THEODORE CREVELING

Theodore Creveling, of Fayette township, owns and with the assistance of his sons operates seven hundred and four acres of fine land, and in addition to following general farming and stock-raising has given considerable attention to fruit raising. His birth occurred in Columbia county, Pennsylvania, January 27, 1852, and he is a son of Clemuel and Eliza Creveling, of Scotch-Irish and Pennsylvania-Dutch descent respectively. The paternal grandfather, Alexander Creveling, served in the war of the Revolution, as did a brother. Two other brothers served in the British army, but after coming to America deserted, as they sympathized with the colonists. Clemuel Creveling was born in Pennsylvania, as was his wife, and he resided there until 1852, when he came west to Clinton county, Iowa, whence a year later he removed to Decatur county. The family joined him in April, 1854, and they took up their residence on a quarter section of land which he had entered from the government. He also purchased a number of other tracts, paying therefor a dollar and a quarter per acre, and became a well-to-do farmer. He passed away in this county when sixty years of age and his wife died here when seventy-one years old. His political belief was that of the republican party and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of nine children, of whom two died in infancy, and two died when six and eight years old respectively. There are four sons living: Alexander, of Fayette county; Theodore; C. E., of New Buda township; and A. M. of Ellston. A daughter, Mrs. Eliza Sutari McMorris, who resided near Leon died several years ago.

Theodore Creveling, who was but and infant when brought to Decatur county, has passed practically his entire life in this county but spent some time in Rawlins county, Kansas. He was reared to the occupation of farming and has met with signal success as an agriculturist and stock-raiser. He owns seven hundred and four acres of land in Fayette and Bloomington townships, his residence being on section 1, Fayette township. Three hundred and thirty-four acres of his holdings are devoted to pasture and three hundred and seventy acres are cultivated, from twenty-five to thirty acres being given up to fruit trees. He has been very successful as a fruit raiser and has one of the best orchards in Decatur county.

Mr. Creveling was married in this county in 1885 to Miss Della M. Gentry, a native of the county. Her father, Curn Gentry, who is a native of Kentucky, is still living at the venerable age of eighty years, but her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary May, is deceased. Mr. And Mrs. Creveling have become the parents of seven children, of whom one died in infancy, the others being: Vergie Sutari, the wife of H. C. Rauch; and O. C., D. T., A. M., Gladys and Florence all at home.

The political allegiance of Mr. Creveling is given to the republican party, as he believes in the soundness of its principles. He at one time belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America and his wife and two daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. All who come in contact with Mr. Creveling in business or social relations hold him in high esteem, as his life is guided by the highest moral principles. He is one of the large landowners of the county and he and his sons derive a handsome income from their farming and stock-raising activities.