JOHN L. MARSHALL

MARSHALL, MAXWELL, HAMILTON, HEWITT

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 3/22/2009 at 05:28:47

JOHN L. MARSHALL, a farmer residing on section 9, Marshall Township, is one of the pioneers of Louisa County. He was born April 4, 1835, in Wellsburg, Brooke Co., W. Va. and is a son of Joshua S. and Margaret (Maxwell) Marshall. His father came to this county in 1835, for the purpose of looking up a location, and being pleased with the country moved his family in 1837. His history appears in the sketch of William II. Marshall on another page of this volume. Almost the entire life of our subject has been spent in Louisa County, he having been but two years of age at the time of the family's emigration. Like so many hundreds of others of those pioneer days, he received his education in the log school-house in the intervals of his school days, and after completing his education he aided his father in the cultivation of the farm, which was one of the largest in the vicinity.

At the age of twenty-five our subject left the parental roof in order to defend the flag of his country, enlisting Aug. 30, 18C1, in the 1st Iowa Cavalry as musician. He was only permitted to serve about eighteen months, for being taken sick at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, he was discharged on account of physical disability. The band of which he was a member was mustered out of service, and mustered into a brigade band, and though Mr. Marshall offered his services he was not accepted, as he could not perform the labors which would have been required of him. Returning to his home in the winter of 1862, he resided upon the farm, and the following spring, hiring sufficient help, he engaged in the cultivation of the land. He made his home in the first cabin erected upon the claim, the doors and windows of which were shipped from Virginia. It is yet standing, and is one of the few landmarks of the pioneer days which has withstood the ravages of time.

On the 3d of September, 1861, the marriage of John Marshall and Eliza J. Hamilton was celebrated. She was born in Preble County, Ohio. Jan 16, 1840, and is a daughter of Andrew A. and Margaret (Hewitt) Hamilton, the former a native of Ohio, the latter born on the ocean, while her parents were en route from Ireland to America. She is now making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Margaret Hunt, of Henry County, Iowa. Mr. Hamilton died Aug. 9, 1871, and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Blandinsville, McDonough Co., 111. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall eight children have been born: Jennie Irene, born Dec. 11, 1862, died April 8, 1881; Mary F. and Curtis L. both died in infancy; Charles W., born Dec. 21, 1865; William H., Jr., July 28, 1867; Lorenzo D., Oct. 3, 1870; Margaret A., Oct. 24,1874; and Albert W., Sept. 24, 1876.

In 1870 Mr. Marshall removed with his family to his present farm on section 9, Marshall Township, which comprises 140 acres of fine land under a high state of cultivation. He has since made his home on that farm with the exception of about three years, when he was engaged in the nursery business in Morning Sun. While residing in that town he was elected to the office of Mayor, and was also a member of the School Board. He has held various township offices, and with his wife, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has always taken an active part in church work, and is one of the respected citizens of the community in which he resides.

Source: Portraits and Biographies copyrighted by Chapman Bros. 1885