EDWARD W. CRYDER

Edward W. Cryder, who passed away in Bennett on the 2d of March, 1899, was long and actively identified with the agricultural interests of Cedar county, owning and operating a well improved farm of eighty acres. His birth occurred in Blair county, Pennsylvania, on the 8th day of July, 1847, his parents being Jacob and Margaret (Lewis) Cryder, who spent their entire lives in the Keystone state. The father followed farming in Blair county throughout his active business career.

Edward W. Cryder obtained his education in the district schools of his native county and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the work of the fields, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In 1870, when a young man of twenty-three years, he came direct to Cedar county, Iowa, here working as a farm hand for four years. On the expiration of that period he rented sixty acres of land and devoted his attention to its cultivation for eight years, when he purchased a farm of eighty acres. In the operation of that property he was busily engaged until the time of his demise, annually gathering rich crops which found a ready sale on the market. The farm is still in possession of his widow and returns to her a gratifying annual income.

In 1874 Mr. Cryder was united in marriage to Miss Clara M. Templeton, by whom he had two children. Edie J., who manages the home farm for his mother, wedded Miss Fannie Willey and has two children, Clara Belle and Earl Edward. Mae, a public-school teacher of Cedar county, resides at home with her mother.

Politically Mr. Cryder was a republican, ever giving loyal support to the men and measures of that party. He held membership in the Baptist church and was an active and valued worker in the Sunday school. His widow is a devoted member of the Lutheran church and her many good qualities of heart and mind have endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact.