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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
EDWIN L. VALENTINE, one of the useful factors in the business element of New Sharon, is successfully conducting a good livery business, and generally respected as a citizen and business man. He was born in Logan County, Ohio, Feb. l4, 1861, his parents being David N. and Orlena (Baughman) Valentine, also natives of the Buckeye State, and who were there united in marriage. David Valentine is a blacksmith by trade. In October, 1865, the family removed to Rock Island, Ill., and two years later to Iowa, locating at Montezuma, where they remained until 1877, and then emigrated to Lincoln County, Kan., where the elder Valentine follows his trade in connection with farming. The parental family consisted of seven children: Mary E, wife of A. L. Shaw; Nathan M.; Susan J. became the wife of A. L. Frances, and died, leaving one daughter; John W., Samuel, Edwin L. and Berton W. The subject of this sketch removed with the family to Illinois, Iowa and Kansas, and in Lincoln County of the last-named State, in December, 1881, was married to Miss Alice Deits, a native of Kansas, and born in Leavenworth in 1864. After his marriage Mr. Valentine traveled and solicited business for the Fire Insurance Company, and continued in that business until October, 1885, when he returned to Iowa and settled at New Sharon, purchasing the livery business that had been established by his brother, John W. Valentine, Thomas Watland and Henry Cattell, in September, 1884, and not only does the principal livery business of the town, hut is proprietor of the omnibus and transfer lines of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Valentine are the parents of one daughter, Orlena Dell, who was born March 27, 1884. Mr. Valentine commenced life without means, and nothing but his indomitable push to aid him. He was engaged five years as a solicitor of insurance business, in which he was very successful, and by means of which he accumulated sufficient capital to give him a start in life, which now places him among the leading business men of New Sharon. The same energy that characterized him in the insurance business is shown in the management of his present business. He is an excellent judge of human nature, studies people as he would a book, and rarely makes a mistake in his judgment of men. He has many friends, and is deservedly popular.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy