BROCKELSBY, John R.

BROCKELSBY, COUSINS, COUSINS, LONG

Posted By: Nettie Mae
Date: 1/18/2003 at 22:26:17

SOURCE: "Biographical history of Crawford, Ida and Sac Counties, Iowa" Lewis Pub. Co., Chicago, 1893

JOHN R. BROCKELSBY, who has been identified with the farming interest of Hayes
township, Crawford county, Iowa, since 1874, is one it most intelligent and prosperous
citizens.

Mr. Brockelsby was born in Lincolnshire, England, September 19, 1844, son of
William and Martha (Cousins) Brockelsby, natives of the same place. The mother died in
England in 1860, leaving four children, namely: Mary Jane Westoby and Julia Brown,
residents of Lincolnshire; and John R. and W. H.

In 1868 the subject of our sketch came to the United States and located in Clinton
county, Iowa, where he lived until 1874. That year he came to his present location, then a
wild stretch of country. He at first bought eighty acres of land, to which he has since
added, being now the owner of 160 acres, all well improved. His cottage home is 16x22
feet, with an L, 16x40 feet, and is located on a natural building site, surrounded with
grove and orchard. His barn, 29x32 feet, his grainery, cribs, yards, feed lots, fences, etc.,
are all arranged with reference to convenience and are kept up in good shape.

When he was twenty-three years of age, Mr. Brockelsby was married in Clinton
county, Iowa to Alice Cousins, a native of Lincolnshire, England, and a daughter of John
and Priscilla (Long) Cousins, natives of the same place. Her father is now a resident of
Westside township, this county, her mother having died in Clinton county, Iowa. Mr. and
Mrs. Brockelsby have six children: William H., Charles E., George Thomas, John Earl,
Alice and James. They lost three children: Thomas, aged seven months; Rosa, eleven
years; and Merritt, seven years.

Mr. Brockelsby affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as Township
Trustee and as a member of the School Board, performing his duty with the strictest
fidelity. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church. He is now in the prime of
life, is frank and jovial, and is popular with all who know him.