Oliver Michael (1853-1928)

MICHAEL

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/1/2022 at 16:45:30

Oliver Michael
(September 7, 1853 – November 20, 1928)

Oliver Michael is among the more recent arrivals in Calhoun County, but already he has become well known in connection with farming interests and is a progressive, wide-awake and energetic agriculturist. Mr. Michael was born in Kankakee County, Illinois, September 7, 1853, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Tatre) Michael. The father, a native of Ohio, became one of the early settlers of Kankakee County, where he followed general farming and spent the remainder of his days, passing away in 1880 at the age of fifty-nine years. His wife died at the age of sixty-seven. She was twice married and by her first union had one son, John Fundy. The children of the second marriage are Sarah, Adelia, Oliver, Albert, Mary and Julia. In his political views the
father of our subject was a staunch Republican, endorsing the principles of his party and in religious belief was a Protestant.
On the homestead farm in Illinois, Oliver Michael spent the days of his boyhood and youth and in the schools of Kankakee obtained a good knowledge of those branches of English learning which fit one for the practical duties of life. After he had attained to man's estate, he became the owner of a tract of land in Kankakee County and for some time engaged in general farming
there. Later he left the plow to carry out the grain business and for twelve years was well known as a grain merchant at Irwin. In October, 1899, he arrived in Calhoun County, Iowa, and purchased his present farm, upon which he has made excellent improvements, remodelling the house and adding other accessories which have increased the value and attractive appearance of the place. Within the boundaries of his farm are comprised one hundred and sixty acres of land and each year his cornfields cover from eighty to one hundred acres. The remainder of his farm is devoted to the raising of small grain and hay. He also has verdant pastures in which he keeps a high grade of short horn cattle, horses and hogs.
On the 22d of November, 1876, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Michael and
Miss Ella Bigelow, who was born in Joliet, Illinois. Ten children have come to their home, namely: Edith and Iva, twins, both of whom are married; Arthur; Nora; Julia; Charles: Alice: Bell: Josie: and Frank. The mother died at Irwin, Illinois, December 27, 1896, at the age of thirty-nine years. Mr. Michael supports the Republican party and attends the Methodist Episcopal church,
while socially he is connected with the Highland Nobles of Rockwell City. The enterprise so characteristic of the west is manifest in his career, for when he started out in life for himself he had no capital, but possessed a strong heart and willing hands, and in the field of business he found the opportunity he sought for steady advancement to a creditable position among the men of affluence in his adopted country. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.276]