THOMAS E. CAREY, MASSENA TOWNSHIP.

A resident of Cass county for more than thirty-two years and during most of that period a progressive farmer of this township, Mr. Carver is classed with the substantial and permanent element which is at the foundation of the prosperity and advancement of this section of the State. He was born in Bucks county, Pa., December 5, 1848, son of Yarey and Frances (Hughes) Carver, also natives of that State. As was common in the East, the father in order to make a livelihood, combined farming with blacksmithing, and came West in search of broader acres and an opportunity to profitably devote his entire time to agriculture. He found this wider field in Mercer county, Ill., to which he migrated in the 'fifties, and where he resided as a well-to-do farmer until his death in 1869. John Carver, the grandfather, lived and died on his Pennsylvania farm. Of the family of six children four are living, Howard A. being the only resident of Cass county.

When quite young, Howard A. Carver came with the family to Mercer county, Ill., where, as his father's assistant and an independent agriculturist, he engaged in farming until 1874. He then decided upon a venture further west, and in the year named located at Atlantic, this county, following various temporary avocations for a period of three years. Economy, coupled with good judgment, then enabled him to purchase a farm in Union township, and although the lad is the same now, as then, by industrious cultivation and intelligent improvements it has been transformed from a raw, unattractive piece of property into a valuable and finished homestead.

In 1877 Mr. Carver was married to Maggie E. Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania and daughter of John and Mary (Fenton) Taylor, who removed to Cedar county, Iowa, in the 'forties and both died there. Mr. and Mrs. Howard A. Carver have two children--Harry F. and Nettie F., living at home. The family are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Carver himself, although widely known and highly respected, has confined his attention in public affairs to educational subjects, and has filled no office other than that of school director.

From "Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pg. 291.