J. W. RORICK

J. W. Rorick, the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and eighty acres in Inland township, is numbered among the worthy native sons of Cedar county, his birth having occurred in Sugar Creek township on the 18th of April, 1856. His father, William Rorick, was a native of Hanover, Germany, and emigrated to the United States when eighteen years of age, settling on a farm near Bucyrus, Ohio. In 1851 he took up his abode among the early settlers of Cedar county, Iowa, first residing in the town of Rochester for six years. On the expiration of that period he located on the farm which remained his place of abode throughout the remainder of his life, his demise occurring in 1896 when he had attained the age of seventy-six years. He won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests, accumulating four hundred acres of valuable land. He was a lifelong member of the Methodist Episcopal church and daily exemplified its teachings.

While still a resident of Ohio, William Rorick wedded a Miss Wise, by whom he had two children, namely: John, who makes his home in Iowa county; and Lucinda, the wife of William Allen, of Jefferson, Greene county, Iowa. For his second wife William Rorick chose Miss Julia A. Pirkey, a native of Virginia, whom he wedded in this county. Unto them were born the following children: J. W., of this review; Mary E., the wife of Guy Langley, of Sugar Creek township, Cedar county; William L., now deceased, who likewise made his home in Sugar Creek township, this county; and two who died in infancy. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1892 at the age of seventy-two years.

J. W. Rorick remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and early in life became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. When twenty-one years of age he located on his present place, having one hundred and forty acres on section 17, Inland township, which he and his brother purchased from their father. J. W. Rorick subsequently bought his brother’s interest and the property has remained in his possession continuously since. He likewise owns another tract of forty acres on section 19, Inland township, and a quarter section of land in Fayette county, making in all three hundred and forty acres. The neat and thrifty appearance of his home farm indicates the supervision of a practical and progressive owner and the many substantial improvements thereon stand as monuments to his industry and enterprise. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and annually gathers rich crops which find a ready sale on the market. He is a lover of horses and owns some fine specimens of the noble steed. The Farmers Bank at Wilton, Iowa, numbers him among its stockholders.

On the 15th of October, 1885, Mr. Rorick was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Smith, a native of Davis county, Iowa, and a daughter of William and Melinda (Evans) Smith, who were born in Kentucky and Indiana respectively. They came to Iowa in 1850, locating in Davis county. William Smith was an agriculturist by occupation and passed away in 1896, being survived for a number of years by his wife, whose demise occurred in 1908. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rorick have been born three children, namely: Everett, who resides with his father, wedded Miss Nola Reynolds and has one son, James Lester, born September 2, 1908; Ada is the wife of John Pearsall, a farmer of Inland township; and Roy is at home.

In politics Mr. Rorick is independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. His wife is a devoted and consistent member of the Presbyterian church. In the county where his entire life has been spent he is widely and favorably known, the circle of his friends being almost coexistent with the circle of his acquaintances.