Oliver H. Lighter

LIGHTER, LONG, STODDARD, DIETRICK, MARTZ, STRICKLER

Posted By: Gail Meyer Kilgore (email)
Date: 3/4/2004 at 01:58:15

OLIVER H. LIGHTER, who resides on section 36, Melrose Township, Grundy County, where he carries on general farming, is a son of Solomon Lighter, who was born and reared on a farm in Frederick County, Md. After arriving at man’s estate, he was in 1840 united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Long, and a few years later they emigrated to Carroll County, Ill., where the father secured land and engaged in farming. He there developed a good homestead, continuing to engage in its cultivation for about twenty years. At length he determined to seek a home in Iowa, and in the fall of 1865 he came to Grundy County and purchased four hundred acres of land at $8.50 per acre, the farm on which our subject now resides.

In the spring of 1866, the family came to their new home. There were no improvements upon the place, and Solomon Lighter at once engaged in breaking prairie, building fences and making other needed improvements. He was an industrious man, and his diligence and perseverance soon transformed the raw prairie into rich and fertile fields. His life was well and worthily spent, and gained him high regard. He held membership with, and was one of the officers, of the Church of God. His death occurred August 17, 1889. His wife still survives him and makes her home with our subject. This worthy couple had a family of ten children, seven of whom are still living. Indiana is the wife of Riley Stoddard, of Colorado; Nimrod is living in Missouri; Virginia is the wife of Samuel Dietrick, a resident of Conrad, Iowa; John is living in Clay Township, Grundy County; Lillie makes her home in Eldora, Iowa; Oliver H. is the next younger; and Mary is the wife of Jacob Martz, a farmer in Palermo Township.

Mr. Lighter whose name heads this record was born December 29, 1859, in Carroll County, Ill., and was a lad of five years when he came with his parents to this county, where he has since lived. In 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha Strickler, daughter of David Strickler, a well known farmer of Melrose Township. Four children grace their union, namely: Edna, Lucy, Ruth, and Ralph O.

Mr. Lighter now conducts the home farm of three hundred and twenty acres. It is well watered, the land is rich and fertile, and in improvements, it ranks with the best farms of the neighborhood. He devotes his time to raising grains, making a specialty of oats and corn, and the golden fields indicate his thrift and enterprise. He is a man of energy, not afraid of labor, and his good management and perseverance have achieved for him a success that has numbered him among the substantial farmers of the community. He takes an active interest in everything that pertains to the welfare of his town and county, is a stanch advocate of the cause of temperance, and is a prominent worker in the ranks of the Prohibition party. He and his wife hold membership with the Church of God, and are people of sterling worth, and their many excellencies of character have won them the esteem and confidence of all with whom they have been brought in contact.

Source:
Portrait and Biographical Record
of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa
1894