until his death, which occurred in 1898, having then arrived at the age of seventy-eight years. The mother departed this life seven years later. They were prominent members of the Baptist church and were highly esteemed by all who knew them.
William Vasey came to the United States with his parents in his thirteenth year, and from the time of his arrival in this country was able to do a man's work behind the plow. However, he attended the district schools and received the foundation of an education, which he has greatly broadened by observation and reading during the years that have since elapsed. He came to Story county in 1868 and began work as a farm hand, showing an interest in his work which gave bright promise as to his future. At the age of twenty-three he was married and soon afterward removed to Peoria, Polk county, Iowa, where he had purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the limits of Peoria but located in Story county. He lived in the town and cultivated the farm for two years and then purchased a farm in Jasper county near the lines of Polk and Story counties, upon which he took up his residence. He managed this place with such ability that in 1887 he was able to purchase three hundred and twenty acres in Collins township, Story county, which he has since made his home. He has been remarkably successful and now owns seven hundred and fifty acres, three hundred and twenty of which are located in Eden township, Marshall county, six miles east of his home farm. He has dealt extensively in cattle, which he has fed upon a large scale and has also been unusually successful in handling farm lands. He is still actively engaged in business and his judgment is regarded by his neighbors and friends as conclusive on subjects pertaining to agriculture and live stock.
In the spring of 1872 Mr. Vasey was united in marriage to Miss Ana Oxley, a native of England., and daughter of John Oxley, who after coming to this country lived in Maryland and Illinois and about 1866 located in Story county, Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. Vasey ten children have been born, namely: John, a farmer of Collins township; Charles, a member of the firm of Vasey Brothers, lumber dealers of Collins; Henry, a practicing attorney of Nevada, Iowa; Jesse, of Los Angeles, California; Raleigh and Chauncy, at home; Arthur, a member of the firm of Vasey Brothers of Collins ; Alma, wife of Euclid H. Harsh, a farmer of Jasper county ; Clara, now Mrs. Arthur Hands, of Collins ; and Ethel, at home. Mr. Vasey was called upon to meet the greatest sorrow of his life in the death of his beloved companion in August, 1896. She was a member of the Methodist church and possessed many estimable qualities of mind and heart that greatly endeared her to all with whom she was associated.
Mr. Vasey is not identified with any religious denomination but he is a stanch believer in Christianity and is a liberal contributor to church and charitable purposes. Politically he prefers to be independent, voting for the man rather than for the party. He has few superiors in lines of agriculture and stock-raising, to which he has devoted the best energies of his