Fred S. Cahow

MERRIAM, EWERS, FIDLER

Posted By: Norma Nielson
Date: 2/23/2006 at 18:34:14

FRED S. CAHOW
From The "History of Adair County Iowa and its People", Volume II (Chicago: The
Pioneer Publishing Company), 1915.

Fred S. Cahow, an honored veteran of the Civil war, is living retired in
Greenfield after being for many years actively identified with the agricultural
interests of the county. A native of Ohio, he was born in Akron, August 16,
1846, of the marriage of Johathan and Louisa (Merriam) Cahow. His parents, who
were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, became early
residents of Ohio and there their marriage occurred. They continued to reside
in the Buckeye state until 1855, when they removed to Bureau county, Illinois,
which remained their home for three years. They then went to Henry county, that
state, where they resided until 1873, in which year they came to Adair county,
Iowa. Both passed away in this county. Three of their twelve children are still
living.

Fred S. Cahow began his independent career when fifteen years old and when but
sixteen enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry, for service in the Civil war. He was at the front for about a year
and was then mustered out at Chicago, after which he returned to Henry county,
Illinois. In 1869 he became a resident of Stuart, Iowa, and turned his
attention to railroading, beginning as a fireman. He won promotion to the
position of engineer and was with the railroad for twelve years. On the 6th of
February, 1880, he came to Adair county and located upon the farm of two hundred
and forty acres in Grove township which he still owns. The place is finely
improved and for nineteen years he devoted his energies to its operation,
accumulating a competence which now enables him to live retired in Greenfield,
where he owns an attractive residence.

Mr. Cahow was married in 1872 to Miss Sarah J. Ewers, who was a native of Ohio
and a daughter of Robert and Malinda (Fidler) Ewers, both born in Ohio. They
removed to this county in 1855 and here both passed away. They were the parents
of seven children, two of whom survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Cahow were born four
children: Elmer E., who is farming the homestead; Nellie, who is a graduate of
the Greenfield high school and of the Iowa State Teachers College and who for
two years followed the profession of teaching; Frank R., who is an alumnus of
the Iowa State Teachers College and who is now teaching near Coon Rapids; and
Ralph R., who attended the State College at Ames and who is now upon the farm.
The wife and mother passed away on the 30th of January, 1915, and was laid to
rest in the Greenfield cemetery.

Mr. Cahow is a republican and has held a number of local offices, having served
as school director and trustee, which office he held for fifteen years, and
being at present one of the collateral inheritance tax appraisers. Fraternally
he belongs to the subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in
which he has held all the chairs, and he is likewise a loyal member of the local
post of the Grand Army of the Republic. The period of leisure which he is now
enjoying is well deserved and he is one of the valued residents of Greenfield.