James E. Corey (1867-1927)

COREY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 4/16/2023 at 13:59:11

James Edmund Corey
(November 5, 1867 - September 10, 1927)

Among the wide-awake and energetic citizens of Calhoun County who are now devoting their time and attention to agricultural pursuits is numbered James E. Corey, who resides on section 9, Calhoun Township. He is now successfully operating a half section of land, owning one hundred and sixty acres in section 4, and renting the remainder. A native of Illinois, Mr. Corey was horn near Malta, DeKalb County, and on the paternal side is of Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, Clark Corey, was a farmer of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and there his father, Daniel Corey, was born in 1822. The latter grew to manhood in his native state and there married Miss Mary C. Pease, who was also born and reared in Massachusetts. For a few years after his marriage Daniel Corey engaged in farming in the old Bay state, and then with his wife and two children moved to Illinois, in 1856. Locating in DeKalb County, he purchased a tract of land and at once began its improvement. In due time he had developed a farm of three hundred arid twenty acres, becoming one of the successful farmers of that county. There he died in 1867, at the age of forty-five years, when just in the prime of life. James E. is the youngest of his five children, the others being George, now a farmer of Calhoun County, Iowa; Sarah, wife of George Dehart, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; and Frank and Sheridan, who each own a part of the old home farm in DeKalb County, Illinois, and are engaged in its operation.
In his native county James E. Corey passed the days of his boyhood and youth, attending the home school and aiding in the labors of the farm. He first came to Iowa about 1883 and spent some time with his brother on a farm in Calhoun County, but he engaged principally in carpenter work. He followed that occupation both in Iowa and Illinois for eight or nine years. It was in 1892 that he located permanently in this county and he continued to work at his trade for some years, manly business houses, public buildings and private residences showing his architectural skill and ability. About
1898 he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, Calhoun Township, and has since devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits. He raises a good grade of stock, and in this new undertaking is met with well deserved success. He is a wide-awake, energetic and progressive business man and generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. On the 8th of June, 1899, in Calhoun County, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Corey and Miss Mary McMeekin, a native of Marshall County, Iowa, and a daughter of John McMeekin. Her father came to this state from Rock Island County, Illinois, and was one of the pioneers of Marshall county. In 1892 he removed to Calhoun County and purchased a farm in Calhoun Township, where he made his home until
called to his final rest in June 1901. His family consisted of four children, namely: Mary, wife of our subject; James, a farmer of this county; Jennie, wife of Charles Hibbs, whose farm adjoins that of our subject; and Ella, wife of Rollin Hibbs, also a farmer of this county. Mrs. Corey was principally reared and educated in her native county. By her marriage to our subject she has become the mother of one child, Earl Francis. Since attaining his majority Mr. Corey has always affiliated with the Republican party, and is a staunch supporter of its principles. At local elections, however, he often votes independent of party lines, supporting the men whom he believes best qualified for office. He is one of the representative citizens of his community, and is very popular with his many friends. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.530]