Robert JUDY, farmer, residing on section 6, Clinton Township, has been identified with the interests of Ringgold County for nearly thirty years. He was born in Newton, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, January 6, 1827, son of John and Elizabeth (SHEARER) JUDY, natives of the same county. He was the eldest of five children. His early life was spent in the town of Marietta, and his education was received in the schools of his native village. At the age of seventeen years he went to work on the town-path of the canal. His promotion was rapid, and at eighteen years of age he was captain of a beat on the Susquehanna Canal where he remained six years. He was married January 5, 1851 [Lebanon, Lebanon Co. PA], to Miss Sarah A. SARGENT, born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, and daughter of Samuel and Eliza (McCLURE) SARGENT. January 9, of that same year he removed to Marshall County, Illinois, where he resided two years, employed as captain of a canal boat. He then engaged in a hotel at Lacon, same county.

In 1853 he removed to Bureau County, where he acted as foreman on the main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He then removed to Beliot, Wisconsin, where he resided a short time, then took a contract for bildnug (sic) the Beloit & Racine Railroad, and located at Burling, Racine County. In 1855 he removed to Racine and engaged in the hotel business for one year; then returned to Lacon, Illinois, and took a contractfor building six miles of railroad for the New Boston & Fort Wayne.

In 1856 he removed to Henry County, Iowa, locating at Mount Pleasant, where he resided two years, engaged in the contracting on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and finally, April 9, 1858, arrived in Ringgold County, and settled upon his present farm, which was then in a wild state. His first house was a log cabin 10 x 12 feet. He has improved and cultivated his land until the JUDY farm is known as one of the best in the township. He has a good, comfortable residence, well furnished, a good corn barn, a fine orches, and everything aboutthe premises indicates the thrift of the owner.

Mr. and Mrs. JUDY are the parents of five children - Lizzie LOUTZENHISER, Emma SIEMILLER, Myers, Florence SKINNER, and Mary L.

Mr. JUDY has served as member of the School Board, and uner his supervision the first school-house was built in Clinton Township. He has served as road Supervisor a greater length of time and built more roads than any other man in Ringgold County. Politically he is a Republican. Postoffice, Mormontown.

NOTE: Robert JUDY died at age 87 years in 1914, Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa. Sarah A. (SARGENT) JUDY was born October 4, 1832, and died January 2, 1893 with interment at Blockton Cemetery, Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa. Robert and Sarah A. (SARGENT) JUDY were the parents of six children:

1) Elizabeth "Lizzie" JUDY was born September 22, 1857, Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa, and died in 1940. Lizzie was married to John O. LOUTZENHISER (1850-1929). Lizzie and John resided in Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa.

2) Emma JUDY was born October 14, 1861, Ringgold County, Iowa, and died at age 80 on April 22, 1942, Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, Emma was the wife of George Fremont SIEMILLER (1856-1920), the son of Henry and Deborah (FALKENBERG) SIEMILLER.

3) Myers JUDY was born in Mormanton (present day Blockton) on June 24, 1865, and died November 4, 1948, Blockton, Taylor County, Iowa. Myers married in 1889 to Laura Belle BAIRD (1865-1944).

4) Florence JUDY was born September 19, 1869, Ringgold County, Iowa, and died in January of 1949, Moosejaw, Saskachewan, Canada. Florence was the wife of Charles Tilden SKINNER (1860-1937).

5) Homer JUDY was born September 16, 1870, Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa, and died at the age of 4 years on February 17, 1875, Bedford.

6) Mary "Lotty" JUDY was born in July of 1872, Ringgold County, Iowa, the wife of Omer J. DEAN (1872-?). The DEANS moved to King in Morrill County, Nebraska.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, p. 287, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z