WILLIAM H. COGDAL
Page 484
WILLIAM H. COGDAL
Page 484
 WILLIAM H. COGDAL. Among the men who have devoted their energies to the occupation of agriculture, prominent mention belongs to the gentleman whose name introduces this brief sketch. He is thoroughly efficient in every department of farm work, has made of his chosen occupation a science, and through the proper rotation of crops and fertilization of the soil has been enabled to secure the very greatest results from every acre of property. His landed possessions aggregate six hundred and fifty-six acres, located on sections 6, 23 and 31, Manito Township, Mason County. Our subject is the son of John Cogdal, a native of Kentucky, where he was a powder manufacturer and served as a soldier in the Black Hawk War. His wife, Mrs. Louisa (Trent) Cogdal, was born in Virginia, and was a daughter of William Trent, who removed from that state to Kentucky. There she met and married Mr. Cogdal; in the fall of 1832 they came to Illinois, where they were classed among the early settlers of Sangamon County. The father died seven years later, and the mother, who is still living in the county, has attained the remarkable age of ninety-four years and four months. W. H., of this sketch, was the third in order of birth of the seven children born to his parents; only four of the family are living: Nancy Jane, Parthenia and Elizabeth. The mother of these children, after the death of Mr. Cogdal, married Henry Miller, who is now deceased, and by that union reared three children, of whom Tilford and Martha Ann are living. The parents of our subject were members of the Baptist Church. Politically the father was a Whig, and held the responsible position of Justice of the Peace for many years. Mr. Cogdal was born February 2, 1832, in Sangamon County, this state, and was reared to the age of fourteen on his father's farm, during which time he obtained only a limited education. Although quite young, he left home and worked for one man for seven years, and in 1851 came to this county with only seventy-five cents in his pocket. He worked very hard, saved his money, and was soon enabled to become a property owner. Four years after making his advent into this county, our subject was married to Miss Margaret R., daughter of Samuel and Lina (Best) Starrett. Mrs. Cogdal was born in Clay County, Ind., in August, 1832, and departed this life June 16, 1880. She had become the mother of six children, of whom those living are; Elliott W.; Nancy, the wife of Henry Linback; Chauncy R.; and Margaret R., now Mrs. Sherman Jackson. September 24, 1889, Mr Cogdal took for his wife Mrs. Lucy A. Conklin, the daughter of Joseph and Lucinda (Houchin) Taylor, who make their home in Mason City. Mrs. Cogdal was reared in this county, and was educated in its public schools. Her first husband, Philo H. Conklin, was a native of New York, and a cousin if Senator Roscoe Conklin. During the late war he was Sergeant-Major in an Illinois regiment, and departed this life March 2, 1870. Her union with Mr. Conklin resulted in the birth of two children, viz: Frances L., now Mrs. Fred W. Rockwell; and Helen A., who married Witney L. Miller. Our subject is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has served as Steward, Trustee and Class-leader, His good wife, however worships with the Baptist congregation in Mason City. In politics he is a stanch Republican and always takes a prominent part in local affairs. He has served as Road Commissioner, and is at present serving his fifth year as a member of the Drainage Committee of the Mason and Tazewell district. He is one of the Township Trustees, and has been School Director for many years. Socially he is a Knight of Pythias, and Mrs. Cogdal is a member of the Pythian Sisters of Forest City, of which she has been presiding officer since its organization. Our subject, as before stated, is one of the largest land owners in this section, and owns an estate including nearly seven hundred acres. He built a beautiful residence in 1875, at a cost of $2,800. He has broken about one thousand acres of land in Mason County with ox-teams, and in connection with farming he is engaged in raising fine breeds of horses, cattle and hogs. He has given his children good educations. W. Elliott is a graduate of Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Ill., and is now practicing law in Oklahoma Territory. Mrs. Rockwell and Mrs. Miller are the children by Mrs. Cogdal's former marriage. The former is a graduate of Vassar College, and the latter of Mason City High School. |