For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 402
ALLEN McCURDY....A native of the Buckeye state, Allen McCurdy, of Orono township, has since boyhood made his home in Muscatine county. Today he is one of the prosperous citizens of his township and stands very high in the estimation of all who know him.. He was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, May 10, 1857, a son of Robert and Elizabeth ( Welling ) McCurdy. The parents were also natives of Ohio and remained there until 1868, when they joined the great movement to the west and settled in Orono township, Muscatine county. For over thirty years the father made his home in this county, becoming one of its well known and valued citizens. He acquired a fine farm of two hundred acres and passed away in 1900 at the age of eighty years. The mother spent her last days with a daughter in South Dakota and was called from earthly scenes in 1907, being then eighty-six years of age. The remains of Mr. and Mrs. McCurdy were interred side by side in Brockway cemetery, Orono township. There were six children in their family ; Daniel, of Quincy, Illinois ; Rebecca J., the wife of Thomas Jones, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota ; L. C., of Oregon ; Thomas W., of Fort Morgan, Colorado ; Minerva, the wife of John Moffit, of South Dakota ; and Allen, the subject of this review.Allen McCurdy came with his parents to Iowa at eleven years of age. He received his education in the common schools of Ohio and Muscatine county, Iowa, and as he grew up he became thoroughly acquainted with farm work. After the death of his father he took charge of the home farm, continuing until a division was made among the heirs when the entire estate was sold. He then removed to Conesville and bought the property which he still occupies. He also owns one hundred and twenty acres of good land near Conesville, all of which is in excellent state of culivation.
On the 2d of September, 1882, Mr. McCurdy was united in marriage to Miss Eva L. Mckee, a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, and a daughter of Daniel and Mary Mckee, both of whom were born in Ohio. They were married in their native state and came west in 1882, locating on a farm in Orono Township, Muscatine county, which Mr. McKee cultivated until his death in 1884. The mother is now living with a daughter in Iowa City and has reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McKee, namely ; Hugh Vance, who died at the age of fifty years ; Nancy M., now the wife of William B. Griffin, of Knox county, Ohio ; Eva L., now Mrs. Allen McCurdy ; L. A., of Missouri ; Malinda, the wife of George McVey, of Iowa City ; D. C., of Conesville, Iowa ; and Wesley L., of Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
Mr. McCurdy is a stanch supporter of the democratic party but he is not active in politics, as he prefers to devote his energies to his business interests. Being gifted with good natural ability which he developed by general reading and observation, he has maintained a gratifying measure of prosperity in his chosen calling and by his influence and example has contributed materially toward the upbuilding of the county. He and his wife are sincere believers in the Christian religion, he being a member of the Methodist church, while Mrs. McCurdy is affiliated with the Reformed church. They are genial and hospitable people and are held in high esteem by a large circle of friends in this section.
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