C. N. Crain, a successful and enterprising agriculturist and stockraiser of Valley township, is the owner of a well improved and valuable tract of land of three hundred and three acres, known as the Nodaway Valley Stock Farm. His birth occurred in Taylor county, Iowa, on the 12th of April 1859, his parents being John F. and Margaret (Howard) Crain, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Indiana. In 1854 they took up their abode in Taylor county, Iowa, where the father purchased land and made his home until called to his final rest in 1871. The mother still lives in that county, having now attained the age of seventy-four years. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, seven of whom yet survive.
C. N. Crain acquired a common-school education in early life and remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-one years. Tie then secured employment as a farm hand and was thus busily engaged for a period of six years, at the end of which time he rented a tract of land, devoting his attention to its operation for a few years. In 1889 he bought the farm on which he now resides in Valley township, Page county, and as the years have gone by has placed many substantial improvements on the property, erecting a commodious and attractive residence, two large barns and all necessary outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. His place comprises three hundred and three acres of rich and arable land and is known as the Nodaway Valley Stock Farm. He feeds all of his grain to stock and has met with a gratifying and commendable measure of prosperity in his undertakings, being widely recognized as a substantial and representative citizen of the community.
In 1885 Mr. Crain was united in marriage to Miss Nancy C. McKee, a native of Scott county, Indiana, and a daughter of William and Martha (Murphy) McKee, the former born in Kentucky and the latter in Indiana. Both Mr. and Mrs. McKee have passed away. Mrs. Crain was one of a family of seven children and by her marriage has become the mother of six, as follows : Anna B., a graduate of the Hepburn high school, who is now engaged in teaching; John W., who is a graduate of the business college at College Springs, Iowa; James; Ella R.; Charles L.; and Martha M.
Mr. Crain casts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party and has served his fellow townsmen in the positions of school director and township trustee. Fraternally he is identified with Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 1785, of Villisca, and with the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 482, at Hepburn, Iowa, in which he has filled all of the chairs. His wife is a devoted member of the United Presbyterian church and takes an. active and helpful interest in its work. They are people of genuine personal worth and many sterling traits of character and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which they reside.
