Cass Brady Pindell

ARASMITH, BALLARD, BRADY, HILBERRY, PINDELL, SMITH, STOWERS

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/11/2005 at 21:29:25

Cass Pindell, a well known resident of Macksburg, was for a number of years an active agriculturist and stock-raiser but is now living retired. His birth occurred in Brown county, Ohio, on the 11h of June, 1849, and his parents, Michael and Jennie (Brady) Pindell, were both natives of Virginia. The father was reared upon the home farm in that state, and in his young manhood removed to Ohio, where he became a landowner and devoted his time to farming and stock-raising, specializing in the raising of sheep. He passed away in Brown county, that state, when sixty years of age. He was held in high honor by his fellow citizens, was elected to all of the county offices and was also county supervisor.

In the local circles of the democratic party he was a leader and was equally active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he held a number of offices. To him and his wife were born six children, of whom our subject is the youngest. Mrs. Pindell passed away when sixty-five years of age.

Cass Pindell received a common-school education, pursuing his studies in a log schoolhouse in Brown county, Ohio, and he remembers vividly the benches and slab desks that were provided for the use of the children. Under his father's instruction he received valuable training, becoming early familiar with methods of agriculture, and when twenty-three years of age began farming for himself.

He was so engaged in Ohio until 1873 and then came to Madison county, Iowa, settling on section 3, Grand River township. He soon had his farm under cultivation, and as he is industrious and foresighted his resources increased steadily and from time to time he has purchased more land until his holdings aggregate about five hundred acres in this county in addition to large tracts of land in North Dakota and Canada. Although he leaves the actual work of the farm to others he still partially supervises his interests. He is also a director of the Macksburg National Bank and is one of the most valued citizens of Macksburg, where he has made his home since 1901.

In 1872 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Pindell and Miss Melissa Pindell, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, a daughter of Philip Pindell, a farmer of that county. She passed away while living upon the farm, leaving two children : Virginia, the wife of Charles M. Ballard, a farmer and stockman of Montana, by whom she has a son, Claire; and Melissa, who married Frank Ballard, a brother of C. M. Ballard. He also resides in Montana and to him and his wife have been born four children, Pearl, Gladys, Gail and Lyie.

Mr. Pindell was again married, Mrs. Julia (Arasmith) Hilberry becoming his wife. She is a native of Henry county, Illinois, and a daughter of Alfred and Emily (Stowers) Arasmith, the former of whom was born in Kentucky on the 30th of September, 1807, and died on the 9th of June, 1863, while the latter, likewise a native of the Blue Grass state, was born on the 5th of June, 1812, and died on the 4th of June, 1844. The father followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire active life and early in the history of Illinois removed to that state, going by ox team. Indians were still numerous, there was an abundance of game and much land was still in the possession of the government. He entered a claim and later bought more land, becoming quite an extensive owner of real estate.

He was a republican and held a number of the township offices. To him and his wife were born seven children, of whom Mrs. Pindell is the youngest. She was first married to John Hilberry, who came to Madison county in 1868. Although he was a carpenter by trade he devoted his time to farming during the greater part of his life. He passed away on the 21st of March, 1890, leaving three children. James G. is a farmer and general merchant of Redwillow, Canada. Henry C. is operating part of his father's old farm in Grand River township. He is married and has three children, Audrey, Rodney and Ruth. Ann married Earl Smith, a farmer living near Macksburg, by whom she has two children, Kenneth and Clifford.

Mr. Pindell is a democrat in his political allegiance but has never sought to hold public office. His wife is quite active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church of Macksburg, to which she belongs. Both are well known and have many friends in their community.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.