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IVO 
CO 


1^ARK€R 


HISTORY  OF 

POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

IOWA 


A   RECORD   OF   SETTLEMENT,  ORGANIZATION, 
PROGRESS  AND  ACHIEVEMENT 


By  PROF.  L.  F.  PARKER 


Local  history  is  the  ultimate  substance  of  national  history— Wilson 


VOLUME  II 


ILLUSTRATED 


CHICAGO:  u]  ' 

THE  S.  J.  CLARKE  PUBLISHING  CO.        ^^ 


■(? 


cv^* 


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ItHENEW  YORK] 

PUBLIC  LIBRARV 


THE  NEW  YORK  \ 

PIJBLIC  LIBRARY  \ 


USTOR,  LENOX  ANO 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS 


j-0^iy^^^^<^^^i^^^ 


BIOGRAPHICAL 


HON.  HENRY  W.  SPAULDING. 

Hon.  Henry  W.  Spauldirig,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  leading  citizens  of 
Poweshiek  county,  is  at  the  head  of  the  Spaulding  Manufacturing  Company,  mak- 
ers of  carriages  and  automobiles  at  Grinnell  and  one  of  the  largest  manufacturing 
firms  in  the  west.  In  the  fall  of  1910  he  was  honored  by  election  to  the  state 
senate,  now  representing  the  twelfth  district  in  that  body. 

His  birth  occurred  in  the  northern  part  of  Vermont  on  the  29th  of  June,  1846. 
When  still  but  a  boy  he  removed  with  his  parents  to  a  farm  in  Orange  county, 
that  state,  continuing  to  reside  thereon  until  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he  bought 
his  time  from  his  mother  and  started  out  in  business  life  on  his  own  account. 
After  working  at  various  occupations  for  two  years  he  built  a  shop  in  Chelsea, 
Vermont,  hired  a  good  blacksmith  and  began  to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade,  oc- 
casionally building  a  buggy.  In  the  course  of  a  year  or  more,  having  two  or 
three  finished  buggies  on  hand  and  creditors  pressing  him  for  money  which  was 
due  them  for  stock,  he  took  two  buggies,  hitching  one  behind  the  other,  and  started 
out  to  sell  them.  Having  made  the  sales,  he  returned  and  settled  his  most  press- 
ing debts.  This  was  the  origin  of  the  trailing  system,  which  has  been  followed 
by  the  Spaulding  Manufacturing  Company  for  the  past  thirty-five  years  with 
success.  After  carrying  on  business  in  Chelsea  for  about  two  years,  H.  W. 
Spaulding  sold  out  and  went  to  work  as  a  journeyman  smith  in  dififerent  shops. 
About  two  years  later  he  entered  the  service  of  Jacob  Estey  &  Company,  organ 
manufacturers  of  Brattleboro,  \'ermont,  and  at  the  end  of  about  three  months 
was  put  in  charge  of  their  blacksmithing  department.  He  remained  with  the  firm 
of  Jacob  Estey  &  Company  for  about  three  years  and  then  went  on  the  road  for 
the  Wiley  &  Russell  Manufacturing  Company  of  Greenfield,  Massachusetts,  manu- 
facturers of  screw  cutting  machines,  selling  machinery  for  about  four  years  and 
traveling  as  far  west  as  Iowa  and  also  into  Canada. 

This  state  impressed  him  favorably  and  on  the  nth  of  April,  1876,  he  took 
up  his  abode  in  Grinnell,  here  beginning  business  as  a  blacksmith  and  carriage 
manufacturer  on  a  small  scale.  The  first  year  he  turned  out  about  fifteen  new 
vehicles,  annually  increasing  the  number  until  on  the  ist  of  January,  1883,  he  was 
manufacturing  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  carriages  a  year.  On  the  17th  of 
June,  1882,  owing  to  a  disastrous  cyclone,  Mr.  Spaulding  sustained  a  heavy  loss 
financially  and  also  sufifered  severe  physical  injuries.  On  the  ist  of  January, 
1883,  he  -sold  a  half  interest  in  the  business  to  A.  P.  Phillips  &  Son,  the  name  of 
the  firm  becoming  Spaulding,  Phillips  &  Company.  Their  business  gradually  in- 
creased until  on  the  ist  of  January,  1887.  they  were  taking  care  of  eight  hundred 


6  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUXTV 

jobs  a  year.  At  that  time  Phillips  &  Son  withdrew  and  M.  Snyder  held  their 
interest  for  one  year,  the  name  of  the  concern  being  Spaulding  &  Snyder.  Their 
annual  output  was  nine  hundred  vehicles.  On  the  ist  of  January,  1888,  Craver. 
Steele  &  Austin  purchased  the  half  interest  of  Air.  Snyder,  who  retired.  The 
firm  then  continued  business  under  the  style  of  Spaulding  &  Company  and  in  1888 
manufactured  two  thousand  vehicles.  Wishing  to  push  their  Headers,  Craver, 
Steele  &  Austin  withdrew  from  the  com])any  and  Mr.  Spaulding  conducted  busi- 
ness independently  for  one  year.  On  the  ist  of  January,  i8fjo,  M.  Snyder  and 
William  Miles  each  bought  a  fourth  interest  in  the  concern,  the  name  of  which 
was  changed  to  the  Spaulding  Manufacturing  Company.  At  the  end  of  a  year  Mr. 
Spaulding  purchased  Mr.  Snyder's  interest,  then  owning  three-fourths  of  the  busi- 
ness. In  the  decade  between  1890  and  1900  the  output  of  the  company  was  in- 
creased from  two  thousand  to  four  thousand  vehicles  annually.  On  the  8th  of 
March,  1893,  the  Spaulding  Manufacturing  Company  sustained  a  loss  by  fire  of 
from  fifty-five  to  sixty  thousand  dollars,  and  the  insurance  paid  thereon  was 
eighteen  thousand  five  hundred  dollars.  On  the  ist  of  January,  1900,  F.  E.  and 
E.  H.  Spaulding,  sons  of  H.  W.  Spaulding,  bought  out  William  Miles  and  have 
since  remained  partners  of  their  father,  holding  a  third  interest  each.  In  1903  the 
concern  manufactured  and  sold  six  thousand  and  one  vehicles,  while  at  the  pres- 
ent time  their  annual  output  numbers  ten  thousand  vehicles  and  employment  is 
furnished  to  three  hundred  people.  Their  vehicles  are  sold  direct  to  the  consum- 
ers and  find  a  ready  sale  in  all  the  southern,  western  and  northwestern  states.  For 
the  past  two  years  they  have  also  manufactured  automobiles.  The  plant  of  the 
company  covers  almost  an  entire  block  and  a  part  of  another.  The  house  from 
the  beginning  has  sustained  a  reputation  for  undoubted  integrity  and  reliability  in 
its  methods  that  has  made  the  name  of  Spaulding  a  synonym  for  commercial 
honor  in  Grinnell. 

Mr.  Spaulding  is  now  and  for  about  fourteen  years  past  has  been  a  trustee 
of  Grinnell  College,  manifesting  a  deep  and  helpful  interest  in  the  institution. 
He  is  likewise  a  prominent  factor  in  financial  circles  as  the  president  of  the  Citi- 
zens National  Bank  of  Grinnell  and  is  a  director  in  many  other  institutions.  He 
deserves  great  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished,  since  his  prosperity  is  entirely 
due  to  his  own  labor,  his  utilization  of  opportunity  and  his  persistency  of  purpose. 

Mr.  Spaulding  has  been  twice  married.  In  October,  1872,  he  wedded  Miss 
Miriam  J.  Lull,  by  whom  he  had  three  sons,  namely:  Harry  E.,  who  died  at  the 
age  of  twelve  years ;  F.  E. ;  and  E.  H.  The  wife  and  mother  was  called  to  her 
final  rest  in  1888  and  in  1903  Mr.  Spaulding  was  again  married,  his  second  union 
being  with  Miss  Aimee  M.  Haight,  whose  birth  occurred  near  Aurora,  Kane 
county,  Illinois.  January  4,  1870.  They  are  the  parents  of  two  daughters.  Alice  C. 
and  Henryetta  W.,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Grinnell. 

In  politics  Mr.  Spaulding  is  a  stanch  republican  and  his  fellow  townsmen, 
recognizing  his  worth  and  ability,  have  called  him  to  several  positions  of  public 
trust.  For  one  term  he  served  as  councilman  and  for  a  similar  period  discharged 
the  responsible  duties  devolving  upon  him  as  mayor  of  Grinnell.  In  the  fall  of 
1910  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate  from  the  twelfth  district,  comprising 
Keokuk  and  Poweshiek  counties.  In  that  body  he  is  now  ably  and  creditably 
serving,  taking  an  active  part  in  the  business  that  is  transacted  in  council  cliam- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  7 

bers  of  the  state.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Con- 
gregational church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs  and  of  which  he  is  a  trustee. 
In  all  of  his  business  relations  Mr.  S])aulding  has  been  thoroughly  reliable  and  in 
his  treatment  of  employes  is  just  and  considerate.  Without  the  aid  of  influence 
or  wealth  he  has  risen  to  a  position  among  the  most  prominent  men  of  Iowa  and 
his  native  genius  and  acquired  ability  are  the  stepping  stones  on  which  he  has 
mounted. 


DAVID  SUTHERLAND  MORRISON. 

David  Sutherland  Morrison,  one  of  Grinnell's  foremost  citizens,  is  at  the  head 
of  the  Morrison  &  Ricker  Manufacturing  Company,  his  associates  being  P>.  J. 
Ricker  and  Frederic  Morrison.  His  birth  occurred  in  Ijath,  New  Hampshire, 
on  the  23d  of  October,  1851,  his  parents  being  Frederick  W.  and  Anna  (Suther- 
land) Morrison,  extended  mention  of  whom  is  made  on  another  page  of  this 
work.  He  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  brought  b}-  his  father  and  mother 
to  Grinnell  and  was  reared  to  manhood  under  the  parental  roof.  Following 
his  graduation  from  the  Grinnell  high  school  he  took  up  the  study  of  civil 
engineering  in  Iowa  College  and  during  his  three  years'  attendance  at  that 
institution  spent  each  summer  in  the  field  with  an  engineering  corps. 

.■\u  older  brother,  Leon,  died  about  the  end  of  that  time  and  the  growth  of 
his  father's  business  called  for  his  assistance  in  its  conduct.  When  about  ready 
to  enter  the  factory  he  received  information  to  the  efTect  that  the  civil  engineer 
under  whom  he  had  spent  his  summers  as  transit  man  had  been  awarded  the 
contract  for  the  extension  of  the  Burlington  &  Missouri  from  Plattsmouth, 
-Xebraska,  to  Denver,  and  would  give  him  charge  of  a  division  if  he  would 
accompany  him.  The  offer  meant  one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  month,  an 
attractive  salary  to  a  young  man  of  twenty-one  years,  but  his  father  told  him  that 
the  business  needed  him  more  and  so  the  die  was  cast  and  he  entered 
manufacturing  circles.  From  that  time  to  the  present  his  efforts  have  been  an 
important  factor  in  the  successful  control  of  one  of  the  principal  industrial 
enterprises  of  Iowa.  Prior  to  1872  all  the  gloves  in  the  Grinnell  factory  had  been 
cut  by  hand  but  in  that  year  Mr.  Morrison  went  to  Gloversville,  New  York,  to 
purchase  dies  for  cutting  and  also  instituted  other  modern  methods  to  keep  pace 
with  the  increasing  business.  In  1876  Frederick  W.  Morrison  died  and  our 
subject  succeeded  him  as  the  head  of  the  concern.  In  the  intervening  years 
various  changes  have  been  made  in  the  style  of  the  firm,  Mr.  Morrison  first 
having  as  partner  Andrew  Mcintosh,  then  E.  C.  Wadsworth  and  next  E.  A. 
Wadsworth,  the  son  of  his  previous  associate.  In  1903  the  interest  of  Mr. 
Wadsworth  was  purchased  by  B.  J.  Ricker  and  Frederic  Morrison,  a  son  of 
David  S.  Morrison.  However,  the  business  was  conducted  under  the  name  of 
Morrison  &  Mcintosh  until  1907.  when  INIr.  Mcintosh  withdrew  and  the  present 
firm  style  was  adopted.  In  connection  with  his  duties  as  the  head  of  an 
extensive  and  important  manufacturing  concern  Mr.  Morrison  also  acts  as  vice 
president  of  the  Grinnell  Savings  Bank. 


8  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

He  possesses  untiring  energy,  is  quick  of  perception,  forms  his  plans  readily 
and  is  determined  in  their  execution,  and  his  close  application  to  business  and  his 
excellent  management  have  brought  to  him  the  high  degree  of  prosperity  which 
is  today  his.  It  is  true  that  he  became  interested  in  a  business  already  established 
but  in  controlling  and  enlarging  such  an  enterprise  many  a  man  of  even  con- 
siderable resolute  purpose,  courage  and  industry  would  have  failed,  and  he  has 
demonstrated  the  truth  of  the  saying  that  success  is  not  the  result  of  genius 
but  the  outcome  of  clear  judgment  and  experience. 

On  the  15th  of  April,  1876,  Mr.  Morrison  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Fannie  Ricker.  Her  father,  Edward  Ricker,  made  his  way  from  Kewanee, 
Illinois,  to  Scott  county,  Iowa,  at  an  early  day  and  subsequently  took  up  his 
abode  among  the  pioneer  residents  of  Grinnell.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morrison 
have  been  born  six  children,  the  record  of  whom  is  as  follows :  Nellie,  who 
graduated  from  Grinnell  College  with  the  class  of  1899,  is  now  the  wife  of 
Dr.  P.  E.  Somers.  of  Grinnell.  Frederic,  who  completed  the  course  in  Grinnell 
College  in  191 1,  is  a  partner  of  his  father  in  the  Morrison  &  Ricker  Manu- 
facturing Company.  Addie,  a  Grinnell  College  graduate  of  1902,  is  the  wife 
of  Charles  F.  Chase,  of  Mason  City,  Iowa.  Frank  H.  is  at  present  employed  by 
his  father  but  has  decided  to  embark  in  the  lumber  business  in  Idaho  in  the  near 
future.     Julian  and  Donald  are  both  high  school  students. 

Mr.  Morrison  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party,  believing  that  its 
principles  are  most  conducive  to  good  government.  He  has  served  on  the 
town  council  for  three  terms  and  for  a  similar  period  has  been  a  member  of 
the  board  of  education  in  Grinnell.  He  is  a  valued  member  and  a  trustee  of 
the  Congregational  church,  to  which  his  wife  and  children  also  belong.  His 
life  has  been  well  spent  and  in  all  his  career  he  has  been  sincere  and  upright  in 
his  purposes,  honorable  principles  guiding  him  in  all  of  his  relations  with  his 
fellowmen. 


ERASTUS  SNOW. 


.\llhough  nearly  a  decade  has  elajised  since  the  demise  of  Erastus  .Snow  his 
personality  was  too  strongly  impressed  upon  the  community  where  he  had  resided 
for  so  many  years  for  him  to  be  readily  forgotten.  A  man  of  rare  ability  and 
possessing  a  high  sense  of  public  duty  he  is  remembered  as  an  agriculturist,  finan- 
cier and  legislator,  but  probably  best  as  the  citizen  who  was  always  willing  to  con- 
tribute both  his  time  and  money  to  forward  any  movement  for  the  general  good 
of  the  community.  Of  Puritan  extraction,  the  early  principles  fostered  in  a  New 
England  home  remained  with  him  throughout  life. 

His  birth  occurred  in  Winchester,  New  Hampshire,  on  the  19th  of  September, 
1819.  He  was  reared  in  the  paternal  home  to  the  age  of  twelve  years,  acquiring 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  town.  One  evening  after  he  had 
passed  his  thirteenth  birthday  he  was  reading  the  paper  by  the  firelight  when  his 
eye  was  caught  by  an  advertisement  which  read,  "Wanted,  a  boy  in  a  printing 
office.  Apply  here."  Being  an  ambitious  lad,  he  waj  most  anxious  to  begin  his 
business  career  and  so  applied  to  his  father  for  permission  to  take  the  position. 


(^y?"Z4^^/0Cy        '(^^T-T^.r-Z>)  - 


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A8T0R,  LENOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


HISTORY  OF  rOWESHIEK  COUNTY  11 

Ten  minutes  later  Mr.  Snow  placed  within  his  pocket  a  note  for  fifty  dollars, 
bearing  the  signature  of  little  Erastus,  remarking  as  he  did  so  that  he  would 
always  have  something  coming  to  him.  The  mother,  however,  thought  better  of 
her  son  than  that  and  replied,  "That  note  will  be  paid."  It  was  to  this  early 
confidence  reposed  in  him  by  his  mother  that  Erastus  Snow  attributed  much  of 
his  success  in  after  life.  At  times  when  everything  looked  hopeless  and  he  was 
ready  to  give  up  or  was  sorely  tempted  to  compromise  with  right  he  would  remem- 
ber his  mother,  and  her  belief  in  him  gave  him  renewed  courage  and  enabled  him 
to  conquer  conditions  rather  than  to  permit  them  to  conquer  him. 

The  note,  which  he  had  given  his  father,  was  to  compensate  the  parent  for  the 
latl's  time  and  services  up  to  the  time  he  had  attained  his  majority,  which  at  that 
period  was  deemed  to  be  the  right  of  every  parent.  At  the  expiration  of  three 
years  it  was  cancelled,  in  confirmation  of  his  mother's  trust,  although  the  lad 
had  only  received  fifty  dollars  for  his  first  year's  service,  which  sum  was  doubled 
the  second  and  tripled  the  third  year.  Before  he  had  attained  his  majority  he 
had  lifted  the  mortgage  from  the  old  homestead,  thus  relieving  from  anxiety 
the  latter  days  of  his  parents.  Mr.  Snow  did  not  follow  his  trade  for  many  years, 
simply  using  it  as  a  stepping  stone  to  something  higher.  Returning  to  his  old  home 
he  worked  in  the  bank  for  a  while  but  believing  that  the  west  afforded  better  op- 
portunities for  men  of  limited  means  he  removed  to  Iowa.  Upon  his  arrival  here 
he  first  '.ocated  in  Davenport,  where  he  resided  for  two  years,  and  then  removed 
to  Poweshiek  county,  buying  some  land  east  of  Grinnell,  in  the  cidtivation  of  which 
he  was  engaged  when  elected  president  of  the  First  National  Bank,  following 
which  he  came  to  town  to  live.  He  served  most  efficiently  in  various  public  capaci- 
ties daring  the  long  period  of  his.  residence  here,  having  been  elected  to  both 
branches  of  the  legislature  as  well  as  to  the  board  of  supervisors.  The  latter 
office  he  held  at  the  time  when  the  matter  of  railroad  bonds  was  being  so  strongly 
.gitated  in  the  county,  but  probably  his  most  notable  service  was  in  assisting  the 
chool  district  to  cancel  its  early  indebtedness.  After  leaving  the  First  National 
3ank,  of  which  he  was  the  first  president,  he  became  connected  with  the  Grinnell 
Savings  Bank,  subsequently  assuming  the  management  of  the  Granger  store  for 
a  number  of  years,  while  he  was  also  identified  with  the  Farmers  Mutual  Insur- 
ance Company.  During  the  latter  years  of  his  life  he  withdrew  from  all  public 
activities  and  returned  to  his  farm,  where  he  resided  until  December,  1893,  al- 
though he  rented  the  land.  He  then  removed  to  Grinnell,  where  he  was  living  at 
the  time  of  his  demise  on  the  ist  of  March,  1902. 

On  the  17th  of  October,  1887,  ^Ir.  Snow  was  united  in  marriage  in  Boston, 
Massachusetts,  to  Mrs.  Harriett  E.  (  Haskell)  Waterhouse,  whose  husband  had 
been  killed  in  the  first  battle  of  Bull  Run.  He  was  a  member  of  Company  C, 
First  Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waterhouse  were  living  in 
Minnesota  when  the  war  opened  but  after  the  death  of  her  husband  she  returned 
to  the  east,  settling  in  Boston.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Hannah  (John- 
son) Haskell,  natives  of  Maine,  in  which  state  the  father,  who  was  a  strong 
abolitionist,  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  demise  in  1852.  His  wife 
survived  until  1872.  Three  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  Snow  by  a  former  mar- 
riage but  the  daughter  passed  away  when  she  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  and 
the  two  sons  are  also  deceased. 


12  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Snow  ever  accorded  the  men  and  measures  of  the 
republican  party,  believing  its  principles  were  best  adapted  to  protect  the  inter- 
ests of  the  general  public,  but  he  favored  free  silver.  He  early  adopted  for  his 
motto  the  old  adage  "Be  sure  you  are  right  then  go  ahead,"  which  became  the 
governing  principle  of  his  life. 


JOHN   E.   DEMPSTER. 

John  E.  Dempster,  who  owns  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  good  land  in  Chester  township,  Poweshiek  county,  and  is  now  living  retired, 
has  made  his  home  in  Iowa  for  fifty-two  years  and  is  well  acquainted  with  the 
resources  of  the  state  and  the  history  of  its  development  since  the  Civil  War. 

He  is  a  native  of  Morgan  county,  Ohio,  born  January  3,  1837,  and  is  a  son 
of  Thomas  and  Phebe  (Lane)  Dempster,  the  former  born  on  the  eastern  shore 
of  Maryland  and  the  latter  in  Dutchess  county.  New  York.  The  ancestors  upon 
both  sides  of  the  house  fought  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  the  Crafts,  who 
belonged  to  the  maternal  branch,  being  driven  from  the  ground  where  the 
battle  of  White  Plains,  New  York,  was  fought.  The  paternal  grandfather 
moved  with  his  family  in  the  early  part  of  the  nineteenth  century  to  Morgan 
county,  and  there  passed  the  remainder  of  his  days.  Thomas  Dempster  came  to 
Iowa  with  his  family  early  in  the  '60s  and  settled  in  Scott  county,  near  Daven- 
port, on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  He  was  successful  in  his 
business  and  acquired  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres.  He  died  in  this  state 
and  is  buried  at  Vail  in  Crawford  county. 

John  E.  Dempster,  of  this  review,  was  the  second  in  a  family  of  seven 
sons.  He  attended  the  district  schools  and  worked  on  his  father's  farm,  com- 
ing to  Scott  county,  Iowa,  March  5.  1859,  his  eldest  brother  having  preceded 
him  to  this  state.  He  applied  himself  industriously  to  agriculture  and  stock- 
raising  and  became  one  of  the  well  known  and  popular  citizens  of  Scott 
county.  He  was  commissioned  captain  of  the  militia  September  17,  1864,  and 
served  in  that  office  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  taught  school  several 
terms  in  his  early  manhood  and  also  purchased  an  interest  in  a  threshing 
outfit,  with  which  he  was  connected  for  several  years.  In  June,  1868,  he 
bought  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  and  as  the  years  advanced 
his  prosperity  increased  until  he  became  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  eighty 
acres  of  good  land  in  Scott  county.  Since  1900  he  has  lived  in  Poweshiek 
county,  where  he  owns  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  which  are  cultivated 
by  his  sons,  as  he  retired  from  active  work  several  years  ago. 

In  1868  Mr.  Dempster  was  married  to  Miss  Esther  E.  Burch,  a  daughter  of 
Ira  and  Catherine  ( Deyo )  Burch,  and  to  this  union  three  children  were  born, 
two  daughters  and  one  son :  Emma  E.,  who  married  E.  W.  Fisher,  a  farmer 
of  Chester  township,  and  has  three  daughters.  Esther  E.,  Ruth  M.  and  Dorothy 
E. :  Mary  J.,  the  wife  of  W.  W.  Sherman,  of  Ottertail  county,  Minnesota,  and 
the  mother  of  three  children.  Harold  W.,  Judith  M.  and  Bernice ;  and  John  J., 
now   living  upon  his  own   farm,   who  is  married  and   has  two  sons,  J.  Ciaylonl 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COITNTV  13 

and  Keith  G.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  December  24,  1873.  and  Mr. 
Dempster  was  again  married  in  1875,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Josephine 
Fitzsimmons,  a  daughter  of  I'elix  I'"itzsimmons,  a  contractor  of  New  York 
state.  Three  children  were  born  of  this  union,  two  .sons  and  one  daughter: 
.•\lden  II.,  who  married  Oral  J.  Xeely  and  has  two  children,  tkrtrude  J.  and 
Mildred  L. ;  Fdna  A.,  who  lives  at  home:  and  Roscoe.  also  living  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  Dempster  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and 
for  many  years  was  one  of  the  active  workers  for  its  success.  He  served  as 
secretary  of  the  independent  school  district  of  Linn  (irove  from  1868  to  1899.  ^ 
record  which  probably  has  never  been  surpassed  in  Iowa.  He  also  filled  the 
office  of  township  clerk  for  three  terms.  In  1897  '^^  ^^'^^  elected  a  member  of 
the  state  legislature  from  Scott  county,  filling  the  position  with  an  ability  that 
reflected  upon  him  the  highest  credit.  He  also  served  in  charge  of  the  United 
States  census  of  1890  for  Scott  county.  He  displayed  an  interest  and  efficiency 
in  all  his  official  duties  which  met  the  hearty  approval  of  the  people,  his  con- 
stant aim  being  to  promote  the  public  good.  Successful  as  a  business  man  and 
farmer  he  now  enjoys  a  rest,  which  he  richly  earned,  and  also  possesses  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who  know  him. 


WILLIAM  F.  VOGT. 


Starting  out  for  himself  as  a  young  man  with  the  laudable  ambition  to  win 
for  himself  an  honorable  place  in  the  world,  William  F.  Vogt  has  succeeded, 
perhaps,  even  beyond  the  brightest  expectations  of  his  earliest  years,  and  today 
he  is  living  retired  on  a  beautiful  farm  in  Poweshiek  county,  while  his  sons 
are  carrying  forward  the  work  which  he  began.  He  is  a  native  of  Scott  county, 
Iowa,  and  was  born  June  9,  1848,  a  son  of  John  C.  and  Catherine  (Graff)  \'ogt, 
both  of  whom  were  born  in  Holstein,  Germany.  They  were  married  in  the  old 
country  and  came  to  .America  in  1847,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Scott  county, 
Iowa,  where  Mr.  Vogt  established  his  home. 

Educated  in  the  district  schools  William  F.  \'ogt  grew  up  under  the  friendly 
shelter  of  the  parental  home  and  was  early  marie  acquainted  with  the  many 
details  of  agriculture  and  stock-raising.  Even  as  a  boy  he  showed  special 
adaptability  to  agricultural  pursuits,  and  as  he  grew  to  manhood  it  became 
evident  that  he  was  destined  to  become  a  successful  farmer.  He  continued  at 
home  until  after  he  had  reached  the  age  of  manhood  and  then  began  farming 
on  his  own  account  in  his  native  county.  In  1883  he  came  to  Poweshiek 
county  and  for  twenty-two  years  applied  himself  to  farming  and  stockraising 
with  most  gratifying  results.  In  1905  he  moved  to  Grinnell,  and  after  living 
for  three  years  in  the  city  returned  to  the  country  and  took  up  his  residence  on 
a  farm  which  he  had  acquired  adjoining  his  old  homestead.  Here,  surrounded 
by  every  comfort  that  can  be  desired,  he  is  enjoying  the  fruits  of  many  years 
of  labor.  He  is  an  extensive  landowner,  being  the  possessor  of  one  thousand 
and  nine  acres  in  Poweshiek  county,  and  also  of  land  in  Jasper  county  and  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Minnesota.     In  addition  to  his  agricultural  interests 


14  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

he  is  vice  president  of  the  Citizens  Bank  of  Grinnell,  of  which  he  was  one  of 
the  founders.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Brick  & 
Tile  Company  of  Grinnell,  and  is  a  man  whose  judgment  in  business  affairs  is 
greatly  respected  wherever  he  is  known. 

On  the  13th  day  of  March,  1875,  Mr.  \'ogt  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Wilhelmina  Brockman,  a  daughter  of  C.  H.  and  Anna  (Sindt)  Brockman, 
both  of  whom  were  born  in  Germany.  The  family  came  to  America  and 
located  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming.  He 
passed  away  in  i8qS,  but  the  mother  is  still  living  on  the  old  homestead  with  her 
son.  Ten  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  \'ogt,  namely:  C.  J.,  who 
married  Sadie  Evans,  of  Grinnell  township  and  now  lives  on  the  home  farm ; 
Harry  C,  also  on  the  home  farm ;  Walter  E.  and  Otis  B.,  both  of  whom  are 
on  the  home  farm ;  Clarence,  who  is  now  a  student  in  the  common  schools ; 
Grover  Cleveland,  who  is  living  with  his  parents :  William  McKinley ;  Anna  C. ; 
Julia  A.,  who  received  a  high  school  education  and  is  now  teaching  at  Mon- 
tezuma ;  and  Mildred  C,  at  home. 

Mr.  Vog^  and  his  estimable  wife  are  sincere  members  of  the  German  Luth- 
eran church  and  active  workers  in  its  behalf.  By  his  ballot  he  supports  the 
principles  and  candidates  of  the  republican  party,  being  allied  with  the  progres- 
sive element,  which  believes  that  the  party  has  within  itself  the  resources  and 
ability  to  correct  the  evils  of  government  as  they  arise.  He  has  always  been 
enterprising  and  public-spirited  and  few  men  have  contributed  more  materially 
to  the  welfare  of  the  community.  As  a  result  he  has  a  host  of  friends  in 
Poweshiek  county  who  do  not  hesitate  to  declare  that  William  F.  \'ogt  is  a 
model  citizen. 


JACOB  SCHULTZ. 


The  largest  and  finest  home  in  Malcom  township  stands  as  a  monument  to 
the  energy,  industry  and  determination,  successfully  directed  along  agricultural 
lines,  of  Jacob  Schultz,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  substantial  citizens  of 
this  locality. 

He  was  born  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  on  the  i6th  of  October,  1857,  a  son 
of  John  and  Mary  (Piel)  Schultz,  both  natives  of  Prussia,  Germany.  The 
father's  birth  occurred  on  the  19th  of  March,  1820,  and  the  mother's  on  the  2d 
of  February  of  that  year.  They  were  married  in  the  fatherland  and  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1854,  locating  first  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois.  Ten  years  later 
they  came  to  Poweshiek  county.  Iowa,  and  here  cast  in  their  lot  with  the  early 
settlers  of  this  district.  The  father,  who  was  a  ship  contractor  in  his  native 
country,  took  up  the  occupation  of  farming  upon  his  arrival  in  the  United  States 
and  was  therein  engaged  until  the  time  of  his  demise.  The  old  homestead  upon 
which  he  located  on  coming  to  Malcom  township  was  all  unbroken  prairie  land 
when  it  came  into  his  possession,  and  he  and  his  son  were  the  only  white  men 
who  have  had  any  part  in  its  cultivation  and  development.  He  was  unusually 
successful  in  his  agricultural  undertaking  and  at  one  time  owned  one  thousand 
acres  of  land  in  Malcom  and  Sheridan  townships  which,  however,  was  all  dis- 


^ 


,^  -;. ^. <.<?"/?■: ^ 


(■■  The  jst  ,v  YGHK  / 

■iPu-BLJcummY 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  17 

posed  of  to  his  children  either  before  or  after  his  demise.  He  was  a  stanch  dem- 
ocrat in  politics  and  in  religious  faith  was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church. 
He  donated  a  portion  of  the  old  homestead  as  a  site  for  that  church  and  until 
the  end  remained  one  of  its  loyal  and  substantial  supporters.  He  was  the  eldest 
in  a  family  of  eight  children,  all  of  whom  came. to  the  United  States  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  sister.  They  were  as  follows :  John ;  Christ,  Charles,  Gust  and 
Henry,  all  deceased:  Fred,  of  Grinnell ;  Ilenrietta,  who  married  John  Ahrnes, 
and  is  now  deceased ;  and  a  sister  who  passed  away  in  Germany. 

In  the  family  of  John  and  Alary  (Piel)  Schultz  there  were  six  children, 
namely :  Charles,  deceased ;  Lena,  who  passed  away  in  childhood ;  Fredericka, 
who  married  Lawrence  Liedke,  of  Malcom ;  Minnie,  the  wife  of  Louis  Puis, 
who  is  mentioned  at  length  on  another  page  of  this  volume ;  Jacob,  of  this  re- 
view ;  and  F~red,  of  Malcom  township.  The  parents  of  this  family  are  now  de- 
ceased, the  father  passing  away  on  the  25th  of  October,  1884,  and  the  mother 
on  the  nth  of  April.  1891,  their  remaining  days  being  spent  in  the  home  of  our 
subject. 

Spending  the  first  seven  years  of  his  life  in  his  native  county,  Jacob  Schultz, 
whose  name  introduces  this  review,  accompanied  his  parents  in  1864  on  their 
removal  to  Poweshiek  county,  and  he  has  since  resided  on  the  homestead  farm 
here  which  his  father  purchased  at  the  time  of  his  arrival.  His  education  was 
acquired  in  the  country  schools  and  he  received  a  thorough  practical  training 
in  the  home  fields,  early  becoming  familiar  with  the  tasks  that  fall  to  the  lot  of 
the  country  lad.  He  continued  to  give  his  assistance  to  his  father  until  the  lat- 
ter's  death,  since  which  time  he  has  carried  oij  agricultural  pursuits  independ- 
ently upon  the  portion  of  his  father's  estate  whkh  he  inherited.  This  farm  con- 
sists of  two  hundred  and  eighty-three  acres  located  on  the  northwest  quarter  of 
section  3,  Malcom  township,  and  is  one  of  the  best  equipped  and  most  valuable 
properties  in  this  section.  Here  Mr.  Schultz  has  introduced  all  of  the  con- 
veniences and  accessories  of  a  model  farm  of  the  twentieth  century  and  upon 
it  are  to  be  found  twelve  substantial  outbuildings,  all  topped  by  good  shingle 
roofs,  and  all,  with  the  exception  of  one  bam,  were  erected  by  him. 

In  1910  he  built  a  beautiful  thirteen-room  residence,  thirty-two  by  sixty  feet, 
with  two  stories  and  a  basement,  frame  and  finished  in  hard  pine.  It  is  equipped 
with  every  modern  improvement  to  be  found  in  a  city  home,  including  a  lighting, 
heating  and  water  plant,  and  is  the  largest  and  finest  home  in  Malcom  township. 
Mr.  .Schultz  carries  eleven  thousand,  five  hundred  dollars  insurance  on  his  build- 
ings, and  the  splendid  condition  of  his  farm  speaks  in  no  uncertain  terms  of  the 
substantial  degree  of  success  which  has  come  to  him.  He  engages  in  general 
farming,  but  a  large  portion  of  his  time  and  attention  is  devoted  to  his  stock- 
feeding  interests,  fattening  from  eighty  to  one  hundred  head  of  cattle  per  year 
and  raising  from  one  to  two  hundred  head  of  hogs  yearly.  He  ships  all  of  his 
stock  to  the  Chicago  market  and  this  brandi  of  his  business  interests  yields  large 
financial  returns.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Malcom  Savings  P>ank  and  also  in 
the  Malcom  Garage  Company,  and  is  well  known  to  agricultural  circles  through- 
out Poweshiek  county  as  a  stockholder  in  both  the  Grinnell  and  Malcom  fairs,  a 
director  of  the  Poweshiek  County  Central  Agricultural  Association  and  of  the 
Malcom  fair. 


18  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Mr.  Schultz  has  been  married  twice.  In  the  year  1882  he  wedded  Miss  Ame- 
lia Baum,  who  was  born  in  Germany  in  1858,  and  when  twenty-four  years  of 
age  came  alone  to  this  country.  She  passed  away  on  the  24th  of  May,  1901. 
Unto  this  union  were  born  seven  children,  as  follows :  Emma,  the  wife  of  W.  L. 
Lamb,  of  Malcom  township;  Minnie,  Alvena  and  John,  all  at  home;  George,  who 
passed  away  when  five  years  old ;  and  Elmer  and  May,  who  are  also  still  under 
the  parental  roof.  On  the  12th  of  December,  1910,  Mr.  Schultz  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Minnie  Deffenbaugh.  who  was  born  in  Fulton  county,  Illinois, 
on  the  25th  of  February,   1869. 

Mr.  Schultz  is  a  member  of  the  German  Lutheran  church,  the  site  of  which 
was  donated  by  his  father  and  of  which  he  is  a  helpful  and  interested  worker 
and  a  substantial  supporter.  He  is  a  republican  in  ])olitics  and  h.-is  filled  vari- 
ous school  and  road  offices,  while  for  the  past  seven  years  he  has  served  as  town- 
ship trustee.  Probably  few  men  are  better  known  in  agricultural  circles  through- 
out this  district  than  Mr.  Schultz,  whose  efforts  to  stimulate  the  interests  of  his 
fellowmen  toward  progress  and  advancement  along  agricultural  and  stock-raising 
lines  have  been  far-reaching  and  beneficial.  In  his  public  capacity,  too,  he  has 
ever  sought  the  good  of  the  community,  casting  the  weight  of  his  influence  on 
the  side  of  advancement  along  material,  political,  intellectual  and  moral  lines, 
and  in  every  relation  of  life  he  has  been  found  loyal  and  |ml»lic-spirited,  his  own 
success  never  for  a  moment  causing  him  to  forget  his  chities  as  a  citizen. 


FRANCIS  W.  JOHNSTON. 

A  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  situated  on  section  27,  Scott  town- 
ship, claims  the  time  and  attention  of  Francis  W.  Johnston,  who  was  born  in 
Rock  Island  county.  Illinois,  in  September,  1858.  ilis  parents.  Joseph  and 
Eliza  Jane  (Johnston)  Johnston,  were  both  natives  of  Ireland,  where  they 
were  reared  and  married,  and  soon  after  that  event  in  their  lives  they  eniigrateil 
to  the  new  world.  They  first  located  in  Rock  Island  county.  Illinois,  where  four 
of  their  six  children  were  born.  In  i8f)8  the  father  removed  with  his  family 
to  Poweshiek  county  and  here  engaged  in  farming  throughout  his  remaining 
years.  He  died  at  a  comparatively  early  age,  passing  away  when  only  thirty- 
five  years  old,  at  his  home  in  Jackson  township.  The  mother  still  survives  and 
now  makes  her  home  in  Montezuma.  Their  children  were :  Francis  W.,  of  this 
review ;  John,  who  resides  in  Jackson  township ;  Mrs.  Eliza  Smith,  deceased  : 
Mrs.  Mary  Moshier,  who  has  also  departed  this  life;  Matilda,  the  wife  of 
William  Rempp,  of  Montezuma;  and  Josephine,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Johnston, 
also  of  Montezuma. 

Francis  W.  Johnston  was  reared  to  the  age  of  ten  years  in  Rock  Island 
county,  Illinois,  and  at  that  age  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to 
Poweshiek  county.  He  has  made  farming  his  life  work  and  is  today  the  owner 
of  a  well  improved  farm  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section 
2'j,  Scott  township.  He  has  made  many  improvements  on  the  place  since  it 
came   into   his   possession    and    now   has   a   valuable    farm   property,    the    fields 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  19 

annually  yielding  rich  and  abundant  harvests  as  a  reward  for  the  care  and 
labor  which  he  bestows  upon  them. 

Mr.  Johnston  was  married  March  9,  1880,  to  Miss  Maggie  Hall,  who  was 
born  in  Ireland.  October  31,  1858,  and  was  but  three  years  of  age  when,  in 
1861,  her  parents,  John  and  Eliza  (McKeever)  Hall,  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  while  she  was  a  little  maiden  of  nine  years  at  the  time  the  family  home 
was  established  in  Poweshiek  county.  Her  father  was  born  in  County  Tyrone, 
Ireland,  December  28,  1829,  and  was  married  in  that  country,  in  1854,  to 
Miss  McKeever.  Three  daughters  were  added  to  the  household,  Mary  Jane, 
Margaret  (now  Mrs.  Johnston),  and  Eliza,  ere  the  emigration  of  the  family 
to  the  new  world.  They  first  located  in  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  where 
three  other  children  were  born,  these  being  Susan,  Samuel  and  Rachel.  In 
1867  Mr.  Hall  removed  with  his  family  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  settling  on 
a  farm  seven  miles  northeast  of  Montezuma,  where  many  years  were  devoted  to 
general  farming.  He  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  died 
in  that  faith  on  the  29th  of  January,  1910,  when  more  than  eighty  years  of  age. 
I  lis  wife  died  about  thirteen  years  ago. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnston  has  been  blessed  with  five  daughters, 
namely:  Eliza,  the  wife  of  Jo.shua  Johnston,  of  Scott  township;  Mary,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  James  Johnston  but  departed  this  life  January  4,  1911 ;  Ethel, 
the  wife  of  Joseph  Hutchinson,  a  resident  of  Rock  Island  county.  Illinois:  and 
Ella  and    Maggie,   at   home. 

Mr.  lohnston  i.N  a  stanch  sujiporter  of  the  republican  party  but  is  not  active 
as  an  office  seeker.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the 
L'nited  Presbyterian  church  of  Scott  township.  He  is  a  man  whom  to  know  is 
to  respect  and  honor,  for  his  life  is  lived  in  harmony  with  his  professions  and 
his  sterling  traits  of  character  have  won  him  a  host  of  warm  friends. 


ESTHER  B.  M.^cGUGIN. 

The  value  of  the  local  newspaper  in  the  upbuilding  of  the  best  interests  of 
any  community  is  universally  conceded.  The  press  has  not  only  recorded  the 
history  of  advancement,  but  has  also  ever  been  the  leader  in  the  work  of  progress 
and  improvement.  In  molding  public  opinion  the  power  of  the  newspaper 
cannot  be  estimated  but,  at  all  events,  its  influence  is  greater  than  that  of  any 
other  single  agency.  Poweshiek  county  has  every  reason  to  be  proud  of  the 
character  of  its  press,  for  it  has  many  enterprising  and  progressive  journals,  and 
prominent  among  these  is  the  Montezuma  Republican,  one  of  the  oldest  news- 
pa|)ers  of  the  county.  Esther  B.  MacGugin,  who  was  in  April,  1910,  appointed 
managing  editor  of  this  journal,  has  rightly  been  accorded  a  foremost  place 
among  the  leading  newspaper  women  of  Iowa,  her  native  state. 

Her  birth  occurred  in  Washington,  Washington  county,  on  the  23d  of  August, 
1881.  and  she  is  the  eldest  daughter  of  Robert  Lyle  and  Minnie  (Dickson) 
"MacGugin.  Her  father  came  to  Iowa  from  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania, 
in  the  year    1875.  and  for  a  time   was  located  at  Davenport.     Being  of  a  me- 


20  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

chanical  turn  of  mind  he  accepted  a  position  with  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island 
&  Pacific  Railway  Company.  His  connection  with  this  institution  has  continued 
for  thirty-seven  years,  and  at  present  he  is  one  of  the  oldest  men  in  its  employ. 
Her  mother,  who  attended  the  public  schools  of  Washington,  and  later  studied 
in  the  academy,  was  engaged  in  teaching  school  prior  to  her  marriage.  Rep- 
resentatives of  the  name  in  Pennsylvania  have  long  been  identified  with  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  in  the  conduct  of  which  they  have  proven  uniformly  suc- 
cessful. Inheriting  a  fondness  for  the  free,  independent  life  of  the  country, 
they  have  as  a  rule  become  well-to-do  farmers, — well  improved  farms,  large 
families  and  a  competency,  with  contentment,  being  characteristic  of  a  large 
portion  of  them.  A  goodly  number,  however,  have  sought  fortune  in  other 
channels,  entering  the  commercial  field  and  the  various  professions,  in  which  they 
have  attained  success  and  prosperity.  Among  the  distant  relatives  of  our  sub- 
ject is  numbered  Hon.  Joseph  R.  Reed,  who  for  many  years  served  on  the 
supreme  court  bench  of  Iowa. 

Esther  B.  MacGugin  was  reared  in  the  town  of  her  nativity,  and  at  the 
usual  age  was  sent  as  a  student  to  the  public  school.  Upon  completing  the 
course  therein  taught  she  entered  Washington  high  school,  from  which  she  was 
graduated  in  1898.  and  later  received  the  benefit  of  a  year's  work  in  Parsons 
College.  W^ith  a  strong  literary  inclination  and  a  ready  aptitude  for  writing, 
she  turned  toward  the  journalistic  field  as  a  life  work,  and  for  more  than  twelve 
years  has  been  identified  with  newspaper  work,  her  uninterrupted  rise  therein 
in  the  meantime  being  rapid  and  well  merited. 

She  began  her  career  as  a  correspondent  from  Valley  Junction  for  a  Des 
Moines  paper,  was  later  given  3  position  as  reporter  on  the  staff  of  one  of  the 
papers  of  the  capital  and  subsequently  became  connected  with  the  Washing- 
ton (Iowa)  Journal.  She  resigned  the  latter  position,  however,  to  enter  the 
University   of   California,    where   she   pursued   a   special   course   in    journalism. 

Being  thus  well  equipped  for  further  advancement  in  her  chosen  vocation 
she  accepted  a  position  with  the  Joplin  (Missouri)  Daily  Cilobe,  a  large  publica- 
tion in  the  south,  and  succeeded  Mrs.  Baker,  one  of  the  best  known  news- 
paper women  in  the  United  States,  who  has  written  for  over  a  quarter  of  a 
century  under  the  nom  de  plume  of  "Becky  Sharp."  Miss  MacGugin  edited 
the  woman's  department  of  this  large  daily  for  two  years,  and  also  contributed 
stories  to  the  magazine  section. 

She  also  at  that  time  wrote  some  very  original,  logical  and  impressive  articles 
under  the  pen  name  of  Esther  Belle.  About  four  years  ago  she  became  iden- 
tified with  the  Needham  syndicate  of  newspapers,  and  since  her  connection 
therewith  her  career  has  been  unusually  successful.  Her  excellent  journalistic 
ability  won  well  merited  recognition  when,  about  a  year  ago,  she  was  appointed 
to  the  office  of  managing  editor  of  the  Montezuma  Republican,  to  succeed  J. 
R.  Williams.  This  paper,  which  belongs  to  the  syndicate,  is  one  of  the  oldest 
and  best  known  journals  of  the  locality,  and  is  the  oldest  republican  news- 
paper in  the  county.  At  its  best,  or  at  its  worst,  a  newspaper  is  the 
expression  of  the  personality  of  the  single  individual  at  its  head,  anil . 
thus  the  present  flourishing  condition  of  the  Republican  is  a  logical  indication 
of  the   rare  business   acumen   and   excellent   executive  ability   of   its   managing 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  21 

editor.     She  is  also  a  writer  of  considerable  ability,  and  in  the  columns  of  her 
paper  appear  many  evidences  of  her  attractive  and  pleasing  style. 

Miss  MacGugin  is  a  member  of  the  Northern  Press  syndicate  and  of  the 
Burrell  Newspaper  syndicate  of  New  York,  and  she  has  contributed  largely 
to  various  metropolitan  papers  of  Iowa.  One  paper,  the  Davenport  Democrat 
and  Leader,  states  of  her:  "Her  experiences  have  been  sufficiently  varied  to 
enable  her  to  be  among  the  premiers  of  journalism." 


V.  S.  WILCOX,  M.  D. 


The  medical  fraternity  finds  a  worthy  representative  in  Dr.  V.  S.  Wilcox, 
who  has  made  Malcom  the  scene  of  his  activity  throughout  his  connection  with 
the  medical  profession.  He  was  born  in  Homer,  Licking  county,  Ohio,  on  the 
iith  of  October,  1848,  a  son  of  J.  P.  and  Mary  (Stark)  Wilcox,  natives  of 
Luzerne  county,  Pennsylvania.  In  the  Keystone  state  the  parents  were  reared 
and  married  and  at  an  early  day  went  to  Ohio.  The  mother  passed  away  in 
Tiskilwa,  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  and  later  the  father  came  to  Iowa  with  his 
son,  Dr.  Wilcox.  He  engaged  in  merchandising  at  one  time,  although  the 
greater  part  of  his  life  was  devoted  to  farming.  His  death  occurred  at  Aurora, 
Nebraska.  His  family  consisted  of  three  children,  of  whom  our  subject  is  the 
eldest,  the  others  being:  Louisa,  the  wife  of  Jasper  Weimer,  of  North  English, 
Iowa  county,  Iowa ;  and  Ella,  residing  in  Aurora,  Nebraska. 

Dr.  Wilcox  was  but  seven  years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  father  to 
Iowa,  locating  first  in  Washington  county,  and  in  that  and  lo.wa  county  he 
spent  the  intervening  period  until  twenty-two  years  of  age.  At  the  usual  age  he 
became  a  pupil  in  the  public  schools,  continuing  therein  until  his  graduation 
from  the  high  school,  and  for  one  year  pursued  a  literary  course  at  the  Iowa 
State  University.  He  then  became  a  student  in  the  medical  department  of  that 
institution,  from  which  he  was  graduated  three  years  later,  in  1874,  when  the 
M.  D.  degree  was  conferred  upon  him.  Immediately  after  his  graduation  he 
came  to  Malcom  and  here  he  has  since  continued  in  the  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion. From  the  first  he  was  highly  successful,  impressing  all  with  whom  he 
came  m  contact  with  his  trustworthy  character,  his  earnestness,  zeal  and  scrupu- 
lous regard  for  the  ethics  of  his  profession.  He  is  skilful  in  diagnosis,  sure  in 
prescription,  thoughtful  and  tactful  in  attendance,  and  prompt  and  efficacious 
in  emergency.  Aside  from  a  large  practice,  which  is  distinctively  representa- 
tive and  lucrative,  he  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  a  mile  from  town,  which  returns  him  a  most  substantial  annual  income. 

In  1871  Dr.  Wilcox  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Josephine  Hamilton, 
who  was  born  in  Tiffin,  Johnson  county,  Iowa,  in  July,  185 1,  a  daughter  of 
Hezekiah  Hamilton.  Unto  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Wilcox  have  been  born  three  children, 
as  follows:  Delano,  a  graduate  of  the  literary  department  of  the  Iowa  State 
University,  also  of  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago,  and  who  is  now  practicing 
medicine  in  connection  with  his   father;  Mabel  F.,  the  wife  of  Oscar   Bowers, 


22  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

of  Malcom :  and   Nellie  G.,  who  married  Henry  Wickman,  now  operating  Ur. 
Wilcox"s  farm  in  Malcom  township. 

Dr.  Wilcox's  professional  relations  are  with  the  Poweshiek  County  Medical 
Society  and  the  Iowa  State  Medical  Society.  Fraternally  he  is  a  Royal  Arch 
Mason  and  also  belongs  to  Oriental  Commandery,  No.  22,  K.  T.,  of  Newton, 
while  he  is  likewise  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
He  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  and  was  a  member 
of  the  board  of  education  for  thirty  years,  during  which  time  he  served  on  the 
building  committee  of  the  Malcom  high  school.  For  a  period  of  thirty-seven 
years  Dr.  Wilcox  has  practiced  continuously  in  Malcom — a  period  character- 
ized by  self-sacrifice  and  kindly  ministrations  to  others — and  during  that  time 
he  has  become  the  loved  family  physician  in  many  households.  He  has  ever 
had  the  interest  of  the  community  deeply  at  heart  and  few  deserve  a  more 
prominent   position   among  the  town's  most  representative  and  valued  citizens. 


C.  WILLIAM  PEARCE. 

A  member  of  a  well  known  family  of  Poweshiek  county,  C.  William  Pearce 
is  now  living  retired  at  Grinnell,  having  reached  the  age  of  seventy-two  years. 
He  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county  for  sixty-three  years  and  ranks  among  the 
pioneers  of  a  section  that  is  now  one  of  the  most  productive  and  prosperous  parts 
of  the  state.  He  was  born  in  Bartholomew  county,  Indiana,  November  22,  1839, 
and  is  a  son  of  Peter  S.  and  Margaret  (Prosser)  Pearce,  the  father  being  a  native 
of  Ohio  and  the  mother  of  Pennsylvania.  Peter  S.  Pearce,  who  was  a  carpenter 
and  builder  by  trade,  removed  from  Ohio  to  Indiana  in  1836  and  seven  years 
later  took  up  his  residence  in  Illinois.  In  1848  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and 
settled  on  government  land  in  Grinnell  township,  where  he  established  the  fam- 
ily on  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  which  he  developed  from  its  wdld  state 
until  it  became  a  valuable  property.  He  was  a  man  of  influence  and  responsi- 
bility, whose  name  was  accepted  as  a  synonym  for  industry  and  integrity.  In  poli- 
tics he  adhered  to  the  democratic  party  and  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  an 
office  which  he  filled  with  marked  ability  for  a  number  of  years.  Fraternally  he 
was  connected  with  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273,  .A.  F.  &  .\.  M..  of  Grinnell.  He  was 
called  to  his  reward  while  still  residing  on  the  old  homestead  in  1877,  his  wife 
having  died  ten  years  earlier.  On  the  maternal  side  the  family  record  has  been 
traced  back  for  over  one  hundred  \-ears.  our  subject's  grandfather  Prosser  hav- 
ing served  in  the  war  of  1812. 

C.  William  I'earce  has  been  a  resident  of  Iowa  since  he  was  nine  \ears  of 
age.  He  has  devoted  his  life  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  remained  on  the  home 
farm  until  icpi.  since  which  time  he  has  been  an  honored  resident  of  Grinnell. 
He  still  nwns  tw"  linn(h-ed  ;inil  tDurteen  acres  of  land  in  Grinnell  township  and  his 
residence  in  the  cit\-.  He  was  married  in  January,  1864,  to  Miss  Matilda  G. 
lirown,  who  wa<  born  in  Somersetshire.  England.  October  23,  1828,  an<l  was  a 
daiisrhter  nf  Jnhn  anrl  Maria  (Grant)  Brown.  She  came  with  her  parents  to 
.\merica  in  1850.  the  family  living  for  several  years  in  Wisconsin.     In  1854  they 


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THE  NEW  YCKK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


A»TO(t,  LENOX  AND 
TtLDEN  FOU:.0»TI0NS. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  25 

arrived  in  Poweshiek  county,  six  months  after  the  first  settlement  was  made  at 
C.rinnell.  After  a  happy  married  life  of  more  than  forty  years  Mrs.  Pearce 
(lied  at  Grinnell  in  1907.  She  was  a  woman  of  many  admirable  traits  of  mind 
and  heart  and  a  consistent  member  of  the  Congregational  church.  In  the  family 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pearce  were  the  following  children :  George  G.,  who  is  now  mar- 
ried and  lives  in  Washington  township ;  Frank  H.,  who  is  also  married  and  lives 
in  (Jrinnell  township;  Nellie  M.,  who  married  James  R.  Rutherford,  a  farmer 
of  Idaho;  Seth  J.,  who  is  married  and  lives  in  Grinnell  township;  and  Mary  C, 
who  married  J.  R.  Nicholl  and  lives  in  Jasper  county. 

Mr.  Pearce  set  a  worthy  example  for  his  children  and  today  they  are  useful 
and  honorable  members  of  society,  each  performing  his  or  her  work  in  the  pro- 
motion of  the  general  welfare.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  demo- 
cratic party  and  while  he  has  not  sought  public  office  he  has  ever  been  a  consistent 
advocate  of  honest  government  administered  in  accordance  with  practical  business 
principles.  The  excellent  qualities  he  has  manifested  as  a  citizen,  as  a  business 
man  and  in  private  life  fully  entitle  him  to  the  respect  in  which  he  is  universally 
held. 


S.  W.  GRAY. 


In  his  early  boyhood  S.  W.  Gray  came  with  his  parents  to  Poweshiek 
county  and  ever  since  that  time  he  has  been  a  resident  of  this  county.  He  is 
now  a  prosperous  farmer  of  Washington  township  who,  by  his  upright  char- 
acter, well  applied  industry  and  sound  birsiness  judgment,  has  gained  the 
respect  of  the  entire  community. 

He  is  a  native  of  Davenport,  Iowa,  and  was  born  October  8,  1870,  a  son  of 
Herman    C.    and    Almeda    (Booth)    Gray.      The    father    was    born    in    Holmes 
county,  Ohio,  May  30,  1822,  and  the  mother  in  one  of  the  eastern  states.     They 
were  married  at  Valparaiso,  Indiana.     At  the  time  of  the  Civil  War  Mr.  Gray 
served   faithfully   in  behalf  of   the   Union.     He   was   discharged  at  Davenport, 
following  which  he  engaged  in  teaming  for  a  number  of  years.     In  the  spring 
of    1S77    he    came    with    his    family    to    Poweshiek    county    and    purchased    the 
farm  upon   which  his  son,   S.  W.,  now  lives.     He  died  April   10,   1902,  having 
previously  retired   from  active  labors.     The  mother  is   now   living  at   Grinnell. 
Mr.  Gray  was  a  man  of  exceptional  character,  who  exercised  a  good  influence 
u]ion  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.     Politically  he  was  an  ardent  supporter 
of  the  republican  party.     He  took  an  active  part  in  politics  and  served  as  town- 
ship trustee  and  also  as  school  director.     In  religious  belief  he  adhered  to  the 
Methodist  church  and   for  a  number  of  years  filled  very  acceptably  the  offices 
of  trustee  and  steward  in  the  church.     There  were  eight  children  in  the  family 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herman  C.  Gray,  namely ;  Josie,  who  is  deceased ;  Ella,  the 
wife  of  Tilman   Vestal,  of    Lynnville,    Iowa;    Herbert,    who   lives   at   Grinnell: 
Carrie,  also  deceased:  Alfred  and   Ida,  twins,  the   former  now  living  in   Mon- 
tana and  the  later  with  her  mother ;  S.  W.,  our  subject :  and  Bert,  who  lives  in 
Salt  Lake  City,  Utah. 


26  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

S.  W.  Gray  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county  with  his  parents  when  he  was  seven 
years  of  age  and  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  Washington 
township.  He  assisted  his  father  upon  the  home  farm  until  attaining  his  ma- 
jority, when  he  rented  a  farm  for  two  years  on  his  own  account.  He  then  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  in  Washington  township,  which  he  cultivated  to  good 
advantage  for  five  years  and  then  disposed  of,  buying  the  old  homestead  of 
two  hundred  acres  upon  which  he  is  now  well  established.  He  is  a  general 
farmer  and  stock-raiser,  paying  special  attention  to  the  raising  of  horses  and 
cattle,  for  which  he  has  a  rare  aptitude. 

On  the  25th  of  June,  1893,  Mr.  Gray  was  married  at  Searsboro,  to  Miss 
Clara  Spillman,  a  daughter  of  J.  A.  and  Sarah  (\"estal)  Spillman,  of  Washing- 
ton township.  Mrs.  Gray  was  born  in  Washington  township,  September  15, 
1870.  Her  parents  are  both  natives  of  North  Carolina.  The  father  settled  in 
Poweshiek  county  about  fifty  years  ago  and  is  now  living  retired.  The  mother 
died  about  1900.  Mr.  Spillman  has  for  many  years  been  identified  with  the 
Masonic  order.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gray,  namely: 
Grace,  who  is  deceased ;  and  Farrell  Ray,  Robert  and  Addie,  all  of  whom  are 
at  home. 

Mr.  Gray  has  never  been  a  seeker  after  political  office,  but  casts  his  vote  for 
the  republican  party  believing  that  its  principles  are  highly  important  in 
advancing  the  permanent  welfare  of  the  state  and  nation.  Fraternally  he  is 
connected  with  the  Odd  Fellows,  his  membership  being  in  the  lodge  at  Sears- 
boro. He  has  many  friends  in  the  order  and  also  among  men  who  are  not 
identified  with  any  fraternal  organization.  Genial  in  manner  and  pleasing 
in  address,  he  easily  makes  his  way  wherever  he  desires  to  be  known,  and  he 
enjoys  the  good  will  of  all  with  whom  he  comes  into  contact. 


FREDERICK  WILLIAM  MORRISON. 

Although  thirty-five  years  have  passed  since  Frederick  William  Morrison 
was  called  to  his  final  rest,  he  is  still  remembered  by  many  of  Grinnell's  older 
residents  as  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  respected  early  settlers  of  the  town. 
As  the  founder  of  what  is  now  the  ]\Iorrison  &  Ricker  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany, one  of  the  principal  industrial  enterprises  of  Iowa,  the  record  of  his  life 
well  merits  a  place  in  a  volume  of  this  character. 

His  birth  occurred  in  Bath,  New  Hampshire,  on  the  29th  of  July,  181 3,  and 
he  was  a  gentleman  of  Scotch-Irish  lineage.  He  obtained  a  good  education  in  the 
common  schools  and  after  putting  aside  his  text-books  learned  the  tanner's 
trade,  working  by  the  side  of  Mr.  Parker,  the  father  of  Ira  Parker,  who  later 
developed  the  Saranac  glove  industry  in  Littleton,  New  Hampshire,  using  prac- 
tically the  same  process  in  tanning  leather  that  Mr.  Morrison  introduced  in 
Iowa.  On  the  4th  of  October,  1843.  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ann 
Sutherland,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  David  Sutherland,  who  was  for  many  years 
father  and  so  called  priest  of  the  Congregational  community  of  Bath,  New 
Hampshire.     The  wife  brought  to  her  new  duties  all  the  refinement  of  a  Chris- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  27 

tian  home  and  the  knowledge  gained  by  varied  experience.  She  had  attended 
Mount  Holyoke  Seminary  as  a  member  of  the  first  class,  under  Mary  Lyon, 
subsequently  followed  the  profession  of  teaching  in  Littleton,  New  Hampshire, 
and  later  went  to  Plymouth,  that  state,  where  she  learned  to  make  gloves.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Morrison  began  their  domestic  life  in  Bath,  where  five  children  were 
born  unto  them — three  sons  and  two  daughters.  Two  of  the  number  reached 
mature  age,  Mary  and  David. 

With  the  call  from  J.  B.  Grinnell  for  the  building  of  a  model  colony  in  Iowa 
was  an  advertisement  for  a  tanner,  to  which  Mr.  Morrison  responded,  bringing 
his  family  west  in  the  fall  of  1855.  After  reaching  the  terminus  of  the  rail- 
road at  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  he  made  his  way  down  the  Mississippi  river  by 
boat  to  Muscatine,  where  he  procured  a  private  hack  in  which  to  make  the  jour- 
ney of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  to  his  new  home.  A  number  of  the  resi- 
dents of  his  native  town  had  preceded  him  and  here  he  found  friends  and  kin- 
dred, spending  the  winter  in  the  home  of  David  Sutherland,  a  brother  of  Mrs. 
Morrison.  In  the  spring  of  1856  Mr.  Morrison  erected  a  small  house  at  the 
corner  of  Sixth  avenue  and  State  street,  which  corner  is  marked  by  tall  cotton- 
wood  trees  on  the  college  campus,  the  house  having  been  moved  to  make  room 
for  the  circular  drive  on  the  south.  Not  having  capital  sufficient  to  build  a 
tannery,  Mr.  Morrison  begail  tanning  in  the  open  and  put  in  vats  north  of  the 
mill  pond,  the  mill  being  located  on  the  corner  of  Fifth  avenue  and  State  street. 
Here  was  begun  the  work  which  led  to  the  development  of  the  Grinnell  glove 
industry.  Like  all  tanners  of  his  day,  Mr.  Morrison  was  both  a  tanner  and 
currier  and  undertook  to  tan  and  finish  anything  from  glove  leather  to  sole 
leather.  His  first  desire  was  to  establish  a  horse  collar  shop  and  considerable 
work  was  done  in  this  line.  Gradually,  however,  he  turned  his  attention  toward 
glove-making.  Deer  were  still  numerous  in  Iowa  and  Grinnell  soon  became  a 
market  for  them.  The  tanning  process  was  a  sore  trial  in  the  early  days,  as 
the  oak  bark  was  found  unsuitable  and  shumac  and  smartweed  proved  to  be  of 
little  value.  Finally  a  small  shipment  of  gambier,  an  imported  article,  was  re- 
ceived and  Mr.  Morrison  developed  a  combination  process  which  is  still  used 
in  the  tannery.  No  salesmen  were  employed  for  a  number  of  years  but  tht 
stage  drivers  made  a  good  substitute  as  they  learned  the  value  of  the  Grinnell 
gloves.  Orders  began  to  come  in  from  adjoining  towns  and  annually  increased 
in  number.  In  1859  a  tannery  was  erected  west  of  Grinnell  and  prior  to  the 
completion  of  the  railroad  in  1863  large  shipments  were  sent  to  Newton,  Des 
Moines  and  points  farther  west.  Mr.  Morrison  lived  to  see  but  the  beginning 
of  the  industry,  though  at  the  time  of  his  demise  it  had  outgrown  the  kitchen 
and  the  home  and  occupied  half  of  the  Deacon  Whitcom  harness  shop  on  Fourth 
avenue.  The  glove  sales  of  1876  amounted  to  nine  thousand  dollars.  Though 
he  passed  away  when  the  enterprise  was  practically  still  in  its  infancy,  he  es- 
tablished a  reputation  for  integrity  in  all  his  dealings  with  his  fellowmen  that  is 
more  to  be  desired  than  great  riches. 

Mr.  Morrison  was  a  modest,  retiring  gentleman,  faithful  in  attendance  at 
church  services  but  not  an  active  participant.  He  was  an  interesting  conversa- 
tionalist and  his  friends  found  him  a  congenial  companion  whose  never-failing 
supply  of  stories  showed  a  rare  appreciation  of  the  best  kind  of  humor.     He  was 


28  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

not  strong  physically  but  no  man  in  the  community  was  more  faithful  or  per- 
sistent in  his  attention  to  all  the  requirements  of  his  business.  His  word  was 
as  good  as  his  bond  and  his  demise,  which  occurred  on  the  i6th  of  August, 
1876,  was  the  occasion  of  deep  and  widespread  regret,  for  his  life  had  been  at 
all  times  unselfish,  upright  and  honorable. 


CHARLES  H.  ONTHANK. 

Among  the  worthy  citizens  of  Poweshiek  county  who  have  passed  to  their 
reward,  leaving  behind  them  memories  of  useful  labors  and  kindly  acts  that 
cannot  be  forgotten  by  the  present  generation,  should  be  named  Charles  H.  On- 
thank.  He  was  born  in  New  York,  June  13,  i860,  and  departed  this  life  Decem- 
ber 21,  1908,  being  then  in  his  forty-eighth  year.  His  parents  were  George  H. 
and  Isabella  (Woods)  Onthank,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  New  York  state. 
At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  the  father  enlisted  in  an  Illinois  regiment  and  served 
as  a  musician  until  the  close  of  the  Rebellion.  He  acquitted  himself  so  creditably 
that  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  a  hospital  in  Tennessee  after  the  war  was  over  and 
having  discharged  this  duty  came  to  Iowa  with  his  family  in  1869  and  for  sev- 
eral years  worked  at  the  blacksmith's  trade  at  Grinnell.  Later  he  became  con- 
nected with  the  Iowa  Central  Railroad  at  Grinnell  as  baggage  agent  and  was  also 
employed  in  the  postoffice  at  Grinnell.  He  died  June  6,  1908,  but  his  wife  is  still 
living  at  Grinnell.  Politically  he  gave  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and 
fraternally  was  a  valued  member  of  the  Masonic  order  and  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic.  In  religious  faith  he  adhered  to  the  Baptist  church  in  which  he 
took  a  great  interest,  serving  for  a  number  of  years  as  deacon.  Two  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Onthank:  Charles  H.;  and  Martha,  the  wife  of  George  L. 
Brown,  of  Grinnell. 

Charles  H.  Onthank  came  to  Grinnell  with  his  father  at  the  age  of  ten  years 
and  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools.  After  reaching  manhood 
he  went  to  South  Dakota  and  took  up  government  land,  but  after  spending  three 
years  in  that  state  he  returned  to  Grinnell  and  worked  in  the  freight  house  of  the 
Iowa  Central  Railroad  Company.  About  1891  he  purchased  fifty-five  acres  of 
land  in  Grinnell  township,  later  acquiring  fifty  acres  additional.  After  cultivating 
his  farm  for  a  while  he  sold  it  and  purchased  two  hundred  acres  in  Washington 
township,  which  he  improved,  greatly  adding  to  its  value.  This  place  he  also  sold 
and  in  December,  1899,  bought  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  which  is 
still  in  possession  of  the  family.  He  made  a  specialty  of  raising  hogs  and  cattle 
for  the  market  and  became  known  as  one  of  the  prosperous  and  progressive  men 
of  the  community. 

On  the  2ist  of  August,  1889,  Mr.  Onthank  was  married  to  Miss  \iola  Robin- 
son, who  was  born  July  7,  1870,  in  McDonough  county,  Illinois,  and  is  a  daughter 
of  Robert  and  Mary  Jane  ( Holden )  Robinson.  The  father  was  born  near  Louis- 
ville. Kentucky,  October  8.  1841,  and  the  mother  near  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  July  10, 
1848.  He  engaged  in  farming  in  Kentucky  and  later  in  McDonough  county,  Illi- 
nois.   In  the  fall  of  1872  he  came  with  his  family  to  Poweshiek  county  and  pur- 


^-^^r^ 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWESlin^.K  COUNTY  31 

chased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Grinnell  township.  He  sold  his  farm  in  1893 
and  retired  with  his  wife  to  Grinnell,  where  he  passed  away  May  30,  1901.  His 
wife  died  August  2,  1908.  They  were  both  consistent  members  of  the  Baptist 
church.  In  politics  he  was  a  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  being  an  ear- 
nest friend  of  education  served  very  acceptably  as  a  member  of  the  school  board 
in  Grinnell  township.  Eight  children  constituted  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Onthank :  Florence,  who  was  born  October  29,  1891,  and  is  now  the  wife  of 
William  \'an  Wvk,  of  Lynnville,  Iowa;  Lillian  M.,  born  July  20,  1893.  who  mar- 
ried Charles  P.  Kimball  and  is  now  living  on  the  old  hoinestead ;  Charles  H.  R., 
born  May  26,  1895;  Grace  Isabelle,  born  April  i.  1897;  Alma  Viola,  born  Febru- 
ary II,  1899;  Edward  W.,  born  June  26,  1901  ;  Paul  L.,  born  June  17.  1903;  and 
George  W.,  born  October  26,  1906. 

Mr.  Onthank  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  Christian  religion  and  a  sincere  mem- 
ber of  the  Baptist  church,  as  is  his  widow.  In  politics  he  gave  his  support  to  the 
republican  party  and  served  for  two  terms  as  school  director.  Fraternally  he 
was  identified  with  the  Odd  Fellows  and  he  had  many  friends  in  the  order  and 
also  in  Poweshiek  county.  Mrs.  Onthank  continues  to  reside  on  the  old  homestead 
and  receives  from  her  children  and  from  all  who  know  her  the  love  and  respect 
which  is  due  to  unquestioned  worth. 


WILLIAM   F.   SCHMIDT. 

William  F.  Schmidt,  an  enterprising  and  energetic  agriculturist  of  Powe- 
shiek county,  owns  a  well  improved  tract  of  land,  comprising  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  in  Washington  township,  and  devotes  his  attention  to  both  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising.  His  birth  occurred  in  that  township  on  the  i8th  of  May, 
1864,  his  parents  being  Peter  and  Eliza  (Sanders)  Schmidt,  who  are  mentioned 
at  greater  length  in  another  part  of  this  work.  Unto  them  were  born  ten  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  William  F.,  of  this  review;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Harmon  Sul- 
lee,  of  Washington  township;  Samuel,  who  is  a  resident  of  Jasper  county,  Iowa; 
Henry  J.,  living  in  Washington  township,  and  who  is  represented  elsewhere 
in  this  volume;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Guy  Ford,  who  makes  her  home  in 
Canada ;  Peter  and  Francis,  both  at  home ;  Frank,  who  is  deceased ;  Mary,  the 
wife  of  William  Whalen,  of  Mahaska  county,  Iowa;  and  Rose,  the  wife  of 
August  Gregor,  of  Bismarck,   North  Dakota. 

William  F.  Schmidt  obtained  his  education  in  the  schools  of  his  native  town- 
ship. Upon  leaving  school  he  assisted  in  the  operation  of  the  home  farm  for 
several  years.  He  also  worked  at  well  driving  and  tile  laying  for  a  time.  In 
1899  he  purchased  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Wash- 
ington township,  draining  the  land  and  otherwise  improving  the  property.  In 
addition  to  cultivating  the  crops  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate  he  also  devotes 
considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  stock,  having  met  with  a  gratifying 
measure  of  success  in  both  branches  of  his  business. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  1898,  Mr.  Schmidt  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Amelia   Mader,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Anna   Marie    (Bausch)    Mader, 


32  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

both  of  whom  were  natives  of 'Baden,  Germany,  the  former  born  in  Septem- 
ber, 1832,  and  the  latter  on  the  28th  of  September,  1833.  Their  marriage  was 
celebrated  in  the  fatherland.  John  Mader,  who  was  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1882,  locating  in  Moline,  Illinois,  where  he 
labored  in  the  mills  and  also  in  the  plow  works.  His  demise  occurred  on  the 
5th  of  December,  1892,  while  his  wife  was  called  to  her  final  rest  on  the  29th  of 
December,  1898,  both  passing  away  in  the  faith  of  the  Catholic  church.  Their 
children  were  seven  in  number,  namely:  Anton,  who  is  a  resident  of  Germany; 
Barbara,  who  is  the  wife  of  Max  Hanger  and  also  resides  in  Germany  ;  Joseph, 
living  in  the  state  of  Washington ;  Engelbert,  of  Colfax.  Washington ;  Mrs. 
Christian  Kill,  deceased,  of  Moline,  Illinois ;  Mrs.  Schmidt,  who  was  born  in 
Baden,  Germany,  on  the  3d  of  November,  1865,  and  who  accompanied  her  par- 
ents on  their  emigration  to  the  United  States ;  and  Gustav,  who  is  a  resident  of 
San  Francisco,  California.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  F.  Schmidt  have  been 
born  two  children:  Anna  Marie,  whose  natal  day  was  November  16,  1899;  and 
Joseph  Frederick,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  19th  of  March,  1904. 

In  politics  Mr.  Schmidt  is  independent,  supporting  men  and  measures  rather 
than  party.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Catholic 
church,  of  which  his  wife  is  also  a  devoted  communicant.  He  has  resided  in 
Poweshiek  county  from  his  birth  to  the  present  time.  That  his  life  has  ever 
been  upright  and  honorable  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  the  associates  of  his 
boyhood  and  youth  are  still  numbered  among  his  stanch  friends  and  admirers. 


ELBERT  W.  CLARK,  Jr. 

Elbert  W.  Clark,  Jr.,  conducting  a  lumber  yard  in  Grinnell,  is  accounted  one 
of  the  leading  and  progressive  business  men  of  the  city,  and  his  life  record  indi- 
cates what  may  be  accomplished  when  determination,  energy  and  laudable  ambi- 
tion constitute  the  foundation  for  success.  He  was  born  here  on  the  28th  of 
February,  1880,  a  son  of  Dr.  Elbert  W.  Clark,  of  whom  extended  mention  is 
made  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  He  was  one  of  the  best  lo\'ed  citizens  of  Grin- 
nell, not  alone  because  of  his  professional  skill  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  but 
also  because  of  his  ready  sympathy  and  his  kindly  assistance  whenever  aid  was 
needed. 

Under  the  parental  roof  Elbert  W.  Clark,  Jr.,  spent  his  youthful  days,  his  time 
being  largely  given  to  the  acquirement  of  an  education  in  the  public  schools,  and 
later  in  Iowa  College  of  this  city,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of 
1900,  winning  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science.  There  was  no  intermediate 
period  between  his  school  days  and  his  entrance  into  business  life,  for  when  he 
put  aside  his  text-books  he  at  once  sought  emiiloyment  and  secured  a  position  in 
the  lumber  yard  of  Carney  Brothers,  with  whom  he  remained  a  year  and  a  half. 
Later,  in  association  with  E.  B.  Brande,  he  purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  busi- 
ness that  belonged  to  W.  J.  Carney,  the  senior  member  of  the  firm,  at  which  time 
the  style  of  the  business  was  changed  to  Carney,  Rrande  &  Clark.  This  was  on 
the  1st  of  February,  1902.     Lender  this  organization  the  business  was  conducted 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  38 

for  the  years,  during  which  time  Mr.  Clark,  had  charge  of  the  yard,  and  in  that 
capacity  learned  all  of  the  details  of  the  lumber  business.  At  the  end  of  that 
time  he  and  j.  L.  Fellows  purchased  the  interests  of  Mr.  Carney  and  Mr.  Brande 
and  the  style  of  the  firm  became  Clark  &  Fellows,  February  i,  1907.  This  part- 
nership relation  was  maintained  for  two  years. 

Mr.  Clark  is  today  one  of  the  best  informed  men  concerning  lumber  in  this 
section  of  the  state  and  he  has  displayed  skill  and  ability  as  a  manager.  On  the 
1st  of  February,  1909,  he  purchased  his  partner's  interest  in  the  business,  since 
which  time  he  has  conducted  his  lumber  yard  independently.  For  the  past  three 
years  he  has  also  operated  a  branch  yard  at  Vancleve,  Iowa,  and  in  Grinnell  is 
known  as  the  president  of  the  Grinnell  Planing  Mill  Company  and  also  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  People's  Light  &  Fuel  Company.  He  pos- 
sesses that  keen  insight  into  business  affairs  which,  for  want  of  a  better  term, 
has  been  called  commercial  sense.  His  plans  are  carefully  made  and  then  force- 
fully executed  and  what  he  undertakes  he  carries  forward  to  successful  com- 
pletion. 

On  the  20th  of  April,  1904,  Mr.  Clark  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ada 
\alleau,  of  Grinnell,  a  daughter  of  Mrs.  Angie  Valleau  of  this  city,  and  they  now 
have  one  son,  E.  W.  Clark  III.  In  politics  Mr.  Clark  is  an  earnest  republican,  but 
not  an  office  seeker.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  58, 
I.  O.  O.  F.  and  with  Marshalltown  Lodge,  No.  312,  B.  P.  O.  E.  He  is  a  charter 
member  of  Poweshiek  Club  and  both  he  and  his  wife  hold  membership  in  the 
Congregational  church.  Having  spent  his  entire  life  in  Grinnell,  he  is  very  widely 
known  and  the  many  sterling  qualities  of  character  which  he  has  developed  has 
made  him  a  popular  citizen  as  well  as  a  progressive,  enterprising  and  prosperous 
business  man. 


SAMUEL  J.  SNIDER. 


Samuel  J.  Snider,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  in  Union  township,  was 
born  in  the  township  where  he  is  now  residing  on  the  12th  of  March,  1855,  ^^'^ 
is  the  eldest  son  of  the  late  John  and  Rachel  (Durbin)  Snider.  The  father  was 
a  native  of  Tuscarawas  county,  Ohio,  and  the  mother  of  Muskingimi  county,  that 
state.  John  Snider,  who  was  a  lumberman,  came  to  Poweshiek  county  as  a  young 
man  and  engaged  in  farming,  continuing  to  be  identified  with  that  vocation  until 
about  five  years  prior  to  his  death,  at  which  time  he  retired.  The  mother  has 
also  passed  away.  L'nto  them  were  born  eight  children,  five  of  whom  are  living, 
namely:  Samuel  J.,  our  subject:  Morton  L.,  who  is  residing  in  Union  township; 
( "icorge  B.  and  Martha,  both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  Alice,  who  married  Stephen 
Rivers,  also  of  Union  township ;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Grant  Johnson,  of  this 
township:  Cora,  who  married  John  W.  Rogers,  of  Bates  county,  Missouri;  and 
■■"rank,  deceased.  The  family  attended  the  Christian  church,  of  which  the  father 
was  for  many  years  an  elder,  while  his  political  allegiance  was  accorded  the  dem- 
ocratic party  and  he  served  his  township  in  the  capacity  of  school  director. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Samuel  J.  Snider  did  not  differ  save  in  detail  from 
those  of  other  farmer  lads  of  that  period  and  like  circumstances.     His  time  was 


34  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

divided  between  the  work  of  tlie  schoolroom  and  the  ])erformance  of  such  tasks 
as  were  assigned  by  parental  authority,  while  for  recreation  he  indulged  in  the 
sports  in  which  young  people  in  the  more  sparsely  settled  communities  usually 
revel.  In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  he  attended  the  district  schools  in  his 
vicinity,  and  after  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  work 
of  the  farm.  Later  he  worked  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand,  being  thus  em- 
ployed until  he  attained  his  majority.  He  subsequently  jnirchased  forty-two  acres 
of  land  and  engaged  in  general  farming.  Having  met  with  a  fair  degree  of  suc- 
cess in  his  ventures  he  has  since  added  to  his  original  tract  until  he  now  owns  one 
hundred  and  two  acres  of  land,  which  is  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation. 

Ever  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  suffrage  Mr.  Snider  has  given 
his  political  support  to  the  candidates  of  the  democratic  party,  while  his  religious 
views  are  manifested  through  his  affiliation  with  the  Christian  church,  of  which  he 
was  formerly  a  deacon.  He  has  always  led  a  quiet,  unobtrusive  life  but  is 
known  to  be  a  kind  neighbor  and  loyal  friend. 


WILLIAM  J.  ELWOOD. 

Of  honest  and  resolute  Irish  parentage,  William  J.  Elwood,  of  Sheridan  town- 
ship, was  endowed  at  birth  with  those  qualities  of  grit  and  perseverance  which 
generally  lead  to  the  accomplishment  of  worthy  objects.  He  is  a  native  son  of 
Iowa  and  was  born  in  Tama  county,  March  zj,  1873.  his  parents  being  James 
and  Anna  (Jackson)  Elwood.  The  father  was  born  in  Ireland  and  came  to 
•America  early  in  the  "50s,  locating  in  Tama  county,  Iowa.  The  mother  was  mar- 
ried to  Mr.  Elwood  at  Dunlap,  Iowa. 

^^'illiam  J.  Elwood  was  reared  in  his  father's  home  and  early  engaged  in  rail- 
road construction  in  Tama  county.  In  1896  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and 
engaged  in  farming,  later  renting  land  until  the  fall  of  1910,  when  he  purchased 
two  hundred  acres  on  section  24  of  Sheridan  township,  where  he  established  his 
home.  His  place  is  under  excellent  cultivation  and  is  well  watered  and  drained, 
there  being  no  waste  land  on  the  farm.  He  engages  in  general  farming  and  also 
fattens  stock  for  the  market.  His  wife  is  interested  in  the  raising  of  full-blooded 
Plymouth  Rock  chickens. 

On  the  isth  of  February,  1898,  Mr.  Elwood  was  married  to  Miss  Kate  Mul- 
ligan, a  daughter  of  Michael  and  Anna  (Martin)  Mulligan,  who  came  from 
County  Louth,  Ireland,  to  America  after  their  marriage  in  the  early  part  of  the 
■50s.  They  located  on  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  in  Sheridan  township,  Powe- 
shiek county,  and,  in  1895,  Mr,  Mulligan  purchased  eighty  acres  additional  in 
Chester  township.  In  1904  he  moved  to  Tama,  where  he  still  lives.  Mrs.  Mulli- 
gan died  about  1886  at  the  old  homestead  in  Sheridan  township.  Air.  and  Mrs. 
Elwood  are  the  parents  of  one  child,  .Anna  .\rlene.  She  was  born  March  31, 
1902,  and  is  now  attending  the  Hickory  Grove  district  school. 

Mr.  Elwood  and  his  family  are  sincere  members  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church 
of  Tama.  He  gives  his  support  politically  to  the  democratic  party  and  is  a  great 
admirer  of  William  Jennings  P.ryan,  considering  him  one  of  the  brightest  politi- 


IITSTORV  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  35 

cal  leaders  that  America  has  ever  known.  As  a  good  friend  of  education  Mr.  El- 
wood  has  served  very  acceptably  as  member  of  the  school  board  of  District  No. 
8,  Sheridan  township.  He  is  interested  in  all  movements  for  the  promotion  of 
the  permanent  welfare  of  the  county  and  is  at  the  present  time  a  member  of  the 
board  of  directors  of  the  Sheridan  Creamery  Company.  Although  in  actual  own- 
ership of  his  farm  but  comparatively  a  short  time,  he  has  demonstrated  his  ability 
as  an  agriculturist,  and  his  place  promises  to  become  one  of  the  highly  productive 
properties  of  this  part  of  the  county.  His  success  is  well  deserved,  as  it  is  the  re- 
sult of  years  of  well  directed  labor. 


WILLIAM  ASBURY  TAYLOR. 

William  Asbury  Taylor,  who  owns  the  Searsboro  Telephone  Company, 
was  born  in  Yadkin  county,  North  Carolina,  on  the  29th  of  March,  1852.  He 
is  a  son  of  Mathew  and  Mary  (Michaels)  Taylor,  also  natives  of  North  Caro- 
lina. The  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  came  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1855,  locat- 
ing in  Union  township,  where  he  purchased  a  farm.  When  the  call  came  for 
men  in  1862  he  enlisted  in  Company  C,  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry 
and  went  to  the  front,  where  he  remained  for  three  years,  receiving  his  dis- 
charge at  Atlanta,  Georgia,  in  1865.  His  political  support  Mr.  Taylor  always 
gave  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party,  while  he  kept  in  touch 
with  his  comrades  of  the  field  through  the  medium  of  his  connection  with  the 
G.  A.  R.  In  matters  religious  both  hei  and  Mrs.  Taylor  manifested  their  views 
through  their  affiliation  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Unto  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Taylor  was  born  nine  children,  as  follows :  William  Asbury,  our  subject ; 
Nancy,  the  widow  of  J.  A.  Kline,  of  Washington  township ;  Sarah,  the  wife  of 
N.  W.  Pierce,  of  Blue  Point,  Washington  township ;  John,  who  is  deceased ; 
Dorcas ;  Frank,  deceased ;  Finley,  who  is  a  resident  of  Grinnell ;  and  Ella,  the 
wife  of  Ira  C.  Heeler,  also  a  resident  of  Washington  township,  and  one  who 
died  in  infancy,  being  the  sixth  child  in  order  of  birth. 

After  the  completion  of  his  preliminary  education,  which  was  acquired  in 
the  common  schools,  William  Asbury  Taylor  studied  for  a  time  at  Iowa  Col- 
lege, Grinnell,  Iowa,  following  which  he  taught  school  for  a  few  years.  Decid- 
mg  at  the  end  of  that  period  that  he  preferred  farming  he  went  to  Washington 
township  where  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  1881.  For  two  years 
thereafter  he  conducted  a  general  merchandise  business  in  Searsboro,  but  in 
1883  he  returned  to  farming.  In  1908  he  bought  the  Searsboro  Telephone  Com- 
pany, with  which  he  continues  to  be  successfully  identified.  They  have  over 
two  hundred  and  twenty  subscribers  on  the  line  and  their  business  is  constantly 
increasing. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  united  in  marriage  on  the  17th  of  October,  1872,  to  Miss 
Minnie  Reed,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Malvina  (Wood)  Reed  of  Mahaska 
county,  Iowa.  The  father  was  a  native  of  England  and  the  mother  of  New 
York  state,  where  they  were  married.  Mr.  Reed  emigrated  to  the  L^nited 
States  in  his  early  manhood,  locating  in  the  state  of  New  York  where  he  en- 


36  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

gaged  in  contracting.  In  1855  together  with  his  wife  and  family  he  came  to 
Poweshiek  county,  continuing  to  follow  his  trade,  and  he  also  worked  in  the 
mines  in  the  vicinity  of  New  Sharon,  Iowa.  He  served  for  three  or  four  years 
in  the  Tenth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry  during  the  Civil  War,  being  honorably 
discharged.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican  and  both  he  and  his  wife  affiliated 
with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

Mrs.  Taylor  is  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  her  birth  having  occurred 
there  on  the  nth  of  May,  1854.  Ten  children  have  been  born'  of  the  union  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor,  the  order  of  their  birth  being  as  follows :  Frankie,  who 
is  deceased ;  May,  the  wife  of  J.  W.  P'layle,  residing  in  the  vicinity  of  Monte- 
zuma; Nina,  the  deceased  wife  of  Frank  Morrison;  Charles,  who  lives  in  Pleas- 
ant township;  Fred,  a  resident  of  Washington  township;  Clara,  the  wife  of 
R.  D.  Ready,  of  Hayes  county,  Nebraska ;  John,  who  is  living  in  the  same  place ; 
and  Frank,  Henry  and  Pearl,  all  of  whom  are  at  home. 

In  religious  matters  the  views  of  the  family  coincide  with  those  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  denomination,  the  parents  being  affiliated  with  the  church  at 
Blue  Point,  and  fraternally  Mr.  Taylor  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  He 
casts  his  ballot  for  the  candidates  of  the  republican  party  and  served  for  sev- 
eral terms  as  school  trustee,  township  clerk  and  assessor,  while  for  eighteen 
years  he  was  secretary  of  the  township  school  board.  He  is  one  of  the  public- 
spirited  and  progressive  citizens,  as  well  as  capable  business  men  of  Searsboro. 
where  he  is  widely  known-  and  highly  regarded. 


WILLIAM  STEELE  SANDERS. 

.\mong  the  esteemed  citizens  of  Grinnell  township  is  William  Steele  Sanders, 
the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  and  a  man  whose  sterling 
traits  of  character  have  gained  for  him  the  highest  respect  and  confidence.  He 
is  a  native  son  of  Iowa,  born  at  Grinnell,  January  30,  1873,  his  parents  being 
George  Lucius  and  Mary  (Steele)  Sanders.  The  father  was  a  native  of  New 
Ipswich.  New  Hampshire,  and  the  mother  of  Arcade,  New  York.  They  were 
married  at  Arcade  in  1870  but  had  both  livetl  at  Grinnell,  having  come  to  Iowa  in 
1863.  ;\Ir.  Sanders  was  for  a  number  of  years  proprietor  of  the  Sanders  House 
and  later  engaged  in  farming.  He  subsequently  moved  to  Modesto,  California. 
Politically  he  gave  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  in  religious  belief  w'as 
affiliated  with  the  Congregational  church. 

The  mother  of  our  subject  was  a  daughter  of  Alonzo  and  Ann  D.  (Tracy) 
Steele.  Her  father  was  born  near  Arcade,  New  York,  August  15,  1816,  and  be- 
came a  student  at  Oberlin  College,  where  he  met  Miss  Ann  D.  Tracy,  who  was 
also  a  student  there,  and  their  acquaintance  led  to  their  marriage.  He  engaged 
in  the  woolen  business  at  Arcade,  New  York,  and  in  1863  came  to  Poweshiek 
county,  Iowa,  where  Professor  Parker  had  invested  in  land  for  him,  buying  it  at 
ten  dollars  per  acre.  This  land  became  the  family  homestead.  Mr.  Steele  en- 
gaged in  the  lumber  business  at  Grinnell  and  later  in  the  sale  of  agricultural  imple- 
ments,  this   business  developing  into  a   large   hardware   store,  which   was  con- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  39 

ducted  under  the  name  of  Graver,  Steele  &  Austin.  The  company  continued  for 
twenty-five  years  at  Grinnell  and  then  moved  to  Harvey,  Illinois,  where  they  met 
with  reverses  and  the  business  was  abandoned.  Mr.  Steele  was  an  earnest  mem- 
ber of  the  Congregational  church  and  a  liberal  contributor  toward  all  Christian 
enterprises.  Originally  he  was  identified  with  the  whig  party  but  he  became  a 
republican  and  continued  as  a  supporter  of  the  republican  party  during  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  He  was  an  active  worker  in  politics  but  never  sought  the 
honors  or  emoluments  of  office.  His  wife  was  a  woman  of  a  remarkably  bright 
mind,  a  sincere  Christian  and  a  true  philanthropist.  Her  home  was  noted  as  a 
center  of  hospitality  and  kindliness.  She  passed  away  in  1853.  In  the  family 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Steele  were  three  children :  Mary,  who  married  George  Lucius 
Sanders ;  Louise,  who  is  deceasetl ;  and  Myra,  also  deceased.  A  professorship  in 
mathematics  at  Grinnell  College  was  established  by  Mr.  Steele  as  a  memorial  to 
his  daughter  Myra. 

William  Steele  Sanders  received  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Grinnell  and  later  entered  Grinnell  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in  1895 
with  the  degree  of  I!.  S.  He  was  attracted  to  agricultural  pursuits  and  has  de- 
voted his  attention  to  farming,  being  now  the  owner  of  one  of  the  most  desirable 
farms  of  Grinnell  township.  It  comprises  one  hundred  and  si.xty  acres  of  the  land 
which  was  acquired  by  his  grandfather  nearly  fifty  years  ago  and  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  which  he  purchased  as  a  result  of  his  own  well  directed  labors. 
In  connection  with  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  he  raises  and  feeds  stock  and,  as  he 
is  both  scientific  and  practical  in  his  methods,  the  results  are  very  satisfactory. 

In  January.  1899,  Mr.  Sanders  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Delia  Andrews, 
a  native  of  Ladora,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  Daniel  Andrews,  who  was  a  resident 
of  (irinnell  for  several  years  and  is  now  living  in  California.  Three  children  have 
come  to  bless  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sanders:  Lyman  A.,  Robert  R.  and  Mary 
Elizabeth. 

Mr.  Sanders  politically  is  allied  with  the  republican  party  and  in  religious 
belief  he  adheres  to  the  Congregational  church.  He  has  spent  his  entire  life  in 
Poweshiek  county  and  through  his  business  ability  and  spirit  of  progressiveness 
he  has  gained  a  host  of  friends.  He  is  a  representative  of  the  younger  generation 
of  farmers,  who  possess  advantages  of  training  unknown  to  their  fathers  and  oc- 
cupy advanced  lines  in  all  departments  of  the  industry.  By  a  useful  and  honor- 
able life  he  has  acquired  a  standing  which  is  of  vastly  greater  value  than  immense 
wealth  gained  through  questionable  methods. 


ORLANDO  D.  HALL. 


Orlando  D.  Hall  is  well  known  as  the  owner  of  the  Maple  Lawn  Farm, 
located  on  section  3,  Scott  township,  Poweshiek  county,  and  his  popularity 
among  his  fellow  townsmen  has  been  proven  by  the  fact  that  in  IQ06.  although 
living  in  a  republican  stronghold,  he  was  elected  on  the  democratic  ticket  to 
the  office  of  county  supervisor.     He  is  a  native  of   Berrien  county,   Michigan, 


40  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

his  birth  having  occurred  May  4,  1852.  His  parents  were  George  and  Kath- 
arine (Deardorff)  Hall,  the  former  born  in  Butler  count)-,  Ohio,  in  February, 
1826,  while  the  latter  claims  Indiana  as  the  state  of  her  nativity.  The  father 
removed  to  Michigan  from  Ohio  with  his  parents  when  he  was  a  lad  of  ten 
years  but  after  one  year  the  family  returned  to  Ohio  and  there  the  grand- 
father passed  away.  The  father  of  our  subject,  however,  remained  in  Berrien 
county,  Michigan,  until  1865.  when  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Poweshiek 
county,  Iowa,  and  engaged  in  farming.  He  was  a  prosperous  man  and  became 
the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  rich  farming  land.  He  died  here 
on  the  I2th  of  January.  1898,  at  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  The  mother, 
however,  still  survives  and  makes  her  home  in  Brooklyn.  Their  family  num- 
bered seven  children,  namely :  Orlando  D.,  of  this  review  ;  Curtis,  a  resident 
of  Madison  county,  Iowa;  Eldon  L.,  of  Scott  township,  who  is  mentioned  else- 
where in  this  volume:  Cass  L.,  of  Brooklyn;  Charles  H.,  who  is  also  mentioned 
in  this  work;  Myrtle,  of  Brooklyn;  and  Guy  O..  whi>  makes  his  home  in 
Malcom. 

O.  D.  Hall  was  reared  in  the  state  of  his  nativit\-  tu  the  age  of  thirteen  years, 
at  which  time  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Poweshiek  county, 
the  family  home  being  established  on  a  farm  in  Bear  Creek  township,  just 
across  the  road  from  the  present  home  of  our  subject.  At  that  time  much  of  tiie 
land  was  unbroken  prairie  and  the  homes  of  the  settlers  were  widely  scattered. 
He  assisted  his  father  in  breaking  new  land  anil  making  a  home  and  his  ex- 
perience then  proved  of  value  to  him  when  making  a  home  for  himself.  He 
remained  with  his  father  until  1875.  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Savilla 
Shuler,  who  was  born  in  Lycoming  count)',  Pennsylvania,  February  2,  1856,  a 
daughter  of  George  and  Sarah  ( W'oodley )  Shuler.  The  father  died  in  the 
Keystone  state  in  1868,  after  which  the  daughter  accompanied  her  mother  to 
Poweshiek  county  in  1874.  The  mother  passed  away  here  on  the  27th  of 
February,   1895. 

Following  his  marriage  Mr.  Hall  located  on  his  farm  of  two  hundred  acres 
on  section  3,  Scott  township,  which  at  that  time  was  unbroken  prairie.  He  at 
Once  set  to  work  to  break  the  land  and  cultivate  his  fields  and  as  time  passed 
he  gathered  rich  harvests  as  a  reward  for  the  labor  which  he  bestowed  upon  it. 
He  also  made  all  the  improvements  on  the  place,  building  a  good  substantial 
residence  and  outbuildings,  all  of  which  work  was  done  with  his  own  hands 
with  the  exception  of  some  help  he  received  in  the  construction  of  the  house. 
His  place  is  now  known  as  the  Maple  Lawn  Farm  and  is  one  of  the  most 
beautiful,  as  well  as  i^roductive  tracts,  in  this  section  of  the  county.  He  gives 
his  time  to  general  farming  and  stock-raising  and  also  does  some  feeding.  He 
follows  modern  methods  in  carrying  on  his  work  and  his  success  is  well  mer- 
ited for  it  has  come  to  him  through  his  own  well  directed  labors  and  sound 
business  judgment. 

The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  has  been  blessed  with  eight  children : 
Sherman,  of  Scott  township;  Carrie,  the  wife  of  B.  F.  Kensinger,  of  Bear  Creek 
township ;  Homer,  who  makes  his  home  in  Huron,  South  Dakota ;  Glenn,  who 
is  attending  school  in  Davenport,  Iowa;  Kathryn,  the  wife  of  Glenn  Crider,  of 
Bear  Creek  township ;  and  Fred,  Clyde  and  Helen,  all  at  home. 


HISTORY  UF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  41 

Mr.  Hall  has  been  a  lifelong  democrat  and  on  that  ticket  in  1906  was 
elected  as  county  supervisor,  his  term  of  service  beginning  on  the  1st  of  Jan- 
uary, 1907,  and  he  was  the  first  democrat  to  hold  that  position  in  the  county, 
this  being  a  republican  stronghnld.  He  was  elected  for  a  second  term,  polling 
all  but  thirteen  out  of  the  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  votes  cast  in  Scott  town- 
ship. He  has  also  filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  and  has  served  in 
other  minor  offices  of  the  township.  He  is  a  popular  official  and  ever  discharges 
his  iluties  with  the  same  fidelity  that  he  conducts  his  private  business  afifairs. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  lodge,  and  he  and  his  family  attend 
and  support  the .  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Having  resided  in  Poweshiek 
county  for  forty-six  years,  Mr.  Hall  feels  a  deep  interest  in  its  welfare  and  is 
ever  found  ready  to  do  what  he  can  to  advance  its  interests,  while  at  the  same 
time  he  is  meeting  with  success  in  the  conduct  of  his  own  business  affairs. 


FRED   BAUSTIAN. 


As  the  name  indicates,  Fred  Baustian  comes  of  German  ancestry  and  the 
traits  of  character  which  ever  mark  the  people  of  that  nationality  are  strongly 
manifest  in  his  life.  He  is  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land  on 
section  4,  Pleasant  township,  and  here  he  is  devoting  his  energies  to  its  further 
improvement  and  cultivation. 

Mr.  Baustian  is  a  native  of  Poweshiek  county,  born  in  Chester  township, 
July  12,  1872,  a  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Schmidt)  Baustian,  both  of 
whom  were  born  in  Germany,  the  former  in  Pashinn,  January  26,  1837.  He 
was  a  young  man  of  twenty-one  years  when  he  emigrated  to  the  new  world 
with  his  parents,  the  date  of  their  arrival  being  June  21,  1861.  They  located 
in  Illinois  and  it  was  in  Lockport,  that  state,  that  George  Baustian  was  married, 
on  the  13th  of  October,  1861,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Schmidt.  He  remained  in 
Illinois  until  the  spring  of  1866,  when  he  removed  with  the  family  to  Jasper 
county,  Iowa,  where  he  made  his  home  for  five  years.  He  then  came  to 
Poweshiek  county  and  engaged  in  farming,  in  which  he  continued  until  in  May, 
1901,  when  he  suffered  a  stroke  of  paralysis.  He  remained  in  an  invalid  con- 
dition until  his  sufferings  were  terminated  by  death  on  the  i6th  of  November. 
igo6,  when  he  was  in  his  seventieth  year.  He  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the 
Lutheran  church  and  was  a  member  of  that  denomination  in  Malcom.  He  vvas 
an  industrious  man  and  led  an  upright  life,  his  genial  spirit  and  kindly  deeds 
endearing  him  to  all  those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  His  widow,  who 
was  born  in  Germany,  May  9,  1835,  still  survives,  and  now  makes  her  home  with 
her  daughter,  Mrs.  Appleby,  in  Chester  township.  By  her  marriage  she  became 
the  mother  of  eight  children ;  John,  a  resident  of  Rock  Rapids,  Iowa ;  George ; 
Henry;  Peter;  Joseph;  Fred;  Emma,  the  wife  of  Andrew  Appleby,  of  Chester 
township ;  and  Sophie,  deceased  wife  of  John  P.altisberger,  of  Poweshiek  county. 

Fred  Baustian  spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  under  the  parental 
roof  and  was  early  trained  to  habits  of  industry  and  economy,  which  have 
proved  valuable  assets^  in  his  later  life.     .\t  the  time  of  his  marriage  he  started 


42  ■  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

out  upon  an  independent  business  venture,  operating  rented  land  for  five 
years.  He  then  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Chester 
township  but  sold  this  and  bought  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
acres  in  March,  1906,  this  farm  being  located  on  section  4,  Pleasant  township. 
He  here  gives  his  time  and  attention  to  general  farming,  and  his  labors  have 
brougln  him  a  gratifying  measure  of  prosperity. 

Mr.  Baustian  was  married  February  14,  1895,  to  Miss  Henrietta  Schultz. 
who  was  born  in  Sheridan  township,  November  8,  1873,  a  daughter  of  Carl 
Heinrich  Martin  and  Augusta  (P.lat)  Schultz.  Her  father  was  born  September 
I,  1843,  in  Richtenberg,  Pomerania,  Prussia,  and  came  w-ith  his  parents  to 
America  in  1855,  the  family  home  being  established  at  Princeton,  Illinois. 
After  residing  for  ten  years  in  that  state,  the  family  removed  to  Poweshiek 
county,  and  here  Mr.  Schultz  followed  farming  in  Sheridan  township  for  many 
years  but  the  last  five  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  Malconi.  where  he  was 
called  to  his  final  rest,  when  more  than  sixty-two  years  of  age.  His  widow 
still  survives  and  makes  her  home  in  Brooklyn.  Their  marriage  was  blessed 
with  seven  children  but  two  of  the  number  are  deceased:  Minnie  and  August, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  Those  living  are:  Lena,  the  wife  of  Peter 
Baustian  ;  Henrietta,  the  wife  of  our  subject ;  Jacob ;  Theodore  F. ;  and  Ger- 
trude. All  are  residents  of  Poweshiek  county.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baustian 
have  been  born  three  children  ;  Alfred.  Carrie  and  Grace. 

Mr.  Baustian  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  his 
religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  of  Mal- 
com.  He  is  a  representative  young  farmer,  who  rapidly  discerns  opportunities 
of  advancement  and  is  working  his  way  to  the  front  among  the  substantial 
citizens  of  Poweshiek  county. 


SAMUEL  S.  ORMISTON. 

An  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  located  on  section  13. 
Madison  township,  pays  sterling  tribute  to  the  care  and  attention  bestowed  upon 
it  by  Samuel  S.  Ormiston,  one  of  the  progressive  and  jjrosperous  agriculturists 
of  this  locality. 

He  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Ohio,  on  the  i8th  of  June,  1857,  a  son 
of  John  and  Harriett  (Disbro)  Ormiston.  The  former  was  born  in  Scotland 
about  1822  and  when  a  little  lad  of  but  two  years  of  age  came  with  his  parents 
to  America,  the  family  home  being  established  in  Washington  county,  Ohio.  There 
he  spent  practically  his  entire  lifetime,  giving  his  attention  during'  the  period  of 
his  business  career  to  the  occupation  of  farming.  His  death  occurred  there  in 
February,  1894.  His  wife,  who  was  a  native  of  New  York,  accompanied  her 
parents  to  Ohio  when  but  a  child.  Her  father  was  drowned  in  the  Muskingum 
river,  near  Zanesville,  Ohio.  She  met  and  married  lohn  Ormiston  in  Washing- 
ton county,  Ohio,  and  still  survives  him,  making  her  home  on'  the  old  homestead 
with  her  youngest  daughter,  Mrs.  James'  Schweikert. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  43 

Samuel  S.  Ormiston  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Ohio,  spending  the  pe- 
riod of  his  boyhood  and  youth  amid  the  wholesome  influences  of  rural  life,  and  re- 
mained with  his  father  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he  came  west  to 
Iowa,  locating  in  Brooklyn,  Poweshiek  county.  Here  he  worked  at  farm  labor 
by  the  month  for  three  years,  after  which  he  made  his  way  to  Jefferson  township 
where  two  years  were  devoted  to  the  operation  of  a  rented  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres.  The  three  following  years  were  given  to  the  cultivation  of  a 
rented  farm  in  Scott  township,  after  which  he  took  a  year's  trip,  driving  through 
Kansas  and  Nebraska  in  search  of  a  favorable  location.  After  a  thorough  investi- 
gation he  purchased  two  hundred  acres  in  Nebraska,  which  remained  in  !iis  pos- 
session until  nineteen  years  ago.  After  his  return  to  Iowa  he  rented  a  farm  in 
Warren  township  for  two  years,  and  then  operated  the  Garvin  Lang  place  in 
Madison  township  in  the  capacity  of  renter  for  five  yea.rs. 

In  1892  he  purchased  his  present  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
located  on  section  15,  Madison  township,  whereon  he  has  since  continued  to  re- 
side. Here  he  engages  in  general  farming  and  also  devotes  much  of  his  time  to 
stock-raising,  being  the  owner  of  a  fine  recorded  herd  of  Hereford  cattle.  He 
also  raises  a  good  grade  of  hogs  and  for  the  past  twenty-five  years  has  made  a 
specialty  of  breeding  Plymouth  Rock  chickens,  every  year  hatching  from  five  to 
six  hundred  chickens.  He  is  well  known  throughout  the  township  for  the  ex- 
cellent grade  of  his  stock  and  he  has  so  carefully  managed  his  interests  that  today 
he  is  ranked  among  the  most  substantial  farmers  and  stock-raisers  in  this  locality. 

On  the  i8th  of  February,  1881,  Mr.  Ormiston  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  Katharine  Torrance,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Mary  (Barr)  Torrance, 
both  natives  of  Ireland.  The  father,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Garvah,  London- 
tlerry  county,  was  there  reared,  and  when  a  youth  of  seventeen  years  he  came 
alone  to  the  United  States,  determining  to  seek  a  home  and  fortune  on  this  side 
of  the  Atlantic.  He  resided  in  Philadelphia  for  a  time  where  he  was  engaged  as 
cabinet-maker,  and  later  assisted  in  the  construction  of  the  Lehigh  canal.  He 
then  purchased  a  boat,  which  he  operated  as  captain  on  the  canal  for  a  time,  and 
subsequently  took  up  railroad  contracting,  being  employed  on  the  construction  of 
the  L'nion  Pacific  road.  In  1878  Mr.  Torrance  came  to  Iowa,  locating  on  a  farm 
in  Jefferson  township,  Poweshiek  county,  and  there  on  one  farm  resided  for 
twenty-three  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  removed  to  Hartwick, 
Jefferson  to\\'nship,  where  he  now  makes  his  home.  His  wife,  who  was  born 
near  Coleraine,  Londonderry  county,  Ireland,  is  now  deceased,  her  death  occur- 
ring on  the  i6th  of  February,  sixteen  years  ago,  on  the  farm  near  Hartwick. 
L'nto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ormiston  have  been  born  four  children :  William  Frederick, 
the  eldest,  resides  with  his  parents  on  the  home  farm.  He  formerly  engaged  in 
school  teaching  and  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
Mabel  Torrance  married  Homer  A.  Carpenter,  who  is  well  known  among  the 
younger  farmers  of  Madison  township,  and  they  now  have  one  daughter,  \'era 
Helen,  three  years  of  age ;  Mary  Harriett  resides  at  home  and  teaches  school  in 
district  No.  5,  Madison  township ;  and  Susan  Florence,  the  youngest  of  the  fam- 
ily, lives  at  home  and  attends  the  school  taught  by  her  sister.  At  one  time  all 
three  daughters  attended  the  school  in  the  home  district  of  which  their  brother 
William  was  teacher. 


44  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Mr.  Ormiston  has  given  his  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republi- 
can party  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.  His  fellow  citi- 
zens have  honored  him  by  election  to  the  various  positions  of  public  trust  and  he 
has  acted  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  four  years.  He  also  served  on  the  school 
board  for  one  term  and  has  filled  the  office  of  township  trustee  for  four  years, 
while  in  191 1  he  was  reelected  for  another  term  of  two  years.  The  owner  of  a 
well  improved  farming  property,  and  progressive  and  practical  in  the  conduct  of 
his  business  affairs,  he  is  now  numbered  among  the  substantial  and  well-to-do 
residents  of  Malcom  township,  while  his  life,  ever  upright  and  h.-inorable,  has 
gained  for  him  the  warm  esteem  and  unf|ualified  confidence  of  those  with  whom 
he  has  been  brought  into  contact. 


CAPTAIN  GEORGE  PHILLIES. 

Coming  to  Brooklyn  when  its  population  numbered  but  one  hundred  and  fifty 
p)eople.  Captain  George  Phillips  has  watched  it  develop  into  a  flourishing  village 
of  fifteen  hundred  inhabitants,  and  during  the  period  of  his  residence  here  he  has 
occupied  a  prominent  place  in  the  community,  his  activity  in  both  business  and 
public  interests  proving  a  stimulating  and  potent  force  toward  progress  and  im- 
provement along  various  lines.         .,  • 

Born  in  Onondaga  county.  New  York,  on  the  13th  of  August,  1835,  he  is  a 
son  of  George  and  Betsy  (Craig)  Phillips,  natives  of  Bristol,  England,  where 
they  were  reared  and  married.  Thinking  to  find  better  business  opportunities  in 
the  new  world,  the  father  came  alone  to  the  United  States  in  1833,  locating  in 
Marcellus,  Onondaga  county.  New  York,  and  a  year  later  was  followed  by  his 
wife  and  family,  consisting  then  of  a  son  and  daughter.  The  parents  spent  their 
remaining  days  upon  the  farm  where  they  had  first  located,  the  father  passing 
away  when  Captain  Phillips  was  very  young.  He  had  been  a  farmer  through- 
out his  lifetime  and  was  the  first  to  introduce  the  growing  of  teasels  into 
America.  After  his  arrival  in  this  country  the  family  of  George  Phillips.  Sr., 
was  increased  to  four  children,  as  follows:  Eliza,  who  was  the  wife  of  Ralph 
McKinney  and  died  in  Illinois  in  1907 ;  Edward,  a  resident  of  Wolsey,  South 
Dakota;  George,  of  this  review;  and  A.  W.,  a  physician  residing  in  Derby, 
Connecticut,  who  is  also  a  member  of  the  senate  of  that  state.  The  last  named 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Union  army  during  the  time  of  the  Civil  war,  enlist- 
ing from  Onondaga  county,  New  York,  in  the  Twelfth  New  York  Regiment, 
and  later  serving  as  assistant  surgeon  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-ninth 
New  York  Infantry. 

Captain  George  Phillips  spent  the  first  twenty  years  of  his  life  in  Onondaga 
and  Cayuga  counties.  New  York,  and  in  1855  sought  the  opjjortunities  of  the 
growing  west,  making  his  way  to  Iroquois  county.  Illinois.  After  two  years 
there  spent  he  went  to  Dubuque,  Iowa,  and  thence  to  Waterloo,  where  he  spent 
the  winter.  When  a  young  man  of  twenty  years  of  age  he  had  learned  the  car- 
penter's trade,  and  followed  that  occupation  in  both  Illinois  and  Iowa,  assisting 
in  the  building  of  one  of  the  first  railroad  bridges  in  the  latter  state.     He  also 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


/■.). 


:^^n//:/,j 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PU'BLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWESilJEK  COUNTY  49 

hel])cd  to  build  the  first  packing  house  at  Ottumwa,  Iowa,  and  was  variously 
engaged  at  his  trade  until  July,  18O0.  when  he  came  to  Brooklyn,  Poweshiek 
county,  and  has  since  been  a  resident  of  this  place. 

At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  assisted  in  organizing  Company  H,  Twenty- 
eighth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  in  August,  1862,  was  mustered  in  as  lirst 
lieutenant  of  his  company.  Later,  on  the  3d  of  August,  1863,  he  was  pro- 
moted to  the  rank  of  captain  of  the  same  company  and  as  such  served  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  His  regiment  was  one  of  the  three  Iowa  regiments  to  take 
part  in  the  operations  in  the  Shenandoah  valley  under  General  Sheridan,  and 
he  also  saw  service  in  thirteen  important  battles  as  well  as  many  minor  en- 
gagements. Captain  Phillips  partucipated  in  every  engagement  in  which  his 
regiment  took  part  with  the  exception  of  one,  the  battle  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads, 
at  which  time  he  was  in  a  hospital  in  New  Orleans.  At  die  close  of  hostilities 
he  was  mustered  out  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  and  returned  home  with  a  military 
record  that  was  most  honorable  and  creditable. 

When  his  country  no  longer  needed  his  services  Captain  Phillips  once  more 
took  up  civil  pursuits,  entering  business  in  connection  with  O.  F.  Dorrance, 
under  the  firm  style  of  Phillips  &  Dorrance,  dealers  in  general  merchandise. 
He  was  thus  engaged  for  eight  years  and  then  retired  from  business  activities 
to  give  his  entire  attention  to  the  duties  of  public  office,  to  which  he  had 
been  elected  by  his  fellow  townsmen.  He  had  been  most  fortunate  in  his 
business  ventures,  winning  a  success  which  now  ranks  him  among  the  substan- 
tial and  well-to-do  citizens  of  Poweshiek  county.  He  now  owns  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  rich  land  six  miles  south  of  Brooklyn  and  three-quarters  of 
a  section  in  Minnesota.  He  is  the  president  of  Yellowstone  Valley  Land  Com- 
jiany,  Inc.,  and  in  this  connection  was ''associated  with  five  others  in  the  owner- 
ship of  fifty  thousand  acres  of  land  in  Dawson  County,  Montana,  which  they 
have   since  sold. 

Captain  Phillips'  connection  with  the  public  life  of  Brooklyn  extends  over 
many  years  and  forms  a  period  of  continuous  and  substantial  growth  in  the  his- 
tory of  the  community.  On  the  17th  of  December,  1874,  he  was  appointed  to 
the  position  of  postmaster  of  Brooklyn,  his  term  of  office  continuing  for  thir- 
teen years,  or  until  the  election  of  Grover  Qeveland  to  the  presidency.  He 
was  then  elected  mayor  of  the  city,  his  fellow  townsmen  thus  conferring  upon 
him  the  highest  honor  in  their  power  to  bestow.  For  two  years  he  occupied 
the  office  of  chief  executive  and  during  that  time  gave  the  city  a  business  like 
and  progressive  administration.  He  next  served  for  four  years  as  clerk  of  the 
ilistrict  court.  He  was  a  member  of  the  city  council  for  several  years  and 
in  that  capacity  had  personal  charge  of  the  installation  of  the  water  system, 
and  for  several  years  also  served  on  the  board  of  education,  during  which  period 
the  new  high-school  building  was  erected.  In  fact  few  projects  having  for  their 
object  the  improvement  and  betterment  of  the  town  have  failed  to  arouse  his 
deep  interest  or  to  receive  his  hearty  indorsement  and  cooperation,  and  he  is 
numbered  among  Brooklyn's  most   representative  and  valued  residents. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1867,  Captain  Phillips  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Nancy  Elizabeth  Carson,  a  daughter  of  Edward  R.  and  Margaret  (Camp- 
bell) Carson,  of  Iowa  City,  who  were  very  early  settlers  of  Iowa.     Her  parents 


50  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COrXTY 

were  both  natives  of  Washington  county,  East  Tennessee,  the  father  burn 
July  II,  1809,  and  the  mother  in  Leesburg,  March  5,  1809.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  that  county,  August  24,  1834.  Mrs.  Philhps  was  born  near  Iowa  City 
on  the  28th  of  May,  1846,  and  had  an  elder  sister,  also  born  in  Johnson 
county,  whose  name  was  Dilla  Iowa  and  who  became  the  wife  of  Hon.  A.  J. 
Wood.  With  the  passing  years  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phillips  was  blessed 
by  the  birth  of  five  children,  as  follows:  Lela,  a  school  teacher  residing  at 
home;  A.  H.,  of  Brooklyn,  where  he  has  been  engaged  in  business  for  forty 
years,  first  as  a  merchant  in  connection  with  his  father,  whom  he  later  suc- 
ceeded, and  now  as  a  real  estate  operator;  Effie  \'.,  of  Montana,  Delia  1..  of 
Montana,  who  was  formerly  a  teacher  at  Grinnell;  and  Prescott  Bryon,  who 
was  born  on  the  nth  of  December,  1873,  and  died  two  years  later,  on  October 
28,  1875.  The  daughters  in  Montana  are  at  jaresent  holding  adjoining  claims 
at   Savage,   that   state.      ^Irs.    Phillips   died   August  8,    1902. 

Captain  Phillips  has  given  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party 
since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise,  casting  his  first  vote  for 
Fremont,  since  which  time  he  has  supported  every  candidate  for  president  on 
that  ticket.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  the  present 
time,  although  he  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Baptist  churcli.  of  which  he 
was  a  member  until  two  years  ago.  There  is  no  church  of  that  denomination  in 
Brooklyn,  however,  at  the  present  time.  In  fraternal  circles  he  is  a  Master 
Mason,  holding  membership  in  Corinthian  Lodge,  No.  174.  of  Brooklyn.  He  is 
a  charter  member  and  commander  of  John  T.  Drake  Post,  Xo.  321.  G.  A.  R., 
and  was  a  charter  member  and  first  president  of  Brooklyn  \"eteran  Union,  an 
organization  which  preceded  the  Grand  .Army  of  the  Republic  post  and  erecte  I 
the  soldiers  monument  at  this  place. 

Few  men  who  have  reached  a  place  of  independence  in  the  business  world 
today  have  started  out  in  life  with  a  more  discouraging  outlook  than  did  he 
whose  name  introduces  this  review.  Left  fatherless  at  a  very  early  age,  lie  had 
never  had  a  suit  of  clothes  that  had  not  been  made  over  from  old  garments 
until  he  was  able  to  earn  them  for  himself.  ,  When  hut  a  lad  of  ten  years  he 
was  thrown  upon  his  own  resources  to  make  his  way  in  the  world,  his  first 
position  securing  him  a  salary  of  twenty  dollars  for  si.x  months.  From  this 
humble  position  he  steadily  forged  ahead  and  utilized  every  opportunity  for 
advancement,  until  he  is  now  able  to  live  retired  from  business  activity,  a  sub- 
stantial competence  furnishing  him  with  all  of  the  comforts  of  life  without 
recourse  to  further  labor.  He  has  truly  earned  the  title  of  self-made  man 
and  richlv  deserves  the  success  whicli  is  now  his  to  enjoy. 


HARRY  F.  LAXPHERE. 

Harrv  F.  Lanphere  is  numbered  among  those  who  have  made  of  the  Citizens 
National  Bank  a  well  balanced  and  carefully  conducted  financial  enterprise.  He 
is  filling  the  position  of  cashier  and  is  proving  a  popular  officer  with  the  patrons 
of  the  bank,  to  whom  he  gives  courteous  and  faithful  attentifm.  while  at  the  same 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  51 

time  he  is  most  loyal  to  the  best  interests  of  the  iiistitutitJii  and  its  stockholders. 
Iowa  claims  him  as  a  native  son,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Davenport,  on  the 
1  ith  of  November,  1870.  His  parents  were  William  H.,  and  Esther  (Canfield) 
Lanphere,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Cattaraugus  county,  New  York,  where 
they  were  reared  and  married.  The  opportunities  of  the  west  attracted  him,  how- 
ever, and  in  1855  they  came  to  Iowa,  settling  first  in  Davenport.  On  reaching 
manhood  William  H.  Lanphere  became  express  messenger  on  the  Chicago,  Rock- 
Island  &  Pacific  Railroad,  at  which  time  Grinnell  was  the  terminus  of  the  line. 
Later  he  became  identified  with  mercantile  interests,  going  upon  the  road  as  a 
traveling  salesman.  He  represented  various  houses  in  the  state  of  Iowa  and  be- 
came widely  and  favorably  known  to  the  trade.  He  died  in  1898,  at  the  age  of 
sixty-eight  years,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  1830.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Masonic  lodge  and  a  man  well  known  throughout  the  state  of  Iowa  through  his 
fraternal  and  business  relations.  His  social  qualities  and  genuine  worth  com- 
mended him  to  the  confidence  and  good  will  of  all,  and  few  men  have  had  more 
warm  friends.     His  wife  survived  him  for  about  ten  years,  passing  away  in  igo8. 

Harry  F.  Lanphere  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  the  public  schools 
afforded  him  his  educational  privileges.  The  family  removed  from  Davenport  to 
Grinnell  in  1884  and  he  continued  his  studies  in  Grinnell  high  school,  thus  ac- 
(|uiring  a  fair  practical  education  to  equip  him  for  life's  responsible,  duties.  In 
January,  1889,  two  months  after  having  attained  his  eighteenth  year,  he  entered 
the  First  National  Bank  of  Grinnell  as  bookkeeper  and  served  in  that  cajtacity 
for  about  three  and  a  half  years,  when  he  was  made  teller.  After  filling  that  im- 
portant position  for  eight  years  he  resigned  to  enter  the  office  of  the  Spaulding 
Manufacturing  Company,  with  whom  he  was  associated  for  about  three  years, 
when  he  resigned  and  engaged  in  the  land  business.  In  July,  1904,  the  First  Na- 
tional Bank  closed  its  doors  and  soon  thereafter  Mr.  Lanphere,  recognized  that  a 
favorable  opportunity  presented  for  the  establishment  of  another  banking  enter- 
prise in  the  city,  organized  the  Citizens  National  Bank,  and  on  the  12th  of  De- 
cember. i'X)4.  the  new  institution  opened  its  doors  for  busine^s.  In  the  capacity 
of  cashier  Mr.  Lanphere  dictated  its  policy  and  has  since  beei'  most  active  in  Its 
management,  making  it  one  of  the  strong  financial  enterpr  ;es  of  Poweshiek 
county.  A  general  banking  business  is  conducted  and  the  books  of  the  company 
show  a  substantial  balance.  The  safe,  conservative  policy  instituted  has  won  the 
confidence  of  the  public  and  its  patronage  js  steadily  increasing. 

On  the  26th  of  November,  1891,  Mr.  Lanphere  was  married  to  Miss  Kate 
Yost  Grinnell,  a  daughter  of  Ezra  H.  Grinnell,  and  niece  of  Josiah  Bushnell 
Grinnell,  the  founder  of  the  town  which  bears  his  name.  L'Uto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lanphere  have  been  born  two  children,  Pauline  and  Katharine. 

Mr.  Lanphere  is  well  known  in  several  fraternal  and  social  organizations, 
holding  membership  in  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M..  Palestine  Chap- 
ter, R.  A.  M.,  and  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  175,  K.  P.  He  also  belongs  to  Franklin 
Club,  is  a  member  of  the  Poweshiek  Club  and  of  the  Grant  Club  of  Des  IMoines. 
He  is  one  of  Grinnell's  most  prominent  and  best  known  men,  actuated  in  all  that 
he  does  by  a  spirit  of  enterprise  and  progress  and  seeking  the  public  good  as  well 
as  individual  advancement  in  all  of  his  business  affairs.  What  he  has  accom- 
plished represents  the  fit  utilization  of  his  innate  talents  and  powers.     He  has 


52  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

worked  his  way  upward  along  a  path  that  is  clear  and  open  and  though  difficulties 
and  obstacles  have  beset  him,  as  they  do  in  every  business  career,  he  has  over- 
come these  by  persistent  purpose  and  stands  today  among  the  representative  men 
of  Poweshiek  countv. 


JAMES  E.  XEELY 


The  firm  anil  unfalterng  ]3urpose  which  is  an  indispensable  element  in  the 
attainment  of  success  finds  expression  in  the  life  record  of  James  E.  Neely,  who 
is  engaged  in  dealing  in  coal  in  Grinnell.  Through  sheer  force  of  perseverance 
and  capable  management  he  has  won  success  that  places  him  with  the  foremost 
business  men  of  the  city.  He  was  born  in  Fairfield,  Herkimer  county,  New  York, 
June  19,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  Jerome  and  Elizabeth  (  Nellis)  Neely,  who  were 
likewise  natives  of  Fairfield,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  The  father 
devoted  his  life  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  continued  to  reside  at  the 
place  of  his  nativity  until  his  death,  which  occurred  September  2,  1856,  when  he 
was  forty-nine  years  of  age.  The  mother  continued  her  residence  in  Fairfield 
mitil  the  fall  of  1871,  when  she  came  to  Grinnell  to  make  her  home  with  her  son 
James,  here  residing  until  her  demise  on  the  i8th  of  May,  1888. 

James  E.  Neely  spent  his  youth  in  the  Empire  state  and  the  public  schools 
afforded  him  his  early  educational  privileges,  while  later  he  had  the  benefit  of 
instruction  in  the  Fairfield  Academy.  He  took  up  teaching  at-the  age  of  si.xteen 
years  and  followed  the  profession  through  five  winter  seasons,  while  the  summer 
months  were  devoted  to  farm  work.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  made  his 
way  westward  to  Perry,  Lake  county,  Ohio,  where  he  engaged  in  the  produce 
business. 

With  the  establishment  of  a  commercial  enterprise  he  also  undertook  the  es- 
tablishment of  a  home  and  on  the  22d  of  December,  1869,  Mr.  Neely  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Lydia  A.  Wire,  a  daughter  of  Truman  Wire,  a  sawmill  man 
who  cut  the  cross  ties  that  were  used  in  the  building  of  a  section  of  the  first  Lake 
Shore  Railroad  built  through  that  part  of  the  country.  He  had  removed  from 
Yates  county,  New  York,  to  Lake  county,  Ohio,  and  it  was  while  the  family  was 
living  in  the  latter  state  that  Mr.  Neely  was  married.  He  began  his  domestic  life 
in  Ohio,  but  in  February,  1871,  he  removed  westward  to  Grinnell,  where  he  ar- 
rived on  the  28th  of  the  month.  Soon  afterward  he  purchased  a  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres,  three  miles  east  of  the  town,  and  took  up  his  abode  upon 
that  property,  continuing  its  cultivation  and  improvement  until  1804.  when  he  left 
the  farm  and  removed  to  Grinnell.  In  1873  he  began  the  manufacture  of  cheese 
in  connection  with  the  cultivation  of  his  fields,  and  statistics  show  that  he  was 
among  the  first  cheese  manufacturers  in  this  state.  He  also  developed  the  lead- 
ing enterprise  of  this  character  in  Iowa  and  conducted  his  factory  until  igo2,  when 
he  sold  his  farm  and  iliscontinued  his  factory.  On  his  removal  to  Grinnell  in 
t8c)4  he  established  himself  in  the  coal  business  and  is  today  the  leading  coal 
dealer  of  this  citv.  His  business  affairs  are  capably  and  jirofitably  managed  and 
keen  discernment  and  enterprise  are  elements  in  liis  prosperity. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHTEK  COUNTY  53 

The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  \eely  has  been  blessed  with  four  children:  Walter 
|.,  who  now  occupies  a  political  position  in  the  Grinnell  postofifice ;  Earl  M.,  of 
the  firm  of  J.  E.  Neely  &  Son,  coal  dealers;  and  Ada  P.  and  Ida  E.,  twins,  who 
died  of  diphtheria  in  1893,  one  on  the  i  ith  and  the  other  on  the  T3th  of  February. 
The  family  are  widely  and  favorably  known  in  Poweshiek  county  and  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Neely  have  a  circle  of  friends  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  their 
acquaintance,  lie  is  a  prominent  Mason,  belonging  to  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  Palestine  Chapter,  No.  loi,  R.  A.  M.;  St.  .\ndrew's  Commandery, 
No.  22,  K.  T.,  of  Newton,  Iowa  :  and  Za-Ga-Zig  Temple  of  the  Ancient  Arabic 
Order  of  the  Nobles  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  of  Des  Moines.  He  and  his  wife  are 
also  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  he  is  serving  as  one 
of  the  trustees.  In  politics  he  is  a  progressive  republican  and  has  repeatedly 
served  as  a  delegate  to  the  county  and  state  conventions.  He  has  also  been  a 
member  of  the  cit\"  council  of  Grinnell  at  various  times,  in  which  connection  he 
has  ever  exercised  his  official  prerogatives  in  support  of  many  measures  and 
movements  which  are  of  marked  value  to  the  city  in  the  promotion  of  its  best 
interests.  He  never  gives  up  a  cause  in  which  he  embarks  and,  therefore,  his 
aid  and  cooperation  are  eagerly  sought  where  the  best  interests  of  the  city  are  to 
be  conserved. 


LYMAN  A.  LONGLEY. 

Lyman  A.  Longley,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  honored  native  sons  of  Powe- 
shiek county,  whose  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Jasper  county, 
near  Grinnell,  is  now  the  home  of  his  widow  and  children.  To  him  belonged  the 
distinction  of  having  been  the  first  male  white  child  born  in  Chester  township,  his 
birth  occurring  on  the  6th  of  July,  1861.  For  many  years  he  was  a^  prominent 
farmer  and  business  man  of  this  section  and  at  his  death,  in  1909,  the  community 
mourned  the  loss  of  one  of  its  valued  citizens.  His  father,  Amos  L.  Longley,  was 
a  native  of  Maine  and  died  when  our  subject  was  only  three  years  old.  He  owned 
a  farm  of  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Chester  township,  north  of  Grinnell,  and  upon 
that  place  made  his  home  until  his  death.  His  widow,  who  bore  the  maiden  name 
of  Cordelia  Bigelow,  was  also  a  native  of  the  Pine  Tree  state.  After  his  death 
she  became  the  wife  of  Benoni  Howard,  who  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  and 
from  that  state  removed  to  Princeton,  Illinois,  in  1854,  the  journey  being  made 
by  rail.  It  was  his  intention  to  locate  at  Princeton,  but,  finding  land  too  high  for 
his  resources,  he  decided  to  come  farther  west.  Proceeding  to  Rock  Island,  he 
walked  from  that  city  to  \'inton,  Iowa,  in  search  of  a  location  and  later  went  to 
Tama  county.  Not  being  satisfied  with  the  outlook  there,  lie  came  to  Sugar  Creek 
township,  Poweshiek  county,  where  timber  was  plentiful  and  conditions  appeared 
more  favorable  than  in  the  localities  where  he  had  previously  stopped.  He  as- 
sisted in  the  original  survey  of  the  city  of  Grinnell  and  also  in  stoning  up  the  first 
well  that  was  dug  there.  .After  the  surveyors  had  completed  their  work,  how- 
ever, it  was  found  that  the  well  was  in  the  middle  of  the  street  and  it  was  neces- 
sarilv  abandoned. 


54  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Lyman  A.  Longley  attended  the  common  schools  during  his  boyhood  and 
youth  and  was  reared  upon  his  stepfather's  farm,  displaying  in  early  life  an 
adaptability  for  farming  and  stock-raising.  Subsequently  he  served  for  ten  years 
as  mail  clerk  and  also  engaged  in  the  meat  business  for  three  years,  but  his  life 
was  principally  devoted  to  farming  and  in  1882  he  acquired  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land,  including  the  old  homestead.  In  1908  he  began  the  erection 
of  a  handsome  residence,  containing  all  modern  improvements,  but  did  not  live 
to  see  its  completion.  The  family  estate  now  comprises  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  well  improved  and  valuable  land. 

On  the  14th  of  September,  1882,  Mr.  Longley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Aliss 
Alice  Howard,  a  daughter  of  Benoni  Howard,  his  stepfather,  and  they  became  the 
parents  of  two  children,  Ethel  Cordelia  and  Ralph  Lyman,  both  of  whom  are 
now  living  with  their  mother  on  the  home  farm,  the  son  having  charge  of  the 
place,  which  under  his  management  is  producing  excellent  harvests. 

Mr.  Longley  gave  his  support  to  the  republican  party  but  never  aspired  to 
public  office,  preferring  to  devote  his  attention  to  business  affairs.  He  was  a  sin- 
cere believer  in  the  autliority  of  the  Bible  and  an  earnest  member  of  the  Congre- 
gational church.  He  was  recognized  as  a  man  of  honesty  and  ability — a  natural 
gentleman  whose  kindly  and  obliging  disposition  readily  attracted  friends  wher- 
ever he  was  known.  A  good  farmer  and  a  clear-headed  busines.s  man,  his  opin- 
ion on  business  affairs  was  accepted  as  authority  and  by  his  associates  he  was 
greatly  respected  for  his  enterprising  spirit  and  genial  nature  and  for  his  con- 
sideration of  others,  which  was  apparent  in  all  his  relations  with  his  fellowmen. 


HENRY  ILLIAN. 


Among  the  veterans  of  the  Civil  war  now  living  in  Poweshiek  county  is  num- 
bered Henry  Illian,  whose  birth  occurred  in  the  duchy  of  Waldeck,  Prussia, 
Germany,  on  the  19th  of  January,  1838.  He  is  a  son  of  Frederick  and  I^xDuise 
(Willis)  Illian,  also  natives  of  the  fatherland,  the  mother  there  passing  away 
in  1846.  The  father  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Caro- 
line Rummell.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  in  1S53  brought  his  family 
to  the  United  States,  establishing  his  home  in  Davenport,  where  his  death  oc- 
curred in  1858.  By  his  first  marriage  there  were  five  sons  and  two  daughters, 
of  which  number  Henry  Illian,  of  this  review,  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth, 
while  by  the  second  marriage  there  were  two  children,  a  son  and  daughter. 
With  the  e.xception  of  one  daughter,  who  is  married  and  resides  in  Germany, 
all  of  the  children  came  to  the  United  States. 

In  1853,  when  a  lad  of  fifteen,  Henry  Illian  left  his  native  country  and  came 
to  the  new  world.  After  arriving  in  Iowa  he  gave  his  father  the  benefit  of  his 
assistance  upon  the  home  farm  until  July  25,  1862,  when,  in  response  to  the  call 
of  the  Union  for  more  troops,  he  enlisted  at  Davenport  as  a  member  of  Com- 
pany G,  Twentieth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  for  three  years.  He 
participated  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  his  regiment,  including  the  siege  of 
Vicksburg,  the  battles  of   Forts    Morgan  and   Blakely,  and  various  minor  skir- 


^iMJrf    OvL^.(kA^-^ 


I  THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


A8T0R,  LENOX  AND 
TILOEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  57 

mishes,  and  bears  the  scars  of  three  flesh  wounds  received  during  his  term  of 
service,  one  a  bullet  wound  in  the  breast,  another  in  the  back  and  the  third  in 
the  arm.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Clinton,  Iowa,  in  August,  1865,  after  a  most 
honorable  and  creditable  military  career. 

Returning  to  Scott  county,  Iowa,  Mr.  Illian  there  engaged  independently  in 
farming  for  a  number  of  years,  and  in  the  spring  of  1883  came  to  Poweshiek 
county,  purchasing  his  present  home  of  eighty  acres  on  section  2^,  Malcolm 
township.  It  is  a  well  improved  farm,  its  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  indicating 
the  supervision  of  a  practical  owner,  and  he  is  widely  recognized  as  one  of  the 
enterprising  and  prosperous  agriculturists  of  the  community. 

In  1870  Mr.  Illian  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Margaret  Tissin,  who  was 
born  in  Holstein,  Germany,  in  1847,  "iicl  in  1854  came  with  her  parents  to  Iowa, 
the  family  establishing  tlieir  home  at  Davenport.  On  the  4th  of  March,  [894, 
Mr.  Illian  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  wife,  and  eight  chiklren 
have  also  passed  away,  as  follows:  Henry,  William.  Fred  and  Tillie.  all  of 
whom  died  in  Cleona  township,  Scott  county,  inside  of  three  weeks,  their  deaths 
resulting  from  diphtheria ;  Lulu,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  four  years ; 
Barnard,  at  the  age  of  two  and  a  half  years ;  Adam,  at  the  age  of  four  years ;  and 
Ellen,  at  the  age  of  five  years.  One  daughter,  Genevieve,  survives,  and  is  now 
the  wife  of  James  B.  McKeag.  She  has  a  daughter.  Irma  Marguerite,  and  a  son, 
Kenneth  Henry,  and  with  her  husband  resides  with  her  father  on  the  old  home 
farm. 

Mr.  Illian  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  and  also  belongs  to  John 
T.  Drake  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Brooklyn.  He  gives  his  support  to  the  republican 
party  and  although  not  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  office-seeking,  is  a  public- 
spirited  citizen,  deeply  interested  in"  the  substantial  improvement  of  his  home 
locality.  He  served,  however,  as  road  supervisor  two  years  and  as  school  direc- 
tor the  same  length  of  time.  He  is  honorable  and  straightforward  in  his  business 
dealings  and  is  highly  esteemed  wherever  known. 


JOHN  W.  FISHER. 


The  son  of  a  soldier  who  lost  his  life  in  the  Civil  war,  John  W.  Fisher,  of 
Chester  township,  early  learned  to  depend  upon  his  own  resources,  and  thus  de- 
veloped those  sturdy  traits  of  character  which  inevitably  lead  to  success  in  busi- 
ness and  to  leadership  in  the  community.  He  is  a  native  of  Tama  county,  Iowa, 
born  July  31,  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Cooper)  Fisher,  the 
former  having  been  born  in  Ohio  and  the  latter  in  Pennsylvania.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  1861.  The  father  was  drafted  in  an  Iowa  regiment  in  defence  of  the 
Union  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  and  died  in  a  hospital,  his  body  being  buried 
m  the  south.  The  mother  was  married  in  1868  to  W.  S.  Harris,  at  that  time  a 
resident  of  Tama  county,  Iowa. 

John  W.  Fisher  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  and  also 
attended  Albion  Seminary  near  Marshalltown,  Iowa.  He  engaged  in  farm  work 
in  Tama  county  and  in  March,  1892,  being  then  thirty  years  of  age,  he  came  to 


58  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Chester  township,  Poweshiek  county,  subsec|uently  moving  ii[jon  his  present  loca- 
tion in  section  29,  where  he  owns  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  and  being  also 
the  owner  of  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  in  the  same  township.  He  has  been  highly 
successful  in  raising  Guernsey  cattle  and  Chester  White  hogs,  and  as  an  exhib- 
itor at  the  fairs  has  carried  off  some  of  the  most  desirable  prizes.  He  devotes 
special  attention  to  the  dairy  business. 

On  the  1 2th  of  January,  1888.  Mr.  Fisher  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  ).  Hen- 
drixson,  a  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Sarah  ( Waldron)  Hendri.xson.  The  father  was 
a  physician  and  practiced  for  a  number  of  years  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  Clermont  county,  that  state.  One  child  has  blessed  the  union 
of  Mr.  and  Airs.  Fisher.  She  has  attended  high  school  and  is  now  engaged  in 
teaching  school  No.  4  at  Chester. 

Politically  Mr.  Fisher  supports  the  principles  and  candidates  of  the  republican 
party.  He  has  served  with  marked  ability  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  as  president 
of  the  school  board.  In  religious  belief  he  adheres  to  the  Methodist  church.  .\ 
broad-minded  and  conscientious  man,  he  has  accumulated  a  competency  by  his 
industry  and  thrift  and  has  set  an  example  which  reflects  high  credit  upon  him- 
self and  those  with  whom  he  is  associated.  He  is  known  as  an  earnest  and  ])a- 
triotic  citizen  who  appreciates  the  responsibilities  of  American  citizenship  an<l 
manfully  endeavors  to  discharge  them. 


W^  H.  TAYLOR. 


Perhaps  no  resident  of  Barnes  City,  Iowa,  occupies  a  more  prominent  place 
among  the  builders  of  the  town  than  does  W.  H.  Taylor,  whose  generous  dona- 
tion of  land  made  possible  the  establishment  of  enterprises  around  which,  as  a 
nucleus,  the  flourishing  little  village  has  had  its  growth.  Born  in  Parke  county. 
Indiana,  on  the  3d  of  February,  1845,  lie  is  a  son  of  William  and  Martha  (Dar- 
land)  Taylor,  also  natives  of  that  state.  There  the  father  passed  away  when  the 
son  was  but  a  year  old,  and  subsequently  his  wife  and  her  mother,  Mrs.  Alsey 
(Reynolds)  Darland,  also  a  widow,  removed  to  Warren  county,  Illinois,  where 
they  resided  until  about  1857.  They  then  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  where 
both  passed  away.  W.  H.  Taylor,  of  this  review,  was  the  youngest  and  is  now 
the  only  living  member  of  a  family  of  three  children,  the  others  being:  Amanda, 
the  deceased  wife  of  George  Anderson :  and  John  Dudley. 

W.  H.  Taylor  was  a  lad  of  twelve  years  when  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Powe- 
shiek county,  and  since  the  age  of  twenty-three  years  he  has  made  his  home  u]5on 
his  present  farm.  Wlien  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
this  farm,  to  which  he  later  added  as  he  prospered  in  his  agricultural  pursuits  im- 
til  he  became  one  of  the  most  extensive  landowners  in  his  section  of  the  county, 
a  fact  which  speaks  strongly  of  a  life  of  industry,  perseverance  and  ambition  on 
the  part  of  one  whose  start  in  life  was  in  no  way  auspicious  and  whose  gradual 
rise  in  the  business  world  came  as  the  result  of  his  own  well  directed  efforts. 
At  one  time  he  owned  all  of  section  34,  Jackson  township,  eighty  acres  of  section 
33  and  eighty  acres  of  section  27,  all  lying  in  one  body,  and  constituting  one  of 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  59 

the  finest  and  most  valuable  estates  in  the  township.  Twenty  acres  of  this  prop- 
erty is  within  the  corporation  limits  of  Barnes  City  and  upon  this  tract  Mr.  Tay- 
lor now  makes  his  home.  He  has  disposed  of  much  of  his  land  to  his  sons,  al- 
though the  entire  tract  still  remains  in  the  possession  of  the  family.  It  is  equipped 
with  five  good  sets  of  buildings,  occupied  by  two  sons,  a  son-in-law  and  two  ten- 
ants, and  is  a  well  improved  property,  all  of  the  up-to-date  conveniences  and  ac- 
cessories of  a  model  farm  having  been  introduced  by  Mr.  Taylor.  In  18^7  he 
built  a  large  barn,  forty-eight  by  ninety-six  feet,  antl  in  the  following  year  erected 
his  ]}resent  hantlsome  fourteen-room  dwelling,  equipped  throughout  with  all  of 
the  latest  improvements.  In  former  years  he  operated  this  place  himself,  actively 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  but  during  the  past  few  vears  has 
rented  the  land.  In  1892  he  became  identified  with  the  commercial  interests  of 
Barnes  City  as  proprietor  of  a  general  mercantile  business  operated  under  the 
firm  style  of  W.  H.  Taylor  &  Sons.  For  about  seven  years  this  enterprise  had  a 
continuous  and  successful  growth  under  his  management,  becoming  one  of  the 
most  important  business  concerns  of  the  town,  and  then,  in  1899,  he  withdrew 
from  active  life,  leaving  the  entire  direction  and  management  of  the  business  to 
his  sons,  who  have  since  conducted  it  under  the  original  name  of  W.  H.  Taylor 
&  Sons.  He  is  now  living  retired,  enjoying  in  well  earned  rest  a  fortime  which 
is  at  once  substantial  and  honorable. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  married,  in  1868,  to  Miss  Martha  Ann  Fisher,  whose  death 
occurred  in  1872.  For  his  second  wife  he  chose  Miss  Martha  Jane  Lown,  whom 
he  wedded  on  the  17th  of  April,  1876.  She  was  born  in  Marion  county,  Ohio,  on 
the  13th  of  May,  1847,  and  in  1856  came  to  Iowa  with  her  parents,  Thomas  and 
jane  (Hodson),  both  natives  of  England.  Her  father  had  come  alone  to  this 
county  in  early  manhood,  while  the  mother  had  been  brought  to  Ohio  by  her 
parents  when  only  eight  years  of  age.  They  were  married  in  Richmond  county, 
Ohio,  and  both  passed  away  in  Iowa  county,  Iowa.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Taylor 
were  born  five  children,  as  follows :  Charles  W.,  a  member  of  the  fii-m  of  W.  H. 
Taylor  &  .Sons ;  Martin  D.,  also  a  member  of  that  firm ;  James  M.,  a  resident  of 
Texas,  who  has  an  interest  in  the  firm;  Elsie  E.,  the  wife  of  James  Doan,  of 
Barnes  City,  who  is  likewise  one  of  the  firm  ;  and  George  F.,  now  operating 
a  part  of  the  home  farm.  At  one  time  all  of  these  children  were  connected  with 
their  father  in  the  active  management  of  the  business  of  W.  H.  Taylor  &  Sons.' 

Mr.  Taylor  belongs  to  the  Christian  church,  whose  teachings  form  the  guiding 
influence  in  his  life,  and  fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order.  .\ 
stalwart  democrat,  he  has  never  been  active  in  politics,  however,  further  than 
casting  his  ballot  at  the  polls,  but  he  is  nevertheless  deeply  interested  in  the  wel- 
fare oi  the  community,  and  his  name  is  foremost  upon  the  list  of  the  town's 
public-spirited  citizens  and  benefactors.  It  was  his  donation  of  nine  acres  of  land 
to  the  Rock  Island  Railroad  Company  for  a  right  of  way  and  a  site  for  a  station 
that  decided  the  location  of  the  town  of  liarnes  City  at  this  point,  and  thus  with 
its  very  founding  his  name  is  connected.  He  also  gave  a  tract  of  three  acres  as  a 
site  for  the  Barnes  City  Tile  Factory  and  in  this  way  brought  to  the  village  one  of 
its  well  known  and  important  industries,  and  he  also  assisted  largely  in  the  erection 
of  all  three  of  the  church  edifices  here.  .\n  excellent  example  of  the  .self-made 
man.  he  has  every  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  success  which  he  has  achieved  and 


60  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

the  high  place  which  he  has  won  in  the  community,  for  his  life  has  been  one  of 
noble  purposes  and  has  found  its  reward  in  the  high  regard,  respect  and  good-will 
in  which  he  is  held  by  all  who  know  him. 


JOHN  F.  HATCHER. 


John  F.  Hatcher,  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Poweshiek  county,  is  a  retired 
agriculturist  of  Brooklyn  and  a  prominent  factor  in  financial  circles  as  the  presi- 
"dent  of  the  Poweshiek  County  Savings  Bank.  His  birth  occurred  in  Belmont 
county,  Ohio,  on  the  2ist  of  April,  1842,  his  parents  being  Elijah  and  Jane 
(Craig)  Hatcher,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Loudoun  coimty,  \'irginia,  the 
former  born  on  the  15th  of  August,  1796,  and  the  latter  on  the  15th  of  August, 
1806.  Elijah  Hatcher,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers 
of  Ohio,  making  his  way  to  that  state  from  Virginia  on  horseback.  He  cleared 
his  ground  of  the  timber,  erected  a  log  cabin  and  then  returned  to  the  Old 
Dominion  for  his  bride,  driving  back  to  the  Buckeye  state  in  a  wagon.  There 
he  continued  to  reside  until  called  to  his  final  rest  at  the  age  of  eighty-three 
years.     His  wife  was  also  eighty-three  years  old  when  she  passed  away. 

John  F.  Hatcher  remained  on  the  home  farm  until  twenty-one  years  of  age, 
obtaining  his  education  in  the  district  school  and  the  seminary  at  Lloydsville, 
Ohio.  After  attaining  his  majority  he  removed  to  Illinois,  where  he  had  a  sister 
living.  In  the  meantime  his  father  had  entered  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  land  near  Webster  City,  Iowa,  and  had  sent  money  to  pay  the  taxes  but, 
in  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  received  receipts,  the  land  was  sold  for  ta.xes.  Our 
subject  then  came  to  Iowa  with  the  receipts  and  regained  possession  of  the  prop- 
erty. He  was  married  after  returning  to  Illinois  and  in  1864  purchased  and 
located  on  the  old  Bates  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Malcom  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  being  successfully  engaged  in  its  further  culti- 
vation and  improvement  until  1902,  when  he  put  aside  the  active  work  of  the 
fields  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Brooklyn.  While  residing  on  the  old  homestead 
in  Malcom  township,  he  purchased  four  farms,  aggregating  four  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  of  land,  all  of  which  he  leases  at  the  present  time.  The  home  jjlace 
has  been  sold. 

In  1904  Mr.  Hatcher  was  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  Poweshiek  County  Bank  of  Brooklyn,  Iowa,  serving  in  that  capacity  until 
1908,  when  the  institution  was  organized  as  the  Poweshiek  County  Savings  I'.ank. 
He  has  been  chosen  president  of  the  bank  pust  prior  to  the  change  and  retained 
his  position  as  chief  executive  officer  of  the  new  organization.  A  man  of  splendid 
executive  ability  and  sound  judgment,  his  efiforts  have  been  a  potent  factor  in 
the  continued  growth  and  success  of  the  institution.  He  is  likewise  the  presi- 
dent of  the  Brooklyn  Heating  &  Lighting  Company  and  a  large  stockholder 
in  the  Brooklyn  Grain  &  Lumber  Company. 

Mr.  Hatcher  has  been  married  twice.  On  the  15th  of  November.  1864,  he 
wedded  Miss  Mary  J.  Hoge,  a  daughter  of  Isaac  and  Caroline  (Holderman) 
Hoge,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia   and   from  that  state  removed  to   Illinois. 


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HISTORY  OF  POWRSUIKK  COUNTY  63 

By  his  first  wife  Mr.  Hatcher  had  two  sons.  Isaac  F.,  a  retired  agriculturist 
of  Morris.  llHnois,  married  Miss  Cora  Pahner,  by  whom  he  had  two  children, 
Carrie  and  Paul.  Charles  E.  Hatcher,  a  retired  farmer  living  in  Marshalltown, 
Iowa,  married  Lizzie  Ballisberger.  Mrs.  Mary  J.  Hatcher  passed  away  on  the 
home  farm  in  Malcom  township  on  the  i8th  of  January,  1879,  and  on  the  14th 
of  lune.  1883,  Mr.  Hatcher  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with 
Miss  Clara  L.  Rrown,  a  daughter  of  William  H.  and  Martha  J.  (Pancoast) 
Brown,  who  were  natives  of  Loudoun  county,  Virginia,  and  spent  their  entire 
h\cs  in  the  ()ld  Dominion.  Mr.  Brown,  who  followed  general  agricultural 
[lursuits  throughout  his  active  business  career,  died  on  the  21st  of  January, 
i8y8,  while  his  wife  was  called  to  her  final  rest  on  the  23d  of  January,  1893. 
In  politics  Mr.  Hatcher  is  independent,  supporting  men  and  measures  rather 
than  party.  For  twelve  years  he  served  as  trustee  and  for  eight  years  as  school 
treasurer  of  Malcom  township,  ever  discharging  his  official  duties  in  a  most 
prompt  and  capable  manner.  For  many  terms  he  was  also  a  member  of  the 
school  board  of  district  No.  5,  Malcom  township.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Goose  Creek  church  of  Quakers  of  Loudoun  county,  \'irginia. 
Mr,  Hatcher  has  resided  in  Poweshiek  county  for  almost  a  half  century  and 
enjovs  a  very  wide  and  favorable  acquaintance  within  its  borders,  being  hon- 
oreil  and  respected  by  all  by  reason  of  the  commendable  policy  he  has  followed 
in  an  active  business  career  anthjal-se-jaiying  to  the  excellent  traits  of  character 
which  he  has  displayed  in  a]l-H^''.s^''rfelai'ibflp. ; 


S.  D.  WARD. 


S.  D.  Ward  is  one  of  the  capable  agriculturists  of  Poweshiek  county,  whose 
ability  is  most  ably  manifested  in  the  general  ajipearance  of  his  fine  farm  of  one 
hundred  acres  in  Chester  township,  where  he  engages  in  general  farming  and 
stock-raising.  He  was  born  in  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  on  the  22(1  of  De- 
cember, 1863,  his  parents  being  Milton  and  Amanda  (  Denison)  Ward,  natives  of 
Pennsylvania.  The  father,  who  was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  located  in  Rock  Island 
in  1835,  where  he  remained  for  three  years,  then  removed  to  Hampton,.  Illinois. 
In  1884  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  locating  in  Grinnell,  in  which  city  he  was 
living  retired  when  his  death  occurred  two  years  later. 

The  common  schools  of  Hampton  provided  S.  D.  Ward  with  an  education, 
which  was  terminated  by  his  graduation  from  the  high  school.  He  came  from 
Hampton  to  Poweshiek  county,  locating  upon  the  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  in 
Chester  township  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  has  ever  since  been  engaged. 
There  is  a  fine  orchard  upon  the  place,  in  the  development  of  which  Mr.  Ward 
has  expended  much  time  and  money,  but  it  is  repaying  his  efforts.  He  makes  a 
specialty  of  feeding  stock  for  the  market,  a  venture  which  has  proven  to  be 
highly  lucrative. 

On  the  i8th  of  March,  1886,  Mr.  Ward  was  married  to  Miss  Lettie  Rickard, 
a  daughter  of  Alvin  and  Jane    (Nichols)    Rickard,  her   father  being  a  pioneer 


64  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

farmer  of  Iowa.  Four  children  were  born  of  this  union :  Ella,  who  died  ui  in- 
fancy ;  Samuel  Howard,  who  married  Cora  Davis,  and  is  living  in  Chester  town- 
ship;  Alvin  D.,  a  grarluate  of  the  Grinnell  high  school,  who  is  teaching  in  Chester 
township;  and  Margaret,  who  is  attending  the  district  school.  The  religious  views 
of  the  family  coincide  with  the  principles  of  the  Congregational  <lenomination, 
their  membership  being  held  in  the  church  of  Chester. 

The  policy  of  the  republican  party  has  ever  found  in  Mr.  Ward  a  stanch  su])- 
porter,  as  he  considers  it  the  party  best  adapted  to  protect  the  rights  of  the  ma- 
jority. He  always  takes  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  local  politics  and  for 
twelve  years  has  been  assessor  of  his  township,  this  long  period  of  service  elo- 
(|uently  attesting  his  capable  discharge  of  his  responsibilities. 


CHARLES   C.   HUNT. 


Charles  C.  Hunt,  engaged  in  the  abstract  business  in  Montezuma,  serving 
for  his  thirtl  term  as  county  treasurer  and  well  known  throughout  the  state 
as  a  prominent  representative  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  was  born  at  Cleve- 
land, Ohio,  November  9,  1866,  his  parents  being  William  George  and  Mary 
(Chase)  Hunt.  The  father  was  born  in  Kent  county,  England,  August  7,  1803, 
and  there  resided  until  about  forty  years  of  age,  when  he  crossed  the  Atlantic 
to  Nqw  York.  He  was  a  gilder,  working  for  a  long  period  in  gold  leaf.  After 
coming  to  the  United  States  he  studied  medicine  and  engaged  in  its  practice. 
In  1870,  after  living  for  some  time  in  Ohio,  he  came  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Jones 
county,  and  his  death  occurred  in  Monticello,  that  county,  in  1886.  He  was 
three  times  married  and  was  a  widower  when  he  left  his  native  land.  He 
afterward  wedded  Mary  Chase,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  July  5,  1845, 
and  is  now  a  resident  of  Walscnburg.  Colorado.  They  were  the  parents  of 
two  children,  the  younger  being  W.  C.    Himt,  also  of   Walsenburg. 

Charles  C.  Hunt,  the  elder  son,  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal 
from  Cleveland,  Ohio,  to  Monticello,  Jones  county.  Jowa,  where  he  resided 
until  1887.  Having  attained  his  majority,  he  left  home  and  made  his  way  to 
Grinnell,-  where  he  resumed  his  education.  In  1892  he  was  graduated  from 
Iowa  College  at  Grinnell  with  the  Bachelor  of  Arts  degree  and  later  he  en- 
gaged in  teaching  school  until  appointed  deputy  county  treasurer  in  May,  1895. 
At  a  later  election  he  was  chosen  treasurer  and  is  now  serving  for  his  third 
term  in  that  office,  proving  himself  a  most  faithful  custodian  of  the  public 
funds.  He  has  made  an  unassailable  record  in  this  ])osition  and  the  confidence 
reposed  in  him  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  he  has  licen  three  times  chosen  for 
the  office.  His  political  allegiance  has  been  given  to  the  republican  party  since 
age  conferred  ui)on  him  the  right  of  franchise  and  he  is  an  earnest  worker  in 
its  ranks.  For  one  term  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  lioard  at  Monte- 
zuma and  in  March,  191 1,  was  again  elected  to  that  position  for  a  three  years' 
term.  He  has  ever  been  an  active  champion  of  the  cause  of  education.  On  the 
1st  of  January,   191 1,  he  took  charge  of  the  abstract  books  formerly  owned  by 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  65 

E.  |.  Lewis.  He  purchased  these  hooks  and  now  has  a  complete  set  of  ab- 
stracts of  real  estate  in  Poweshiek  county. 

In  1898  occurred  tlie  marriage  of  Charles  C.  Hunt  and  Miss  Catharine  M. 
Kuapp,  who  was  born  in  Minnesota.  July  4,  1871.  and  there  resided  with  her 
parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  V.  W.  Kna])]),  of  Sniithtield,  Minnesota,  up  to  the  time 
of  her  marriage.  She  has  becnnie  llic  mother  of  four  children  :  Lucian  F.,  George 
A..   I'^velyn  K.  and  Catharine  I.. 

Mr.  Hunt  is  a  very  prominent  Mason,  having  attained  higli  rank  in  tiie 
order.  He  belongs  to  Lafayette  Lodge,  No.  52,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  are  members  of  Lafayette  Chapter,  No.  232,  O.  E.  S.  He  is 
connected  with  Capitular  Masonry  as  a  member  of  Hyssop  Chapter,  No.  50, 
1\.  A.  M.,  with  Cryptic  Masonry  as  a  member  of  King  Solomon  Council,  No. 
20.  \\.  &  S.  M..  and  with  Chivalric  Masonry  as  a  Knights  Templar  of  De  Paynes 
Conimandery,  No.  6.  He  has  also  attained  the  thirty-second  degree  of  the 
Scottish  Rite  in  Des  Moines  Consistory,  S.  P.  R.  S.,  and  belong  to  Kaaba 
Temple,  .A.  .A.  O.  N.  ^I.  S.  He  likewise  holds  membership  in  the  Independent 
( )rder  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  his  religious  faith  is 
indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church.  His  quietude  of  de- 
portment, his  easy  dignity,  his  frankness  and  cordiality  of  address  with  a  total 
absence  of  anything  sinister  or  anything  to  conceal,  foretoken  a  man  who  is 
ready  to  meet  any  obligation  of  life  with  the  confidence  and  courage  that  come 
of  conscious  personal  ability,  a  right  conception  of  things  and  an  habitual  regard 
for  what  is  best  in  the  exercise  of  human  activities. 


ELDON    LINCOL.X    HALL. 

Eldon  Lincoln  Hall  is  a  prosperous  and  progressive  farmer  of  Poweshiek 
county,  his  possessions  comprising  three  hundred  and  twentv  acres,  located 
in  Scott  and  Bear  Creek  townships.  He  was  born  in  Berrien  county,  Michigan, 
September  2^.  i860,  a  son  of  George  and  Katharine  (Deardorfif)  Hall,  the 
former  a  native  of  Butler  county,  Ohio,  born  in  February,  1826.  while  the 
latter  was  a  native  of  Indiana.  They  came  to  F'oweshiek  county  in  1865  and 
the  father  was  here  engaged  in  farming  to  the  time  of  his  death  on  the  12th 
ni  January,  1898.  The  mother  survives  and  makes  her  home  in  Brooklvn. 
.More  extended  mention  of  the  family  is  made  in  connection  with  the  sketch 
of  Orlando  D.  Hall  on  another  page  of  this  work. 

Eldon  L.  Hall,  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  was  a  little  lad  of  five  years  at 
the  time  the  family  home  was  established  in  Poweshiek  county.  He  was  reared 
on  the  home  farm,  early  being  trained  in  the  duties  and  labors  that  fall  to  the 
lot  of  the  farmer  boy,  and  in  the  winter  season  he  jnirsued  his  studies  in  the 
district  school  near  his  father's  home,  .\fter  reaching  mature  years  he  de- 
cided to  start  out  upon  an  independent  business  venture,  choosing  as  his  life 
work  the  occupation  to  which  he  had  been  reared.  From  time  to  time  he  has 
made  investment  in  land  until  today  he  is  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and 
t\vcmy   acres   in    Poweshiek   county,   one  hundred   and   sixtv   acres  of   which   lie 


66  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

in  the  home  farm  on  section  4,  Scott  township,  while  he  has  eighty  acres  on 
section  3  and  an  eighty  acre  tract  in  Rear  Creek  township.  This  is  all  culti- 
vable land  and  the  two  farms  in  Scott  township  are  well  improved  and  valuable 
properties. 

It  was  on  the  19th  of  March,  1885.  that  Mr.  Hall  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  Milne,  who  was  born  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  February  4,  1864.  In 
her  childhood  she  accompanied  her  parents,  Stewart  and  Mary  (Chapman) 
Milne,  to  Poweshiek  county  but  after  residing  here  for  some  time  they  removed 
to  Oregon,  where  they  are  now   living. 

Unto  Mr.  and  I\Irs.  Hall  have  been  born  five  children :  Elza  Ross,  of  Scott 
township ;  John  LeRoy,  who  makes  his  home  in  South  Dakota :  Lewis  Arden ; 
Roscoe  ;  and  Eldon  Clinton.  They  also  took  into  their  home  Lois  Marie  Hall, 
when  she  was  but  three  days  old,  she  being  a  daughter  of  Mr.  Hall's  brother 
and  his  wife's  sister.     She  is  being  reared  and  educated  as  her  own. 

Mr.  Hall  has  always  given  his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party 
but  is  not  active  in  its  ranks,  taking  merely  a  citizen's  interest  in  public  affairs. 
His  success  has  been  by  no  means  the  result  of  fortunate  circumstances.  It  has 
come  to  him  through  energy,  labor  and  perserverance,  directed  by  an  evenly 
balanced  mind  and  by  honorable  business  principles.  In  manner  he  is  quiet 
and  straightforward,  and  his  word  has  become  a  synonym  for  business  integrity. 


R.   L.  MORTLAND. 


It  has  been  said  that  there  is  no  better  criterion  of  a  community  than  its 
newspapers,  which  are  both  makers  and  mirrors  of  public  opinion.  The  jiro- 
gressive  journal  has  much  to  do  with  shaping  thought  and  action  and  the 
editor  who  closely  studies  the  signs  of  the  times  may  stand  in  a  position  of 
leadership  in  relation  to  many  public  affairs  and  projects.  This  R.  L.  Mort- 
land  has  done  in  editing  and  publishing  the  Montezuma  Democrat.  Mr.  Mort- 
land  is  now  in  the  seventy-third  year  of  his  age  but  in  spirit  and  interest  seems 
yet  in  his  prime.  He  was  born  in  Butler  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  i, 
1838,  a  son  of  Robert  Alortland,  descended  from  Protestant-Irish  ancestry.  In 
his  native  state  Robert  Mortland  was  reared  and  throughout  his  life  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  farming.  He  wedded  Margaret  Cumberland,  also  a 
native  of  Butler  county.   Pennsylvania,  and  to  them   were  born   four  children. 

R.  L.  Mortland  spent  his  youthful  days  under  the  parental  roof  and  as 
opportunity  offered  attended  the  public  schools,  but  spent  much  of  his  time 
in  the  work  of  the  farm.  He  afterward  engaged  in  wood  chopping  and  in  the 
manufacture  of  charcoal  at  Maple  Furnace,  where  he  remained  for  some  time. 
He  afterward  devoted  his  attention  to  lumbering  in  the  oil  regions  and  to 
boating  on  the  river,  continuing  in  the  east  vmtil  1864,  when,  believing  that 
better  opportunities  might  be  obtained  in  the  middle  west,  he  made  his  way 
to  Mercer  county,  Illinois.  There  his  attention  was  devoted  to  farming  and 
carpentering  for  four  years  and  in  the  spring  of  1868  he  came  to  Poweshiek 
county,  where  he  carried  on  farming  for  a  year.     At  the  end  of  that  time  he 


HISTORY  or  POWESHIEK  COl'XTY  67 

established  his  home  in  Montezuma  and  followed  various  pursuits  for  a  time, 
but  later  became  a  contractor  for  bridges  and  buildings,  giving  his  attention  to 
that  work  from  1875  until  1889,  during  which  period  he  built  many  bridges 
in  Poweshiek  and  adjoining  counties. 

Then  came  a  decided  change  in  his  life  inasmuch  as  he  put  aside  industrial 
interests  to  turn  his  attention  to  journalism.  He  purchased  a  half  interest  in 
the  Democrat  in  1889  and  on  the  ist  of  August  of  the  same  year  became  sole 
proprietor  of  the  plant  and  paper.  He  conducted  that  paper  until  1894  and  in 
1895  established  the  Poweshiek  County  Palladium,  which  he  has  since  pul)- 
lished  with  his  son,  R.  A.  Mortland  as  active  editor.  After  a  period  of  ten 
years  R.  L.  Mortland  resumed  his  active  connection,  with  county  work  and  has 
erected  many  wood  and  concrete  bridges.  Although  he  has  passed  the  age  of 
seventy-two  years  he  is  yet  a  most  active,  energetic  man  and  accomplishes 
today  an  amount  of  work  from  which  many  a  younger  man  would  shrink, 
thinking  the  burden  too  heavy  to  be  borne. 

In  September,  1864,  Mr.  Mortland  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ruth 
Ann  \\''ebber,  who  was  born  in  Venango  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  i6th  of 
June,  1841,  and  there  resided  until  she  came  west  with  her  husband.  Unto 
them  were  born  seven  cliildren  who  reached  years  of  maturity,  while  three 
died  in  infancy.  The  living  are:  Nettie;  Mahala  T. ;  Robert  A.;  [ames  A.,  who 
is  living  in  White  Creek,  New  York,  where  he  is  following  the  profession  of 
civil  engineering,  having  been  educated  therefor  in  the  state  university  and  in 
the  Chicago  University ;  Inez,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Drexel  Institute  of 
Philadelphia  and  for  the  past  eight  years  has  been  librarian  at  the  Louisiana 
State  University ;  Mazie ;  and  Ruth.  One  of  the  sons,  James  A.,  was  a  soldier 
in  the   Spanish-American   war,   serving  with  the  Third  Army  Corps. 

In  his  political  views  R.  L.  Mortland  has  been  a  lifelong  democrat  and  has 
taken  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  the  party  work.  He  stands  at  all  times 
for  that  which  is  progressive  in  citizenship  and  in  every  relation  of  life  he  has 
been  found  reliable  and  trustworthy. 


C.  O.  BOWERS. 


Well  known  among  the  younger  business  men  of  Malcom  is  C.  O.  Bowers, 
cashier  of  the  Malcom  Savings  Bank,  with  which  institution  he  has  been  iden- 
tified for  almost  two  decades.  He  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  Indiana, 
December  28,  1872,  a  son  of  Shem  and  Ruth  Jane  (Painter)  Bowers.  The 
parents,  who  were  natives  of  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  were  married  in 
Indiana,  and  there  the  mother  passed  away  when  the  subject  of  this  review  was 
about  six  years  of  age.  Later  the  father  was  again  married  and,  in  1883,  came 
with  his  family  to  Iowa,  locating  on  a  farm  six  and  a  half  miles  northwest  of 
Brooklyn.  He  devoted  his  entire  active  life  to  farming  and  was  connected  with 
agricultural  pursuits  until  1892,  when  he  removed  to  Brooklyn  and  there  lived 
retired  until  his  death  in  i\Iarch,   1893,  when  he  was  sixty-two  years  and  seven 


68  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

months  old.  By  his  first  marriage  there  were  ten  children,  eight  of  whom  yet 
survive,  our  subject  being  next  to  the  youngest  in  order  of  birth. 

C.  O.  Bowers  was  eleven  years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  father  to 
Poweshiek  county,  and  his  education,  which  had  been  begun  in  his  native 
state,  was  continued  in  the  country  schools  here.  Later  he  received  the  benefit 
of  a  commercial  course  at  the  Iowa  Business  College  of  Des  Moines,  and  on  the 
2d  of  January,  1893,  accepted  a  position  as  bookkeeper  in  the  private  bank  of 
Johnson,  Dorrance  &  Leonard.  He  was  thus  engaged  until  August  7,  1905, 
when  the  bank  was  reorganized  under  the  name  of  the  Malcom  Savings  Bank, 
at  which  time  he  became  cashier  of  the  institution.  His  connection  with  the 
business  extends  over  a  period  of  eighteen  years,  his  long  association  therewith 
being  proof  of  his  ability  and  integrity.  He  is  popular  alike  with  the  patrons 
and  officers  of  the  bank,  for  he  is  prompt,  accurate  and  faithful  in  the  discharge 
of  his  duties,  while  at  the  same  time  he  treats  all  patrons  with  a  thoughtfulness 
and  kindly  consideration  that  not  only  wins  their  good  will  for  himself,  but 
reflects  credit  upon  the  institution.  Aside  from  his  connection  with  financial 
circles  he  is  interested  in  Dakota  and  Canada  lands,  in  which  he  has  invested 
rather  extensively. 

On  the  14th  of  June,  1899,  Mr.  Bowers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
.Maljel  Wilcox,  who  was  born  in  Malcom  on  the  27th  of  July,  1876,  a  daughter 
uf  Dr.  W  S.  Wilcox,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Unto  this 
union  have  been  born  four  children :  Donovan  Hamilton,  \inton  Sheni,  Reberta 
Painter  and  Wilbur  Oscar. 

Mr.  Bowers  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  also 
belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  gives  his  political  support  to  the  repub- 
lican party  and,  although  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  public  office  for  him- 
self he  has  ever  been  a  public-spirited  citizen,  advocating  every  measure  which 
has  for  its  object  the  development  and  general  welfare  of  the  community  in 
which  he  resides.  Fortunate  in  possessing  ability  and  character  that  inspired 
confidence,  the  simple  weight  of  his  character  and  ability  has  brought  him  into 
a  position  of  trust  and  responsibility,  and  he  ranks  high  among  the  well 
known  anrl  valued  young  citizens  of  Malcom. 


LUCIEN  G.  C.  PEIRCE. 

Seventy-five  years  ago  Lucien  G.  C.  Peirce  entered  upon  the  journey  of  life 
and  is  today  living  retired  at  Grinnell  in  the  enjoyment  of  a  competency  which  he 
earned  through  industry  and  good  judgment.  He  looks  back  on  many  years  of 
activity,  in  the  course  of  which  he  extended  a  hand  of  sympathy  to  many  a  way- 
farer whose  lot  was  less  fortunate  than  his  own.  He  comes  of  an  illustrious  line 
of  ancestors  and  was  born  in  \'illenovia  township.  Chautauqua  county,  Xew  York. 
February  5,  1836.  a  son  of  .Austin  and  Mary  .\nn  (Sterling)  Peirce.  The  father 
was  a  native  of  Thetford,  \'ermont.  and  was  born  in  1799.  He  was  married  to 
Mary  .\nn  Sterling,  March  17,  1826,  and  thev  removed  to  \'illenovia  township, 
Cliaiitau(|iia  county.  .\ew  "S'ork,  three  years  later  when  that  section  of  the  state 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWRSIHEK  COUNTY  71 

\va-~  still  only  thinly  settled.  I  Ic  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine  until  1850, 
when  he  was  attacketl  by  spinal  disease  and  confined  to  his  bed  for  nearly  twelve 
\ears.  He  passed  away  June  17,  1861.  He  was  a  firm  believer  in  the  Christian 
religion  and  a  devout  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  For  many  years  he 
took  an  active  interest  in  politics  and  was  supervisor  of  his  town,  serving  also  as 
member  of  the  state  legislature  of  New  York  in  the  winter  of  1841-2. 

The  I'eirce  family  was  very  prominent  in  the  early  days  of  New^  England. 
The  emigrant  ancestor,  Thomas  Peirce,  was  born  in  England  about  1583  and  emi- 
grated to  this  country  in  1633  or  1634,  settling  at  Charlestown,  Massachusetts, 
[lis  wife,  Elizabeth,  was  born  in  England  about  1595.  Thomas  Peirce  was 
made  a  freeman  in  the  colonies  May  6,  1635,  and  was  one  of  the  twenty- 
one  commissioners  appointed  by  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts  to  see  that 
saltpetre  heaps  were  made  by  all  the  farmers  of  the  colony.  Several  members  of 
the  family  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and  since  that  time  many  of  them 
have  been  prominent  in  public  life  and  also  in  business  in  various  states  of  the 
L'nion.  On  the  mother's  side  the  subject  of  this  review  is  descended  from  noted 
ancestry  of  Scotland,  Mary  Ann  Sterling  having  been  a  daughter  of  Lord  Sterling. 
The  ancestry  is  traced  back  to  Walter  De  Streverlying,  who  lived  about  1 130  .\.  D. 
The  name  underwent  various  changes  until  it  became  Sterling. 

Lucien  G.  C.  Peirce  was  reared  in  his  native  town  \'illenovia  township  and 
educated  ii<  the  public  schools,  remaining  at  home  until  seventeen  years  of  age. 
In  1853,  having  a  desire  to  see  the  world  and  also  to  carve  out  a  fortune  for 
himself,  he  went  to  Kane  county,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm  in  the 
summer  and  clerked  in  a  store  in  the  winter.  For  several  years,  beginning  in 
1858.  he  was  employed  by  Brady  &  Pease  at  .Aurora.  He  spent  ten  years  in 
Kane  and  Kendall  counties,  Illinois,  and  for  two  years  was  deputy  postmaster  at 
Lisbon. 

In  the  meantime  .Mr.  Peirce  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in 
Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  four  miles  southeast  of  Grinnell  and  in  the  fall  of  1862 
he  visitetl  this  county  and  in  the  spring  of  1863  brought  his  wife  and  two  children 
to  their  new  home.  It  was  for  some  time  a  lonely  spot  as  there  were  no  neighbors 
within  several  miles,  the  eye  being  greeted  only  by  the  open  prairie  and  blue  sky. 
He  built  a  house  fourteen  by  eighteen  feet  in  size,  still  standing,  in  which  the  fam- 
ily lived  until  1880,  when  he  erected  a  modern  residence,  having  meanwhile  ap- 
plied himself  to  good  advantage  as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  In  1889  he  re- 
moved to  Grinnell  and  for  three  years  w'as  interested  with  a  partner  in  the  cream- 
ery business.  Since  that  time  he  has  lived  retired.  He  is  a  member  of  the  hoard 
of  directors  of  the  Interurban  Telephone  Company,  which  operated  between  Grin- 
nell and  Montezuma,  and  for  twenty-five  years  was  secretary  of  the  Poweshiek 
(  onnty  Farmers  Mutual  Insurance  Company,  displaying  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duties  an  ability  that  made  his  services  highly  acceptable  to  all  concerned. 

In  i860  Mr.  Peirce  was  married  at  Batavia,  Kane  county,  Illinois,  to  Miss 
Esther  M.  Snow,  who  has  been  to  him  a  true  and  loving  companion.  Nine  chil- 
dren came  to  bless  this  union,  namely  :  Austin  P.,  now  living  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa  ; 
r.yn m  B.,  of  Kearney,  Nebraska;  Edna  L..  widow  of  William  Philpott,  of  Grin- 
nell; M.  Genevra,  now  engaged  in  teaching  at  Blue  Island,  Illinois;  Lucia  E., 
\\ho  is  also  a  teacher  and  is  living  at  home;  Gurdon  D.,  deceased;  Helen  T.,  now 

Vol.     II— 4 


72  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Mrs.  C.  S.  Williston,  of  Chicago ;  William  S.,  an  osteopathic  physician,  who  i^  en- 
gaged in  practice  at  Lima,  Ohio ;  and  Tiny  V.,  deceased. 

Mr.  Peirce  and  his  wife  are  identified  with  the  Universalist  church,  in  which 
he  has  served  as  clerk.  He  is  now  independent  in  politics  but  for  many  years 
was  a  prominent  factor  in  political  affairs  in  this  part  of  the  state.  Originally  a 
republican,  he  became  an  advocate  of  the  greenback  party  and  was  a  candidate  for 
the  state  legislature,  carrying  every  precinct  outside  of  Grinnell  with  a  majority 
of  fourteen  votes,  but  he  was  defeated  by  the  labor  element  of  the  city.  He  was 
prominent  in  the  organization  of  the  populist  party  and  was  one  of  the  leaders 
in  the  Patrons  of  Husbandry,  occupying  all  the  chairs  in  that  body  from  secretary 
to  master.  He  is  also  an  active  worker  in  the  Grange,  remaining  with  it  until  the 
local  organization  went  out  of  existence.  He  has  been  a  director  of  the  Poweshiek 
County  Central  Agricultural  Society  and  served  as  its  treasurer  for  three  years. 
He  and  his  estimable  wife  have  a  legion  of  friends  in  Poweshiek  and  adjoining 
counties  who  have  been  attracted  by  their  interest  in  the  welfare  of  others.  .As 
the  shadows  lengthen  this  venerable  couple  are  blessed  with  the  love  of  their  chil- 
dren and  neighbors,  and  they  have  the  satisfaction  of  feeling  that  in  an  important 
degree  they  have  performed  their  duty.  Always  progressive  in  business,  kindly 
in  disposition  and  generous  in  estimate  of  others,  Mr.  Peirce  has  retained  the  high 
regard  of  those  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact  either  in  social,  business  or 
political  life,  and  is  one  of  the  most  honored  residents  of  this  city. 


ERNEST   JAAIES   HARRIS. 

The  records  of  the  successful  men  of  Poweshiek  county  are  doubly  interest- 
ing from  the  fact  that  so  many  of  them  won  their  way  from  humble  positions 
and  today  are  in  the  enjoyment  of  an  abundance  acquired  through  their  own 
intelligently  applied  industry.  Ernest  James  Harris  is  among  those  who  sur- 
mounted great  obstacles,  and  although  he  started  as  a  boy  of  seventeen  prac- 
tically empty-handed,  he  is  now  the  owner  of  a  beautiful  farm  of  which  Ik-  has 
just  reason  to  be  proud.  He  is  a  native  of  Dorsetshire,  England,  and  was  born 
January  6.  1871,  a  son  of  James  and  Elizabeth  (  Slade)  Harris.  The  parents 
were  both  born  in  the  same  county  as  the  son,  the  fatlier  November  22,  1833. 
and  the  mother  December  7,  1838.  They  were  married  m  England  and  Mr. 
Harris  spent  his  entire  life  in  that  country,  being  identified  with  farming  in- 
terests. The  mother  came  to  America  in  1890  and  is  now  living  with  her  sons 
in  Poweshiek  county.  There  were  five  children  in  their  family :  Elizabeth,  who 
is  deceased;  Thomas  .\.,  who  engages  in  farming  in  Chester  township:  Fred- 
erick, of  Brule  county.  South  Dakota ;  Ernest  James,  of  this  review  ;  and  Edgar 
J.,  of  Chester  township. 

Ernest  James  Harris  received  his  preliminary  education  m  the  public  schools 
of  England.  In  1887,  seeking  to  take  advantage  of  opportunities  presented  in 
the  new  world,  he  came  to  Iowa  and  began  working  on  the  farm  of  his  uncle, 
George  Harris,  in  Washington  township,  Poweshiek  county.  After  a  short 
time  he   went   to  Grinnell  and  entered  the  employment  of  James   Bailey,   with 


HISTORY  OF  POWESIIIRK  COUNTY  73 

whom  he  continued  for  two  years,  and  then  working  under  A.  G.  Williams, 
of  Chester  township,  for  one  year.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he  rented  forty 
acres  of  land  in  Chester  township  which  he  cultivated  for  two  years,  and,  hav- 
ing acquired  sufficient  ca])ital,  luirchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in 
Washington  township,  upon  which  he  established  his  home.  He  makes  a 
specialty  of  raising  hogs  and  Shorthorn  cattle.  He  has  provided  the  farm  with 
a  good  residence,  barn  and  outbuildings,  and  also  with  all  modern  accessories 
and  conveniences,  and  its  neat  appearance  indicates  the  great  interest  which  he 
takes  in  his  work. 

On  the  i6th  of  May,  1894,  Mr.  Harris  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Lula  Lillian  I'atrick.  a  daughter  of  .\ndrew  and  Gertrude  (Spire)  Patrick, 
and  eight  children  have  blessed  this  union,  namely:  lames  .\.,  who  was  born 
July  2J.  1895  ''"•'  'lied  January  29,  1907:  Winifred  1.,  bom  .August  15,  1897; 
Arthur  E.,  born  .\ugust  15,  igoo :  Elsie  May,  born  September  27,,  igo2:  I'.essie 
[>uella,  born  ;\lay  15,  1904:  Dorothy  Irene,  born  November  6,  1905:  Alfred, 
born  .April  13,  1907,  and  died  April  21,  1907;  and  Roy  Roscoe,  born  April  3, 
1909.  .Mrs.  Harris  was  born  .Ai)ril  14,  1874,  at  Jasper  county.  Iowa.  Her 
mother  was  a  native  of  New  York  and  was  married  to  Mr.  Patrick  in  New 
York  state.  They  came  to  Iowa  and  lived  for  several  years  in  Chester  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county,  after  which  they  established  their  home  in  fasper 
county.  The  father  died  in  August,  1881,  and  the  mother  passed  away  March 
2,  1909.  He  was  an  earnest  adherent  of  the  republican  party,  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  also  of  the  Grange. 

Afr.  Harris  has  been  from  boyhood  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
while  his  wife  is  connected  with  the  Alethodist  church.  In  politics  he  supports 
the  republican  party  and  has  served  to  the  general  satisfaction  of  the  com- 
munity as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  is  an  active  and  helpful  citizen, 
intelligent  and  progressive  in  whatsoever  he  undertakes,  and  always  governed 
by  a  worthy  ambition  to  promote  to  the  extent  of  his  ability  the  best  mterests 
of  those  with  whom  he  is  associated.  I!y  undaunted  resolution  and  zeal  he  has 
won  deserved  recognition  as  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Poweshiek 
county. 


GEORGE  H.  McMURRAY. 

Occupying  a  position  of  leadership  in  connection  with  many  of  the  most 
important  interests,  business  enterjirises  and  public  projects  of  Grinnell,  George 
H.  McAIurray  has  contributed  in  sulistantial  anrl  gratif\ing  measure  to  the 
growth  and  prosperity  of  the  city,  and  has  so  indelibly  impressed  iiimself  upon 
the  community  in  the  w^ork  of  advancement  that  no  historv  of  this  section  of 
the  state  would  be  complete  without  iirominent  reference  to  him.  Iowa  may 
well  be  proud  to  number  him  among  her  native  sons. 

His  birth  occurred  in  Bellevue,  Jackson  county,  on  the  i8th  of  October, 
1863,  his  parents  being  James  H.  and  Thirza  (Smith)  McMurray,  the  former 
a  native  of  Delaware  county.  New  York,  and  the  latter  of  Galena,  Illinois. 
They  were  married  in  Bellevue,  Iowa,  the  father  having  located  there  m  early 


74  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

manhood.  The  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Judge  Joseph  Smilli.  who  presided 
over  the  court  of  his  district  in  Iowa.  He  had  taken  up  his  abode  in  Bellevue 
early  in  the  '50s,  removing  to  this  state  from  Knoxville,  Tennessee.  On  be- 
coming a  resident  of  Bellevue  James  H.  McMurray  had  turned  his  attention 
to  merchandising  and  some  years  later  he  removed  his  business  to  Dewitt, 
lowa,  and  afterward  to  Brooklyn,  Poweshiek  county,  in  1869.  He  was  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  business  interests  of  that  town  for  eighteen  years 
when  he  went  to  California  for  the  benefit  of  his  health,  spending  seven 
years  in  Los  Angeles.  In  i8()2  he  became  a  resident  of  Grinnell  and  purchased 
a  half  interest  in  the  business  owned  by  his  sons,  G.  H.  McMurray  and  James 
H.  McMurray,  since  which  time  the  enterprise  has  been  conducted  under  the 
name  of  J.  H.  McMurray,  Jr.  &  Company.  For  the  past  thirty-five  years  or 
more  father  and  son  have  conducted  the  largest  stores  in  their  respective  lines 
in  Poweshiek  county,  their  combined  stocks  representing  an  aggregate  invest- 
ment of  seventy  thousand  dollars.  The  name  of  McMurray  is  a  synonym  for 
progressiveness  in  commercial  lines  and  their  activities  have  constituted  a 
standard  that  others  have  followed. 

George  H.  McMurray  was  reared  at  home,  acquiring  his  education  in  the 
public  schools  and  also  in  a  boarding  school  at  Clinton,  Iowa,  where  he  finished 
the  work  of  the  freshman  year.  From  the  early  age  of  twelve  vears,  however, 
he  has  devoted  much  of  his  time  to  merchandising,  assisting  in  his  father's 
store  when  not  in  school.  In  1882  he  embarked  in  merchandising  on  his  own 
account,  forming  a  partnership  with  Wesley  Manatt,  in  which  connection  they 
established  business  under  the  firm  name  of  McMurray  &  Afanatt.  After 
five  years  they  sold  out  antl  George  H.  McMurray  and  his  brother  J.  H. 
McMurray,  Jr.,  organized  the  firm  of  McMurray  Brothers  and  opened  a  store 
in  Grinnell.  The  business  relation  between  them  was  maintained  for  five 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  1892,  the  father  returned  from  California 
and  George  H.  McMurray  sold  his  interest  to  him  and  opened  his  present 
clothing  business,  which  he  has  successfully  carried  on  for  the  past  eighteen 
years.  He  is  today  the  leading  clothier  of  Poweshiek  county,  employs  five 
people  and  conducts  a  very  extensive  business.  During  much  of  this  |)eriod  he 
has  been  interested  in  branch  stores  at  West  Union  and  .\nita,  Iowa,  and  else- 
where. However,  he  has  since  disposed  of  these  and  now  gives  much  of  his  time 
to  the  operation  of  a  valuable  farm  of  four  hundred  acres  which  he  owns  in 
Chester  tt)wnship.  On  this  place  lie  raises  horses  and  feeds  cattle  and  also  carries 
on  the  usual  farm  work  in  the  production  of  grain.  He  leads  an  extremely  busy 
and  useful  life  and  his  determined  nature  enables  him  to  carry  forward  to  suc- 
cessful comj>leti(in  whatever  he  undertakes.  His  cooperation  is  counted  a  valuable 
asset  in  any  business  venture  and  it  is  felt  that  his  aid  will  secure  a  prosperous 
outcome.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Citizens'  National  Bank  and  is 
a  member  of  its  board  of  directors.  He  readily  solves  intricate  and  involved 
financial  problems  and  seems  to  see  from  the  circumference  to  the  very  center 
of  things,  recognizing  with  almost  unerring  judgment  the  possibilities  for  the 
attainment  of  success  in  any  given  connection. 

On  the  6th  of  July,  1886,  Mr.  McMurray  was  inarried  to  Miss  Margaret  C. 
Wright,  of  I'rooklyii,  this  county,  anfl  unto  them  have  been  born  three  children: 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  75 

Harry  I"".,  wlio  is  now  a  senior  in  Grinnell  College;  Arthur  R.,  who  is  pursuing 
the  work  of  the  junior  year;  and  Donald  J.,  who  is  yet  a  student  in  the  public 
schools.  The  family  are  prominent  socially  and  their  own  home  is  most  at- 
tractive by  reason  of  its  warm-hearted  and  cordial  hospitality.  Mr.  McMurray 
is  a  member  of  Brooklyn  Lodge,  No.  174,  A.  ]■'.  &  A.  M.,  and  he  gives  his 
political  allegiance  to  the  republican  i)arty,  but  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for 
office.  Many  look  to  him  as  the  leader  in  all  public  enterprises  and  follow  his 
example,  for  it  is  known  that  his  judgment  is  sound  and  his  loyalty  to  the 
best  interests  of  the  community  above  question. 


JOHN    BAKER. 


John  Baker,  a  former  agriculturist  of  Poweshiek  county,  who  is  now  living 
retired  in  Searsboro,  was  born  in  Reaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  3d  of 
November,  1834.  His  parents  were  Richard  and  Catherine  (Thompson)  Baker, 
also  natives  of  Beaver  county,  the  father  having  been  born  on  the  22d  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1799,  and  the  mother  in  1807.  The  father  who  during  the  entire  period 
of  his  active  life  engaged  in  farming,  was  living  retired  at  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  the  2d  of  December,  1882.  His  wife  survived  him  for 
almost  two  years  thereafter,  her  demise  occurring  on  the  9th  of  October,  1884. 
He  voted  for  the  candidates  of  the  democratic  party,  and  while  residing  in 
Pennsylvania  he  acted  as  postmaster  at  Baker's  Bank.  Sixteen  children  were 
born  of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker,  the  order  of  their  birth  being  as 
follows :  James,  who  died  in  Andersonville  prison  during  the  Civil  war ;  So- 
phronia,  who  is  a  resident  of  Detroit,  Michigan ;  William,  who  is  deceased : 
Sidney,  the  widow  of  William  Beatty,  of  lieaver  county,  Pennsylvania ;  Lorenzo 
1!.,  who  was  killed  at  the  siege  of  Vicksburg ;  John,  our  subject ;  Thomson, 
who  is  living  at  Ansley,  Custer  county,  Nebraska ;  Sarah,  the  widow  of  Iknja- 
min  James,  of  Lawrence  county,  Pennsylvania ;  Mary  Ann,  the  widow  of  Fred 
Stralia,  of  Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania ;  George,  who  is  a  resident  of  Butler 
county,  Pennsylvania;  Matilda,  the  widow  of  Walter  Craig,  of  Pittsburg: 
Nancy  Jane,  the  wife  of  Walter  Swagers,  of  Lawrence  county,  Pennsylvania  ; 
Catherine,  the  wife  of  Robert  Mills,  of  Custer  county,  Nebraska;  Wesley  1'.., 
also  a  resident  of  Custer  county,  Nebraska ;  Robert,  who  died  in  the  army  : 
and  Rachel,  the  widow  of  Mr.  Wood,  of  Lawrence  county,  Pennsylvania 

The  first  twenty-two  years  in  the  life  of  John  Baker  were  spent  on  the 
homestead  where  he  was  born  and  reared,  his  education  being  acquired  in  the 
district  schools  of  Beaver  county.  After  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  assisted 
his  father  in  the  work  of  the  homestead  until  April,  1856,  at  which  time  he 
migrated  to  Iowa.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this  state  he  first  located  in  Mahaska 
county,  where  he  worked  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand.  In  1859  he  came  to 
Poweshiek  county,  settling  in  Sugar  Creek  township  where  for  a  time  he  con- 
tinued to  do  farm  work.  In  1888  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  land,  in  the  cul- 
tivation of  which  he  met  with  such  success  that  he  was  later  able  to  add  another 
forty  acres   to  his  tract.     He  still  owns  this  property,  but  has   for  some  time 


76  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

been  living  i-etiretl  in  Searsboro.  Mr.  IJaker  foUuwed  general  farming.  He 
also  had  a  fine  orchard  and  made  a  .specialty  of  raising  stock. 

On  the  24th  of  March,  1859,  .Mr.  P.aker  was  married  to  Miss  Julia  Stanley, 
a  daughter  of  John  T.  and  Mary  (Berry)  Stanley,  of  Sugar  Creek  township, 
Poweshiek  county.  Mrs.  Baker  was  born  in  Miami  county,  Ohio,  on  the  nth 
of  June,  1835,  her  parents  having  resided  there  for  about  twenty  years.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stanley  were  natives  of  \'irginia,  from  which  state  they  migrated 
to  Ohio,  settling  in  Miami  county  in  1830.  In  1851  they  came  to  Iowa,  settling 
on  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  Powe- 
shiek county,  which  Mr.  Stanley  purchased.  He  later  added  to  this  another 
eighty  acres,  continuing  to  make  his  home  on  the  farm  until  his  death  on  the 
27th  of  March.  1888.  The  mother  survived  him  until  the  15th  of  August,  1890. 
He  was  a  supporter  of  the  democracy  and  served  as  township  trustee,  while 
both  he  and  his  wife  held  membership  in  the  Baptist  church.  The  family  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker  numbered  six  children,  five  of  whom  are  now  surviving: 
Mary  C,  the  wife  of  Paul  Nelson,  of  Rochester,  Minnesota;  Wesley,  who  is  a 
resident  of  Kendall,  Missouri ;  Lucy  Jane,  who  is  deceased ;  George,  who  makes 
his  home  in  Mahaska  county,  Iowa;  Clarissa;  and  Cora,  the  wife  of  Bert  Sex- 
ton, of  Sugar  Creek  township. 

The  family  always  worshipped  in  the  Christian  church,  of  which  Mrs. 
Baker  is  a  member,  and  fraternally  Mr.  Baker  has  been  affiliated  with  the  Ma- 
sonic order  for  forty-three  years.  His  political  support  he  gives  to  the  republican 
party,  and  for  several  years  served  as  road  supervisor.  Many  notable  changes 
have  taken  place  in  Poweshiek  county  during  the  long  period  of  Mr.  Baker's 
residence,  in  all  of  which  he  has  ever  taken  a  keen  interest. 


CHARLES  SWECKER. 


Charles  Swecker  is  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  laml  in 
Jefferson  township,  which  he  has  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and 
which  yields  him  a  handsome  annual  income. 

He  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and  was  born  in  Jefferson  township,  January 
25,  1873,  a  son  of  Abraham  and  Lydia  (Niswander)  Swecker,  who  were  both 
natives  of  ^^irginia.  The  father  was  reared  as  a  farmer  and  came  to  Powe- 
shiek county,  Iowa,  with  his  family  in  the  spring  of  1872.  He  engaged  suc- 
cessfully in  agriculture  and  stock-raising  and  became  the  owner  of  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  good  land,  which  he  cultivated  tor  over  thirty 
years.  He  then  retired  to  Hartwick,  where  he  died  in  July,  1906.  The 
mother  is  still  living  and  resides  at  Belle  Plaine. 

Charles  Swecker,  of  this  review,  possessed  good  opportunities  of  education 
in  the  common  schools,  and  under  his  father  became  well  acquainted  with  all 
classes  of  work  pertaining  to  agriculture  and  stock-raising.  In  1894  he  began 
working  on  his  own  account  on  the  old  homestead  north  of  Hartwick,  and  m 
the  spring  of  1910  removed  to  his  present  location  on  section  34,  where  he 
engages    in    general    agriculture,    also    raising   cattle   and    hogs    for    the    market. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  77 

He  cultivates  the  soil  to  good  advantage  and  his  farm  yields  a  reliable  income. 
The  buildings  are  all  in  excellent  order  and  he  and  his  family  have  one  of  the 
most  comfortable  homes   in   the  township. 

In  1807  Mr.  Swecker  was  married  to  Miss  Myrtle  Wilson,  a  daughter  of 
lav  Wilson,  and  to  this  union  one  child.  Rex.  J.,  was  born.  The  mother  of 
this  child  died  May  3,  1898,  and  in  September,  1899,  Mr.  Swecker  was  again 
HKirried.  his  second  union  being  with  Kathrine  Mcllrath,  a  daughter  of  James 
Mcllrath,  a  well  known  farmer  of  Jefferson  township.  To  the  second  mar- 
riage of  Mr.  Swecker  four  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Wayne  James, 
Charles  Wilson  ;  Myrtle  E. :  and  Eleanor  L. 

Mr.  Swecker  casts  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  republican  party.  He  has 
never  sought  the  honors  or  emoluments  of  public  office,  but  served  with  general 
approval  as  member  of  the  school  board.  Religiously  he  is  connected  with  the 
C'ongregational  church  at  Hartwick.  He  is  known  as  an  up-to-date  farmer 
and  an  intelligent  and  broad-minded  man,  one  who  may  be  depended  upon  to 
lend  a  hand  in  forwarding  every  movement  that  aims  to  promote  the  general 
welfare. 


CHARLES  H.  HALL. 


I'lrming  claims  the  time  and  attention  of  Charles  H.  Hall,  who  owns  and 
operates  a  well  improved  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Scott  town- 
ship, as  well  as  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  in  Bear  Creek  township.  He  is  a  native 
of  the  latter  township,  born  July  27,  1873,  a  son  of  George  and  Katharine 
'  Deardorff)  Hall,  who  are  mentioned  in  connection  with  the  sketch  of  O.  D. 
1  lall,  a  brother  of  our  subject,  on  another  page  of  this  work.  Their  family 
numbered   nine   children  but   only   seven   are   now   living. 

Charles  H.  Hall  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Bear  Creek  township  and 
was  early  trained  to  the  work  of  plowing,  planting  and  harvesting  during  the 
spring  and  summer  months,  while  in  the  winter  season  he  attended  the  district 
schools.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he  reached  mature  years, 
when  he  began  working  out  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand.  He  was  thus  em- 
ployed for  three  years,  when,  having  saved  sufficient  capital,  he  began  farming 
on  his  own  account.  As  his  financial  resources  have  permitted  he  has  invested 
in  land  and  today  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  6,  Scott  town- 
ship, where  he  resides,  and  eighty  acres  in  Bear  Creek  township.  Both  tracts 
are  improved  with  good  buildings,  and  his  fields  are  in  a  cultivable  state,  from 
which  he  annually  gathers  abundant  harvests. 

Mr.  Hall  was  married  in  March,  1898.  to  Miss  Nellie  Robertson,  who  was 
born  in  Scott  township,  December  28,  1871,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  .\nnie 
ffiibbs)  Robertson,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Scotland  but  were  reared 
anfl  married  in  New  York.  The  father  came  west  with  his  family  at  an  early 
(lay  and  accumulated  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  Poweshiek 
countv.  He  died  here  in  early  life,  in  1886,  when  but  forty-five  years  of  age, 
while  his  wife  passed  away  in  1893  at  the  age  of  fifty-two.  They  !iad  two 
daughters  and  a  son :  Nellie,  now  Mrs.  Hall :  Thomas,  a  resident  of  Scott  town- 


78  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

ship;  and  Maggie,  the  wife  of  WiUiam  Johnson,  a  resident  of  Brooklyn.  Unto 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  have  been  born  four  children :  Lester,  Grace,  Ray  and  Lyle. 
Politically  Mr.  Hall  is  a  democrat.  Having  spent  their  entire  lives  in  Powe- 
shiek county,  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  are  well  and  favorably  known,  having  a 
wide  circle  of  friends  in  their  home  localitv. 


WILLIAM   McCLURE. 


The  position  which  William  McOure  holds  in  the  agricultural  circles  of 
Poweshiek  county  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  for  the  past  five  years  he  has 
served  as  president  of  the  Poweshiek  County  Central  Agricultural  Society  of 
Malcom.  He  was  born  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  in  1861,  a  son  of  James  and 
Mary  (Corrough)  McClure,  both  natives  of  County  Down,  Ireland.  They  were 
reared  and  married  in  their  native  country  and  later  came  to  Iowa,  locating 
in  Scott  county.  Subsequently  they  took  up  their  abode  in  Muscatine  county, 
where  the  mother  passed  away  in  1872,  at  the  age  of  forty-six  years.  The 
father  came  to  Poweshiek  county  in  February,  1879,  and  here  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  for  many  years,  making  his  home  upon  his  farm  two  miles  east 
of  Malcom  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  about  1891,  when 
he  was  sixty-nine  years  of  age.  He  and  his  wife  were  the  parents  of  ten  chil- 
dren, seven  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  which  number  three  sons  and  two 
daughters    still    survive. 

William  McClure,  who  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth,  spent  the  period  of 
his  boyhood  and  youth  in  his  native  county  and  there  acquired  his  education. 
He  has  been  a  resident  of  Poweshiek  county  since  February,  1879,  when  he 
came  to  this  county  with  his  father,  with  whom  he  resided  on  the  old  home- 
stead farm  until  twelve  years  ago,  when  he  purchased  his  present  home.  His 
farm  consists  of  three  hundred  and  fifty-one  acres,  located  on  sections  23  and 
14.  and  is  a  highly  imi)roved  property,  equipped  with  all  modern  conveniences. 
His  fields  are  inclosed  by  neat,  well  kept  fences,  and  upon  the  place  are  found 
a  comfortable  dwelling,  a  large  barn,  sixty-four  by  eighty  feet,  and  substantial 
outbuildings.  Everything  about  the  place  indicates  that  he  is  in  touch  with  the 
modern  spirit  of  progress  which  is  manifest  in  agricultural  lines.  During  the 
past  three  years  he  has  rented  his  farm.  He  now  rents  his  land  but  continues  to 
live  on  his  farm  and  gives  his  attention  to  his  stock.  He  is  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock-raising  and  so  manages  his  interests  that  he  is  winning  most 
gratifying  success. 

In  October,  1908,  Mr.  McClure  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
(Moses)  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  Simon  and  Catharine  Moses,  her  birth  oc- 
curring in  Monona,  Iowa,  on  the  27th  of  July,  1876.  Unto  them  have  been 
born  two  children,  Kathryn  Elizabeth  and  William  James.  By  a  former  mar- 
riage Mrs.  McClure  had  a  son,  Raymond  C.  Johnson,  now  a  lad  six  years 
of  age. 

Mr.  McQure  is  well  known  in  fraternal  circles  as  a  member  of  the  Knight-; 
of   Pythias  and  also  of  the   Masonic  order,  belonging  to  Lily   Lodge,   No.   254. 


'^<>77^^. 


'CA.^^.^Jl 


■'<^.VOA 


^IOns, 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  81 

A.  !•".  &  A.  M.,  and  to  Hyssop  Chapter,  R.  A.  M.,  both  of  Mak(jm.  His  relig- 
ious faith  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  in  jiohtics  he  gives  stalwart  sup- 
port to  the  republican  party.  He  is  now  serving  as  township  trustee  and  for  tlie 
past  three  years  has  acted  as  secretary  of  the  township  school  board.  In  what- 
ever relation  he  has  been  found,  whether  in  public,  private  or  business  life,  he 
has  ever  manifested  the  most  loyal  and  public-spirited  citizenship,  strongly 
advocating  and  upholding  every  measure  which  has  for  its  object  the  material, 
political,  intellectual  or  moral  growth  of  the  community.  As  president  of  the 
Poweshiek  County  Central  Agricultural  Association,  which  position  he  has  oc- 
cupied for  the  past  five  years,  he  has  come  into  contact  with  the  farming  ele- 
ment throughout  the  county  and  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  progress  and  advance- 
ment along  agricultural  and  kindred  lines  have  been  potent  factors  in  stimulat- 
ing the  interest  and  action  of  his  fellowmen  in  that  direction. 


JOSEPH  D.  CARPENTER. 

No  resident  of  Poweshiek  county  has  achieved  greater  success  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits  than  has  Joseph  D.  Carpenter,  whose  beautiful  home  on  section 
3,  Pleasant  township,  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  spots  in  this  locality.  He 
was  born  at  Pownal,  \'ermont,  and  comes  of  old  Revolutionary  stock,  his 
ancestors  in  both  the  paternal  and  maternal  lines  having  fought  in  the  war  for 
independence.  He  was  the  only  son  of  Joseph  I.  and  Augusta  E.  (Gardner) 
Carpenter,  who  were  also  natives  of  Pownal,  where  the  father's  birth  occurred 
in  1 82 1  and  the  mother's  in  1829.  The  latter,  who  passed  away  when  her  son 
was  but  three  days  old,  was  born  on  the  old  homestead  on  which  her  father 
and  her  son  were  both  born.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Captain  David  Gardner, 
who  died  in  1866  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years,  and  a  sister  of  Abram  Gard- 
ner, lieutenant  governor  of  \'ermont  at  one  time  and  also  a  well  known  and 
prominent  lawyer  of  that  state.  The  Gardner  family  was  one  of  the  first  to 
settle  at  Pownal,  \'ermont,  and  the  old  homestead  in  which  our  subject  was 
born,  still  remains  in  the  family,  being  now  owned  by  his  cousin.  Shortly 
after  the  death  of  his  wife  Joseph  Carpenter  went  to  Illinois,  locating  in 
Bureau  county,  and  in  1857  he  was  joined  by  his  son,  who  was  reared  in  that 
county.  The  father  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  in  Princeton  until  his  son 
was  eleven  years  of  age,  when  they  removed  to  a  farm  near  that  city  and 
there  he  passed  his  remaining  days.  His  death  occurred  at  Princeton  in  Sep- 
tember, 1902.  By  a  second  marriage  he  had  become  the  father  of  four  sons 
and  a  daughter. 

Joseph  D.  Carpenter,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  spent  his  early 
life  in  Princeton  and  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  and  in  1877  came  to  Poweshiek 
county,  where  he  has  since  maintained  his  residence.  His  home  place  consists 
of  half  of  section  3,  Pleasant  township,  about  two  and  a  half  miles  southwest 
of  Malcom,  and  is  one  of  the  finely  improved  and  valuable  properties  of  this 
section.  In  its  midst  stands  the  beautiful  residence  which  Mr.  Carpenter 
erected  in    1907,  containing  fifteen  rooms,  all  equipped   with  the  most  modern 


82  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

impruvements.  In  the  rear  are  substanlial  buildings  and  on  the  jilace  is  found 
every  convenience  for  facihtating  farm  labor.  In  addition  to  the  cultivation 
of  this  property  Mr.  Carpenter  gives  considerable  attention  to  his  extensive 
live-stock  interests,  being  one  of  the  heaviest  stock- feeders  and  shippers  in  the 
county.  He  ships  an  average  of  ten  carloads  of  stock  annually  and  has  also 
shipped  as  high  as  one  hundred  carloads  a  year.  Prosperity  has  attended  him 
in  the  conduct  of  his  affairs,  for  he  possesses  in  large  measure  those  qualities 
which  are  positive  forces  in  the  acquirement  of  financial  independence,  and  as 
success  has  come  to  him  he  has  purchased  more  land,  being  now  the  owner  of 
three  valuable  farms  aside  from  his  home  place.  His  wife  also  possesses  con- 
siderable property  in  her  own  right  and,  together  with  their  children,  they  now 
own  about  one  thousand  acres  of  good  land  in  Poweshiek  county. 

Mr.  Carpenter  was  married,  on  the  loth  of  June,  1875,  at  Princeton,  Illinois, 
to  Miss  ]\Iinerva  E.  Judd,  who  was  born  in  that  city  on  the  27th  of  October, 
1852.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Eli  P.  Judd.  now  deceased,  a  very  wealthy  man  of 
whom  mention  is  made  on  another  page  in  this  volume.  Unto  rhis  union  have 
been  born  nine  children  as  follows:  Sarah  A.,  who  has  filled  the  office  of 
county  superintendent  of  schools  since  January  i,  191 1  :  David  Eli,  of  Pleasant 
township ;  Flora,  the  wife  of  William  C.  Stimson,  of  Scott  township ;  Rey- 
nolds R.,  also  of  that  township;  Joseph  L.,  of  Pleasant  township;  Forest  D., 
still  under  the  parental  roof;  \'era,  a  teacher  residing  at  home;  Lodi,  at  home; 
and  Hazel,  who  is  engaged  in  teaching. 

Mr.  Carpenter  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order,  holding  membership  in 
Lily  Lodge,  No.  54,  A.  F.  &  A.  M..  at  Malcom,  and  in  politics  is  a  republican. 
The  honors  and  emoluments  of  office,  however,  have  never  possessed  any  at- 
traction for  him,  for  he  has  desired  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  his  per- 
sonal business  affairs.  Substantial  and  enviable  success  has  come  to  him  as 
the  legitimate  and  logical  result  of  his  well  directed  eiTorts,  for  with  him  per- 
severance, diligence  and  integrity  have  constituted  the  guiding  posts  of  life, 
bringing  him  to  the  honorable  and  prominent  position  which  he  now  occupies 
in  the  opinion  of  his  fellow  citizens,  among  whom  he  has  so  long  lived  and 
labored. 


EDWIN   E.   H.\RRIS,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Edwin  E.  Harris,  physician  and  surgeon,  who  in  the  practice  of  med- 
icine gives  evidence  of  his  comprehensive  understanding  of  the  principles  upon 
which  his  work  is  based  and  whose  ability  is  further  attested  in  the  large 
practice  that  is  accorded  him,  was  born  in  Fremont  county,  Iowa.  January  2, 
1867.  His  parents  were  Jared  J.  and  Mary  E.  (Ewell)  Harris,  the  former  a 
native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  Iowa,  and  they  were  married  in  Fremont 
county,  Iowa.  The  father  was  reared  in  his  native  state  and  there  enlisted 
for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  becoming  a  member  of  the  Seventeenth  Ohio 
Infantry.  He  was  with  that  command  for  less  than  a  year  when  he  was  dis- 
charged on  account  of  illness,  after  which  he  came  west  for  his  health.     Later 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWF.SIIIEK  COUNTY  83 

lie  reenlisted  in  the  Fourth  Iowa  Cavalry  and  served  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
Following  the  cessation  of  hostilities  he  was  married  and  took  ;ip  his  abode  in 
Fremont  county,  Iowa.  In  early  life  he  had  studied  pharmacy  and  for  some 
years  practiced  his  profession.  .After  the  war  he  took  up  the  study  of  law  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar.  practicing  for  eight  or  nine  years  in  Sidney,  Iowa.  In 
1876  he  went  to  California,  where  he  entered  upon  the  work  of  the  ministry, 
preaching  the  gospel  for  about  seven  years  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church. 
About  1882  he  returned  to  Fremont  county  and  turned  his  attention  to  edu- 
cational work,  .-\fter  teaching  school  for  a  short  period  he  was  elected  county 
superintendent  of  schools,  in  which  position  he  served  for  three  terms,  or  six 
years.  On  the  expiration  of  his  third  term  of  office  he  retired  from  active  life 
and  five  years  later  again  went  to  California,  where  his  death  occurred  in 
1003.  His  wife  is  still  living  on  the  Pacific  coast,  her  home  being  in  I^)erkeley, 
California. 

Dr.  Harris  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  became  a  student  in 
Tabor  College,  being  graduated  therefrom  on  the  completion  of  the  English 
course  with  the  class  of  1891.  Prior  to  this  time  he  had  taken  up  teaching 
as  a  profession  and  in  1891  and  1892  was  principal  of  the  schools  of  Elliott, 
Iowa,  but  resigned  his  position  to  enter  upon  preparation  for  the  practice  of 
medicine.  He  pursued  his  studies  in  both  Columbia  University  and  in  the 
Howard  University  Medical  School  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  in  both  in- 
stitutions he  acted  also  as  teaclier  of  chemistry.  He  received  his  degree  from 
Howard  University  in  1895  and  then  came  west,  settling  first  in  Tabor,  Iowa. 
P)0th  he  and  his  wife  were  graduates  of  the  same  school  and  in  1908  they  went 
abroad,  returning  the  following  year.  While  in  Europe  Dr.  Harris  pursued  a 
s|)ecial  course  of  study  in  London  and  in  \'ienna  and  in  the  latter  city  he 
received  his  zeugnus,  or  diploma.  On  his  return  in  1909  he  took  post-graduate 
work  at  the  Johns  Hopkins  University  of  Baltimore,  Maryland.  Later  he  lo- 
cated in  Grinnell.  He  had  also  done  special  work  in  Rome  and  in  Paris.  He 
devotes  a  portion  of  almost  every  summer  to  post-graduate  study  either  in 
Chicago  or  New  York  and  is  one  of  the  best  equipped  physicians  and  surgeons 
of  this  section  of  the  west.  His  knowledge  is  most  accurate  and  comprehensive 
and  wide  experience  as  well  as  research  has  made  him  a  man  of  pronounced 
ability. 

In  1894  Dr.  Harris  was  married  to  Miss  Louise  A.  Fairfield,  of  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  F.  W.  Fairfield,  D.  D.,  professor  of  Greek 
in  Tabor  I'niversity,  who  later  held  the  same  position  in  Howard  University 
in  Washington,  D  C,  becoming  acting  president  of  the  latter  institution.  LTnto 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Harris  have  been  born  three  children,  of  whom  two  are  living: 
Frederick  F.,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Grinnell  high  school ;  and  Eleanor  F, 
The  parents  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church  and  Dr.  Harris  is  now 
presi.lent  of  the  choir.  He  belongs  to  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. 
The  duties  and  demands  of  his  profession  leave  him  little  time  for  social 
pleasures,  but  his  friends  and  his  patients  find  him  a  congenial,  courteous  gen- 
tleman nf  hoi^eful  nature  and  of  cordial  disposition.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
county,  state  and  national  medical  societies  and  for  years  has  served  as  sec- 
retary of  the  county  society.     Words  of  commendation  are  spoken  concerning 


84  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

him  not  only  by  the  general  public  but  by  the  profession  as  well,  for  his  fellow- 
practitioners  recognize  his  superior  worth  and  ability  in  a  calling  where  ad- 
vancement depends  entirely  upon  individual  merit. 


ERNEST  EDWIN  LINCOLN. 

At  the  early  age  of  four  years  Ernest  I'Ldwin  Lincoln  arrived  in  America 
with  his  parents  from  England.  He  has,  perhaps,  but  a  faint  recollection  of 
the  green  fields  and  crowded  cities  of  the  British  Isles.  In  Poweshiek  county 
he  has  spent  about  forty-five  years  of  his  life.  He  is  now  one  of  the  honored 
citizens  of  Washington  township  and  the  owner  of  one  of  its  highl)-  i)roducti\e 
farms. 

He  was  born  on  Isle  Sheppy,  fifty  miles  east  of  London,  in  the  Thames 
river,  November  8,  1849,  a  son  of  Edward  and  Amy  (Mapstead)  Lincoln. 
The  father  was  born  at  Chillhani,  a  suburb  of  London,  and  the  mother  at 
Charing  Cross.  They  were  married  in  the  old  country  and  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1853,  taking  up  their  residence  near  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  Mr.  Lin- 
coln rented  a  farm  for  twelve  years.  He  then  came  to  \\'ashington  township, 
Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  upon 
which  he  established  his  family  homestead.  He  died  June  9,  1882,  the  mother 
being  called  away  on  the  4th  of  March,  1884.  They  were  both  baptized  in  the 
faith  of  the  Episcopal  church  and  the  father  gave  his  political  support  to  the 
republican  party.  There  were  nine  children  in  their  family:  John  F.  and  George, 
both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  Mary  Ann,  who  married  Cieorge  Simmons,  of 
Grinnell :  Edward,  living  in  Washington,  this  county ;  Henry  W.,  who  is  now 
living  near  Columbus,  Ohio ;  Jane  and  Charles,  both  of  whom  are  deceased ; 
Ernest  Edwin,  of  this  review,  and  Amy,  also  deceased. 

Ernest  Edwin  Lincoln  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Ohio  and  as 
he  grew  to  manhood  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  ui)on  the  home  farm.  He 
came  to  Poweshiek  county  with  liis  parents  and  inherited  forty  acres  of  the 
family  estate,  to  which  he  added  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  by  purchase. 
Subse<|uently  he  disposed  of  his  land  and  acquired  his  present  farm  of  four 
hundred  acres.  He  also  owned  sixty  acres  in  the  west  side  of  the  township, 
which  he  has  sold  his  son.  He  erected  the  buildings,  which  are  substantial  and 
sightly,  and  has  made  many  other  im[M-ovements,  the  place  being  one  of  the 
valuable  properties  of  the  township.  His  business  interests  are  well  managed 
and  he  is  a  man  of  energy  and  determination,  the  reward  he  received  as  the 
result  of  his  efforts  being  well  merited. 

On  the  26th  of  December,  1876,  Mr.  Lincoln  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Thompson,  who  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  Alay  4,  1858.  a 
daughter  of  Alexander  and  Mary  (Robson)  Thompson.  The  father  was  born 
near  [ielfast,  Ireland,  and  the  mother  also  at  the  same  place.  They  were  mar- 
ried in  Allegheny  county,  Pennsylvania,  having  come  to  the  L'nited  States  in 
1851.  After  their  marriage  they  removed  to  Mercer  count}-,  Illinois,  where  Mr. 
Thompson  purchased  a   farm.     Subsequently  he  disposed  of  his  pro]iertv  and 


HISTORY  OF  POWESITIKK  COl'XTV  85 

came  to  Iowa,  ])urchasiiig  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Jasper  county,  and 
applied  himself  with  such  diligence  that  he  became  the  owner  of  six  hundred 
and  forty  acres  of  good  land.  He  is  now  retired  from  active  labor  and  has 
reached  the  age  of  eighty-four  years.  The  beloved  wife  and  mother  died  April 
14.  i(jo9.  being  then  eighty-two  years  of  age.  Mr.  Thompson  is  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  church,  as  was  also  his  wife,  and  m  politics  he  gives  his 
allegiance  to  the  democratic  party.  Eight  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lincoln.  namel\' :  Alexander,  of  Washington  township,  who  is  married  and 
has  two  children  .  Elsie  Elizabeth  and  Alice  Mary ;  Ernest,  also  of  Washington 
township,  who  is  married  and  has  two  children ,  Frances  Elizabeth  and  Roy 
[•".rnest ;  David,  of  W'ashington  township,  who  is  married  and  has  five  children  ; 
Emma  May,  Albert  Ernest,  Grace  Susan,  William  David  and  Harry  Ralph ; 
Charles,  of  Washington  township,  who  is  married  and  has  two  children  ,  George 
Edwin  and  Ross  Arthur;  Susan  Mary,  who  married  T>.  N.  Whittaker,  of  Wash- 
ington township,  and  has  one  child ,  Ona  Elizabeth ;  John  E.,  deceased ;  and 
I'rancis  Henry  and  George  Edward,  both  of  whom  are  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  Lincoln  is  independent,  preferring  to  cast  his  ballot  for  the 
man  ^-ather  than  in  support  of  any  party  organization.  He  is  active  in  local 
affairs  and  has  held  most  of  the  township  offices,  including  those  of  trustee  and 
road  supervisor.  He  is  greatly  interested  in  education  and  for  twenty-five  years 
[)ast  !ias  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  has  an  intimate  knowl- 
edge of  the  development  of  Poweshiek  county  and  through  his  genial  character- 
istics has  gained  many  warm  friends,  who  regard  him  as  one  of  the  most 
capable  and  useful  men  in  the  township. 


ROBERT  A.  MORTLAND. 

.\mong  the  native  sons  of  Montezuma  Robert  A.  Mortland  is  numbered. 
1  le  is  now  well  known  in  journalistic  circles  in  Poweshiek  county  as  editor  of 
the  Palladium  and  is  a  partner  of  his  father.  R.  L.  Mortland,  in  the  ownership 
of  the  paper.  He  has  always  remained  a  resident  of  his  native  city  and  after 
mastering  the  branches  of  learning  taught  in  the  graded  schools  he  became  a 
high  school  student  and  was  graduated  in  1891.  In  the  years  1894  and  1895 
he  was  a  student  in  the  state  university,  after  which  he  became  associated  with 
his  father  in  newspa])er  publication,  assuming  the  management  of  the  Powe- 
shiek County  Palladium,  having  been  in  control  of  this  paper  since  its  estab- 
lishment in  1895.  ^■'i  't^  publication  he  keeps  in  touch  with  the  most  advanced 
ideas  of  progressive  journalism  and  gives  to  the  public  a  readable  journal,  which 
because  of  its  large  and  growing  circulation  is  also  an  excellent  advertising 
medium  and  has  secured  a  good  support  in  that  connection. 

On  the  23d  of  August.  1906.  Mr.  Mortland  was  married  to  Miss  Katharine 
Harden,  who  was  born  in  Montezuma,  a  daughter  of  T.  J.  Harden.  They  now 
have  one  child,  Ruth  Elizabeth.  In  his  fraternal  relations  Mr.  Mortland  is  a 
Knight  of  Pythias  and  an  Odd  Fellow.  His  ])olitical  allegiance  has  always  been 
given  to  the  democratic  party  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  fran- 


86  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

chise  and  he  has  served  on  the  county  and  congressional  committees  and  at  the 
present  writing  is  filhng  the  office  of  town  clerk,  which  position  he  has  occupied 
since  1897.  or  for  a  period  of  fourteen  years.  His  long  retention  in  this  office 
stands  as  incontrovertible  proof  of  his  ability  and  fidelity.  The  consensus  of  pub- 
lic opinion  places  Robert  A.  Portland  in  a  prominent  position  as  one  of  the  lead- 
ing and  influential  men  of  his  native  city  and  as  one  whose  labors  have  been 
effective  and  far-reaching  forces  for  the  general  good. 


JOHN  HENRY  STANLEY. 

John  Henry  Stanley,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  Searsboro.  was  born  in 
Miami  county,  Ohio,  on  the  21st  of  July,  1838,  and  is  a  son  of  John  T.  and 
Mary  (Barber)  Stanley.  The  parents  were  both  natives  of  Virginia,  the 
father  having  been  born  in  Halifax  county  on  the  25th  of  July,  1806,  and  the 
mother  in  Vermont  county  on  the  12th  of  .August,  181 1.  They  were  reared 
and  educated  in  their  native  state,  where  they  were  also  married.  Subseiiuently 
they  migrated  to  Ohio,  locating  on  a  farm  which  they  rented  in  Aliami  county 
in  1833.  They  continued  to  reside  in  the  Buckeye  state  until  1851,  when  they 
came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land 
in  Sugar  Creek  township.  Later  Mr.  Stanley  purchased  eighty  acres  of  school 
land,  which  he  cleared  and  improved,  continuing  to  engage  in  general  farming 
until  about  three  years  prior  to  his  demise,  when  he  retired.  He  [passed  away 
on  the  26th  of  March,  1888,  and  his  wife  in  .\ugust,  1890.  He  voted  with  the 
democratic  party  and  served  for  several  years  as  township  trustee,  while  both 
he  and  his  wife  held  membership  in  the  Baptist  church.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Stanley  were  born  eight  children:  Martha  J.,  who  is  deceased;  Julia  .\..  the 
wife  of  John  Baker,  a  resident  of  Poweshiek  county;  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of 
John  English,  of  Sugar  Creek  township ;  John  Henry,  our  subject ;  James  T., 
who  is  living  in  Mahaska  county;  Granville  M.,  who  is  deceased;  Lawson  M., 
also  a  resident  of  Mahaska  county ;  and  William,  who  is  deceased. 

The  district  schools  of  Sugar  Creek  township  provided  John  Henry  Stanley 
with  his  educational  advantages.  .After  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  gave  his 
entire  time  and  attention  to  the  work  of  the  farm  until  he  had  attained  his  ma- 
jority. He  subsequently  bought  forty  acres  of  land  from  his  father,  which  he 
cultivated  for  a  time  and  then  disposing  of  it  he  went  to  Kansas,  locating  in 
Norton  county.  At  the  end  of  a  year  he  returned  to  Sugar  Creek  township 
where  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land ;  selling  this,  later  he  purchased  fifty 
acres  elsewhere  in  the  township.  Five  years  thereafter  he  bought  the  old 
homestead  which  he  retained  until  1898,  when  he  traded  it  to  B.  T.  X'estal 
for  a  stock  of  general  merchandise  in  Searsboro.  .After  conducting  the  store 
for  eighteen  months  he  traded  it  for  a  farm  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  which  he 
sold  later,  and  once  more  bought  the  old  homestead.  He  operated  this  for  two 
years  and  then  came  to  Searsboro,  where  he  erected  a  building  and  again  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business,  being  associated  with  his  son,  Robert  H.  in 
the  conduct  of  same.     Two  vears  later  he  sold  this  Ijusiness  to  I.  S.  Saunders 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'XTV  87 

and  bought  a  livery  stable,  which  he  conducted  for  three  years,  but  he  is 
now  renting  it.  At  the  present  time  Mr.  Stanley  is  practically  living  a  retired 
life  in  Searsboro,  where  he  owns  a  very  comfortable  residence. 

On  the  nth  of  March,  i860,  Mr.  Stanley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Cornelia  Reed,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Eliza  (Reed)  Reed,  of  Sugar 
Creek  township.  The  parents  were  born  in  North  Carolina  in  1814,  and  there 
the  father  engaged  in  farming  until  his  demise.  Mrs.  Stanley  is  also  a  native 
of  North  Carolina  her  birth  having  occurred  in  Perquimans  county  on  the 
i6th  of  May,  1840.  Following  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Reed  removed 
with  her  family  to  Indiana,  locating  in  the  vicinity  of  Richmond,  where  she  later 
married  Philip  Reed.  In  1854  the  family  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  settled 
on  an  eighty  acre  farm  in  Sugar  Creek  township  which  Mr.  Reed  bouglit. 
Here  the  mother  passed  away  in  March,  1865.  He  went  to  California  later 
and  there  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death.  He  was  a  republican  in  politics 
and  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reed  affiliated  with  the  United  Brethren  church.  Of 
the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stanley  there  were  born  seven  children :  Charles  L., 
who  is  a  resident  of  Malcom  township;  Mary  F.,  who  married  John  Stilwell.  of 
South  Dakota:  Emma  E.,  the  wife  of  David  Miller,  of  New  Sharon,  Mahaska 
county,  Iowa;  Ella  E.,  who  married  JefTerson  Gordon,  of  Oskaloosa ;  Robert  H., 
who  is  living  in  Searsboro;  Minnie  M.,  who  married  Clarence  Main,  of  Sugar 
Creek  township;  and  Ellen,  who  died  in  infancy. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Stanley  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, having  been  a  member  of  Searsboro  Lodge,  No.  335,  for  thirty-three 
years,  during  which  time  he  has  held  the  various  chairs,  while  Mrs.  Stanley 
is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Mr.  Stanley's  political  allegiance  is 
given  to  the  democratic  party,  and  he  has  served  two  years  as  township  trustee, 
while  for  ten  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  school  board,  during  six  of  which 
he  was  secretary,  and  at  the  present  time  he  is  serving  his  third  term  as  clerk 
of  the  township.  Nearly  the  entire  life  of  Air.  Stanley  has  been  spent  in 
Poweshiek  county,  where  he  has  made  many  friends  whose  regard  he  still 
retains. 


FREDERICK    ELLIOTT    SPAULDING. 

Frederick  Elliott  Spaulding,  a  prominent  vehicle  manufacturer  of  Grinnell, 
is  associated  in  business  with  H.  W.  and  E.  H.  Spaulding.  He  is  also  a  director 
of  the  Ohio  Valley  Bending  Company,  the  Mercer  Wheel  Company  and  the 
Moline  Pole  and  Shaft  Company.  His  birth  occurred  in  Grinnell,  Iowa,  on 
the  29th  of  November,  1877,  his  parents  being  Henry  W.  and  Miriam  Jane 
(Lull)  Spaulding.  He  supplemented  his  preliminary  education  by  a  course 
of  study  in  Grinnell  College,  which  institution  conferred  upon  him  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Philosophy  in  1899,  while  the  following  year  he  won  the  same 
degree  from  Princeton  University  of  Princeton,  New  Jersey.  On  starting  out 
in  business  life  he  joined  his  father  in  the  manufacture  of  vehicles  and  in 
1900  his  brother,  E.  H.  Spaulding,  also  became  a  member  of  the  firm. 


88  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

On  the  3d  of  October,  1900,  at  Sibley,  Iowa,  Mr.  Spaulding  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Gertrude  Morse  Brown,  a  daughter  of  Charles  E.  Brown  of 
that  place.     Unto  them  has  been  born  one  child,   Elizabeth  Jane   Spaulding. 

Mr.  Spaulding  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  while 
his  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Congregational  church 
of  Grinnell.  His  fraternal  relations  are  with  the  Masons  and  the  Benevolent 
and  Protective  Order  of  Elks  and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Poweshiek  Club. 
His  entire  life  has  been  spent  in  Grinnell  and  he  has  won  an  envable  reputation 
as  a  successful  business  man  and  respected  citizen. 


ALFRED  W.  HEACOCK. 

A  residence  of  more  than  forty  years  in  Iowa  has  given  Alfred  W.  Heacock 
an  opportunity  of  becoming  well  acquainted  with  the  agricultural  resources  of 
the  state  and  also  of  acquiring  a  valuable  farm  which  he  owns  in  Poweshiek 
county.  He  is  a  native  of  Henry  county.  Indiana,  born  .\ugust  8,  1844,  and  is 
a  son  of  Salathial  and  Anna  ( Weeks)  Heacock.  The  father  was  born  in  Bucks 
county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother  near  Rochester,  New  York.  Thev  were 
married  in  Henry  county,  Indiana.  Salathial  Heacock  received  his  education  in 
Bucks  county  and  after  laying  his  books  aside  worked  as  a  cabinet-maker  but 
later  removed  to  Henry  county,  Indiana,  where  he  became  identified  with  agri- 
cultural interests,  continuing  there  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  His  wife 
died  at  Spiceland,  Henry  county.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends 
and  politically  gave  his  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  never  was  an  office 
seeker  but  served  acceptabl\-  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  There  were 
five  children  in  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Heacock,  namely:  .Alfred  W.,  Mary, 
now  the  widow  of  Peter  Rifner,  of  Spiceland,  Henry  county,  Indiana:  Lydia 
Ann,  of  Easthaven,  Wayne  county,  Indiana;  John,  of  Spiceland;  and  Charles, 
deceased, 

Alfred  W.  Heacock  was  educated  in  the  ]3ublic  schools  of  Henry  county  and 
later  attended  Spiceland  Academy  and  the  .Sullivan  Teachers  Normal  School  at 
Sullivan,  Indiana.  He  taught  school  in  Hcnrv  county  and  later  in  Sullivan 
county,  but  being  attracted  to  agricultural  pursuits,  gave  up  teaching  and  began 
farming  in  Henry  county.  In  1870  he  came  to  Iowa  and  located  in  Washing- 
ton township,  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  now  lives.  He  began  farming  in  this 
county  upon  a  place  of  fifty  acres,  but  as  his  resources  increased  he  purchased 
more  land  until  he  now  has  two  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres.  By  diligence 
and  systematic  application  he  has  greatly  increased  the  productive  capacity  of 
the  fields,  and  he  has  also  erected  buildings  and  improved  the  farm  until  it  is  one 
of  the  pleasing  features  of  the  landscape.  He  receives  abundant  annual  returns 
from  the  lalx)r  anil  capital  expended,  all  of  which  is  the  result  of  his  wisely 
apj)lied  energies. 

On  the  8th  of  September,  i86c),  Mr.  Heacock  was  married  to  Miss  .Sarah  E. 
De  Bord,  who  was  born  in  Hawkins  county,  Tennessee,  January  0.  1852.  a 
daughter  of  John  and  Jemima  ("Heron")  De  Bord,  Iioth  of  whom  were  native'^  of 


1  THE  NEW  YORK 

PU-BLIC  LIbiURY 


A8T0R,  tENOX  AND 
XIUOEN  FOUNDATIONS^ 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  91 

West  \irginia.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and  fruit-grower  and  took  up  his  resi- 
dence in  Henry  county,  Indiana,  in  1853.  Later  he  removed  to  Hancock  county, 
Indiana,  where  he  and  his  wife  hved  for  twenty  years.  They  died  near  Green- 
field after  having  journeyed  together  in  loving  companionship  for  fifty-six  years. 
They  were  both  earnest  members  of  the  Baptist  church  and  he  was  an  ordained 
minister  of  that  denomination.  Politically  he  gave  his  support  to  the  republican 
party. 

Eleven  children  came  to  bless  the  union  of  Mr.  and  .Mrs.  Heacock :  Bertha, 
who  married  Edgar  Williams,  of  Jasper  county,  Iowa ;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Will- 
iam McDowell,  of  Oak  Grove,  Poweshiek  county,  a  record  of  whom  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  review  ;  John  Orla,  of  South  Dakota,  who  was  married  February 
27,  1900,  to  Genie  Thompson,  of  Kellogg,  Iowa ;  Louie  Pearl,  deceased ; 
Mabel,  who  became  the  wife  of  Enos  Norman,  of  Grinnell  township;  Ella,  the 
wife  of  Henry  Marshall,  of  Jasper  county ;  Lizzie,  who  became  the  wife  of 
John  Poets,  of  Jasper  county ;  Clifford,  deceased ;  Arthur,  at  home,  who  married 
.\lice  Godfrey ;  Reppie,  deceased ;  and  Olivett,  who  married  Nellie  Thorp  and 
is  living  at  home. 

In  political  belief  Mr.  Heacock  is  a  prohibitionist,  as  he  is  firmly  of  the  opin- 
ion that  the  saloon  is  the  greatest  evil  in  the  country.  The  estimate  in  which  he 
is  held  by  the  voters  of  the  township  is  shown  in  the  fact  that  he  filled  the  re- 
sponsible office  of  justice  of  the  peace  for  eight  years.  He  has  also  served  as  a 
member  of  the  school  board  and  is  al\\-ays  ready  to  assist  in  promoting  the  wel- 
fare of  this  section.  Religiously  he  adheres  to  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  his 
life  has  in  an  important  measure  been  controlled  by  the  simple  faith  of  that 
organization.  He  was  an  officer  and  overseer  in  the  church  for  many  years.  He 
ranks  as  one  of  the  leaders  in  Poweshiek  county  and  is  a  man  who  conscien- 
tiously strives  to  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  the  Master. 

(Mr.  Heacock  passed  away  April  9,  191 1,  after  the  above  biography  was 
written.  On  the  opposite  page  is  a  steel  portrait  of  Mr.  Heacock,  arranged  for 
by  his  widow.) 


JOHN  CAUDLE. 


One  of  the  enterprising  young  agriculturists  of  Poweshiek  county  is  John 
Caudle,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  in  Union  township.  He  was  born 
in  Sugar  Creek  township,  this  county,  on  the  4th  of  August,  1882,  and  is  a 
son  of  Jacob  C.  and  Mary  (Watson)  Caudle,  the  father  a  native  of  North 
Carolina  and  the  mother  of  Sugar  Creek  township.  Jacob  C.  Caudle,  who  was 
a  farmer,  migrated  to  Iowa  in  his  early  manhood  and  located  in  Poweshiek 
county.  He  first  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Sugar  Creek  township, 
where  he  rented  land  and  later  he  bought  a  farm  which  he  cultivated  for  a 
time.  On  disposing  of  it  he  bought  the  place  in  Union  township  upon  which 
his  son  John  now  resides.  The  father  is  now  living  retired  in  New  Sharon, 
Iowa,  but  the  mother  passed  away  on  the  23d  of  June.  1892.  Three  children 
were  born  of  this  union:  Cora,  who  is  the  wife  of  Alford  Allen,  of  Sugar 
Creek  township :  Hattie,  who  is  deceased :  and  John,  our  subject.     The  fam- 


92  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'XTY 

ily  worshipped  with  the  Baptist  denomination,  of  which  church  Mr.  Caudle  is  a 
member,  while  in  poHtics  he  is  a  democrat  and  has  served  as  a  member  of 
the  school  board. 

The  education  of  John  Caudle  was  acquired  in  the  district  schools  in  the 
vicinity  of  his  home.  After  he  had  obtained  a  sufficient  knowledge  of  the 
common  branches  to  enable  him  to  assume  the  heavier  responsibilities  of  life 
he  laid  aside  his  text-books  and  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  He  continued  to  remain  at  home  with  his  father  until  he  was  twenty- 
three  years  of  age  and  then  rented  land,  which  he  cultivated  until  1906,  when  he 
purchased  his  present  farm  of  his  father.  This  contains  fifty  acres  of  land. 
all  of  which  is  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation  and  well  rewards  the  efforts  of 
Mr.  Caudle,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming. 

In  Union  township  on  the  ist  of  April,  1906,  Mr.  Caudle  married  Miss 
Rosie  Elmira  \'ought,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Jennie  (Johnson)  \'ought.  Her 
father  is  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  having  been  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Pitts- 
burg, and  her  mother  of  Iowa.  Mr.  Vought,  who  is  a  farmer,  in  his  early 
manhood  located  in  Missouri  but  later  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  locating 
in  Union  township,  where  he  continues  to  be  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
He  votes  the  democratic  ticket  and  Mrs.  X'ought  belongs  to  the  Christian 
church.  Their  daughter,  Mrs.  Caudle,  is  a  native  of  Poweshiek  county,  having 
been  born  in  Union  township  on  the  14th  of  July,  1888.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Caudle 
have  two  children:  Mary  Elnora,  who  was  born  on  the  ist  of  October,  1907; 
and  Fannie   Christine,   whose  birth  occurred  on   the    i8th  of  August,    1909. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Caudle  affiliate  with  the  Christian  church  and  he  votes 
with  the  democracy,  feeling  that  their  policy  is  best  adapted  to  subserve  the 
interests  of  the  majority.  Since  starting  out  in  life  for  himself  Mr.  Caudle 
has  given  evidence  of  possessing  the  perseverance  and  foresight  as  well  as 
executive  ability  essential   for  success  in  any  vocation. 


PHILIP  HKISHMAX. 


Some  men  are  endowed  at  birth  with  the  faculty  fur  business  which  is 
further  developed  by  practical  e.xperience,  and  naturally  become  leaders  in  the 
community.  To  this  class  belongs  Philip  Heishman,  of  Sheridan  tow-nship. 
He  was  born  in  Hardy  county,  Virginia,  now  West  \'irginia.  May  29,  1838,  a 
son  of  Philip  and  Rebecca  (Bowers)  Heishman.  The  parents  were  both 
natives  of  Hardy  county  and  spent  their  entire  lives  in  that  county.  The  father 
died  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years,  the  mother  having  lieen  called  away  twenty 
years  previously.  The  grandparents  were  John  and  Mary  Heishman,  natives 
of  Germany,  who  came  to  America  and  settled  in  West  \'irginia. 

Philip  Heishman  spent  his  boyhood  years  on  his  father's  farm,  and  con- 
tinued there  until  he  was  married.  He  then  began  farming  on  his  own  account 
upon  rented  land.  In  1861  he  answered  the  call  of  the  south,  enlisting  as  a 
private  in  Company  I.  Eighteenth  Virginia  Cavalry.  For  four  years  he  wore 
the  gray,  serving  on  scout  duty  on  the  left  flank  under  Stonewall  Jackson,  and 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  93 

later  under  General  Early.  He  participated  in  a  number  of  prominent  battles 
and  in  skirmishes  in  the  Shenandoah  \'alley  and  was  captured  at  Winchester, 
January  3,  1863,  and  conducted  as  a  prisoner  of  war  to  Harper's  Ferry.  Later 
he  was  confined  at  Camp  Chase,  Columbus,  Ohio,  where  for  two  months  he  en- 
joyed northern  hospitality.  Then  he  was  confined  at  Fort  Delaware,  where  he 
remained  a  prisoner  of  war  until  June  20,  1865,  when  he  was  released  and  re- 
turned to  his  home,  via  Baltimore,  Maryland.  After  laying  aside  the;,  accouter- 
ments  of  war  he  took  up  farming  and  after  two  years  removed  to  Delaware 
county,  Indiana,  where  he  rented  land  for  ten  years.  Having  accumulated 
sufficient  ca])ital,  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  m  1877  and  purchased 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Sheridan  township,  upon  which  is  now  his 
homestead.  At  various  times  he  acquired  more  land  until  he  is  the  owner  of  six 
hundred  acres  in  the  garden  spot  of  Iowa,  four  hundred  acres  of  which  are 
located  in  section  13,  eighty  acres  in  section  11,  and  forty  acres  in  section  14, 
of  Sheridan  township,  and  eighty  acres  in  section  18,  Madison  township.  The 
land  is  well  drained  and  excellent  buildings  have  been  erected,  the  farm  being 
one  of  the  largest  and  best  in  this  part  of  the  county.  All  of  the  land  is  under 
cultivation.  Mr.  Heishman  is  an  extensive  raiser  of  corn,  oats  and  grass.  He 
is  also  a  large  breeder  of  horses  and  of  full-blooded  Duroc  Jersey  hogs.  He 
feeds  three  hundred  head  of  hogs  yearly  and  also  feeds  three  carloads  of  cattle 
for  the  market  each  winter.  As  is  readily  to  be  seen,  he  farms  upon  an  ex- 
ceptionally large  scale  and  prides  himself  on  the  fact  that  he  has  never  gone 
into  debt  for  a  single  acre  of  the  land  he  now  owns. 

On  the  9th  of  June,  1859,  Mr.  Heishman  was  united  in  marriage  in  Hardy 
county,  \'irginia,  to  Miss  Maggie  Richman,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  and  Lydia 
Richman,  the  father  being  a  farmer  of  Hardy  county.  Eleven  children  were 
born  to  this  union,  seven  of  whom  are  now  living,  namely :  Alice,  who  became 
the  wife  of  N.  P.  Boyle,  a  farmer  of  Grundy  county,  Iowa;  Andrew  J.,  at  home; 
Elmer  C,  who  is  a  farmer  and  lives  in  Grinnell ;  William  H.,  who  engages 
in  farming  near  the  old  homestead ;  John  L.,  also  a  farmer,  residing  near 
Grinnell ;  Augustus,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  near  Brooklyn  ;  and  Ernest,  at 
home.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  April  7,  1890,  and  Mr.  Heishman  was 
married  December  8,  1892,  to  Mrs.  Catharine  (Shank)  Miller,  a  daughter  of 
Jacob  and  Mary  (Mason)  Shank,  natives  of  Rockingham  county,  Virginia, 
where  Mrs.  Heishman  was  born  and  reared.  In  1876  she  came  west  with  her 
former  husband,  John  M.  Miller,  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  Mr.  Miller 
died  at  his  home  in  this  county  June  8,  1887.  At  the  time  of  her  marriage  to 
Mr.  Heishman  she  had  four  daughters ;  Ida,  Betty,  Sally  and  Mary.  The  first 
three  daughters  married  three  of  the  sons  of  Mr.  Heishman;  Ida  became  Mrs. 
William  H.  Heishman;  Sally  became  Mrs.  Ernest  Heishman;  and  Betty  mar- 
ried Augustus  Heishman.  John  L.,  another  of  the  sons  of  Mr.  Heishman,  mar- 
ried Miss  Anna  Miller.  By  his  second  marriage  Mr.  Heishman  has  three  sons : 
Clifford  P.,  Lester  J.  and  Elza  F.,  all  of  whom  are  living  at  home. 

Politically  Mr.  Heishman  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and 
all  of  his  sons  vote  in  support  of  the  same  organization.  He  served  as  town- 
ship trustee  for  six  years  and  for  the  past  thirty-four  years  has  uninterruptedly 
filled  the  office  of  member  of  the  school  board  in  District  No.  6,  .Sheridan  town- 


94  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

ship.  His  son,  William  H.  Heishman,  also  holds  membership  on  the  same 
board.  Mr.  Heishman  has  passed  the  Psalmist's  span  of  three  score  and  ten 
years,  but  he  is  still  actively  interested  in  business  affairs  and  his  advice  is 
eagerly  sought  by  neighbors  and  friends  who  regard  his  opinion  on  many  sub- 
jects as  final.  By  a  life  of  industry  and  by  his  constant  regard  for  the  wel- 
fare of  others  he  has  earned  the  place  he  holds  as  one  of  the  highly  respected 
citizens  of  central  Iowa. 


GEORGE  H.  HAMLIN. 


George  H.  Hamlin  is  cashier  of  the  Merchants  National  Bank  but  the  per- 
formance of  his  duties  in  that  connection  do  not  by  any  means  indicate  the  extent 
of  his  activities  nor  the  breadth  of  his  usefulness  as  a  citizen  of  Grinnell.  One 
of  the  native  sons  of  this  city,  he  was  born  October  23,  1855,  his  father  being 
Homer  Hamlin,  one  of  the  four  founders  of  Grinnell  and  well  known  as  a  promi- 
nent and  honored  resident  of  Poweshiek  county.  His  youthful  days  were  spent 
upon  the  home  farm  and  his  early  education  was  supplemented  by  study  in  the 
high  school  of  Grinnell.  No  event  of  special  importance  occurred  to  vary  the 
routine  of  farm  life  for  him  in  the  days  of  his  boyhood  and  youth. 

When  old  enough  to  handle  the  plow,  he  began  work  in  the  fields  and  con- 
tinued to  assist  in  the  cultivation  of  the  crops  until  his  seventeenth  year,  when, 
feeling  that  he  would  find  other  pursuits  more  congenial  and  profitable,  he  sought 
emplovment  elsewhere,  entering  the  First  National  Eiank  of  Grinnell  as  teller. 
He  filled  the  position  for  ten  years  and  in  1883,  upon  the  organization  of  the  Mer- 
chants National  Bank,  he  was  elected  cashier  and  business  manager  of  the  new 
institution,  in  which  he  has  served  continuously  for  more  than  twenty  years,  hav- 
ing complete  control  of  the  bank's  policy  throughout  the  entire  time.  He  is 
today  recognized  by  bankers  and  business  men  generally  as  one  of  the  ablest  finan- 
ciers of  this  section  of  the  state  and  under  his  guidance  the  Merchants  National 
Bank  has  met  with  remarkable  success,  being  by  far  the  largest  banking  institu- 
tion of  the  county  and  the  largest  national  bank  between  Davenport  and  Des 
Moines  on  the  Rock  Island  railroad.  A  general  banking  business  is  conducted 
and  progressive  methods  are  instituted  whenever  the  interests  of  the  depositors 
and  patrons  can  be  better  safeguarded,  or  the  business  of  the  bank  promoted 
along  substantial  lines.  The  policy  maintained  has  ever  been  such  as  to  com- 
mend the  bank  to  the  confidence  and  patronage  of  the  public,  and  its  success  is 
attributable  in  large  measure  to  Mr.  Hamlin. 

On  the  1 2th  of  January,  1881,  Mr.  Hamlin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Lizzie  R.  Bonsall,  of  Grinnell,  a  foster  daughter  of  Dr.  S.  C.  Cravath,  president 
of  the  Merchants  National  Bank.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  HamHn  are  members  of 
the  Congregational  church,  in  which  he  is  serving  as  a  trustee.  They  are  also 
prominent  in  social  circles  of  the  city  and  their  own  home  is  the  abode  of  a  warm- 
hearted and  generous  hospitality. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hamlin  is  a  republican  and  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  town 
council  and  as  town  treasurer.     He  was  also  for  several  years  a  member  of  the 


GEOKGK    II.    HAM  1,1  \ 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  97 

board  of  education  and  the  public  schools  have  found  in  him  a  stalwart  champion. 
He  was  one  of  the  principal  factors  in  the  organization  of  the  Poweshiek  County 
Agricultural  Society  and  served  for  years  as  treasurer  and  secretary  of  the  so- 
ciety. He  is  now  one  of  the  park  commissioners  of  (jrinnell  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Commercial  Club.  He  is  actively  interested  in  every  movement  of  that  or- 
ganization for  the  ui)building  and  benefit  of  the  city  and  both  individually  and  in 
connection  with  otliers,  he  does  everything  in  his  power  to  promote  the  work  of 
general  progress.  His  labors  have  been  far-reaching  and  beneficial,  and  he  is 
justly  accounted  one  of  the  most  prominent  residents  of  this  city. 


JOHN    C.    .MANLY. 


No  history  of  Poweshiek  county  would  be  complete  without  the  record  of 
John  C.  Manly,  whose  life  illustrates  clearly  what  may  be  accomplished  when 
determination  and  force  of  character  constitute  the  foundation  for  advancement. 
Starting  out  in  life  without  the  aid  of  wealth  or  influential  friends,  he  sought 
ever  to  do  faithfully  the  duty  nearest  his  hand,  and  his  capable  service  won 
him  gradual  promotion  in  business  when  he  was  in  the  employ  of  others  and 
led  to  the  expansion  of  his  own  interests  when  he.  .started  out  independently. 
He  came  eventually  to  be  recognizjed'";4s'  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  suc- 
cessful grain  and  lumber  dealers  of '  tlie  state,,  and  while  developing  his  in- 
dividual interests,  contributed  in  siibstantial  measure  to  the  growth  and  pros- 
perity of  various  sections  of  Iowa.         .._     .    -•     •'   '  ' 

Mr.  Manly  was  born  in  Schenectady-,  New  Yoi-k,  on  the  15th  of  May,  1846, 
his  parents  being  Dominick  and  Margaret  (Manly)  Manly.  The  father  was 
a  native  of  England  and  the  mother  of  Ireland,  and  in  early  manhood  and  wo- 
manhood they  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  new  world.  Dominick  Manly  en- 
gaged in  construction  work  in  early  life  and  for  years  was  foreman  with  va- 
rious concerns  engaged  in  canal  and  railroad  building.  He  died  in  185 1  at  a 
comparatively  early  age  and  the  mother  afterward  married  again,  becoming 
the  wife  of  John  Manly.  This  is  rather  a  strange  coincidence  as  both  her 
husbands  bore  the  name  of  Manly  and  yet  there  was  no  relation  between  any 
of  them.  Mer  second  husband  was  like  her  first  one  a  railroad  builder.  The 
leath  of  Mrs.  Manly  occurred  in  Belvidere,  Illinois,  about  1895,  when  she 
had  reached  the  ripe  old  age  of  eighty-four  years. 

John  C.  Manly  spent  his  youthful  days  in  his  mother's  home  and  was 
about  seven  years  of  age  when  he  accompanied  his  mother  and  stepfather  on 
the  removal  from  Buffalo,  New  York,  to  Chicago,  where  his  stepfather  was 
employed  by  Bristol  &  Holton,  who  had  been  the  contractors  in  the  widening 
of  the  Erie  canal  and  had  removed  to  the  west  to  engage  in  railroad  building, 
having  the  contract  for  the  construction  of  the  Chicago,  Galena  &  Union  Rail- 
road, now  a  part  of  the  Northwestern  system.  After  the  building  of  this  road 
the  Manly  family  finally  located  at  Marengo,  Illinois,  where  John  C.  Manly 
attained  his  majority.  He  supplemented  his  early  educational  privileges  by 
study  in   Marengo   high   school   and    in    Euphemia    Hall   Academy  at   Marengo. 


98  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

As  early  as  his  eleventh  or  twelfth  year  he  was  employed,  when  not  in  school, 
in  one  of  the  stores  in  Marengo  and  subsequently  entered  the  telegraph  office, 
learning  telegraphy.  He  followed  that  profession  for  several  years  in  the  em- 
ploy of  the  Northwestern  Railroad  Company,  and  on  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  war  went  to  the  front  with  General  Stephen  A.  Hulbert,  whose  home  was 
in  Belvidere,  Illinois,  as  telegraph  operator,  General  Hulbert  being  assigned  to 
the  Army  of  the  Tennessee.  They  went  to  Memphis,  where  Mr.  Manly  re- 
mained for  about  a  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time  General  Forrest  made  a 
raid  and  entered  the  city,  at  which  time  General  \'each  was  placed  in  command 
to  succeed  General  Hulbert  and  Mr.  Manly  returned  home.  He  again  secured 
a  position  as  telegraph  operator  on  the  Northwestern  and  afterward  was  em- 
ployed as  a  clerk  in  the  freight  office  in  Chicago  where  he  was  stationed  for 
seven  years,  within  which  period  he  won  promotion  to  the  position  of  head 
bill  clerk. 

In  1 87 1  Mr.  Manly  left  that  city  to  come  to  Iowa,  in  the  employ  of  the  Cen- 
tral Railroad  Company  of  this  state,  being  made  agent  at  Oskaloosa.  A  year 
later  he  was  sent  to  Marshalltown  as  master  of  transportation  of  the  road  and 
continued  in  that  capacity  for  about  a  year,  when  he  became  general  agent  of 
the  road  with  offices  in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota.  There  he  remained  until  1876, 
when  he  returned  to  Marshalltown  as  general  freight  agent  of  the  road,  occupy- 
ing that  position  acceptably  until  1879,  when  he  resigned  to  accept  the  position 
of  general  agent  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy  Railroad  Company,  with 
headquarters  at  Des  Moines.  While  serving  in  that  capacity  he  had  much  to 
do  with  the  building  of  the  road  from  Albia  to  Des  Moines  and  with  the  pur- 
chasing of  terminal  facilities  at  the  capital  city.  In  1880  he  was  appointed  as- 
sistant superintendent  of  the  Chicago,  Burlington  &  Quincy,  his  division  being 
from  Ottumwa  to  Creston.  with  all  of  the  branches  of  that  line.  He  thus  rep- 
resented the  company  until  1882,  when  he  resigned  to  engage  in  the  lumber 
and  grain  business  in  Lineville,  Iowa,  and  the  year  following  removed  to  Grin- 
nell.  He  became  identified  with  Henry  B.  Gififord  in  the  operation  of  a  line  of 
elevators  and  lumber  yards  throughout  Iowa,  under  the  firm  name  of  GifTord 
&  Manly,  and  during  the  years  that  followed  they  laid  out  towns,  built  depots 
under  contract  with  railroads  and  steadily  pushed  forward  the  wheels  of  pro- 
gress, their  labors  constituting  not  only  a  source  of  individual  profit  but  also 
an  important  element  in  the  general  upbuilding  and  jjrosperity  of  the  state. 
In  all  things  Mr.  Manly  has  shown  himself  to  be  a  man  of  initiative  and  enter- 
prising spirit.  He  readily  recognizes  and  improves  an  opportunity  and  in  the 
conduct  of  the  grain  and  lumber  business  he  won  a  position  among  the  fore- 
most representatives  of  commercial  interests  in  the  state.  About  ten  years  ago 
he  and  his  partner  disposed  of  their  elevators  and  retired  from  active  participa- 
tion in  business  affairs,  so  that  Mr.  Manly  is  now  enjoying  a  well  earned  and 
well  merited  rest. 

It  was  impossible,  however,  for  him  to  cease  to  be  a  factor  in  the  public 
life  of  the  community.  While  not  active  in  business  at  present,  he  is  a  director 
of  the  Merchants  National  Bank  of  Grinnell  and  is  also  well  known  as  a  lead- 
ing republican  of  Poweshiek  county.  In  the  fall  of  1898  he  was  elected  county 
Mipervi^or   and    served    in   that    (.■a])acity    for    fnnr   terms,  or   twelve   consecutive 


HISTORY  Ui'   ruW  ESHIKK  CUL'XTV  99 

\ears,  his  reelection  being  incontrovertible  proof  of  the  ability  he  displayed  and 
the  faith  reposed  in  him  by  his  constituents.  He  has  also  filled  the  office  of  town 
councilman  of  Grinnell  for  seven  or  eight  years  and  for  an  extended  period  has 
been  a  member  of  the  school  board,  serving  both  as  trustee  and  jjresident  of  the 
board  Whatever  he  undertakes,  whether  of  a  public  or  private  nature,  is  sure 
to  meet  success,  for  his  determined  purpose  will  brook  no  obstacles  that  can 
be  overcome  by  honorable  effort.  When  one  avenue  seems  closed  he  searches 
out  another  path  that  leatls  him  to  the  goal  of  what  he  seeks. 

In  1876  Mr.  Manly  was  uniteil  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  C.  Carter,  of  Wood- 
stock, Vermont,  and  this  union  has  been  blessed  with  three  sons  and  one  daugh- 
ter :  Carter,  who  is  engaged  in  the  clothing  business  at  West  Union,  Iowa ; 
.Mary  I'".,  the  wife  of  K.  W.  Blow,  a  salesman  of  buggies  in  Grinnell;  John  C., 
Jr.,  also  of  this  city;  and  Charles  M.,  who  is  a  law  student  in  Drake  Universitv 
at  Des  Moines. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Manly  is  connected  with  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  358,  I.  O.  O. 
I''.,  and  is  also  a  member  of  Fidelity  Encampment,  No.  118,  and  Rebekah  Lodge, 
.\'o.  119,  all  of  Grinnell.  He  is  also  connected  with  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  175, 
K.  P.  and  is  most  loyal  to  the  teachings  and  principles  of  those  organizations. 
He  has  a  very  wide  acquaintance  not  only  in  Grinnell  and  Poweshiek  county 
but  throughout  the  state  and  his  worth  as  a  man  and  citizen  is  recognized  by 
all  who  know  him. 


FRANK  E.  TERRELL. 


One  of  Poweshiek  county's  native  sons  who  has  successfully  directed  his 
activities  along  agricultural  lines  is  Frank  E.  Terrell,  a  well  known  stockman 
of  Union  township.  His  birth  occurred  in  the  township  where  he  is  now  re- 
siding on  the  23d  of  September,  1864,  his  parents  being  Christopher  C.  and 
Martha  .-\.nn  (McCoy)  Terrell,  who  were  both  natives  of  Highland  county, 
Ohio.  The  father's  natal  day  was  the  30th  of  May,  1819,  and  that  of  the 
mother  the  14th  of  March,  1822.  Christopher  C.  Terrell,  who  was  a  physician, 
inirsued  his  professional  studies  in  the  Cincinnati  Medical  College,  from  which 
institution  he  received  the  degree  of  M.  D.  Following  his  graduation  he  first 
engaged  in  practice  in  Leesburg,  Ohio,  going  from  there  to  Martinsburg,  where 
he  met  the  lady  who  subsequently  became  his  wife.  In  1856  he  removed  with 
his  family  to  Forest  Home,  Union  township,  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  until  he  retired.  Here  the  mother 
passed  away  on  the  23d  of  May,  1882,  but  the  father  survived  until  the  28th 
of  February,  1897.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  four  of  whom 
are  living:  Charles  W.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  Mary  Esther, 
who  became  the  wife  of  John  A.  Griffith,  of  Montana;  Ida,  who  married  Isaac 
H.  Saunders,  of  Union  township ;  and  Frank  E.,  our  subject.  Among  those 
deceased  were  Nancy  Jane,  Lois,  Thomas,  Andrew,  Victoria  and  Era.  The 
mother  was  a  Presbyterian,  while  the  father  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church.     Fraternally  Dr.  Terrell  was  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of 


53G3()9 


100  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Odd  Fellows  and  the  Masonic  order.  He  was  a  public-spirited  man,  always 
took  an  active  interest  in  local  politics  and  was  several  times  elected  to  minor 
township  offices,  his  support  being  given  to  the  candidates  of  the  republican 
party. 

After  the  completion  of  his  preliminary  education,  in  the  acquirement  of 
which  he  attended  the  public  schools,  Frank  E.  Terrell  studied  at  Iowa  Col- 
lege, Grinnell  and  Penn  College,  Oskaloosa,  Iowa.  Early  having  decided  to  be- 
come an  agriculturist  after  the  completion  of  his  education  he  worked  on  a 
farm  for  a  time  and  then  rented  his  present  homestead,  which  in  1897  he  pur- 
chased. It  contains  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  acres,  which  is  well  improved 
and  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  which  is  known  as  Woodlanil  Stock 
Farm.  Here  Mr.  Terrell  devotes  practically  his  entire  attention  to  the  breed- 
ing and  raising  of  fancy  shorthorn  cattle  and  Poland  China  hogs. 

Mr.  Terrell  was  married  in  Poweshiek  county,  this  state,  on  the  i8th  of  No- 
vember, 1884,  to  Miss  Irene  Benson,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Josephine  (Ben- 
son) Benson,  natives  of  Jamestown,  Ohio.  They  came  to  Iowa  during  pioneer 
days,  locating  in  Lucas  county,  where  the  father  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits for  several  years.  From  there  they  went  to  Oregon,  of  which  state  Mrs. 
Terrell  is  a  native,  her  birth  having  occurred  in  Salem  on  the  i8th  of  January, 
1865.  Mr.  Benson  continued  to  follow  farming  in  the  west  until  his  demise, 
following  which  Mrs.  Benson,  who  is  now  living  in  Forest  Home,  returned  to 
Iowa.  The  family  affiliated  with  the  Christian  church,  while  Mr.  Benson  gave 
his  political  support  to  the  republican  party.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Terrell  have 
been  born  five  children:  Coleman  C,  a  resident  of  Charles  City,  Iowa,  who 
married  Miss  Adela  Miller :  Martha,  who  married  Joseph  Miller,  of  Sugar 
Creek  township :  G.  Clark,  who  is  living  at  home ;  Lillian,  at  home ;  and  Pauline, 
who  also  resides  at  home. 

Ever  since  granted  the  full  rights  of  citizenship  Mr.  Terrell  has  given  his 
support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party.  He  is  now  serving 
as  tov.nship  trustee  and  always  takes  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  all  public 
movements  the  adoption  of  which  he  feels  will  promote  the  intellectual  or  moral 
welfare  of  the  community. 


JAY  R.  ORCUTT. 


Jay  R.  Orcutt,  conducting  a  general  hardware  and  implement  business  in 
Searsboro,  Iowa,  is  meeting  with  success  in  this  line  of  activity  and  at  the  same 
time  his  efforts  have  been  a  factor  in  the  commercial  development  of  the  town. 
He  is  a  native  of  Poweshiek  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Sheridan 
township  on  the  9th  of  May,  1883,  his  parents  being  Lewis  and  Anna  D.  (Hart- 
zell)  Orcutt.  The  father  was  born  in  Rome,  New  York,  on  the  27th  of  May, 
1836,  and  the  mother  in  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  January  20,  1849.  Early  in  life 
they  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  locating  in  Sheridan  township.  The  father  was 
a  farmer  by  occupation  and  was  the  owner  of  a  well  developed  farm,  to  the 
cultivation  of   which  he  gave  his  attention   until   the   time  of  his  demise.     He 


HISTORY  OF  POWESIIIKK  COUNTY  101 

passed  away  in  1885.  His  wife  still  survives  him  and  makes  her  home  in  Grin- 
nell.  Mr.  Orcutt  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  as  is  also 
Mrs.  Orcutt,  and  he  gave  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party.  In  their 
family  were  three  children,  namely:  Helen  Mildred,  who  was  born  January  18, 
1880,  and  passed  away  August  5,  1887;  Lewis  Percival,  born  October  27,  1881, 
whose  death  occurred  August  5.  igoo;  and  Jay  Reginald,  of  this  review,  P^y 
a  former  marriage  Mr.  Orcutt  had  three  children  :  Detta,  deceased  ;  Charles,  of 
Grinnell :   and   Frank,  of   Minnesota. 

In  the  school  of  Sheridan  township  and  Grinnell,  Iowa,  Jay  R.  Orcutt  re- 
ceived an  excellent  education,  passing  through  consecutive  grades,  and  later 
entered  the  college  at  Grinnell,  from  which  he  was  graduated.  With  this  good 
general  information  to  serve  as  a  preparation  for  life's  practical  and  responsi- 
ble duties  he  took  his  first  step  in  the  business  world  in  connection  with  the  real- 
estate  and  insurance  business,  in  which  he  was  associated  with  J.  J.  Muller  for 
about  one  year.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  accepted  a  position  as 
travelling  salesman  for  the  Gale  Manufacturing  Company  of  Albion,  Michigan, 
and  was  on  the  road  for  two  years,  after  which,  on  the  17th  of  July,  1908,  he 
purchased  the  hardware  stock  of  Moody  &  Son,  in  Searsboro,  and  has  since 
conducted  business  on  his  own  account.  He  has  greatly  increased  his  stock 
and  now  deals  in  hardware,  agricultural  implements,  builders'  supplies,  etc., 
and  his  trade  is  constantly  growing  in  volume  and  importance,  being  one  of  the 
prosperous  enterprises  of  this  town.  He  is  a  shrewd  young  business  man  and 
his  ability  and  untiring  efforts  have  added  much  to  the  growth  of  trade  in  this 
community. 

Mr.  Orcutt  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Lynnville,  Jasper  county, 
and  in  politics  is  a  stalwart  republican,  now  serving  as  a  member  of  the  town 
council.  He  is  progressive  and  public-spirited  in  citizenship  and  a  strong  ad- 
vocate of  advancement  and  improvement  in  connection  with  local  affairs.  Al- 
though numbered  among  the  younger  generation  of  business  men  in  Sugar 
Creek  township  he  has.  however,  attained  an  enviable  position  in  commercial 
circles,  and  his  keen  business  insight,  exceptional  enterprise  and  his  progressive 
spirit   will  undoubtedly  win   for  him  continued  success  in  the   future. 


HENRY  I.  SCHMIDT. 


A  representative  of  a  well  known  family  of  Poweshiek  county,  Henry  J. 
Schmidt  has  most  creditably  upheld  the  name  and  is  one  of  the  prosperous 
farmers  of  Washington  township.  He  has,  from  his  boyhood,  been  actuated 
by  a  laudable  ambition  to  excel  in  whatever  he  undertook,  and  there  are  few 
farmers  of  his  age  in  central  Iowa  who  can  truly  claim  a  more  practical  knowl- 
edge of  agriculture  and  stock-raising. 

He  is  a  native  of  Washington  township  and  was  born  on  the  old  family 
homestead,  June  21,  1873,  being  a  son  of  Peter  and  Eliza  (Saunders)  Schmidt, 
the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Germany  and  the  latter  in  Pennsylvania.  The 
father  emigrated  to  America  and  lived  for  several  years  in  Pennsylvania,  after 


102  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

which  he  took  up  his  residence  on  a  farm  in  Washington  township,  Poweshiek 
county,  Iowa.  He  was  highly  successful  in  his  vocation,  becoming  one  of  the 
leading  farmers  of  the  county,  and  he  and  his  wife  are  now  living  retired.  They 
are  both  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  in  politics  he  gives  his  support 
to  the  democratic  party.  In  their  family  were  ten  children,  as  follows :  Will- 
iam, who  is  now  living  in  Washington  township;  Sarah,  who  is  the  wife  of 
Herman  Selle,  also  of  Washington  township ;  Samuel,  who  lives  in  Jasper 
county,  Iowa ;  Frank,  who  is  deceased ;  Henry  J.,  of  this  review ;  Mary,  now  the 
wife  of  William  Whalen,  of  Oskaloosa,  Iowa ;  Rosie,  the  wife  of  August 
Greagor,  of  Napoleon,  North  Dakota ;  Peter,  who  is  living  at  home :  Elizabeth, 
the  wife  of  Guy  Ford,  of  Howard,  North  Dakota ;  and  Francis,  who  lives  at 
home. 

Henry  J.  Schmidt  attended  the  district  schools  of  Washington  township  and 
assisted  his  father  upon  the  home  farm  until  reaching  the  age  of  twenty-one 
years.  He  then  began  business  upon  his  own  account  by  renting  land,  which 
he  cultivated  for  five  years,  after  which  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  Washington  township  as  his  home  farm.  He  devotes  his  attention  es- 
pecially to  raising  horses  and  cattle  and,  being  a  good  judge  of  animals  and 
thoroughly  interested  in  his  calling,  he  is  meeting  with  a  gratifying  measure  of 
success.  He  is  energetic  and  progressive  and  always  keeps  thoroughly  informed 
as  to  the  markets  and  the  best  methods  in  agriculture  and  stock-raising.  He 
has  for  years  past  been  a  steadily  growing  influence  in  the  community. 

On  the  13th  of  October,  1898,  Mr.  Schmidt  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  E. 
Schmitz,  a  daughter  of  John  Schmitz,  of  Grinnell  township,  a  record  of  whom 
appears  elsewhere  in  this  work.  He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic 
church,  in  which  they  were  reared,  and  he  is  a  liberal  contributor  toward  its 
maintenance.  In  political  faith  he  adheres  to  the  democratic  party,  but  he  does 
not  seek  public  office,  as  his  time  and  energies  are  devoted  to  his  farm.  He  is 
a  man  of  unexceptionable  character  and  it  may  be  said  of  him  that  he  is  most 
honored  where  he  is  best  known. 


JOHN  H.  STONE. 


Among  the  natives  of  the  Keystone  state  who  have  attained  marked  success 
as  farmers  in  Poweshiek  county  is  John  H.  Stone,  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm 
in  Grinnell  township,  which  he  acquired  through  his  industry  and  practical 
knowledge  of  his  calling.  He  was  born  in  Clearfield  county,  Penn.sylvania, 
March  5,  1858,  a  son  of  Linza  and  Priscilla  (Turner)  Stone,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  England  and  the  latter  in  Pennsylvania.  The  mother  died 
in  i860,  and  six  years  later  the  father  came  west  with  his  family  to  Tama 
county,  Iowa,  and  subsequently  established  his  home  in  Madison  township, 
Poweshiek  county.     He  died  in  Tama  county  in  1895. 

John  H.  Stone  changed  his  residence  several  times,  living  in  .'^heridan  town- 
ship for  sixteen  years,  after  which  he  settled  in  Grinnell  township  where  he  now 
lives.     Fle   received   his   education   in   the  common   schools,  but   being  the   pos- 


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<ARY 


,  *3T"0R,   ,  , 

}       T(l,0?,v  ^.- 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWESlllliK  COLXTY  105 

sessor  of  good  faculties  of  observation  and  reflection,  he  has  in  the  course  of 
his  life  acquired  considerable  knowledge  not  found  in  books.  His  well  im- 
proved farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  is  under  a  high  state  of  culti- 
vation and  produces  gratifying  annual  returns.  He  makes  a  s[)ecialty  of 
raising  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  market  and  is  more  than  ordinarily  successful, 
as  he  has  mastered  the  business  in  all  its  details  and  devoted  to  it  his  best 
energies. 

In  July,  1885,  -Mr.  Stone  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Shadel, 
who  was  born  in  Illinois  and  is  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Stacey) 
Shadel.  Her  father  was  born  in  Germany  and  the  mother  in  Switzerland.  They 
came  to  this  country  and  were  married  in  Illinois,  and  later  removed  to  Sheridan 
township,  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  becoming  closely  identified  with  the  agri- 
cultural interests  of  the  county.  They  are  now  living  at  Tama.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Stone  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  namely:  Henry  E.,  Fred  T.,  Nellie  E., 
George  A.,  Louis  C.  and  Mary  Vivian. 

Mr.  Stone  has  been  a  resident  of  Iowa  since  his  childhood,  and  few  men 
in  the  state  have  a  more  comprehensive  knowledge  of  its  agricultural  resources 
and  possibilities.  He  has  demonstrated  the  beneficial  results  of  systematic 
application  to  agriculture  and  stock-raising  and  ranks  among  the  substantial 
and  enterprising  men  of  the  county.  Politically  he  adheres  to  no  party,  pre- 
ferring to  cast  his  vote  independently  and  be  governed  by  the  conditions 
prevailing  at  the  time  of  the  election,  rather  than  by  any  party  platform.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  a  valued  member  of  Sheridan  Lodge,   No.  303,   M.   W.   A. 


ALFRED  J.  EVVART. 


Alfred  J.  Ewart,  who  is  a  progressive  and  enterprising  farmer  and  stock- 
dealer,  owns  a  valuable  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  section  21, 
Pleasant  township,  and  is  also  a  representative  of  one  of  the  old  and  well  known 
families  of  this  section  of  the  state.  Mr.  Ewart  was  born  in  the  little  village  of 
Ewart  in  Pleasant  township,  January  25,  1867,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Euphemia 
(Burns)  Ewart,  who  are  now  deceased.  The  parents  were  both  natives  of 
Morrow  county,  Ohio,  and  were  there  reared  and  married,  coming  to  Poweshiek 
county  about  the  year  1862.  Here  the  father  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
and  became  an  extensive  landowner,  the  village  of  Ewart  being  built  on  land 
which  was  once  in  his  possession.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  Ewart  were  born 
six  children :  Sarah,  the  wife  of  M.  E.  Sturgeon,  of  Saskatchewan,  Canada ; 
T.  E.,  who  makes  his  home  in  Chicago;  Alfred  J.,  of  this  review;  Mattie,  the 
wife  of  F.  C.  Rayburn,  whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work;  James  S., 
a  resident  of  Ewart;  and  Mamie,  who  became  the  wife  of  Charles  Smith  but 
is  now  deceased.  The  father  departed  this  life  in  1905,  and  the  mother,  sur- 
viving for  only  a  year,  passed  away  in  1906.  Thus  the  community  mourned 
the  loss  of  two  of  its  most  prominent  and  highly  esteemed  residents. 

.\lfred  |.  Ewart  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Pleasant  township  and 
was  early  trained  to  the  duties  that  fall  to  the  farmer  boy,  and  the  instruction 


106  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

which  he  received  in  his  youth  ami  early  manhood  proved  a  valuable  asset  in 
after  life.  When  he  reached  mature  years  he  began  business  on  his  own  ac- 
count and  is  today  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  on  section 
21,  Pleasant  township,  this  property  adjoining  the  village  of  Ewart  on  the  east. 
In  addition  to  carrying  on  general  farming,  Mr.  Ewart  also  buys  and  ships 
stock  on  quite  an  extensive  scale  and  this  branch  of  his  business  is  proving 
profitable  to  him. 

Mr.  Ewart  chose  as  a  companion  and  helpmate  on  the  journey  of  life.  Miss 
Anna  Powell,  their  marriage  being  celebrated  on  the  22d  of  December,  1888. 
She  was  born  in  Searsboro,  Poweshiek  county,  in  1866,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  lames  Powell.  By  her  marriage  she  has  become  the  mother  of  three 
daughters  and  three  sons,  namely:  Leta,  .Alfred  R.,  Nellie,  Ruth,  Kenneth  and 
Robert. 

In  politics  jMr.  Ewart  is  independent,  voting  for  the  men  and  measures  which 
he  deems  will  prove  most  beneficial  to  the  community.  He  is  serving  as  as- 
sessor of  his  township  and  for  three  terms  filled  the  office  of  township  trustee. 
In  his  fraternal  relations  he  is  a  Knight  of  Pythias.  He  is  ever  alert  and  pro- 
gressive, and  his  advancement  in  life  is  the  result  of  honorable  business  prin- 
ciples coupled  with  sound  judgment.  He  is  well  known  in  the  community  in 
which  he  lives  and  labors,  and  the  high  re])utation  which  his  honored  father 
always  bore  is  also  enjoyed  by  the  son. 


ERNEST  HEYWOOD  SP.\ULDING. 

Ernest  Hey  wood  Spaulding,  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  \ehicles  and  in 
the  sale  of  automobiles,  having  the  agency  for  some  of  the  best  known  makers 
of  motor  cars,  was  born  in  Grinnell,  October  12,  1881,  a  son  of  Henry  W. 
and  Merriam  Jane  (Lull)  Spaulding.  He  pursued  his  education  in  the  schools 
of  this  city,  supplementing  his  public  school  course  by  study  in  the  Iowa  Col- 
lege Academy  and  College,  during  which  time  he  gave  special  attention  to  politi- 
cal science  and  history.  In  the  same  year  in  which  he  won  his  degree  he  became 
an  active  factof  in  the  business  circles  of  Grinnell  by  forming  a  partnership 
with  H.  W.  and  F.  E.  Spaulding  in  the  manufacture  of  vehicles.  The  same 
year  he  took  the  agency  of  one  of  the  few  motor  cars  then  manufactuied,  and 
a  little  later  built  the  first  garage  for  motor  cars  in  the  county.  In  this  con- 
nection he  has  developed  a  good  business  and  has  had  the  satisfaction  of  in- 
troducing many  well  manufactured  cars  to  the  trade  in  Poweshiek  county.  He 
not  only  engages  in  the  sale  of  automobiles,  but  also  conducts  a  repair  depart- 
ment and,  in  fact,  has  a  splendidly  equipped  garage. 

On  the  17th  of  .August,  1904.  at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  Mr.  Spaulding  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Irma  Towne,  who  was  graduated  from  Iowa  Col- 
lege in  the  class  of  1903.  They  now  have  one  daughter,  Merriam  Jane.  In 
his  political  views  Mr.  Spaulding  is  a  republican  who  firmly  believes  in  the 
principles  of  the  party,  but  does  not  seek  nor  desire  office.  He  holds  member- 
shi])  with  the  Masonic  lodge,  the  University  Club  of  Chicago  and  the  Poweshiek 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  107 

Club  f)f  Cirinnell.  In  his  native  city  he  is  regarded  as  a  popular  resident,  his 
geniality  and  unaffected  cordiality  winning  him  many  friends,  while  the  sterling 
traits  of  his  character  have  commended  him  to  the  confidence  and  good  will 
of  the  general  public.  In  business  he  has  made  steady  advancement,  and  the 
spirit  of  ])rogress  which  he  manifested  in  establishing  the  first  garage  in  the 
county  has  characterized  him  in  all  of  his  business  activity  and  brought  him 
substantial   success. 


W.  F.  VOGEL. 


F"ew  men  are  better  known  in  the  commercial  circles  of  Malcom  than  W.  h'. 
\'oge!.  proprietor  of  an  extensive  hardware  business  here.  He  is  numbered 
among  Germany's  contribution  to  the  citizenship  of  Iowa,  his  birth  having  oc- 
curred in  Dehausen,  Waldeck,  Germany.  September  14.  1859.  His  parents, 
Ludwig  and  Carolina  \  ogel,  were  also  natives  of  the  fatherland,  where  the 
former,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  passed  away  when  the  son  was  but  six  years 
old.  The  mother  later  came  to  the  United  States  to  visit  her  children  and  here 
her  death  occurred  in  1902.  In  their  family  were  four  children,  namely :  Wil- 
helmina,  who  died  in  Wisconsin :  Ludwig,  whose  death  occurred  on  the  old 
home  place  in  Germany ;  Christina,  who  passed  away  in  Scott  county,  Iowa ; 
and  \y.  F.,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named  remained  a  resident  of  the  fatherland  until  he  was  sixteen 
years  of  age  and  then,  accompanied  by  his  sister  Christina,  he  sought  a  home 
and  fortune  in  tlie  new  world,  arriving  in  Davenport,  Iowa,  in  1874.  He  at- 
tended school  in  that  city  for  two  years  and  then  engaged  in  clerking  in  a  gro- 
cery store  for  a  similar  period.  Upon  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  went  to 
Walcott,  Scott  county,  Iowa,  where  he  was  employed  in  a  general  store  for 
about  five  years,  and  on  the  29th  of  September,  1883,  arrived  in  Malcom.  On 
the  4th  of  October  of  that  year  he  opened  a  general  store  here.  He  was  en- 
gaged in  that  business  until  1890,  when  he  sold  out  and  established  his  present 
hardware  business,  which  has  since  become  one  of  the  most  successful  and 
prominent  enterprises  of  the  town.  Mr.  \'ogel  now  owns  his  own  building,  a 
two-story  brick  structure,  twenty-two  by  eighty-four  feet,  and  also  a  warehouse, 
one  story  in  height,  twenty-two  by  forty  feet.  The  entire  space  is  occupied  by 
the  business,  which  now  has  one  of  the  most  extensive  stocks  of  general  hard- 
ware in  Poweshiek  county.  The  progressive  condition  of  the  house  is  due  in 
large  measure  to  the  excellent  business  policy  inaugurated  by  its  owner,  which 
from  the  first  has  been  such  as  to  win  the  confidence  of  the  general  public. 
He  has  ever  employed  modern  and  progressive  methods  and  his  dealings  in  every 
instance  have  been  honorable  and  straightforward.  ]\Ioreover  he  has  recognized 
the  fact  that  satisfied  patrons  are  the  best  advertisement  and,  carefully  studying 
the  wishes  of  his  customers,  has  sought  to  satisfactorily  meet  the  demands  of 
every  class  of  trade.  His  success  ranks  him  among  the  substantial  and  pros- 
perous business  men  nf  the  city.     He  is  interested  in  Texas  land  Iving  along  the 


108  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

gulf  coast,   and    six   years   ago   purchased   his   present   attractive   home   on   the 
north  side  of  the  square. 

In  1883  Mr.  \'ogel  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Louisa  Schwarting,  who 
was  born  in  Ichtershausen,  Germany,  on  the  3d  of  February.  1864,  a  daughter 
of  Bernhardt  and  Dorothea  Scliwarting,  both  of  whom  passed  away  in  Scott 
county.  Unto  Mr.  and  Airs.  Vogel  were  born  four  children:  Irma  C,  Edna  T., 
Walter  B.  and  Stella  M.  Mr.  Vogel  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  German 
Evangelical  Lutheran  church,  of  which  he  is  a  member,  and  he  also  belongs  to 
the  Royal  Arch  Masons  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias.  Although  the  develop- 
ment of  his  business  interests  has  made  heavy  demands  upon  his  time  and  at- 
tention, he  has  nevertheless  taken  an  active  interest  in  the  public  afTairs  of  the 
community  and  his  fellow  citizens,  recognizing  his  personal  worth  and  ability, 
have  called  him  to  fill  various  offices.  He  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  demo- 
cratic party  and  on  that  ticket  was  nominated  for  county  treasurer  in  1906. 
From  1893  until  1897  he  served  as  postmaster  of  jMalcom,  under  President 
Cleveland's  administration,  and  for  twenty-five  consecutive  years  served  as 
township  trustee.  For  the  past  five  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  board 
of  education  and  is  the  present  treasurer  of  IMalcom.  He  has  ever  discharged 
his  duties  with  marked  ability  and  fairness,  for  he  is  a  most  loyal,  public-spirited 
citizen,  and  as  a  business  man  he  has  been  conspicuous  among  his  associates, 
not  only   for  his   success  but   for  his  probity,   fairness  and  honorable  methods. 


BERNARD  JOSEPH  CARNEY. 

In  the  course  of  an  active  business  career  Bernard  Joseph  Carney  estab- 
lished many  business  enterprises  of  magnitude  which  he  carried  forward  to 
successful  completion,  and  in  his  life  record  demonstrated  the  power  of  deter- 
mination, perseverance,  integrity  antl  intelligently  directed  effort  as  factors  m 
the  attainment  of  notable  and  desirable  success.  While  he  prospered  in  the 
management  of  important  business  affairs  he  also  belonged  to  that  class  of  citi- 
zens who  while  promoting  individual  interests  also  advance  the  general  pros- 
perity. 

Mr.  Carney  was  born  at  Castlebar,  County  Mayo,  Ireland,  in  June,  1852, 
and  after  spending  nine  years  in  his  native  land  came  with  his  parents  to  the 
new  world,  the  family  settling  in  Chicago,  where  his  father  engaged  in  business. 
The  family  numbered  eleven  children  but  five  are  yet  living:  W.  J.  and  T.  J. 
Carney,  Mrs.  G.  W.  Kelly  and  Misses  Nora  and  Mary  Carney,  of  Chicago. 

Bernard  Joseph  Carney  attended  the  public  schools  of  Chicago  and  after- 
ward had  the  benefit  of  instruction  in  Bryant  &  Stratton  Business  College, 
then  the  leading  commercial  school  of  the  city.  He  made  his  initial  step  in  the 
business  world  as  a  bookkeeper,  occupying  that  position  for  several  years,  but 
the  desire  to  engage  in  business  on  his  own  account  and  thus  enjoy  the  direct 
profit  of  his  labors  led  him  to  leave  the  metropolis  and  come  to  Iowa.  He  ar- 
rived in  Grinnell  in  1880  and  purchased  a  half  interest  in  a  lumber  business  then 
owned  by  Stephen  Goss,  who  had  had  dealings  with  Mr.  Carney's  brother,  W. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  109 

J.  Carney,  who  was  a  lumber  merchant  of  Chicago.  From  that  point  in  his 
career  his  prosperity  and  advancement  were  assured.  He  recognized  opportunity 
and  employed  it  to  the  best  advantage.  He  never  seemed  to  make  a  false  move 
or  take  a  backward  step  and  he  won  his  advancement  by  doing  daily  the  duty 
that  lay  nearest  his  hand.  After  a  year  and  a  half  connection  with  the  lumber 
trade  of  Grinnell  he  and  his  brother,  W.  J.  Carney,  purchased  the  interest  of 
Mr.  Goss  in  the  lumber  business  which  was  then  conducted  under  the  firm 
style  of  Carney  Brothers  until  1902,  when  the  firm  of  Carney,  Brande  &  Clark 
was  formed,  his  associates  being  E.  B.  Brande  and  E.  W.  Clark,  Jr.  This  re- 
lation was  maintained  until  1907  when  Mr.  Carney  and  Mr.  Brande  sold  out  to 
Mr.  Clark  and  J.  L.  Fellows.  They  then  organized  the  firm  of  B.  J.  Carney  & 
Company  and  conducted  a  wholesale  business  in  poles.  Mr.  Carney  was  a  re- 
sourceful business  man,  always  looking  beyond  the  exigencies  of  the  moment 
to  the  opportunities  and  possibilities  of  the  future.  He  found  real  pleasure  in 
business  in  the  solution  of  involved  and  intricate  problems  and  in  the  masterful 
handling  of  complex  interests.  From  time  to  time  he  extended  his  opportunities 
into  other  fields.  He  became  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Carney  Coal  Com- 
pany, of  Carneyville,  Wyoming,  and  was  its  vice  president.  He  also  iield  the 
same  official  relations  to  the  Saylor  Coal  Mines  of  Des  Moines,  was  president 
of  the  Coaldale  Fuel  Company  of  Des  Moines  and  a  director  of  the  Scandia 
Coal  Company  of  Madrid.  He  was  also  president  of  the  Mitchellville  Tele- 
phone Exchange  and  for  many  years  was  associated  with  W.  F.  Hammond  in 
the  ownership  of  the  electric  light  plant  at  Grinnell. 

In  1888  Mr.  Carney  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  E.  M.  Tibbits,  of  Ply- 
mouth, Indiana,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children:  Cyril,  who  was  graduated 
from  the  Iowa  College  of  Grinnell  with  the  class  of  1910  and  is  now  attending 
Columbia  College ;  Kriegh,  now  a  senior  in  Iowa  College ;  Bernard,  a  junior 
of  the  same  institution  :  and  Kathleen  and  Aileen,  who  are  students  in  the  high 
school.  The  relations  of  his  home  life  were  largely  ideal.  He  was  to  his  fam- 
ily the  personification  of  care  and  goodness  and  it  was  a  joy  to  see  him  in  his 
home  life.  No  interest  of  childhood  was  too  unimportant  to  claim  his  attention 
if  it  aroused  the  interest  of  his  children  and  to  them  he  was  companion  and 
friend  as  well  as   father. 

Mr.  Carney  was  long  a  devoted  member  of  the  Catholic  church  and  also 
of  the  leading  social  organizations  of  the  city.  He  gave  generously  to  the  vari- 
ous branches  of  the  church  work  and  was  a  liberal  supporter  of  many  public 
movements  which  he  regarded  as  beneficial  to  Grinnell.  The  Grinnell  Herald 
at  the  time  of  his  death  wrote:  "Mr.  Carney  was  more  than  a  business  man — 
more  even  than  a  very  broad  business  man ;  he  was  a  student,  both  of  books 
and  of  human  nature.  In  spite  of  the  large  business  duties  which  called  for 
constant  attention  he  found  time  to  read  and  he  read  the  best  literature.  Few 
men  in  Grinnell  were  so  well  informed  and  on  such  a  wide  range  of  topics  as 
he.  His  versatility,  as  it  showed  itself  even  in  chance  conversations,  was  re- 
markable. .A  few  years  ago  he  became  interested  in  German  and  attended 
evening  classes  enough  to  acquire  a  speaking  knowledge  of  it.  Shortly  after- 
wards he  wrote  and  read  a  paper  before  a  lumbermen's  association  in  Minne- 
sota in  German.     It  was  with  difficulty   that  he  proceeded   for  the  idea  of  an 


110  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Irishman  with  so  ricli  a  brogue  as  Mr.  Carney's  reading  German  took  the  con- 
vention by  storm.  Another  of  Mr.  Carney's  chief  characteristics  was  his  rare 
sense  of  humor.  He  fairly  sparkled  with  good  nature  and  many  a  one,  we  im- 
agine, like  the  writer,  will  always  remember  him  pleasantly,  with  his  eyes  twink- 
ling and  his  conversation  fairly  scintillating  with  the  bright  things  that  came 
as  naturally  as  the  smile  to  his  lips.  To  meet  him  and  talk  to  him  was  a  tonic 
for  the  jaded  spirit  and  refreshment  for  the  mind.  It  was  the  writer's  custom 
to  have  a  chat  with  him  on  every  possible  occasion  and  such  a  chat  always  left 
him  indebted  to  Mr.  Carney.  He  was  by  nature  one  of  the  brightest  and  most 
pleasant  men  it  has  ever  been  our  good  fortime  to  know.  He  was  strict  with  him- 
self in  all  his  habits,  though  liberal  in  his  views  towards  others.  He  was  ab- 
stemious to  a  degree  and  lived  cleanly  and  circumspectly.  He  was  a  public- 
spirited  man,  especially  in  the  latter  years  of  his  life.  Said  a  Grinnell  banker 
vesterday :  'There  is  no  man  to  whom  I  would  have  gone  sooner  or  from  whom 
I  would  have  received  help  more  readily  than  from  Mr.  Carney."  Especially 
in  more  recent  years  he  has  taken  an  interest  in  public  movements,  being  loyal 
to  his  town  and  its  institutions.  A  close  business  associate  testifies  to  the  fact 
that  in  the  time  he  has  known  Mr.  Carney  he  never  knew  him  to  fail  to  support 
any  movement  looking  towards  public  improvement.  He  was  deeply  interested 
and  well  informed  on  the  latest  developments  in  politics,  science  and  art,  but 
never  held  a  public  office  excepting  that  of  councilman.  During  the  twenty- 
eight  years  he  lived  here  Mr.  Carney  grew  in  public  esteem  and  in  importance 
until  he  was  without  question  one , "of  Grinnell's  leading  citizens.  Whenever  any 
public  enterprise  is  started,  whenever  the  Fortnightly  Club  meets,  whenever  men 
have  occasion  to  do  business  with  the  firm  of  which  he  was  a  member,  when- 
ever there  are  social  gatherings  of  his  friends  and  whenever  the  Catholic  church 
needs  sup]5ort  in  the  coming  years,  B.  J.  Carney  will  be  missed.  But  most  of 
all  will  he  be  missed  in  the  beautiful  home  by  his  wife  and  children  and  other 
relatives  who  were  bound  to  him  by  every  tie  of  affection  which  a  kind  and 
clean  life  can   form  with  those  nearest  to  it." 


PAUL  G.  NORRIS. 


Paul  G.  Xorris.  who  for  about  nine  years  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice 
of  law  in  ( irinnell,  his  course  reflecting  credit  and  honor  upon  a  name  that  has 
long  been  prominently  connected  with  the  legal  profession  in  this  city,  was 
here  born  on  the  5th  of  January,  1878,  his  parents  being  David  W.  and  Lizzie 
S.  (Gififord)   Norris,  the  former  a  native  of  Maryland  and  the  latter  of  Illinois. 

The  father  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  with  his  parents  in  1863,  the 
family  home  being  established  upon  a  farm  four  miles  north  of  Chester.  David 
Norris  was  then  fourteen  years  of  age.  He  was  reared  to  manhood  ujion  the 
farm,  aiding  in  the  arduous  task  of  developing  the  land  and  of  cultivating  the 
fields  year  by  year.  He  pursued  his  more  specifically  literary  education  in 
Towa  College  at  Grinnell.  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1872. 
lie  then  took  up  the  profession  of  teaching  and   for  some  years   was  principal 


»STOR,  LENOX  *N0 


PAUL   G.    XOIiKIS 


D.WII)    \V.    XOKUIS 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PO'BLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTCR,   _;^ 
TILDEN 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  115 

of  the  schools  of  Tama  City,  Iowa,  and  also  of  the  Marshalltown  schools,  but, 
thinking  to  tind  more  congenial  aiul  profitable  labor  in  the  field  of  law,  he  began 
preparation  for  the  bar  in  Chicagt)  and  was  admitted  to  practice  in  Montezuma 
on  the  23d  of  April,  1878.  Following  his  admission  he  was  employed  for  a 
time  by  C.  W.  H.  Beyer,  a  mortgage  banker,  and  later  formed  a  partnership 
with  J.  E.  Dodge,  now  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  Wisconsin.  They  opened 
law  offices  in  Grinnell  under  the  firm  style  of  Norris  &  Dodge,  but  were  asso- 
ciated in  practice  for  only  a  short  time  when  Mr.  Dodge  removed  to  Milwaukee, 
after  which  Mr.  Norris  remained  in  the  profession  alone  for  a  time.  From 
1885  until  1890  he  was  identified  with  A.  L.  Preston  under  the  firm  name  of 
Xorris  &  Preston.  He  continued  alone  until  1902.  when  he  was  joined  by  his 
son  Paul  G.  Norris  under  the  firm  style  of  Norris  &  Norris,  a  relation  that 
was  maintained  until  the  death  of  the  father  on  the  22d  of  May,  1907,  when 
he  was  in  the  fifty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  He  had  long  been  accounted  one  of 
the  prominent  attorneys  of  Poweshiek  county  and  his  place  at  the  bar  of  this 
section  of  the  state  was  a  conspicuous  and  enviable  one.  In  early  life  he  gave 
his  political  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  but  in  1896,  when  the  republican 
party  declared  for  sound  money  and  the  democratic  party  for  a  currency  which 
regarded  as  unstable,  he  affiliated  with  the  former  and  indorsed  its  principles 
until  his  death.  He  served  for  ten  years  as  a  member  of  the  town  council  of 
(irinnell  and  for  many  years  was  identified  with  the  board  of  education  here, 
l)eing  very  active  in  educational  work.  _He- was  also -a- yaljued  member  of  the 
.Masonic   lodge  and  also  of   the   Knighfs;''.df-' Pythia's.  ;^  '  . '-  • 

In  early  manhood  David  Norris  w'as  married  tO'  Miss  Lizzie  S.  Gifford,  a 
tlaughter  of  Edmund  GifTord.  who  was  graduated  from  the  Harvard  Law 
School  and  afterward  located  in  Elgjn,  itfiricsrs"..  ;'\VHere  his  active  life  was 
spent.  He  enlisted  in  the  Union  army  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  and  served 
ft)r  four  years,  rising  to  the  rank  of  major.  His  declining  years  were  passed 
in  (Irinnell,  Iowa,  where  he  made  his  home  with  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Lizzie 
Norris,  with  whom  he  continued  until  his  demise.  Mrs.  Norris  is  still  living 
in  Grinnell,  where  she  has  an  extensive  circle  of  warm   friends. 

F'aul  G.  Norris  was  here  reared  and  pursued  his  education  in  Grinnell  Col- 
lege, being  graduated  with  the  class  of  1899,  at  which  time  the  Bachelor  of 
Philosophy  degree  was  conferred  upon  him.  The  following  year  he  entered 
the  law  department  of  Harvard  University  and  was  graduated  with  the  class 
of  1902.  He  then  returned  home  and  on  the  9th  of  October,  1902,  was  ad- 
mitted to  the  bar.  He  became  associated  with  his  father  in  practice  under 
the  firm  style  of  Norris  &  Norris  and  after  his  father's  death  was  joined  by 
.\lfred  Burroughs  under  the  firm  style  of  Norris  &  Burroughs,  Mr.  Burroughs 
having  been  associated  with  David  Norris  for  over  twenty  years.  His  practice 
is  large  and  of  a  distinctively  representative  character.  He  is  faithful  to  his 
clients,  fair  to  his  adversaries  and  candid  to  the  court.  In  many  cases  he  has 
e.xhibited  the  possession  of  every  faculty  of  which  a  lawyer  may  be  proud — • 
skill  in  the  presentation  of  his  own  evidence,  marked  ability  in  cross-examina- 
tion, persuasiveness  before  the  jury,  strong  grasp  of  every  feature  of  the  case, 
ai)ility  to  secure  favorable  rulings  from  the  judge,  unusual  familiarity  with 
human  nature  and  untiring  industry. 


116  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

On  the  20th  of  May,  1903.  Mr.  Norris  was  married  to  Miss  Edna  L.  Hand, 
of  Ottumwa,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Leroy  S.  Hand,  a  Congregational 
minister  now  residing  in  Grinnell  and  filHng  a  pulpit  in  X'ancleve.  Unto  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Norris  have  been  born  three  children:  Paul  G.,  Edmond  H.  and 
Elizabeth  A.  The  Norris  household  is  a  hospitable  one  and  the  parents  have 
a  circle  of  friends  in  Grinnell  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  their 
acquaintance. 

Mr.  Norris  votes  with  the  republican  party  and  has  served  for  one  term 
as  city  attorney  but  prefers  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  the  private  practice 
of  law.  He  belongs  to  the  Commercial  Club  of  Grinnell  and  is  interested  in 
all  that  pertains  to  public  progress  and  improvement,  therefore  giving  his  support 
to  many  projects   for  the  general   good. 


E.   D.   FORRHAND. 


E.  D.  Forrhand  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he  now  lives  in  Chester  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county,  .^pril  16,  1872,  and  here  he  has  spent  his  entire  life  ex- 
cept when  absent  attending  school.  He  is  a  son  of  L.  D.  Forrhand,  who  was 
born  at  Croydon,  New  Hampshire,  and  who  migrated  to  the  west  in  1869.  He 
settled  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  was  married  to  Mary  J.  Cocking,  a 
native  of  Lincolnshire,  England.  Mr.  Forrhand  established  his  family  upon 
a  farm  in  Chester  township  and  prospered  in  his  business,  being  an  energetic 
and  capable  manager.  His  wife  died  in  August,  18S7,  when  E.  D.,  the  subject 
of  this  review,  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  and  a  few  years  later  the  father  re- 
moved to  Grinnell.  where  he  is  now  living  retired.  Of  the  original  family  but 
two  children  survive :  E.  D. :  and  Eva.  who  married  Harrv  Parsons,  a  farmer 
of  Charles   Mi.x   county,   South   Dakota. 

E.  D.  Forrhand,  the  subject  of  this  review,  attended  the  common  schools 
and  later  the  Iowa  Business  College  at  Des  Moines,  graduating  from  that  in- 
stitution in  1890.  He  also  took  a  short  course  of  two  years  at  Grinnell  College 
and  laid  the  foundation  of  a  literary  education,  upon  which  he  has  built  by 
observation  and  reading.  He  continued  from  his  boyhood  upon  the  old  family 
homestead  and  has  applied  himself  to  e.xcellent  advantage,  being  now  in  charge 
of  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  ninety-four  acres.  It  produces  bountiful  crops, 
as  the  land  is  kept  in  splendid  condition.  He  feeds  stock  for  the  market,  and 
by  working  diligently  and  persistently  and  applying  progressive  methods  he 
keeps  well  at  the  front  as  an  agriculturist  and  stock-raiser. 

On  January  5,  1891,  l\Ir.  Forrhand  was  united  in  marriage,  at  Grinnell,  to 
Miss  Mina  M.  Harris,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Ellen  Harris,  both  of  whom 
were  born  in  Ireland.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Forrhand: 
Oliver  Leroy,  a  graduate  of  the  high  school  at  Chester  Center ;  and  Ruth  Ellen, 
who  is  attending  the  high  school. 

Mr.  Forrhand  has  made  a  careful  study  of  political  subjects  and  as  a  result 
gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  although  he  is  not  bound  by  party 
lines,  often   e.xercising   independent    proclivities   in   the   selection   of   candidates. 


TITSTORV  OF  POWKSTIIF.K  COl-XTY  117 

lie  has  served  as  road  supervisor  and  school  director,  showing  special  adapta- 
bility for  those  positions.  He  is  a  valued  member  of  Lodge  No.  291,  M.  VV.  A., 
of  lirinnell.  Possessing  the  advantages  of  good  educational  training  in  his  ear- 
lier years  he  has  applied  scientific  methods  to  his  work,  and  the  result  is  to  be 
perceived  in  the  prosperous  appearance  of  his  farm  and  the  success  that  at- 
tends his  undertakings. 


JOHN  BRADLEY. 

A  good  example  of  the  self-made  man  who  entirely  through  his  own  ef- 
forts has  worked  his  way  upward  until  today  he  is  numbered  among  the  sub- 
stantial residents  of  Jackson  township,  is  John  ISradley.  Born  on  the  2d  of 
.•\pril,  1864,  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  he  is  a  son  of  George  and  Ann  (  Tim- 
brell)  Bradley,  who  were  both  born  in  England  in  the  year  1831.  They  were 
there  reared  and  married,  immediately  after  which  they  came  to  the  United 
States,  locating  in  Illinois  in  1857.  Later  they  came  to  Iowa,  where  the  father 
lollowed  the  occupation  of  farming  for  a  number  of  years,  and  both  passed 
away  in  this  state,  the  mother  in  February,  1905,  and  the  father  in  April,  1908. 
In  their  family  were  eight  children,  as  follows:  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  S.  R. 
L3ryden,  of  Cedar  Falls,  Iowa ;  Mary,  now  deceased  ;  William,  residing  in  Jack- 
son township;  John,  of  this  review;  Emma,  who  is  engaged  in  teaching  school 
in  Des  Moines:  Alice,  who  married  I.  N.  Hill,  of  Montana;  George,  of  Jack- 
son township:  and  Charles,  who  passed  away  in  infancy.  All  of  this  number 
were  born  in  Illinois  with  the  exception  of  the  two  youngest,  who  were  born  in 
Iowa. 

John  Bradley  spent  the  first  five  years  of  his  life  in  the  state  of  his  nativity, 
and  then,  in  1869  came  with  his  parents  to  Iowa,  the  family  home  being  es- 
tablished in  Scott  township,  Poweshiek  county.  There  he  was  reared  to  man- 
hood and,  owing  to  the  limited  financial  circumstances  of  his  parents  he  was 
early  forced  to  make  his  own  way  in  the  business  world.  He  recognized,  how- 
ever, the  value  of  a  good  education  in  the  attainment  of  success  in  any  line  of 
activity,  and  so  attended  Grinnell  College  and  also  took  a  business  course  in  a 
business  college  at  Burlington,  Iowa.  He  was  thereafter  engaged  in  teaching 
school  for  four  or  five  terms  during  the  winter  season,  and  for  four  years  car- 
ried on  agricultural  pursuits  in  Pleasant  township.  In  1894  he  embarkeci  in  the 
clothing  business  with  James  E.  Anderson,  under  the  firm  style  of  Anderson  & 
Bradley,  and  for  twelve  years  they  conducted  a  most  successful  enterprise.  At 
the  end  of  that  period,  in  1906,  Mr.  Bradley  sold  his  interest  in  the  concern  to 
Mr.  Anderson  and,  deciding  to  turn  his  energies  into  the  channel  of  agriculture, 
purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Scott  township.  That  re- 
mained his  home  for  four  years,  when  he  sold  out  and  purchased  his  present 
farm  in  the  spring  of  1910.  This  farm,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  located  on  section  8,  Jackson  township,  is  a  well  improved  property,  its 
good  state  of  development  being  due  in  large  measure  to  the  earnest  labor  and 
unfaltering  industry   of   Mr.    liradley.      He   is   meeting   with   a   most   creditable 


118  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

degree  of  success  and  is  already  numbered  among  the  prosperous  and  progres- 
sive agriculturists   of   this   section. 

It  was  in  1896  that  Mr.  Bradley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Lillian  Aikin, 
of  Mahaska  county,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Aikin,  and  by  this  union  have  been 
born  three  children,  Grace,  Harry  and  Helen. 

Mr.  Bradley  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  and,  although  not 
an  ofifice-seeker,  he  is  serving  at  present  at  township  trustee,  taking  a  deep  and 
active  interest  in  the  affairs  of  the  community.  He  holds  membership  in  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Montezuma,  and  for  nearly  twenty  years  has 
served  as  steward.  He  was  also  secretary  of  the  building  committee  which 
erected  the  present  handsome  church  edifice  in  that  town.  All  matters  bearing 
up>on  the  material  and  moral  development  of  the  community  have  his  considera- 
tion and  indorsement,  and  no  measure  which  has  to  do  with  the  betterment  of  his 
community  or  fellowmen  fails  to  win  his  aid.  Since  his  residence  in  Poweshiek 
county  he  has  been  accorded  a  high  place  among  the  respected  and  valued  citi- 
zens of  this  district,  for  he  possesses  those  qualities  which  ever  command  re- 
spect and  confidence. 


JUDGE  J.  P.  LYMAN. 


Judge  J.  P.  Lyman,  who  since  January,  1909,  has  occupied  the  bench  of  the 
superior  court  of  the  city  of  Grinnell,  and  who  for  many  years  previous  was 
regarded  as  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  distinguished  representatives  of  the  bar 
of  central  Iowa,  was  born  in  Arcade,  Wyoming  county.  New  York,  on  the  14th 
of  February,  1844,  a  son  of  Ralston  W.  and  Harriet  N.  (Tracy)  Lyman,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  New  England.  Their  marriage,  however,  occurred 
in  the  Empire  state,  to  which  they  had  removed  during  the  period  of  youth.  On 
reaching  manhood  Ralston  W.  Lyman  became  identified  with  mercantile  in- 
terests to  which  he  gave  his  attention  throughout  the  years  of  his  active  busi- 
ness life,  being  at  different  times  located  in  the  towns  of  Friendship,  Castile, 
Arcade  and  Yorkshire,  his  death  occurring  in  Arcade  in  igoo,  when  he  had 
reached  an  advanced  age.  The  mother  passed  away  there  some  years  prior  to 
her  husband's  death. 

Judge  Lyman  was  reared  at  home,  acquiring  his  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Arcade  and  in  the  academy  of  that  place.  The  west  seemed  to  offer 
better  opportunities  to  young  men  than  could  be  found  in  the  older  and  more 
conservative  east,  and  in  i860  he  and  his  brother,  Robert  R.  Lyman,  made  their 
way  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  their  uncle,  Alonzo  Steel,  had  acquired 
some  land.  It  was  the  intention  of  the  brothers  to  locate  upon  this  tract  and 
engage  in  its  cultivation,  but  J.  P.  Lyman  did  not  remain  on  the  farm  with  his 
brother  after  the  summer  had  passed,  coming  to  Grinnell  in  the  fall  and  here 
continuing  his  education  under  Professor  L.  F.  Parker.  In  1863  he  entered 
Iowa  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of 
Arts  in  the  class  of  1867.  During  his  college  course  he  taught  school  through 
the  vacations  and  following  his  graduation  continued  in  the  profession  of  teach- 


TTTSTORY  OF  POWRSHIEK  COl'NTV  119 

ing  for  three  years.  It  was  his  intention  at  that  time  to  take  up  the  practice  of 
medicine  and  in  fact  wliile  engaged  in  teaching  he  gave  much  time  to  the  read- 
ing of  medical  text-books  in  his  leisure  hours.  Changing  his  plans,  however, 
he  entered  the  law  department  of  the  Iowa  State  University  at  Iowa  City,  in 
1870,  and  was  graduated  with  the  class  of  1871.  Following  his  admission  to 
the  bar  he  returned  to  Grinnell  where  he  formed  a  partnership  with  R.  M. 
Haines,  with  whom  he  was  associated  in  active  practice  under  the  style  of 
Haines  &  Lyman  until  the  death  of  the  senior  member  of  the  firm  m  1902. 
Subsequent  to  that  time  Judge  Lyman  continued  in  practice  alone  until  after 
his  son's  graduation  from  Harvard,  when  he  became  a  member  of  the  firm 
under  the  style  of  Lyman  &  Lyman.  Almost  from  the  outset  of  his  profes- 
sional career  Judge  Lyman  was  accorded  a  large  practice  for  he  soon  demon- 
strated his  ability  to  handle  the  intricate  problems  of  the  law.  He  carefully 
prepared  his  cases  and  his  presentation  has  always  been  full  and  comprehensive 
yet  not  to  the  extent  of  redundancy.  He  marshals  the  facts  of  the  case  with 
the  precision  of  a  military  commander  and  his  clear  and  cogent  reasonmg  has 
always  commanded  the  attention  of  the  jury,  counsel  and  the  court.  In  the 
fall  of  1908  there  came  to  him  recognition  of  his  ability  in  his  election  to  the 
superior  court  bench,  in  which  position  he  is  now  ably  serving,  his  course  upon 
the  bench  being  in  harmony  with  his  record  as  a  man  and  lawyer,  distinguished 
by  the  utmost  loyalty  and  by  a  masterful  grasp  of  every  problem  presented  for 
solution. 

Other  official  honors  have  come  to  Judge  Lyman  through  political  channels. 
He  has  always  been  a  stalwart  republican  in  politics  and  was  elected  upon  the 
party  ticket  to  the  office  of  county  attorney,  which  position  he  filled  for  four 
years.  He  also  represented  his  district  in  the  twenty-eighth  and  twenty-ninth 
general  assemblies  of  the  Iowa  legislature.  He  has  served  almost  continuously 
for  vears  in  some  official  capacity  in  Grinnell,  acting  as  city  attorney,  as  a 
member  of  the  town  council  and  as  mayor,  while  at  the  present  time  he  is  a 
member  of  the  school  board.  His  fidelity  to  his  country  was  further  mani- 
fested by  his  enlistment  in  1864  for  one  hundred  days'  service  in  the  Civil  war 
with  Company  B,  Forty-sixth  Iowa  Regiment,  of  which  company  Professor 
L.  F.  Parker  was  first  lieutenant. 

In  October,  1873,  Judge  Lyman  was  married  to  Miss  Elizabeth  L.  Little,  of 
Grinnell,  whose  parents  came  to  this  city  in  1867  from  Kewanee,  Illinois.  Their 
only  child,  Henry  G.,  is  a  graduate  of  the  Harvard  Law  School  of  the  class  of 
1906.  He  was  first  associated  in  practice  with  his  father  but  since  Judge  Ly- 
man's elevation  to  the  bench  he  has  become  a  partner  of  W.  C.  Raybum,  prac- 
ticing under  the  firm  name  of  Rayburn  &  Lyman.  He  married  Miss  Fae  La 
Grange,  of  Storm  Lake,  Iowa.  The  death  of  Airs.  Elizabeth  Lyman  occurred 
in  1906  and  was  the  occasion  of  deep  and  wide-spread  regret  throughout  Grin- 
nell and  Poweshiek  coimty. 

judge  Lyman  maintains  pleasant  relations  with  his  old  army  comrades 
through  his  membership  in  Gordon  Granger  Post,  No.  64,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Grin- 
nell. He  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  and  chairman  of  its  board 
of  trustees.  Interested  in  the  material,  intellectual,  political  and  moral  progress 
of  his  city,  he  does  all  in  his  power  to  further  its  interests  and  upbuilding,  and, 


120  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'XTY 

being  a  man  of  influence,  his  example  is  followed  by  many  and  thus  he  has  be- 
come a  potent  force  for  good  in  the  city  with  which  he  has  been  identified 
throughout  the  greater  period  of  his  residence  in  the  west. 


C.  B.  LINEWEAVER. 


A  well  improved  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  located  on  section  4, 
Scott  township,  paid  tribute  to  the  care  and  labor  of  C.  B.  Lineweaver  for 
many  years  but  since  the  spring  of  191 1  he  has  lived  retired,  although  he  still 
retains  his  residence  on  his  farm.  He  was  born  in  Rockingham  county,  \'ir- 
ginia.  September  24,  1846.  His  paternal  grandfather,  Jacob  Lineweaver,  spent 
his  life  as  a  farmer  in  \'irginia  and  there  reared  his  family,  which  included 
David  Lineweaver,  who  became  the  father  of  our  subject.  He  was  likewise 
born  in  Rockingham  county,  \'irginia,  and  followed  farming  in  the  south.  He 
wedded  Hetta  Catharine  Beard,  whose  father  ran  away  from  home  at  the  age 
of  fourteen  years,  emigrating  from  Ireland  to  the  new  world.  He  likewise 
settled  in  Virginia.  Air.  and  Mrs.  David  Lineweaver  reared  a  family  of  five 
children :  C.  B.,  of  this  review  ;  Jeremiah,  who  still  makes  his  home  in  Rock- 
ingham county ;  Catharine,  who  died  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years ;  De  Witt  C. 
of  Poweshiek  county;  and  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Daniel  Heatwole,  a  resident  of 
Rockingham  county. 

C.  B.  Lineweaver  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  to  the  age  of  seventeen 
years,  when  he  was  drafted  for  service  in  the  Confederate  army.  In  the  fall 
of  1863  he  became  a  meinber  of  Company  C,  Eleventh  Virginia  Cavalry,  Ros- 
ser's  Brigade.  He  took  part  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  his  command  in  the 
Shenandoah  valley  and  Virginia  and  served  until  the  surrender  of  Lee. 

Following  his  service  at  the  front  Mr.  Lineweaver  resumed  work  on  the 
home  farm  and  at  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  was  married  and  began  farming 
on  his  own  account.  In  the  spring  of  1873  he  came  to  Powesheik  county,  Iowa, 
and  during  the  succeeding  five  years  lived  on  a  farm  in  Bear  Creek  township, 
since  which  time  he  has  resided  on  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  on  section  4,  Scott  township.  For  many  years  he  was  actively  identified 
with  the  agricultural  life  of  the  community  and  in  connection  with  general 
farming  raised  stock  to  some  extent.  However,  in  the  spring  of  191 1,  he  rented 
his  land  to  his  son  Fred  and  he  is  now  living  retired,  although  he  retains  his 
residence  on  the  home  place. 

It  was  in  1868  that  Mr.  Lineweaver  wedded  Miss  Rebecca  C.  Andes,  who 
was  born  in  Rockingham  county,  X'irginia,  December  12,  1844,  a  daughter  of 
Eli  and  Sarah  (Lowman)  Andes,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  south. 
Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lineweaver  have  been  born  nine  children:  Jeremiah  F.,  a 
resident  of  P.rooklyn  :  Sarah,  the  wife  of  John  A.  Evans,  of  Scott  township : 
Clara,  the  wife  of  John  W.  Wiley,  also  of  Scott  township;  Boyd,  of  North 
Dakota;  Fannie,  the  wife  of  John  C.  Johnston,  also  of  Scott  township;  Nettie, 
the  wife  of  George  Lundy,  of  Malcom ;  Andrew,  a  resident  of  North  Dakota; 
Pearl,   still   with   her   parents;  and   Fred,   al.so  at   home   and   now  operating  the 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWESllIKK  COUNTY  121 

farm.     The  two  eldest  were  born  in  \'irginia  but  tlie  others  are  all  natives  of 
Poweshiek  county. 

Mr.  Lineweaver  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  republican  party  and  has  been 
called  by  his  fellow  townsmen  to  fill  some  offices,  having  served  as  township 
trustee,  assessor,  road  supervisor  and  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  is 
a  member  of  Fairmont  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  Scott  township  and  is 
serving  as  a  trustee  of  the  church.  His  fraternal  relations  connect  him  with 
the  Knights  of  Pythias  lodge.  He  is  a  man  of  good  priciples  and  upright  char- 
acter, and  both  in  public  and  private  life  he  has  ever  been  found  the  same  genial 
gentleman,  who  in  his  relations  with  his  fellowmen  and  in  his  treatment  of  his 
neighbors  has  never  lost  sight  of  the  golden  rule. 


R.  J.  SMITH. 

R.  J.  Smith,  a  member  of  the  Montezuma  bar.  engages  in  the  general  prac- 
tice of  law  but  specializes  to  some  extent  in  the  department  of  law  relating  to 
land  titles  and  the  settlement  of  estates,  and  his  broad  and  discriminating  study 
along  those  lines  has  largely  made  him  an  authority  in  this  district  for  that 
branch  of  his  profession. 

-Mr.  Smith  is  a  native  of  Johnson  county,  Iowa,  his  birth  having  occurred 
on  a  farm  east  of  Iowa  City.  May  24,  1873.  His  parents  were  Robert  B.  and 
.■\nn  (Smith)  Smith,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  of 
Ohio.  They  came  to  Iowa  in  the  years  1853  and  1854  respectively  in  company 
with  their  parents,  the  journey  of  both  families  being  made  with  wagons  and 
I IX  teams.  P)Oth  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  B.  Smith  are  now  residents  of  Iowa  City, 
where  he  is  living  retired,  having  previously  for  many  years  engaged  extensively 
and  successfully  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  served  for  four  years  as  a 
soldier  in  the  Civil  war  with  Company  G,  Second  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  is  now 
one  of  the  honored  veterans  of  the  state.  The  family  numbered  three  sons,  of 
whom  R.  J.  Smith  is  the  eldest.  C.  Horton,  the  second  son,  now  a  civil  en- 
gineer at  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,  was  graduated  from  the  State  University  in 
1901  and  received  his  advanced  degree  in  1905.  The  youngest  son.  Dr.  Oakley 
Smith,  is  a  physician  of  Chicago  and  is  president  of  the  Oakley  Smith  College 
of  Naprapathy  in  that  city.  His  academic  education  was  acquired  in  the  State 
University,  his  attention  being  especially  given  to  scientific  studies,  and  later  he 
continued  his  education  in  Prague,  Bohemia. 

R.  J.  Smith  spent  the  first  nineteen  years  of  his  life  amid  the  usual  environ- 
ment and  experiences  of  farm  life  and  then  accompanied  his  parents  on  their 
removal  to  Eugene,  Oregon,  where  they  remained  for  two  years,  during  which 
period  the  subject  of  this  review  attended  the  State  University  of  Oregon. 
In  1893  he  returned  to  Iowa  City  and  pursued  the  liberal  arts  course  in  the 
university  of  this  state,  winning  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Philosophy  upon  his 
graduation  in  the  class  of  1898.  He  completed  the  law  course  in  the  State  Uni- 
versity in  1899  and  then  passed  the  state  board  examination,  being  admitted  to 
practice  in  the  summer  of  that  year.     He  chose  Montezuma  as  the  scene  of  his 


122  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

labors  and  has  since  been  a  resident  of  this  city  and  a  well  known  and  worthy 
representative  of  its  bar.  He  engages  in  general  practice  in  all  the  courts  but, 
as  previously  stated,  specializes  to  some  extent  in  that  branch  of  the  law  relat- 
ing to  land  titles  and  the  settlement  of  estates.  He  holds  membership  with  the 
County  Bar  Association  and  also  with  the  Iowa  State  and  American  Associa- 
tions of  Title  Men.  He  has  been  accorded  a  liberal  clientage  and  his  work  in 
the  courts  has  been  so  carefully  and  successfully  conducted  that  he  has  won 
many  cases  favorable  to  his  clients. 

On  the  1st  of  January,  1901,  Mr.  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Addie  G.  Gray,  a  native  of  Cedar  county,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
and  Ann  (GiiTord)  Gray.  Her  mother  is  now  deceased,  while  her  father  resides 
at  West  Liberty.  His  mother  was  reputed  to  be  the  first  white  woman  to  es- 
tablish a  home  in  Iowa  outside  of  Dubuque.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  has 
been  born  an  only  child.  Mary  Frances. 

Mr.  Smith  has  always  given  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party 
since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.  He  has  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  town  council  and  is  always  interested  in  progressive  movements  for 
the  public  good.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  has  served 
on  its  ofificial  board,  and  his  influence  and  aid  are  always  found  on  the  side  of 
right,  progress,   truth   and   advancement. 


CAPTAl-X  JOHX  W.  CARR. 

There  was  one  house  in  Montezuma  when  Captain  John  W.  Carr  came  to 
Poweshiek  county.  He  was  then  a  lad  of  eight  years  and  has  therefore  been  a 
witness  of  the  entire  growth  of  the  county  seat  and  practically  of  the  entire  de- 
velopment and  progress  of  the  county  and  has  himself  borne  an  important  part 
in  its  upbuilding,  especially  through  his  connection  with  the  legal  profession  and 
with  banking  interests.  His  name  is  indelibly  impressed  upon  the  pages  of  its 
history. 

His  birth  occurred  in  Logan  county,  Illinois,  near  Mount  Pulaski,  on  the  26th 
of  April,  1839,  his  parents  being  William  and  Catharine  (Moore)  Carr,  natives 
of  Virginia  and  Ohio  respectively.  The  former  was  the  son  of  a  planter  and  in 
early  manhood  became  a  resident  of  Logan  county,  Illinois,  where  he  developed 
and  improved  a  farm,  meeting  the  usual  experiences  and  hardships  of  pioneer  life 
during  the  early  period  of  his  residence  there.  When  the  war  cry  of  the  savages 
was  heard  and  the  Indians  under  the  leadership  of  Black  Hawk  marched  against 
the  white  settlers  he  did  active  duty  as  a  soldier.  His  wife  was  born  near  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  and  went  to  Logan  county,  Illinois,  with  her  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Nicholas  Aloore,  who  became  farming  people  of  the  locality.  Later  Mr.  Moore 
came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  in  1845,  his  death  occurring  here  the  following 
year.  His  widow,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Sarah  Downing,  resided  near 
Montezuma  for  a  number  of  years  and  was  one  of  the  well  known  pioneer  women 
of  this  part  of  the  state.  Her  death  occurred  in  1875,  '^er  daughter,  Mrs.  Carr. 
passed  away  in  Illinois  in  1843  and  William  Carr  died  in  1845.     They  were  the 


J.  W.  CAUH 


\'- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  125 

parents  of  four  children.  Sarah,  who  was  born  in  1832,  became  the  wife  of 
lacob  Deanlorf,  who  died  in  Oklahoma  about  1900.  Kate,  born  in  1834,  became 
the  wife  of  Pleasant  Deardorf,  the  brother  of  her  sister's  husband,  and  passed 
away  in  Madison  county,  Iowa,  about  1899.  Nicholas,  born  in  1836,  was  for 
about  eighteen  months  a  soldier  of  the  Tenth  Iowa  Infantry  during  the  Civil  war. 
He  was  afterward  sheriff  of  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  for  four  years  and  later 
special  examiner  of  tillable  land  in  Nebraska  under  President  Cleveland.  He 
afteward  became  justice  of  the  peace  at  Neligh,  Nebraska,  and  died  in  that 
state  in  1898. 

Captain  John  W.  Carr  was  the  youngest  of  the  family  and  was  only  six  years 
of  age  when  left  an  orphan.    He  lived  with  an  uncle,  William  Moore,  in  Illinois 
until  1847,  when  with  his  brother  and  sisters  he  started  for  Iowa  to  make  his 
home  with   his   maternal  grandmother,   near   Montezuma.     They   reached    their 
destination  on  the  23d  of  December,  after  crossing  the  river  at  Warsaw  because 
of  the  blockade  at  Fort  Madison.     Montezuma  had  not  been  platted  at  that  time 
and  contained  but  one  house.     The  county  was  largely  an  unsettled  and  unde- 
veloped region,  the  home  of  Mrs.  Moore  being  in  Union  township,  near  Forest 
Home.    Hers  was  the  best  house  in  the  county  and  was  a  log  structure  eighteen 
by  twenty  feet.     Religious  services  were  there  held  whenever  a  preacher  would 
visit  the  neighborhood.     When  but  a  young  man  Captain  Carr  became  inured  to 
the  arduous  task  of  developing  a  new  farm,  driving  oxen  to  the  breaking  plow, 
dropping  the  corn  into  the   furrow^- -iind  afterward  cultivating  the   fields  until 
crops  were  harvested.    When  schtj^ol'was  in  "session  he  pursued  his  education,  be- 
ing a  pupil  in  the  first  log  schoolhouse  of  the  county.   Tt.was  a  primitive  structure, 
having  a  puncheon  floor  and  seats  wi^h.  windows  made  of  greased  paper.     The 
school  boys  supplied  the  fuel  whicb.'^s-burnedin  a  huge  fireplace.    The  methods 
of  instruction,  too,  were  most  crude  and  it  was  only  at  intervals  that  Captain  Carr 
could  attend,  as  his  services  were  needed  upon  the  home  farm.    He  was  ambitious, 
however,  to  make  advancement  along  educational  lines  and  utilized  his  evening 
hours  for  study.     Later  he  had  the  advantage  of  instruction  in  the  preparatory 
department  of  Grinnell  College  and  the  following  year  recited  his  lessons  in  the 
first   college  building   there   erected.     As   opportunity   offered   he   continued   his 
studies  until  after  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  save  for  the  summer  of   1857 
spent  in  Missouri. 

He  was  then  eighteen  years  of  age  and  saw  for  the  first  time  the  practices  and 
abuses  of  slavery,  and  the  opinion  which  he  formed  of  the  system  led  him  later 
to  espouse  the  abolitionist  cause.  His  attendance  at  college  was  alternated  by 
periods  of  school-teaching,  but  after  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  he  put  aside 
all  personal  considerations  and  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  aid,  enlisting 
on  the  5th  of  July,  1861,  at  Iowa  City,  as  a  member  of  Company  F,  Tenth  Iowa 
Infantry.  He  was  elected  second  lieutenant  and  with  his  command  went  south, 
serving  with  that  regiment  until  February,  1862,  when  a  relapse  after  an  attack  of 
measles  forced  him  to  resign  and  he  returned  to  Montezuma.  He  then  pur- 
chased a  drug  store  and  began  the  study  of  medicine,  thinking  to  become  a  physi- 
cian. But  on  the  5th  of  July,  1862,  following  the  call  for  three  hundred  thousand 
men,  he  began  raising  the  company  that  was  attached  to  the  Twenty-eighth  Iowa 
Infantry  as  Company   C.     He   was  commissioned   its  captain  and   served   until 


126  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

the  close  of  the  war.  During  his  previous  enlistment  he  had  held  the  rank  of 
second  lieutenant.  The  succeeding  winter  was  passed  in  Arkansas  and  Missis- 
sippi, after  which  the  command  entered  upon  active  campaigning,  taking  part  in 
the  battles  of  Port  Gibson,  Edwards  Station,  Champion's  Hill,  Black  River 
Bridge  and  the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  followed  by  the  battle  of  Jackson,  Missis- 
sippi. Later  the  command  returned  to  Vicksburg  and  subsequently  with  the 
Department  of  the  Gulf  went  to  New  Orleans  in  August,  1863.  The  year  fol- 
lowing Captain  Carr  participated  in  the  engagements  at  Carrion  Crow  Bayou  and 
Chafi'elisle  Bayou  in  Louisiana.  In  the  spring  of  1864  he  took  part  in  the  Red 
River  expedition  under  Banks  and  in  July  of  that  year  was  sent  to  Washington 
and  afterward  participated  in  the  campaign  in  the  Shenandoah  valley  under  Sheri- 
dan in  the  battles  of  Berryville,  \'irginia ;  and  of  Winchester.  At  the  last  named 
he  was  wounded,  a  minie  ball  piercing  his  right  leg  which  rendered  him  unfit 
for  service  for  six  weeks,  during  which  time  he  was  at  Harpers  Ferry  until  Sep- 
tember 25,  when  he  obtained  leave  of  absence  and  returned  home.  On  his  recov- 
ery he  rejoined  his  regiment,  with  which  he  remained  until  the  close  of  the  war. 
Owing  to  the  wounds  sustained  by  his  colonel,  lieutenant  colonel  and  major  he 
assumed  command  of  the  regiment  and  following  his  return  at  the  close  of  the 
war  was  brevetted  major.  After  Sheridan's  campaign  the  regiment  went  to 
Savannah  to  return  with  Sherman  and  participated  in  the  engagement  at  New- 
berne,  North  Carolina,  and  subsequently  went  to  Augusta  and  assisted  in  paroling 
Johnston's  army.  The  muster  out  came  at  Savannah,  July  31,  1865,  and  later 
the  command  proceeded  to  Davenport,  where  the  troops  were  honorably  dis- 
charged and  dispersed.  That  the  service  was  arduous  is  indicated  by  the  fact 
that  out  of  the  one  hundred  men  of  his  company  originally  mustered  in  and  twenty 
recruits,  but  forty-five  came  home  together. 

Following  his  return  to  Montezuma,  Captain  Carr  engaged  in  general  mer- 
chandising until  1869,  when  he  was  elected  clerk  of  the  district  court,  which  posi- 
tion he  filled  by  reelection  for  three  terms,  or  six  years.  During  that  period  he 
studied  law  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  February,  1877.  He  has  since  prac- 
ticed his  profession  in  Montezuma  with  the  exception  of  a  year  spent  in  Des 
Moines,  and  for  three  terms,  or  six  years,  he  filled  the  office  of  county  attorney. 
He  was  for  a  time  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Redman  &  Carr,  the  senior  partner 
beconfing  subsequently  speaker  of  the  Iowa  house  of  representatives.  From  the 
beginning  of  his  practice  Captain  Carr  has  been  accorded  a  large  and  distinctively 
representative  clientage  and  has  been  associated  with  much  of  the  important  liti- 
gation tried  in  the  courts  of  this  district.  He  prepares  his  cases  thoroughly  and 
his  arguments  are  strongly  logical  and  convincing.  He  is  also  well  known  in 
financial  circles  in  Poweshiek  county,  having  been  president  of  the  Montezuma 
Savings  Bank  since  its  organization  in  1893.  He  was  also  at  one  time  a  director 
of  the  First  National  Bank,  which  he  aided  in  establishing.  He  was  the  owner 
of  considerable  farm  property  in  Poweshiek  county  together  with  a  fine  home  in 
Montezuma,  but  has  recently  sold  his  farm  property. 

On  the  loth  of  January,  1866,  in  this  city  Captain  Carr  was  married  to  Miss 
Lottie  Frick,  who  was  born  in  Erie,  New  York,  April  30,  1844,  and  was  reared 
in  Sheboygan,  Wisconsin.  While  visiting  her  sister,  Mrs.  M.  E.  Cutts,  she  formed 
the  acquaintance  of  Captain  Carr,  who  sought  her  hand  in  marriage.    Their  chil- 


ITISTORV  OF  I'OWF.SIIIICK  COfNTY  127 

dren  are :  Fred,  who  for  fifteen  years  .has  been  associated  with  his  father  in  the 
practice  of  law  ;  and  CHfford  W..  a  dentist  of  Los  Angeles,  California. 

In  his  political  views  Captain  Carr  has  always  been  a  stalwart  republican  and 
in  addition  to  the  offices  already  mentioned  he  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  city 
council  at  iMontezuma  and  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  belongs  to  Wis- 
ner  Post,  Xo.  127,  G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  has  been  commander,  and  holds  mem- 
bership with  Lafayette  Lodge  No.  52,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Montezuma,  and  the 
Royal  .\rch  Chapter  at  Malcolm,  Iowa.  He  is  likewise  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  fraternity  at  Montezuma  and  of  the  State  P)ar  Association.  His  activi- 
ties have  been  most  varied  and  in  every  relation  of  life  he  seems  to  have  had  a 
regard  for  the  duties  and  obligations  of  citizenship  and  to  have  labored  at  all 
times  for  the  progress  and  upbuilding  of  the  community  in  which  he  has  so 
long  lived.  Xo  man  in  Montezuma  is  held  in  higher  regard  or  more  justly  rle- 
ierves  the  respect  and  honor  accorded  him. 


ROBERT  RICE. 


Robert  Rice,  who  will  long  be  remembered  as  a  prominent  farmer  and  a 
noble-hearted  citizen  of  Grinnell  township,  was  a  native  of  Wayne  county,  Ken- 
tucky, born  May  3,  1853.  He  was  the  son  of  Ebenezer  and  Rebecca  (  Parm- 
ley)  Rice,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Wayne  county.  The  family  came  to 
Iowa  in  the  early  '70s,  and  located  in  Jasper  county  west  of  Grinnell,  wiiere  the 
l)arents   lived   until   their  death. 

Robert  Rice  received  his  preliminary  education  in  Kentucky  and  grew  up 
under  the  shelter  of  a  kindly  home.  His  opportunities  of  attendance  at  school 
were  limited,  but  he  possessed  a  bright  mind  and  was  a  close  observer  and  be- 
came a  man  of  good  general  knowledge  and  thorough  discrimination.  He  came 
with  his  parents  to  Iowa  and  after  his  marriage  began  working  on  his  own  ac- 
count on  a  farm  east  of  Kellogg,  Jasper  county.  He  applied  himself  with  such 
excellent  results  that  he  acquired  about  five  hundred  acres  and  was  known  as 
one  of  the  most  prosperous  farmers  of  that  part  of  the  county.  About  1897 
he  sold  his  farm,  and  later  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  adjoining  the 
fair  grounds  in  Grinnell  township,  Poweshiek  county.  He  also  was  the  owner 
of  two  hundred  and  forty-five  acres  six  miles  west  of  Grinnell.  He  engaged 
in  general  farming,  but  made  a  specialty  of  cattle  feeding,  a  branch  which  he 
understood  scientifically,  and  in  this  line  he  was  remarkably  successful,  be- 
coming one  of  the  important  cattle   feeders  of  the  county. 

In  1876  Mr.  Rice  was  unitefl  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha  Armelda  Parmley, 
a  native  of  Wayne  county,  Kentucky,  and  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Zerilda 
(Strunk)  Parmley  of  Parmley ville,  Kentucky.  Mrs.  Rice  came  to  Iowa  in  her 
voung  womanhood  with  an  aunt.  In  1877  her  parents  removed  to  Kansas  and 
located  near  Tisdale.  The  father  died  March  24,  1907,  being  then  in  his  sev- 
entv-ninth  vear.  Mr.  Rice  was  called  away  .'\pril  4,  1907,  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
four  vears,   in   the   height   of   an    honorable   and   useful   career.      Politically,   he 


1-28  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

gave  his  support  to  the  democratic  party,  and   fraternall}-  he  was  identified  with 
the  Odd  Fellows. 

His  success  in  business  was  due  to  his  great  energy  and  thorough  knowl- 
edge of  a  vocation  which  he  studied  in  all  its  details.  He  spareil  no  labor  or 
pains  to  become  thorough  and  efficient  and  the  honorable  record  he  attained  is 
evidence  of  his  high  character  and  ability.  By  his  many  estimable  ([ualities  he 
gained  a  host  of  friends  who  extended  to  him  their  sincere  regard  as  a  worthy 
member  of  the  great  brotherhood  of  man. 


BYRAM  B.  MARTIN. 


Byram  B.  Martin,  who  for  a  number  of  years  has  been  identified  with  the 
insurance  business  in  Malcom,  in  which  connection  he  has  been  accorded  a 
most  liberal  patronage  throughout  this  community  and  Poweshiek  county,  is 
also  entitled  to  special  mention  as  an  honored  veteran  of  the  Civil  war. 

He  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  his  birth  having  occurred  near  Greencastle,  Put- 
nam county,  on  the  20th  of  .^iiril,  1842.  His  jiarents,  Robert  and  Lucy  (Routt) 
Martin,  were  born  in  Virginia  and  Kentucky  respectively,  and  were  married 
in  the  latter  state.  They  became  early  settlers  of  Indiana,  and  there  the  mother 
passed  away  in  1847.  In  1852  Mr.  Alartin  became  a  resident  of  Boone  county, 
Iowa,  where  he  entered  a  large  tract  of  land,  consisting  of  about  eight  hundred 
acres,  and  upon  which  he  made  his  home  until  the  fall  of  1859.  when  he  came 
to  Poweshiek  county,  locating  near  Montezuma,  where  he  spent  his  remaining 
vears.  He  passed  away  while  on  a  visit  to  Greencastle,  Indiana.  After  the 
death  of  his  first  wife  he  again  married  in  Indiana,  his  second  union  bemg  with 
Mrs.  Nancy  Nosier.  Her  death  occurred  in  Montezuma.  By  his  first  marriage 
Mr.  Martin  had  six  sons  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  Byram  B.  Martin  was 
the  seventh  in  order  of  birth.     Unto  the  second  marriage  was  born  one  son. 

Byram  B.  Martin  spent  the  first  ten  years  of  his  life  in  the  state  of  his 
nativity  and,  in  1852,  came  with  the  family  to  Iowa.  He  remained  with  his 
father,  assisting  him  in  his  agricultural  pursuits,  until  twenty  years  of  age 
when,  in  July,  1862,  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  becoming  a  soldier 
in  Company  K,  Eighteenth  Iowa  Infantry.  His  term  of  service  e.xtended  over 
three  years,  or  until  the  close  of  hostilities,  and,  in  .August,  1865,  he  was  mus- 
tered out  with  a  creditable  record  for  loyalty  and  bravery.  He  participated  in 
many  of  the  important  engagements,  including  the  battle  at  Springfield,  Missouri, 
Poison  Spring,  Kansas,  and  the  campaign  against  Price  and  the  Red  River  cam- 
paign. He  took  part  in  all  of  the  activities  of  his  regiment,  with  the  exception 
of  a  few  weeks  which  he  spent  in  a  hospital. 

.Vfter  the  country  no  longer  needed  his  services  he  returned  home  and  for 
two  years  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Poweshiek  county.  At  the  end  of  that 
time  he  became  a  barber  and  for  twenty-five  years  followed  that  trade  in  Mon- 
tezuma and  Malcom.  He  was  then  appointed  postmaster  of  the  latter  city  under 
the  administration  of  President  Harrison,  and  capably  and  efficiently  filled  that 
office  for  a  term  of  four  years,  proving  a  most  popular  official.     Upon  retiring 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  129 

from  that  position  he  embarked  in  the  fire  insurance  business  to  which  he  has 
given  his  entire  attention  for  the  past  twelve  years.  He  has  made  a  careful 
study  of  the  business,  familiarizing  himself  with  all  of  its  various  phases,  and 
through  the  intervening  years  has  so  conducted  his  enterprise  that  he  has  built 
up  a  most  gratifying  clientage  throughout  Malcom  and  Poweshiek  county,  which 
is  constantly  expanding  in  volume  and  growing  in  importance. 

On  the  I2th  of  June,  1867,  Mr.  Martin  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  Ferneau,  who  was  born  in  Ross  county,  Ohio,  February  16,  1844.  Her 
parents  were  Levi  and  Elizabeth  (Taylor)  Ferneau,  who  were  both  natives  of 
Ohio,  where  the  mother's  death  occurred.  Later  the  father  was  again  married 
and  in  the  fall  of  1856  brought  his  family  to  Iowa,  locating  in  this  county  on  a 
farm  near  Montezuma,  where  he  passed  his  remaining  days.  Two  sons  and 
four  daughters  were  born  unto  his  first  union,  while  by  the  second  marriage 
there  was  one  daughter.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Martin  have  become  the  parents  of  six 
children,  who  are  as  follows:  Charles  E.,  a  resident  of  Oakland,  California; 
La  Rue,  the  wife  of  Charles  H.  Blumenauer,  of  Steubenville,  Ohio;  R.  L.,  of 
Malcom;  Mary  A.,  who  wedded  A.  L.  Burford,  of  Brooklyn;  Nellie  M.,  who 
wedded  L.  P.  Raymond ;  and  Lucy  E.,  the  wife  of  George  Graff,  of  Sheridan 
township. 

Politically  Mr.  Martin  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  he  has 
served  as  a  member  of  the  town  council  and  the  school  board,  although  he  is 
not  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  office-seeking.  He  is  a  member  of  Lodge  No. 
369,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  of  Malcom,  and  is  a  charter  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  post  at  Montezuma,  which  was  organized  in  1866.  He  is  a  man  of 
marked  public  spirit  and  in  his  life  exemplifies  those  qualities  which  win  con- 
fidence, respect  and  good  will. 


PETER   SCHMIDT. 


A  resident  of  Poweshiek  county  since  1855,  Peter  Schmidt  well  deserves  the 
name  of  pioneer  and  has  earned  a  position  as  one  of  the  highly  successful  citi- 
zens of  the  county  by  acquiring  a  valuable  farm  of  five  hundred  acres,  upon 
which  he  now  lives.  He  is  a  native  of  Germany,  born  September  16,  1826,  and 
is  a  son  of  William  and  Catherine  (Baker)  Schmidt.  The  father  was  a  farmer 
and  both  he  and  his  wife  passed  their  entire  lives  in  the  old  country.  He  died 
in  1834  and  Mrs.  Schmidt  passed  away  sixteen  years  later. 

Peter  Schmidt  acquired  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native 
land,  and  after  he  grew  to  manhood  engaged  in  railroad  work  until  he  was 
twenty-six  years  of  age.  Being  attracted  to  the  new  world  he  crossed  the  ocean 
and  stopped  for  a  time  in  New  York  city  and  Philadelphia,  also  spending  one 
year  on  a  farm  near  Altoona,  Pennsylvania.  He  then  traveled  westward  as 
far  as  St.  Louis,  where  he  secured  work  upon  a  railroad,  later  engaging  as  a 
farm  laborer  in  Illinois.  On  October  20,  1855,  he  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county 
and,  having  carefully  saved  his  earnings,  he  purchased  a  small  tract  of  land, 
to  which  he  has  added  as  his  resources  permitted  until  he  now  has  a  i)eautiful 


130  HISTORY  OF  TOWESHIEK  COUNTY 

place  of  five  hundred  acres,  which  is  provided  with  every  modern  tacihtv.  He 
has  engaged  in  general  farming  and  has  also  been  very  successful  in  raising 
and  fattening  stock  for  the  market.  In  addition  to  his  farming  interests  he  is 
a  stockholder  in  the  bank  at  Searsboro. 

On  the  7th  of  August,  1863,  Mr.  Schmidt  was  married  to  Miss  Eliza  Sand- 
ers, who  was  born  in  Ohio,  July  12,  1847,  and  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Hattie 
(Smith)  Sanders.  The  parents  were  both  natives  of  the  Keystone  state.  They 
moved  to  Ohio  and  in  1856  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  located  near  Monte- 
zuma. They  were  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  and  politically 
Mr.  Sanders  gave  his  support  to  the  democratic  party.  Ten  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schmidt,  namely:  William,  who  is  now  engaged  in  farming  in 
Washington  township;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Herman  Sella,  of  Washington  town- 
ship ;  Samuel,  of  Jasper  county,  Iowa ;  Frank,  who  is  deceased :  Henry,  also  of 
Washington  township ;  Mary,  the  wife  of  William  Whalen,  of  Mahaska  county ; 
Rosie,  who  became  the  wife  of  August  Dager,  of  North  Dakota;  Peter,  who  is 
at  home ;  Elizabeth,  now  Mrs.  Guy  Ford,  of  North  Dakota ;  and  Francis,  also 
at  home. 

In  religious  faith  Mr.  Schmidt  is  a  Catholic.  He  has  never  sought  political 
honors,  as  his  time  and  attention  have  largely  been  devoted  to  the  management 
of  his  farm  and  his  promising  family  of  children  whom  he  reared  to  principles 
of  honor  and  usefulness.  He  has  now  reached  the  advanced  age  of  eightv-five 
years  and  upon  younger  men  rests  the  responsibility  of  looking  after  the  home 
farm,  but  he  still  takes  a  lively  interest  in  agricultural  affairs  and  also  in  the 
development  of  the  community  of  which  he  has  been  a  member  for  more  than 
a  half  century.  He  has  been  a  living  witness  of  the  development  of  Poweshiek 
county  from  the  original  prairie  and  woodland  to  the  present  state  of  high  pro- 
ductiveness, and  is  justly  honored  as  one  of  the  substantial  and  efficient  agen- 
cies by  which  this  great  transformation  has  been  wrought. 


FRED  C.  RAYBURN. 


The  citizens  of  Pleasant  township,  Poweshiek  county,  are  glad  to  claim 
Fred  C.  Rayburn  as  one  of  their  native  sons,  for  he  is  a  most  enterprising  and 
progressive  young  farmer,  born  here  on  the  30th  of  July.  1872,  a  son  of  John 
G.  and  Annie  (Gier)  Rayburn.  The  parents  were  born  in  the  state  of  Ohio 
but  are  numbered  among  the  pioneers  of  Poweshiek  county,  having  settled  here 
in  the  early  '50s.  For  many  years  the  father  followed  farming  in  this  section 
of  the  state  but  he  is  now  living  retired  in  Montezuma,  where  he  and  his  esti- 
mable wife  are  enjoying  the  fruits  of  their  former  toil.  Unto  them  have  been 
born  six  children,  namely;  Ettie,  the  deceased  wife  of  Fred  Ingram:  Charles,  a 
resident  of  Dalhart,  Te.xas ;  Fred  C..  whose  name  introduces  this  review  ;  Flora, 
the  wife  of  Clyde  Blain,  a  resident  of  Jackson  township:  .Alfred,  of  Monte- 
zuma ,  and  Harland,  who  is  a  student  of  art  in  Chicago. 

Fred  C.  Rayburn.  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  was  reared  on  the  home  farm, 
early  being  trained  to  the  duties  and  labors  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  farm  lad. 


HISTORY  OF  rOWESHIEK  COl'XTV  131 

and  as  his  age  and  strength  increased  he  more  largely  assumed  responsibilities 
and  thus  was  (|ualified  to  carry  on  business  on  his  own  account  in  later  life. 
He  remained  with  his  parents  until  they  removed  to  Montezuma  and  then  took 
up  farming  on  his  own  account.  He  has  prospered  in  his  undertakings  and  is 
now  the  owner  of  three  hundred  acres  of  valuable  farm  land,  situated  on  section 
20.  Pleasant  township,  which  is  known  as  the  old  Ewart  property  and  has  been 
in  his  possession  since  1904.  His  place  is  well  improved  and  he  makes  stock- 
feeding  the  principal  feature  of  his  labors. 

It  was  on  the  20th  of  January,  1897,  that  Mr.  Rayburn  was  married  to  Miss 
Mattie  Ewart.  who  was  born  on  the  farm  which  is  still  her  home,  February  8. 
1876.  Her  father.  Robert  Ewart,  who  was  one  of  the  well  known  and  prosper- 
out  farmers  of  Pleasant  township,  is  now  deceased.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ray- 
burn  have  been  born  a  son  and  daughter,  Lester  and   Bernice. 

In  politics  Mr.  Rayburn  is  a  republican  and  is  now  serving  his  second  term 
as  township  trustee.  He  attends  and  supports  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
but  is  not  a  member  of  any  religious  organization.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Ewart  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  and  is  ever  interested  in  any  industry 
or  enterprise  that  tends  to  benefit  the  community  in  which  he  makes  his  home. 
He  and  his  wife  are  well  known  here,  for  their  entire  lives  have  been  passed 
in  the  district  which  is  still  their  home  and  their  numerous  friends  have  for  them 
the  highest  regard  and  esteem. 


EDGAR  J.  HARRIS. 


Edgar  J.  Harris,  a  well  known  farmer  of  Poweshiek  county,  comes  of  an 
industrious  family,  as  is  indicated  by  the  prosperity  enjoyed  by  four  brothers, 
all  of  whom  were  born  in  England  and  sought  in  America  the  opportunities 
unavailable  under  conditions  existing  in  the  old  world.  Mr.  Harris  was  born 
at  Dorsetshire,  England,  August  31,  1872,  and  is  the  son  of  James  and  Eliza- 
beth (Slade)  Harris,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Dorsetshire.  Mr.  Harris 
spent  his  entire  life  in  England  as  a  farmer,  but  the  mother  came  to  America  in 
1890,  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  and  is  now  living  with  one  of  her  sons 
m   Poweshiek   county. 

Edgar  J.  Harris  was  educated  in  England  and  at  seventeen  years  of  age 
crossed  the  ocean  to  America  with  Edwin  Dare,  a  record  of  whom  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  He  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  soon  found  em- 
ployment at  farm  labor.  Later  he  rented  the  old  Williams'  farm  in  Chester 
township,  which  he  cultivated  to  good  advantage  for  eleven  years  and  then, 
in  1898,  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  upon  which  he  established 
his  homestead.  He  also  acquired  eighty  acres  on  Bear  creek,  and  is,  therefore. 
the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  good  Poweshiek  county  land 
which  yields  each  year  a  handsome  revenue.  He  is  a  general  farmer  and  stock- 
feeder  and  the  success  he  has  achieved  is  the  direct  result  of  his  industry, 
energy  and  wise  management. 


132  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

On  the  nth  of  July,  1900,  Mr.  Harris  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
D.  Schmidt,  a  daughter  of  William  Schmidt,  for  many  years  a  resident  of 
Poweshiek  county  and  one  of  its  prosperous  farmers.  Mr.  Harris  is  recognized 
as  a  wide-awake,  up-to-date  man,  and  a  public-spirited  citizen,  who  has  con- 
tributed his  share  toward  the  progress  of  the  community.  His  farm  has  been 
excellently  managed  and  his  home  is  one  of  the  handsomest  residences  in  the 
township.  In  politics  he  supports  the  republican  party  and,  having  been  reared 
in  the  Church  of  England,  he  has  through  life  been  faithful  to  its  tenets. 


JOHN  S.  BEELER. 

The  memory  of  John  S.  Beeler,  for  the  past  forty-five  years  a  resident  of 
Poweshiek  county,  carries  him  back  still  further  to  the  pioneer  days  of  Iowa, 
when  a  large  part  of  this  great  state  was  yet  open  prairie  and  little  was  known  as 
to  its  resources. 

He  was  born  at  Marion,  Iowa,  September  13,  1845,  and  was  a  member  of  a 
family  of  sixteen  children — eight  sons  and  eight  daughters — of  Fred  and  Nancy 
(Dollarhide)  Beeler,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  West  Virginia  and  the 
latter  of  Indiana.  They  were  married  in  1836  at  Indianapolis,  and  in  1837  came 
to  Iowa  and  lived  for  several  years  at  Muscatine,  where  the  father  engaged  in 
work  in  connection  with  the  river  traffic.  From  that  place  he  moved  to  Linn 
county,  Iowa,  and  took  up  land  at  Marion,  being  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  that 
section.  The  Indians  were  still  wandering  at  large  through  the  country  when  he 
arrived  in  Linn  county  and  he  maintained  with  them  the  most  friendly  relations, 
often  trading  horses  with  his  visitors.  This  was  a  favorite  diversion  of  the 
early  days.  He  was  a  man  of  good  business  ability  and  a  large  landowner,  pos- 
sessing one  thousand  acres  of  good  Linn  county  land.  In  politics  he  gave  his 
support  to  the  democratic  party,  and  in  religious  belief  affiliated  with  the  Metho- 
dist church,  of  which  he  was  deacon  and  trustee.  He  took  a  great  interest  in 
education  and  was  a  valued  member  of  the  school  board.  A  man  of  many  ster- 
ling characteristics,  he  was  greatly  respected  wherever  he  was  known.  He  died 
February  12,  1895,  having  then  reached  the  age  of  eighty-one  years.  Mrs.  Beeler 
was  called  away  five  years  later. 

John  S.  Beeler,  of  this  review,  received  his  early  education  in  the  public 
schools  of  Marion,  Iowa,  and  also  had  the  advantage  of  attendance  at  the  high 
school  in  the  same  town.  He  was  reared  under  the  favorable  conditions  of  farm 
life,  and  even  as  a  boy  displayed  remarkable  strength  and  ability  in  his  work. 
One  day,  in  a  few  hours,  he  split  eighty-five  railroad  ties.  He  followed  this  occu- 
pation for  twenty-seven  days  and  then  in  December,  1866,  arrived  in  Poweshiek 
county  and  went  to  work  on  shares  under  his  uncle,  George  M.  Beeler.  In  1868 
his  father  gave  him  a  farm  in  Linn  county,  which  he  soon  afterward  disposed  of, 
and  settled  on  productive  land  in  Poweshiek  county  where  he  has  since  continued. 
He  is  now  the  owner  of  six  hundred  acres,  and  his  wife  owns  sixty-eight  acres 
in  this  county.  He  also  owns  three  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Missouri.  He  has 
for  thirty-five  years  been  a  large  raiser  and  feeder  of  stock,  devoting  his  attention 


Mlt.   AMI   MKS     JOHN   S.   I'.KET.KU 


^^^^.„    / 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  135 

especially  to  Hereford  cattle  and  the  breeding  of  Percheron  horses,  in  which  he 
has  attained  an  enviable  reputation. 

On  the  22d  of  January,  1871,  Mr.  Heeler  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
lillen  C.  Heeler,  a  daughter  of  George  M.  and  Nancy  (Carpenter)  Heeler,  and  of 
this  union  ten  children  have  been  born,  namely :  Ira  C,  who  is  now  living  in 
Washingtown  township;  Ora  F.,  who  lives  at  Hugo,  Colorado;  George  F.,  of 
Pleasant  township;  May,  who  became  the  wife  of  L.  A.  Winters,  of  Jacob,  Iowa; 
Xancy  A.,  who  married  Joe  H.  Bradley,  of  Missouri;  Mary,  who  married  E.  S. 
Morrison,  a  business  man  of  Grinnell ;  John  Cleveland;  Louis  Clark,  now  engaged 
in  farming  in  Sugar  Creek  township;  Janie,  who  married  John  Reed,  of  Pleasant 
township ;  and  Clara,  who  is  now  a  student  in  the  Grinnell  high  school. 

Politically  Mr.  Heeler  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party.  He  has 
been  a  candidate  for  member  of  the  lower  house  of  the  state  legislature  at  two 
difi'erent  elections  but,  his  party  being  in  the  minority,  he  was  unsuccessful  and 
met  with  defeat.  In  religious  belief  lie  adheres  to  the  faith  of  the  Society  of 
JMiends  and  through  life  he  has  aimed  to  be  guided  by  the  teachings  of  this  worthy 
organization.  Fortunate  in  possessing  qualities  of  mind  and  heart  which  are 
inseparable  from  honorable  manhood,  he  won  the  respect  of  neighbors  and  ac- 
quaintances and  for  many  years  has  been  a  tower  of  strength  in  the  community. 
Me  has  always  been  loyal  to  every  trust  and  has  ever  been  ready  to  assist  in  every 
movement  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  section.  It  is  with  pleasure  that  this  record 
is  here  given  of  one  of  the  clear-headed  aiid  noble-hearted  men  of  Poweshiek 
count V.  .  ■.'■'-■.  •.v'V,     '  ■, 


.•\v 


WILLIAM    fi.  ■'AjCirEY. 

William  H.  Alley  is  a  well  known  farmer  and  business  man  who  for  a 
number  of  years  has  engaged  as  sprinkling  contractor  at  Grinnell.  He  is  a 
native  of  Canada,  born  November  24,  1854,  and  is  a  son  of  Jeremiah  and 
Kathryn  (GifFord)  Alley,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Canada.  The  father 
removed  with  his  family  to  Dane  county,  Wisconsin,  where  he  engaged  in  farm- 
ing for  ten  years,  and  then  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Tama  county,  where  he 
continued  to  reside  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1879.  The  mother  is 
still  living  and  makes  Jier  home  with  her  children.  In  the  famih-  were  the 
following  children:  A.  M.,  who  married  Ella  Robinson  and  is  now  a  resident 
of  Huron,  S.  D. ;  William  H.,  of  this  review  ;  J.  H.,  who  married  Elizabeth  A. 
Spire  and  lives  in  Grinnell :  Enos  G..  who  married  Jessie  Harmon  and  makes 
his  home  in  Huron.  S.  D. :  George  W.,  also  a  resident  of  Huron,  who  married 
Kittie  Coburn ;  Charles  E.,  who  married  JMaud  Crew  and  lives  in  Meridian. 
Mississippi ;  and  Electa,  the  wife  of  W.  W.  Dale,  of  Grinnell  township,  this 
county. 

William  H.  AUex-  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  and 
continued  with  his  ]«rents  until  after  attaining  his  majority.  He  removed 
with  them  to  Tama  county,  this  state  in  \R(%.  Ever  since  his  boyhood  he  has  been 
actively  identified  with  agricultural  and  stock-raising  interests.  He  engaged  in 
farmincf   for   seventeen   years  in    Sheridan   township,    Poweshiek   county,   where 


136  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

he  still  owns  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  and  in  1895  removed  to 
Grinnell,  where  he  established  his  home.  During  the  last  two  years  upon  his 
farm  he  devoted  considerable  attention  to  raising  Poland  China  hogs,  in  which 
he  was  very  successful.  He  rented  his  place  and  is  now  living  in  Grinnell, 
where  he  has  rendered  efficient  service  for  thirteen  years  as  contractor  for 
street  sprinkling. 

On  March  11,  1879,  Mr.  Alley  was  united  in  marriage  in  Highland  town- 
ship, Tama  county,  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Steikle,  a  daughter  of  A.  H.  and  Mary 
Steikle.  The  parents  were  both  born  in  Canada  and  removed  to  Tama  county, 
Iowa,  where  Mr.  Steikle  devoted  his  attention  to  farming.  Mrs.  Alley  died 
in  1894  and  on  January  2,  1896,  Mr.  Alley  was  married  to  Mrs.  Amelia  Smith, 
a  native  of  Germany,  and  a  daughter  of  C.  H.  Speth.  Air.  Alley  has  three  chil- 
ilren  living:  Nellie,  the  wife  of  Peter  J.  Schmeltz,  who  is  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  automobile  tops  at  Marshalltown,  Iowa ;  Hazel,  who  is  a  student  in 
the  high  school  and  is  now  living  at  home :  and  George  Roger.  Bertha  Smith, 
a  daughter  of  Mrs.  Alley  by  her  former  marriage,  graduated  as  a  kindergarten 
teacher  at  Des  Moines. 

Ever  since  McKinley's  election  Mr.  Alley  has  given  his  support  to  the  re- 
publican party.  In  religious  belief  he  is  a  Methodist  and  is  now  serving  as 
trustee  of  the  church  at  Grinnell.  He  is  a  valued  member  of  the  Knights  of 
Pythias  and  the  Modern  Brotherhood  of  America  and  as  a  business  man  is 
identified  with  the  Commercial  Club.  Active,  industrious  and  enterprising,  he 
is  thoroughly  efficient  in  anything  he  undertakes  and  as  his  life  is  governed 
by  sound  principles  he  always  aims  to  deal  justly  with  his  fellowmen.  He  is  of 
a  genial  and  accommodating  disposition  and  it  is  greatly  to  his  credit  that  his 
best  friends  are  to  be  found  among  those  with  whom  he  has  had  business 
relations. 


JOHN  BOSLEY  GORSUCH. 

John  Bosley  Gorsuch,  who  is  numbered  among  the  progressive  and  pros- 
])erous  agriculturists  of  Jackson  township,  is  a  representative  of  one  of  the 
old  pioneer  families  of  Iowa.  He  was  born  in  that  township  on  the  19th  of 
November,  1871,  and  has  spent  almost  his  entire  life  within  its  borders.  A  son 
of  Daniel  L.  and  Mary  J.  (Murrow)  Gorsuch.  of  whom  mention  is  made  on 
another  page,  he  is  one  of  seven  surviving  children  in  a  family  of  twelve.  He 
acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Jackson  township  and  also  received 
broad  practical  training  under  the  direction  of  his  father,  for.  reared  amid  the 
busy  activities  of  rural  life,  he  was  early  taught  the  value  of  industry,  energy 
and  perseverance.  He  remained  on  the  home  farm,  giving  his  father  the  benefit 
of  his  assistance,  until  the  time  of  his  marriage,  after  which  he  removed  to 
Mahaska  county  and  there  resided  from   1894  until   1897. 

Mr.  Gorsuch  then  returned  to  Poweshiek  county  and  spent  the  following 
three  years  on  a  rented  farm  in  Union  township,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he 
purchased  his  present  home  of  one  hundred  acres,  located  on  section   17.  Jack- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  137 

son  township.  This  place  is  a  highly  improved  property,  containing  a  com- 
fortable dwelling,  substantial  outbuildings  and  all  the  conveniences  necessary, 
and  he  is  giving  his  time  to  the  cultivation  of  grain  together  with  stock-raising. 
.A.S  a  farmer  he  has  been  quite  successful  and,  taking  pride  in  the  appearance 
of  his  farm,  has  added  every  improvement  which  may  contribute  to  its  neatness 
and  fertility.  He  has  also  made  such  study  of  the  soil  as  to  enable  him  to  so 
adapt  his  crops  as  to  reap  the  maximum  yied  per  acre.  He  has  made  of  his 
farm  a  good  paying  proposition  and  prosperity  has  attended  his  efiforts  as  the 
years  have  gone  by,  so  that  today  he  stands  among  the  substantial  and  progres- 
sive agriculturists  of  Jackson  township. 

Mr.  Gorsuch  was  united  in  marriage,  on  the  nth  of  February,  1894,  to 
Miss  Blanche  Wilkinson,  w^ho  was  born  in  Mahaska  county,  July  i,  1873,  a 
daughter  of  John  P.  and  Cynthia  A.  (Watkins)  Wilkinson,  residents  of  Barnes 
City,  Iowa.  Unto  Mr.  and  Airs.  Gorsuch  have  been  born  two  children,  Ida  F. 
and  Thomas  Daniel. 

A  lifelong  republican,  Mr.  Gorsuch  is  now  serving  his  third  term  as  town- 
ship trustee,  in  which  position  he  is  proving  a  most  faithful  and  public-spirited 
official.  Fraternally  he  holds  membership  in  Aztec  Lodge,  No.  238,  K.  P.,  at 
Montezuma.  Having  spent  almost  his  entire  life  in  this  locality  he  has  drawn 
around  him  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances  who  entertain  for  him 
unqualified  respect  and  esteem,  a  fact  which  indicates  that  the  principles  which 
have  actuated  his  conduct  have  ever  been  those  which  govern  honorable  man- 
hood and   desirable   citizenship. 


JOHN  A.  EVANS. 


The  farming  interests  of  Scott  township  and  Poweshiek  county  are  well 
represented  by  John  A.  Evans,  who  cultivates  a  tract  of  four  hundred  acres. 
He  has  always  been  identified  with  the  interests  of  this  section,  for  his  birth 
occurred  on  a  farm  about  five  miles  south  of  Montezuma,  June  29,  1857.  He  is 
a  son  of  Daniel  John  and  Jane  (Fields)  Evans,  the  former  born  in  Greene 
county,  Ohio,  November  12,  1818,  a  son  of  George  Evans,  who  was  born  in 
Wales  and  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  an  early  day,  making  a  permanent 
location  in  Ohio,  where  he  passed  away.  His  son,  Daniel  J.,  was  reared  in  the 
Buckeye  state  and  was  there  married.  In  the  fall  of  1852  he  removed  to  the 
middle  west,  locating  in  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  but  after  a  brief  stay  of  two  or 
three  years  there  he  continued  his  journey  to  Poweshiek  county  and  here  en- 
gaged in  farming.  With  him  and  his  family  also  came  two  brothers  and  a 
sister.  Mr.  Evans  was  married  twice  ere  coming  to  Poweshiek  county  and  by 
his  first  union  he  had  two  sons  but  the  younger  is  deceased,  the  other  being  N. 
G.,  of  Thornburg,  Nebraska.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  he  wedded  Miss 
lane  Fields,  who  was  likewise  born  in  Greene  county,  Ohio,  in  May,  1820.  Her 
death  occurred  in  Scott  township,  this  county,  in  May,  1872,  when  she  was 
fifty-two  years  of  age.  She  was  the  mother  of  nine  children:  Alfred  A.,  of 
O'Brien  county,  Iowa;  Mary  E.,  the  wife  of  Robert  R.  Johnston,  a  resident 


138  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

of  South  Dakota ;  C.  G.,  who  makes  his  home  in  Montezuma ;  John  A.,  of  this 
review ;  Aseneth,  the  wife  of  Samuel  Meldrem,  a  resident  of  Brooklyn ;  Alan- 
son,  deceased ;  and  three  who  died  in  infancy.  The  father  was  actively  con- 
nected with  farming  interests  in  Poweshiek  county  until  about  four  years  ago, 
when  he  removed  to  Brooklyn,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home. 

John  A.  Evans  was  reared  to  farm  life,  assisting  in  the  work  of  the  fields 
during  the  spring  and  summer  months,  while  in  the  winter  season  he  attended 
the  district  schools  near  his  father's  home.  When  starting  out  upon  an  in- 
dependent business  venture  he  chose  as  his  work  the  occupation  to  which  he  had 
been  reared.  He  began  with  eighty  acres  which  he  purchased  but  he  after- 
ward sold  this  and  bought  his  present  place,  which  comprises  four  hundred 
acres,  situated  on  sections  2,  3,  10  and  11,  Scott  township,  all  in  one  body.  On 
the  place  are  two  sets  of  good  buildings,  while  the  fields  are  under  a  high  state 
of  cultivation  and  annually  yield  bounteous  harvests.  Mr.  Evans  is  progres- 
sive in  his  methods  of  farm  work  and  is  ever  ready  to  adopt  any  measures 
along  agricultural  lines  that  he  believes  will  prove  of  benefit. 

Mr.  Evans  was  married  October  4,  1888,  to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Lineweaver, 
who  was  born  in  Rockingham  county,  \'irginia,  October  4,  1872.  a  daughter  of 
C.  B.  Lineweaver,  whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Their  mar- 
riage has  been  blessed  by  two  sons  and  a  daughter :  Earl  L. ;  Elsie  May,  the 
wife  of  Henry  Allen,  a  resident  of  Scott  township ;  and  Allen  Ray. 

Mr.  Evans  is  a  democrat  in  his  political  views  and  affiliations,  while  his 
religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Methodist  church.  He  is 
well  known  throughout  Poweshiek  county  and  has  a  reputation  for  fair  and 
honorable  dealing  surpassed  by  no  man  in  this  community.  Considerate  and 
thoughtful,  his  life  is  that  of  a  man  who  practices  what  he  preaches  to  others 
and  he  is  leaving  a  name  that  will  be  an  honor  to  his  family. 


RAY  A.  CLARKE. 


Over  thirty  years  ago  Ray  A.  Clarke  established  his  home  in  Grinnell  township 
and  devoted  himself  to  agriculture  and  stockraising  with  an  enterprise  and  abil- 
ity which  enables  him  now  to  live  retired  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  fruits  of  his 
labor.  He  was  born  at  Arcade,  New  York,  February  28,  1850,  a  son  of  Elbert 
and  Louise  ( Steele )  Clarke.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Brookfield,  New  York, 
and  the  mother  of  Arcade.  Early  in  life  Elbert  Clarke  gave  evidence  of  unu.sual 
talent  as  a  public  speaker  and  at  nineteen  years  of  age  began  preaching,  becom- 
ing a  prominent  minister  of  the  Baptist  church  at  Buffalo,  New  York.  He  de- 
livered a  noted  sermon  on  the  death  of  William  Henry  Harrison  to  a  body  of 
distinguished  men  of  the  nation.  He  was  of  a  highly  intellectual  and  nervous 
temperament  and  died  at  the  age  of  thirty-six  at  Arcade  in  the  midst  of  a  life 
of  great  usefulness. 

In  early  boyhood  Ray  A.  Clarke  lost  his  father  and  in  1859  moved  with  his 
mother  to  Oberlin,  Ohio.  He  attended  the  common  schools  and  was  later  grad- 
uated from  a  business  college  and  became  a  student  at  Oberlin  college.     In  1866 


ItAV    A.    <'I.AKKE 


-K 


^'braSS 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  141 

tlie  family  removed  to  New  Haven,  Connecticut,  and  continued  there  for  two 
years,  during  wliich  time  he  possessed  advantages  of  training  in  a  military  school 
of  that  city.  They  ticn  returned  to  Oberlin  and  in  1877  moved  to  Painesville, 
Ohio.  Mr.  Clarke  can  relate  many  interesting  incidents  that  occurred  during 
his  boyhood  in  Ohio.  On  the  25th  of  May.  1863.  when  only  thirteen  years  of 
age,  he  nearly  lost  his  life  in  a  vain  endeavor  to  save  Martin  Fitch  while  swim- 
ming in  Black  river.  The  water  was  cold  and  his  companion  went  down  in  the 
middle  of  the  river.  Mr.  Clarke  reached  him  and  started  to  help  him  to  the  shore 
but  the  boy  pulled  him  under  and  he  was  compelled  to  let  go  or  he  too  would 
have  been  drowned. 

In  1879.  having  decided  that  the  west  ofifered  better  inducements  for  an  am- 
bitious young  man  than  he  had  observed  in  northern  Ohio,  Mr.  Clarke  came  to 
Iowa  and  located  upon  a  farm  in  Grinnell  township,  Poweshiek  county.  He  dili- 
gently improved  his  place  and  devoted  his  attention  for  many  years  principally  to 
raising  cattle  for  the  market.  As  he  made  use  of  good  judgment,  his  business 
grew  in  importance  and  yielded  generous  annual  returns  so  that  he  attained  a  posi- 
tion of  comparative  financial  independence. 

In  September,  1882,  Mr.  Clarke  was  united  in  marriage  at  Grinnell  to  Miss 
Cornelia  Shepard,  a  daughter  of  Levi  and  Mary  (St.  John)  Shepard,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  Painesville,  Ohio,  and  are  now  deceased.  Mr.  Shepard 
was  one  of  the  large  landowners  of  his  locality.  One  daughter,  Cornelia  S.,  came 
to  bless  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clarke.  The  beloved  wife  and  mother  passed 
away  in  1884  and  the  daughter  is  now  keeping  houje  for  her  father.  She  is  an 
excellent  scholar,  having  graduated  from  the  •lii^h' 'school  and  also  from  Grinnell 
College  and  has  proved  an  invaluable  assistant  and  companion  to  her  father. 

Mr.  Clarke  is  identified  with  the  Congt^gatJcWaJ^ehurch  and  is  a  stanch  sup- 
porter of  its  doctrines.  Politically  he  gives -his  a'llegiance  to  the  republican  party, 
although  he  does  not  hold  himself  strictly  to  party  lines  in  voting.  He  is  of  a 
modest,  retiring  disposition  and  has  never  sought  the  emoluments  or  honors  of 
public  office,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  attention  upon  his  business.  He  has 
many  friends  whom  he  has  made  by  his  genial,  social  qualities  and  by  many  years 
of  honorable  business  dealings.  He  has  witnessed  great  changes  in  his  adopted 
county  since  taking  up  his  abode  here  and  as  a  reputable  representative  and  valued 
citizen  he  has  assisted  materially  in  its  transformation. 


REV.  JAMES  L.  HILL.   D.   D. 

It  IS  most  fitting  that  Dr.  James  L.  Hill  be  mentioned  in  the  history  of  Powe- 
shiek county  for  every  citizen  of  the  county  is  proud  of  his  record  and  he  num- 
bers among  the  residents  of  this  county  many  warm  friends.  Moreover,  he 
completed  his  literary  education  in  Grinnell  College  and  has  since  been  a  stal- 
wart, zealous  and  helpful  friend  of  the  institution. 

Numbered  among  Iowa's  native  sons.  Dr.  Hill  was  born  at  Garnavillo, 
March  14,  1848,  a  son  of  the  Rev.  James  J.  Hill,  who  was  long  associated  with 
the  work  of  the  ministry  in   Iowa  and  gave  the  first  dollar  to   found  Grinnell 


142  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL-XTY 

CoUege,  the  proof  of  which  fact  Dr.  Hill  has  in  a  written  or  printed  statement 
from  five  of  the  men  who  w-ere  his  father's  associates  at  the  time.  His  mother, 
Mrs.  Sarah  Elizabeth  Hill,  was  present  at  the  meeting  in  Dubuque  when  addi- 
tional plans  for  Grinnell  College  took  definite  form  and  this  record  is  still  ex- 
tant :  "The  wives  also  of  the  ministers,  anxious  to  share  in  the  enterprise  of 
founding  the  college,  resolved  to  raise  one  hundred  dollars  out  of  their  own  re- 
sources and  seventy  dollars  were  subscribed  by  fourteen  who  were  present." 
It  was  at  this  time  that  Mrs.  Hill,  who  died  at  the  early  age  of  twenty-eight 
years,  exclaimed:  "Somebody  must  be  built  into  these  foundations,"  and  these 
ivords  are  inscribed  upon  her  monument  in  the  cemetery  at  Grinnell. 

Reared  amid  the  refining  influences  of  a  cultured  home,  where  intellectual 
training  and  moral  teaching  were  rated  at  their  true  worth  as  forces  m  char- 
acter building,  Dr.  Hill  was  provided  with  such  opportunities  and  advantages 
as  his  parents  could  secure  for  him  and  completed  his  more  specifically  literary 
education  by  a  course  in  Grinnell  College,  from  which  he  was  graduated  with 
the  class  of  1871.  He  was  a  tutor  there  in  1871-2  and  a  continuous  resident 
of  Poweshiek  county  for  twelve  years.  Following  his  connection  with  the  col- 
lege he  left  Grinnell  and  went  east  for  professional  training  at  Andover  The- 
ological Seminary  There  he  applied  himself  closely  to  the  mastery  of  the 
branches  that  constituted  the  curriculum  of  the  school  and  before  his  gradua- 
tion was  called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  North  Congregational  church  in  Lynn, 
Massachusetts.  During  the  ten  years  of  his  absence  at  school  he  never  re- 
ceived a  dollar  from  home  to  assist  him  in  meeting  his  tuition  and  other  nec- 
essary expenses  and  during  the  last  year  of  his  student  life  he  earned  eight 
hundred  dollars  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  he  applied  himself  so  closely  to 
his  studies  that  he  won  the  valedictorian  honors  of  his  class. 

As  clergyman,  lecturer  and  author  Dr.  Hill  has  since  become  known  through- 
out the  country,  his  labors  calling  him  into  various  sections,  but  throughout 
the  years  he  has  never  ceased  to  feel  the  deepest  attachment  for  his  alma  mater 
nor  neglected  any  opportunity  to  promote  the  interests  and  work  of  Grinnell 
College,  of  which  he  is  still  a  trustee.  He  spent  his  first  night  in  Poweshiek 
county  in  a  small  building,  still  standing,  opposite  the  residence  of  the  presi- 
dent of  the  college  at  Grinnell  and  this  he  and  his  brother  Dr.  Gershom  H.  Hill 
have  purchased  with  the  intention  of  presenting  it  as  a  gift  to  the  school.  He 
and  his  brother  also  founded  the  Hill  prize  for  excellence  in  extemporaneous 
address  in  Grinnell  College  and  they  have  been  repeatedly  assured  that  the 
competition  for  this  prize  constitutes  the  most  popular  event  at  commencement. 
Following  his  father's  example  in  giving  the  first  dollar  to  a  college,  he  made 
the  earliest  gift  to  aid  in  the  establishment  of  Yankton  College,  founded  by  the 
Dakota  Band,  who  in  that  state  planted  the  seeds  of  Christian  citizenship  and 
civilization.  This  dollar  was  found  in  the  desk  of  the  college  president  after 
after  his  death  with  a  statement  as  to  where  it  came  from.  For  some  years 
pastoral  labors  occupied  his  attention  and  throughout  his  life  he  has  been  a 
teacher,  not  always  in  the  school  room  or  in  the  pulpit  for  at  other  times  his 
teaching  has  been  done  from  the  lecture  platform.  He  was  one  of  four  clergy- 
men who  in  1 89 1  were  selected  to  make  addresses  and  to  found  societies  of 
Christian  Endeavor  in  England.     He  established  the  society  at  old  Boston,  Eng- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  143 

land,  and  the  same  year  was  created  Doctor  of  Divinity  by  his  alma  mater,  be- 
ing the  first  of  her  graduates  on  whom  she  conferred  this  honor.  From  the 
beginning  of  the  United  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  he  has  been  one  of  its 
trustees  and  he  was  one  of  four  who  secured  control  of  the  Golden  Rule,  a 
religious  paper,  making  it  the  recognized  official  organ  of  the  Christian  En- 
deavor Society.  In  the  effort  now  being  made  to  raise  two  hundred  thousand 
dollars  for  a  Christian  Endeavor  headquarters  building  in  Boston  Dr.  Hill  has 
agreed  to  give  the  last  fifteen  thousand  dollars. 

In  acknowledgment  of  this  generous  gift  the  following  was  presented  him: 
"The  executive  committee  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  the  United  States  Chris- 
tian Endeavor  desires  to  e.xpr'jss  and  put  on  record  their  hearty  appreciation 
of  the  generous  gift  of  fifteen  thousand  dollars — the  largest  gift  yet  made — 
for  the  new  Headquarters  building  by  one  of  their  own  number,  Rev.  James 
L.  Hill,  D.  D.  They  unite  in  wishing  for  the  donor  the  Scriptural  benediction. 
'The  liberal  soul  shall  be  made  fat  and  he  that  watereth  shall  be  watered  also 
himself.'  " 

In  recent  years  Dr.  Hill  has  become  widely  known  through  his  appearance 
on  the  lecture  platform  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  attractive  speakers 
sent  out  by  the  Central  Lyceum  Bureau.  He  has  made  addresses  in  all  of  the 
capitals  of  New  England  and  in  almost  all  of  the  states  of  the  Union.  In  1878 
he  was  selected  to  deliver  the  Election  Sermon  before  the  governor  and  legis- 
lature of  Massachusetts.  Some  of  his  lectures  he  has  delivered  more  than  a 
hundred  times.  His  lectures,  adapted  to  the  times,  treat  of  social  life,  travel 
and  reform,  .\mong  his  most  popular  addresses  are  those  given  under  the 
subjects :  How  to  be  at  Home  at  Home ;  Team  Work ;  Cupid ;  Success  a  Duty ; 
How  we  Struck  Each  Other ;  Europe  and  I :  The  Spirit  of  '61  ;  and  The 
Worst  Boys  in  Town.  At  all  places  wherever  he  has  spoken  he  has  found 
favor  with  his  audiences  and  the  opinions  of  the  press  in  different  cities  are 
unanimous  in  their  support  of  him  as  "a  brilliant  speaker,  who  clothes  his  ideas 
in  simple  descriptive  language  that  even  a  child  may  grasp  and  comprehend." 
"There  is  a  certain  magnetism  about  him  which  attracts  his  listeners  and  carries 
them  with  him.  .  .  .  Pleasantry  and  wit  constituted  features  of  his  lec- 
tures and  the  people  were  not  only  pleased  with  his  manner  of  delivery  but 
also  with  his  rounded  periods  and  illustrations  and  best  of  all  his  noble  senti- 
ments." His  writings  perhaps  cover  even  wider  range.  He  is  the  author  of 
various  volumes  and  pamphlets,  including  The  Growth  of  Government,  which 
was  published  by  vote  of  the  legislature  of  Massachusetts ;  Modern  Methods  of 
Christian  Nurture ;  Boys  in  the  Late  War ;  Decade  of  History ;  Woman  and 
Satan  ;  The  Problem  of  Spiritual  Awakenings  ;  The  'Superlative  Vacation  ;  Seven 
Sorts  of  Successful  Sunday  Evening  Services;  and  Historic  Pilgrimages.  His 
leaflets  and  newspaper  articles  are  very  numerous  and  his  fugitive  pieces  that 
have  been  gathered  fill  seven  hundred  and  fifty  pages,  as  large  as  an  atlas. 

In  1878  Dr.  Hill  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lucy  B.  Dunham,  the 
only  daughter  of  the  chaplain  of  the  Massachusetts  senate.  In  his  travels  he 
has  been  collecting  with  much  painstaking  care  and  considerable  expense  a 
large  number  of  curios  and  valuable  relics  which  are  to  be  the  nucleus  of  a 
museum   which  he   intends  to  give  to  Grinnell   College.     This  already  includes 


144  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

some  articles  that  cannot  be  duplicated  either  in  North  or  South  America.  I  le 
also  possesses  the  most  valuable  collection  in  existence  bearing  on  the  earliest 
religious  history  of  Iowa,  including  the  letters  inviting  "the  immortal  eleven" 
to  this  state  to  establish  the  work  of  their  church  within  the  boundaries  of  the 
commonwealth.  More  than  one-half  of  the  members  of  the  Iowa  Band  con- 
tributed to  the  treasures  touching  early  Iowa  history  which  are  in  Dr.  Hill's 
keeping. 


JESSE   L.    FELLOWS. 


The  success  which  follows  close  application  and  ready  appreciation  for  and 
utilization  of  opportunities  has  come  to  Jesse  L.  Fellows,  who  is  now  manager 
of  the  Grinnell  Washing  Machine  Company  and  a  financial,  if  not  an  active, 
factor  in  several  other  business  enterprises.  He  was  born  in  Vinton,  Benton 
county,  Iowa,  November  28,  1878,  a  son  of  E.  G.  and  Lottie  A.  (Wilder) 
Fellows,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Canandaigua,  New  York,  where  they 
were  married  in  1869.  They  came  to  Iowa  in  1870,  settling  in  Vinton,  and  the 
father,  who  was  a  photographer,  conducted  a  gallery  in  that  city  for  a  number 
of  years.  He  came  to  Grinnell  in  1889,  since  which  time  he  has  served  in  the 
capacity   of  engineer   for  public  schools. 

Jesse  L.  Fellows  was  reared  at  home  and  pursued  his  education  in  Grinnell 
Academy  and  Grinnell  College,  being  graduated  from  the  latter  with  the  B.  S. 
degree  in  the  class  of  1901.  His  school  days  over,  he  went  to  North  Dakota 
and  became  local  agent  at  Bowbells  and  later  at  Sherwood  for  the  Stoltze 
Lumber  Company,  with  which  he  remained  for  about  five  years. 

While  residing  in  Sherwood  Mr.  Fellows  was  united  in  marriage  on  the 
28th  of  June,  1905,  to  Miss  Maude  B.  Young,  of  Clarion,  Iowa,  and  in  1907 
returned  to  Grinnell,  where  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the  lumber  firm  of 
Carney,  Brande  &  Clark.  On  the  reorganization  of  the  business  the  firm  name 
of  Clark  &  Fellows  was  assumed  and  the  partnership  was  maintained  for  two 
years,  after  which  Mr.  Fellows  sold  his  interest  and  for  a  year  following  was 
engaged  in  no  business.  However,  during  that  period  he  awaited  a  favorable 
opportunity  for  reentrance  into  commercial  life  and  became  a  stockholder  of 
the  Grinnell  Washington  Machine  Company  on  its  organization  in  1908.  He 
was  at  that  time  elected  a  director  of  the  company  but  not  until  the  fall  of  1909 
did  he  become  active  in  the  business.  He  was  then  called  upon  to  assume  the 
management  of  the  enterprise  and  so  continued  until  January.  1910.  when  he 
secured  a  new  manager.  This  arrangement,  however,  proved  unsatisfactory 
and  he  again  took  up  the  management  of  the  business  of  which  he  now  has 
charge.  His  sound  judgment,  his  keen  insight  into  conditions  and  possibilities 
and  his  unfaltering  energy  have  proved  strong  forces  in  the  successful  conduct 
of  the  enterprise,  which  is  recognized  today  as  one  of  growing  and  substantial 
importance.  He  also  has  other  investments  in  business  affairs  and  is  regarded 
as  one  of  the  prominent  and  leading  men  of  the  city,  his  labors  constituting  an 
important  element  In  the  promotion  of  trade  interests   in    Iowa. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  145 

Mr.  Fellows  is  a  member  of  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  175,  K.  P.,  and  also  of 
the  Modern  Woodmen  camp.  He  is  deeply  interested  in  everything  that  per- 
tains to  the  welfare  and  progress  of  his  town  and  his  cooperation  can  always 
be  counted  upon  to  further  measures  for  the  public  good.  He  has,  moreover, 
an  interesting  military  chajner  in  his  life  history,  for  at  the  end  of  his  sophomore 
year  in  college  he  responded  to  the  country's  call  and  enlisted  for  service  in  the 
Spanish-American  war,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  G,  Forty-ninth  Iowa 
\'olunteer  Infantry.  The  regiment  spent  one  year  in  Cuba  and  after  the  ces- 
sation of  hostilities  he  received  his  discharge  and  returned  home,  resuming  his 
college  work  where  he  had  laid  it  down.  In  politics  he  has  been  a  stanch 
republican  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  but  has  never 
been  an  office  seeker.  He  belongs  to  the  Congregational  church  and  his 
influence  is  always  found  on  the  side  of  progress  and  improvement.  Al- 
though a  young  man,  he  has  made  for  himself  a  very  creditable  position  in 
business  circles  and  Grinnell  places  his  name  high  on  the  list  of  her  energetic 
and  progressive  business  men. 


FRED  R.  BASTIAN. 


In  the  enjoyment  of  a  well  earnetl  rest  at  his  present  home  in  Malcom,  I'Ved 
R.  Bastian  and  his  estimable  wife  look  back  upon  many  years  of  active  labor 
and  usefulness  in  the  course  of  which  they  endeared  themselves  to  neighbors 
and  friends  and  assisted  very  materially  in  promoting  the  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity. They  are  both  natives  of  Prussia,  Germany.  Mr.  Bastian  was  born 
May  17,  1834,  being  the  son  of  William  and  Mary  (Crone)  Bastian,  both  of 
whom  were  born  in  Pomman,  Germany. 

Mr.  Bastian,  of  this  review,  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools 
and  continued  upon  his  father's  farm  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age.  He 
then  hired  out  at  thirty  dollars  per  year  as  a  farm  hand  and  worked  for  wages 
until  1862,  when  he  was  married  to  Miss  Hannah  Strebeng,  a  daughter  of 
Christian  and  Mary  (Pessel)  Strebeng,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Prussia 
and  identified  with  the  farming  interests.  The  mother  died  in  Germany  and  in 
1868  Mr.  Strebeng  came  to  America  where  he  died  the  same  year  at  the  home 
of  his  son  in  Chicago,  Illinois. 

In  1868  Mr.  Bastian  crossed  the  ocean  with  his  family  to  the  new  world 
and  for  two  years  worked  by  the  day  on  a  farm  near  Wilton  Center,  Illinois, 
then  becoming  a  renter  of  land  for  six  years  in  the  same  section.  Having  de- 
cided to  seek  his  fortune  further  west,  he  came  to  Iowa,  and  for  thirteen  years 
rented  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  During  these  years,  with 
the  assistance  of  his  wife  and  by  the  practice  of  wise  economy,  he  acquired 
sufficient  capital  to  buy  eighty  acres  of  land  two  miles  east  of  Malcom,  in 
Poweshiek  county.  He  met  with  such  favorable  results  upon  his  farm  that 
two  years  later  he  purchased  another  tract  of  eighty  acres  in  Bear  township. 
His  fields  responded  to  his  care  and  labor  and  he  became  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial  citizens  of  the   county,  continuing  as  an  agriculturist   and   stock-raiser 


146  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

until  1909,  when  he  retired  from  active  work,  rented  his  farm,  and  he  and  his 
wife  are  now  hving  at  Malcom  where  they  expect  to  spend  the  remainder  of 
their  days.  Two  children  were  born  to  them,  namely :  Charles,  now  a  farmer 
of  Malcom  township,  who  married  Miss  Nellie  Wickman,  and  has  one  daughter, 
Nellie,  aged  fourteen  j^ears ;  and  William,  now  living  on  a  farm  in  Chester 
township,  who  married  Miss  Lena  Rohr,  and  who  have  two  children :  Powell, 
eleven   years   of   age,   and   Arnold,   aged   three  years. 

Mr.  Bastian  and  his  wife  are  consistent  members  of  the  German  Lutheran 
church  of  Malcom.  In  political  faith  he  gives  his  adherence  to  the  republican 
party,  but  has  never  held  public  office,  preferring  to  devote  his  time  and  energies 
to  his  business  and  his  family.  Although  seventy-seven  years  of  age  he  is  in 
excellent  health  and  bodily  strength  and  is  proud  of  the  fact  that  he  has  never 
experienced  a  single  day's  illness  since  arriving  in  America.  Both  he  and  his 
wife  are  widely  known  in  the  county  where  they  have  lived  so  many  years. 
They  have  truly  performed  their  part  in  enhancing  the  comfort  and  happiness 
of  those  with  whom  they  have  associated. 


ALVIN  D.  RAYL. 


.A.  well  kept  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Washington  township 
which  conveys  the  impression  of  comfort  and  prosperity  is  the  homestead  of 
Alvin  D.  Rayl.  He  was  born  in  this  township  April  24,  1864,  a  son  of  Hymelius 
and  Sarah  J.  (Macy)  Rayl.  The  father  was  born  in  North  Carolina.  ]\Iarch 
25,  1827,  and  the  mother  in  Indiana.  They  were  married  in  the  latter  state, 
and  later  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  established  a  home  in  Sugar  Creek 
township.  Subsequently  they  moved  to  Washington  township,  upon  eighty 
acres,  and  after  a  few  years  the  farm  was  increased  by  the  addition  of  sixty- 
five  acres.  As  old  age  approached  they  made  their  home  with  the  subject  of 
this  review  where  the  father  is  now  living,  Mrs.  Rayl  having  been  called  away 
December  18,  1901.  Mr.  Rayl  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends  and  in 
politics  adheres  to  the  republican  party.  In  their  family  were  eight  children, 
namely :  William  C,  of  Newton,  Iowa ;  Charles  T.,  who  is  now  living  with 
the  subject  of  this  review;  Jabez  H.,  of  Union  county,  Iowa;  Jesse  M.,  of 
Post,  Kansas ;  Esther  A.,  the  wife  of  Luther  Stanley,  of  Jasper  county ;  Alvin 
D. ;  Estella,  the  wife  of  Harry  Thompson,  of  Poweshiek  county ;  and  Barclay 
H.,  who  resides  in  Texas. 

.-Alvin  D.  Rayl  received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Washington 
township  and  at  the  Lynnville  high  school.  After  completing  his  education  he 
assisted  his  father  upon  the  home  farm  until  reaching  his  majority,  and  then 
rented  land  upon  his  own  account  in  Washington  township.  After  acquiring 
sufficient  capital  he  purchased  sixty-five  acres  and,  in  1894,  bought  eighty  acres 
of  his  father's  land,  to  which  he  added  another  tract  of  eighty  acres,  disposing 
of  the  si-xty-five  acres  which  he  originally  owned.  His  farm  which  comprises 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  presents  a  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  and  gives 
evidence  of  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  abundant  annual  returns.     He  makes 


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HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  149 

a  specialty  of  raising  hogs  for  the  market  and  as  he  follows  progressive  modern 
methods  he  is  highly  successful. 

On  the  25th  of  December,  1901,  Mr.  Rayl  was  married  to  Miss  Molly  J. 
Revis,  a  daughter  of  J.  W.  and  Catherine  Revis,  of  Grinnell,  Iowa.  Three  chil- 
dren have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rayl:  Elsie,  who  was  born  April  4, 
1903;  Delbert,  born  June  6,  1905;  and  Thelma,  born  July  9,  1907. 

Mr.  Rayl  has  engaged  in  farming  since  his  boyhood,  and  having  early  been 
thoroughly  instructed  in  farm  work  and  management  he  has  avoided  many 
mistakes  of  those  less  thoroughly  trained  and  is  now  enjoying  the  fruits  of 
years  of  patient  and  carefully  directed  industry.  In  political  belief  he  gives 
his  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  has  served  very  acceptably  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board.  He  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  Christianity  and  holds 
membership  in  the  Society  of  Friends,  an  organization  in  which  he  was  reared 
and  whose  principles  in  an  important  degree  have  been  his  guide  through  life. 
Possessing  qualities  which  win  success  in  business  and  the  confidence  of  his 
associates,  he  enjoys  the  good  will  of  his  neighbors  and  of  all  who  know  him. 


EVAN  S.  EVANS,  M.  D. 

Dr.  Evan  S.  Evans,  a  successful  medical  practitioner  of  Grinnell,  has  built 
up  and  is  now  enjoying  an  exterr^iv"?' -and  .lucrative  practice  as  a  physician  and 
surgeon.  His  birth  occurred  in  Hamgfepg.;.Iowa,-  on  the  20th  of  October,  1880, 
his  parents  being  William  D.  and  Julia  (Stark)  Evans.  The  Evans  family 
has  long  been  a  prominent  one  in  this,  state,  the  grandfather  of  our  subject, 
Evan  T.  Evans,  being  one  of  the  early  Welsh  Congregational  ministers  of  Iowa 
county.  Both  he  and  his  wife,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Ann  Davis,  were 
natives  of  Wales.  They  were  married  just  before  or  just  after  their  emigra- 
tion to  the  new  world,  their  first  home  being  near  Racine,  Wisconsin,  in  the 
Welsh  colony  of  that  section.  About  1857  they  came  west  to  Iowa,  locating  in 
Iowa  county,  where  Evan  J.  Evans  preached  the  gospel  for  a  great  many  years, 
becoming  one  of  the  most  widely  known  early  divines  of  the  state.  His 
demise  occurred  in  Iowa  county  sometime  in  the  early  '80s  but  his  widow  still 
survives,   making  her   home   with  a   daughter  in  Williamsburg. 

William  D.  Evans,  the  father  of  Dr.  Evans,  was  born  in  Racine,  Wisconsin, 
in  1852  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  after  receiving  his  law  degree  from  the 
State  University  of  Iowa.  He  was  actively  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession at  Hampton,  Iowa,  until  about  1901,  when  he  was  elected  judge  of  the 
district  court,  thus  serving  until  1908.  In  that  year  he  was  appointed  to  fill 
a  vacancy  as  judge  of  the  supreme  court  and  on  the  expiration  of  the  term 
was  regularly  elected  to  the  office,  while  in  1910  he  was  reelected.  His  wife 
is  the  daughter  of  Benjamin  Stark,  who  was  a  great-nephew  of  General  John 
Stark  of  Revolutionary  fame.  One  of  their  sons,  W^illiam  Donald  Evans,  Jr., 
is  a  prominent  attorney  of  Des  Moines,  while  David  W.  Evans,  an  uncle  of  Dr. 
Evans  of  this  review,  is  a  leading  lawyer  of  Hampton,  Iowa. 


150  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Evans  S.  Evans  was  reared  under  the  parental  ruof  and  was  graduated  irom 
the  Hampton  high  school  with  the  class  of  1897.  He  then  entered  Iowa  College 
and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  with  the  class  of  1902,  winning  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Philosophy.  In  the  fall  of  1903  he  took  up  the  study  of 
medicine  in  Rush  Medical  College  and,  being  given  one  year's  credit  because 
of  his  degree,  graduated  from  that  institution  in  190O.  Subsequently  he  spent 
six  months  as  interne  in  the  Chicago  Emergency  Hospital,  while  during  the  next 
eighteen  months  he  served  an  interneship  in  the  Cook  Couniy  Hospital.  Locat- 
ing for  practice  at  Brooklyn,  Iowa,  he  there  remained  for  a  little  less  than  a 
year  and  then  came  to  Grinnell,  which  town  has  since  been  the  scene  of  his 
professional  labors.  His  practice  has  steadily  grown  in  volume  and  impor- 
tance as  he  has  demonstrated  his  ability  to  cope  with  the  intricate  problems 
which  continually  confront  the  physician  in  his  efforts  to  restore  health  and 
prolong  life.  He  is  a  member  of  both  the  Poweshiek  County  Medical  Society 
and  the  Iowa  State  Medical  Society,  thus  keeping  in  touch  with  the  advance- 
ment  made   by   the  profession. 

In  1908  Dr.  Evans  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Marabelle  Baldwin,  of 
Whitewater,  Wisconsin.  He  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican 
party,  while  his  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Congre- 
gational church,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with 
the  Masons,  belonging  to  Herman  Lodge,  No.  iji.  He  is  also  a  member 
of  the  Modern  Brotherhood  of  America  and  belongs  to  two  Greek  letter  fra- 
ternities, the  Phi  Beta  Phi  and  the  .\lpha  Omega  Alpha.  He  is  conscientious 
and  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  professional  duties  and  in  his  practice  con- 
forms closely  to  a  high  standard  of  professional  ethics. 


JOHN  W.  JACKSON. 


John  W.  Jackson,  wlui  is  engaged  in  stock-raising  in  Union  township,  was 
born  in  Clinton  county.  Ohio,  on  the  15th  of  February,  1855.  His  father,  Jesse 
Jackson,  was  a  native  of  the  same  place,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  the 
24th  of  April,  1833.  There  he  met  and  subsequently  married  Miss  Catherine 
Bryan,  who  was  born  in  \'irginia  on  the  12th  of  October,  1832,  iheir  union 
being  solemnized  on  the  13th  of  .April,  1854.  They  began  their  domestic  life 
on  a  farm  in  Clinton  county,  contiiniing  to  reside  there  until  1858,  in  which 
year  they  migrated  to  Iowa,  living  on  a  farm  in  Warren  county  for  four  years. 
At  the  expiration  of  that  period  they  returned  to  Ohio,  where  they  resided  for 
eight  years.  In  1871  they  again  came  to  Iowa,  locating  on  a  farm  which  Mr. 
Jackson  purchased  in  L'nion  township,  Poweshiek  county,  and  there  he  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  career. 
He  passed  away  on  the  19th  of  October,  1902,  but  the  mother  is  still  living, 
at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years,  and  continues  to  reside  upon  the  old  home- 
stead. Mr.  Jack.son  was  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  while  his  political 
supjjort  he  gave  to  the  rejjublican  party,  by  which  body  he  was  elected  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  school  directors.     Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born   four 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  151 

children,  the  onler  of  tlieir  birth  being  as  follows;  Jnhn  W.,  our  subject  :  I'llbridge 
L..  who  is  living  at  home:  Lillian,  the  wife  of  William  Tindall,  of  Union  town- 
ship; and  Adelia,  who  became  the  wife  of  Henry  C.  Saunders,  of  Jackson  town- 
ship. 

The  common  schools  of  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  and  Union  township,  Pow- 
eshiek county,  provided  John  W.  Jackson  with  his  preliminary  education,  fol- 
lowing which  he  attended  Penn  College  at  Oskaloosa,  Iowa.  After  the  com- 
pletion of  his  education  he  remained  at  home  and  engaged  in  teaching  school 
for  five  or  six  years.  He  subsequently  decided  that  he  preferred  to  follow 
agricultural  pursuits  and  so  purchased  a  farm  in  Union  township,  where,  in 
addition  to  the  cultivation  of  his  fields,  he  breeds  and  raises  thoroughbred 
shorthorn  cattle  and  Polanrl  China  hogs,  which  has  proven  to  be  a  very  lucra- 
tive business. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Jackson  is  aiflliated  with  the  Masonic  order,  holding  mem- 
bership in  the  lodge  of  Montezuma.  His  political  support  he  has  accorded  the 
republican  party  ever  since  granted  the  right  of  franchise  on  attaining  his  ma- 
jority. He  is  now  serving  as  township  assessor,  has  filled  the  office  of  town- 
ship clerk  and  is  also  acting  in  the  capacity  of  secretary  of  the  scnool  board. 
Mr.  Jackson  is  one  of  the  public-spirited  and  progressive  citizens  of  Union  town- 
ship as  well  as  a  capable  business  man,  whose  judgment  and  opinion  has  consid- 
erable influence  in  local  matters. 


WILLIS  CLINTON  BENSON. 

Willis  Clinton  Benson,  who  is  engaged  in  the  produce  business  in  Sears- 
boro,  was  born  in  Fayette  county,  Ohio,  on  the  23d  of  October,  1846,  and  is  a 
son  of  James  and  Sarah  (McPowell)  Benson.  The  parents  were  also  natives 
of  Fayette  county,  where  the  mother  passed  away  in  1848.  The  father,  who 
was  a  cobbler,  migrated  to  Iowa  in  1850,  locating  in  Benton  county,  where  he 
followed  his  trade  for  two  years.  He  purchased  a  farm  at  the  end  of  that  time 
and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  continuing  to  be  identified  with  that  avoca- 
tion until  about  twenty-five  years  prior  to  his  demise,  which  occurred  on  the 
15th  of  April,  1896.  Mr.  Benson  was  a  republican  in  politics  and  fraternally 
he  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  order.  Of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benson 
there  were  born  two  children  of  whom  the  daughter.  Sarah  M.,  who  is  now 
deceased,  was  the  younger. 

.\s  he  was  only  a  lad  of  four  years  when  his  father  settled  in  Iowa,  Willis 
Clinton  Benson  obtained  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Benton  county. 
The  experiences  of  his  early  years  were  very  similar  to  those  of  the  majority 
of  boys  who  spend  their  lives  in  the  rural  districts.  He  early  became  familiar 
with  the  routine  work  of  the  homestead,  his  duties  and  responsibilities  increasing 
with  his  age  and  development,  .-\fter  leaving  school  he  gave  his  entire  atten- 
tion to  the  work  of  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  subse- 
quently came  to  Poweshiek  county,  locating  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  but  later 
he  removed  to  Clarke  county.  Iowa,  and  purchased  a  farm  upon  which  he 
resided  for  four  vear'~.     Disposing  of  his  interest  at  the  expiration  of  that  time 


152  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

he  returned  to  Poweshiek  county,  settling  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  where 
he  rented  a  farm.  He  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  1893,  when  he 
removed  to  Searsboro  and  engaged  in  the  produce  business  for  four  years.  At 
the  end  of  that  period  he  withdrew  from  this  occupation  and  returned  to  the 
country,  where  he  engaged  in  general  farming  until  1906,  when  he  again  went 
into  the  produce  business,  this  time  being  associated  with  Charles  Evans.  At 
the  end  of  the  first  year  he  purchased  his  partner's  interest,  and  has  ever  since 
conducted  the  business  alone.  He  handled  all  kinds  of  produce,  in  addition  to 
which  he  is  also  the  agent  for  the  DeLaval  cream  separator. 

On  the  7th  of  May,  1871,  Mr.  Benson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Emma  Tish,  a  daughter  of  Samuel  R.  and  Catherine  (Shafer)  Tish.  Her 
father  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  mother  of  Ohio,  in  which  state 
they  were  also  married.  The  father,  who  was  a  farmer  and  a  cabinet-maker  by 
trade,  came  to  Iowa  in  the  early  days,  acquiring  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
fifteen  acres  in  Sugar  Creek  township.  The  mother  passed  away  on  the  home- 
stead in  1897,  and  the  demise  of  the  father  occurred  in  the  same  place  in  April, 
1904.  He  was  a  democrat,  and  Mrs.  Tish  was  a  member  of  the  Christian 
church.  Mrs.  Benson  is  also  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  state,  her  birth  having  oc- 
curred there  in  1853.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benson  were  born  the  following  chil- 
dren: Willis,  who  is  a  resident  of  Clemens  Grove,  Iowa;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of 
Horace  Ent,  of  Grinnell ;  Sarah  Ann,  who  is  deceased  ;  Alta,  the  wife  of  Richard 
Myeis,  of  Sugar  Creek  township;  Ida,  who  married  Herman  Kluger,  of  Swea 
City,  Iowa ;  Charles  A.,  who  is  living  in  Grinnell ;  and  Goldie,  the  wife  of  Ros- 
coe  Bartlett,  of  Brighton,  Iowa. 

