Henry Friedley

FRIEDLEY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/10/2009 at 10:24:04

Henry Friedley, living on Sec 9, Dodge township, and devoting his energies to general farming and stock raising and to the raising and sale of nursery stock. Mr Fridley ahs become well known in this portion of the state. He was born in Clark county, Indiana, February 20, 1834, and is a son of Daniel Friedley, a native of Kentucky. The family is of German descent, and was founded in America by the grandfather of our subject. Who emigrated tot eh new world, settling in Pennsylvania. He afterwards removed to Kentucky and there resided for a number of years, but ultimately took up his abode in Harrison county, Indiana. Later he became a resident of Clark county. His son, Daniel Friedley , was married in Harrison county to Miss Rebecca Hiestand, who was born in Ohio, but removed to Indiana before the state was admitted to the Union. For a few years after their marriage Mr Friedley remained in Clark county and then removed to Clay county, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in 1849. His wife had departed this life three years previous.
In taking up the personal history of Henry Friedley we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known. He spent the first sixteen years of his life in Indiana and in 1850 came to Boone county, Iowa, where for a half century he has made his home. He first lived with his brother-in-law, Logan Defore, one of the early settlers of this portion of the state and a very prominent resident of Boone, county. Mr Friedley worked with Mr Defore, broke the prairie during the spring and summer months fan in the winter engaged in making rails. He later became the owner of a breaking team of from four to six yoke of cattle. His first plow cut a furrow twenty-two inches wide and had a wooden mold board. He engaged in breaking the prairie for a number of years and turned the first furrows upon many hundreds of acres of the virgin soil of Boone county. During the cold season of the year he cut and split rails and many rods of fence were built from rails which he had prepared for the purpose. He thus became an active factor in the early development of the county. IN 1852 he entered a tract of land of 80 acres from the government and about two years later he bought an adjoining 80 acres. This he broke and cultivated, making an excellent farm comprising a fourth section. In the spring of 1859, however, he sold that property purchased where he now lives, having here 160 acres upon which the usual work of the farm was carried on. He built fences and good buildings that he might provide shelter and comfort for this family and for the stock and might provide a place which would protect the crops from the storms of winter. Fruit trees were planted until now there is a good orchard and shade and ornamental trees adorn the lawn. He purchased and additional tract of 80 acres and thus became the owner of a good farm of 240 acres. In 1884, in connection with his sons, he began raising nursery stock and has since conducted that business, supplying his neighbors and many residents of adjacent counties. His stock is of an excellent grade and this branch of his business has proved a profitable source of income and today he is a prosperous farmer.
On August 25, 1858, in this county, was celebrated the marriage of Mr Friedley and Miss Mary Coe, a daughter of Joshua Coe, who removed here form Ohio and was among the early settlers. Mrs Friedley was born in the Buckeye state and was a maiden of fourteen summers when she came to Iowa. Her death occurred April 11, 1899, and she was laid to rest in the Ridgeport cemetery. Five children have been born of the marriage: John S, who is married and resides upon the farm, carrying on the place, Florence, the wife of John Condon, a resident farmer of Dodge township, Clara, who became the wife of J Peterson, but is now deceased, Ed, who owns and operates a farm near his father, and Iva, the wife of Charles Burke, who resides upon a farm adjoining the city of Boone.Mr Friedley is known as a stalwart advocated of Republican principles, his identification with the party dating form the time when its first presidential candidate was placed in the field. The only office he has ever held has been that of supervisor of highways and a member of the school board, for he has never sought or desired political preferment. He belongs tot eh Ridgeport Methodist Episcopal church and his has an honorable and upright career, in consistent harmony with his religious beliefs and principles. His genial manner, his devotion to the public good and above all his known reliability and honest, have made Mr Friedley one of the respected and valued men of Dodge township.

1902 Boone County History Book