West Liberty History 1838-1938

Source: One Hundred Years of History
* Commemorating a Century of Progress in the West Liberty Community * WEST LIBERTY, IOWA
WORRALL---GIFFORD

Jonathan Worrall and his wife, Prussia, and Abram Gifford and his family trekked by covered wagon from Morgan County, Ohio to Iowa, in October, 1852. About a year later Nathaniel Worrall, father of Jonathan, and the rest of his family joined them here. They, too, traveled in covered wagons, with the exception of the mother who, on account of ill health, was provided with a carriage. Shortly after they arrived, Daniel Gifford, son of Abram, was united in marriage with Nathaniel Worrall's daughter, Sarah.

They settled on farms (purchased from the government) five miles north and east of West Liberty, in the district now known as Union Valley, paying $1.25 per acre. The deeds were signed by President Franklin Pierce. The Indians, who at that time were in camp on the Cedar river two and one half miles to the east, were frequent visitors seeking charity, but at no time did they show any spirit of hostility.

Nataniel Worrall and Abram Gifford died on the farm, leaving Jonathan Worrall and Daniel Gifford to farm until the time of their retirement to West Liberty. Jonathan Worrall died in 1894 and Daniel Gifford in 1912.

Jonathan Worrall was the father of Mrs. Anna Luse, and Daniel Gifford was the father of Mrs. Alice Polders.

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