SURRENA, PHILLIP

SURRENA, BAKER, GRIMES, GILCREST, DRESSER, CAMP

Posted By: Sally (email)
Date: 2/13/2003 at 15:21:14

Phillip Surrena, a prosperous and enterprising farmer, is carrying on agriculture operations on section 27, Van Buren Township. There he has a fine homestead, is surrounded by all of the comforts of life, and is fulfilling his obligations as an honest man and a good citizen. Our subject is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Venango County April 15, 1825. He is the son of Phillip and Elizabeth (Baker) Surrena, both natives of Westmoreland County. The later desparted this life in her native State in 1859, and her husband survived her ten years, dying in March, 1869, also in Pennsylvania. The parental household consisted of eleven children -- George, Joseph, William, Richard, John, Phillip, Catherine, Ann, Elizabeth, Nancy and Eve.

The subject of this biography came to the Hawkeye State in 1870, making his first location in Lee County. He has followed agriculture pursuits all his life, and carries on his farming operations in a methodical and systematic manner. His property consists of 100 acres of land, a fine dwelling, good barns and outhouses for the storing of grain and the shelter of stock, good farm machinery, and all the necessary appliances for carrying on agriculture in a first-class manner. He was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Gilchrist Dec 27,1853. Mrs. S. is also a native of Pennsylvania, born Nov. 12, 1829, and the daughter of William and Keziah (Grimes) Gilchrist, both natives of Westmoreland County, Pa. The faithful wife and mother yielded up her life in 1866; the father still survives. Of their union were born eleven children, namely, Mary A., Nancy J., Keziah, Elizabeth, Martha, Jemima, James G., William H., Robert B., and two who died in infancy unnamed.

To Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Surrens have been born seven children, two of whom are deceased. Those living are Mary E., wife of Warren A. Dresser; George E., who married Miss Camp; the remainder are Elmer E., Phillip P. and Sylvester H. The parents are members in good standing of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. S. is strongly Republican. He has held the offices of School Treasure and Director and Road Supervisor.