Pike Township Family Stories
ROBERT TAFT CHOWN FAMILY
Nichols, Iowa Centennial Book 1884-1984, pages 331-332
By Kay ClineJohn Chown and Eliza Aplin Chown were born in England and came to America in 1852 to settle in Zanesville, Ohio. In 1856 they moved to Lake township in Muscatine county, where they resided until 1896, when the purchased farm land south of Nichols in Pike township.
Louis D. Chown, son of John and Eliza Chown, married Elizabeth A. Meyers on 6 January 1886. Elizabeth was a daughter of Henry Meyers and Mary Meyers Meyers, both natives of Germany. Louis and Lizzy managed the Pike township farm.
On 8 April 1904 they purchased two and two-thirds lots on Main street in Nichols. While living in the existing house, they built a new larger home and continued to build a prosperous farm.
Three children were born to Louis and Lizzy: John William Chown, born 8 July 1887; Louis W. “Peanut” Chown, born 4 December 1904, who still lives on the Pike township farm; and Robert Taft Chown, born 21 November 1908 in the new home.
Louis D. Chown was killed in a horse and wagon accident in 1920 and left the farm land to Lizzy.
Robert Taft Chown and Doris Poole were married on her birthday, 29 December 1933. She was the daughter of Fred F. Poole and Hazel Bixby Poole, born and raised in Nichols.
Robert was an ambitious worker, holding many part time jobs while being in partnership with his brother, Louis, in the Pike township farm and the gas station. Robert had foresight to see the future of home appliances, and they decided to dissolve the partnership to open an appliance store.
Doris and Bob lived in the first house in Nichols where his parents lived, and over a span of 21 years, they became parents of seven children.
Fred L. Chown now resides in Farmington, Minnesota.
Karen L. Chown married Bill Cline; they live in West Liberty.
Glen Robert Chown was born in 1936, died in 1939.
James C. Chown lives in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Max D. Chown lives in Nichols.
Dana L. Chown lives in Lone Tree.
Jon Kevan Chown lives in Nichols.
Doris and Bob were members of the Christian church, Eastern Star, Rebekah and Odd Fellow lodges. They enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, bowling and playing cards. Doris was very involved in community, church and charity work. Bob did charity work during the war by collecting rubber for retreading tires, as his draft classification kept him out of World War II.
Doris Chown died on 18 November 1976 after a long struggle with cancer, followed by Robert Chown’s death six months later from leukemia.
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Page created December 31, 2010 by Lynn McCleary