CHIDESTER, William Norral - 1890 Bio (1834-1913)

CHIDESTER, DEAN, SACKETT, CARTER, REEDER, TITUS, LONGLY, BARR, THOMAS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/31/2007 at 20:07:07

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 621-622

William N. CHIDESTER follows farming and stock-raising on section 24, Polk Township. He is a valued citizen of Jefferson County, where for a quarter of a century he has made his home. Public spirited and progressive, he is ever ready to aid in the advancement of the county's best interests and has identified himself with many of its leading enterprises.

We have no records concerning the early history of the CHIDESTER family but know that it was founded in America during Colonial days and that the paternal grandparents of our subject, William and Lydia (DEAN) CHIDESTER, were natives of Connecticut. He served in the Revolutionary War and in 1798, accompanied by his family emigrated to Mahoning County, Ohio, where in the midst of the forest, he developed a farm, being the first settler of that county. Both he and his wife spent their last days in the Buckeye State where they died many years ago. One of their children, Erastus CHIDESTER, who was born in Connecticut, accompanied them on their emigration to Ohio, in 1798, and in that State having attained to mature years, wedded Miss Lydia SACKETT, daughter of Benjamin and Betsy (CARTER) SACKETT, who were also natives of Connecticut, the former born of Welsh descent, while the latter was of Dutch lineage. Mr. SACKETT also served in the War for Independence as a valued soldier of the Colonial Army. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. CHIDESTER, they settled in Ohio, where they continued to make their home until 1862, when they removed to Mercer County, Ill. With the blood of Revolutionary heroes flowing in his veins, he was inspired by patriotic impulses to enlist in the War of 1812, in which he did good service for his country. He was outspoken and fearless in expressing his views on the slavery question and took an active part in the formation of the Abolition party in Ohio. He did not live to see the day when the curse had been driven from the land, for in 1864 he was called to his final rest. The following year his widow came to Jefferson County, Iowa, where she made her home until her death in 1872. The following were members of their family -- Clark, their eldest child, came to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1865, and died in 1882; Caroline is now Mrs. REEDER, of Carroll County, Iowa; Julius is married and resides in Erie, Pa.

William N. CHIDESTER, another member of the family and the subject of this sketch, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1834, and in his native State was reared to farm life. He acquired such educational advantages as were afforded by the subscription schools of that day but his opportunities were very limited as compared with the privileges now extended to the youths of this land. He began life for himself in 1855, when having attained to mature years, he left home and removed to Mercer County, Ill., where he was employed at farm labor for some time. He was in the employ of John Deere of Moline, the owner of the extensive agricultural implement factory of that city. Later he embarked in business for himself and in 1857, chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Martha E. TITUS, the union being celebrated in Knox County, Ill. The lady was born in Indiana, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Lucretia (LONGLY) TITUS, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Kentucky. Their marriage was celebrated in Indiana, and in 1854, they emigraged to Knox County, Ill., settling upon a farm which continued to be their home until 1865. That year witnessed their removal to Kansas and a few years later they came to Jefferson County, Iowa to spend their declining years at the home of our subject and his worthy wife, where they were surrounded by all the care and comfort which loving hearts could devise. Mr. TITUS died in 1876 and his wife passed away in February, 1889.

Mr. and Mrs. CHIDESTER began their domestic life upon a farm in Mercer County, Ill., where for some eight years they made their home, arriving in Jefferson County, in 1865. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land on section 24, Polk Township, which he at once began to develop. He has now a fine farm, the value of which has been greatly enhanced by the erection of a tasty dwelling and good barns and by a finely cultivated grove of thirteen acres. Besides general farming, he raises a good grade of carriage and road horses and also makes a specialty of fruit growing, in which he has met with a reasonable degree of success. Mr. CHIDESTER is a man of good business ability, energetic and industrious and deserves no little credit for his prosperous career, his success being due to his own efforts and the assistance of his estimable wife, yet he has not allowed business cares to detract his attention from other duties. As before stated, he gives his hearty support and co-operation to all worthy interests; he assisted in the organization of the school district and has served as County Commissioner of Jefferson County. Socially, he is a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 104, A. F. & A. M., McCord Chapter, R. A. M., and Unity Lodge, No. 62, V. A. S. of Fairfield. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Packwood, and are among its faithful workers, doing what they can for the advancement of the cause.

Four children have been born of the union of William N. CHIDESTER and Martha E. TITUS. Carrie, the eldest, is now Mrs. BARR, a resident of Fairfield Township; Eva, now Mrs. THOMAS, is living in Black Hawk Township; Adda is a teacher of music in the Hedrick Normal Institute of Hedrick, Iowa, and Vera is yet at home.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.