RARE 1860 Floyd Co IOWA Agricultural Society BEST HARNESS 2nd FAIR Charles City

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RARE 1860 Floyd Co IOWA Agricultural Society BEST HARNESS 2nd FAIR Charles City:
$499.95

Up for sale or purchase is a rare piece of pre-Civil War Midwestern agricultural history. This original, beautifully lithographed diploma was awarded by the Floyd County Agricultural Society at its Second Annual Fair, held at St. Charles City, Iowa, on September 19th and 20th, 1860.

THIS WAS PRE CIVIL WAR AND FROM THE SECOND EVER FAIR HELD IN FLOYD COUNTY!!!! WHAT A RARE PIECE.

The diploma was awarded to George Worsfield for the "Best Single Harness", making it an exceptional crossover collectible for regional Iowa historians, agricultural enthusiasts, and antique horse/tack collectors.

Key Document Details:

Recipient: George Worsfield
Award Category: Best Single Harness
Event: Second Annual Fair
Location: St. Charles City, Iowa
Dates: September 19th & 20th, 1860
Signatures printed: James Jackson (Secretary) and S. Harwood (Vice President)
Visual Elements: Features an ornate, multi-color border (green, red, and gold tones) with a detailed central vignette depicting an early mid-century homestead, farming landscape, and livestock.

BELOW IS A TIDBIT ABOUT THE LIFE OF GEORGE WORSFIELD - IT IS INTERESTING AND MAKES THIS HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT

George Worsfield Page 1141

Born in England in 1831, was a son of John and Frances (Bonfield) Worsfield. When about twenty-one years of age he came to America, spending the first two years in Buffalo, N. Y., working at harness making. The following six months he sold goods on the road, in the western part of New York. At this date he went to Belvidere, Ill., where he remained two months when he joined his old friend, Henry Wadey, and came to Floyd County, Ia. His first purchase was in 1861, being the farm where he still resides, situated in the northwest corner of Union Township, on section 31. Here he built a small house which served as his home till 1873, when he built himself a very fine house. His home is pleasantly located, being about three and one-half miles from Marble Rock, and five and one-half from Rockford, and within a few rods of the railroad, where the daily passing trains relieve the monotony of country life. Mr. Worsfield has been unable, on account of his health a few years past, to carry on his farm, and has let it out on shares. He was married in 1869 to Miss Nancy Baltimore, daughter of A. Baltimore, an interesting sketch of whose life appears in this work. They have no family. Mrs. Worsfield died in 1878. He taught the first school in Marble Rock; made the first harness ever made in Floyd County, and took the first in the county on single and double harness, being a diploma, given by the Floyd County Agricultural Society, on each award, at its second annual meeting, Sept. 19, 20, 1860. He worked at the harness trade in England prior to coming to this county. He made a visit to England of about three months, four years ago. Politically he is a Republican and Prohibitionist. Has held the office of Township Trustee several terms, besides doing his part as School Director and Road Supervisor