My Genealogy Hound

SAWYER, EPHRAIM E. B., general insurance agent; residence, Camp Point; is the eldest son of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Small) Sawyer, of Maine, where they are still living. He was born in York county of that State, May 14, 1836; was educated in the public schools there, and followed teaching for several years before coming west. He came to Clayton in 1858, and taught school there three years as principal. He removed to Camp Point in 1861; engaged in the mercantile business till 1878. Meeting with some financial reverses, he closed out and turned over every dollar of his assets to his creditors. He was one of the founders of the Camp Point Enterprise; he afterward became editor and sole proprietor, and conducted the paper successfully from 1866 to 1871, when it passed into the hands of Kirkpatrick Bros. In 1873 he embarked in the insurance business. He has devoted his entire attention to it; is now the leading insurance man in the place, and is writing risks in several counties; represents a number of the most reliable companies in the country. March 11, 1861, he married Esther Bailey, of Maine, born Feb. 4, 1833. Have four children: Abbie E., Joseph L., Hattie E., and Levi E. Mrs. Sawyer died, July 27, 1878. Mr. S. is a member of the Presbyterian church.