Wapello County IA Archives Biographies.....Abernathy, J. M. 1852 - 
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 July 14, 2013, 4:48 pm

Source: See Below
Author: S. J. Clarke, Publisher

J. M. ABERNATHY.

J. M. Abernathy, living on section 19, Richland township, is a representative of
one of the old pioneer families of Wapello county and has spent almost his
entire life in this county, with the history of which he is therefore familiar,
having been a witness of its development, growth and progress through sixty-two
years. He was born in Richland township, July 8, 1852, and is a son of John and
Lucy (Shaffer) Abernathy. The father was born in Virginia, October 9, 1796, and
when seven years of age went to Ohio with his parents. He afterward made his way
to Indiana and subsequently to Iowa, arriving in this state in 1848, the family
home being established at Agency. In 1850 he removed to Richland township,
settling upon the farm where the birth of his son J. M. occurred. There he
continued to reside throughout his remaining days, passing away when in his
seventy-fifth year. The mother was born in Virginia and died at the age of
fifty-five. She came to Iowa with her parents about 1845 and settled in Richland
township, where her remaining days were passed. On the 12th of October, 1851,
she became the wife of John Abernathy, who had been previously married. His
first wife was Catharine Nonkester, whom he wedded on the 12th of May, 1818, and
who died on the 2d of August, 1851. The children of his first marriage were:
Catharine, William, George, John, Mary, Lydia, Martin, Martha, James, Henry and
Andrew. By the second marriage there were born five children: J. M.; Elias,
living in Washington; Mrs. Sarah Catharine Warren, of Missouri; Francis Marion,
whose home is in Chariton, Iowa; and Randolph, living in Kansas.

J. M. Abernathy has spent his entire life in Richland township, save for three
years passed in Monroe county, Iowa, just previous to his marriage. He has
always carried on general agricultural pursuits and is the owner of one hundred
and seventy-four acres of rich and productive land, while his wife owns one
hundred and twenty acres, Mr. Abernathy operating both farms. He carries on
general farming and also makes dairying a special feature of his place. For this
purpose he keeps a high grade of cows and his dairy products are clean and
sanitary. In fact, every feature of his business is well managed and his farm
presents a neat and attractive appearance.

On the 16th of March, 1877, Mr. Abernathy was married to Miss Sarah A. Comstock,
who was born in Richland township, July 27, 1859, and has always resided in
Wapello county. Her father, Dr. A. B. Comstock, was born in Dayton, Ohio, March
j, 181 8, and the mother's birth occurred at-Sweet Home, Missouri, July 2, 1821.
There she resided until her marriage, on the 17th of June, 1838, and about 1843
Dr. and Mrs. Comstock removed to Iowa, where he entered a quarter section of
land in Richland township. The farm which he there secured remained their place
of residence until they were called to the home beyond, the death of the father
occurring September 4, 1890, while his wife survived until August 23, 1900. He
was a graduate from a school of medicine in Ohio and continued in active
practice throughout his entire life, in addition to which he managed his farm.
In following his profession he rode over the country for a radius of twenty
miles. Moreover, he was a prominent and influential citizen in other connections
and was the first member of the state legislature from Wapello county. His early
political support was given to the whig party and upon its dissolution he joined
the ranks of the new republican party, with which he afterward voted. In the
Comstock family were twelve children: Francis J., who enlisted from Wapello
county and served as lieutenant in the Civil war, his home being now in
Richland, Missouri; James H., who enlisted at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, at the age
of seventeen years for service in the Civil war; Chloe J., who became the wife
of Hank Shields and is deceased; Henry, who died in childhood; Alanson B.,
deceased; Mrs. Frances Melvina Williams, of Bradyville, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Ellen
Johnson, deceased; Louisa, who died in childhood; Clara Ann, who died at the age
of fifteen years; Mrs. Abernathy; Benjamin Butler, deceased; and one who died in
infancy.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy have been born eleven children: Sarah Anna, living
at Bancroft, South Dakota; Francis J., whose home is in Richland township; Chloe
Belle, the wife of Carl Fairchild, of Mora, Minnesota; Melvina May, the wife of
William Holland, of Bancroft, South Dakota; Augustus Hamilton, of Richland
township; Carrie E., the wife of fames Guthrie, of Richland township; Houston,
Lucy and Ruby, at home; Paul, who died at the age of eight years; and Theodore
Roosevelt, at home.

The name of the youngest child indicates the political allegiance of the father,
who has always voted with the republican party, and who on several occasions has
been called to township offices. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and in religious faith is a Presbyterian. His has been a well spent
life, honorable and upright in all of its connections, and in business affairs
his enterprises, close application and industry have constituted the secret of
his growing and substantial success.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
HISTORY OF WAPELLO COUNTY IOWA
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914



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