John A. Kearns

As printed in 1901

JOHN A. KEARNS.

John A. Kearns, deceased, was for over forty-six years an honored and highly respected citizen of Linn county, much of his life being passed upon his farm on section 8, Linn township, where he owned and successfully operated one hundred and seventy-five acres of rich and arable land. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, April 25, 1835, and in 1853 came to Iowa with his parents, John and Margaret (Grubaugh) Kearns, who were of German descent. The family located in Linn township, this county, where the father followed farming for many years. He died there at the age of sixty-eight years, and his wife passed away at the age of eighty-six. They had six children, who are still living and continue to reside in Linn township.

Throughout his active business life John A. Kearns followed general farming and stock raising with good success. In March, 1863, he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Mann, a daughter of Adam and

Jennie ( "hitlatch ) Mann. Her father was a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, and continued his residence in that state during his boyhood and youth. When a young man he went to Ohio, where he lived for four years, and then came to Iowa, crossing the Mississippi at Muscatine, August 8, 1837. On this trip he was accompanied by his parents, David and Xancy Mann, who located on a farm in Greenfield township. Jones county, where they made their home until death.

Adam IMann remained with his parents in Jones county until 1840, when he came to Linn county, and took up his residence on section 8, Linn township, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. He at once commenced to break and improve his land, and in his farming operations here he met with" marked success, owning at the time of his death nearly five hundred acres of valuable land in Linn township, though he had already given farms to some of his children. In connection with general farming he carried on stock raising to some extent. He voted the Democratic ticket, and was an earnest and consistent member of the Baptist church, as is also his wife. He died on the old home place October 6, 1889. at the age of sixty-five years,but she is still living in Linn township]> at the age of seventy six, and enjoys good health. She is a native of Ohio and a daughter of John \V. and Annie (Afann) Whitlatch. Her father engaged in farming in Linn township for a great many years, but shortly before his death removed to Nebraska, where he passed away about twelve years ago. His wife has been dead twenty-three years.

Mrs. Kearns is the oldest in a family of

As printed in Biographical records of Linn County, Iowa .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.