-------------------------------
from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
Almost a century and a half ago George Washington said, "Farming is the most useful as well as the most honorable occupation of man," and the truth of this assertion has been abundantly verified throughout the passing ages. Moreover farming is really the basis of all business activity. Mr. McCurdy, devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, makes his home on section 18, White Oak township. He is one of the active and progressive farmers, having a valuable and extensive tract of land of four hundred and twenty five acres. In all of his work he is practical and energetic, so that his farm presents a neat and thrifty appearance, the work being carried on along lines that produce desired results. It was upon this farm that he was born January 18, 1858, His father, John A. McCurdy, was a native of Virginia and when a young man he removed with his parents to Indiana, where he carried on farming as his father's assistant. With his parents he came to Iowa in 1851, and in this state was married to Sarah Henry, a native of Indian and a daughter of William B. Henry, who was born in Virginia, removing from the Old Dominion to the Hoosier state in 1831. He was therefore one of its early settlers and he continued to make his home there until his death. John McCurdy came to Iowa with his family in 1851 and, as stated, was married here on the 22d of November, 1854, to Sarah Henry. Following his marriage he bought sixty acres of land on what is now a part of the old homestead. This he began to cultivate and improve. He built a good house and born and placed the fields under a high state of cultivation, utilizing the methods that make the soil most productive. He continued to carry on general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1886, when he was sixty eight years of age. Mrs. McCurdy still survives and is a hale and hearty old lady of seventy one years. She has lived upon one farm for more than a half century. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children, of whom one died in infancy, while E. Stella died at the age of thirty-three years, Addie at the age of twenty-two years, and Walter at the age of twenty-five years. Mary Frances, the eldest of the family, is the wife of J. H. Douglass, a resident farmer of White Oak township. Oscar C. is the next in order of birth. Charles E. is living in White Oak. William G., also of White Oak, is represented elsewhere in this work. These children reside upon adjoining farms. Oscar C. McCurdy, the eldest of the sons, purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home farm, and now owns and operates that property; The land is all under cultivation and the fields being rich and productive, bring to him gratifying harvests annually. In 1904 he built a good barn and he has a bearing orchard upon the place. In fact, this is a model farm property. He raises high grades of horses and hogs; and feeds hogs for the market. The farm comprises four hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land, and is thus one of the most desirable properties of this part of the county. Oscar C. McCurdy was married March 22, 1899, to Miss Estella Ward, a native of Mahaska county and a daughter of Alexander Ward, who was born in Illinois, but later removed to Iowa and is now living in White Oak township adjoining the Mcurdy farm. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children: Treva, Leah and Helen, and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. The parents attend the union services held in White Oak church, and Mrs. Jonathan McCurdy is a member of the Presbyterian church. Oscar McCurdy belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Rose Hill, and in politics is a republican. He keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day as every true American citizen should do, and always supports the candidates of the party, but has never sought or desired office for himself. His entire life has been devoted to farming and his labors have been crowned with a measure of success which is very gratifying. He has based his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern industry and unswerving integrity and is found in all of his dealings to be reliable and energetic qualities which have won him the trust of his fellowmen and have gained him success.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy