Charles J. Drugg

DRUGG, MCGUIRE, PETERSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 5/14/2007 at 16:20:57

Charles J. Drugg is a resident farmer of Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, his home being on section 28. He was born on the old Drugg homestead on section 33 of the same township, his natal day being July 4, 1876. His parents, Andrew and Mary Louise (Peterson) Drugg, were both natives of Sweden and were there reared and married. Immediately afterward they came to the United States, landing in New York city in the early part of December, 1869. They did not tarry on the eastern coast, however, but made their way at once into the interior of the country and spent the first winter in McGregor, Iowa. In the spring of 1870 they came to Winnebago county and Mr. Drugg purchased forty acres of the present home farm. It was then in the midst of a wild and undeveloped region, for the work of progress and improvement seemed scarcely begun in this section of the state. He built a log cabin sixteen by sixteen feet and took up his abode on his new farm, beginning the arduous task of reclaiming it for purposes of civilization. It was not long before his labors wrought a marked transformation in the wild prairie tract, and afterward he bought an adjoining forty acres, making his present farm one of eighty acres, on which he has resided continuously for the past forty-seven years. The work of converting the raw prairie into productive fields was slow and laborious. Oxen were used in plowing and it was necessary to go to Albert Lea or to Mason City for supplies, to which points Mr. Drugg drove his ox team. There was comparatively little at that day to indicate the changes which were rapidly to occur and make this one of the populous and prosperous sections of the state. Mr. Drugg certainly bore his full share in bringing about modern day conditions and he is now living at the age of seventy-eight years to enjoy the fruits of his former toil. He was born February 1, 1839, while his wife was born March 20, 1845, and has therefore reached the age of seventy-two years. Both have long been consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have ever enjoyed the confidence and good will of those with whom they have been brought in contact.

Charles J. Drugg was reared at home and at the usual age became a pupil in the district school near his father's place. He afterward had the benefit of instruction in the Forest City high school and when eighteen years of age he left the parental roof and for five years worked as a farm hand for Peter Seibert, of Hancock county. Subsequently he took charge of and operated the old home place and in 1901 he purchased his present farm, which lies just across the road from the old homestead. Since then he has operated both tracts of land and is leading a busy, active and useful life in which success has attended his intelligently directed efforts. Since his marriage he has resided upon his home farm and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision and thoroughly modern methods. There are good buildings upon his land and he has secured all the latest improved machinery and other facilities to promote the work of the fields. He is likewise a stockholder in the Farmers Co-operative Creamery Company of Forest City, a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Forest City and in the Mount Valley Manufacturing Company of Leland.

On the 29th of December, 1914, Mr. Drugg was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary McGuire, a daughter of John McGuire, one of the well known farmers of Winnebago county, now deceased. They have become the parents of a daughter, Mary Louise.

In politics Mr. Drugg maintains an independent course, voting for men and measures rather than for party, but he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship and co-operates in many well formulated plans for the public good. He is one of the representative farmers of Mount Valley township and his life record indicates what may be accomplished through determination and energy. He may well be termed a successful man and, moreover, the methods which he has pursued in the attainment of his prosperity are such as have gained for him the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been associated.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917, Vol. II, page 147-148.