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W. P. Coburn
Born June 27, 1853 |
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| W. P. Coburn, who for more than a quarter of a century has tilled the soil of Wyoming township with pronounced success, was born in Colombian county, Ohio, June 27, 1853, and is a son of Robert and Jane (Patterson) Coburn. Both were natives of Ohio but came to Jones county in 1881, after their son had made a trial of the opportunities for advancement here and in Wyoming township passed the remaining years of their lives. They were the parents of seven children: W. P., the subject of this sketch; P. J., who lives in Ohio; Lydia, who is the wife of John Dorrance and lives in Ohio; Ettie, who married Robert Streeper and resides in this county; Emma, who is the wife of Grant Streeper, of this county; and two who died in infancy.
W. P. Coburn received from the common schools of his native county the rudiments of instruction in the English branches and in his home and on the farm that training which has made possible the progress of later years. At the age of twenty-four he left his parents, being desirous to make a place for himself in a new locality where he would have to demonstrate by his own efforts his right to the respect of his companions. In 1878 he came to Jones county, Iowa, where for the first year he worked as a farm hand, and then rented land for a year, after which he bought the farm on which he now lives. It embraces one hundred and sixty-seven acres on section 17, Wyoming township, is well improved as the result of Mr. Coburn's labors, and is cultivated by up-to-date methods, for he is a man who is progressive as well as industrious, studying his soil and the question of suitable crops with a view to obtaining the largest returns from the land at his disposal. He has also engaged in raising stock of all kinds for markets, a feature of his business which has added considerably to the income he derives from his toil.
In 1880 Mr. Coburn was united in marriage to Miss Celia McBurney, who was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Her parents, John and Martha McBurney, came to Jones county at an early date and here made their home until their death. One of a family of eight, Mrs. Coburn has through her marriage become the mother of five children: Laura Jane, a graduate of the Onslow schools, who is now engaged in teaching; John R., who lives in this county; Elmer H. and Mary P., who are at home; and Mildred M., deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Coburn are consistent members and supporters of the Presbyterian church at Onslow and are intimately connected with its work. Politically he has always given unswerving support to the Republican Party, never failing to cast his vote for its candidates when exercising his right of franchise. For himself, however, he has not sought public preferment, though he has acted as school director and while serving in that capacity has ever exerted his influence for the advancement of educational ideals. Fraternally he enjoys pleasant relations with the lodge of the Mystic Workers at Wyoming, among whose members he has made a number of loyal friends.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 597. |
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© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
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