(Source: “As Time Goes By”, Odebolt, Iowa 1877-1977,
printed by The Odebolt Chronicle May, 1977)
The Babcock farm, located northeast of Odebolt, was purchased by Charles Henry Babcock in 1872 from the Iowa Railroad Land Company for five dollars and fifty cents per acre.
Charles Henry Babcock was born in Rensler County, New York state. In his youth, he moved with his family to Jones County, Iowa. In August 1872, he married Florence Kegley of Wyoming, Iowa. Early in 1873 Mr. Babcock came to the farm, near where Odebolt was later located, and started to prepare a place to live. The Babcocks were among the first settlers of the community. Lumber was hauled by team and wagon from Vail, Iowa. He moved his wife and baby son to the farm late in 1873. The original house still stands. Additions have been added as needed and the house now has nine rooms and bath. It is interesting to note that Mr. Babcock wanted his house to face south and since his land was in the northeast quarter of the section, to be able to put the house facing south the road was made through the middle of the section. This road continues on to the west city limits of Odebolt.
Charles Babcock was the first clerk of Richland township and served as county supervisor for six years, driving a team and buggy to meetings at Sac City. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Babcock were parents of Elmer, Howard and Nellie. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock moved into Odebolt in 1896 and son Elmer did the farming.
Elmer married Evora Warriner and they were parents of Lloyd, Guy (married Alberta Hanson); Charles; Florence (Mrs. Clarence Hoaglund); and Helen (Mrs. Lawrence Story). In 1920 Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Babcock moved to Odebolt.
Lloyd Babcock married Margaret Lutz in 1918 and they lived on the home farm and were parents of Willis, Joyce and Austin. Lloyd Babcock died in 1951. (Information omitted on living individuals)
After the death of Lloyd Babcock his son Austin operated the farm until his death in 1971. Then Willis farmed the land until his death in 1973. The land is now being farmed by Willis's sons. This makes five generations having lived on or farmed this quarter section of land first purchased by Charles H. Babcock.
(Information omitted on living individuals)