Samuel Floyd Chidester

Samuel Floyd Chidester, who owns and controls a farm of ninety-five acres on section 27, Mantua township, Monroe county, was born in Lewis county, Virginia, July 19, 1846, a representative of one of the old families of that state. His paternal grandfather was also born in Virginia. The father, Zadok Chidester, likewise a native of that state, came to the west at an early period in the development of Monroe county, locating here in 1851.

He became an active factor in the agricultural development of this portion of the state, and through his labors a rich tract of land was improved and transformed into valuable farm. He was united in marriage to Miss Susannah Tharp, who was born, reared and educated in Virginia, a daughter of Hezekiah Tharp, of that state. Their home farm comprised seven hundred acres of valuable land in Monroe county and Mr. Chidester was very successful, practical and progressive in carrying on the work of the fields and in the raising of stock. He possessed excellent business qualifications, and his property was the visible evidence of his life of well directed labor and enterprise. He gave his political support to the Democracy until his death, which occurred when he as eighty-three years of age. In the family were fourteen children: H. Morgan, who is a prominent citizen of Mantua township and a veteran of the Civil war; Mrs. Sarah N. Deyo, of Mountain Grove, Missouri; Mrs. Virginia Pittinger, of that place; S. Floyd; Mrs. Hulda Rogers, of Nebraska; Mrs. Mary Perrin, of Mantua township; America, deceased; Zadok and Leander, who are resident farmers of Mantua township; Elliott, of Tacoma, Washington; Emery, a prominent citizen of Urbana township, Monroe county; Frank, who is living on the old homestead farm, where his mother died at the advanced age of eighty-one years; Grant; who died at the age of sixteen years; and one that died in infancy.

No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Samuel Floyd Chidester in his youth. He worked upon the farm and gained a practical experience of the best methods of caring for the stock and of cultivating the fields. He pursued his studies in a log schoolhouse with slab seats and puncheon floor, and at the age of nineteen years was married to Celestia Stevenson, who was then sixteen years of age. They have since traveled life’s journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity.

Mrs. Chidester was born in this township and pursued her education here. Her father, John Stevenson, one of the early settlers of Mantua township, passed away in 1896, while her mother, who bore the maiden name of Dorliska Bates, passed away in 1879. The children were as follows: Grandison, of Des Moines, Iowa; George, of Oregon: Charles, of Mantua township; Mrs. Chidester; Fred, who died on the home farm at the age of sixteen years; Eben, who was accidentally shot at the age of twenty-seven years and died as the result of his injury; an infant son died unnamed; Laura Jane, who resides with our subject; and Robert, who was killed for his money in California. Mr. Stevenson was seventy-nine years of age when called to his final rest, his birth having occurred in Ireland in 1817, while his wife, who was born in Ohio, died at the age of sixty-two years. They both held membership in the Baptist church and were people of sterling worth.

Mr. and Mrs. Chidester have had two sons and three daughters. Isan, who is a barber of Blakesburg, Iowa, wedded Millie Hampshire, of Ottumwa, this state, and they have two sons, Harold and Edmond. Susan is the wife of Riley Kendall, of Ottumwa, Iowa, and they have three children, Audrey, Goldie and Floyd. George, who lives in New Mexico, wedded Myrtle Miller and has two sons, Paul and Boyd. Mrs. Laura Denning is a resident of Poweshiek county, Iowa, and her children are Loyd and Ona. One daughter, Lavina, was accidentally burned to death when three years of age.

The home farm is pleasantly located not far from Albia, on section 27, Mantua township, and comprises ninety-five acres of land, on which are found substantial buildings and all modern accessories. Mr. Chidester votes with the Democracy and has served as a member of the school board. His wife belongs to the Christian Union Club, and his moral standard is that of the golden rule, which he practices in his daily life, and as a result his career has ever been an honorable and upright one, worthy of the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been associated.