William T. Farley (1819-1893) Alternate

FARLEY, CALVERT, CURRY, COOK, HEADLER, CAMPBELL, LANE

Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 1/4/2018 at 04:37:06

William T. Farley, one of the pioneer settlers of Clarke County, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, June 25, 1819, the eldest child of John and Margaret (Calvert) Farley, the parents being natives of Pennsylvania, the father born in Washington County, and the mother in Greene County. They came to Ohio when young, and when William T. was eight years old went to Tennessee, where they remained about five years. In the spring of 1833 they removed with their family to Monroe County, Indiana, where they lived until 1850. They then passed the following winter in Missouri, and in the spring of 1851 settled in Clarke County, Iowa, where the father died in 1859, aged seventy-five years. The mother survived till 1884, dying at the advanced age of ninety-two years.

William T. Farley was united in marriage in November 1841, to Ann J. Curry, a native of Ireland, but at the time of her marriage living in Monroe County, Indiana. They are the parents of the following children – Eliza M., wife of J.M. Cook, of Oxbow, Nebraska; Martha F., wife of J.C. Headler, of Salem, Dakota; Joseph H., living in Clarke County; Susan A., wife of J.M. Campbell, of Nelson, Nebraska; John J., of Marquette, Nebraska; W.I., of Aurora, Nebraska; Elbert S., died aged sixteen years; George H., of Melrose, Dakota, and Jennie DeArc, wife of George W. Lane of Osceola Iowa.

In the spring of 1851, Mr. Farley came from Indiana to Clarke County, Iowa, with his wife and four children, and a brother. On coming here he settled on section five, Osceola Township, where he entered a tract of 240 acres from the Government, paying $1.25 per acre. The first three months he lived in a rail pen with clapboard roof, the size of the pen being but ten feet square. By the end of three months their rude log cabin, 16 by 18 feet, was ready for occupancy, and there his family spent many happy days, experiencing all the pleasures as well as the privations of pioneer life.

The principal meat was venison, turkey and squirrel.

The nearest mill was at Des Moines and the nearest post office was Indianola. During his long residence here, Mr. Farley has witnessed the many changes that have taken place, and has seen the country made up into thriving towns and well-cultivated farms.

His own land is now under thorough cultivation, and his present residence and farm buildings are comfortable commodious and convenient.

He was the first justice of the peace of Clarke County, after its organization as a county, and has also served as township trustee. He takes an active interest in the cause education and helped organize the first school district in the county, and has served many years as school director.

In politics he was formerly an old-line Whig, but is now a staunch Republican, and in 1884 was a strong supporter of J.G. Blaine. He takes an interest in the temperance cause.

Osceola Sentinel March 11, 1920
Osceola Sentinel June 24, 1971