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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
C. R. TROY, of Garfield Township, was horn in Clermont County, Ohio, Nov. 26, 1824, and is a son of Benjamin and Nancy (Rob- inson) Troy. The former was a native of Virginia, and died in Morgan County, Ill., in the year 1832, at the age of sixty-two years. The latter was also a native of Virginia, and died in Garfield Township, this county, in 1871, at the age of sixty-eight years. Six children were born to them, three of whom are living: Washington is a retired farmer, residing in Kansas; Abraham lives upon a farm in Prairie Township, and C. R., our subject. C. R. Troy was reared upon the farm, and has always followed that occupation. When about six years old his family removed to Morgan County, Ill. He removed thence to Fairfield, Jefferson County, this State, and came to this county in 1843, locating in White Oak Township, about ten miles east of Oskaloosa. During this year the lands of the New Purchase were opened to settlement, and he, with his brother Abraham, took up a claim of 320 acres in that township. One year later they went to Madison Township and bought a claim of 320 acres, upon which they resided for three years, then came to the present location on section 10, Garfield Township, and entered 160 acres of land, a portion of which is included, in the present farm of C. H. Troy. Several years later they divided the land, each taking half, to which the subject of this sketch has added yet other lands, and now has at the home farm 190 acres. When Mr. Troy first settled in this county the Indians were just sparing to leave, and white settlers were a scarce commodity. No elegant farm-houses dotted the prairie, fences were an unknown quantity, roads were Indian trails, leading here and there over a vast expanse of prairie. To go to mill was a task frequently taking from three to four weeks, the nearest one being at Fairfield, fifty miles away. The lumber that built their abiding-places, and the salt that seasoned their hominy, was hauled by team from Keokuk. But they endured all these inconveniences, suited their wants to their means, lived and prospered through it all, and lived happy lives. C. R. Troy was married, April 11, 1856, to Miss Amanda Lighter, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of Andrew and Nancy Lighter. By this union there have been nine children: Jerome, James, Charles and Con are farmers, residing in this county; Amanda, Ernest, Andrew, Daniel and Frank are at home. In addition to the home farm of 190 acres Mr. Troy also owns forty-five acres in Madison Township. It is a fine farm, all in a high state of cultivation, and has first-class improvements. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and has upon the place about fifty head of fine graded Shorthorn cattle. He has made a success of life by persistent energy and industry, coupled with excellent management and proper economy, and is fully deserving all the prosperity that has attended him. No one envies the pioneer his well-earned case in his later days. There is no more honorable high-minded citizen in this county than the subject of this sketch, and none who stands higher in the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy