Samuel Bockes

BOCKES, YUTZY, FREED, FINK

Posted By: Katie A. Dahl (email)
Date: 3/29/2004 at 17:41:13

SAMUEL BOCKES, who resides on section 30, Palermo Township, takes rank among the progressive farmers of Grundy County. He was born in Somerset County, Pa., July 7, 1840, and was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads and acquired his education in the public schools. Until his marriage he remained under the parental roof. It was December, 1860, that he was joined in wedlock with Mary, a daughter of Daniel Yutzy, a native of Germany and an early settler of Somerset County, where his daughter was born. Mr. and Mrs. Bockes went to housekeeping in that county, and there made their home until 1870, when they removed to Grundy County, Iowa, and made a permanent location on section 30, Palermo Township. Our subject had purchased a part of this section the previous year. A wild, unimproved tract it was, but the arduous labors of the owner soon transformed the one hundred and sixty acres into one of the finest farms on the neighborhood, supplied with good buildings and all modern accessories.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bockes were born six children, four of whom are yet living. Ellen is the wife of Frank Freed, a resident farmer of Melrose Township; Cherry is married, and operates a part of the old farm; Simon is married, and is living in Palermo Township; and Ann is the wife of O. F. Fink, an agriculturist of the same township. Those deceased are Howard and Milton, who died at the ages of eighteen and seventeen, respectively.

The Bockes household is the abode of hospitality, and its members rank high in social circles. The farm compromises two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land, which yields a golden tribute to the care and cultivation of the owner, who is recognized as one of the thrifty agriculturists of the community.

In politics Mr. Bockes is a Democrat. He has served as Assessor of his township, and was School Director for eight years and President of the Board during much of that time. He and his wife belong to the Church of God, and take an active interest in its work and contribute liberally to its support.

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