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from Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa by Manoah Hedge The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1906
PastAndPresentOfMahaskaCo.,IA by Manoah Hedge(James W. Troy) - JAMES W. TROY, b. 10Aug1855 James W. Troy, following farming on section 2, White Oak township, not far from the village of Rose Hill, is one of the extensive land owners of the county, his farm comprising five hundred and eleven acres of very productive and valuable land. He was born in Garfield township, this county, August 10, 1855, and is a son of Charles R. Troy, a native of Ohio, who cane to Iowa in 1843. He was born in Clermont county, Ohio, November 26, 1824, a son of Benjamin and Nancy (Robinson) Troy. The grandfater died in 1832 in Morgan county, Illinois, and the grandmother passed away in Garfield township, Mahaska county, in 1871, at the age of sixty-eight years. Charles R. Troy owned one hundred and twenty acres of land, his half of the original entry. He was married April 11, 1851, to Amanda Lighter, a daughter of Andrew and Nancy Lighter. As stated, he arrived in Iowa in 1843, being one of the first settlers of Mahaska county. His wife was a native of Kentucky and she, too, became one of the pioneer settlers of this county, coming here. with her parents. Mr. Troy had entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in connection with his brothers Abraham and Daniel, and on selling that property they each made another entry of eighty acres three miles north of Oskaloosa, west of the Pella road. Upon that property Charles R. Troy made his home and reared his family, living there for forty-two years. About 1887 he sold the farm and took up his abode upon the place where his son now resides. He had lived there exactly twelve years, when, on the 28th of April, 1903, he passed away at the age of eighty years. His widow still survives him and yet resides upon the farm with six sons and a daughter, James W. being the only one married. Under the paternal roof James W. Troy spent his boyhood days, and in the common schools acquired his education. He assisted his father in carrying on the work of the home place in early life, and has always been associated with his brothers in their business affairs. They own the farm together, and Mr. Troy has added to his possessions from time to time until he now owns five hundred and eleven acres. He has put good buildings upon his place, including a barn, corn cribs and hay sheds He has also added a windpump to his other improvements, and he has the latest machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he raises some full-blooded Duroc Jersey and Chester White hogs and Aberdeen Angus cattle. All his breeding stock is registered or else eligible. He frequently attends the state fairs in order to sell stock, but has never been an exhibitor for the sake of premiums. His fine herd is known as the White Oak herd and he is regarded as one of the leading stock-breeders of this part of the state. On the 23d of March, 1898, James W. Troy was united in marriage to Miss Vena E. Howell, a native of Mahaska county and a daughter of Levi Howell. Her father is a native of Illinois and settled in this state at an early day. He and his wife are still living, their home being in White Oak township, south of Rose Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Troy have became the parents of one child, a son, Walter L., now seven years of age. The parents attended the Christian church at Rose Hill and Mr. Troy was a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, of Oskaloosa, and when he came to Rose Hill organized the new lodge, since which time he has passed through all of the chairs. He is also a member of Rose Hill camp, M. W. A. Politically he is a stanch republican, always supporting the men and measures of the party. He has served as clerk of White Oak township for six years, but otherwise has never sought or held office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, in which he has met with excellent success. He is today one of the prominent and representative farmers of the community and is a worthy representative of an honored, pioneer family.
Past and Present of Mahaska County, Iowa
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy