Edwin Pike

For forty-seven years Edwin Pike has been a resident of northern Iowa. He has now reached the age of eighty-two years but he still gives supervision to the operation of his farm, which comprises two hundred and eighty acres of rich and valuable land, situated oil section 22, Deer Creek township, Worth county. He was born at Stockland, in Devonshire, England, January 26, 1836, and is a son of John and Jemima (Turner) Pike, both of whom were natives of England, and in Devonshire the father followed the occupation of farming until he was called to his final rest.

Edwin Pike spent his boyhood days in England and acquired his education in its public schools. He afterward learned the trade of bricklaying and was employed in that way until 1870, when he came to the United States to try his fortune in the new world, believing that he might have better opportunities on this side of the Atlantic. He sailed for Ouebec, Canada, and from that point made his way to Chicago and on across the country by wagon and ox teams to St. Ansgar, Iowa. On reaching this section of the state he built a frame house on a farm of eighty acres which he purchased from P. H. Beckett, and later he added to his original tract of land from time to time until he was the owner of two hundred and eighty acres. He improved the entire tract and has since made his home upon this farm, which he brought under a very high state of cultivation, adding thereto all modern improvements and accessories. His life has been one of untiring industry and thrift and the intelligent direction of his labors has brought to him a substantial measure of success.

In 1859 Mr. Pike was united in marriage to Miss Diana Sumption, a daughter of John and Maria (Ware) Sumption and a native of Stockland, Devonshire, England, in which locality her father followed the occupation of farming and also engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery. To Mr. and Mrs. Pike were born twelve children, as follows: Lucy A.; Mary; Florence, who died when but a year old; Albert, also deceased; Edith: Fred G., who is represented elsewhere in this work, Kate; Emily; William; Edwin; Walter; and Alice.

Mr. Pike has reached the age of eighty-two years, while his wife is eighty-one years of age. His political endorsement is given to the democratic party and both are consistent members of the Episcopal church. Their lives have been well spent and they enjoy the goodwill and high regard of all with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Pike was called upon from time to time to fill local offices, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. He has been loyal in matters of citizenship, thoroughly reliable in business Affairs and upright and honorable at all tmes and in every relation.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth County, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, page 472.

Transcribed by Gordon Felland, October 3, 2005 (picture added 11/21/06)

Edwin Pike Sr. and Family