Strock, William C.

STROCK

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/2/2021 at 21:04:09

History of Warren County, Iowa; Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns & Etc., by Union Historical Company, 1879, p.612

STROCK, WILLIAM C., farmer, Virginia Township, Sec. 21; P. O. New Virginia; was born May 6th, 1838, in Perry county, Pa.; emigrated with his parents to Cass county, Ind., in 1840, and to this county with his parents in 1856; was educated in common schools. Married Nov. 4, 1859, Matilda, daughter of John Felton, of New Virginia. Owns a farm of 136 acres, well improved, which he had made with his own hands. Has five children: Horton S., Jno. T., Stella J., Mary M., and Olive E., all living. Has been elected supervisor and school director.

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.628

WILLIAM C. STROCK
W. C. Strock, who is living retired in New Virginia, was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, May 6, 1837. His father, Tobias Strock, also a native of the Keystone state, was a millwright by trade and came to Warren County in 1855, settling on a farm in New Virginia Township. His death occurred two years later at the age of fifty-seven years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Breckbill, was likewise a native of Pennsylvania, and her death occurred in New Virginia in the eighty-eighth year of her age. They were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and people of the highest respectability. Their family numbered three children, namel : John H., who is living at Logansport, Indiana; Mary, the wife of J. W. Harsh, of New Virginia; and W. C., of this review.
The last named spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Indiana, to which state his parents had removed when he was but two and a half years old. He accompanied them on their removal to Iowa in 1855 and after his father's death purchased the estate from the other heirs, and made a home for his mother as long as she lived. He owned several different farms and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1892, when he located in New Virginia and followed the carpenter's trade successfully for five years or until 1906, when lie retired from active business pursuits and is enjoying his remaining years in well earned ease. About two years ago he sold a farm of eighty-one acres. He still owns twenty-seven and a half acres. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Virginia Township, for when he came here Indians were still numerous and deer, turkeys and other wild game abounded. In fact it was quite a common occurrence for thirteen deer to be killed in a single day.
On the 28th of September 1859, occurred the marriage of Mr. Strock and Miss Matilda Felton, who was born in West Virginia, November 4, 1837, and passed away August 1, 1907. She was a daughter of John Felton, the first settler in Virginia Township, and was a charter member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at New Virginia. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Strock were born five children, as follows; Irene, the wife of Frank Trobough, a retired farmer of New Virginia; J. T., living at home, who is serving as postmaster of New Virginia; Estella, the wife of B. F. Reed, an agriculturist of Virginia; Mary, the wife of W. G. Davidson, who follows farming in Squaw township; and Ollie, at home. The latter is much interested in church work and furnished Editor Martin with a history of the Methodist Episcopal Church at New Virginia from a paper read by her at the semi-centennial anniversary celebra­tion in 1905.
Mr. Strock is a staunch Republican in his political belief and has served his fellow townsmen as constable and school director. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the kindly regard in which he is held throughout the entire community is indicated by the fact that he is familiarly known as Uncle Billy. For more than a half century he has been identified with the upbuilding and improvement of this county and has given his support to every movement and measure instituted, for the general welfare along many lines.