T. J. Rule
T. J. Rule, a well known and representative agriculturist of Paradise township, was born in Spring Rock township, Clinton county, Iowa, on the 14th of February, 1860, his parents being George and Ellen Lucretia (Columbus) Rule.
The father, a native of Scotland, emigrated to Canada when twelve or fifteen years old and subsequently took up his abode in Coldwater, Michigan. In 1854 he assisted his father in erecting a mill in Spring Rock township, Clinton county, Iowa, and afterward removed to Alden, Hardin county, Iowa, where he purchased a mill. In 1875 he went to De Witt, Iowa, and in the fall of 1876 came to Crawford county, locating in Dow City. He bought the old hotel site and a half interest in a mill and made his home in Dow City until 1879, when he removed to the farm on which our subject now resides in Paradise township. He erected commodious and substantial buildings and lived thereon until called to his final rest in 1892.
His political allegiance was given to the republican party and in 1872 he represented Clinton county in the state legislature. He also held a number of minor offices, ever discharging his public duties in a most prompt and capable manner. In religious faith he was a Baptist, while fraternally he was identified with the Masons, belonging to the Shrine and being probably one of the best known representatives of the craft in this part of the state. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
It was while a resident of Canada that George Rule wedded Miss Ellen L. Columbus, who was a native of that country. Mrs. Rule continued on the farm until 1893, when she took up her abode in Dow City, remaining there for two years. On the expiration of that period she returned to the old home place but in 1905 once more removed to Dow City, where she has resided continuously since.
She was the mother of nine children, as follows: William, who is engaged in the milling business at Rutland, Iowa; Agnes, the wife of E. V. Goddard, of Dow City, Iowa; John, who is a resident of St. Anthony, Idaho; George, living in Lake View, Iowa; T. J., of this review; Ellen Mary, who makes her home in Dow City, Iowa; A. L., who is engaged in the hardware business at Red Oak, Iowa; Lincoln, a resident of Boone, Iowa, who is employed as conductor by the Northwestern Railroad Company; and Anna, who is deceased.
T. J. Rule was reared under the parental roof and obtained his education in the schools of his native county. Since his father's demise he has operated the old homestead farm of two hundred and forty-five acres in Paradise township and also owns and cultivates an additional tract of forty-five acres. Under his careful supervision the property has been brought to a high state of cultivation and improvement and the well tilled fields annually yield bounteous harvests which find a ready sale on the market.
On the 20th of December, 1892, Mr. Rule was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Davie, by whom he had seven children, namely: Herbert; Robert; Vera, who is deceased; Warren; Jesse; Margaret; and Thomas.
In politics Mr. Rule is a republican, while fraternially he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America at Dow City, Iowa. His life has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence and high regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact either in business or social circles.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.