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Isaac N. Conner

Among the citizens of Pleasant Valley township, Fayette county, Iowa, who have not only won by their personal efforts a fair share of this world's goods, but also, because of their upright and honorable lives, the respect and esteem of the entire community , the subject of this sketch stands pre-eminent. He has at all times stood for the highest and best interests of the community and is regarded as one of the representative citizens of the township.

Isaac N. Conner was born February 1, 1853, at Elgin, Iowa, and is a son of Benjamin and Eliza (CANE) Conner. Benjamin Conner was born in Madison county, Indiana, in 1826, and is a son of John and Mahala (CHRIS)) Conner.

The latter was born in Tennessee and died after her removal to Iowa; her husband died in Illinois. In 1836, at the age of ten years, Benjamin Conner left Indiana with his parents, en route for the West, which held out glowing promises to the pioneer settlers, but the father died on the way, in Illinois. The trip was made by wagon and the journey was a long tiresome one, made doubly so by the death of the husband and father. The family located in Green county, Wisconsin, where Benjamin Conner was reared to maturity. In 1847 he was married to Eliza CANE. Two years later he located in Pleasant Valley township, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land, located south of Elgin. He entered at once on the task of clearing and developing this property, putting up a set of log buildings, in which the family lived about 2 1/2 years, at the end of which time they moved to Turkey River where they bought land. Mr. Conner was prospered in his business affairs and added to his landed holdings from time to time, until at length he owned eight hundred acres of good and cultivable land. The improvements on the place comprised a comfortable residence, an "Iowa" barn and other necessary buildings. Eventually Mr. Conner rented this property and moved to a farm on the West Union/Elkader Road, comprising 120 acres, where he resided until the death of his wife. In 1895, he came to Elgin to live, and has since maintained his residence here, having been practically retired from active labor since 1905. To him and his wife were born the following children: Asbury, Eliza Jane, Isaac, Precilla, Abijah, Henry and Wakeman. In matters political Mr. conner has been a stanch advocate of the principles embodied in the platforms of the Republican party, but later supported the Greenbacks, and eventually allied himself with the Democratic party, with which he is now affiliated. He has at all times taken an intelligent interest in local public affairs and has given good service to the community as road supervisor and school director.

Isaac N. Conner was reared under the parental roof and received his early education in the district schools. He was early inured to the work of the farm and until he attained his majority he proved an able assistant to his father. Starting out in life then on his own account, he went to Dakota and acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he devoted with much success to the raising of grain until 1898, when he returned to Iowa and bought two hundred and twenty acres of land comprising the splendid farm in Pleasant Valley Township, Fayette county, which he now occupies. Here he carries on general farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and he also gives considerable attention to the breeding and raising of thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle. He is practical and progressive in his operations and is accounted one of the enterprising and successful farmers of the township.

In 1877 Mr. Conner was united in marriage to Alice Elizabeth Kreps, a native of Switzerland, and they have become the parents of the following children: Rebecca May, Edith Lavica, Benjamin Walter, Mahala Maude, Milo Dwight, Weaver Dow, Elizabeth Matilda, Clara Leila, Winifred Sophronia and Isaac James. Mrs. Conner was reared and educated in her native state and in 1857 came to the United States to make her future home.

Mr. Conner was formerly affiliated with the Greenback party, but of recent years he has given a stanch support to the Democratic tickets. He has taken an active interest in local public affairs and has rendered efficient service in a number of township offices, including those of pathmaster, member of the township board, constable, school director and assessor. In every official position to which called, Mr. Conner has proved faithful to his trust and he enjoys marked prestige among the citizens of this township with whom he has lived so long. He possesses personal qualities of a high order and enjoys a wide acquaintance throughout the county, among which are a large number of warm and loyal friends."