The Learns were an old family long settled in
Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. Like many others, however, in the emigration days
of the last century, they began to cast longing eyes on the rich and cheap lands
of the west and formally resolved to secure some of this fertile region. The
fever of emigration was at its height during the fifties and all the central
valley states of the Middle West got their share of the influx. No state,
however, secured a more desirable class of farmers than Iowa, into which poured
a rich stream of the best German, Scandinavian and American blood, whose work
later told strongly in the development of the state. New Yorkers, Ohioans,
Pennsylvanians and New Englanders were conspicuous among the vanguard invading
the fertile young commonwealth beyond the Mississippi. To trace the story of
some of these families is the object of these writings and among the number we
find Charles LEARN, who came from Pennsylvania in 1855, when
Iowa was still raw as an agricultural state. He was accompanied by his wife and
eight children, the trip being made from McGregor by team. As soon as he had
landed on the prairie he bought forty acres where J. H. LEARN
now resides. It was at that time wild land, but he cleared the place and
temporarily erected a log building for shelter. Later he added another forty
acres to his original hundred and lived there until his death.
J. H.
LEARN, one of the sons of the foregoing, was born in Luzerne county,
Pennsylvania, in 1849. He grew up on the home place and was educated in the
common schools. With the exception of about six years he has lived on the home
farm. Farming has been his sole occupation and he has met with success in his
calling, but only by the hardest and most exacting work. However, he is a good
manager, knows how to make both ends meet and at the end of the year generally
has a balance to show on the right side of the ledger. When he started in he
pre-empted a homestead, and to this he has added fifty acres. He confines his
efforts to general farming and stock raising, not attempting any fancy flights
and avoiding everything like speculation.
On December 19, 1876, Mr.
Learn married Rachel HAVENSTRETE, daughter of Francis
and Clementine Havenstrete, all of Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa in
1868 and settled in Dover township, near the Clermont line. Their children are:
Clarence, a student and teacher in Washington University, St. Louis; Nellie, at
home; Roy, a farmer in Dover township; Charles, at home. The family are members
of the Evangelical church and Mr. Learn's political affiliations are with the
Republican party."
(Source book includes a picture of Mr. and Mrs. Jonas H. LEARN)