EDWARD DRYDEN.
Prominent in the affairs of Audubon county and distinguished as a citizen, whose influence extends beyond the community honored by his residence, the name of Edward Dryden stands out conspicuously among the successful farmers and stock breeders of Hamlin township. All of his undertakings have been actuated by noble motives and high resolves, characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality. His success and achievements but represent the result of utilizing the talents with which he was endowed and in directing his efforts along those lines, where mature judgment and discrimination lead the way.
Edward Dryden was born on January 22, 1858, in Iowa City, Iowa. He is a son of John and Marguerite (Burns) Dryden, who were natives of Ireland, coming to the United States when young people and, subsequently, they were married in New York. They were farmers by occupation and came west to Iowa in the early fifties. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom lived to maturity. Edward Dryden, the subject of this sketch was the eldest of those who lived to maturity and the fourth child born to his parents. He received a common school education. His father died when he was seventeen years old, and Edward then, being the eldest child took charge of the farm and with his brothers tended it until he was married. After his marriage, he lived on the home place for two years, and then removed to South Dakota, where he pre-empted a hundred and sixty acres of land in Charles Mix county. He lived in South Dakota for six years or until he had lost everything as a consequence of the drought. At the end of this time he sold his South Dakota land and came to Audubon county, Iowa, where he rented land for one year. During this same year, 1891, he sold hogs for three and one-fourth cents a pound, eggs for three cents a dozen, corn for fifteen and twenty cents and potatoes for fifteen cents
a bushel.
In 1892 Mr. Dryden purchased a hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land in section 16, Hamlin township, paying fifteen dollars an acre for it. He has since built a good house, barn and other buildings, making it a well-improved farm at the present time. He also owns a section of land in the province of Alberta, Canada.
Mr. Dryden was married on December 21, 1883, to Mary B. Dimick, who was born on April 14, 1866, in Johnson county, Iowa, just south of Iowa City, and who is the daughter of John J. and Fannie (Mitchell) Dimick. They were natives of New Jersey and New York respectively, and came of old Yankee stock, and located in Iowa soon after their marriage. The mother died when Mr. Dryden's wife was thirteen years old. The father again married soon after this and thus kept the family together. In 1883 the family moved to Audubon county, Iowa, where he lived until his death. Mrs. Dimick died March 1, 1879. Mr. Dimick died on January 1, 1911. He was making his home with subject at the time of his death.
Mr. and Mrs. Dryden have had five children, four of whom are living. Of these children. Bert Floyd, born on June 16, 1885, married Nancy L. Layland and they were the parents of two children, Floyd Earnest, born on January 30, 1910, and Leon Merle, March 25, 1911. The mother of these children is now deceased. Ethel Melissa Dryden, who was born November 22, 1886, married August Nicholsen and they now live in Canada. Leroy Elmer, born on April 22, 1888, married Hattie Wright and they have one child, Dallas Leroy, born on August 20, 1914. Ethel Alelissa, Leroy Elmer and Bert Floyd were born in South Dakota; Fay Odessa was born on February l0, 1893, and died April 20, 1899; Merle, who was born May 2, 1896, married Lester Layland, on July 18, 1914. Since the death of the mother of Mr. Dryden's two grandchildren, he has taken them to rear.
Edward Dryden has his own threshing outfit, and uses his engine for plowing, running the corn shredder, etc. He has always been a progressive citizen and his ideas have done much towards building up an energetic spirit in this section of Audubon county.
Mr. Dryden is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the American Nobles. He is a Democrat, and has been elected to various offices, but not caring to hold these offices he refused and declined to act. The Dryden family are all members of the Congregational church and are active in the affairs of this church.
|
Transcribed from History of Audubon County, Iowa Its People, Industries and Institutions With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H. F. Andrews, editor, Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915, pp. 472-474.
|
|
