FREELAND, EDWARD S.

FREELAND, CARR, GODFREY, WEST, MARSTON

Posted By: Norma Jennings (email)
Date: 10/25/2011 at 01:34:57

EDWARD S. FREELAND is engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 11, Oregon Township. He is a native of Pike County, Ohio, born Jan. 1, 1834, and is the son of Jacob and Aurilla (Carr) Freeland. In 1846 the family moved from Ohio to Louisa County, Iowa, where Jacob Freeland died in 1851, at the age of sixty-five. His widow is still living in Louisa County, and is now a remarkably well preserved woman of eighty-five years. With the exception of failing eyesight, she is in the enjoyment of fair health, and did her own housework till the fall of 1886.

The subject of this sketch came with his parents to Louisa County, Iowa, when in his thirteenth year. He was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools, and has followed the occupation of a farmer thus far through life. At the time of the settlement of the family in Louisa County, the country was new, and for several years our subject was engaged in breaking prairie with ox-teams, working as many as sixteen yoke of oxen to a plow, which made a 28-inch furrow. In 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Maria Godfrey, a daughter of Lemuel and Ninette Godfrey, both of
whom were natives of Maryland. She was born in 1831. They have had seven children, six of whom are yet living: Elmine, the wife of George W. West; Nettie, the wife of William Marston; John E., Isaac, William O., and Aurilla.

Politically, Mr. Freeland is a Republican. He comes of patriotic stock, his paternal grandfather serving in the Revolutionary War, while his father was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1859 Mr. Freeland came with his young wife to Washington County, and remained one year. He then moved just over the line to Louisa County, where he remained five years, then returned to Washington County, and settled upon his present farm, which consists of 100 acres, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and well improved. He is a man who stands well among his neighbors, is content with his lot, and believes in a good home. A temperance man, he is decidedly in favor of the enforcement of the prohibitory law.

Portrait and Biographical Album, Washington County, Iowa pp. 177-178