Charles W. Pinneo Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Pinneo, Pinneaux, Stricker, Ritch, Bell, Fairbanks. Charles W. Pinneo has completed the three score years and ten allotted by the Psalmist as man's span of life and is now living retired in the village of Princeton, where he owns some valuable property. For a long period he was identified with the agricultural interests of Princeton township and for almost four decades was a factor in the educational work of his section of Scott county. His life covers the period of Iowa's great development, and he is a son of one of the pioneers of this section of the state whose energy, courage and progressive spirit made possible the conditions which are now enjoyed by all. Giles M. Pinneo, the father of Charles W., is especially deserving of mention on the honor roll of Scott county's early settlers, and his name frequently appears as that of the man who was a leader in various affairs. He was born in Waterbury, Vermont, April 10, 1809, and was a son of Giles Pinneo. The family is of French descent and was established on this side of the Atlantic by Jacques Pinneaux and a brother, who fled to America at the time of the French revolution. Giles M. Pinneo, Sr., the grandfather of Charles W., Pinneo, and his brother Daniel served in the American war of 1812, while two sons of the former, Giles and Haswell Pinneo, enlisted in Lincoln's troops at the time of the Black Hawk war. Haswell Pinneo was in active service through-out the conflict, but the other was taken sick and never did duty upon the field. Giles M. Pinneo, the father of our subject, lived in the vicinity of Waterbury, Vermont, until of age, receiving his education in the public schools there. In 1832 he came west, settling first near Rock Island, Illinois, where he worked for Judge Spencer. In the fall of 1833 he crossed the river and took up a claim in Pleasant Valley township, where he secured at the government price three hundred and twenty acres of prairie land, which is still in the possession of his son Charles W. Pinneo. He did not live upon that tract at first, however, but he and his brother Haswell H. built a house upon the river bank, in which they kept bachelor quarters for a year. Then Giles M. Pinneo married and removed to his own farm I Princeton township, the claim for which is the first recorded in the books of the township, and thereon he built a log cabin, in which he and his wife lived until 1855, when he erected a fine brick house that is still standing. He made other improvements on the ! place and later went to Sangamon county, Illinois, to purchase two cows and a bull, which were the first cattle brought to Princeton township. Giles M. Pinneo occupied a prominent place in his township and county, being the incumbent of some office through the greater part of his active life. He took the first assessment in Scott county and made his own books of foolscap paper, as it was impossible to get books for the purpose here. He also served as supervisor for a number of years. He was one of three commissioners appointed to find a location for the county seat of Polk county and it was largely through his influence that in 1846 Des Moines was determined upon, which later on led to the location of the state capital there. He and a friend, Wilbur Warren, built the first schoolhouse here, bringing all the lumber and doing all the work themselves, and Mr. Pinneo was instrumental in establishing the first Sabbath school. Later he was a member of the school board and was ever a potent factor in advancing the educational opportunities of his locality. In politics he was a democrat until 1856, when he became a stalwa! rt republican, while his religious allegiance was given to the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he frequently held office. The cause of temperance always found in him a strong advocate. Indeed, he was a man who was ever at the head of any movement for the public good and was well and favorably known throughout Scott county and this section of Iowa. He claimed that he had witnessed the greatest miracle ever wrought for the benefit of man, namely, the transformation of the wild, unbroken prairie into the fertile farms and prosperous towns now to be seen in this county, and in his death, which occurred July 5, 1895, the community lost one of the valiant men whose labors had been so effective in bringing about this change. In November, 1837, Giles M. Pinneo was married to Miss Asenath Stricker, who was born in Clark county, Indiana, in 1818. In their family were three children, namely: Charles W., the subject of this sketch; Sarah, the deceased wife of Charles Ritch; and Mary E., who lives upon the old homestead. The wife and mother endured all the hardships of pioneer life bravely and was called to her final rest in 1861. Charles W. Pinneo was born in Princeton township, December 25, 1839, and has spent his entire life in this locality. After completing the course in the district schools he entered Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, but was compelled to leave school after the second year on account of his mother's death. Thereupon he returned to the farm, which he operated in the summer, while in the winter he taught school. As a teacher he was connected with the schools of Princeton township for thirty-eight years, for twenty-two years of that period having held classes in the same room. In 1882 he removed to Princeton and taught in the village school until 1897, when he laid aside active business. He still retains possession of three hundred and thirty acres of farm land he inherited from his father and owns the fine town property where he lives. Like his father he has participated in the public life of the township, for he served as trustee for twenty years, was clerk of elections a n! umber of times and was a member of the town council. He has also rendered valuable service tot eh cause of education as a member of the school board, and his influence has always been exerted in behalf of improvement. In Chicago, Illinois, December 24, 1868, Mr. Pinneo was married to Miss Josephine E. Bell, a native of Machias, Port Maine. Her father, Dr. George L. Bell, owned considerable land in this county and for a short time practiced medicine here, but his but his professional labors were for the most part confined to Boston, Massachusetts. He died in Chicago in 1891. His wife, who was Miss Eliza A. Fairbanks in her maidenhood, was born November 9, 1817, and is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Pinneo have on son, George M., who was born June 7, 1874, and is now a railroad man. Mr. Pinneo holds active member ship in Independent Order of Odd Fellows society and has passed all the chairs of the lodge. The circle of his friends, however, is not limited by the number of his fraternal brethren, for he is widely and favorably known in this county, where his entire life has been passed and where he has so directed his energies and his activities as to win the respect and good will of those who have known him through a long period. Not only have his labors been productive of financial success, but he has been also afforded many opportunities to do a large measure of good for others, and the memory of his deeds will survive even after he has passed away. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann Assist. CC: Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm. for: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES