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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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George
W. Wormley Perhaps
as well known and well respected citizen for his years as the entire County can
boast of is Prof. George W. Wormley, former head of old Hazel Dell Academy and
now prosperous farmer. Keen, alert,
vigorous of mind and body, he is a type of that nervous, aggressive manhood that
means so much to any community or country. He was born in McDonough County, Illinois, May 25, 1860,
being the son of Samuel S. and Susan (Shoopman) Wormley, the father being a
native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Illinois. Mr. Wormley was very
fortunate in possessing a father of more than ordinary character and culture.
As a boy, the father came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, where he remained
but a short time, later removing to Illinois, where he learned the mason's and
plasterer's trade and where he was married.
After his marriage, he taught school for about one and one-half years,
after which he moved to Jasper County, Iowa, in 1867, arriving in Jasper County
with nothing but his wife, two children and an old wagon.
At once he began working at his trade, which he followed for two years,
after which he rented part of what was then known as the old Newton farm, where
he remained two years. At the end of that time he purchased forty acres of naked
land about one mile north of Newton, moved on to it and began farming, working
at his trade in the fall. By 1876
he had accumulated enough so that by selling the forty acres, he was enabled to
purchase the King farm of one hundred acres near the old College farm, and to
this he later added enough of the old College farm to make his holdings two
hundred and thirty acres. The
father was one of the stalwarts of his time, taking great interest in all
educational matters and in all the progressive movements of his day and taking
care that each of his large family of children received the best education that
could be procured. As a farmer he
was one of the best in the County, being known far and wide as a model farmer.
Religiously, he was a Congregationalist, being a consistent member of
that Church. He died upon the home
place July 3, 1906, at the age of seventy-three years.
His wife, who at this writing is aged sixty-seven years, survives him. The subject of this review is
one of a family of twelve brothers and sisters, seven boys and five girls, of
whom the subject is the oldest. But
one, Henry W., is dead, having been killed by falling from a mower in 1885 when
a boy; Thomas J., residing in Kingsley, Plymouth County, Iowa, is principal of
the city schools; John M., an attorney, resides in the same place; Samuel A.,
also of Kingsley, is engaged in the livery business; Armenta A., wife of G. 0.
Kelly, a stockman, resides in Newton; Cora B., wife of Hiram Hand, a farmer,
resides in Jasper County; Luella, wife of H. S. Kelly, of Omaha, Nebraska, where
Mr. Kelly has charge of the commissary department of Ringling Brothers shows;
Mary, widow of Dr. W. E. Harreman, lives in Story, Iowa, her
husband having formerly been the physician of the state college there; Patience
E., wife of H. C. Korf, attorney, resides in Newton; James G., a farmer, resides
with his mother on the home place; David F., a farmer, resides in this County. Mr.
Wormley was united in marriage to Mary E. Spencer, daughter of Henry M. and
Amanda (Chambers) Spencer, March 17, 1885, her parents being natives of Ohio.
They came to Jasper County in 1858 where they have since remained, the
father being one of the pioneers of the County. Mrs.
Wormley is one of four children, two of whom are living and two dead, Charles
and William; Burton, born June 8, 1858; and Mary E., born January 27, 1862,
still survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Wormley have
been born six children, namely: Donald S., born October 20, 1886, is in Ames
College at Ames, Iowa; Burton H., born October 21, 1888, is also in Ames
College; Frederick B., born June 26, 1891, is in high school at Newton; Hazel
Dell, born April 19, 1893; George M., born May 28, 1896; Mary E., born December
30, 1899, the last two being still at home. Mr. Wormley is
one the foremost educators of the County. He
began teaching at the age of eighteen in the County schools and after teaching
nine terms, in the spring of 1881 went to Ames College, from which institution
he was graduated in 1884 as a civil engineer.
The year following his graduation he purchased old Hazel Dell Academy, an
institution which has probably had enrolled seventy-five per cent of the
business men of Newton and vicinity at one time or another and about which a
fine glamour of college romance will ever linger.
He was principal of this school for nine years or up until 1893, giving
to it all the energy and genius of his remarkably strong character.
Then the name was changed to Newton Normal College, and many changes made
in the buildings and their location, a new building being erected by a lot sale
plan. The new school was continued
until 1896, when Mr. Wormley severed his connection with it in order to take his
family onto a farm. Selling the
school, he purchased the fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres upon which he
now lives, becoming one of the good farmers of the County, for Mr. Wormley does
everything he attempts thoroughly and well.
In connection with his general farming he raises thoroughbred hogs and
cattle. Mr. Wormley is one of the finest
mathematicians in the state, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as
is also his excellent wife and family.
He is also a member of the Central Lodge No. 73, Independent Order of Odd
Fellows, of Newton, having gone through all the chairs, subordinate, encampment and canton.
George W. Wormley is clean, fearless and straight out from the shoulder,
despising hypocrisy and deceit and never courting tawdry acclaim. He is one of
Jasper County's best citizens. The Past and Present of Jasper County,
Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN,
1018. |
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