ROBERT A. CHURCH

CHURCH

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/20/2020 at 13:40:50

ROBERT A. CHURCH, one of the prominent farmers and a leading citizen of Washington township, Adams county, is a native of Green county, Wisconsin, born December 1, 1846. His parents, Edward L. and Kesiah (Millman) Church, were both natives of Indiana. His father moved from Indiana to Wisconsin and settled on a farm in 1842. In 1850 he went to Carroll county, Illinois, and entered a piece of land. He remained there until 1880, when he moved
to Adair county, Iowa, where he died in 1886, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a
regularly ordained minister in the United Brethren Church, traveled on circuits for a number of years, and was instrumental in adding many to the church. His wife died about 1848. She also was an earnest Christian and a member of the United Brethren Church. Three sons were born to them, one dying in infancy. The subject of this sketch is the oldest. His brother, Zeno G., is now a resident of Kansas.

R. A. Church received his education in the public schools, and was eighteen years of
age when he entered the service of his country. This was in the spring of 1864, and he enlisted in Company D. Forty sixth Iowa Volunteers. He was not actively engaged in any of the important battles of the war, but was in several dangerous skirmishes. After a four months’ service he re-enlisted and was in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, remaining in the same until the close of the war. He stood the army exposure seemingly quite well until they had orders to march home. At this time he reported sick, was taken to the hospital and came from Memphis to Cairo on the hospital boat, thence to Camp Butler near Springfield, Illinois. On returning home he took the fever and ague and after suffering with that disease for six months the rheumatism set in, and from the effects of the latter he has never recovered.

After the war Mr. Church first engaged in farming and later in the blacksmith business. At the latter trade he worked five years, after which he was compelled to seek other employment on account of the rheumatism. He came to Adams county in 1869, worked in a shop at Mount Etna two years and then located on a farm he had purchased in 1869. He moved to his present location, in section 16, Washington township, March 1, 1875. His home is located on what was originally the John Henry and Montgomery county road, a mile and a half west of Mount Etna.
He owns 160 acres of fine, well improved land, and is comfortably fixed to enjoy life. His residence, located on a truncated cone, commands a magnificent view of the surrounding fertile country.

Mr. Church is prominent in local affairs. He has filled various offices of profit and trust, such as trustee, supervisor and president of the school board. He is now serving his fifth year as president of the school board. He is progressive in his views and is second to none in the township in promoting its best interests.

In 1868 he was united in marriage with Miss Huldah A. Cummings, daughter of
Benjamin and Jane Cummings, of Wisconsin. Lillie Belle Church, an adopted daughter, has made her home with them for three years. Mr. Church is a member of the I. O. O. F. and has passed all its chairs. He was D. D. G. M. of his district one term; also a member of the G. A. R., having served two terms as Post Commander and now being Adjutant.