The Jewell Family of Winneshiek County, Iowa

BENJAMIN E. JEWELL.

Benjamin E. Jewell needs no introduction to the readers of the history of Winneshiek county for his name has been an honored one in this section of the state since early times and he himself is today one of the progressive and substantial agriculturists of Decorah township. He owns and operates four hundred and forty acres of land on section 6, a property which his well directed efforts have made productive and profitable.

Mr. Jewell was born in Ohio on the ist of February. 1850, and is a son of Jacob and Emily (Headington) Jewell, natives of Ohio, who came to Winneshiek county, Iowa, in 1860, the father purchasing land in Decorah township. He bought an unimproved tract which he at once set about clearing and developing, adding to his holdings from time to time until he owned twelve hundred acres, one of the most extensive tracts in this section of the state. For the remainder of his life he gave practically all of his attention to the improvement of his farm and his activities had an important effect upon the agricultural upbuilding of the community. He died in 1909 and is survived by his wife, who resides upon the homestead, having reached the age of eighty-seven years.

In the acquirement of an education Benjamin E. Jewell attended public school in Ohio and when he was ten years of age accompanied his parents to Iowa, completing his studies in the district schools of Winneshiek county, where the family settled. In his childhood he assisted with the operation of the homestead and for many years after laying aside his books remained with his parents. When he was thirty-five years of age he took up his residence upon a farm of one-hundred and sixty acres on section 6, Decorah township, land which he had purchased some years before, and this he set about clearing and improving. He later bought more land and upon the death of his father inherited an additional one hundred and twenty acres. He now owns four hundred and forty acres of fine land lying on section 6, Decorah township, and upon this he carries on general farming and stock-raising, success steadily attending his well directed labors. Upon his property he has made substantial improvements in buildings and equipment and has neglected nothing that would add to its attractive appearance, the farm being today one of the best agricultural properties in this part of the state.

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

JOHN A. JEWELL

John A. Jewell is engaged in general farming and stock-raising upon two hundred and forty acres of land lying on section 7, Decorah township. He has resided within the borders of Winneshiek county since his infancy but was born in Ohio, January 13, 1860, a son of Jacob and Emily ( Headington ) Jewell, of whom further mention is made in connection with the sketch of Benjamin E. Jewell. He was only a few months old when the family moved to Winneshiek county, Iowa, and he here grew to manhood, acquiring his education in the district school and at Breckenridge Institute in Decorah. During his childhood he aided with the operation of the homestead and for a number of years after laying aside his books assisted his father, finally renting the homestead which he continued to operate for some time. After his father's death he came into two hundred and forty acres of land on section 7, Decorah township, and to its operation he now gives practically all of his time and attention, success attending his well directed labors. He rents one hundred and twenty additional acres and the entire tract is under a high state of cultivation, reflecting everywhere Mr. Jewell's careful supervision and practical methods. In addition to general farming he is also extensively interested in stock-raising, specializing in the breeding of thoroughbred Poland China hogs, which prove a profitable source of income to him. He has improved his land and has now a good home and substantial outbuildings, the place presenting a neat and attractive appearance.

On November 8, 1891, Mr. Jewell was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Hatton, a daughter of John and Mary Hatton, natives of England, who spent their entire lives in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Jewell have three children:

50 I'AST AXD l'KKSEXT <)F WIXXFSH1EK COUNTY

Fred J., aged twenty; Beatrice D., aged eighteen; and Clarence E., twelve years of age. The family are members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Jewell is a stockholder in the Farmers Creamery Company of Decorah and is well known in business circles of that community. He gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, giving his hearty and active cooperation to progressive public projects. In the township where he has resided since his infancy he is widely and favorably known, his honorable, upright and useful life having gained him the confidence and esteem of all who have come in contact with him.

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

Frank Jewell, one of the most progressive and successful farmers and stock-raisers in Winneshiek county, owns one hundred and twenty acres and rents three hundred and twenty on sections 8 and 9, Decorah township, the property constituting a portion of the farm upon which he was born on the Jth of February, 1864. He is a son of Jacob and Emily (Headington) Jewell, of whom more extended mention is made in connection with the sketch of Benjamin E. Jewell.

Frank Jewell was reared in his parents' home and acquired his education in the district schools and in the Breckenridge Institute at Decorah. He has never left the homestead, for a few years before his father's death he rented the property, which he operated until the estate was divided. At that time he inherited one hundred and twenty acres on section 8 and this he still owns, operating it in connection with his mother's three hundred and twenty acres which he rents. All of this land lies on sections 8 and 9, Decorah township and he has the entire tract in a high state of cultivation, his ability being evidenced in the excellent results which have attended his labors. He has made substantial improvements in buildings and equipment and keeps everything in excellent condition, being practical in his methods and farsighted in all of his business dealings. In addition to general farming Mr. Tewell also buys, sells and breeds stock on an extensive scale and at present has upon his farm about fifty head of cattle and one hundred and sixty sheep. He owns extensive tracts of land in Canada and Xorth Dakota and his business interests are all carefully and capable conducted, bringing him a substantial income.

In September, 1891, Mr. Jewell was united in marriage to Miss Ida Moore, a daughter of Charles and Gustavia (Erickson) Moore, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Norway. The father came in his childhood to Winneshiek county and grew to manhood in this part of Iowa, afterward turning his attention to farming, operating a fine property in Decorah township until 1911, when he retired and moved to Decorah, where he and his wife now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Jewell have become the parents of three children: Emma, aged twenty: Xellie, seventeen; and Charles, eleven years of age. The family are members of the Lutheran church.

Fraternally Mr. Jewell is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Masonic lodge, lie gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is interested in the growth and welfare of this section, although never active as an office seeker. He stands high in his native community in both a business and social sense and well deserves mention as one of the representative agriculturists of Winneshiek county.

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