The Polly Families of Monona County, Iowa

SAMUEL POLLY, M. D., a practicing physician and surgeon, residing on section 26 IvUP in the town of Fairview, is a native of Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, and was born November 29, 1821. Ilis father, James Polly, was a farmer in his earlier days, but later in life engaged in the mercantile trade. The latter was born October IS, 1801, and was the son of William and Jemima Polls', the father of whom was born December 24, 1770, and died January 13, 1847; the mother, born December 22, 1778, died December 22, 1840. The mother of our subject Priscilla (Owens) Polly-, was born September 25, 1803, and was the daughter of Samuel and Libbie (Bell) Owens, natives of Kentucky, both of whom died in Darke County, Ohio.

In his youth Dr. Samuel Polly attended school and assisted upon the farm, where he remained until nineteen years of age. February 4, 1841, he was united in marriage with Anna Mote, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Jonathan and Susannah (Kesler) Mote, the former of whom was born in Georgia and removed with his parents to Ohio at the age of fourteen; the latter was a native of North Carolina. About a month after his marriage Samuel commenced housekeeping on his father's farm, near Greenville, on the day that W. H. Harrison was inaugurated President, and engaged in agricultural pursuits and in working at the carpenter's trade, for about two years. At the expiration of that time he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Samuel Downing at.Salem, Randolph County, in the same State, and on the 7th of March, 1847, commenced practice in partnership with his late instructor. Three years later the firm was dissolved, but Dr. Polly still carried on his practice in the same locality until the fall of 1855, when he removed to Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa. Until June 4, 1872, he was ranked among the leading physicians of [that locality. He then came to Monona County aixl located on section 25, Fairview Township, still following his profession. In the spring of 1881, the river having washed away the greater part of his farm, he removed the buildings to another piece owned by him on section 26, where he now lives. By a common freak the river, by its change of course has again restored most of the land, which is becoming quite valuable for pasture, timber, etc. In connection with his practice he has always owned several farms, whose operations he carries on under his own supervision. The Doctor and Mrs. Polly are the parents of five children — Ephraim E., born February 9, 1842; Priscilla B., February 26, 1844; James, born Februar\' 13, 1846, and died Sei)tember 7 following; Curtis, born February 12, 1848; and Jonathan, June 5, 1850. The Doctor is a stanch Republican in politics, and a strong advocate of prohibition.

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

CURTIS C. POLLY, a member of the firm of Blair & Polly, dealers in general merchandise, in the village of Whiting, made his first appearance in.Monona County, September 9, 1872. Having purchased a farm on section 26,

Fairview Township, betook up his residence there, but two years later removed to another farm on section 36, upon which he spent the time in improving and cultivating until July 1882, at which time he came to Whiting and, in company with.1. ti. Wiles, engaged in the mercantile trade in the same building in which he is now located. The firm of Wiles il- Polly remained in existence for about (if teen months, when the present firm was formed.

Mr. Polly was born in Randolph County, Ind., February 12, 1848, and is the son of Dr. Samuel and Anna (Jlote) Polly, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere in this Alblm. When he was about eight years of ago he was brought by his parents to Ckarke County Iowa, where he grew to manhood. On attaining his majority lie went to Warren County and renting a farm carried on its cultivation for about two j'ears, and for another 3'ear was engaged in farming in Clarke Count> previous to coming to this section.

Our subject was united in marriage February 25, 1868, with Miss Lizzie J. Farley, daughter of Thomas J. H. and Lucinda Farley, the ceremony taking place in Warren County, Iowa. Having been blessed with no children of their own, in March, 1880, they adopted a little girl Fannie M. Hamilton, then about three years of age, upon whom they lavish all their affection.

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

JAMES W. POLLY, an active and energetic farmer of Lake Township, living on section 28, was born in Clarke County, Iowa, November 28, 1854, and is the son of William and Jemima Polly. He was reared upon a farm receiving such education as was afforded by the district schools, and lived with his [parents until attaining his majority. In the fall of 1876, in company with his parents, he removed to Monona Countjr and settled in Lake Township, where he rented a farm. He remained on this, engaged in tilling the soil, until August, of.that year, when, having in company with his brother, purchased some eighty acres of timber land, in Lincoln Township, he moved thither. They engaged at once in hauling wood to Whiting and saw logs to the mill, clearing up the land. Cord wood at that time was very cheap, and they- delivered over one hundred cords in the town of Whiting, for $1.90 a cord, hauling it seven miles.

Having purchased a farm on section 30. Lake Township, James Polly moved to it in the spring of 1877, building him a house and engage! in farming during tha*; summer. The following winter he was again engaged at the saw mill, and the next spring moved to his father's place, which he rented and where he remained until the spring of 1879. In the latter year he moved back to Clarke County, and, renting a farm, made a stay there until February, 1880, when he again returned to Monona County. After living on his own place on section 30, until the spring of 1883, he then sold out and purchased his father's place on section 28, where he has lived ever since.

March 28, 1876, at Adell, Dallas Countv, this

State, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Atha, and they are the parents of six children: Liila M., Charles C, William P., Agnes L., James E., and May SI.

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

WILLIAM U. S. G. POLLY, a resident of the town of Lincoln, who is engaged in farming on section 10, 84 and 46, is the son of William and Jeiniina I'olly, and was born in Osceola, the county seat of Clarke County, Iowa. He was taken by his parents, when about eight years of age, to Cass County, Mo., but three years later returned to the place of his birth with them, and there made his home until the fall of 1875. At that time the family removed to Monona County and settled in Lake Township, where he remained with his father and mother until November 16, 1881, upon which day, he was united in marriage with Miss F.tta Weenis. The young couple moved into the village of Whiting, where they set up housekeeping, and where ]\Mr. Polly followed teaming for about a year. Having lieen reared to agricultural pursuits, his attention was then drawn in that direction, and, renting a farm in Lake Township, has pursued that avocation ever since, mostly on rented land in Lake and Ashton Townships. In the spring of 1889, having, by industry. and economy, amassed a little capital, he jnirchased the farm upon which he now lives, and has entered u)on the tillage of its acres. This farm, which is in one of the best sections of the county, is highly productive and valuable for its fertility and situation.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

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