My Genealogy Hound

J. A. MOUNTS.
Among the well known and worthy residents of Shannon City is numbered J. A. Mounts, who has been a resident of Iowa since the formative period in the history of the state. He took up his abode in Davis county in June, 1849 and resided there for twenty years, living in Madison county from 1877 until the spring of 1880, and then came to Union county, where he has since made his home.

He was born in Ross county, Ohio, May 5, 1846, and is a son of John H. Mounts, who came of Scotch ancestry. The paternal grandfather Eli Mounts, was one of the first settlers of Ross county, Ohio, where John H. Mounts was born and reared. Having arrived at adult age he wedded Miss Rebecca Wilfong, a lady of German parentage, and to provide for his family he followed the occupation of farming in Ross county for a number of years. He believed, however, that the west less thickly populated and therefore affording less competition, would give him better business opportunities and accordingly he removed to Iowa, settling in Davis county, where he entered four hundred acres of land. There he developed and improved a farm and his labors were an element in the pioneer progress of the county, for he was one of its first settlers. In the early days the family shared in all of the hardships incident to establishing a home on the frontier. For miles away stretched the unbroken prairie, covered with its native grasses—a waving sea of grain in the summer months and one unbroken, dazzling sheet of snow in the winter. The wind swept fiercely over the prairies and wolves could frequently be heard howling at night, but Mr. Mounts belonged to that band of courageous men and women who recognized the possibilities that the west had to offer and improved them, although such a course necessitated much hard labor and the facing of many trials, incident to the frontier. His death occurred about 1874, when he was sixty years of age, and his wife survived for several years.

J. A. Mounts was only about three years of age when brought by his parents to Iowa and was reared upon the home farm in Davis county as one of a family of two sons and five daughters. He has three sisters who still survive but his brother has passed away. As his years and strength increased he aided more and more largely in the work of the home farm. His leisure hours were indeed few nor were his early advantages many. The schools of the period were of a very primitive character and he had opportunity for attending but a brief period each year. In the school of experience, however, he has learned many valuable lessons and is today a well informed man of good practical business judgment.

On the 18th of August, 1867, Mr. Mounts was married to Miss Jennie Bulington, who was born, reared and educated in Appanoose county, Iowa, a daughter of Robert Bulington, one of the first settlers of that county, locating there when the Indians were far more numerous than the white settlers, while his nearest neighbor was six miles away. Amid such pioneer surroundings and environments Mrs. Mounts spent her girlhood days and at her marriage she went to the home which her husband prepared in Davis county. They lived upon a farm there for ten years and in the spring of 1877 removed to Madison county, where Mr. Mounts secured eighty acres of land, which he further developed and improved for three years.

In the spring of 1890 he disposed of that property and came to Union county, settling near Creston, where he carried on farming for two years. He then took up his abode upon another place and in 1886 became a resident of Grant township, purchasing three hundred and twenty acres of land, on which one hundred and sixty acres had been placed under the plow. He began to cultivate the remainder and farmed the entire place and in course of time he wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the property. He erected thereon a comfortable and commodious dwelling, with two good barns and outbuildings and also set out a grove and orchard. The place was divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences and the work of the farm was persistently and energetically carried on by Mr. Mounts until 1896, when he rented his place and took up his abode in Shannon City, purchasing a residence property, which he remodeled and improved, making it a good home. He practically lived retired, deriving a good income from his property interests. In addition to his farm of three hundred and twenty acres he purchased another place of two hundred acres, on which he has built a house and two barns, and there he engages in raising and feeding stock. Indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and he could not content himself without some business yet he is now enabled to put aside the more arduous cares and labors which fell to his lot in former years and the partial rest which he is now enjoying is well merited.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mounts have been born five children: Emmett G., who is married and owns a large farm in Grant township; Ella, the wife of E. F. DeLay, a son of George DeLay, of Alton, Iowa; John, who is a partner with his father in the conduct of the farm and live-stock interests; Charles F., who is also on a farm; and Pearl, at home.

The members of the household are well known in Shannon City and this part of the county and they have an extensive circle of friends. Mrs. Mounts is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active interest in its work. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Mounts has voted with the democratic party and has served as highway commissioner for a number of years and as a delegate to county and state conventions, while his opinions carry weight in local counsels of the party. He has also been officially identified with the schools for a number of years and believes in maintaining a high standard of education as a preparation for life’s practical and responsible duties. He is a member of Shannon City Lodge, I. O. O. F., which he joined on its organization. He has filled all of the chairs and is a past grand and also has occupied all the official positions in the encampment and is a past chief patriarch. His wife and daughter are connected with the Rebekah degree and Mrs. Mounts has filled all of the offices in that organization. A review of the life record of Mr. Mounts shows that in all relations he has been a man of sterling character, loyal to the best interests of the community, public spirited as a citizen, honorable in business and loyal and faithful in friendship.