Lockridge, David

LOCKRIDGE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 13:23:13

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.866

DAVID LOCKRIDGE
David Lockridge, a well known citizen of Jefferson Township, owning and operating a good farm of one hundred and thirty acres on section 11, has been a witness of the wonderful development of this region for over half a century, for he located here in 1853 and since attaining man's estate has been ac­tively identified with the improvement and upbuilding of Warren County.
Mr. Lockridge was born in Brown County, Indiana, October 24, 1840, and is a son of Samuel and Mary P. (Meek) Lockridge, who were natives of Virginia, where they continued to make their home until after their marriage. From that state they removed to Brown Cunty, Indiana, where in the midst of the forest the father cleared and improved a farm. Disposing of his property there, he came to Iowa in 1853 and made a permanent location in Warren County, where he purchased a tract of raw land and at once turned his attention to its improvement and cultivation, making his home thereon until called to his final rest. His death resulted from an accident in a saw­mill in 1866. His wife survived him for a number of years and died on the old homestead in 1896. In their family are four sons and five daughters, all of whom are still living, and one son who died in childhood.
David Lockridge was only thirteen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to this county and here he grew to manhood. He was one of the gallant defenders of the Union during the dark days of the Civil War, enlisting in August, 1862, in Company H, Thirty-fourth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and with his command proceeded down the Missis­sippi river to Vicksburg, participating in the first fight at that place. He was also in the engagement at Arkansas Post but was finally discharged for disa­bility at St. Louis in 1863.
Mr. Lockridge returned home to recuperate and as soon as able began work with his father in the sawmill, where he was employed for about two years. After his marriage in 1864, he engaged in farming on the old home place in Jefferson Township for a few years. He then purchased forty acres of his present farm on section 14, which he broke, fenced and improved by the erection of buildings, and has since added to his property until he now has one hundred and thirty acres, his present home being on section 11, where he has a good neat residence and substantial outbuildings, which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry.
On the 23d of October, 1864, in Jefferson Township, Mr. Lockridge was united in marriage to Miss Missouri A. Hart, who was born in Mercer County, Missouri, and was a young lady when she came to Iowa. Her father was William Hart. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lockridge have been born five children who are still living, namely: B. L., who is married and now living in Idaho; Minnie J., the wife of Marion Harlan, living on the farm with Mr. Lockridge; Josephine, the wife of B. L. Leggett, of South Dakota; Villie, the wife of Emery Wheeler, railroad agent and telegraph operator at Prole; and Jennie, who is a teacher in the Warren County schools and resides at home.
In politics Mr. Lockridge is a staunch Democrat and cast his first presi­dential vote for General George B. McClellan, in 1864. He is a Master Mason, belonging to Spring Hill Lodge, and is also connected with the Grand Army Post at Indianola. He is a member of the Prole Christian church and is a man highly respected and esteemed by all who know him.