McDole, William

MCDOLE

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/29/2021 at 13:43:13

History of Warren County, Iowa; Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns & Etc., by Union Historical Company, 1879, p.686

McDOLE, WILLIAM, farmer, East Washington Township, Sec. 21; P. O. Indianola; born in the State of Ohio, April 16, 1826, and when about twelve years of age his parents emigrated to Indiana, where he remained till the fall of 1850, when he came to Polk county, and remained there till he came to this county, in the spring of 1854; he was married in Indiana, in 1846, to Miss Caroline Fisher, of that State; they have a family of five children: Eliza J., Andrew, John H., Julia and Albert L.; he owns an improved farm of 185 acres; Mr. McDole was raised on a farm, and has followed farming as an occupation all his life.

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.716

WILLIAM McDOLE
William McDole is now living retired on his farm on section 20, Lincoln Township, but for many years was actively connected with the work of tilling the soil. In fact it was his industry and energy in former years that brought him capital sufficient to enable him to now enjoy a period of rest from labor. Ile is widely known in Warren County where lie has made his home for forty-one years, while for fifty-eight years he has been a resident of the state. He has now passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey, for his birth occurred in Richland County, Ohio, April 16, 1825.
His father, John McDole, removed from the Buckeye state to Indiana and settled in Madison County, casting in his lot with the early residents who were reclaiming that district for the purposes of civilization. With the aid of his sons he opened up and developed three different farms and there reared his family and spent his remaining days. He was a worthy pioneer settler of the community and aided in laying broad and deep the foundation upon which now rests the progress and prosperity of that county.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for William McDole in his boyhood and youth. As soon as old enough to take his place in the fields. he began assisting in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting and gave his father the benefit of his services until after his marriage. That important event in his life occurred March 2, 1848. He wedded Caroline E. Fisher, who was born and educated in Indiana and was a daughter of John Fisher, one or the early settlers of the state, who arrived there about 1830. After his marriage Mr. McDole engaged in farming for two years in Indiana and in 1850 moved westward to Iowa, settling first in Polk County where he lived for a number of years. In 1867 he removed to Warren County, where he lived for a number of years. In 1867 he removed to Warren County where lie bought raw land which lie cleared and cultivated.
It was necessary to take away the brush so he could plow the fields. He commenced with eighty acres and later bought more from time to time, until he now holds two hundred acres, in the midst of which stands a comfortable and substantial residence that he erected. In the rear of the dwelling is a good barn and other outbuildings which shelter the stock and the grain from the inclement weather. A good orchard is one of the attractive features of his place and everything about his farm presents a well kept appearance. He now has two sets of buildings upon his land and in connection to the rais­ing of cereals, stock-raising and feeding are also carried on here. The success which Mr. McDole has enjoyed is attributable entirely to his own efforts and the assistance of his wife who has indeed been to him a faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McDole were born four sons, one of whom died in infancy, and two daughters: A, J., a resident farmer of Lincoln township; John H., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Albert L., who is farming on the home place; Jennie, the wife of Joseph Duncan, of Illinois; and Julia, the wife of W. G. Brown of Indianola. They have sixteen living grand­children and three great-grandchildren.
Politically Mr. McDole was reared a Democrat, but throughout the greater part of his life has given stalwart support to the Republican Party for he believes that its principles will best conserve the public welfare. He has never sought nor desired office but has been anxious that the best interests of the community be promoted. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Farmers Chapel. On the 2d of March, 1908 this worthy couple celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary, an occasion which will long be remembered by all who were present. Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered on that day to celebrate the event and it was a most happy time in the lives of all who were present. Mr. and Mrs. McDole are among the most honored and respected residents of the county and no history of this locality would be complete without mention of them. The life of Mr. McDole has at all times been honorable and upright and both in its sterling characteristics and in its success may well serve as an example and as an inspiration to the young.