Alexander Bain

Nature certainly intended that man should rest in his declining years. His whole history proves this.In youth he is strong, vigorous and ambitions, and in mature years he has learned to so direct his labors that as a result of his sound judgment, experience and industry, he may acquire a good competence. As the evening of life draws on, his physical powers are somewhat diminished and it is just that the long years of business activity should be followed by a period in which, to enjoy the fruits of his former toil. This has been vouchsafed to Mr. Bain, who is now living retired in Albia, but for many years carried on agricultural pursuits in Monroe county.

A native of North Carolina, his birth occurred on the 26^th of January, 1820.His parents were Robert and Mary ( Irwin ) Bain, and the former was a native of Scotland, while the mother was of Dutch extraction. In early life Robert Bain came to the United States and for some time resided in North Carolina, but the latter part of 1820 witnessed his emigration to what was then the wild west—Jefferson county, Indiana, where he spent his remaining days. The family experienced all the hardships and trials of pioneer life there, but as the years passed the fruits of the father’s labor brought to them a comfortable living. In addition to agricultural pursuits he engaged in work as a teamster. His study of the political questions led him at first to give his support to the Jacksonian Democracy, and his religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church. His life was upright and honorable and to his children he furnished an example well worthy of emulation. He passed away April 12, 1845, at his home in Jefferson county, Indiana, and his wife died in the same locality on the 15^th of July, 1849. Their children were: Samuel, William, Robert, James, Sarah, John, Jane, Mary, Margaret, Alexander, Thomas, Nancy, and one daughter that died in infancy, and all are now deceased with the exception of Alexander and his sister Margaret. The parents were laid to rest in the cemetery of the United Brethren church in Jefferson county, Indiana.

Before he had reached his first birthday Alexander Bain was taken by his parents to Jefferson county and resided there continuously until October, 1855, when he came to Monroe county, Iowa, where he has since lived. His educational privileges were limited because of the primitive character of the frontier schools. Throughout his entire life he has carried on farming and though he has met with some difficulties and obstacles in his path he has steadily persevered and has eventually become a well-to-do citizen. In early life he suffered heavy losses, but with strong resolution and determined purpose he started again, working hard and living economically and in six years had made fifty-five hundred dollars.

In Lakewood county, Indiana, in 1840, Mr. Bain, was united in marriage to Miss Mary Gulic, a daughter of William Gulic, a miller of that partof the country. Six children were born to our subject and his wife while they were residents of the Hoosier state, these being: James, who was born in 1841; Henry and Sarah, both deceased; Ellen, Hattie, and Annie. After the arrival of the family in this state other children were added to the household, including Robbie and Mary Louisa, the latter now deceased.

Mr. Bain secured a tract of land in Mantua township, Monroe county, and with characteristic energy began its cultivation, making the fields so productive that he annually gathered good harvests and thus materially increased his income. At length, on account of the ill health of his wife, he removed to Albia, where he lived for seven years, and in 1898 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his loved companion, with whom he had traveled life’s journey for fifty-eight years. She was called to her final rest on the 12^th of October of that year, at the age of eighty-two years, having been born in 1816. Mr. Bain sold his farm to his son-in-law, W. C. Scorck, just prior to his wife’s death, and since that time he has lived a retired life. Mrs. Bain was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church, to which Mr. Bain also belongs, having joined the organization when eighteen years of age. For a long period he served as an elder in the church, but later resigned. His interest in the church, however, and in the advancement of the cause of Christianity has never abated, and his influence has ever been cast on the side of right and truth. He has now reached the age of eighty-three years, and his has been a career in which industry, straightforward dealing, loyalty in citizenship and kindliness to his fellow men have been the salient characteristics.