Jasper Bouslaugh

If ANYONE has a PICTURE of JASPER could they please send it to me? I would love to put one on this page. It would be greatly APPRECIATED!!! This letter was written by Judge Joseph R. Bouslaugh to his son while Jasper served in the Civil War. It was sent to me by Vinton Bouslaugh many years ago. Thank you, Vinton!

Office of County Judge Monona County, Iowa Onawa City, Jan 11, 1865

My Dear Son,
I am somewhat reduced by anxiety on account of you, and your mother likewise is very uneasy about you. But don't let it discourage you. May God bless and protect you my boy. You have ever been a good and dutiful son. Remember now that you can in no way so well discharge your duty to your parents whose hearts ache for you, as by taking best care of yourself and obay your officers if it is in your power so to do .. My son, only do never indulge in drink or gaming of any kind for it will ultimately ruin any young man, and avoid the company of bad men as much as possible and bad women for they are the worst of the two. Above all keep God constantly before your eyes and pray to Him for help and you will not be forsaken in the end. Our all wise providance knows what is best. Sometimes He tries our pations to see if we will remain true to Him but He will not tax us too much if we only hold out if faith. Whatever you can save consistent with this rule do with all your might and send it home and it will be safe for you, and if I use any of it I will charge myself in my book whare you will find it when you return and it will be repaid to you out of my efects. That is if I would die before you get back. I am thinking that if you would send home all you can spare, when I would get half anuf I would purchase a mare for you and by the time you would come back you would have a good span of horses. I do not know how it could be laid out to better advantage as they shall cost you nothing until you come back. Write if it meets your abrobation or not. Your mother is now raising a heffer calf for you. Oh Jasper, if you was back no power on earth could get your consent to leave us. But I could see you wanted to go, and God forbid that I should be the cause of any of my children's unhappiness. Notwithstanding my Boy , do not let our sorrow dishartin you, only do not forget us as you can plainley see we cannot forget you. Your place at table, bed and fireplace is vacant and so shall remain until you return. I caution you not to put yourself in danger unnecessarily. It is not them that rushes into danger that are the bravest men. Be cool and considerate before you do any rash act. Your return will be our onley happiness in this world if we are blessed to live to see it. I pray for you every night and I hope you will likewise pray to the Almighty God for your sole and safety. Your young brother Marion, sayes to you Loving brother of my boyhood: take good care of yourself and come home as soon as you can. Write us often as you can. Direct your letter as follows and it will be more sure to come as it will be thought a business letter.
J. R. Bouslaugh Onawa
Judge of Monona County

If you will put your trust in God
A refuge always nigh
You need not like a turtle dove
To distant mountain flye

Theodore and all send their respects to all of you.

Jasper4 Bouslaugh (Joseph Rench3, Sebastian2 Bouslough, Jr., Sebastian1 Bouslaugh, Sr.) was born November 17, 1841 in Darke Co., IN, and died April 06, 1912 in Castana, Monona, IA. He married (1) Martha Anne McCleerey May 29, 1866 in Monona Co., IA by Judge J.R. Bouslaugh, daughter of Willian McClarrey. He married (2) Ida Kraft November 08, 1906 in Omaha, Douglas, NE, daughter of Jno. Kraft and Caroline Kraft.
Children of Jasper Bouslaugh and Martha McCleerey are:
107 i. Eliza E.5 Bouslaugh.
108 ii. Leona L. Bouslaugh.
109 iii. Paul P. Bouslaugh.
+ 110 iv. George G. Bouslaugh, born Abt. 1866.
111 v. Newton N. Bouslaugh, born Abt. 1868. He married Maud Sturtevant March 16, 1892 in Monona Co.,IA.
112 vi. William W. Bouslaugh, born Abt. 1870. He married Emma Lousie Rawlings November 09, 1902 in Castana,Monona, IA.
113 vii. Chancery Clayton Bouslaugh, born April 14, 1878; died April 15, 1971. Married March 28, 1900 to Alice Emma Smith. Alice b.12/18/1880 in Cumber, MI. Died 1/28/1957 in Mitchell, S.D. Both buried Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell.
Child of Jasper Bouslaugh and Ida Kraft is:
114 i. Theodore Thomas5 Bouslaugh, born June 24, 1908. He married Alice A. O'Conner.

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