Albert E. Soals

SOALS, HECKLE, OTIS, ARNOLD, SHEPHARD

Posted By: Peter Gausmann (email)
Date: 2/6/2010 at 08:47:06

ALBERT E. SOALS

The farming interests of Winnebago county find a worthy and substantial representative in Albert E. Soals, who resides on section 14, Forest township. It was upon this farm that his birth occurred May 16, 1873, his parents being Shuble K. and Anna (Heckle) Soals. The father, a native of the state of New York, came to Winnebago county about 1870 and settled on the farm which is now the home of his son Albert. Upon that place he continued to reside until called to his final rest in 1892. There he reared his family, numbering eight children, of whom two are now living. The mother still survives and has become the wife of J. J. Otis.

Albert E. Soals lived upon the old homestead through the period of his boyhood and youth and after attending the common schools went to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he remained for three years. He then returned to the old home, which ho has since occupied. It is a valuable tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres on section 14, Forest township, Winnebago county, and it has been greatly improved with modern buildings and the best farm machinery. He raises various cereals adapted to soil and climatic conditions here and he is also successfully engaged in stock raising.

In 1900 occurred the marriage of Mr. Soals and Miss Laura Arnold, a native of Nebraska and a daughter of James L. and Jemima (Shephard) Arnold, who are natives of Ohio, whence they removed to Rock Island county, Illinois. They afterward became residents of Nebraska and subsequently took up their abode in Forest City, Iowa, where they are now residing. Mr. and Mrs. Soals attend the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Soals belongs to the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 440 at Forest City and both are connected with the Rebekahs. He has filled all of the chairs in the lodge and is one of its earnest and helpful members. In politics he is a democrat, but he has never held political office. He is working diligently and persistently along those lines which lead to success and already he has made for himself a most creditable position among the enterprising and prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Forest township.

Source: History of Winnebago County and Hancock County, Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II. Pioneer Publishing Company (Chicago), 1917. pp. 235-236.