C. W. CRITCHFIELD, of the firm of CRITCHFIELD & FRY, dealers in agricultural implements, wagons, buggies, barb wire, etc. is a native of Ohio, born on a farm near Gamblier, in Knox County, January 6, 1838, a son of Nelson and Nancy (CASSIL) CRITCHFIELD, who were both born in the year 1816, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, our subject being the eldest son. He passed his boyhood on the home farm, receiving the rudiments of an education in the common schools, and later attended the Millwood Academy, where he prosecuted his studies for two years. He then entered the office of Dr. BOURNE, of Gambier, Ohio, where he began reading medicine. He subsequently went to the university of Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the purpose of attending a course of lectures; but, after being there eighteen weeks, he was taken sick, which obliged him to return home. He, however, received a certificate from the medical department of that institution. Mr. CRITCHFIELD was married in 1863 to Miss Maria SHRIMPLIN, of Knox County, Ohio, and to this unon have been born four children, two son and two daughters. After his marriage, Mr. CRITCHFIELD settled on a farm in his native county, and in the fall of 1870 removed with his family to Ringgold County, Iowa, locating on a farm in Union Township, where he engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1877 he left his farm and settled in Mount Ayr, where he kept the Currie House, for one year. He thenbought what is known at the DUNNING property, and converted it into a hotel, which he carried on some two years, when he engaged in his present business. This business was established in 1878 by W. P. WOOD, who was succeeded by the firm of CRITCHFIELD & SHRIMPLIN in 1882. In 1884, Mr. SHRIMPLIN sold his interest ot G. P. OLIVER, the business being conducted under the firm name of CRITCHFIELD & OLIVER until 1885, when Mr. CRITCHFIELD purchased Mr. OLIVER's interest, conducting the business alone till January, 1886, when J. O. FRY became associated with him, thus forming the present firm of CRITCHFIELD & FRY. Mr. CRITCHEFIELD served as justice of the peace while living in Union Township. He has also been a member of the council and School Board in the town of Mount Ayr, Iowa, and served as township trustee, filling these positions to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.

NOTE: C. W. CRITCHFIELD died August 7, 1897. Maria (SHRIMPLIN) CRITCHFIELD was born April 1, 1842, and died February 12, 1915, with interment beside C. W. at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 229-30, 1887

WPA Grave Survey; IAGen Gravestone Photograph Project

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z