Ringgold County IAGenWeb Project

Ringgold County Biographical Sketches

John ARCHBALD

pp. 313

John ARCHBALD, one of the prosperous stock-raisers of Tingley Township, and a practical farmer, was born in Rochester, New York, March 17, 1835, a son of James Archbald. When he was an infant he was taken by his parents to Will County, Illinois, there he grew to manhood, being reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving his education in the common schools of that county. On attaining his majority he commenced life on his own account, beginning without means, but having a stout heart and a determination to succeed.

He was married in 1860 to Miss Anna Price, of Will County, Illinois, and they are the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters - James, Lewis, George, Frank, Thomas, Mary, wife of William Olm; Sarah, Nettie, Anna and Ella, the four youngest daughters living at home.

After his marriage Mr. Archbald bought a farm, on which he lived till 1869, when he removed with his family to Ringgold County, Iowa, and the same fall located on the southeastern part of section 36, Tingley Township, where he has since made his home, his residence being a large, two-story frame building. Mr. Archbald has by his own industry and good management acquired his present fine property, which consists of 538 acres of land, all in one body, though located in four townships, and is one of the best farms for stock in the county, being well watered by a branch of Grand River. All the improvements on the farm have been made by Mr. Archbald, which, at the time he first settled, was raw prairie land. Since coming here he has become the principal cattle and hog-raiser in Tingley Township, his cattle being thorough-bred, and his hogs of the Poland-China grade. He also raises a few horses. He has a natural grove north of his house and barn, which affords the best of protection for his stock in winter.

In politics Mr. Archbald is a Republican, casting his first vote for John C. Fremont."

(Submitted to the Ringgold County IAGenWeb Project by Christy Jay, email: Jaygenie@aol.com)