The Finch Families of Black Hawk County, Iowa

The student of history cannot carry his investigations far into the records of Black Hawk county without learning that the Finch family has been closely and prominently connected with the work of development and upbuilding here since pioneer times. Ira Finch was born in Lester township, this county, the date of his birth being November 23, 1862. He is descended from one of the old families of Pennsylvania and representatives of the name were living in the Wyoming valley at the time of the memorable Indian massacre, some of them losing their lives at the hands of the redmen. His father, William Bennett Finch, was a native of Pennsylvania, born June 19, 1819, and on the 13th of August. 1853, in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Stroh, who was born in that state on the 27th of March, 183 1. She was a daughter of Peter Stroh, who was born in Berks county,' Pennsylvania. November 20, 1805, and was drowned in the Susquehanna river on the 9th of October, 1840. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Julia Ann Nihart, was born in Monroe county, Pennsylvania, November 14, 1805, and passed away in October, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Stroh were the parents of seven children: Amos, who was born September 6, 1827; Henry, born January 10, 1829; Elizabeth, born March 27, 183 1: John, whose birth occurred in April, 1833; Mary, born October 21, 1835; Sarah, July 21, 1837; and Lydia, April 3, 1840. All were born and reared in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, where the parents had settled in pioneer times.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. William B. Finch began.their domestic life in the Keystone state but afterward heard and heeded the call of the west, believing that they would find better opportunities in this new and growing country. They made the overland trip from Pennsylvania and took up their above in Independence, while subsequently they removed to Lester township, this county, becoming active factors in the pioneer development and improvement of this section of the state. The father devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits and was thus engaged to the time of his death, which occurred in Lester township, October 4, 1880, when he was sixty-one years of age. His wife long survived him and died on the old home farm in Lester township, January '15, 1907, when in the seventy-sixth year of her age. They reared a large family, as follows: George, who was born at Quasqueton, Iowa, April 6, 1855, and passed away September 30, 1857; Henry, who was born August 1, 1856, and died in Wisconsin, May 15, 1908; William, who was born July 11, 1858, and died at Hayes City, Kansas, April 13, 1878; Mrs. Julia Higbee, who was born August 7, 1859, and is now living in Montana; Amos, who was born March 6, 1861, and is now a resident of Wisconsin; Ira, of this review; Levi, who was born July 20, 1865, and is now residing in Fairbank; Frank, who was born June 30, 1866, and is operating the mill at Fairbank; and Ellen Jane, who was born August 1, 1873, and died August 20, 1880. With the exception of the eldest child all were born and reared in Lester township.

Through the period of his youth Ira Finch aided in the work of the home farm and pursued a public-school education. He also attended the Iowa State Teachers' College for one year and for a year taught school, after which he returned to the farm. He has since followed the occupation of farming, having no desire to change his vocation, and today he is the owner of two hundred and seventy acres of choice land on section 12, Lester township, one hundred and thirty acres on sections 13 and 24, and ninety-three acres on sections 16 and 17, Fairbank township, Buchanan county. The tract of two hundred and seventy acres and that of ninety-three acres are both well improved, the fields having been brought to a high state of cultivation. The home is commodious, is well furnished and attractive, and in the management of his business interests Mr. Finch has so conducted his affairs as to win a substantial competence.

At Littleton, Iowa, on the 18th of February, 1889, Mr. Finch was united in marriage to Miss Ruhama Elliott, who was born March 7, 1865, in Lester township, on the farm where she now lives. Her parents, Andrew and Hannah (Wilson) Elliott, were among the pioneer settlers of the county. Both were natives of Ohio, the former born February 11, 1828, and the latter April 14, 1826. They were married in Quasqueton, Iowa, December 14, 1854, and removed from that place to Lester township the following year. Mrs. Elliott was a daughter of Samuel Wilson, who was born February 8, 1797, and died in Buchanan county on the 27th of February, 1870. In 1817 he married Dorcas Miller, who has also passed away. Their daughter Hannah became the wife of Andrew Elliott and for many years they resided in Lester township, enjoying the high regard, good-will and confidence of those with whom business or social relations brought them in contact. They became the parents of five children: Mrs. Jane Addeman, who was born April 3, 1857, and is now residing in Fairbank township; Mary Ann. who was born February 23, 1859, and is now deceased; Charles Wilson, who was born June 3, 1860, and is living in Fairbank; Elizabeth R., who was born June 13, 1863, and has passed away and Mrs. Finch, who is the youngest. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott continued residents of Lester township until called to their final rest, the father departing this life on the 15th of July, 1895.

