Conrad, William C.

CONRAD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/28/2021 at 23:44:19

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.985

WILLIAM CYRUS CONRAD
W. C. Conrad, a prominent agriculturist and dairyman residing on section 21, Squaw Township, was born in Indianola, Iowa, on the 3d of October, 1861. The paternal grandfather, John C. Conrad, was born February 2, 1797, and passed away May 2, 1867, while his wife, Elizabeth Conrad, was born in Pennsylvania, September 27, 1801, and died October 11, 1886. They came to this state in an early day, settling in Ohio Township, Madison county.
Their son, Cyrus Conrad, the father of our subject, was a native of Indiana, his natal day being June 29, 1839. He was married November 27, 1860, and in September 1862, enlisted for service in the Civil War as a member of the Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He returned home ill but again joined the army in 1864, being mustered out September 7, 1865. His health had been broken down, however, for he had contracted consumption, from which he died March 17, 1870. He was a farmer by occupation and followed that pursuit as a life work. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rosina Foreman, was a native of Virginia and came to Iowa with her stepmother and the other members of the family. She was a half-sister of Henry C. Foreman, and her demise occurred December 22, 1892. Her family numbered four children, namely: W. C., of this review; Charles Elliott, who was born June 23, 1866, and died November 14, 1897, wedded Minnie Parker and lived in New Virginia; James E., whose birth occurred November 21, 1868, married Emma Parker and passed away February 11, 1904; Elizabeth, born October 6, 1870, was called to her final rest December 14, 1890. All of the children died of consumption.
In the fall of 1878 Mrs. Conrad and her children purchased forty acres of slightly improved land, which comprises a part of W. C. Conrad's present holdings. The latter bought out the other heirs and kept adding to his possessions from time to time until he now owns two hundred acres of highly cul­tivated and valuable land, its well improved condition being due entirely to his own labors. In addition to the work of the fields he is also engaged in dairy farming, milking as many as twenty cows at a time. He has been con­nected with this line of activity for many years and was the second to own a hand cream separator in Warren County. He is widely recognized as a pro­gressive and enterprising citizen and business man, one whose success has come as the direct reward of his untiring perseverance and capable manage­ment.
On the 24th of May 1887. Mr. Conrad was united in marriage to Miss Luella Labertew, a native of this county and a daughter of Freeman Laber­tew, an early and prominent citizen here. This union has been blessed with six children, namely: Metta, born May 25, 1888; Clarence C., whose birth occurred October 2, 1890; Lottie May, born November 10, 1892; James Merrill, born February 24, 1895; Wilbur E., whose natal day was June 24, 1898; and Mary, born March 13, 1901.
In his political views Mr. Conrad is a Republican and at the present time is serving as justice of the peace, his decisions being strictly fair and impar­tial. He has likewise been school director for eighteen years, has served as township trustee and in other positions of public trust has demonstrated his loyalty to the general welfare. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are well and favorably known throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives.