ABRAM CEASE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 0. Mason City; was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., June 6, 1824; he followed farming and lumbering. Married Ellen Wandel Feb. 13, 1847; she was born in the same county Dec. 28, 1826. Her father, James Wandel, was also born in that county May 3, 1790, and married Lucy Tilbury, who died May 22, 1854, aged 61 years 10 months and 26 days. She was buried in Pennsylvania Township. James Wandel died in Luzerne Co. while on a visit to his old home, Feb. 18, 1874. During his lifetime in the Eastern wilds, and on the Western prairies, he was a great hunter; many a noble buck, bear, wolf, catamount and fox, and smaller game have succumbed to his unerring aim. Mr. and Mrs. Cease moved to Mason Co. in May, 1849 (her parents came a year later), and entered land in what is now Pennsylvania Township. In the spring of 1851, they moved a granary building (thirteen miles), which was 10x12 feet, on to their farm on Pennsylvania Lane, in which they (family of five persons) lived while they erected a house, which was the first built on Pennsylvania Lane. They moved into it Sept. 15 following. That season they raised corn; in the fall sowed wheat; so they were comfortably fixed in their pioneer home. In 1867, sold their farm and moved to Mason City, and, in 1878, moved to their farm- where they now reside, in Salt Creek Township. They have had ten children—Elvira, born March 5, 1848, she married Schuyler J. Ross; Eliva, Aug. 28, 1849, she married William Stickler; Emma J., Nov. 16, 1850, she married Simon Stickler; Henry B., born Sept. 21, 1852, died Nov. 8, following; Mary M., born April 8, 1854, died Nov. 14, 1855; Charles W., born June 26, 1855; Frances L., Nov. 29, 1857, she married Isaac W. Hendry; George A., March 2, 1860; James P., born Feb. 8, 1863, died Nov. 26, following; and Oscar J., born June 16, 1865. They own a fine farm of 240 acres, also two houses and lots in Mason City. In politics, he is a Democrat.



Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer