WORSTER, CHARLES H.

WORSTER, BEAL, VICKROY, PLATT

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/3/2003 at 17:45:49

Biography reproduced from page 428 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Among the highly successful farmers of Kossuth county is Charles H. Worster, the owner of three hundred and seventy acres of fine farming land in Riverdale and Cresco townships. He was born in New Hampshire, June 3, 1852, a son of Abel and Harriet (Beal) Worster, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire. The father was a farmer, carrying on agricultural operations in New Hampshire for several years. In 1861, however, he removed to Iowa and located in Jones county, where he purchased eighty acres of land. Upon that farm he placed good improvements and cultivated it until 1865, when he sold the place and in October of that year settled in Kossuth county, purchasing one hundred and thirty acres in Riverdale township and later adding to his original holdings until he had acquired two hundred and sixty acres. He improved his land in a thorough way and brought it to a high state of cultivation, continuing to operate the place until his death, November 19, 1908. The mother’s demise occurred February 4, 1903.

Charles H. Worster received his early education in New Hampshire and continued his school work in Jones county as well as in Kossuth county. He made his home with his parents until he attained the age of thirty-three years, although at the young age of twenty-three he had rented a farm in the immediate vicinity, engaging in agricultural pursuits on his own account and continuing to operate farms which he leased until 1879, when he purchased eighty acres in Riverdale township. This land he set about improving in a very thorough manner and continued adding to his holdings until he now possesses two hundred and forty acres upon which he lives, and one hundred and thirty acres in Cresco township. He has cultivated this land ever since he purchased it, being very successful in its management. He keeps about sixty head of cattle and ten horses, and raises about fifty hogs a year, besides growing large quantities of corn, oats and wheat. He is a stockholder in the Irvington Cement Tile Company, a concern which is doing a very lucrative business.

On March 13, 1887, Mr. Worster was united in marriage to Miss Anna Vickroy, who was born in Minnesota, April 26, 1858, a daughter of William K. and Nancy (Platt) Vickroy, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Her father was a farmer, went to Illinois at an early date and there continued his agricultural pursuits for a time, later removing to Minnesota, where he also engaged in farming until the Indian disturbances during the Civil war. He enlisted in the Fourth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and served fourteen months, taking part in the battles of Iuka and Nashville. He entered the service as second lieutenant and was later promoted to first lieutenant, and would have been captain of his company in one month more, but he resigned to join his family who had gone back to Illinois on account of Indian troubles. In 1865, Mr. Vickroy came to Kossuth county by teams from Illinois bringing with him his family and such possessions as he could. He entered land in Portland township and this he improved and resided upon for twelve years. He then sold his Kossuth county farm and went to California, where he bought land and engaged in fruit raising. He remained there until his death in June, 1905, his wife having passed away October 20, 1894. To Mr. and Mrs. Worster were born four children: Stanley A., now aged twenty years, who is attending the Iowa State College at Ames; Nannie E., aged nineteen years, who is attending the State University at Iowa City; and Vickroy and Stanford, both deceased, the former of whom passed away on the 15th of May,1889, and the latter May 6, 1891.

Politically Mr. Worster has always been a republican and, being a prominent and greatly respected man in his neighborhood, he was called upon to serve for nineteen years as assessor of his township. During that time the township in which he lived was four times the size of the present township, so that his official duties were quite arduous. He was greatly interested in educational matters and served as treasurer of the school board for many years. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men, taking an active part in that organization. Religiously the family affiliates with the Congregational church and by their influence and labor are of material assistance in making that denomination an effective force for good in the community. Mr. Worster has long been regarded as one of the leading men of his township, being not only prominent in business and political circles but aiding in many ways to better the general condition of the community. He is always interested in every good work, has great faith in his county as being one of the best in the state, and always lends his influence toward its improvement and upbuilding. Being a man of genial temperament and having a very wide acquaintance, he has formed an unusually large circle of friends, who hold him in the highest esteem, and his many good qualities are universally recognized throughout the county.