ISAAC SHRIVER

 

     Isaac Shriver, who passed away in Allerton on the 20th of September, 1901, was for many years identified with the agricultural interests of Wayne county, where his people located during the pioneer days, but the latter period of his life was passed in this city, his energies being devoted to the development of a furniture business in which he had engaged more than a decade before his death.  His birth occurred in Monroe county, Ohio, on the 6th of February, 1844, and he was the thirteenth in order of birth of the seventeen children born to Elias and Rachel (Stuart) Shriver.  The parents were natives of West Virginia, whence they removed to Ohio, coming from there to Iowa in 1855.  The father subsequently acquired some land in this county and here he and the mother passed the remainder of their days.

     The first eleven years in the life of Isaac Shriver were passed in the state of his nativity.  His education was completed in the public schools of Iowa, and while engaged in the mastery of the common branches of English learning he assisted his father with the operation of the home farm.  He remained under the parental roof until he was nineteen years of age, when he started out for himself.  The succeeding seven years were passed in the state of Colorado, where he herded cattle and also worked in the mines.  Returning to Wayne county at the expiration of that time, he erected a residence and such other buildings as were required on his portion of the old homestead and there pursued the career of an agriculturist for twenty years.  Deciding that commercial activities would be more to his liking he next removed to Allerton and engaged in the furniture business until his death.

     On the 7th of December, 1865, Mr. Shriver was married to Miss Cynthia Marick, who was born on the 9th of May, 1844, in Monroe county, Ohio, her parents being Henry and Elizabeth (Brown) Marick.  They were natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania respectively, but for many years resided in Ohio, coming from there to Iowa in 1855.  They located in Wayne county, where Mr. Marick purchased some land in the cultivation of which he engaged during the remainder of his active life.  Here both he and the mother passed away and were laid to rest in the Higby cemetery.  Their family numbered six, Mrs. Shriver being the fourth in order of birth.  To Mr. and Mrs. Shriver there were born ten children:  Hersa Belle; Isaac, better known as Bert, who died at the age of four years; Thomas Benton; Della; Dora; Vivian and Lucy, who died in infancy; Lura, usually called Edna; Jessie and Frederick.

     Mr. Shriver was a member of the Christian church, with which his widow is also affiliated, and for several years held the office of deacon.  Politically he supported the democratic party and served two terms on the school board of Allerton, while for one term he discharged the duties of councilman.  Mr. Shriver was a man of many estimable qualities and was widely and favorably known in this locality, where he was regarded as a worthy representative of a respected pioneer family.

 

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