a common-school education. He enlisted in 1863, in Company K, 7th Vermont Infantry, and served in the Army of the Gulf. He took part in the siege of Mobile, where he received a gunshot wound in the right side, on the 24th of March, 1865, and was captured the same day and taken to Meridian, and from there to Jackson, Miss., where he was paroled after being held prisoner one month, and was discharged in April, 1865. On being mustered out of the service Mr.Small returned to Vermont, and in 1867 came to Louisa County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. He now has a well-improved farm of 275 acres, all of which, with the exception of twenty acres, lies in Wapello Township. His residence is on section 9 and his post-office is Wapello.

Mr. Small was united in marriage to Miss Eliza A. Umphries, June 24, 1867. Mrs. Small was born in Benton Township, Des Moines Co., Iowa, and is the daughter of James G. and Nancy F. Umphries, who were early settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Small are the parents of the following children: Daniel B., Hannah I., James G., Sherman, Nora and Chester.

Mr. Small is an uncompromising Republican. and was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners of Louisa County in 1881, being re-elected in 1887, and is now serving his fourth year. He has proved a faithful and competent officer, and has exercised good judgment in the discharge of the responsible duties devolving upon him. He is an active member of the G. A. R., and is a member of A. M. Taylor Post No. 153.