JOSEPH HENDRICKSON
Joseph Hendrickson, who is now living retired on his farm of one hundred and forty acres on section 27, Liberty Township, was born in Warren County, Ohio, February 26, 1830, his parents being Brazilla and Jane (Van Tilburg) Hendrickson, the former a native of NewJersey, while the latter's birth occurred in Warren County, Ohio in 1811. When but an infant the father was brought by his parents to Warren County, Ohio and spent his entire life in the Buckeye state, his occupation being that of an agriculturist. He resided in Preble County for six years and subsequently removed to Darke County, Ohio, where he passed away in 1881 at the age of seventy-three years. He was a member of the New Light church, with which his wife was also identified. The latter was of German descent and was one of a large family. Her demise occurred in Darke County, Ohio, in the year 1884. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brazilla Hendrickson were born six children, only two of whom survive, the sister of our subject being Mrs. Mary Jane Downey, of Darke County, Ohio.
Joseph Hendrickson was brought to Preble County, Ohio, by his parents when six years of age, but some six years later the family home was established in Darke County, Ohio, where our subject remained until his removal to Warren County, Iowa. From the age of twelve years he was largely reared in Darke County and attended the subscription schools for about three months during the winter season, the pioneer district affording but limited educational advantages. In the school of experience, however, he has learned many valuable lessons and through reading and observation has become a well informed man. In November 1855, he came to this county and was married, but after a few days returned to Darke County, Ohio. In March, 1857, however, he once more started for Warren County, arriving here on the 17th of April, 1857, and locating on the farm which has been his home to the present time and which was entered by his father-in-law, George Crumrine, in 1854. Mr. Hendrickson had but little capital to aid him in improving the place but he resolutely set to work and as the years passed transformed the wild tract into a finely improved farm. He has a commodious and substantial home surrounded by fruit and shade trees, all of which he set out himself, there being no timber on the property when he took possession of it. In those early days the settlers took their wool to Des Moines to be carded, that place being the nearest trading and milling point. Mr. Hendrickson shelled a load of corn on a spade and hauled it to Ottumwa, and also hauled lumber from that town. He made several trips to Eddyville and Ottumwa, experiencing the various hardships and trials incident to pioneer life. As the years passed, however, he gained a gratifying measure of prosperity through the careful management of his agricultural interests and is now enabled to spend the evening of his days in well earned ease.
On the 29th of November, 1855, Mr. Hendrickson was united in marriage to Miss Delilah Crumrine, who was born in Darke County, Ohio, in 1839, a daughter of George and Rachel (Potter) Crumrine. The father, a native of Ohio, came to Warren County, Iowa, in 1854, entering three quarter sections of land in Liberty Township and likewise another forty-acre tract. Having brought considerable money with him, he also purchased one eighty-acre tract and four forty-acre tracts of land. He was one of the most prominent and respected pioneers of this county, and the large measure of success which he achieved enabled him to provide well for his children. Joseph Hendrickson and Mr. Davis are the only ones who still reside on the land he gave to his daughters. George Crumrine made his home in this county for many years, also spent some years in Kansas and subsequently removed to Texas, where his death occurred. He lost his wife and one child in 1854 but about three years later was again married, his second wife passing away in this county.
Unto Joseph and Delilah (Crumrine) Hendrickson were born eight children, four of whom still survive, namely: George, who is now farming near Morgan Valley, though for twenty years he engaged in digging coal, is married and has several children; Mrs. Sarah Kerns, of Liberty Township; John C., who resides in Minnesota; and Letha, the wife of Joseph Hiatt, of Indianola. The four members of the family who are deceased are as follows: Lydia Jane, who was the wife of James Cooper; Phoebe, who married Nathan Keeney; Melzina, who passed away at the age of seven years; and Viola, who died when eighteen months old. The mother of these children was called to her final rest in 1884, her remains being interred in Hendrickson cemetery.
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