Criswell, Herschel C.

CRISWELL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/23/2021 at 10:21:43

Source: History of Warren County, Iowa, by Gerard Schultz and Don L. Berry, The Record and Tribune Co., Indianola, Iowa, 1953, p.295

HERSCHEL CLARK CRISWELL
H. C. Criswell, owner and operator of the Criswell Feed and Seed store, Indianola, was born in Polk county, Iowa, March 21, 1897, the son of John Harrison and Alice Jerusha (Clark) Criswell. July 28, 1920, he married Olive Bell Ogan, daughter of Ulysses Homer and Alice S. (Reeves) Ogan, who was born in Warren County Jan. 30, 1897. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Criswell: Myron Ogan, April 30, 1921; Ronald J., July 2, 1930, who died a few months later, Jan. 9, 1931.
H. C. Criswell was raised on a farm four miles northwest of Norwalk. He served in the navy during World War I. He farmed west of Norwalk in 1920 and moved to Indianola in 1921. In 1923 hewas city clerk for the town of Indianola. He lived in Martensdale and Norwalk during the years 1924-29, then returned to Indianola.
The maternal great-grandparents o f Mr. Criswell, Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel Clark, came from New York state by covered wagon in 1859. They settled on a farm between Des Moines and Orilla and are buried in the Orilla cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Austin Clark, maternal grandparents, and Mr. Criswell's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John H. Criswell, are also buried in the Orilla cemetery. John Criswell came to this part of Iowa about 1890 from near Canton, Ohio.
Olive Ogan Criswell taught school for five years in Warren and Story counties before her marriage. Her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Levi Reeves, came from Ohio in a covered wagon in 1857 and settled near Sandyville. Mr. Reeves was one of the early surveyors in Warren County. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves are both buried in the Sandyville cemetery. Mrs. Criswell's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Ogan, are still living in Indianola.
H. C. Criswell belongs to the American Legion, is a 32nd degree Mason and a Shriner. The Criswells are Republican in politics, and are affiliated with the Baptist church. Address: 1271/2 West Salem avenue, Indianola.