Herbert E. Worrall, whose entire life has been spent within the borders of Cedar, his native county, is a representative of an old and honored pioneer family which was established here in 1854 by Nathaniel and Ann (Barnett) Worrall, the grandparents of our subject. They were born in Harrison county, where both passed away. In their family were eleven children, namely: George, a resident of California; John, of Iowa township; Thomas, who passed away in infancy; Jonathan and Sarah Gifford, both deceased; Eleanor, of Cedar Rapids; Isaac, who died in infancy; Harriett King, of Columbus, Ohio; Elizabeth and Emily, who have both passed away; and Rebecca, who died in infancy.
Of this number John Worrall, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, October 11, 1828, became the father of our subject. He left his native county in 1856, arriving in Cedar county, Iowa, in October of that year and has since made this his home. He is numbered among the early settlers of this region, and during his residence here has witnessed remarkable changes which have been wrought in the community as primitive customs have given way to modern methods and the progressive march of civilization has transformed it from a frontier district to rich and valuable farms. He is one of the very few old settlers still living to whom the incidents in the early life of the community are matters of personal experience and knowledge rather than of history, and his mind forms a connecting linkbetween the primitive past and the progressive present. He came to this section empty-handed but was actuated by a spirit of ambition and determination to succeed. He operated a rented farm for a number of years, during which time he carefully managed his affairs so that at length he was able to purchase a place of his own, becoming the owner of eighty acres, and from the beginning prosperity attended his efforts. He followed farming throughout his active business career and with the passing years added to his original holdings, purchasing a tract of eighty acres situated in Guthrie county. He has since however, disposed of his property to his children and is now living in honorable retirement, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
Energetic, industrious and persevering, his, nevertheless, has been the quiet life of a man whose interests have centered about his home and family, and his personal worth and sterling characteristics have won him the respect and high esteem of his fellowmen. He has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church from early life, holding membership at the present time in the church at Springdale. A stanch advocate of republican principles since age conferred upon him the right of franchise, he has never, however, been an office seeker as a reward for party fealty. He was a personal acquaintance of John Brown and was present at Springdale when the latter held a sale of mules and wagons, which he was disposing of after a hasty trip from Kansas to Missouri. A man by the name of John Cole was auctioneer, and, not proving prompt enough in conducting the sale, his place was taken by Mr. Brown, who closed out the balance of the stock. One of the wagons was purchased by Gilbert Smith and was kept for many years as one of the pioneer vehicles of the locality. It was finally destroyed by fire when his barn was burned down.
It was in 1851 that John Worrall was united in marriage to Elizabeth Jane Berry, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, September 6, 1829, but was reared and married in Morgan county, that state. She was a daughter of William and Martha (Pearson) Berry. Her father came to Iowa in 1854 on a prospecting trip, making the journey by way of the river, and here became ill with cholera and died. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Worrall were born eight children, namely: Charles, who passed away at the age of twenty-two years; William, residing in Davenport, Iowa, where he is engaged in civil engineering; Antrom, who died in childhood; Elizabeth, who became the wife of William Morehead, of West Branch; George, a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; Herbert E., of this review; Albert, who was drowned in the Cedar river when twelve years of age; and Hattie, who wedded Jack Boxley of Hobart, Oklahoma.
Herbert E. Worrall, whose name introduces this review, first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 28th of July, 1863, in Iowa township, and the period of his boyhood and youth was quietly spent on his father’s farm amid the busy activities of rural life. During the summer months he assisted his father in the work of the farm, while the winter seasons were devoted to acquiring an education in the country schools near his home. That his early training was thorough and comprehensive, well fitting him for the practical and responsible duties that come with an independent career, is indicated by the prosperity which has attended him since starting out in the business world on his own account. He is now the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and ninety-six acres of land, situated on section 4, Iowa township, which under his careful management and wise direction has been brought under a high state of cultivation. The place is equipped with two sets of buildings and is supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories for facilitating farm labor, the majority of the improvements being the result of the thrift and energy of its present owner. He has made a close study of agriculture in its various phases and possesses the spirit of enterprise and progress which, directed by keen business sagacity and wise discernment, have been salient elements in winning for him the gratifying degree of prosperity which is today his.
On the 18th of July, 1888, Mr. Worrall was united in marriage to Miss Susan May Mensch, who was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 3d of August, 1869, a daughter of John and Mary (Gephart) Mensch. The parents were natives of Pennsylvania and were early settlers of Cedar county, although they now make their home in Hobart, Oklahoma. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Worrall have been born five children, Della, Ruth, Charles, Theodore and Donald.
Having spent his entire life in Cedar county, Mr. Worrall has won a large circle of warm friends, which is almost coextensive with his circle of acquaintances. Although his has been the quiet, uneventful life of the farmer, he has, nevertheless, been true to his duties and obligations as a citizen, taking a deep interest in all that pertains to the growth and development of the community, and the high principles of manhood which have ever governed his dealings with his fellowmen have won for him the unqualified respect, confidence and goodwill of all with whom he has come in contact.
