Wolcott, Orson B.

WOLCOTT

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/3/2021 at 11:55:33

History of Warren County, Iowa from Its Earliest Settlement to 1908, by Rev. W. C. Martin, Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois, 1908, p.835

ORSON B. WOLCOTT
O.B. Wolcott, who is numbered among the prosperous and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Warren County, owns and operates a valuable tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres, situated on section 6, White Breast Township, where he has lived for many years, dating his residence in the county from the fall of 1870. He was born in Delaware County, New York, on Christmas day of 1847, a twin brother of Orlin Wolcott, and a son of F.C. and Mary Ann (Robinson) Wolcott, both natives of New York, the former a native of Delaware County. The father followed farming as a life work, first in the east, while later he removed with his family to Ogle County, Illinois. His last days, however, were spent in Creighton, Nebraska, where he passed away in 1883, when he had reached the age of sixty-seven years, while his wife survived and passed away in January 1908, at the advanced age of ninety-two.
O.B. Wolcott, whose name introduces this record, was a little lad at the time of the parents’ removal from the east to Illinois, where he was reared on a farm. He was a young man of twenty-three years, when, in the fall of 1870, he came to Warren County, renting a farm in Otter Township, which he cultivated for several years. During this time he accumulated a competence that enabled him to invest in land of his own and he then became owner of eighty acres. On this tract he built a good residence and substantial outbuildings and farmed the land for eight years, after which he sold and purchased the tract on which he has since made his home. He has here one hundred and twenty acres, situated on section 6, White Breast Township. Since locating here he has tiled and fenced the fields, has set out shade and fruit trees, has erected good buildings and altogether has a model property, which supplies him with all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. In addition to raising the grains best adapted to soil and climate, he is also engaged to some extent in the raising of stock and both branches of his business are proving profitable to him.
It was on the 2nd of September 1872, that Mr. Wolcott established a home of his own by his marriage on that date to Miss Keziah Largent, who was born in Missouri and lived there to the age of fifteen years. By her marriage she became the mother of three sons and one daughter, namely: Francis C., who is married and follows farming in Liberty Township; Charles E., who is married and is engaged in farming in Belmont Township; Robert D., who is married and resides with his father on the home place; and Eura, who is at home. After a happy married life of more than twenty-eight years, Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott were separated by the death of the latter, which occurred in June 1900, and her remains were interred in Plainsville Chapel cemetery.
Mr. Wolcott gives his political support to the Democracy, and while living in Otter Township served for five years as assessor and was also a township trustee for one term. He has also been identified with the school board for several years. Fraternally he is a member of the Encampment Lodge, of which he is a past grand patriot, and he is also a member of the Odd Fellows’ Lodge at Milo, of which he is a past noble grand. His religious faith is that of the Christian Union Church of which he is a devoted member. He is a man of exemplary habits, strict integrity and has a strong personality. He is heartily interested in the progress and advancement of the community in which he has so long made his home and takes just pride in what is being accomplished.