Cyrus N. Folker

FOLKER, HUGGINS, BLATTERMAN, PERRY, HUMPHREY, BOYER

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/4/2001 at 07:33:50

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890 County
CYRUS N. FOLKER
Cyrus N. Folker, who resides on Section 9, Farmington Township, is one of the substantial farmers and extensive landowners of Van Buren County and is also a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of the county. Years have come and gone until more than half a century has passed since George W. Folker, his father, accompanied by wife and children, made a settlement in this community which then formed a part of the Territory of Wisconsin. In that period of time great changes have taken place, the work of progress and civilization has been carried forward and wonderful transformation has been wrought, much of which bears upon it the impress of the enterprise and ceaseless activity of the Folkers.
Our subject was but a babe when he came to the county. He was born in Perry County Pennsylvania, January 26, 1836, and in 1838 was brought to Iowa by his parents, George W. and Elizabeth Huggins Folker, who were also natives of the Keystone State. His father was a mechanic by trade but for a number of years followed the hatter’s trade in Pennsylvania and after his emigration to Van Buren County, Iowa, in the autumn of 1838, he engaged in farming. Entering one hundred and forty acres of land from the Government he cleared, developed and improved the same, making a good farm, upon which he lived until his death in 1851. His wife survived him a number of years, dying in 1874. Unto that worthy couple were born nine children and the family circle is yet unbroken. In order of birth they are as follows: John H., a retired farmer of Lamar Missouri; Charles, a retired farmer, of Memphis Missouri; Catherine, wife of C. Blatterman, of Clarke County Missouri; William a stock raiser, of Acasto Missouri; George W. a money loaner of Farmington; Ambrose who is engaged in farming and stock raising in Clarke County Missouri; Cyrus N., the subject of this sketch; Joseph R., who is also an agriculturalist of Clarke County Missouri; and Mary, now Mrs. Huggins of Lamar Missouri.
The educational opportunities afforded in a new settlement are not very great and as Cyrus Folker was reared among the wild scenes of Van Buren County, his scholastic training was necessarily limited. His father died when he was a lad of fifteen years and he remained at home assisting his mother until twenty-six years of age, when, in 1859, he made a trip into Colorado. However he soon returned and continued farming operations in Van Buren County until 1864, when he went to Idaho, where he was successfully engaged in mining for three years. Having acquired some wealth in 1867, he returned to this county and made investments in real estate here. In the spring of 1870, he purchased the farm which has been his home continuously since. At that time it comprised about three hundred acres of but partially improved land but the boundaries have since been extended until six hundred acres in one body pay tribute to his care and cultivation, while another forty acres yields him support. Those who are acquainted with Mr. Folker and know some of his characteristics, and the habits of his life, need not be told that every thing about his home is kept in first class order. The farm is divided into fields of convenient size by good fences, useful and ornamental improvements have been made, the latest farm machinery has been purchased and the best grades of stock have been introduced. In fact to the latter branch of his business he devotes much attention and is accounted one of the leading stock-raisers of the county.
In 1870, Mr. Folker was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Perry, of Clarke County Missouri, daughter of Gideon and Mary Humphrey Perry, who like their daughter, are natives of Illinois. Six children have been born of this union, namely: Mary E., wife of Noah Boyer, of Farmington; Ida A., wife of Herden Boyer who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Farmington Township; Lula D., Stella M., Ervin A. and Charles E.
Mr. Folker is a member of the United Brethren Church and his wife belongs to the Methodist Church, and in politics, he is a Democrat. He has ever been a supporter of churches and other laudable enterprises, feeling a deep interest in anything that pertains to the welfare of the county, which has so long been his home. From his boyhood he has been identified with its agricultural interests and in many other ways has aided in its development and improvements. The county is dear to him for the many pleasant associations connected with it concerning his boyhood and youth; for the friendships he has here formed in later years, and for the pleasant home which it has afforded him. It has also witnessed the greater part of his business undertakings and has seen the progress which he has made, advancing from a position of comparative humbleness to one of first rank, in which he is surrounded by wealth and all the comforts which go to make life worth the living.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.