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1907 Past and Present Biographies

Charles H. Warrington

Charles H. Warrington, who has done more to reclaim waste land and enhance the fertility of farm property through tiling and drainage than perhaps any other man in Greene county or this section of the state, makes his home in Jefferson, where in 1905 he built a fine and commodious modern residence in the colonial style. It is regarded as the most beautiful home in the city, and in addition to this property Mr. Warrington is largely interested in farm lands, his property in the county being very valuable. He is one of Iowa's native sons, his birth having occurred in Dallas county, this state, in 1862.

His parents were James O. and Jane Warrington, both of whom were natives of Ohio, and the year 1856 witnessed their arrival in Dallas county, Iowa, where the father followed the occupation of farming. For some years he was closely associated with the work of tilling the soil but in 1900 removed to Jeflferson, where his remaining days were passed in honorable retirement from labor. He died in 1902 at the age of seventy-three years and is still survived by his widow, who is now living in Jefferson at the age of seventy-two. In their family were four children, of whom Charles H. was the third in order of birth. The father was a member of the Baptist church, while Mrs. Warrington belongs to the Presbyterian church. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he was interested in all those things that pertained to the material, intellectual and moral development of his community, greatly desiring the uplifting of the race.

Charles H. Warrington was reared to agricultural life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In early boyhood he attended the country school. When his education was completed he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits at Villisca and in 1888 he removed to Jefferson, where he continued in merchandising until 1894. He was well known in business circles of the city as one who contributed to its enterprise and activity, and since disposing of his store he has been engaged in the real-estate business, owning and handling considerable valuable property. He is now largely interested in farm lands and has been instrumental in tiling and draining much farm property in Greene county. In fact no man is better informed concerning the subject of drainage and the reclamation of wild lands in the county. He has made of it a close study, takes a deep interest in the subject, and his labors and efforts have been of a most practical character, contributing in direct measure to the general prosperity as well as to his individual success.

In 1885 Mr. Warrington was united in marriage to Miss May C. Cockerill, a native of Quincy, Iowa, and a daughter of Henry and Harriet Cockerill, who were natives of Ohio but came to Iowa about 1860, settling in Quincy. The father was a millwright by trade and lived for some time in Montgomery county, where he followed his chosen occupation. Removing to Jefferson, he died here within six months, passing away in 1902. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Warrington, built in colonial style, is the finest in Jefferson and would be an ornament to a city of much greater size. It is commodious and supplied with all modern conveniences and its tasteful arrangement and elegant furnishings make it a most attractive place to their many friends.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Warrington are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Warrington belongs to the Odd Fellows society and to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the Knight Templar degree. His political views endorse the principles and platform of the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him, as he has preferred to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, which have resulted in making him one of the substantial citizens of the county. He has ever been watchful of opportunities pointing to success and, while he has prospered, he has never lost the power to enjoy. It has been said that the truly rich man is he whose capacity to enjoy keeps pace with his capacity to acquire and regarded in this light Mr. Warrington may be said to be a wealthy man. He has never allowed the accumulation of money to dwarf his finer sensibilities or make him neglectful of his duties and obligations to his fellowmen but on the contrary he has manifested throughout his life a spirit of helpfulness that has won him warm and sincere friends.


Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead,"
by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver,
Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.


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