Biographical History of Pottawattmie Co., IA

AMES P. ALLENSWORTH is one of the prominent citizens of Silver Creek Township. He came to Pottawattamie County in 1882, and has since made this place his home. Mr. Allensworth was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, November 15, 1835. His father, John Allensworth, a native of Pennsylvania, was a son of Emmanuel Allensworth. John Allensworth was married in Jefferson County, Ohio, to Miss Lydia Bartholomew, who died when James P. was a small child, in 1841. The family subsequently removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, where they resided several years. The father came to Mills County, Iowa, and died in 1874. He was by trade a cabinet-maker and wood-turner, and was a good mechanic in his younger days, but in later life turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Politically he was a Democrat.

The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm in Jefferson County, received his education in a log schoolhouse, and, at, the age of twenty-one years, went to Muskingum County, Ohio. Four years later he moved to Morgan County, same State, where he lived until 1872. In that year he came to Iowa and settled in Mills County. Upon his arrival there he had but little money, but had great faith in Iowa, and with a willing hand he went to work. He bought 120 acres of land, which he improved and which he sold in the fall of 1881. He then purchased 240 acres of prairie land where he now resides, to which he afterward added five acres of timberland. The soil had been broken and the land fenced, but no buildings had been erected. Mr. Allensworth has improved this property and it is now considered one of the best farms in the township. He put up a good frame house on a natural building site and surrounded it with a grove and orchard of four acres, and built a barn 34 x 48 x 16 feet. He also has a granary, cribs, cattle yards, sheds for stock, and a modern windmill. In short, every thing about the farm indicates thrift and prosperity. He is extensively engaged in stock-raising, in which he has met with eminent success.

Mr. Allensworth was married in Morgan County, Ohio, February 26, 1860, to Miss Malinda Sowers, a lady of intelligence and refinement, who was reared and educated in that county. Her father, William Sowers, was a native of Maryland, and her mother, nee Mary Ann Thursh, was born in Ohio. 'Ihey lived in the latter State until their death, the mother, dying when Mrs. Allensworth was fifteen years old. Her father died in September, 1889, at the age of eighty-five-years. He was an active member of the Methodist Church, and for many years was a class-leader and exhorter. Mr. and Mrs. Allensworth have four children, viz.: Allethea, wife of J. P. Boyleau, Belknap Township, Pottawattamie County, Iowa; George C. married Cora Tipton, and resides on a farm adjoining his father's; William, at home; Edith, a successful and popular teacher. In his political views Mr. Allensworth is independent, casting his vote for whom he considers the best man for the position. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a steward and a liberal supporter of the same. During the civil war he served 100 days in the National Home Guards of Ohio. He has always been interested in educational matters, and has given his children the benefit of good schooling and fitted them for respectable positions in life. He is ranked among the enterprising, successful and popular citizens of his community.

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