Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 338
CASPER N. CADWELL

Casper N. CADWELL, a resident of Jefferson Township, where he owns one hundred and forty acres of excellent farm land on section 13, township 79, range 43, came to Harrison County in March, 1867, and first located on Silver Prairie, in Magnolia Township, where he rented of Phineas Cadwell for two years, and in June, 1868, bought a part of his present farm. At first he built a log house, which is still standing, the logs being moved from Magnolia, where they had formed a part of one of the early hotels of that place, and known as the "Brainard House." There was no improvement on this land; there are now forty acres under the plow, while the balance is used as tame pasture and meadow land.

In July, 1889, he completed his present farm house, the upright of which is 16x28 feet. Upon coming to the country Mr. CADWELL had but small means, only possessing a team and furniture enough to barely do. But by hard work and good management and the fact that he lived in one of the best agricultural sections in this portion of the State, he has gradually advanced until he is now surrounded with all those comforts that provide one with a pleasant home.

Mr. CADWELL was born at Hamilton, Canada, November 22, 1837, and is the son of Rev. Christopher C. and Harriet (NORTHWAY) CADWELL, both natives of Madison County, N.Y. Christopher CADWELL and family came to Racine County, Wis., in 1838, when Casper was but six months old. The father was a Congregational minister, and preached at Southport, now Kenosha, and was the second Congregational minister in what was the Wisconsin Territory. In 1870 he went to Barton County, Mo., where he died January 16, 1871, aged fifth-eight years, one month and five days.

Our subject's mother was born January 1, 1815, and died July 17, 1844. Casper N. was their only child. After the death of his mother his father married Pemelia WELLS, by whom three children were born, Hattie E., Sarah S. and Merle D.

Our subject left home in Wisconsin in 1861, becoming a member of the First Wisconsin Cavalry, serving twenty months, and received his discharge at St. Louis February, 1863. After leaving the service he spent two years in Wisconsin, but owing to ill health was unable to accomplish much, and in September, 1865, came to Jasper County, Iowa, remaining there there until the time of his coming to Harrison County.

His was married in Jasper County, October 25, 1866, to Eliza J. KIRKENDALL, a native of Ohio, born March 5, 1845. She was the daughter of Daniel and Polly (WELCH) KIRKENDALL. They are the parents of four children. Hattie E., born September 20, 1866; Bertha M., July 25, 1868; Clara E., September 27, 1869; Homer C., March 30, 1874.

Hattie E. graduated at the Logan High School, standing second in her class. She also attended Coe College at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for two years, receiving a good muscial education. At present she is a music teacher at Hartington, Neb.

Bertha M. graduated from the Logan High School, ranking first in her class, and is now engaged in the High School at Lamars, Plymouth County, Iowa, where she is proving herself a proficient teacher.

Clara A. is also a No. 1 graduate of the Logan High Schools, and is at present teaching in the graded schools of Lamars, Iowa.

Homer C. is still attending school.

Mr. and Mrs. CADWELL are Presbyterians, and were among the charter members of the First Presbyterian Church at Logan.

Politically, Mr. CADWELL is identified with the Republican party. He is a member of Fuller Post, Grand Army of the Republic.

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