The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1905-09-07
A Half Century Pioneer.
Davis City, August 20, 1905.


EDITOR LEON REPoRTER: l see the
lists of names that you are publishing
of residents that came to Decatur coun-
ty fifty years or more ago.
consider myself one of the early
pioneers and thought would send you
few words Of explanation from mem
cries vocabulary.
On November 8, 1888, left Rensa-
laer, Ind, located on Iroquois river,
with my uncle, H. L. Walton, (decased)
and his family, my parents (both de-
ceased) and family, after a hard trip of
500 miles overland we arrived at our
ranch l. miles northeast Of Leon on
old McGruder.
On November 90, 1858, in our little
old log cabin, at the age of 8 years, 6
months and days, took up my res
idence with my father and mother, of
precious memory, four brothers and
two sisters. and lived there happily
many years. The children were, VIM.
Tharp, now of Denver, Col, Osborn G..
Tharp (deceased) who died at Carroll
ton, La, filling soldiers unknown
grave, in 1868. Albert Tharp, of Grand
Island, Neb., soldier, and myself, Jos.
Tharp, now residing in Davis City
where he has made his home since 1878,
being in the real estate and loan bus
mess, Jabe Tharp, Of Denver, ard my
two sisters, Belle S. Mears, of Aryonia,
Kan, Matt S. Jordan, of Enid Okla.
Oh how many happy hours we all
have spent together around the old
homestead in those years of long ago.
Oh how wildly those recollections
come thronging back upon my soul. AS
| call to mind those scenes of early
days in old Decatur county. l think
when we came here and located there
were only six houses in Leon. | went
to school to a man by the name of Full
erton in 1854, in a log house. 1t stood
on the block where the post office now
stands. Old Mr.. Easter, Letter, John j
Jordan, S. G. Thompson, and | think
living in Leon.
have driven a five yoke of oxen
breaking the sod on the Letller addition
to Leon, and the 40 acres of the old
j. J. Jordan land, now owned by L. p
Sigler, and the George Burton land
west of town near the cemetery. AS
near as can remember there were only
two OF three houses between Leon and
Garden Grove at that tiue. They were
on the S. G. Thompson farm, now owned
by G. w. Hoffman, one on Brush creel
and one on Weldon river.
| remember we'll Shack Phipps VIII,
lived in small house east Of us wher'
the Sears used to own and now owne,
by Brown. Whether John D. Rockefelle
was his son or step son l don't know
but have been at his honse many
time when boy Il mean Shack Phipps
Our neighbors in those early days were
p. c. Stewart ideceased), J. B. Lunbecl
j. G. F. Givens, S. G, Penniwell, MI
Gates and others. Most of those oil
neighbors and settlers have long sine
passed to their reward,
Since that time, 1858, this beautifr
country has sprung from a wilderness
of deer, wolves and panthers to fertil
paradise of all that is noble and CRANE
AS am writing tears come to m
eyes as recall those years SO long ag
mich appear like dream to me, an
think of loved ones that have move
away, and SO many have passed owe
the silent river. But now, at the a,
vanced age Of 81 years, sometime
think am only waiting for the sur
mons to go where all meet upon tt
golden shore.
/. JOSEPH THARP.
tn Cure cntd in One Nav