|
Shelby County
>> 1889 Index Biographical
History of Shelby and Audubon Counties, Iowa A Unless noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton. T.
E. Averill,
a native of Canada West, was born September 13, 1841, and is the son of
Thomas and Anna (Flewuelling) Averill.
At the age of eight years his parents
removed to Macomb County, Michigan, where he spent his early
life. he was trained to
agricultural pursuits, and was educated in the
public schools. At the age
of seventeen years he began to learn the carpenter's
trade, which avocation he followed for six years.
His life has been somewhat
varied since he abandoned his trade. In
1863 he came to Davenport, Iowa, and engaged in the carpenter's trade; he
then removed to De Witt, Clinton
County, where he followed the same trade for
a time; here he also engaged in the insurance business.
From this point he removed to Lincoln, Illinois, where he managed a hotel,
the Sherman House, for one year.
He then sold this and returned to Iowa, settling
at Wheatland, Clinton County; here he resided two years, engaged in the
fruit-tree business. After
his stay in Wheatland he went to Marshall County,
and farmed four years. He then
removed to Newton, Jasper County,
where he embarked in the general merchandise trade; this he
continued three years, and the next six years was employed in farming.
In the spring of 1882 he came to Shelby County, and settled on a farm of
200 acres in Greeley Township, which he had purchased in the winter of
1879 and 1880. This was wild
land, but has since been brought to such an
advanced state of cultivation that it is one of the finest farms in the county. Mr. Averill had made his own improvements in
buildings, probably reaching $3,000
in value. He has a fine system of
water-works, supplying water to
live-stock and for domestic purposes. The
farm is known as Pleasant Ridge
Stock Farm, and is situated one and a half miles
from Defiance. Mr. Averill also operates a dairy in connection with his
other farm work. He makes a specialty of high grades and fine breeds of
cattle, and takes an active interest in the improvement of all kinds of
live-stock. He is a
supporter of the Republican party, and is at
present serving as justice of the peace in his township.
He has served on the board
of education, and is a member of the Farmers' Alliance.
Mr. Averill was married October 14, 1865, to Miss Lucinda Porter, a
daughter of Matthew H. and Sarah (Carl) Porter, who was born in Putnam
County, Illinois, May 14, 1839. They
are the parents of four children - Carrie
B., wife of Robert Crisp; Thomas M., Ida M. and Edwin H.; the
last three are residing at home. Mr.
and Mrs. Averill are worthy and consistent
members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
|