Buena Vista County, IA
IAGenWeb Project

William Pike is an active and progressive farmer and stockman residing on section 21, Hayes township, where he owns and operates a valuable and well improved farm of four hundred and twelve acres.  His birth occurred in Hampshire, England, on the 18^th of October 1855, his father being Henry Pike, also a native of that place.  The latter followed agricultural pursuits as a life work, and all of his eight children were born in the Merrie [sic] isle.  The year 1869 witnessed his emigration to the United States, the family home being established on a farm near La Salle in La Salle county. Illinois.

William Pike, who was a lad of thirteen years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to the United States, grew to manhood in La Salle county and acquired his education in the common schools.  Remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, he then purchased a farm and was successfully connected with agricultural pursuits in La Salle county for several years.  On the 20th of February, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Miller, who was a native of Pennsylvania but was reared in Illinois.  Their children are Robert, Willis, Franklin, James, Harrison, Norman and Mabel, of whom all except the youngest were born in La Salle county.

In 1894 Mr. Pike came to Iowa, purchasing two hundred and forty acres of the farm on which he now resides.  He at once began to improve and develop the property, added to and remodeled the residence and barn and likewise erected a new barn, cribs and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock.  As time passed and his financial resources increased he added to his original purchase until his landed holdings now comprise four hundred and twelve acres, all under a high state of cultivation.  In addition to the work of general farming he is also engaged in raising and feeding horses, cattle and hogs on an extensive scale, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income.  He is likewise a stockholder in the canning factory and in the tub factory at Storm Lake and is widely recognized as a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment, being numbered among the substantial and progressive citizens of the county.

In his political views Mr. Pike is a stanch republican, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Storm Lake, with which his wife is also identified.  He is one of the trustees and an active worker in both the Sunday school and church, doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence.  His many good qualities have won him the regard and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.