NICHOLAS J. CROCK
That the life history of Nicholas J. Crock is a record of success is due to the persistent effort and intelligently directed industry which he has displayed through the years of his connection with agricultural interests in Cedar county. A native of Ohio, he was born in Noble county, near Harriettsville, on the 26th of April, 1872, a son of Joseph and Mary (Shott) Crock, both natives of the Buckeye state, where the father now resides, actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. The mother passed away in 1895 at the age of forty-five years. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom our subject was third in order of birth, the others being: Edward, of Noble county, Ohio; Jasper, residing in Jones county, Iowa; Henry and Louis, making their home in Noble county; William, of Cedar county, Iowa; Rosa, who passed away at the age of five years; Sophrona, the wife of Ed Yahoning, of Noble county, Ohio; Anna, who died in 1908; and Leo, also residing in Noble county.
No event of special importance came to vary the routine of life for Nicholas J. Crock during the period of his boyhood and youth, which was spent on the home farm in Ohio, and in the district schools of that state he acquired his education. He also gained much practical knowledge concerning the best methods of farming, for when not engaged with his text-books he assisted his father in the work of the fields and early learned lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance. He remained at home until 1897, when he began working as a farm hand, continuing in that capacity for one year.
In February, 1897, Mr. Crock came to Cedar county, Iowa, and was here employed by others for two months, when, taking up agricultural pursuits on his own account, he rented a farm, which he operated for four years. At the expiration of that time, by means of hard work and strict economy, he accumulated sufficient capital to invest in property of his own, and in September, 1902, became the owner of his present farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres located on the northeast quarter of section 26, Cass township. The place, known as Pleasant Ridge Mule Farm, is a well developed property and indicates in its well kept appearance and carefully tilled fields the systematic and progressive methods of the owner. He also has ten acres of good timber land located on section 19, Cass township. He not only carries on general farming but raises high grade stock of all kinds, giving especial attention to the breeding of mules, and the excellent quality of both grain and stock insure high prices and ready sale upon the market. His interests are wisely and carefully managed and consequently are a source of gratifying annual remuneration.
On the 24th of April, 1901, Mr. Crock was united in marriage to Miss Mary Kadera, who was born November 11, 1877, in Bohemia, and was but a year old when brought to the United States by her parents. She was one of a family of five daughters and four sons born unto Joseph and Katharine (Cerveny) Kadera, who were also natives of Bohemia and came to the new world in 1878, locating in Cedar county, Iowa. The father passed away in the following year, while the mother still survives and makes her home with our subject. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Crock has been blessed with one child, Elma May.
The parents are communicants of St. Mary’s Catholic church of Mechanicsville, while in his political faith Mr. Crock is a democrat. A life characterized by continuous activity in agricultural lines has been his record and as a result of his well directed efforts he has attained a degree of success which ranks him among the prosperous and progressive farmers and stock-raisers of his section of the county.
