Lucious L. Noble

NOBLE, GRAY, KIDNER, PORTER, FRIARS

Posted By: Becky Teubner (email)
Date: 1/17/2004 at 22:46:27

LUCIUS L. NOBLE, a prominent retired agriculturist of Strawberry Point, was born in the village of Alabama, in Genesee County, N. Y., July 15, 1832. The family of which he is a worthy representative originated in England and was prominent in this country during the Colonial days. Grandfather Medad Noble was a shoemaker by trade, and was one of the devoted patriots who offered their services in the defense of the Colonies during the dark days of the Revolution.

J. F. Noble, our subject's father, was born in Richmond, N, Y., in 1804, and was a farmer by occupation. With his family he came west in 1833
and settled in Michigan, where he remained until 1846. He then came to Clayton County, at that time considered the extreme frontier, and entering a tract of Government land in Lodomillo Township, gave his attention to its cultivation until his death in 1864. His wife, also a native of the state of New York, bore the maiden name of Martha Gray, and was born in Livingston County, being the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. At an advanced age she died in 1886, on the old homestead in Lodomillo Township.

The subject of this sketch was one of three brothers. L. R. is a wealthy retired farmer of Strawberry Point, and is a stockholder in the
Strawberry Point Bank. F. G. is living on the old homestead. Our subject was fourteen years of age when the family came to Iowa, and soon after he began the active career of an agriculturist. Commencing the cultivation of a farm in Lodomillo Township, he continued thus engaged until 1882, when, having accumulated a competence, he retired from active work. He has since resided in Strawberry Point, but still owns his fine farm of two hundred and twenty acres, which he rents to reliable tenants. About twenty-five years ago he received a very severe fall from a wagon, which produced paralysis, and which has rendered him unable to do manual labor, His intellect, however, is as keen as in the days of early manhood, and he retains a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his fellow-citizens. He is a stockholder and Director in the Strawberry Point Bank, and is recognized as one of the leading men in the place.

The lady who in 1858 became the wife of our subject was Miss Elizabeth E. Kidner, a native of Ohio and daughter of Amos Kidner, one of
the pioneers of that state. Two daughters have blessed their union. The elder, Cora A., is a graduate of Lenox College, in Hopkinton, Iowa, and the wife of E. B. Porter, a merchant of Delhi, this state. The younger, Emma D., a graduate of Upper Iowa University of Fayette, was for many years a teacher in the public schools, and is now the wife of R. E. Friars, of
Washington.

Since the organization of the Republican party Mr. Noble has advocated the principles for which it stands. For several years he officiated as Township Clerk, but with that exception has held no public office. He keeps fully informed concerning the great issues of the age, and, being well posted upon topics of importance, is an interesting conversationalist. His wife and younger daughter belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Porter is identified with the Baptist denomination. While he is not a church member, he has led a strictly moral and upright life, and occupies a high place in the regard of the people.

-source: Dubuque, Jones, and Clayton Counties History 1894 pgs. 445-446