Alexander Morrow

MORROW, YEW, BUCKROW, TRUMBLER

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/30/2010 at 06:56:06

Alexander Morrow is a prosperous farmer of Royal, Clay county, whose successful life merits exceptional praise owing to the fact that when scarcely out of boyhood, at a time when children of his age were going from comfortable homes to acquire their education, he was practically homeless, cast out into the world with strangers and compelled to get along as best he could. But he possessed the possibilities of a successful career and little by little they evidenced themselves. He accepted any employment offered him and applied himself diligently, day by day becoming stronger for life's battles, and thus gradually bettered his condition, at the same time strengthening his self-reliance, so that finally, through industry, thrift and economy, he saved sufficient means to purchase some land, and has since prospered, until he is today one of the most successful and enterprising farmers in this county.

He was born in Canada, September 15, 1842, a son of M. and Abigail (Yew) Morrow, the father being a native of that place who came to the United States and located in Kankakee county, Illinois, where he died in May, 1852, his wife passing away there December 5, 1879. They were the parents of six children, one of whom is Alexander Morrow, our subject. He was but nine years of age when his father died, but was relegated to strangers upon the remarriage of his mother, and consequently received no education. At that tender age he was compelled to seek employment for himself, and worked at whatever he could get until he was forty-one years old, when he came to this county and eventually located in Clay township. His life thus far had been modest, and of his scant earnings he laid by the greater portion, and consequently upon arriving in this township he had sufficient means to purchase a small farm, upon which he worked early and late, meeting with splendid success and annually adding to his landed holdings, until he now owns three-quarters of section 21, composed of the best soil and as fine a farm upon which to produce general crops as there is in the county. His land is highly improved, with drainage, buildings, and machinery, and he possesses every convenience with which to follow farming by modern methods. Not withstanding that his life was a busy one, he laid aside his interests for the honor of his country and served during the Civil war in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

In 1866 he wedded Odella Buckrow, to which union were born: William; Edward, an agriculturist of Clay township; Lucinda; Clara, who lives in Clay township; Hattie, a resident of Royal, Iowa; Walter; and Lilly. After their mother departed this life, Mr. Morrow was united in marriage to Mrs. Rosalie Trumbler, and they are the parents of: Delor, of Royal, Iowa; Pearl, of Clay township; Laura; Agnes; and Paul. Politically Mr. Morrow is loyal to the republican party and has served the township in a profitable manner as a member of the school board. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, where he meets his old army comrades. His career is a commendable one and is one of the many evidences of what patience and perseverance will do in overcoming difficulties, surmounting discouragements and achieving success. Mr. Morrow is an upright man, interested not only in the financial but also in the moral standing of the community, and has acquired the confidence and respect of his neighbors, both as a substantial farmer and a useful citizen.

Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 483.