John Randall Breed (1852 - 1940)

Born 1 Mar 1852 in Greenfield Township, Jones County, Iowa, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Cora (Burch) Breed — married 22 Nov 1888 in Madison Township, Jones County, Iowa, United States

Descendants

Died 12 Feb 1940 at age 87 in Anamosa, Jones County, Iowa, United States

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Biography

John Randall Breed, born 1 Mar 1852, was the eighth child of Elisa (Dye), the third wife of Amos Breed ^[1]. He was the last child of this combined family, born in Jones County, Iowa, whereas his siblings had been born in Chenango County, New York, before they moved to Iowa ^[2].

He married 22 Nov 1888 Cora Burch; they had three children, twin boys that died in infancy, and Glada Mae Breed. This family resided at Anamosa, Iowa.

The following biography is provided from the "History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, Volume II" ^[3]:

John R. Breed is now living retired in Anamosa, but in former years was closely associated with farming interests, winning substantial success through his labors in the fields. He was born in Greenfield township, Jones county, March 1, 1852. His parents, Amos and Eliza Breed, removed from Chenango county, New York, to this state in the fall of 1851 and lived upon the old homestead farm until called to their final rest, the father always devoting his time and energies to the cultivation of the soil. He died July 26, 1866, and his widow, long surviving, passed away November 22, 1887.

John R. Breed was educated largely in the country schools and also spent some time in Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa, thus obtaining thorough preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. The occupation to which he was reared he determined to make his life work and when he put aside his text-books he resumed his labors in the fields. In his youthful days he was somewhat of an athlete and very fond of all outdoor sports. After the death of the father his older brother Ira took charge of the farm, which they operated together until the death of the brother on the 17th of July, 1909. As he took up farming for himself he bent his energies to the further development and cultivation of the fields in a way that brought substantial returns. He studied the nature of the soil and the needs of various cereals and inculcated the principles of scientific farming into the work of developing the home place. Year after year he thus carefully carried on his work with the result that in time he accumulated a handsome competence sufficient to enable him to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest. In March, 1908, therefore, he removed to Anamosa, where he has since lived retired.

On the 22d of November, 1888, Mr. Breed was married to Miss Cora A. Burch, the wedding being celebrated at the home of her father, T. M. Burch, in Madison township, Jones county. They became parents of twin boys, who died in infancy and a daughter, Glada M. Mr. Breed has been a member of Knights of Pythias lodge of Martelle for about eighteen years, and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party of the principles of which he is a stalwart advocate and yet he has had little time for the honors and emoluments of office, finding through many years that his time and energies were fully occupied by his business pursuits.

John died on February 12th, 1940 in Iowa from cancer of the liver ^[4]. His wife predeceased him. He was buried on February 14th at the Norwich Cemetery in Martelle, Iowa ^[5].

Sources

1. ↑ Breed Family Association #16 (March, 1963), Charles B. Newhall et.al.; p. 85, 131, no. 697.
2. ↑ Ormsby Jennie Elizabeth Breed. Breed-Ormsby Family Notes: Complied 1952 by Jennie E. Ormsby and Francis Elliott Ormsby for their Daughter Carmen Marguerite Ormsby VanZante. N.p.: Self Published, Undated: https://archive.org/details/breedormsbyfamil00orms/page/51 page 25
3. ↑ Corbitt, R. M., "History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, Volume II", S. J. Clarke Publishing Co, Chicago: 1910, p. 583-4.
4. ↑ Iowa Death certificates, v. 3, 1940
5. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #78060900