Isaac OLIVER, farmer, section 8, Monroe Township, is among the intelligent and enterprising pioneers of his township. He was born in Ashland County, Ohio, September 29, 1827. His parents were Daniel and Sally (QUICK) OLIVER, natives of Pennsylvania. They were married in Ashland County and reared a family of eleven children, of whom Isaac is the third. His youth was spent on the farm, and his education was obtained in the log school-house. He was married April 4, 1850, to Miss Martha BLACKMORE, born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (THOMPSON) BLACKMORE. February 26, 1854, Mr. OLIVER started for Iowa, traveling by rail as far as Rock Island, which was the western terminus of the railroad at that time. Form there he went to Keokuk County with teams, and after spending one season in that county, he came to Ringgold County and located upon his present farm, which was then in a wild state. He was the first settler in Monroe Township. There were but few voters in the county. Mount Ayr had one log store 14 x 14. Here Mr. OLIVER passed through all the privations and hardships of pioneer life. Groceries and flour were very scarce and high, and he had to pay as high as $10 a barrel for salt.

His farm contains 160 acres of as good land as the township affords, under a high state of cultivation and well improved. He has a good residence, a fine orchard of 700 trees, a native grove and out-buildings for stock.

Mr. and Mrs. OLIVER have one child - Franklin Perry. Mr. OLIVER is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is serving as trustee of the same. Politcally he is a Republican and cast his first vote for General SCOTT. Postoffice, Blackmore.

NOTE: Isaac died in 1895 and was interred at Oliver Cemetery near Ellston, Ringgold County, Iowa.

WPA Graves Survey

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

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