SHROUFE, B. F.

SHROUFE, GRINDELL, BIRD, PEAK, BAILEY, CORBIN

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/28/2003 at 20:06:31

Biography reproduced from page 718 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

B. F. Shroufe, residing in Algona, has for many years been actively and successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits in Kossuth county. His birth occurred in a log house in Buchanan county, Iowa, on the 7th of June, 1855, his parents being Bennoni and Mary Anne (Grindell) Shroufe, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The father, who was a lad of about twelve years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, was married near Cleveland, in Greene county, that state, and in 1854 drove through to Buchanan county, Iowa, locating near Brandon. He was a pioneer of the locality and there made his home in a log house until within four years of his death, when he removed to Brandon, where his demise occurred in 1902. His remains were interred in Brandon cemetery. The mother of our subject passed away when the latter was but five years of age and was likewise buried in the Brandon cemetery. Unto Bennoni and Mary Anne (Grindell) Shroufe were born ten children, as follows: Lucinda, who is a resident of Michigan; George, deceased; Jerome, who was killed in the Civil war; three who died in infancy; William, who is a resident of Ottawa, Kansas; Martha, living in Minnesota; Maria, who makes her home in Laporte City, Iowa; and B. F., of this review. For his second wife Bennoni Shroufe chose Miss Mary Anne Bird, who is still living in Brandon, Iowa. Unto them were born five children, namely: Ida, who is a resident of Brandon, Iowa; Eleanor, who passed away at the age of two years; one, who died in infancy; Sherman, deceased; and Sheridan, twin brother of Sherman, who resides in Oregon.

B. F. Shroufe obtained his education in the country schools and remained on the home farm until twenty years of age. Subsequently he worked as a farm hand by the month for two years and then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating rented land in Buchanan county, Iowa. About 1882 he came to Kossuth county and for a period of five years operated a farm belonging to Dr. Ensine. He next rented another farm for one year and then purchased a tract of two hundred and thirteen acres of raw land in Union township, this county. He made all necessary improvements on the property, planted groves and orchards, etc., and continued to reside thereon for twelve years. On the expiration of that period he sold the farm and removed to Burt, Iowa, where he lived for two years and then bought a farm of sixty-six acres near that town, operating the same for one year. At the end of that time he returned to Burt, where he lived for a year and then took up his abode on another farm of one hundred and ten acres near Burt, which he improved and made his home for one year. Subsequently he spent five or six years in the town of Burt and on the expiration of that period came to Algona, living on State street for a year and a half. Later he purchased the home on Minnesota street in which he has resided to the present time. He owns eight acres of land within the corporation limits and is widely known as a substantial and highly esteemed citizen.

In 1876 Mr. Shroufe was united in marriage to Miss Adella Peak, a native of New York, who passed away at Burt in 1906 and was buried in the Burt cemetery. For his second wife Mr. Shroufe chose Mrs. Martha J. Bailey, who bore the maiden name of Martha J. Corbin and was the widow of William H. Bailey. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey were the parents of two children: Chester, who is a stockman residing in Algona; and Mildred, who died at the age of six years.

In his political views Mr. Shroufe is a democrat, believing firmly in the principles of that party. He attends the services of the Methodist Episcopal church and is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge at Burt, Iowa, while both he and his first wife were members of the Eastern Star. He is likewise identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Burt and belongs to the encampment here at Algona, and both he and his present wife are connected with the Rebekahs here. His entire career has been characterized by high ideals and noble principles and in every relation of life his record has measured up to a high standard of honorable manhood.