Howck, Alexander M.

HOWCK, MC KINNEY, ORENDORF, OGDEN, RILEY, MC MURRAY

Posted By: mjv (email)
Date: 5/26/2021 at 10:52:18

Alexander M. Howck is one of the leading farmers of Franklin Township, residing on section 17, where he owns one of the best-improved farms in Washington County. He is a native of Ohio, born in Wayne County, Jan. 16, 1826, and is the son of Cornelius and Sarah (McKinney) Howck, natives of Pennsylvania. Like the great majority of those represented in this volume, Alexander was reared on a farm, and in 1847 went from Ohio to Illinois where he remained one year, then returned to Ohio and engaged in driving stock across the mountains to Baltimore, Md., and Lancaster, Pa. In this business he continued until 1850, when he again went to Illinois and located near Bloomington, McLean County, and engaged in farming. In 1852 he came to Washington County, Iowa, and entered some land, returned to Illinois, and Oct. 12, 1853, was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Orendorf, a daughter of William and Susan (Ogden) Orendorf. During the same year he moved to Washington County and settled upon his present farm, which now consists of 600 acres all under a high stated of cultivation. Mrs. Howck died in 1865, leaving two children: Helen, the wife of Dr. Robinson, for many years a physician at Dublin, Dutch Creek Township, and James, now residing in Franklin Township; Elmer is deceased. Mr. Howck was again married in 1867 to Maria Riley, a native of Illinois, and daughter of George and Ellen (McMurray) Riley. They have one child Charles. Mr. Howck is of German descent, his grandfather Howck being born in Germany. His father died in October, 1870, aged seventy years. His mother is still living in Washington at the age of eighty years.

Mr. Howck was induced to come to Washington County on account of its land being cheap and of the very best quality. He has never had occasion to regret his choice. In addition to general farming, he has been engaged quite extensively in raising fine stock, and also for a time in purchasing and shipping stock, and also for a time in purchasing for the general markets. In connection with his stock business he has made several trips to Kansas and the Indian Territory for the purpose of gathering such stock as he could profitably use. In order to get his first start, he worked on a farm at $7 per month with board, securing in that manner a small sum of money. By judicious investment it was increased until he had secured enough to purchase his present fine farm in Washington County. On this farm he has a fine dwelling-house erected in 1876 at a cost of $3,500, a view of which is given on the opposite page. He has also a fine barn erected at a cost of $700, which, together with other out-building, present a very attractive appearance; on the farm is nine miles of hedge fence. In addition to the dwelling in which he lives, he has upon the place other buildings occupied by tenants. Mr. Howck has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since twenty-one years of age, its principles being dear to his heart. He is a man who stands well in the community in which he resides, is favorably known throughout the county, and universally respected by all.

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington County, Iowa (1887). Excerpt from Biographical Sketch of Alexander M. Howck, page 557. Sketch of the Howck farm is found on page 556.