MAIN, Aaron

MAIN, PHILLIPS, FLEENER, ALLENDAR, DENNING, GAUSE, DOUD, NAYLOR, BAILEY

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 10/24/2017 at 08:40:27

Drake Library
Grinnell, Iowa

AARON MAIN

The homestead of Aaron Main in Sugar Creek township is entirely devoted to general farming in connection with stock-raising, from both of which he is realizing very satisfactory returns. Mr. Main was born in Darke county, Ohio on the 24th of September, 1854, and is a son of Joshua A. and Nellie (Phillips) Main, the father a native of Maryland and the mother of Darke county, Ohio. In his early manhood Joshua A. Main migrated from his native state to Darke county, where he met the woman who subsequently became his wife. There he engaged in farming until he came to Poweshiek county. Upon his arrival here he first located in Union township where he rented land for a time but later he purchased a farm in Sugar Creek township, which he cultivated until his death, making a specialty of raising cattle. His demise occurred on the 18h of February, 1901, but the mother is still surviving and now makes her home in Sugar Creek township. Mr. Main was a democrat and served as township trustee. Unto him and his wife were born six children in the following order: John, who is deceased; William P., who is living in Leon, North Dakota; Aaron, our subject; Jacob, who resides in Sugar Creek township; Jane, the wife of John Fleener, of Sugar Creek township; and Elizabeth, who married George Allender, of Kingman county, Kansas.

Reared to manhood on the old family homestead in Sugar Creek township Aaron Main obtained his education in the district schools in the vicinity. Being called upon to assist with the work of the farm from his very early boyhood by the time he had attained his maturity he was well versed in the practical science of agriculture. After leaving the parental roof he worked out as a farm hand until 1878, when he purchased forty acres of his present holdings. By means of careful management and rigid economy he was later able to increase his holdings by the addition of another seventy acres. He has erected all of the improvements upon his place, which he cleared and put under cultivation as he was able, and now owns one of the valuable farms of the township. His fields are all in a high state of cultivation, while he keeps a good grade of cattle, horses and hogs.

On the 2d of June, 1878, Mr. Main was united in marriage to Miss Martha F. Peckham, who was born in Appanoose county, Iowa, on the 10th of August, 1859, a daughter of Fred and Jane (Denning) Peckham, natives of Ohio, who migrated to Iowa during the pioneer days and located in Appanoose county, where the father engaged in farming. They affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, but both are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Main there were born nine children: Charles, who is a resident of Sugar Creek township; Clarence, living in the same place; Stella, the wife of Elmer Gause, of Limon, Colorado; Nellie, the wife of William Doud, of Grinnell; John, who is living in Sugar Creek township; Ada, the wife of Claude Naylor, of Grinnell; Cora, who married Claude Bailey, of Colorado; and Effie and Aaron, both of whom are at home.

Mr. Main votes with the democracy and has served as township trustee for ten years. In matters religious he affiliates with the Society of Friends and his wife with the Methodist Episcopal church, while fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his wife is a member of the Rebekah lodge. During the thirty-three years he has been a resident of Sugar Creek township Mr. Main has won the regard of many with whom he has come in contact, and all concede that he well deserves the success which has attended his efforts.