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Below is a family biography included in History of Union County, Iowa published by S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1908.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John P. Crowell is one of the younger and more enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of Grant township, his home being on section 17, where he owns and cultivates one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land. More than a third of a century has passed since he came to Union county but he is one of Iowa’s native sons and possesses the spirit of energy and determination which has been the strong factor in the rapid and substantial development of the middle west.

He was born in Henry county, Iowa, in February, 1869, a son of Daniel M. Crowell, who was a native of Ontario, Canada, and when a young man crossed the border into this country, settling in Pennsylvania. Later he removed to Ohio and subsequently took up his abode in Henry county Iowa casting in his lot with its pioneer settlers, there turning his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He was married in that county to Miss Dorothy Hale, who was there born. They continued to reside in Henry county until 1874, when they came to Union county, Mr. Crowell securing a tract of land which he transformed into a good farm, constituting one of the valuable properties of Grant township. The father died in 1884, at the age of forty-five years, and the mother afterward became the wife of J. K. Siebert who passed away in 1905. Mrs. Siebert is still a resident of Grant township and is living on the old Crowell homestead. By her first marriage she had nine children.

John P. Crowell, the eldest son and the second of the family, was reared upon the home farm, being but five years of age when brought by his parents from Henry to Union county. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges and he received ample training in the work of the farm as he assisted in plowing, planting and harvesting as the seasons rolled by. After attaining his majority he made his way to the northwest and spent one year upon a ranch in the state of Washington. Believing that Iowa however, afforded superior advantages he returned to Union county and rented land, which he cultivated for a few years. He afterward went to Oklahoma, where he spent two years, when he again returned to Union county and continued to cultivate rented farms until 1902. His unfaltering energy and his careful expenditure at length brought him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase an improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres He now owns this property, which is pleasantly located on section 17 Grant township, and has been converted into a splendid property through the care and labor which Mr. Crowell has bestowed upon it. In addition to the tilling of the soil he raises full blooded registered Duroc hogs, having given his attention to that branch of the business for four years. There is a large demand for the good stock which he raises and he feeds from one to two carloads per year. During his occupancy of the farm he has made many substantial improvements here, has fenced the land, has erected outbuildings has remodeled the house and altogether has developed an excellent property which indicates in its well kept appearance the unfaltering diligence and the careful supervision of the owner.

In the spring of 1898 Mr. Crowell was married to Miss Mamie E. Stepp a native of this county, and they now have one son, LeRoy. Mr. Crowell has always been a stalwart democrat where state and national issues are involved but at local elections casts an independent ballot. For several years he has been secretary of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church at Grant Center, of which he is one of the trustees and in the Sunday school he is an active and efficient worker. His long residence in the county has made him largely familiar with its history and he has been a witness of many of the events which have left their indelible impress upon the annals of this part of the state.

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This family biography is one of 247 biographies included in The History of Union County, Iowa published in 1908.  For the complete description, click here: Union County, Iowa History and Genealogy

View additional Union County, Iowa family biographies: Union County, Iowa Biographies

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