John N. Carradus, who has devoted his time and energies to agricultural pursuits in Delaware county throughout his entire business career, was at one time the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land and still owns a tract of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Prairie township. His birth occurred in Westmoreland county, England, on the 3d of July, 1860, his parents being David and Mary (Nicholson) Carradus, who were married in 1858. They emigrated to the United States in 1871 and took up their abode on a farm near Silver Creek in Delaware county, Iowa, the father here devoting his attention to the cultivation of the fields and the raising of stock throughout the remainder of his life. His demise occurred in 1905 and his remains were interred in the cemetery at Silver Creek, his loss being sincerely mourned throughout the community which had been his home for a third of a century. His widow has now reached the age of eighty six years and makes her home with our subject. Their children were three in number, namely: John N., of this review; Sarah F., who is the wife of Thomas Swan; and Richard, who died in early life.
      John N. Carradus, who was a lad of eleven when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education and when about nineteen years of age started out as an agriculturist on his own account. In 1881 he purchased a farm of eighty acres and subsequently bought another tract of similar size and, as his financial resources increased, augmented his holdings until at one time he owned four hundred acres of rich and productive land. He gave three eighty acre tracts to his sons but still owns and operates the remaining quarter section. The pursuits of farming and stock raising yet claim his attention and return to him a gratifying annual income.
      In early manhood Mr. Carradus was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Elizabeth Dover, a daughter of William and Lucy (Pratt) Dover, who came to this county in 1849 or 1850 and located one mile east of Silver Creek church. The father took an active part in public affairs and served as secretary of the school board in Adams township for a number of years. Both Mr. and Mrs. William Dover have passed away and lie buried at Manchester. To our subject and his wife have been born eight children, as follows: William D., who wedded Miss Nellie McDaraugh; Edith, the wife of Martin Wood; John R., who wedded Miss Mary Hamilton; Mamie, who gave her hand in marriage to George McDowell: and Elmer, Lucy, George and Fred, all at home.
      Mr. Carradus is a republican in politics and for twenty years has served as school secretary in Prairie township, the cause of education finding in him a stanch champion. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. The period of his residence in Delaware county covers forty three years, and his record is that of one of its substantial agriculturists and widely known citizens.