"WILLIAM CASH, is one of the oldest pioneers of Decatur County, where he has lived for over forty years.  He was born in Perry County, Kentucky, July 22, 1830, a son of Eli and Charlotte (Gay) Cash.  To his parents were born seven children -- Henry, William, Wyley, Joseph, Mary, Jane and Charlotte.  In 1836 his parents removed with their family to Missouri, by way of flat-boat to Louisville, then by steamboat, landing near Brunswick, and from there went to Davis County, where some of their acquaintances had previously settled.  In 1845 they left Missouri for Decatur County, Iowa, where the father took up a claim which William Cash afterward entered from the Government.  He first built a rude log cabin which was made in the most primitive style, and here the family experienced all the hardships and privations known only to the pioneer of a new country.  The principal inhabitants of the county at that time were Indians, the only settlers then living in Burrell Township besides the Cash family being George and Asa Burrell, John McDonald, F. B. Miller and Nathan Lowe.  William Cash, the subject of this sketch, was early in life inured to hard work, his youth being spent in helping to clear the pioneer farm and improve the homestead, receiving but a limited education in the subscription schools.  He was united in marriage July 26, 1857, to Miss Lydia Starkey, who was born and reared in De Kalb County, Illinois, she being a daughter of Isaiah and Lydia Starkey.  Mr. and Mrs. Cash have nine children -- Francis Winfield, Isabelle, Emma, Anna, Eva, William Henry, Fred, Rolla and John.  Mr. Cash has a well-cultivated farm in Burrell Township, where he is engaged in general farming and raising and feeding stock, which contains 144 acres.  His hewed log house is substantially built and comfortably furnished, and his barns and out-buildings for the accommodation of his stock are commodious and convenient.  His land is well watered by Grand River, and is well adapted to grain or stock-raising.  In politics Mr. Cash is a Republican, casting his first vote for General Scott.  He has aided in all enterprises for the benefit of his township or county, and has assisted in building the bridges, churches and schoolhouses.  His children have received the benefit of a good education, two of his daughters being successful teachers.  He is a consistent member of the church of the United Brethren in Christ.  His parents are both deceased, the mother dying in 1844, and the father in 1848.  His brother Joseph lives in Bloomington Township, and his sister Jane, wife of Matthew Ryan, lives in the same township.  His sister Charlotte is the wife of John Sellers of Burrell Township."

(Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)