ROBERT B. MARKER, BEAR GROVE TOWNSHIP.

In the great industrial center, which on the map is called Pennsylvania, the life which is to be here briefly outlined began on November 25, 1859, Mr. Marker having been born on that day in Westmoreland county, the son of George C. and Isabel (Anderson) Marker, natives of the same county as himself.

The father was a farmer in his native State and adhered to that occupation after his removal to Cass county, in 1876. On his arrival in this county he purchased a farm in Bear Grove township, on which a small house had been erected, and there, where he settled with high hopes of future prosperity, he was allowed to pass but two years, being called to his last account in 1878. His widow survived him eight years, passing away in 1886. The father was twice married, becoming the father of six children by the first marriage and of two by the second, one of the latter being Robert B., the immediate subject of this sketch. The children of both marriages are all living but one daughter. The paternal grandfather, Henry Marker, was a Pennsylvania farmer, and descended of old Dutch ancestry.

Robert B. Marker grew to manhood in his native State, and came with his parents to Iowa in 1876. He was then seventeen years of age, but all the school training he was destined to have, had been secured, and he was at once obliged to devote his energies to the work of developing and cultivating the farm, of which he took charge on the death of his father. Since then he has been in active control of the place, and on it he has put up nearly all the buildings which now enrich and beautify it, and add to its comfort and completeness as a country home. In order to meet the requirements of his situation, with an energy that has always characterized him, during the first years of his farming operations he taught school in connection with the work at home, and had a busy time of it.

In 1883 Mr. Marker was united in marriage with Mary A. Bell, a sister of R. R. Bell (a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work). Eight children have blessed the union--Harry G., Roy B., Romaine, Fern, Mary, Florence, Clifford D. and Amy. Their father is now secretary for this county of the Corn Belt Meat Producers' Association. In politics he is a Democrat and a leader in the councils of his party, and has been its candidate for several offices in the township and county, oftentimes accepting the nomination for the good of the cause rather than with the hope of success at the polls. He has, however, been township clerk and president of the school board. In religious affiliation he is a Congregationalist and a deacon in the church.

From "Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 406.