Michael Foland, Jr., (b. 1820, Rockingham Co., Virginia; d. 1904), was the first generation in Ia. His father was Michael Foland, Sr., and his grandparents were Valentine and Christina Foland--1800's--vicinity, Timberville, Rockingham Co., Va. (Dutch origin) (M., Jr., was orphaned early). Michael and Elizabeth Sowerwine Foland and 7 children left Delaware Co., Ind., and came west to his 160 acres in a covered wagon with 3 horses in a rig. They arrived Sept., 1859, in Decatur Co., Ia., and built a log cabin for the winter; the next year a log house was put hup. About 1880, they built a fine home in Richland Twp., 4 miles from the settlement of Grand River. Today the property is owned and occupied by grandson Albert Foland and is designated as a Century Farm.

Michael owned and operated 400 acres and had a hardware store and harness shop at nearby Westerville. He built a "Weaning-house," where 5 married sons in turn got a start. He also had a sorghum mill in the community.

Christian Foland, one of Michael's 10 children (b. 1850, Muncie, Ind., d. 1918), md. Lucinda Edwards (1861-1933), daughter of Anderson and Armina Ramsey Edwards from Tennessee); had children B. Granklin, Laura Ann and Gussie Edna (who is the link here). Christian owned and farmed 200 acres. Leo McConnell said Chris wouldn't go to the field unless he could be there by 7 AM! His saying was, "Vell, Vell, to get the time."

Gussie E. Foland (1888-1956) md. E. Ray Morrell (1887, Prescott, Kans., d. 1972), son of Henry Franklin (1856-1930) and Miranda C. Morrell (1856-1937). Before homesteading in N.D., F. Morrell lived in the Grand River area, and in 1900 Marion was born at the "Wadsworth Place," her brothers being Ray, Herb, Earl, and Jesse. Ray graduated from Grand River High School in 1905; taught some that year and in Dec. began work as substitute Railway Mail Clerk; hiring a substitute teacher while away. In 1906 he moved to Burlington, Ia., and worked on the main line of the CB&Q between Chicago and Burlington; then later switched to the Keokuk and Shenandoah branch line.

Gussie and Ray were married in 1908 and lived in Shenandoah before homesteading in Dunn Center, N.D., taught school and farmed 5 years, then returned to rural Grand River in 1916. Ray again farmed and taught at the Foland School prevous to moving into Grand River in 1919, where he served as postmaster 14 years. Then they remodeled and moved into Gussie's parental farm homoe. Besides farming, Ray was manager of the Grand River branch bank, 1945-1953. After Gussie's death in 1956, Ray maintained the property until entering a nursing home due to a stroke in 1968.

If you want to read more of this Family Biography please email Stacey Dietiker