Chauncey W. Mead, a retired agriculturist residing on section 9, Delaware township, where he still owns a highly improved tract of one hundred and thirty acres, here devoted his attention to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising throughout his active business career. His birth occurred in Mishawaka, Indiana, on the 8th of February, 1835, his parents being Allen and Rhoda (Crouch) Mead, both of whom were born in the state of New York.
     They removed to southern Indiana in 1830 and there purchased a tract of land heavily covered with timber, which the father cleared and on which he erected a log cabin and barns, and eventually the place was converted into an excellent farm. The mother of our subject there passed away in 1835, and subsequently Allen Mead married again. In 1853 he came to Delaware county, Iowa, here entering a tract of land on which he spent the remainder of his life, being called to his final rest in 1865. To Allen and Rhoda Mead were born two sons, namely: Milton, whose birth occurred in 1833 and who died in 1870; and Chauncey W., of this review.
     The latter acquired his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He continued the operation of the old homestead in Delaware township after his marriage and subsequently purchased the property, devoting his attention to its cultivation throughout his active business career. In connection with the production of cereals he also devoted considerable attention to stock-raising, winning a gratifying measure of success in both branches of his business. In his declining years he is living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in well earned ease.
    On the 29th of July, 1860, Mr. Mead was united in marriage to Miss Ruth A. Eaton, who was born February 24, 1843, in Cuba, Allegany county, New York, a daughter of Edmond L. and Ruth W. (Buffum) Eaton. They came to Delaware county, Iowa, in 1856, locating in Manchester, where Mr. Eaton worked at the trade ofshoemaking. Subsequently he purchased a farm in Delaware township and took up his abode thereon, both he and his wife spending the remainder of their lives on the property.
    They became the parents of five children, four of whomstill survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Mead have been born six children, as follows: Rhoda E., who died in young womanhood; Frank A., an agriculturist residing in Delaware township; William D., also of Delaware township; Cora B., who died in infancy; May C., who is Mrs. Clifford Ryan of Honey Creek township; and Charles D., a resident of Caputa, South Dakota.
    Mr. Mead gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has done public service in the capacity of school director. Fraternally he is identified with Camp No. 89 of Modern Woodmen of America and the Jones Mill Grange, of which latter organization he is a charter member and to which his wife also belongs. The period of his residence in Delaware county covers more than six decades and the circle of his friends and acquaintances is very wide. He has now passed the seventy-ninth milestone of life's journey and enjoys the veneration and the respect which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.