ELIAS
FAUST
No history of
Delaware county would be complete were their failure to make reference to Elias
Faust, who for sixty-two years has resided here and is today the oldest settler now living in the county.
Moreover, he is a prosperous farmer and one whose labors have brought
him to his present enviable position. His life has indeed been a busy and
useful one crowned with a substantial measure of success. He was born in Center
county, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1840, a son of John and Catherine Faust, likewise
natives of the Keystone state. To their union were born twelve children, all of
whom grew to maturity. The family removed to this county in 1854 and located in
Elk township, where the father became a well known stock-raiser. He was a
democrat but never held office. He was a man of true patriotic spirit and in
the War of 1812 served in the American army, participating in a number of
engagements. His demise occurred in September, 1876, and his widow survived but
three years, passing away in 1879. Both are
interred in a cemetery at St.
Charles, Madison
county, this state.
Elias Faust was a youth of twelve years when he
came to this state with a half brother,
arriving in Delaware
county on the
28th of May, 1852. He began his education in the
schools of his native state and continued to attend school after his removal to
the west. For a time he was a student in the schools of Epworth, Iowa,
and in the winter of 1859 and 1860 he continued his education in the public
schools near his home, which was his last year in school. After putting aside his
text-books he devoted his time exclusively to farming and has since so
continued, finding that occupation both profitable and congenial. In 1864 he located upon his present place, which
comprises two hundred fertile acres and is situated in Oneida township, and has since
made many improvements, including the erection of a comfortable home, a good
barn and other necessary buildings.
Mr. Faust was married October 9, 1864, to Miss Sarah Jane Kahl, a daughter of John
and Julianna (Greninger) Kahl. Her parents came here from Clinton county, Pennsylvania, but are both deceased.
To their union were born two children. By her marriage Mrs. Faust has become
the mother of six children, namely: John, a resident of Plymouth county, Iowa; Charles, a resident
of Oneida township; Minnie, the wife of Robert
Lillibridge, of Honey Creek township; James, a farmer of Honey Creek township;
Andrew, a resident of Oneida township; and Frank, at
home. On the 9th of October, 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Faust celebrated their golden
wedding, on which occasion more than two hundred and fifty guests were present
and the affair was one never to be forgotten by those who participated therein,
all joining in wishing them all happiness through the remainder of life's journey.
Mr.
Faust is greatly interested in everything pertaining to the public welfare and
for a number of terms served upon the school board. Although he has passed the age of three
score years and ten, the age the Psalmist allotted to man, he is strong both
mentally and physically and still performs his share of the world's work, and,
moreover, he has not only won financial success, but has gained loyal friends, who value highly
his good opinion. His name indeed
deserves a prominent place upon the pages of the history of Delaware county, as
he is today the oldest resident of the county in years of continuous connection,
therewith. More than six decades
have passed since his arrival and he has lived to see many remarkable
changes. When he came much of the land
was still in possession of the government and it was with little difficulty
that the early settlers secured claims.
He has lived to see the wild land converted into productive fields, while
the primitive homes have been replaced by substantial and modern
residences. Towns and villages have
sprung up and where once was seen wild game and animals there is now to be seen
the fine stock of the farms. As the years
have gone by Mr. Faust has ever manifested a deep interest in the welfare and
upbuilding of the community and has ever borne his part in the work of
advancement. He can relate many
interesting incidents of the early
days and his memory forms a connecting link
between the primitive past and the
progressive present.
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