Charles Oscar Dresher, in former years identified with the agricultural interest of Taylor county and now a factor in commercial pursuits in Bedford as a dealer in coal and grain, was born in Polk township, this county, May 7, 1862. He is a son of Charles F. and Nancy Jane (Morris) Dresher, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Indiana. The father was a son of Stephen and Louisa (Sneabarger) Dresher, natives of Pennsylvania and of Switzerland, respectively. The former died at an old age while the latter passed away when more than seventy years of age. The Dresher family was of German lineage and was early established on this side of the Atlantic. Unto Mr and Mrs Stephen Dresher were born twelve children: Charles F., James J., Mary Matilda, Hannah, William, Eliza, Samuel, Albert, Catherine Lucretia, John Henry, George H. and Christie.

In the maternal line Charles O. Dresher comes of English lineage. His great-grandparents were Virginians who removed to Kentucky where Jesse Morris, the grandfather was born and reared. He followed the occupation of farming as a life work and as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life he chose Miss Polly Morris. Both lived to be more than eighty years of age and they, too, had a large family of children, namely: James W., Nancy J., William G., Amanda, Mary Elizabeth, Jesse H., Benjamin F., Marion, Monroe, Martha E. and Frances M.

Charles F. Dresher, the father of Charles O. Dresher, devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits. He removed to Indiana in 1856 and in 1858 came to Iowa, settling in Polk township, where he had a farm of ninety acres and another of seventy acres. Upon his farm of ninety acres he made his home and reared his family but during the past seven years has lived retired in Bedford. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church and their lives have been a credit to that organization because of their fidelity to principles of honor and uprightness. Mr Dresher held various township offices and has ever been loyal to the duties and interests of citzenship. In an early day he was a leading auctioneer of the county and became widely known in that connection. Unto him and his wife were born two sons and three daughters: Mary Louisa, the wife of Frank Hamilton, a resident farmer of Polk township; Charles Oscar; Jesse Albert, living in Bedford; Martha Ann; and Lydia Araminta, the wife of Walter Myers, of Conway.

Charles O. Dresher was reared on his father's farm in Polk township, acquiring his early education in the district schools through the winter while in the [page 430] summer seasons he worked in the fields. He then purchased a farm of eighty acres to which he added an additional tract of eighty acres and as the years passed his time and energies were given to the cultivation and improvement of the place. He contined to till the soil until 1091 [sic] when he removed to Bedford, where he has since made his home. His entire life has been passed in Taylor county with the exception of one year and his history is an an open book which all may read. Since taking up his abode in the city he has engaged in business as a coal and grain dealer and has built up a good trade in that line. In addition to his business and a good home in Bedford he owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in this county, from which he derives a substantial annual income.

On the 25th of December, 1887, Mr Dresher wedded Miss Jennie Aiton, a daughter of William and Catharine Aiton. She was born in Wisconsin while her father was a native of Scotland and her mother of Connecticut. They had eight children, including Mrs Dresher who by her marriage has become the mother of two sons: William Paul and Oscar Aiton. Both Mr and Mrs Dresher are members of the Presbyterian church and are generous in their support of its work. Mr Dresher is serving as a deacon of the church and he belongs to Bedford Lodge, No 91, I.O.O.F. He gives his political endorsement at the polls to the republican party and is interested in every vital political question. Recognizing the obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship, he supports those plans and measures which he deems of most worth.