For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 702
C. RICHARD CHOWN....When the names of active and enterprising farmers of Orono township are mentioned that of C. Richard Chows is never omitted. He is recognized as a man who aims to keep abreast of the times. His farm of one hundred and sixty-two acres is one of the most productive of its size in the township, and as it is supplied with the best facilities for cultivating and harvesting the crops the results are generally very satisfactory. Mr. Chown is a native of Muscatine county, born May2, 1869, and is a son of William and Harriet ( Masters ) Chown. The father was born in Devonshire, England, and the mother in Coshocton county, Ohio. They were married in Lake township, Muscatine county, Iowa., and soon after their marriage Mr. Chown purchased a small farm in this county, which he cultivated for several years, then removing to Orono township, where he continued until his retirement in 1890 to Conesville, Iowa. The mother passed away August 3, 1906, and the father January 15, 1910. There were three children in their family, namely : C. Richard, the subject of this review ; Mary, the wife of C. Daniels of Conesville ; and Eliza, now Mrs. Edward Wolford, of Louisa county.C. Richard Chown was educated in the district schools of Muscatine county and as he grew up became acquainted under his father with the details of agriculture and stock-raising. He continued under the parental roof until twenty-one years of age and then began farming on his own account and is now the owner of a place of one hundred and sixty-two acres. He has used good judgment and his farm is well improved, and the buildings, fences and machinery are kept in excellent repair, indicating that the owner gives thoughtful attention to his work and therefore, receives the just recompense for the time and labor expended.
On the 24th of December, 1891, Mr. Chown was united in marriage to Miss Anna Laura Wolford, a native of Louisa county, Iowa, and a daughter of S. C. and Elizabeth ( Vanhorn ) Wolford, who were both born in Ohio. They came west with their respective parents, who settled in Iowa, and they were married in Muscatine county. Mr. Wolford engaged in farming in this county until his retirement in 1905, since which time he and his wife have lived at Lone Tree, Johnson county. To them six children were born, namely : William, now a farmer of Louisa county ; Edward, who engaged in farming in Louisa county ; Anna Laura, now the wife of C. Richard Chown ; Dora, now Mrs. Joe Corbet, of Lone Tree ; Charley, of Louisa county ; and Essie, wife of Arthur Rife, of Lone Tree. Eleven children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Chown :Myrtle L., who was born December 2, 1892, and was educated in the high school ; Ernest V., who was born June 23, 1894, and was educated in the common schools ; Charles Russell, born October 20, 1895 ; Alvin, who was born September 10, 1897, and died at the age of one year ; Richard V., born March 11, 1899 ; Opal, who was born October 8, 1901, and died at the age of eight months ; Elma, born February 8, 1903 ; Nita M., born April 13, 1904 ; Lelia M., who was born July 18, 1905, and died at the age of sixteen months ; Ruth, who was born April 3, 1907, and died at the age of two and one-half years ; and Lester D., born August 31, 1908. Those living are still at home.
Even at the beginnings of his business career Mr. Chown gave evidence of ability as a farmer and years have demonstrated that the favorable prophecies then made concerning the results of his work were entirely true. He possesses the characteristics that attract friends and is reognized as one of the useful citizens of his section. Politically he is identified with the republican party and has served for the past four years most acceptably as president of the school board. Fraternally, he holds membership in the camp of Modern Woodmen of America at Conesville, of which he is one of the managers, and also in the Odd Fellows lodge at Columbus Junction. He and his estimable wife are members of the Reformed church of Conesville.
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