Howard P. Cruise, a well known and successful young agriculturist residing on section 7, Hazel Green township, is a worthy native son of Delaware county, his birth having occurred at Almoral Station on the 26th of May, 1887. His parents are Charles and Carrie (Merry) Cruise, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Summit county, Ohio. Their marriage was celebrated in Delaware county, Iowa, in 1868, Mrs. Cruise having come here in 1856. Charles Cruise devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits with excellent success until the time of his retirement in 1906. To him and his wife were born ten children, seven of whom survive, as follows: Mary L.. who is the wife of L. J. Baskerville and lives on the farm in this county upon which Captain Merry first located; Nellie B., who gave her hand in marriage to A. J. Faust and resides on her father's farm in Almoral Station; Carrie, who is the wife of F. W. Derr and lives on a farm east of Manchester; Harry., who is employed as bookkeeper by W. D. Hoyt & Company of Earlville; Jessie M., who is the wife of C. F. Davey, Jr., of Almoral Station; Howard P., of this review; and Robin E., living in Earlville.
     On the 7th of June, 1911, Mr. Cruise was united in marriage to Miss Kathleen Oehler, a daughter of George and Ella (McGuire) Oehler, the former a native of Dubuque county, Iowa, and the latter of Iowa City, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Oehler have eight children, namely: Mrs. Kathleen Cruise; Edward, who is a railroad man residing in Perry. Iowa; Mae, who is the wife of Harry Richards, of Canova, South Dakota; Bemeice, living in Delhi, Iowa; George V., also a resident of Delhi, this state; Frances, living in Delhi; and John B. and James L., both at home. Howard P. Cruise has lived in Delaware county from his birth to the present time and is widely known as an enterprising agriculturist and popular young citizen of his community.