Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1909-04-22
PEORIA /. Whitfield


Son of William Whitfield, who mov-
ed from Virginia to North Carolina,
and there married Arena, daughter
of John Howard, born Orange county.
n. c., 1896. William Whitfield moved
TO Maury county, Tenn, where he
lived until 1888; thence to Parke coun-
tY, Ind; and to Vermlllion county,
Ind, in 1898, where he engaged in
pork packing. He died of yellow fever
on a tripIdown the river. The family
moved to Keolluk county, Iowa, in
1915. She came to Cass county, Iowa
late in life and died there June 3, 1862
| They had thirteen children, eleven of
whom lived to maturity. They were
| Quakers.
Peoria was born at Williamsport,
Maury county. Tenn, Feb. 30, 1882.
He accompanied the family in its
various removals, attended district
school in Indiana, and arrived to man
| hood in keokuk county, Iowa. He
studied two years at a Methodist
school in Muscatinc, Iowa. In 1850 he
went to Ottumwa: afterwards worked
year in the Office of the Des Moines
Courier. Then went ON a surveying
expedition to Santa FG, n. NJ, for six
months. Returned to Iowa City and
was employed in the survey of the
railroad from Davenport to Iowa City
In 1858 he came to. Hamlins Grove,
as before stated. He afterwards as
sisted in surveying the city of Omaha
Mr. Whitfield was active in the or
/ ganization of Audubon county He
bore the petition to the Legislature
asking for the enabling act for the
organization of the county, making
the journey on foot The expenses of
the trip was principally paid by DR..
Ballard. He also took the petition
from this county to the court at Lew
is, Iowa. praying for the order for the
first election of officers. He was the
acting Sheriff and gave the notice for
said election to be held at the house
of John S. Jenkins in 1853,
He was married at Extra, Feb. 2S.
1860, to Louisa c., daughter of Levi
b. and Fanny (Boyles) Montgomery,
born in Hancock county, M, ls4l,
VINO came with her parents to Audu-
bon county, 1886. Soon after marriage
they began housekeeping in small
Il
lives ini Extra: afterwards in a build
ing a little further south. In 1868
they settled on Block -, in Extra,
and lived there until his death, and
where Mrs. Whitfield now resides
s. He was life long Democrat, and
was a practical surveyor. County Sur
yeyor, 1e55-75, and also held the office
at his death. The writer worked with
him many day at surveying during
the last a. years, and always found
him pleasant companion and faith
surveyed the first roads laid out in
Sharon township after it was settled
Two roads-were located, one running
north and south, the other east and
west, through the entire length and
breadth Of the township, intersecting
at the center. The north and south
road leads south across Indian creek
and intersected roads leading to Oak
field and to Atlantic. The east and
west road intersected roads lead
ing to Extra. We began the survey
on May list, and a severe snow storm
fell that afternoon and evening.
He had great habit of romancing
and told many funny stories and jokes,
but never said anything to injure any
one. | remember on that particular
lst of May, when going to Sharon
township, we saw man beside the
road stopping around in the water
with rupber boots, trying to dig post
holes. We stopped, and Mr.. Whitfield
spoke to him, remarking that he had
a muddy Job On hand. The man adj
mitted the fact. Then Mr.. Whitfield
said to him; '"There is an easier way
to get those post holes"
"If there is, | would like to know
/ how
81 have AN old cellar at my place
which would make good post holes il
it was worlledHp and you are welcome
| 10 IA caid Whitfield