Jones logo
W. W. Eye
Born June 28, 1856
W. W. Eye, a well known farmer of Wyoming township, was born in this county, June 28, 1856, and is a son of George J. and Margaret Eye. The parents were both natives of Virginia, but about the time the government first opened this state to homesteaders, offering large inducements to those who would come here, they started upon their journey across the mountains and prairies, traversing a large part of the distance by wagon. When he arrived in Jones county, Mr. Eye had about five cents in his pockets, but it was at a time when physical strength and courage counted for more than money if a man were to convert the virgin fields and wilderness into a productive farm land. For many years the family lived in a cabin which he had built of logs with a clapboard roof, and when conditions improved he was able to move to a better dwelling. In the course of years, amid the comforts of his later life the hardships and privations of the first years became a memory merely, so that at his death, in 1893, he felt a pardonable pride in the success which had come to him in requital for his years of toil. His wife died in 1894, within six months of his death, and was survived by her five children: J. W., who lives in this county; Mary M., who is the wife of C. A. Sinett, of Jones county; L. M., who is the wife of P. Snyder, of this county; Susanna, deceased; and W. W., the subject of this sketch.
Being the oldest of this family W. W. Eye bore his share of the early hardships of the family, assisting in the farm work even during his school days. He received a fair education from the popular institutions of instruction and remained with his parents until he became twenty-five, when he married and started in life for himself. At first he rented his father's place and later bought the farm on which he now lives. It consists of one hundred and fifty-two acres on which he carries on general farming, with a success that has made him one of the substantial agriculturists of Wyoming township. His fields are well improved and cultivated to a high degree, in their appearance evincing the skill and thrift of their owner.
On the 5th of March, 1881, Mr. Eye wedded Miss Ellen Taylor, who was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, a daughter of James and Lucina Taylor, both natives of Kentucky. Of this union twelve children were born: R. W., who is living in South Dakota; Albert W., who is now in Idaho; Lucina M., who is the wife of P. W. Bodenhofer, of Moline, Illinois; L. Maude, Ora E. and William A., who are at home; Verna T. and Vera M., who are twins; and four who have passed away. Mrs. Eye died March 15, 1903, and was buried in North Mineral Cemetery, Wyoming.
Mr. Eye is a democrat in his political views, but he has never sought nor held any office within the gift of the people. He gives his religious adherence to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife was a devout member and in whose work he takes a deep interest.

Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 152.

image

© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
Last updated on Friday, 16-Apr-2021 16:53:24 MST