Edward C. Bellows

 

Prominent among the successful, active and able farmers and extensinve landowners of Allamakee county is numbered Edward C. Bellows, now the proprietor of two fine farms, one in Union City township and one in Iowa township. He is a native of Illinois, born in 1846, a son of Porter and Angeline Bellows, both of whom were born in the New England states, where their marriage also occurred. In 1850 they came west to Iowa and settled in French Creek township, Allamakee county, in pioneer times. The father took up a government claim of a quarter section of land and also preempted a large tract, adding to his original holdings from time to time until at his death, which occurred in 1875, he owned eight hundred acres, highly improved and developed. His wife survived him many years dying about 1895. To their union wree born eight children, three of whom have passed away. The others are: (George) who makes his home in Waukon, (Charles) who resides in New Albin, (Emily) the widow of Nicholas Betsinger, of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, (Edward C.) of this review, and (Elmer) who lives in Allamakee county.

Edward C. Bellows was only four years of age when his parents removed to French Creek township and in Allamakee county he was reared and educated pursuing his studies in the district schools. He began his independent career at the age of twenty-one and for some time thereafter engaged in various occupations, including work in a Wisconsin pine lumber camp, where he remained for two years. After he returned to Iowa he conducted a livery business in Lansing for four years and then turned his attention to farming, following this occupation for ten years thereafter as a hired laborer. Eventually, however, he purchased land of his own, buying three hundred and forty acres in Union City township, a tract which forms a part of his present farm. From time to time he has increased his holdings and now owns seven hundred and forty-five acres seven miles from New Albin, divided into two fine farms, both substantially improved. He engages in general farming and stock-raising, and the two branches of his activities have proven gratifying source of revenue to him, his good business ability and close application having gained some rank among the progressive and prominent agriculturists of the county. He is in addition a stockholder in the Farmers Savings Bank of New Albin and connected with other important business interests.

Mr. Bellows married, in 1882, Miss Ida Conkey, who was born in Allamakee county, a daughter of O.H. Conkey, district judge for many years. He passed away at an advanced age and his widow still survives him, being now more than ninety years of age. In their family were five children: (Heck) who resides in Michigan, (Effie) who makes her home with her mother in Sanborn, Iowa, (Ida) the wife of the subject of this review, (Mary) the wife of Herman Canburg of Sanborn, and (Nettie) who has passed away. Mrs. Bellows died in 1884, leaving one son Arthur C. He was born in 1884, and acquired his education in the public schools of Allamakee county. He married Miss Emma Meyers, a native of Germany, and they have three children: Ida, Allie and Harold. The family make their home on a portion of the Bellows homestead.

Mr. Belows gives his political allegiance to the democratic party, but has never sought nor desired public office. He has lived to witness remarkable changes in Allamakee county during the years of his residence here, and that many of his stanchest friends are numbered among those who have known him from boyhood is an indication that his has been an honorable and upright life and one which well entitles him to the respect and esteem in which he is uniformly held.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913; page 339-340
-transcribed by Terry Bellows

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