VALENTINE, ELI N.

VALENTINE, MCDANIEL, STEWART, WINTER, KRUEGER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/10/2003 at 21:37:54

Biography reproduced from page 705 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Eli N. Valentine is one of the active and progressive farmers who, in their successful cultivation of the soil by modern methods, are doing much to make Kossuth county, Iowa, one of the richest and most productive sections in the middle west. He is operating two hundred and forty acres of land on section 10, Burt township, and is doing efficient work in agricultural development. Mr. Valentine is a native of West Virginia and was born in Marion county, that state, February 26. 1853. His father, Henry Valentine, was reared, educated and married in the state in which his son was born.

Eli N. Valentine was educated in the public schools of West Virginia and remained at home until he had attained his majority. He then came west, locating first in Dakota and later in Nebraska where he worked in a brickyard at Lincoln for a number of years. Eventually he came to Iowa, settling first in Floyd county and later in Kossuth county. He engaged immediately in agriculture, renting a farm near Burt, which he brought to a high state of development in the ten years of his occupancy. He saved his money and was able to buy one hundred and sixty acres slightly improved, upon which he now resides. He has built a good residence upon his holdings equipped with all the comforts and luxuries of a modern home. He has planted extensive timber groves and orchards, and from time to time has added to his land. He now owns two hundred and forty acres, well tiled and highly developed. In conjunction with general farming he has operated a dairy for twenty years, keeping a number of cows for this purpose. He sells his milk to the Burt Creamery Association, in which he is a stockholder and director. He is also stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company, and has been at all times a progressive and public-spirited citizen.

Mr. Valentine married in Nebraska, October 22, 1876, to Miss Lillian McDaniel, a native of South Dakota, where she was reared and educated. Their family include: Albert G., who is married and follows farming in Burt township; Clarence W.; Roy N., who is aiding his father in the operation of the home farm; Herbert; J. S.; Carrie, the wife of Charles Stewart, a farmer of Seneca township; Daisy, who married Alden H. Winter, of South Dakota; Bessie, now Mrs. William Krueger, of Kossuth county; and Anna.

Politically Mr. Valentine gives his allegiance to the republican party and is intelligently interested in local affairs although he has never sought office. He is interested in education and has served as a director of the school board with ability and efficiency. He is a member of the Yeomen, but beyond this has no fraternal connections.

He has carved out his own career, beginning in a small and modest way, and achieving success through constant industry and intelligent activity. In his struggle he has been aided materially by his wife who united her efforts with his. Their harmonious relations have resulted in the accumulation of a comfortable fortune, and they own one of the most valuable farms in Kossuth county.