E. N. McCord
That the life history of E. N. McCord is a record of success is due to the persistent effort and intelligently directed industry which he has displayed through the many years of his connection with agricultural interests.
He is a grandson of Allen and Nancy (Hezlep) McCord and comes of Scotch-Irish lineage. His father, David McCord, was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, April 28, 1839, was there reared and educated, and he remained in the Keystone state until attaining his majority, when, in 1860, attracted by the opportunities of the middle west, he made his way to Illinois, locating in Douglas county, where he resided for twelve years. The year 1872 witnessed his arrival in Crawford county, Iowa, and he became one of the first settlers on Paradise creek. Here he made his home throughout his remaining days and passed away on the 7th of January, 1892. He had been a farmer all his life and at the time of his death was the owner of two hundred acres of land in Paradise township.
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Phoebe J. Schouten, was born in Saratoga county, New York, and when fifteen years of age removed with her parents to Illinois, the family home being established in Douglas county. There she met and married David McCord. She is yet living and resides during the summer months in Crawford county, Iowa, while the winter seasons she spends in Oklahoma. By her union with Mr. McCord she became the mother of five children, as follows: Mamie, the wife of Robert Grayson, a lawyer of Boynton, Oklahoma; E. N., of this review; Addie, who wedded James Bixler, of Centerville, South Dakota, where he engages in agriculture; Nannie, the wife of W. D. Suiter, a farmer of Boynton, Oklahoma; and Alma, the wife of Ed Duncan, also engaged in farming in Crawford county. There was also an adopted son, Allen, who is now a draftsman in the government employ, stationed at Santa Fe, New Mexico.
E. N. McCord, the eldest son of the family, was born in Arcola, Illinois, on the 23d of September, 1868, and was therefore but four years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Crawford county in 1872. In the schools of this county he gained a good education and while not engaged in his school work assisted his father about the home farm, early becoming familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of the country lad.
He started out independently as a farmer when twenty-three years of age and in the following year, upon the death of his father, assumed charge of the old homestead and has since continued to make that his place of residence. He now owns two hundred and eighty acres of rich land which in its well improved condition and high state of development indicates the practical methods which he has employed and the industry, diligence and perseverance which have characterized his efforts. In addition to general farming he is an extensive raiser and breeder of high grade stock, the excellence of which is recognized throughout the district, and both branches of his business are so carefully managed that they have prospered under his careful supervision and keen business sagacity until he is today recognized as one of the substantial and successful agriculturists of Paradise township.
It was on the 15th of March, 1891, that Mr. McCord was united in marriage to Miss Ida Bixler, who was born in Jackson county, Iowa, a daughter of Isaac and Mary E. (Jones) Bixler. Her father, whose birth occurred in Ohio on the 14th of March, 1839, was taken to Jackson county, Iowa, when but a year old, and there he grew to manhood. In the spring of 1881 he came to Crawford county and located in Paradise township, where he made his home until his death in February, 1909. He was a farmer and followed that occupation throughout his lifetime. His wife, who was born in England, came to the United States when only six months old and at the age of thirteen removed with her parents to Iowa, the family locating at Lyons. She was married in Springvale, Iowa, and still survives, making her home at present in Dow City. By her marriage to Mr. Bixler she became the mother of seven children, namely: Frank, a farmer of Paradise township; Mrs. McCord; William, a carpenter of Elk City, Oklahoma; James, engaged in farming in Centerville, South Dakota; Etta, the wife of Carey Saxton, of Denison township; Samuel, a farmer of Oaks, North Dakota; and Lottie, who resides with her mother in Dow City, Iowa.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCord has been blessed with four children: Clarence, now eighteen years of age; Gladys, aged sixteen years; Marcus, aged eleven years; and lone, ten years.
Fraternally Mr. McCord is identified with Denison Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Modem Woodmen of America at Dow City, and in politics gives stalwart support to the republican party, believing that the principles of that organization are best adapted to conserve the interests of state and nation. He is insured in the Banker's Life Association and is progressive in all of his ideas both in personal and public matters. His has been a life of continuous activity, characterized by well directed efforts and close application, and the success that has attended his labors has been substantial and well merited.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.