Ager, W.H.

JOHNSTON, HALE, BOWERS MCCAMMENT, GREEN, YOUNG, BOWERS, BAXTER

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 1/21/2010 at 18:50:44

W.H. Ager is one of the wide-awake and progressive farmers of Frederika township, owning and operating one hundred and thirty acres of excellent land, a property which is a visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift. He was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, June 5, 1864, and is a son of John and Amanda (Johnston) Ager, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Vermont. The father came to the United States when he was nineteen years of age and settled in Winnebago county, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1864, when he moved to Bremer county, Iowa. He settled first in Douglas township and then moved on Cedar river and in the vicinity of Frederika, buying forty acres of wild land, to which he added from time to time until at the time of his death he owned one hundred and forty acres. He passed away in Frederika at the age of seventy-six. His first wife died when the subject of this sketch was about eight years of age. To this union were born six children: one, who died in infancy; John N., a farmer in Frederika township; F.G., of Pine River, Minnesota; Mary Jane, the wife of Charles Hale, of Frederika; W.H., of this review; and Anna B., the wife of D.L. Bowers. After the death of his first wife Mr. Ager married Miss Dorcas McCamment, and to this union were born two children; Vina, the wife of William Green, of Frederika township; and Emma, wife of John Young of New Hampton, Iowa.

W.H. Ager was reared in Bremer county and acquired his education in the district schools. At the age of twenty-one he began his independent career, buying land in Chickasaw county, where he resided for one year. At the end of that time he bought a farm in Frederika township, this county, and has since resided upon this property. He owns one hundred and thirty acres of valuable land and has provided this with an excellent set of buildings and all the equipment necessary to the proper conduct of a modern farm. In addition to his agricultural interests he is also president of the Frederika Creamery Company and a business man of recognized ability.

In Bremer county Mr. Ager married Miss Olive L. Bowers, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of G.N. and Martha (Baxter) Bowers, who came to Bremer county in 1865. Both have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Ager became the parents of three children: Hubert, who died in infancy; and Floyd B. and Donald, at home. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Age is trustee. From the time he attained his majority until William Jennings Bryan's first campaign for the presidency Mr. Ager supported the republican party. He then trasferred his allegiance to the democracy and he has recently become the adherent of the prohibition party, in whose principles he is a firm believer. He has served as township trustee and he takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, supporting many movements for the general good. He has been a resident of Bremer coutny for a number of years and is recognized as one of the prominent farmers and public-spirited citizens of this locality.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914