To Mr. and Mrs. Finch four children have been born. The eldest, Wilber Wilson, born March 4, 1890, attended the district schools, was graduated from the hui school at Fairbank and spent one year at the Oelwein Business College

410 JilSTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY and is now residing in Fairbank township. Charles E., born April 7, 1893, attended the common schools, was graduated from the Fairbank high school and also spent one year in the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls and one year in the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. He is now assisting his father in the operation of the home farm. Lester, born December 5, 1896, is attending the high school at Fairbank and Elizabeth, born June 8, 1901. is also a student in Fairbank.

The family is prominently and favorably known in this section of the state. Mr. Finch is a member of Fairbank lodge, A. F. & A. M., and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he has always been a stanch republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and he has been justice of the peace and trustee in Lester township, discharging his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

Levi Finch, of Fairbank, is a representative of one of the old and prominent families of the county and is now engaged in the conduct of a shoe store and clothing establishment. He was born in Lester township on the 20th of July, 1865, and his parents were among the earliest settlers of the county, having made the overland trip from Pennsylvania to this state in 1853, at which time they took up their above in Independence. At a later date they removed to a farm in Lester township and it was upon that place that the subject of this review was born. Further mention of this family is made in connection with the sketch of Ira Finch on another page of this work.

Through the period of his boyhood Levi Finch divided his time between attending the common schools and working in the fields. He was still comparatively young when he began learning the painter's trade and he also learned the shoemaker's trade, both of which he continues to follow. He has one of the best equipped shoe shops in this part of the state, including all of the latest improved machinery operated by gasoline power. In addition to making shoes and executing contracts for painting he carries a stock of boots and shoes and also sells tailor-made clothing.

In Waterloo, Iowa, Mr. Finch was married to Miss Bertha Richards, who was born in Lester township on the 5th of March, 1875. She was there reared to womanhood and has always been a resident of this county. Her father, John Richards, was born in Pennsylvania, and is now residing in Minnesota. Her mother, Mrs. Emma (Dewald) Richards, was likewise born in the Keystone state and passed away in Lester township. In the Richards family there are five children who survive: Mrs. Isabelle Hetherington, now residing in Missouri; Mrs. Finch; Fred, who is a resident farmer of Fairbank township; Dora, who is living in California; and Albert. All were born and reared in Lester township.

Air. and Mrs. Finch have become the parents of five children: Mary, who was born August 1, 1896, in Lester township and is a graduate of the Fairbank high school of the class of 1914; Ella, who was born in Lester township, November 7, 1898; John, born in Fairbank, March 20, 1901; Myro, born in Fairbank, August 23, 1903; and Julia, born September 17, 1905. In his political views Mr. Finch is an earnest republican and gives stalwart support to the party. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp at Fairbank but his efforts are concentrated upon his business. He is a splendid workman and his time is completely taken up with his two trades and with the management of the shoe business. He is a man of genuine worth, reliable and trustworthy in all connections, and he has an extensive circle of warm friends in his native county.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANK H. FINCH.

Frank H. Finch is one of the best known and most efficient butter makers in Black Hawk county and this section of the state. He makes his home in Fairbank, where he is now engaged in the conduct of a flour and feed mill. He is a man of determination and energy and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He was born in Lester township, this county, June 30, 1866, and is a representative of one of the prominent old pioneer families of whom extended mention is made in connection with the sketch of

Ira Finch on another page in this work.

Frank H. Finch was reared to manhood on the old homestead, meeting with the usual experiences of the farm lad. He attended the common schools and for a number of years devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits. Later he conducted creameries in this vicinity and became an expert butter maker, the output of the creameries always winning for him a well merited reputation by reason of the excellence of the product. After leaving the creamery business he engaged in painting and followed that trade until the spring of 191 4, when he became connected with a flour and feed mill at Fairbank which is one of the oldest in this part of the state.

In Lester township, on the 15th of January, 1895, Mr. Finch was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Buehner, who was born in Lester township, a daughter of John and Caroline Isabelle (Holdiman) Buehner, of Lester township. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Finch has been blessed with six children: Esther E., born March 4, 1896, who was graduated from the Waverly high school with the class of 1914 and is now at home and teaching school; John B., born March 27, 1899; Edith C, born July 14, 1901; Leola H., September 16, 1903; Edna E., April 13, 1906; and Ivan A., April 29, 1911. The oldest and the youngest were born in Black Hawk county and the others in Bremer county and all have been reared in this part of the state.

Mr. Finch exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. He is a member of Black Hawk County Camp, No. 2935, M. W. A., of Dunkerton. His business interests have brought him a wide acquaintance and his social qualities have gained him popularity among all with whom he has been brought in contact.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.