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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
MRS. HARRIET WILLHOITE, of Adams Township, was born in Owen County, Ky., Feb. 6, 1823, and came to this county in 1844. She was married, April 13, 1843, to James M. Willhoite, also a native of Owen County, Ky., born Oct. 24, 1817, and who died in this county April 8, 1857. He was reared and educated in his native county. In 1851 he came to Iowa, located in Mahaska County, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was a good man in every sense of the word, a loving and indulgent husband and father, a kind neighbor, and a valued member of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Willhoite became the parents of seven children, as follows: John H., born Nov. 1, 1844, married Miss Cynthia Green and lives in Adams Township; Mary E., born Aug. 21, 1846, married Marion Bass and is living in Pratt County, Kan.; William T., born Aug. 31, 1848, died the same year; Willis J., born Oct. 26, 1849, married Miss Josie Wymore, and is living in Adams Township; Lucy A. was horn Oct. 2,1852, and died in 1859; James W., born Nov. 8, 1854, died in 1870; Miranda M., born Many 31, 1850, married Byron Parr, and is living in Monroe Township. Mrs. Wilihoite came to this county in the days when luxuries were unknown, and when it was a continuous struggle to obtain that which was essential to health and fair living. If it required courage on the part of a man to brave the hardships and privations of pioneer life, what did it not require on the part of woman to endure these same trials? In every instance where sacrifice was necessary, the pioneer women seldom failed in courage and endurance, and the country is indebted for its development and progress as much to the noble wives and mothers, who performed their duties bravely and faithfully, as to the sterner sex who wielded the ax and guided the plow. Those days have now passed with the subject of this sketch, who is living in peace and plenty at the old homestead she assisted in establishing, and, surrounded by her children and a host of warm friends, dwells as much in the past, perhaps, as in the present. Mrs. Wilihoite is a member of the Baptist Church, with which she became connected thirty-five years ago. Henry B. Stringfellow, father of Mrs. Wilihoite, was born Jan. 19, 1796, in Culpeper County, Va., and died JuIy 2, 1884; Elizabeth Stringfellow, his wife, was born Oct. 11, 1800, in Stafford County, Va., and departed this life in March, 1876. They were married in Franklin County, Ky., March 20, 1817, and in 1822 united with the Baptist Church, with which they were connected the remainder of their lives. With one exception all their children were born in Owen County, Ky., and the record is as follows: M. S. was born March 2, 1818; J. A. S., Jan. 2, 1820; H. S., Feb. 6, 1823; M. J. S., Feb. 10, 1826; E. F. S., July 15, 1827; A. E. S., May 13, 1832; J. H. S., Aug. 19, 1834; G. W. S., Aug. 16, 1837; W. B. S., the youngest, was born in Mahaska County.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy