Biography of Samuel BARLEAN

From the Butler County Atlas, date unknown

Samuel Barlean was born Sept. 24 1838, in Ashland county, Ohio which at the time formed a part of Richland County. His father Michael Barlean, had settled in that state at an early day, having removed there from Pennsylvania, where his ancestors had made their home for four or five generations. Reared on a farm in his native state, Samuel acquired his education in the public schools of the neighborhood, and early became familiar with farm work in its various departments. At the age of nineteen he moved to Knox Co. Illinois, where he remained for one year, going overland to Mahaska county, Iowa, in 1858, and making his home there until coming to Butler county, Nebraska, on the 3rd day of April, 1871, when he took possession of his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 34, Olive Township. The place now under excellent cultivation and well improved with good farm buildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. The farm is also well stocked.

Feeling that his country needed his services during the dark days of the civil war, Samuel enlisted in 1862 in Company C, Thirty third Iowa volunteer infantry. The following year he was with the command that met Kirby Smith and his forces at Helena, Arkansas, and after the engagement at that place proceeded to Little Rock, thence to New Orleans and Mobile Point, Alabama, where the Army was reorganized. When the war was over and his services were no longer needed Samuel was honorably discharged and returned to his home in Mahaska County, Iowa, to resume farming, quite willing that the sword should be beaten into ploughshares.

In 1868 Samuel was married in Mahaska county, to Miss Sarah Cecil, a daughter of Andrew Cecil, a native of Kentucky, and they have become the parents of nine children. Namely Cora Abby, who was born in Iowa, and is now the wife of George McLaughlin; Clarabelle, now Mrs. John Pinney of Butler County, Nebraska; Edward C.; James Otis; Eva May; George A; Effie E; Elva A; and Ella. The entire family are now residents of Butler County and are widely and favorably known.

Politically, Samuel is identified with the Republican Party; socially belongs to A. Lincoln post, No. 10 G.A.R. and religiously is a faithful member of the Methodist Church.

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