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         ALFRED LIMBOCKER, deceased, who was one of the honored pioneers of Louisa County, was born June 9, 1811, in Genesee County, N. Y. He was of humble parentage and one of a large family of children. Having but limited educational advantages at his command, his education was mostly acquired by experiences and observation of the ways of life and the actions of men. He was a millwright by trade, but followed farming during his early life. His first trip from his native county was made to Dunkirk, N. Y., where he aided in the erection of the first lighthouse. At the early age of ten he began life’s battle for himself. Securing work he gave most of his earnings to his father to help support the large family. Leaving the parental roof when quite young, he went as a raftsman down to Jackson County, Ind., where he formed the acquaintance of Miss Lucintha M. Morrison, a native of Tennessee; the acquaintance ripened into love, and on the 8th of February, 1832, their union was celebrated. Mr. Limbocker then located in Jennings County, and in the midst of the heavy timber developed a farm. He was also engaged in the cultivation of another farm in that county, and was there for some time engaged in the mercantile business, and also in keeping a hotel.

Desiring to come West our subject set to work to provide a means of transportation, as there were no railroads at that time. He made the woodwork for two wagons, and then traded a cow for the iron necessary to complete them. Having four small horses he loaded his household effects into the wagons, and followed the tide of emigration, which was steadily flowing westward. He reached the Territory of Iowa in 1845, and landing in Louisa County, rented a farm of Col. W. W. Garner for three years. Starting with but a cash capital of $7, little by little he added to it until he became one of the prosperous and well-to-do farmers of the county. For three years he rented land, but in 1848 bought 120 acres of timber land and eighty acres of prairie on section 9, Columbus City Township, which he immediately began to improve and convert into a home. In 1851 he added another 80-acre tract to his original purchase, it also being situated on section 9, and soon afterward he removed to that portion of the farm, where he made his home until the time of his death. By his energy, enterprise, fair dealing and good management, as time passed he was enabled to add to his farm, until he owned over 600 acres of land in Columbus City Township.

Mr. and Mrs. Limbocker were the parents of ten children: John S., a leading farmer and stock-raiser residing in Columbus City Township; William E., who died near Ottawa, Kan., in 1882; Alfred S., who was a member of the 11th Iowa Infantry, died at Shiloh just after the battle which had there taken place; Jeremiah M., who enlisted as a private in the 5th Iowa Cavalry, was promoted to the Captaincy, and is now living in Ft. Scott, Kan.; Mary A. is deceased; George W., who was the First Lieutenant of Company C, 11th Iowa Infantry, died in March, 1865; Cynthia is the wife of John W. Hawes, a farmer of Columbus City Township; Sarah G. died in infancy; Marcus N., a resident farmer of Columbus City Township, and Albert P. complete the family.

Mr. Limbocker died Oct. 20, 1882. He was a man honored and loved for his many kind acts, his charitableness and willingness to help a friend in need. A member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he gave liberally to its support, took great interest in its welfare, and in the advancement of his Mas- . . .

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. . . ter’s cause. In his death the county lost one of her most valued and respected citizens, who was one of Nature’s noblemen. He had served as one of the Supervisors of the county, and was a member of the board for several years. Mrs. Limbocker, who was also a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a lady beloved for her many excellencies of character, died on the 23d of March, 1863.