Thomas Stodghill

STODGHILL, STOGDILL, CROOK

Posted By: Mary (email)
Date: 2/12/2008 at 18:05:23

Thomas Stodghill; ex-sheriff of Wapello County Iowa, is engaged in agricultural pursuits.

He was born on the place where he now lives, August 21, 1863, and is the son of Christopher and Martha Crook Stodghill; the former native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio.

Christopher Stodghill moved from Virginia to Ohio in 1855, and settled on the property now owned by his son, Thomas, which he purchased of R.M. Gibbs. It originally consisted of 160 acres, but as he continued to prosper in his business he added to it, until at the time of his death he owned 640 acres of fine farming land. He engaged in general farming and stock raising, and kept a fine grade of cattle, hogs and sheep.

He died June 26, 1876 at the age of fifty-seven years. His union with Martha Crook resulted in the birth of the following children: Andrew; Thomas; Henry; George and Emma who became the wife of Henry Lammes.Mrs. Stodghill died December 16, 1897 at the age of seventy years. Religiously they were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Stodghill had six children; four of whom are living namely; Nancy J.; Charles; Alice,and James. Those deceased are Clara and Isabelle.

Thomas Stodghill attended the common schools of Wapello county, and at an early age applied himself to farming. He then engaged in railroad construction on the Chicage, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad; after which he went to Marshalltown, Iowa and worked in a canning factory.

He subsequently returned home, and for two years was engaged in a stone quarry at Dudley. He then conducted the affairs of the home farm for his mother, and in addition to farming; bought and sold cattle and hogs until 1893. In that year he was elected sheriff of Wapello county on the Republican ticket, having been an active worker in that party. He assumed the duties of his office on January 1, 1894, and served two terms in that capacity. In 1899, upon the death of his mother, he returned to the farm and purchased the interests of the other heirs. He is now sole owner of the old homestead; consisting of 240 acres of choice farming land. He deals extensively in cattle, horses, and hogs, and feeds an average 150 head of cattle. He is a very prominent business man, and in addition to the property above mentiones; owns an interest in the telephone company in Salida, Colorado.

Fraternally he is a Mason and a Sir Knight of Malta Commandcry; and a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.