R. W. Cuffel

CUFFEL, NEWTON, MESSENGER, BLANCHE, HILL

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 1/22/2010 at 05:00:04

R. W. CUFFEL

R. W. Cuffel, who is living retired in Lake Mills after a number of years of well directed and successful labor as an agriculturist, was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, August 1, 1852. His parents, Albert and Rebecca (Newton) Cuffel, were born respectively in Ohio and in New York and in 1856 removed from Indiana to Chickasaw county, Iowa, where the father farmed for many years. At length he retired and from that time until his death resided with his daughter, Mrs. J. A. Rush, at Sunnyside, Washington. There both he and his wife died and were buried. To them were born eight children, of whom seven survive and of whom our subject is the fourth in order of birth.

R. W. Cuffel received a common school education but when sixteen years old put aside his textbooks and for five years thereafter devoted his entire time and attention to assisting his father on the home farm. By the time he attained his majority he was thoroughly familiar with all phases of farm work and for four years he was employed as a hired hand in the vicinity of Lake Mills. When twenty-five years old he went to Bremer county, Iowa, and purchased land, which he cultivated for a few years, later farming in Butler county for eight years. At the end of that time he bought land in Logan township, Winnebago county, but after operating that place for five years rented it and took up his residence in Lake Mills, where he is still living. He is in excellent financial circumstances and his success is doubly creditable in that it is due solely to his own hard work and good management.

Mr. Cuffel was married October 10, 1881, to Miss Mary McCaffree, a daughter of Charles and Cynthia (Messenger) McCaffree, the former born in Kentucky and the latter in Indiana. They removed to Bremer county, Iowa, in territorial days and the father turned the first furrow within the limits of the county. Both passed away there and are buried near Waverly. They were well known among the early settlers and were held in the highest esteem. Mr. and Mrs. Cuffel have a a daughter, Gertrude Blanche, who married H. B. Hill, of Lake Mills, by whom she has a daughter, Elaine, born September 16, 1914.

Mr. Cuffel exercises his right of franchise in support of the candidates and measures of the republican party but has never been an aspirant for office. He and his wife are members of the Methodist church and do all in their power to further its work and extend its influence. His life has been characterized by quiet efficiency, by the strictest adherence to high moral standards and by strong and lasting friendships.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 165-166.