ROBERT C. DRYDEN.

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Robert C. Dryden         Mrs. Robert C. Dryden

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         Although more than two decades have passed since the death of Robert C. Dryden, he is still remembered as one of the highly respected and substantial residents of Morning Sun township, his well directed efforts along agricultural lines making it possible for him, at the time of his demise, to leave to his family a most valuable estate. A native of Ohio, he came to Louisa county, Iowa, in 1847, and here he continued to reside throughout his remaining years. In early life he had attended the common schools of his native state in the acquirement of an education, and when not busy with his text-books worked in the fields of the home farm, becoming thoroughly familiar with all of the various phases of agriculture. Upon attaining his majority he naturally continued to engage in the occupation to which he had been reared. On coming in this county his mother preempted the farm in Morning Sun township which became the nucleus of his present fine estate. From the first his efforts proved successful and as prosperity came to him he added to his property until at the time of his death he was the owner of four hundred acres of rich land. He carried on general farming, annually reaping abundant harvests from his well tilled fields, and for a number of years was also a representative of stock-raising interests, making a specialty of horses and hogs.

         On the 4th of December, 1851, Mr. Dryden was united in marriage to Miss Mary Mickey, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, a daughter of John R. and Sarah (Wasson) Mickey. Her parents, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively, came to Iowa in 1835, the father entering land in Louisa county at a time when the Indians were more numerous than the white men and before Iowa had been admitted to the Union as a state. His home was a log cabin, which he erected on his farm, having a clapboard roof and puncheon floor, and equipped with the proverbial latch-string. He spent the remainder of . . .

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. . . his life in the cultivation of that farm, and after his demise his widow traveled extensively throughout the western states, her death occurring, however, in Denmark, Iowa. In their family were nine children of whom six survive, namely: Mary, who married Robert C. Dryden; John M., a resident of the state of Washington; R. B., of Louisa county; Thomas K., of Macedonia, Pottawattamie county, Iowa; Joseph, who is living in Oakwood, Oklahoma; and James D., of Wichita, Kansas. To Mr. and Mrs. Dryden nine children were born but five have passed away, those living being: Sarah A., the wife of Edson F. Monshower, of Morning Sun township; Clarissa Catherine, the wife of Francis Kern, of Harrison county, Iowa; Laura O., the wife of John Henderson, of Waverly, Coffey county, Kansas; and George H., operating the home farm. There are also fourteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

         The death of Mr. Dryden occurred on the 18th of September, 1890. He was long numbered among Morning Sun township’s public-spirited citizens, taking a helpful interest in all that pertained to its development and improvement. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and was called to fill several minor township offices. He held membership in the United Brethren church and the principles which governed his life were those which spoke for honorable and upright manhood. His widow now resides on a portion of the homestead, which is operated by her son George H. The latter now owns two hundred, three and a half acres of the estate, located on section 17, and is well known and prominent among the younger residents of Morning Sun township as a prosperous and progressive farmer and stock-raiser. He had the benefit of a high-school education, and from an early age has been interested in the political questions of the day, giving his support to the republican party, although he has never sought nor desired public office. He holds membership in the United Presbyterian church and is a young man of excellent character, who has the confidence and good-will of all with whom he comes in contact.