OGDEN, Bela A.
OGDEN, STURDEVANT, CORBURY, PICKEL, PLOWMAN, PIKE, KLEINWORT, FRITCHER
Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 9/8/2012 at 16:25:41
Bela A. Ogden, deceased, who was the owner of three hundred and sixty-five acres of rich and valuable land situated on section 33, Otranto township, was regarded as one of the leading farmers and stock raisers of Mitchell county. He was one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Linn county April 16, 1850.
His parents, William and Catherine Ogden, came from Kentucky and were of English and Dutch descent. They removed from Linn county to Mitchell county in 1855, at which period all of the evidences of pioneer life were here to be found, for the work of progress and development had scarcely been begun in this district. Moreover, the family had resided in Mitchell county for only a brief period when the husband and father was called to his final rest, his death occurring October 2, 1860, when he was not yet quite forty-eight years of age, his birth having occurred on the 10th of November, 1812.
His wife, who was born April 5, 1819, died on the 28th of October, 1893, having survived her husband for a third of a century. They were the parents of eleven children, and Mrs. Ogden not only had the misfortune to lose her husband, but also lost her eldest two sons in the Civil war. The family endured many hardships and privations but she proved a brave mother, putting forth every effort possible for her family and counting no personal sacrifice on her part too great if it would promote the interests of her children.
In her family were the following named: Sarah Ann, who became the wife of L. Sturdevant, of Waverly, and is now deceased; William H., who laid down his life on the altar of his country in November, 1862, while serving as a Union soldier in the Civil war; Mary J., who became the wife of Elliott Warner, of Kansas ; Andrew, who also served in defense of the Union in 1863; Lucy B., the deceased wife of Amos Corbury; Emily A., the wife of S. Pickel, of Northwood; Bela A.; Olivia, who became the wife of Frank Plowman and is now deceased; Abner B., living in Oakes, North Dakota; Rhoda, deceased; and John, who died in 1870.
Owing to her husband's early death and the loss of her two elder sons in the war, Mrs. Catherine Ogden early had to depend upon the assistance of her son Bela, who had to gather wood and aid in the farm work from the age of ten years. He was thus deprived of many advantages which most boys enjoy, but in the school of experience he learned valuable lessons and became a substantial business man and a respected citizen.
On the 3d of July, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Pike, who was born in Devonshire, England, June 22, 1862, and who became a resident of Worth county, Iowa, in 1871. To Mr. and Mrs. Ogden were born five children; Kate V., now the wife of Adolph Kleinwort, of Worth county; John F., who is living on the old homestead; Minnie, the wife of Lee Fritcher; W. H., who has entered the United States Army, being now with the aviation corps; and Oakey, at home.
Mr. Ogden was indeed a self-made man. Although he started out in life empty-handed he worked his way steadily upward and as his labors brought to him a certain amount of financial success he invested in land and became the owner of three hundred and sixty-five acres, constituting one of the excellent farms of Otranto township. Upon his place he put many improvements, erecting good buildings and transforming the property into one of the fine farms of the county.
He performed the arduous task of developing new land, breaking much of the prairie with seven yoke of oxen. He toiled hard year after year with good results and as he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation he further extended the scope of his business activities to include the buying and feeding of stock, which became an important branch of his business. He was thus engaged up to the time of his death, which occurred July 23, 1915. In his passing the community lost a substantial and representative citizen. While he had but limited opportunities for acquiring an education he always realized the worth and value of thorough schooling and was a stalwart champion of the system of public education.
He served as a school director and did everything in his power to support the interests of the public schools. In politics he was a republican and was frequently a delegate to the county conventions of his party. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church and his life was guided by the highest principles and was characterized by the most unfaltering integrity. His word came to be recognized as good as any bond solemnized by signature or seal and no man hesitated to give him credit.
All who knew him esteemed him highly for his genuine worth and his life record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing them what may be accomplished through individual effort, determination and perseverance. He left to his family not only a very substantial competence but also the priceless heritage of an untarnished name.
Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, pages 428 & 431.
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