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Below is a family biography included in History of Union County, Iowa published by S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1908.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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B. E. Saylor is a self-made man who has accumulated a goodly fortune through well directed and unwearied labor. He was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of February, 1850, the son of Samuel and Julia (Ferris) Saylor, both now deceased. In their family were four children but B. E. Saylor is now the only one surviving. He was reared in the east and at the age of twenty years started westward, first stopping near Kewanee, Illinois, where he remained for about six months. In 1871 he started with a party for Iowa, the journey being made with two teams and covered wagons. They found it a very long and arduous trip and while fording the Des Moines river their teams and wagon became mired in the quicksand. They succeeded in extricating them at length and proceeded on their way to Union county, finally arriving at Creston, which was then a small town with little industrial or commercial prominence.

Mr. Saylor located on section 18, Lincoln township, about three and a half miles due north of the city of Creston, where he purchased one hundred and seventy acres of raw prairie land. This he at once began to till and improve and the farm has since been his home, although the splendidly cultivated tract of today bears little resemblance to the wild prairie land which came into his possession. He has erected here a fine residence, large barn and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, so that his farm will compare favorably with any in the state.

In 1874, after locating in Iowa, Mr. Saylor returned to Pennsylvania and won a companion and helpmate for life’s journey through his marriage to Miss Clara Hallock, who was born in that state in 1853 and was one of a family of three children. Her father is now deceased but her mother is still living and makes her home with Mr. and Mrs. Saylor. By this marriage there were born four children: Eva J., the wife of C. H. S. Powers, who is a prosperous agriculturist of Spaulding township; James E., who is now operating his father’s farm; Emma Augusta, a music teacher, living at home; and Mary H., also at home.

In his political views Mr. Saylor is independent, nor has he ever aspired to office. On the contrary he has preferred to devote his undivided time and attention to his business affairs. He belongs, however, to the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 207, at Creston. In his farming operations he has met with very creditable prosperity, being now the owner of a large and valuable property: from which he derives a good annual income. His life record proves what may be accomplished through determination and energy, for he started out in life empty-handed and is now one of the substantial citizens of Lincoln township.

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This family biography is one of 247 biographies included in The History of Union County, Iowa published in 1908.  For the complete description, click here: Union County, Iowa History and Genealogy

View additional Union County, Iowa family biographies: Union County, Iowa Biographies

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