ROBERT DIVINE

DIVINE

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/22/2020 at 19:03:56

ROBERT DIVINE, of Red Oak, Iowa proprietor of Cold Springs, is one of the reliable, enterprising, fine stock men of Red Oak, and one of the well-known citizens of the county, having settled here in February, 1875, where he has since resided and been identified with the interests of the county.

He was born in Ireland in March, 1844, and is a son of William and Mary (Kelley) Divine. He was nine or ten years of age when his father emigrated to America and settled in New York. He grew to manhood in Washington county, New York, being reared a farmer and receiving his education in the public schools.

He was married January 12, 1870, in Washington county, to Miss Margaret Wilson, daughter of William and Jane (Wier) Wilson. She was born in Ireland, but when two years of age her parents came to New York; she was reared and educated in Washington county, New York.

Mr. Divine resided in New York until 1872, when he came to Warren county, Illinois. He resided near Kirkwood some three years, and then came to this county. He bought eighty acres of land in Grant township, where he remained five years. He then sold the farm and rented land one year. He purchased 160 acres three and a half miles from Red Oak, which he kept two years. He then sold eighty acres to a neighbor and exchanged the other eighty acres for land in
Nance county, Nebraska. His next purchase of land was 160 acres in Red Oak township. This he traded to John Hayes for the farm where he now resides—Cold Springs. The place contains 160 acres of land well improved. It is situated one mile from the city limits. Mr. Divine has a good frame house, situated on a natural and pleasant building site, from which Red Oak can be seen in the distance. He has two good barns, one 56 x 72, well arranged for stock and feed, the other 24 x 30, yards, sheds and feed lots. There are several good springs on the farm from which it derives its name; there is a modern windmill for grinding feed and pumping water; water for the house is brought by pipes to a reservoir near and is conveyed to the house.

Mr. Divine, though but a short time in the business of raising shorthorn cattle, has a good start, having secured some of John Hayes’ cattle.

Mr. Divine and wife have nine children, viz.: William James, Ella J., Andrew J., Robert H., George A., Mary Gracie, Minnie Myrtle, Maggie Belle, and Haney May.

Politically he is a Republican. He and his wife and three children are members of the United Presbyterian Church of Red Oak; he is one of the active members of the official board and an elder in the church. He is also an active worker in the Sabbath-school. He is yet in the prime of life, intelligent and one of the esteemed men of the county.