My Genealogy Hound

GEORGE H. VINCENT.
No history of Union county would be complete were their failure to make prominent reference to George H. Vincent, who since 1859 has resided within its borders. He was one of its earliest settlers and is today numbered among the honored pioneers who have intimate knowledge of the history of the county and the story of its growth and progress. Indeed, he has been a factor in its substantial upbuilding, especially in agricultural lines. He can remember a time when much of the farm labor now done by machinery was performed by hand, rendering the work of the agriculturist much more difficult and severe than at the present time. Then, too, there was no rural mail delivery or telephone connection and the farmer was much more isolated than at the present day. But the diligence and labor of such men as Mr. Vincent have largely brought about the present prosperity and progress of the county, and they deserve much credit for what has been accomplished.

On coming to this county, in 1859, Mr. Vincent took up his abode among the early settlers of Highland township and in 1883 removed to his present farm on section 12, Grant township. He was born November 24, 1857, at Laporte, Lafayette county, Indiana. His father, Henry Vincent, a native of England, was born and reared in Lincolnshire and there studied and followed civil engineering. He came to America as a young man, attracted by the broader opportunities of the new world and eventually settled in Indiana, where he assisted in draining the Kankakee marsh. He was married in that state to Miss Anna Wray, a native of London, England, and they removed from Indiana to Union county, Iowa, in 1859, opening up a farm in Highland township. The journey was made across the country with team and wagon after the primitive manner of travel in those days. For many years after his removal to this state Mr. Vincent engaged in farming but eventually took up his abode in Afton, where he and his wife spent their last days. They had but two children, the younger being Ella ML Vincent, who is well known as an educator of note in Union county.

The son, George H. Vincent, was reared upon the home farm and had good educational opportunities, qualifying him for life’s practical and responsible duties. He received ample training in farm labor, early becoming familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. As a companion and helpmate for life’s journey he chose Miss Ida M. Leech, to whom he was married February 28, 1883. The lady was born in Lucas county, Iowa, a daughter of John Leech of that county. Following his marriage Mr. Vincent purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which he has since made his home. He has developed here an excellent farm which has always presented a well kept appearance and which he has supplied with the latest improvements incident to progressive agriculture. In the midst of his farm stands a comfortable two-story residence with substantial barns, outbuildings, and everything about the place is indicative of the careful supervision and indefatigable labor of the owner. As the years have passed he has added sixty acres to his original purchase and has made his home upon the farm for twenty-five years. However, he has recently sold the property and intends to remove to Kansas. He was also the owner of land in Arkansas but at a recent date sold that property and bought two thousand acres in Finney county, Kansas, near Garden City. For twelve years he bought and shipped stock and fed extensively. For eighteen years he fed from three to five carloads of cattle and two carloads of hogs annually, making a specialty of Black polled cattle and Duroc hogs. His business interests have been capably conducted and in all things he has manifested sound judgment and keen discrimination.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vincent were born six children, but they lost their second child, Lorain Glee, at the age of two and a half years. The others are: Allen Earl, who was educated in Drake University at Des Moines and is now living upon his father’s ranch in Kansas; Claud P., Rex H., Vera M. and Ana M., all yet at home.

In his political views Mr. Vincent is a democrat. He has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking but on one occasion was nominated by his party to the office of county treasurer. He has been a delegate to several county conventions and always keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day as every true American citizen should do. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is a member and he is serving as one of the church trustees, having acted on the board since its organization. Almost his entire life has been spent in this county and it has been with the deepest regret that his friends, many of whom have known him for a half century, have learned of his purpose to remove to Kansas. He has been a valued and esteemed resident of this part of the state, foremost in everything for the advancement of the district and when he shall go to his new home he will carry with him the best wishes of all with whom he has been brought in contact. His life has ever been honorable and upright and the friendship which is so uniformly extended him is the expression of the confidence and kindly regard which is well merited.