His  political  support  Mr.  Benson  gives  to  the  democracy.  He  has  served 
as  city  marshal,  while  for  the  past  five  or  six  terms  he  has  acted  as  constable. 
In  matters  religious  the  views  of  both  himself  and  wife  coincide  with  the 
principles  of  the  Friends  church,  in  which  they  hold  membership  and  in  the 
faith  of  which  they  reared  their  family. 


JOHN  EIRP. 


Starting  as  a  boy  on  his  own  account  John  Eirp,  who  is  now  the  owner 
of  a  valuable  farm  in  Poweshiek  county,  worked  his  way  through  many  ob- 
stacles and  attained  a  position  of  comparative  independence.  The  efforts  which 
he  was  obliged  to  make  strengthened  the  muscles  and  also  developed  his 
character,  so  that  he  is  today  highly  respected,  not  alone  on  account  of  his  suc- 
cess in  business,  but  also  because  of  his  reputation  for  honest  and  straightfor- 
ward dealing,  which  is  an  asset  greatly  to  be  valued. 

He  was  born  in  Keokuk  county,  Iowa,  in  March,  i860,  a  son  of  Andrew 
and  Sarah  ( Johnson j  Eirp,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Columbus,  Ohio, 
and  the  latter  in  West  Virginia.  The  father  of  our  subject  removed  to  Keokuk 
county,  Iowa,  in  1858,  and  there  engaged  in  farming  for  eleven  years.  He  then 
moved  to  Missouri,  but  after  two  years  returned  to  this  state  and  settled  per- 
manently in   Poweshiek  county,  where  he  engaged  in   farming  until  his  death, 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  158 

which  occurred  in  1901.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  makes  her  home  in  this 
county. 

John  Eirp  received  limited  advantages  of  education  in  the  district  schools 
as  he  was  obliged  to  begin  working  for  wages  at  the  age  of  twelve  years.  He 
continued  to  work  by  the  month  until  he  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age  and 
in  the  course  of  this  time  became  thoroughly  acquainted  with  all  the  details  of 
farming  and  stock-raising.  About  1888  he  rented  land  in  Jefferson  township, 
which  he  later  purchased,  and  now  owns  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres.  The 
farm  is  beautifully  located  and  is  provided  with  modern  improvements,  making 
it  one  of  the  desirable  places  of  the  township.  He  feeds  cattle  and  raises  Poland 
China  hogs  for  the  market.  He  also  buys  and  sells  horses  and  is  regarded  as 
an  expert  in  the  various  lines  to  which  he  devotes  his  attention. 

In  April,  1888,  Mr.  Eirp  was  married  to  Miss  Ella  H.  Meyer,  a  daughter  of 
Henry  and  Veronica  (Buhl)  Meyer.  The  parents  were  both  born  in  Germany 
and  emigrated  to  this  country.  The  father  was  a  ship  carpenter  and  became  a 
successful  farmer.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eirp  have  six  children:  Ethel,  who  married  A. 
M.  McCarty,  a  farmer  of  Jefferson  township,  and  who  is  the  mother  of  three 
children,  Harry,  Howard  and  Jessie ;  Maggie :  Andrew  ;  Orrin ;  Carrie ;  and 
James,  all  of  whom  are  residing  at  home. 

Politically  Mr.  Eirp  casts  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  democratic  party,  the 
principles  of  which  he  endorses  as  essential  to  the  permanency  and  prosperity 
of  the  nation.  He  has  through  life  been  accustomed  to  work,  having  early 
learned  its  value,  and  he  and  his  estimable  wife  have  reared  their  children  so 
that  they  may  become  useful  and  efficient  members  of  society,  willing  to  make 
sacrifices  if  necessary  for  the  promotion  of  the  comfort  and  happiness  of 
others,  and  also  desirous  at  all  times  of  performing  their  part  in  whatsoever 
station  they  may  be  found.  Mr.  Eirp  takes  just  pride  in  his  family  and  in  his 
farm,  and  as  he  is  energetic  and  capable  in  whatever  he  undertakes  he  ranks 
as  one  of  the  successful  men  of  the  county. 


C.  F.  RANDALL. 


A  well  tilled  quarter  section  in  Chester  township  has  yielded  most  gratify- 
ing returns  for  the  labor  expended  by  the  owner,  C.  F.  Randall,  who  during 
the  entire  period  of  his  active  career  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits. 
Mr.  Randall  was  born  on  the  17th  of  January,  i860,  in  Jackson  county,  Iowa, 
and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  (Words)  Randall,  natives  of  England.  They 
were  married  on  the  i8th  of  November,  1857,  the  ceremony  taking  place  in  New- 
York  city.  Immediately  following  this  event  they  went  to  Jackson  county, 
where  Mr.  Randall,  who  was  a  Methodist  minister,  had  a  charge  to  which  he 
had  been  ministering  for  some  time.  They  remained  residents  of  Jackson 
county  until  1877,  at  which  time  they  removed  to  Poweshiek  county,  locating 
upon  a  farm  in  Sheridan  township.  Mr.  Randall  had  left  the  ministry  in  1859. 
just  two  years  after  his  marriage,  engaging  from  that  time  on  in  agricultural 
pursuits.      In    1905    he   removed    to   Everson,   near   Puget    Sound,    Washington, 


154  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL-XTV 

where  he  is  now  hving  retired.  Three  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Randall,  the  son,  C.  F.,  subject  of  this  review,  being  the  eldest. 

Being  reared  upon  a  farm  C.  F.  Randall  acquired  his  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  Jackson  county,  having  resided  there  until  he  was  seventeen 
years  of  age.  In  his  boyhood  and  youth  he  always  gave  his  father  such  as- 
sistaiice  as  he  was  able  to  perform  in  the  cultivation  of  the  homestead,  and  Dy 
the  time  he  had  reached  manhood  had  quite  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of 
agricultural  methods.  The  training  of  his  early  years  has  ever  been  put  to 
the  best  use  and  he  now  owns  one  of  the  good  farms  of  Chester  township,  in 
the  cultivation  of  which  he  has  been  engaged  since  1901.  Subsequent  to  his 
marriage  in  1887  Mr.  Randall  and  his  bride  removed  to  Nebraska  where  they 
continued  to  live  for  nine  years,  then  returned  to  Poweshiek  county,  where 
he  engages   in  general   farming. 

Mrs.  Randall,  who  prior  to  her  marriage  on  the  5th  of  January,  1887,  was 
Miss  Nellie  M.  Wolcott,  was  a  daughter  of  Edwin  and  Angeline  A.  (Barnum) 
VV'olcott.  The  parents  were  natives  of  New  York,  but  were  living  in  Iowa  at 
the  time  on  their  marriage.  They  removed  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1871. 
Three  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Randall :  Charles  C,  who  is  a 
graduate  of  Grinnell  .Academy,  at  Grinnell :  and  Mary  A.  and  Raymond  G. 
Mrs.  Randall,  who  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth  of  the  nine  children  born 
unto  her  parents,  passed  away  on  the  24th  of  February,  1908,  at  the  age  of 
forty-two  years,  three  months  and  eighteen  days. 

The  family  affiliate  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  denomination,  their  iden- 
tification being  with  the  church  at  Senora.  An  ardent  republican  Mr.  Randall 
gives  his  political  support  to  the  candidates  of  that  party,  but  as  he  is  not  an 
office  seeker  does  not  prominently  participate  in  local  activities  of  a  govern- 
mental nature. 


GEORGE  COX. 

.Mihough  George  Cox  is  now  practically  living  retired  he  is  still  financially 
interested  in  the  mercantile  enterprise  conducted  under  the  style  of  C.  N.  Cox 
&  Company  at  Deep  River,  one  of  the  largest  concerns  of  its  kind  in  this  section 
of  Poweshiek  coiintw 

He  was  born  in  (iuernsey  county.  Ohio,  March  9,  1839,  a  son  of  Ephraim 
and  Margaret  (Christy)  Cox.  the  father  born  in  Ohio,  in  1801,  and  the  mother 
in  Pennsylvania  in  the  same  year.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Christopher  Cox, 
was  a  trader  with  the  Indians  in  Ohio.  The  maternal  grandparents  were  natives 
of  Scotland  but  emigrated  to  the  new  world  in  an  early  day,  making  a  location 
in  Pennsylvania.  Ephraim  Cox  was  reared  in  the  F)Uckeye  state  and  was  there 
married  to  Miss  Margaret  Christy,  making  his  home  in  that  state  until  1854, 
which  year  witnessed  his  arrival  in  Poweshiek  county.  He  here  entered  four 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  Deep  River  townshiji  and  at  once  began  to  develop  and 
iin|)rove  his  property,  and  it  eventually  became  very  valuable.  In  his  home  place 
lie  h;i(l  line  huiiilrcd  and   furty  acres,  and  he  .'ilso  made  many  improvements  on 


(M'.oitiii-:  ( <>x 


MRS.  (;i:oi!(iK  cox 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  159 

this  land.  He  and  his  wife  reared  a  family  of  eight  children:  Nancy,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  George  HufTman,  and  who  died  in  Indiana;  Robert,  who  makes 
his  home  in  Deep  River;  Mary  Jane,  the  widow  of  William  Cochran,  a  resident 
of  Fort  Collins,  Colorado ;  Samuel,  who  lost  his  life  by  the  explosion  of  a  boiler 
in  a  sawmill  in  1856:  Christopher,  a  resident  of  Nebraska;  Mrs.  Sarah  Ann 
Farmer,  who  departed  this  life  in  Kansas ;  Mrs.  Margaret  Wherry,  a  resident 
of  Guernsey,  Iowa  ;  and  George,  whose  name  introduces  this  review.  Both  the 
parents  have  long  since  passed  away,  the  father  dying  in  1862,  and  the  mother 
in  1877.  They  were  numbered  among  the  worthy  pioneers  of  this  section  of 
Poweshiek  county.  The  old  home  in  Deep  River  was  situated  on  the  old  stage 
line  between  Iowa  City  and  Grinnell  and  was  the  stopping  place  for  travelers  in 
1857-61. 

George  Cox  was  reared  in  Ohio  until  he  reached  the  age  of  fifteen  years  when, 
in  1854,  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Poweshiek  county.  He 
here  assisted  his  father  in  making  a  home  on  the  frontier  and  in  cultivating  his 
land  until  the  time  of  the  latter's  death,  when  he  undertook  the  management  of 
the  farm  for  his  mother,  so  continuing  for  four  years.  He  then  began  farming 
on  his  own  account,  purchasing  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  raw  prairie,  on  a 
part  of  which  the  village  of  Deep  River  now  stands.  He  added  to  his  original 
holdings  from  time  to  time  until  he  became  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and 
twentv  acres,  but  he  has  sold  off  some  of  this  and  now  has  four  hundred  acres, 
on  which  he  erected  a  fine  modern  horac-threeyears  ago.'  In  1870,  in  connection 
with  his  brother-in-law,  E.  M.  Funk,  We  erig'Agecl  in -general  snerchandising  at  the 
old  town  of  Dresden  but,  in  1884.  when  the  railroad' was  built  through  the  village 
of  Deep  River,  he  moved  his  stock  of  goods  to  this  place  and  has  been  interested 
in  the  enterprise  from  that  time  to  the  present.  He  is,  however,  now  living 
jiractically  retired,  the  business  being  managed  by  his  son;  C.  N.,  the  firm  being 
known  under  the  style  of  C.  N.  Cox  &  Company.  In  the  years  that  have  passed 
they  have  built  up  a  splendid  trade  and  this  is  one  of  the  large  and  important 
concerns  of  this  part  of  the  county.  In  addition  to  this  Mr.  Cox  also  had  various 
other  interests  for,  in  1884,  he  also  purchased  an  elevator  at  Brooklyn,  which 
he  moved  to  this  place,  and  until  1900  conducted  a  grain,  coal  and  lumber  busi- 
ness. He  also  had  considerable  stock  in  the  bank  at  Deep  River.  Mr.  Cox,  dur- 
ing the  years  of  his  active  connection  with  business  affairs,  amassed  a  consider- 
able amount  of  money,  which  he  has  invested  in  Louisiana  lands,  owning  today 
fifteen  hundred  acres  which  he  rents  for  the  cultivation  of  rice.  From  this  in- 
vestment he  derives  a  substantial  income  that  enables  him  to  spend  the  evening 
of  his  days  in  practical  retirement,  and  he  now  merely  gives  supervision  to  his 
financial  interests. 

Mr.  Cox  was  married  in  1866  to  Miss  Catharine  Funk,  who  was  born  in  Ogle 
county,  Illinois,  in  1848,  her  natal  day  being  October  27.  She  came  with  her 
parents,  Michael  and  Adaline  (Newcomer")  Funk,  to  Deep  River  in  July,  1854, 
and  has  lived  here  from  that  time  to  the  present.  The  parents  were  both  natives 
of  Washington  county,  Maryland,  the  father  born  March  16,  1823,  and  the 
mother,  February  15,  1824.  They  were  reared  and  married  in  that  state  and  in 
1847  came  north,  establishing  their  home  in  Ogle  county,  Illinois.  In  1854,  as 
above  stated,  they  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  and   for  many  years  the   father 


160  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

worked  in  the  store  with  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  Cox.  In  1888  he  went  to  Louisiana, 
where  he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  and  was  also  appointed  postmaster 
at  Roanoke.  He  eventually  returned  to  Poweshiek  county,  however,  and  passed 
away  here  November  20,  1899,  when  he  was  seventy-six  years  of  age.  The 
mother,  surviving  him  for  only  a  few  months,  departed  this  life  June  2,  1900, 
at  the  same  age.  Their  family  numbered  six  children,  namely :  Catharine,  now 
Mrs.  Cox ;  Henry,  a  practicing  attorney  of  Rogers,  Arkansas ;  Emanuel,  an  at- 
torney of  Rogers,  Arkansas ;  George,  who  is  a  Congregational  minister  of  Fort 
Worth,  Texas ;  Martin,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  months ;  and  Lee,  a 
merchant  of  Iowa,  Louisiana. 

The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox  has  been  blessed  with  lour  children :  C.  N., 
a  merchant  of  Deep  River ;  Ervvin,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years :  Alma, 
the  wife  of  Hon.  George  E.  Grier,  of  Deep  River ;  and  Hattie,  the  wife  of 
Walter  Light,  a  resident  of  West  Liberty. 

Mr.  Cox  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  m  i860  and 
has  voted  for  every  republican  candidate  for  the  presidency  since  that  time.  He 
has  been  called  by  his  fellow  townsmen  to  fill  some  township  offices,  btit  has 
never  aspired  to  public  position.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church, 
in  which  he  has  served  as  a  trustee  for  the  past  ten  years.  His  fraternal  rela- 
tions are  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Masonic  order  and  in  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America.  He  has  ever  been  alert — quick  to  note  and  improve  op- 
portunities for  advancement — and  coming  to  this  section  at  an  early  day  he 
exercised  sound  judgment  in  the  investment  of  his  capital,  which  has  been 
thereby  greatly  increased  and  now  leaves  him  in  comfortable  circumstances. 
He  has  not  directed  his  attention  to  one  line  but  has  ventured  into  various  fields, 
and  in  all  these  directions  his  efforts  have  been  crowned  with  success — the 
success  which  may  always  with  safety  be  predicted  as  the  reward  of  steady, 
strong  and  well  directed  energy,  and  the  results  of  his  life  work  are  being  left 
as  monuments  to  his  activity. 


N.  W.  CESSNA. 


Possessing  natural  talent  for  mercantile  life,  N.  W.  Cessna  gave  up  farming 
fifteen  years  ago  and  settled  in  Grinnell,  where  he  has  ever  since  been  identified 
with  the  meat  business.  He  is  one  of  the  valued  men  in  the  community  and  by 
close  application  and  the  exercise  of  sound  judgment  he  has  attained  a  goodly 
measure  of  financial  success.  He  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania. 
August  13,  1857,  a  son  of  Thomas  R.  and  Sarah  A.  (Koerner)  Cessna,  also 
natives    of    Bedford    county. 

The  Cessnas  are  of  Huguenot  ancestry  and  are  direct  descendants  of  Count 
John  De  Cessna.  In  1690,  owing  to  persecution  of  the  Huguenots,  about 
twelve  hundred  of  the  nobility  of  France,  together  with  about  half  a  million 
of  the  Protestant  faith  fled  to  England,  Holland,  Switzerland  and  Denmark,  an 
official  proclamation  having  been  made  by  those  countries  (iroffering  refuge  to 
the  oppressed.     Many  of  the  refugees  entered  military  service  and  among  these 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  161 

was  Count  John  De  Cessna,  who  in  1690  distinguished  himself  as  an  officer 
under  Duke  De  Schomberg  at  the  battle  of  the  Boyne  in  Ireland.  He  remained 
in  Ireland  until  1718  and  then  crossed  the  ocean  to  America,  settling  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  he  died  in  1751.  One  of  his  sons,  John  De  Cessna,  located  in  Bed- 
ford county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  family  became  very  prominent.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  provincial  assembly  and  also  of  the  constitutional  convention 
of  1775.  He  joined  with  all  his  heart  in  the  patriotic  cause  and  served 
as  colonel  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  Hon.  John  Cessna,  member  of  the 
forty-first  and  forty-third  congresses  of  the  United  States,  belonged  to  this 
family  and  was  a  brother  of  Thomas  R.  Cessna,  both  of  them  being  great- 
grandsons  of  Colonel  John  De  Cessna. 

Thomas  R.  Cessna  was  a  son  of  Williain  and  Rachel  (Morgaret)  Cessna. 
He  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  27,  1827,  and  possessed 
limited  opportunities  of  education  in  the  schools  but  became  a  man  of  strong 
character  and  great  integrity,  gaining  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  with 
whom  he  associated.  He  was  married,  in  1848,  to  Sarah  A.  Koerner,  who 
was  rilso  a  native  of  Bedford  county,  and  in  1838  with  his  wife  and  three  chil- 
tlren  came  to  Scott  county,  Iowa,  and  located  upon  a  farm  which  he  purchased 
near  Davenport.  He  and  his  wife  reared  a  family  of  seven  children,  all  of 
whom  are  now  living.  He  was  very  successful  in  business  and  took  an  active 
part  in  i)ublic  affairs,  discharging  his  duties  as  a  public  officer  with  the  same 
mterest  that  he  evinced  in  his  private  business.  In  1885,  desiring  to  be  near 
his  children  who  had  settled  at  Grinnell,  he  disposed  of  his  farm  in  Scott 
county  and  came  to  this  city.  However,  he  was  not  yet  prepared  for  a  life  of 
inactivitv,  and  he  engaged  for  ten  years  in  a  profitable  real-estate  business.  He 
was  7\  stanch  believer  in  the  authority  and  inspiration  of  the  Bible  and  served 
for  many  years  as  an  officer  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  died  on 
March  26,  191 1,  having  arrived  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-four  years. 

N.  W.  Cessna  was  brought  to  Scott  county,  Iowa,  by  his  parents  in  1858 
and  was  reared  to  manhood  on  his  father's  farm.  He  possessed  limited  op- 
portunities of  education  in  the  district  schools  but  has  since  made  up  for  this 
deficiency,  being  a  man  of  close  observation  and  good  general  reading.  He 
engaged  in  faming  until  1896  and  then  came  to  Grinnell  and  engaged  in  the 
meat  business,  being  now  identified  with  the  Grinnell  Provision  Company.  He 
is  recognized  as  a  prominent  factor  in  the  business  circles  of  the  city,  being  ener- 
getic and  progressive  in  his  tnethods.  The  company  with  which  he  is  connected 
has  attained  a  high  standard  of  efficiency  and  theirs  is  known  as  one  of  the  im- 
portant and  paying  establishments  of  Grinnell.  Mr.  Cessna  is  also  a  director  of 
the  Merchants  National  Bank  and  has  served  for  the  past  twelve  years  as  treas- 
urer of  the  Poweshiek  Mutual  Insurance  Company.  He  is  an  active  working 
member  of  the  Merchants  and  Manufacturers  Association  of  the  city  and  may 
always  be  counted  upon  to  assist  in  forwarding  every  cause  that  seeks  to  promote 
the  permanent  interests  of  the  community. 

In  December,  1882,  Mr.  Cessna  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nannie  S. 
Skiles.  of  Muscatine  county,  Iowa,  and  three  children  came  to  bless  this  union. 
M.  Pearl,  Ruby  and  Maud  O.  M.  Pearl  was  graduated  from  Iowa  College  at 
Grinnell,    in    1906,   and   then   took   a   post-graduate   course  of   one   year   at   the 


162  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

University  of  Michigan  at  Ann  Arbor.  She  is  now  a  successful  teacher  of  the 
Grinnell  high  school.  Ruby  is  deceased.  Maud  O.  received  her  education  at 
Iowa  College  and  the  University  of  Illinois,  grarluating  from  the  latter  institu- 
tion in   1910.     She  is  now  a  teacher  in  the  high  school  of  Rockwell  City. 

Mr.  Cessna  was  reared  a  democrat  but  in  1896  he  espoused  the  gold  stand- 
ard platform  and  has  since  given  his  adherence  to  the  republican  party.  Fra- 
ternally he  is  identified  with  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  175,  K.  P.  He  and  his  family 
are  sincere  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  for  many  years  he  has  served 
as  trustee  of  the  local  organization.  Pioth  he  and  his  wife  are  well  known  and 
are  held  in  high  regard  by  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances. 


MERRICK  H.  GRAHAM. 

Few  residents  of  Madison  township,  Poweshiek  county,  are  held  in  higher 
respect  than  he  whose  name  introduces  this  review.  A  native  of  Pennsylvania, 
Merrick  H.  Graham  was  born  in  Bradford  township,  Clearfield  county,  on  the 
5th  of  July,  1846,  a  son  of  John  and  Amelia  (Nefif)  Graham,  of  Irish  and  Ger- 
man descent  respectively.  The  father,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  came  to  Iowa 
when  fifty  years  of  age,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Madison  township,  Poweshiek 
county.  This  remained  his  home  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred 
in  1884.  His  wife  survived  him  for  five  years,  passing  away  on  the  old 
homestead. 

Reared  amid  the  busy  activities  of  farm  life  Merrick  H.  Graham  early 
learned  the  value  of  industry,  energy  and  thrift,  and  under  the  direction  of  his 
father  acquired  a  thorough  practical  knowledge  of  the  best  methods  of  carrying 
on  agricultural  pursuits.  He  came  west  with  his  parents  on  their  removal  to 
Iowa  from  the  Keystone  state,  spending  two  years  in  Scott  county,  and  thence 
came  to  Poweshiek  county,  where  for  forty-seven  years  he  has  made  his  home 
upon  the  farm  upon  which  he  now  resides. 

He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he  was  twenty-eight  years  of  age, 
arid  at  that  time  was  married,  thus  laying  the  foundation  for  a  happy  home 
life  of  his  own.  After  the  death  of  his  father  he  took  possession  of  the  old 
home  place  and  has  since  continued  its  operation,  in  which  connection  he  has 
been  most  successful.  It  is  a  well  improved  farm  of  two  hundred  acres,  located 
on  section  3,  Madison  township,  contains  no  waste  land  whatever,  is  well  tiled, 
and  contains  a  fine  dwelling  and  substantial  barns  and  outbuildings. 

Mr.  Graham  has  a  fine  orchard  of  two  and  a  half  acres  and  is  an  extensive 
raiser  of  grain.  He  also  devotes  considerable  time  to  his  stock  interests,  making 
a  specialty  of  shorthorn  cattle,  being  the  owner  of  a  good  herd,  all  of  which  is 
nearly  full-blooded  stock.  The  excellent  condition  of  his  home  place  denotes 
the  spirit  of  progress,  enterprise  and  thrift  on  the  part  of  its  owner,  and  the 
gratifying  results  which  have  attended  his  efforts  are  well  merited,  for  at  all 
times  his  methods  have  been  practical  and  his  dealings  of  the  most  honorable 
character. 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWIvSIllEK  COL'XTV  163 

On  the  28th  of  October,  1873,  in  Brooklyn,  Mr.  Graham  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Sybil  Adan,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Anna  ( Jansen)  Adan,  both 
of  whom  were  born  in  the  central  part  of  Germany,  and  in  the  same  village. 
Mr.  Adam,  who  was  a  farmer,  brought  his  family  to  America  when  Mrs.  Graham 
was  a  maiden  of  fifteen  years  of  age,  the  family  home  being  established  in  Free- 
port,  Illinois.  After  a  residence  in  that  city  of  ten  years  they  took  up  their 
abode  upon  a  farm  in  Carroll  county,  Iowa,  where  the  parents  passed  their 
remaining  days,  the  father  passing  away  in  1894  and  the  mother  in  the  year 
following.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graham  have  been  born  seven  children,  five 
of  whom  are  still  living,  namely :  Dena,  who  married  Port  Walker,  engaged 
in  railroading  in  Eagle  Grove,  Iowa ;  Frank,  who  married  Miss  Lucy  Beattle, 
of  llaven,  Iowa,  and  now  makes  his  home  at  Tama,  Tama  county,  Iowa;  Maude, 
the  wife  of  Rowland  O.  Harman,  a  well  known  young  farmer  of  Madison 
township ;  Grace  and  Allen,  both  of  whom  are  still  at  home.  The  other  two 
children  passed  away  in  infancy — George,  at  the  age  of  three  weeks  and 
Mamie  when  nine  months  old. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graham  are  members  of  the  Christian  church  of  Aladison 
township,  and  are  people  of  the  highest  traits  of  character.  In  politics  Mr. 
Graham  is  a  stanch  republican,  but  is  not  an  office  seeker,  and  although  he 
served  one  term  as  road  supervisor  he  has  refused  repeatedly,  when  he  would 
have  been  elected  by  his  fellow  citizens,  to  serve  as  a  member  of  the  district 
school  board.  He  is  not  lacking,  however,  in  interest  in  public  affairs,  but  is 
public-spirited  in  his  citizenship,  giving  his  cooperation  to  all  measures  which  he 
deems  for  the  best  interests  of  the  community.  A  man  of  good  business  ability, 
which  has  won  for  him  substantial  success,  and  actuated  in  all  of  his  dealings 
by  the  most  honorable  and  upright  principles,  he  also  possesses  those  per<;onal 
characteristics  which  command  the  confidence  and  good  will  of  his  fellowmen 
and  place  him  among  the  highly  respected  and  valued  residents  of  Madison 
township. 


JOHN  HENRY  BLATHERWICK. 

One  of  the  well  known  citizens  of  Grinnell,  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  a 
successful  man  of  business  and  the  head  of  a  remarkable  family  of  scholars 
is  John  Henry  Blatherwick  whose  name  introduces  this  review.  He  is  a  native  of 
Portage  county,  Ohio,  born  April  16,  1840,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Matilda 
(Caswell)  Blatherwick.  The  father  was  born  at  Nottingham,  England,  and  the 
mother  in  New  York  state.  In  1845  the  family  removed  to  Waukegan,  Illi- 
nois, where  the  father  followed  farming,  but  was  subsequently  engaged  in  the 
insurance  business  in  Chicago,  where  both  he  and  his  wife  made  their  home 
throughout  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  In  their  family  were  eleven  children 
and  of  this  number  three  of  the  sons  were  soldiers  of  the  Civil  war.  Our  sub- 
ject's paternal  grandfather  was  one  of  the  first  lace-makers  in  Nottingham, 
England,   came   to   the   United    .States    with    his    seven    sons,   and   James,   being 


164  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

the  eldest  carried  seven  thousand  dollars  in  gold  in  a  belt  strapped  around  his 
waist. 

John  H.  Blathervvick  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools 
and  after  laying  his  books  aside  became  connected  with  agricultural  interests 
in  Illinois.  At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  the  Fifty-first  Illinois 
Infantry  and  served  as  a  member  of  the  band  until  honorably  discharged  and 
mustered  out  at  Corinth,  Mississippi.  Returning  from  the  war,  he  rented  a 
farm  in  Illinois  for  two  years  and  then  came  to  Iowa  and  engaged  in  farming 
for  twelve  years  in  Pdackhawk  county.  Subsequently  he  lived  in  Carroll 
county,  Iowa :  Antelope  county,  Nebraska,  and  Sioux  county,  Iowa,  finally 
taking  up  his  residence  at  Grinnell  in   1903,  where  he  has  since  continued. 

In  December,  1869,  Mr.  Blatherwick  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nettie 
McArthur,  of  lilackhawk  county,  a  daughter  of  John  McArthur,  who  was 
born  in  Scotland.  The  following  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Blatherwick,  namely:  Wilfred  E.,  who  is  now  a  practicing  physician  of  Drake, 
North  Dakota:  John  Clarence,  engaged  in  farming  at  Breckenridge,  Minnesota; 
Charles,  deceased;  Ada,  who  is  the  wife  of  Professor  Wiley,  of  the  Iowa  State 
University :  George,  who  graduated  from  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago, 
and  is  now  engaged  in  practice  at  Denver,  Colorado :  Alexander,  also  a  grad- 
uate of  Rush  Medical  College  of  Chicago  and  now  practicing  at  Los  Angeles, 
California:  Belle,  a  teacher  at  Iowa  City:  and  Norman,  who  is  now  taking  a 
post-graduate  course  at  the  University  of  Illinois.  The  children  have  attained 
a  remarkable  record  in  educational  lines,  all  of  them  except  .-Xda,  who  was 
graduated  in  Music  at  Epworth  Conservatory  and  finished  study  in  Chicago, 
being  graduates  of  Grinnell  College,  and  three  of  the  sons  are  successfully 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine.  During  a  period  extending  over  eighteen 
years  one  or  more  of  the  children  were  in  attendance  at  Grinnell   College. 

Politically  Mr  Blatherwick  supports  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republi- 
can party — an  organization  with  which  he  has  been  in  hearty  sympathy  ever 
since  he  cast  his  first  ballot  fifty  years  ago,  in  1861.  In  religious  belief  he  is  a 
Congregationalist  and  fraternally  he  holds  membership  in  Gordon  Granger  Post, 
No.  64,  G.  A.  R.  Mr.  Blatherwick  has  passed  the  seventy-first  milestone  on  life's 
journey  and  looks  back  on  many  years  of  pleasing  and  useful  labor.  His 
efforts  have  not  been  expended  entirely  in  pursuit  of  selfish  aims  as  he  has 
many  times  extended  a  helping  hand  to  a  weary  or  disheartened  fellowman 
and  today  he  enjoys  in  an  unusual  degree  the  confidence  and  respect  of  a  large 
circle  of  the  best  citizens  of  Grinnell. 


DANIEL  L.  GORSUCH. 

Nature  seems  to  have  intended  that  man,  in  the  evening  of  life,  should  rest 
from  further  labor  after  an  active  career  which  has  had  its  dawn  of  hope  and 
promise  and  its  noontide  of  activity  and  achievement.  Such  has  been  the  record 
of  Daniel  L.  Gorsuch,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  Montezuma,  after  many 
years  of  earnest  toil  and  well  directed  effort.     Born  in  Delaware  county,  Ohio, 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  165 

on  the  22d  of  March,  1837,  he  is  a  son  of  Joshua  and  Mary  (Bosley)  Gorsuch, 
both  natives  of  Maryland.  The  parents  continued  to  reside  in  that  state  until 
the  late  '30s,  after  which  they  emigrated  to  Ohio  and  thence,  in  1844,  to  Iowa, 
where  the  father,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  located  a  claim  in  Mahaska  county. 
There  the  mother  passed  away  on  the  22d  of  March,  1848,  and  in  the  spring 
of  1856  the  father  sold  his  farm  and  removed  to  Jackson  county,  Kansas,  where 
he  spent  his  remaining  days.  In  his  family  were  eight  children,  as  follows : 
Sarah,  the  deceased  wife  of  John  Morrison;  Thomas,  also  deceased;  Mary 
Ann,  who  married  John  Deardorff,  and  has  also  passed  away ;  Rebecca,  the  de- 
ceased wife  of  Pleasant  Deardorff;  Daniel  L.,  of  this  review;  Dorcus,  who 
married  Isaac  Nelson,  of  Kansas;  Matilda,  the  wife  of  a  Mr.  Purdy,  residing 
in  California;  and  Charles,  who  passed  away  in  infancy. 

Daniel  L.  Gorsuch  was  a  little  lad  of  seven  years  when  he  came  to  Iowa 
with  his  parents  in  1844,  at  which  time  Poweshiek  county  was  still  a  frontier 
district,  where  but  three  or  four  families  had  located.  He  remained  on  a  farm 
in  Mahaska  county  until  the  spring  of  1856,  when  he  accompanied  his  father 
on  his  removal  to  Kansas  and  there  made  his  home  for  about  four  years.  In 
the  fall  of  i860  he  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Jackson 
township,  which  remained  the  scene  of  his  activities  throughout  his  connection 
with  agricultural  pursuits.  This  tract,  consisting  of  two  hundred  acres,  is  lo- 
cated about  a  mile  from  the  Mahaska  county  line  and  is  a  well  improved  prop- 
erty, its  neat  appearance  and  high  state  of  development  being  due  in  large  meas- 
ure to  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Gorsuch.  He  was  practical  and  systematic  in  the 
conduct  of  his  affairs,  ever  adhered  to  progressive  methods  and  as  the  years 
passed  by  his  industry,  perseverance  and  thrift  made  it  possible  for  him  to 
accumulate  a  competency  which  was  substantial  and  creditable.  Indeed,  he 
was  able  to  withdraw  from  active  labor  in  1908  and  on  the  25th  of  December 
of  that  year  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Montezuma,  where  he  now  lives  retired. 
He  yet  retains  possession  of  his  farm,  however,  the  rental  from  which  proves 
a  most  gratifying  source  of  revenue. 

Mr.  Gorsuch  was  married,  on  the  30th  of  May,  i860,  in  Mahaska  county, 
Iowa,  to  Miss  Mary  Jane  Murrow,  who  was  born  in  Parke  county,  Indiana,  on 
the  8th  of  August,  1842.  She  removed  to  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  in  the  fall  of 
1850  in  company  with  her  parents,  Benjamin  and  Sarah  (Blue)  Murrow,  both 
natives  of  Kentucky.  They  were  married  in  the  Blue  Grass  state  but  removed 
to  Indiana  in  early  pioneer  days.  Both  passed  away  in  Mahaska  county,  Iowa. 
In  their  family  were  six  children,  of  whom  Mrs.  Gorsuch  was  the  youngest. 
The  others  were  as  follows :  James  R.,  now  deceased ;  David,  who  enlisted  from 
Montezuma  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  became  a  soldier  of  the  Twenty-eighth 
Iowa  Infantry  and  died  during  his  term  of  service;  Margaret  A.,  the  deceased 
wife  of  Thomas  B.  Gorsuch,  a  brother  of  our  subject;  Martha,  who  passed  away 
at  the  age  of  twelve  years,  her  death  occurring  three  days  after  the  family 
home  was  established  in  Iowa ;  and  Thomas  A.,  a  resident  of  Wayne  county. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gorsuch  were  born  twelve  children,  namely :  Sarah 
Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  James  Bangham,  of  Grinnell ;  Dwight,  who  passed  away 
at  the  age  of  nine  months ;  Angeline,  who  married  John  Tilford,  of  New 
Sharon,  Iowa ;  Fred,  a  resident  of  Kansas ;  Edward,  who  passed  away  in  Feb- 


166  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

ruary,  1908,  leaving  a  widow  and  five  children ;  George,  of  Boone  county :  John 
B.,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume;  Lily  May,  the  deceased  wife  of 
Oliver  Kirby,  who  is  survived  by  two  sons :  Rose,  who  passed  away  at  the 
age  of  twelve  years ;  Laura,  the  wife  of  Frank  Butler,  residing  on  Mr.  Gorsuch's 
farm  in  Jackson  township ;  Clay,  yet  at  home ;  and  one  who  died  in  infanc}'. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Gorsuch  is  connected  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  being  a 
prominent  and  well  known  member  of  that  lodge,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  repub- 
lican, upholding  the  principles  of  that  party  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the 
right  of  franchise.  He  cast  his  first  vote  in  1858,  while  a  resident  of  Jackson 
county,  Kansas,  and  following  his  arrival  there  in  1856  was  a  witness  of  much 
political  excitement  in  that  state  just  prior  to  the  Civil  war.  Since  becoming 
a  citizen  of  Poweshiek  county  he  has  held  several  township  offices  but  has 
never  been  a  politician  in  the  usually  accepted  sense  of  the  term.  Starting  out 
in  life  with  no  especially  favorable  advantages,  his  educational  opportunities 
being  limited  to  those  afforded  in  the  little  log  schoolhouses  of  that  day,  Mr. 
Gorsuch  has,  nevertheless,  worked  his  way  steadily  upward  in  the  business 
world  until  he  is  now  able  to  live  in  honorable  retirement  as  a  result  of  a  life 
of  continuous  activity,  in  which  the  salient  elements  have  been  enterprise,  per- 
severance and  integrity.  He  has  already  passed  the  Psalmist's  allotted  span  of 
three  score  years  and  ten  and  can  look  back  upon  a  past  which  has  ever  been 
characterized  by  honest  endeavor  and  high  principles. 


MILES  CHAFEE. 


Although  now  in  his  ninetieth  year  Miles  Chafee  is  acceptably  filling  the 
office  of  notary  public  and  still  retains  his  interest  in  public  affairs  and  the 
progress  of  the  world.  He  has  been  a  resident  of  Grinnell  for  more  than  forty 
years  and  is  one  of  its  valued  citizens.  Born  in  Erie  county,  New  York,  Octo- 
ber 20,  1 82 1,  he  is  a  son  of  Charles  and  Polly  (Miles)  Chafee,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Vermont.  They  settled  at  Springville,  New  York,  in  1817, 
being  among  the  pioneers  of  that  section.  Our  subject's  paternal  grandfather. 
Stephen  Chafee,  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war  under  General  Washington, 
who  signed  the  papers  bearing  record  of  his  honorable  discharge  from  the 
army. 

Miles  Chafee  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  and  later 
attended  Spring\'ille  .Academy  near  Buffalo,  New  York,  .\fter  completing  his 
educational  training  he  taught  school  for  ten  years,  but  he  was  not  entirely  sat- 
isfied with  that  vocation  and  accordingly  he  became  a  carpenter  and  builder 
and  continued  in  that  business  for  many  years.  In  1855  he  removed  to  Allen 
Grove,  Walworth  county.  Wisconsin,  and  thirteen  years  later,  in  1868,  arrived 
in  Grinnell.  Here  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  fanning  mills  until  1880, 
when  he  retired  from  the  manufacturing  business  and  has  since  rlevotefl  his 
attention  largely  to  official  duties. 

In  1847  Mr.  Chafee  was  married  at  Springville,  New  York,  to  Miss  Caro- 
line E.  Miner,  a  daughter  of  Marvin  M.  and   Betty   (Gross)    Miner.     Both  of 


IIH.   AMI   MKS.    Mir.KS   CHAFEE 


THE  NEW   ,,^.-,, 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


TILDEN  FOiJUOATIONS. 


HISTORY  UF  I'UWESlllEK  COUNTY  169 

the  parents  were  natives  of  New  York  state.  The  father  was  an  elder  in  the 
Presbyterian  church.  Three  children  came  to  bless  the  union  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Chafee.  namely:  Addie  G.,  now  the  widow  of  John  Walker;  Charles  M., 
who  engages  in  farming  at  Billings,  Montana;  and  Susan  M.,  the  wife  of  Charles 
Taylor,  who  engages  in  the  advertising  business  in  Chicago. 

Politically  Mr.  Chafee  was  originally  a  supporter  of  the  whig  party  but  he 
has  voted  with  the  republican  party  ever  since  its  organization  in  1856.  He  has 
held  a  number  of  important  local  offices,  being  elected  township  trustee  one  year 
after  his  arrival  at  Grinnell.  He  served  as  county  coroner  for  five  years,  as 
town  treasurer  for  many  years,  as  justice  of  the  peace  for  more  than  twenty- 
eight  years,  and  for  thirty-two  years  filled  the  office  of  township  clerk.  At  the 
present  time  he  is  serving  as  notary  public.  In  1843  he  joined  the  Presbyter- 
ian church  but  in  later  years  has  been  affiliated  with  the  Congregational  church. 
Successful  in  his  business  affairs  and  surrounded  by  scores  of  friends,  this 
venerable  and  respected  man  in  the  evening  of  a  useful  life  passes  his  days  in 
peace  and  comfort.  The  esteem  in  which  he  is  universally  held  in  the  city  of 
his  adoption  is  evidence  of  his  personal  worth. 


DR.  JAMES  H.  FRIEND. 

The  osteopathic  school  for  treatment  of  physical  ills  of  humanity  has  a 
worthy  representative  in  Dr.  James,"  .y.  Friend,  of  Grinnell,  whose  increasing 
clientage  is  evidence  of  the  esteerti'.ij(l_;^h|ch  he  is  held  in  this  city.  He  was 
born  in  Poweshiek  county  on  a  farm  about  twelve  miles  south  of  Grinnell,  June 
20,  1859,  a  son  of  Franklin  and  Martha^J.  ..(Stanley )  Friend.  The  father  was  a 
native  of  Illinois  and  the  mother  of  Virgiiiia." '  The  grandparents  on  both  sides  of 
the  family  came  to  Poweshiek  county.  The  paternal  grandfather,  Elijah  Friend, 
arrived  here  in  1849  and  located  three  miles  northeast  of  Lynnville,  adjoining  the 
Jasper  county  line,  while  the  maternal  grandfather,  John  T.  Stanley,  reached 
here  in  1851  and  located  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  five  miles  east  of  Lynnville. 
Franklin  Friend  was  married  to  Martha  J.  Stanley  at  Montezuma  in  1853,  the 
ceremony  being  performed  by  Rev.  James  Johnson.  He  located  on  land  in  Wash- 
ington township,  which  he  cultivated  to  good  advantage  until  1864,  when  he 
yielded  to  the  gold  excitement  and  started  for  the  Montana  gold  fields.  After  ar- 
riving at  the  miles  he  selected  a  location  in  Jefferson  valley  and  staked  out  a 
mining  claim,  which  he  proposed  to  work  later.  In  1865  he  started  homeward 
but  on  reaching  Fort  Benton  found  that  the  boat  in  which  he  expected  to  take 
passage  down  the  river  was  delayed.  A  large  amount  of  government  supplies 
was  received  at  the  fort  about  this  time  and  there  being  no  warehouse  in  which 
to  store  them  volunteers  were  called  for  to  go  into  the  forest  and  cut  logs  for 
a  house.  This  was  dangerous  service  as  the  Indians  were  lurking  in  the  vicinity 
and  were  highly  incensed  at  the  encroachments  of  the  white  men  upon  their 
hunting  grounds.  Mr.  Friend  and  about  a  dozen  companions  volunteered  to 
perform  the  work  and  while  engaged  in  this  undertaking  the  party  was  ambushed 
and  every  man  was  killed.     Mrs.  Friend  was  later  married  to  Levi  H.  McDowell, 


170  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

who  came  to  Poweshiek  county  with  his  parents  in  1848.  She  died  January  31, 
1896. 

James  H.  Friend  was  reared  upon  the  home  farm  and  notwithstanding  the 
death  of  his  father  he  secured  good  advantages  of  education.  After  attending 
the  district  schools  he  became  a  student  at  Grinnell  Academy  and  later  at 
Callanan  College,  which  was  under  general  supervision  of  Drake  University. 
In  1887,  having  thoroughly  prepared  himself,  he  took  up  teaching  as  a  profes- 
sion and  for  seventeen  years  taught  in  various  schools  of  the  county,  becoming 
recognized  as  one  of  the  most  capable  educators  in  this  section  of  the  state.  In 
1904,  however,  be  became  interested  in  osteopathy  and  entered  the  American 
School  of  Osteopathy  at  Kirksville,  Missouri,  from  which  he  was  graduated  in 
1906.  He  immediately  opened  offices  at  Grinnell  but  shortly  afterward  was  in- 
vited to  Story  City  to  take  charge  of  the  practice  of  Dr.  O.  F.  Beckett,  who  was 
temporarily  called  away.  The  absence  of  Dr.  Beckett  was  prolonged  and  Dr. 
Friend  remained  three  years  in  Story  City.  In  1909  he  returned  to  Grinnell, 
where  he  maintains  well  appointed  offices  and  has  built  up  an  extensive  practice. 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1888,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Myra 
McDonald,  a  native  of  Poweshiek  county,  and  by  this  union  six  children  have 
been  born,  namely :  Gladys,  who  was  educated  at  Grinnell  high  school  and 
Iowa  College  and  is  now  successfully  teaching  in  the  district  schools;  Arthur 
McDonald,  a  student  in  the  high  school ;  Leona  and  James,  who  are  attending 
the  graded  school ;  Myra  A. ;  and  Homer  C. 

Dr.  Friend  has  seen  no  reason  to  regret  giving  up  his  profession  as  a  teacher 
to  engage  in  the  healing  art.  From  the  beginning  of  his  practice  he  has  evinced 
a  natural  adaptability  to  the  vocation  and  his  services  are  steadily  growing  in 
demand,  his  patients  being  numbered  among  his  best  friends  and  most  en- 
thusiastic advocates.  He  is  an  intelligent  gentleman  and  as  he  has  been  a  life- 
long student  and  investigator  he  has  a  highly  cultivated  mind  which  has  been 
brightened  by  contact  with  the  world  and  also  by  systematic  study  and  reflec- 
tion. His  skill  in  the  treatment  either  of  acute  or  chronic  diseases  is  widely 
acknowledged  throughout  this  part  of  the  state.  Politically  he  is  independent, 
preferring  to  vote  for  the  man  rather  than  for  the  party,  and  fraternally  he  is 
identified  with  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F  &  A.  M.,  of  Grinnell,  and  Baldur 
Lodge,  No.  279,  Knights  of  Pythias,  of  Story  City. 


J.  HENRY  HINK,  Sr. 


In  this  work  are  to  be  found  some  remarkable  instances  of  success  financially, 
showing  the  difficulties  that  may  be  overcome  by  one  who  is  determined  to 
accomplish  a  worthy  object  in  life.  The  record  of  J.  Henry  Hink,  Sr..  is  one 
that  should  encourage  every  aspiring  young  man.  He  arrived  in  America  from 
a  foreign  land  almost  without  a  dollar  in  his  pockets,  and  today  he  is  the  owner 
of  five  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  good  land  in  Poweshiek  county  and  one  of 
the   highly  respected  members  of  the  community.     He   was  born   in   Hanover. 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWMSlllEK  COUNTY  171 

Germany.  August  23,   1851,  and  is  a  son  of  tienry  and  Anna   (Moritz)    Hink, 
both  of  whom  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  old  country. 

I.  Henry  Hink,  Sr.,  was  the  youngest  member  of  a  family  of  si.x  children 
and  grew  to  fifteen  years  of  age  on  his  father's  farm,  receiving  his  education 
in  the  common  schools.  As  a  boy  of  fifteen  he  crossed  the  ocean  to  America 
and  spent  five  years  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  where  he  prosecuted  his  studies 
in  the  common  schools  and  worked  upon  the  farm.  In  1873  he  came  to  Chester 
township.  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  three  of  his  brothers  having  preceded  him 
to  this  county.  Two  years  after  his  arrival  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land 
which  he  improved,  adding  good  equipment  and  accessories.  He  fenced  and 
tiled  the  fields  and  carried  on  his  work  along  progressive  lines,  purchasing  more 
land  as  opportunity  offered.  He  is  today  one  of  the  most  prosperous  farmers 
of  the  township  and  one  of  the  most  substantial  citizens  in  this  section. 

On  the  28th  of  October,  1879,  Mr.  Hink  was  married  in  the  German  Lutheran 
church  in  Malcom  township  to  Miss  Mary  L.  Wanner,  a  daughter  of  August 
and  Frances  (Stecker)  Wanner,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany,  the 
father  being  a  cabinet-maker  by  trade.  He  came  to  America  and  at  the  out- 
break of  the  Civil  war  offered  his  services  to  the  Union,  enrolling  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  K,  Xinety-third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  killed 
while  bravely  fighting  for  the  stars  and  stripes,  his  family  later  settling  in 
Poweshiek  county.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hink: 
Clara,  who  married  Henry  Luttman,  a  farmer  of  Chester  township;  Emma, 
the  wife  of  Fred  Puis,  also  of  Chester  township;  Charles,  who  is  a  graduate 
of  the  Grinnell  high  school  and  is  now  manager  of  the  Central  Garage  at  Grin- 
nell ;  and  Walter,  who  is  living  at  home. 

Politicallv  :\Ir.  Hink  affiliates  with  the  republican  party  and  has  servp-l 
with  general  approval  as  township  trustee  and  member  of  the  school  board. 
He  is  identified  with  the  German  Lutheran  church  of  Malcom.  His  success 
may  be  ascribed  to  hard  work  and  good  judgment  and  he  has  now  arrived  at 
a  stage  where  he  can  enjoy  himself  at  leisure,  his  farm  yielding  a  handsome  in- 
come. His  methods  have  always  been  straightforward,  based  on  fairness  and 
honesty,  and  he  possesses  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 


WALTER  FORD  HAMMOND. 

The  late  Walter  Ford  Hammond,  who  for  many  years  was  identified  with 
various  activities  in  Grinnell,  was  born  in  Plattsville,  Wisconsin,  on  the  2d 
of  December,  1857.  He  was  a  son  of  George  S.  and  Jane  (Pemberthy)  Ham- 
mond, the  father  a  native  of  New  Bedford,  Massachusetts,  and  the  mother 
of  England,  having  emigrated  from  there  to  the  United  States  with  her  par* 
ents  when  a  child  of  twelve  years.  The  father  passed  away  in  Illinois  and  the 
widow,   who  remarried,  is  now  living  with  a  daughter   in   Rhode   Island. 

Reared  in  the  parental  home  Walter  Ford  Hammond  acquired  his  prelimi- 
nary education  in  the  common  schools  of  Wisconsin  and  Illinois.  When  a  youth 
of  fifteen  years  he  migrated  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Poweshiek  county.     Feeling 


172  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

the  need  of  a  better  education  during  the  first  year  of  his  residence  he  attended 
Grinnell  College  and  tauglit  school.  Subsequently  he  accepted  a  clerkship  with 
Mcintosh  &  Proctor,  who  were  engaged  in  the  clothing  business.  Later  he 
purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Proctor,  the  business  being  continued  under  the 
firm  name  of  Mcintosh  &  Hammond,  which  was  subsequently  changed  to  Ham- 
mond Brothers  &  James.  In  1883  he  removed  to  Des  Aloines,  where  he  con- 
ducted a  jobbing  and  brokerage  business  for  seven  years.  At  the  expiration 
of  that  period  he  returned  to  Grinnell  and  purchased  the  clothing  business  of 
N.  D.  Soper,  with  which  he  continued  to  be  identified  until  1893,  when  he  sold 
out  to  G.  H.  McMurray,  subsequently  buying  from  ]\Iichael  Snyder  his  interest 
in  the  Grinnell  Electric  Light  Company.  Mr.  Hammond  retained  the  manage- 
ment of  this  concern  until  1902,  at  which  time  he  disposed  of  his  interest  to 
become  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Elliott  Hotel  Company  of  Des  Moines, 
of  which  he  was  vice  president  at  the  time  of  his  death,  the  7th  of  July,  1905. 

In  1878  Air.  Hammond  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Hattie  M.  ChikI,  a 
daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Martha  (Walker)  Child,  a  sketch  of  whom  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  The  following  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hammond :  Martha,  who  died  at  the  age  of  five  inonths ;  Russell,  who  is  twenty- 
nine  years  of  age,  and  lives  in  the  west ;  Walter,  aged  twenty-three,  who  grad- 
uated from  Iowa  College  in  June,  191 1  ;  Arthur,  twenty  years  of  age,  who  also 
graduated  in  June,  191 1;  Aldace  W.,  aged  eighteen,  who  graduated  from  the 
Grinnell  high  school  in  June,  191 1;  Mae,  fifteen  years  of  age,  who  is  attending 
the  high  school ;  Harold,  aged  thirteen ;  and  Bruce,  now  seven  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Hammond,  who  was  a  republican  in  politics,  was  a  prominent  member 
of  the  Franklin  Club  of  Grinnell  and  he  and  his  wife  and  daughter  affiliated 
with  the  Congregational  church.  Mr.  Hammond  was  well  known  in  Grinnell 
and  Poweshiek  by  reason  of  his  long  residence  there,  and  was  highly  esteemed 
and  regarded. 


JOHN  WILKINSON  COGSWELL,  AI.  D. 

From  no  professional  man  do  we  expect  or  exact  so  many  of  the  cardinal 
virtues  as  from  the  physician.  If  a  clergyman  is  austere,  we  imagine  that  his 
mind  is  absorbed  with  the  contemplation  of  things  beyond  our  ken.  If  our 
lawyer  is  brusque  and  crabbed,  it  is  the  mark  of  genius ;  but  in  the  physician  we 
expect  not  only  a  superior  mentality  and  comprehensive  knowledge  but  sympathy 
as  wide  as  the  universe.  Dr.  Cogswell  in  large  measure  meets  all  of  these  re- 
quirements and  is  regarded  by  many  as  an  ideal  physician.  Certainly  if  patron- 
age is  any  criterion  of  ability  he  ranks  high  among  the  leading  medical  prac- 
titioners of  Grinnell,   where  he  is  now  enjoying  a  large  practice. 

Dr.  Cogswell  was  born  in  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa,  on  the  29th  of  October.  1883, 
his  parents  being  Charles  Herbert  and  Mary  (Wilkinson)  Cogswell,  who  are 
natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Illinois  respectively.  Their  marriage  was  cele- 
brated in  the  year  1869.  Charles  H.  Cogswell,  who  was  graduated  from  the 
Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Chicago  with  the  class  of  1866,  located  for  prac- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  173 

tice  in  Clinton,  Iowa,  and  has  since  been  numbered  among  the  successful  physi- 
cians of  this  state.  From  1884  until  1902  he  presided  as  professor  of  obstetrics 
in  the  College  of  Homeopathic   Medicine  at  the  State  University  of  Iowa. 

lohn  W.  Cogswell  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  public  schools  of  his 
native  city  and  subsequently  entered  the  State  University  of  Iowa,  being  grad- 
uated from  the  College  of  Liberal  Arts  with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science 
in  1904.  In  1906  he  completed  the  medical  course  in  the  College  of  Homeopathic 
Medicine  of  the  State  University  of  Iowa  and  received  the  degree  of  M.  D. 
His  professional  knowledge  was  augmented  by  post-graduate  work  in  the 
University  of  Vienna  during  the  years  1907  and  1908.  Locating  for  practice 
in  Toledo,  Iowa,  he  there  remained  during  the  years  1906  and  1907  and  on 
the  ist  of  May,  1908,  opened  an  office  at  Grinnell,  which  town  has  since  re- 
mained the  scene  of  his  professional  labors.  In  1908-09  he  acted  as  an  in- 
structor in  the  department  of  obstetrics  and  gynecology  in  the  College  of  Homeo- 
pathic Medicine  at  the  State  University  of  Iowa,  while  in  1909-10  he  had 
charge  of  the  same  department  as  assistant  professor.  In  professional  lines 
he  is  connected  with  the  Central  Iowa  Homeopathic  Medical  Society,  the  Hahne- 
mann Medical  Association  of  Iowa,  the  American  Institute  of  Homeopathy  and 
the  Obstetrical  Society  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homeopathy.  He  is  in- 
terested in  all  that  promotes  a  knowledge  of  the  human  body — the  onslaughts 
made  upon  it  by  disease  and  the  possibilities  for  recovery  through  the  use 
of  remedial  agencies.  Dfr.  Cogswell  also  has  a  military  record,  having  served 
as  cadet  at  the  University  of  Iowa  for  four  years.  He  is  now  serving  as  cap- 
tain of  Company  K,  Fifty-fourth  Infantry,  Iowa  National  Guard,  located  at 
Grinnell. 

Dr.  Cogswell  is  a  member  of  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and 
has  attained  the  thirty-second  degree  of  the  Scottish  Rite,  belonging  to  Iowa 
Consistory,  No.  2.  In  religious  faith  he  is  an  Episcopalian.  Though  still  a 
young  man,  he  has  already  attained  a  creditable  position  in  professional  circles, 
while  the  salient  characteristics  of  his  manhood  are  such  as  have  brought  him 
the   warm  regard  of   those   with  whom  he   has  been  otherwise   associated. 


H.   T.   SMITH. 


H.  T.  Smith,  a  retired  farmer  and  stockman  and  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war, 
was  born  in  Tunbridge,  Vermont,  on  the  2d  of  May,  1845.  He  was  a  son  of  Sam 
and  Hulda  (Peabody)  Smith,  lifelong  residents  of  the  Green  mountain  state, 
and  there  the  father  passed  away  when  H.  T.  Smith,  the  youngest  of  three  sons 
and  four  daughters,  was  but  a  year  old.  Reared  amid  the  scenes  and  envi- 
ronments of  rural  life,  he  spent  the  early  years  of  his  life  upon  the  home  farm, 
giving  his  widowed  mother  the  benefit  of  his  assistance,  until  eighteen  years 
of  age,  when  he  ofYered  his  services  to  the  Union,  enlisting  from  Brookfield, 
Vermont,  in  December,  1863,  as  a  recruit  in  Company  G,  Tenth  \'ermont  Vol- 
unteer Infantry.  He  served  with  that  command  until  the  close  of  the  war, 
taking  part   in   many   important   engagements,   including  that   at   Cold    Harbor, 


174  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Winchester,  Cedar  Creek,  Fisher's  Hill,  and  many  others.  For  seven  days 
he  participated  in  the  campaign  of  the  wilderness  under  General  Grant,  during 
which  time  he  suffered  many  hardships.  During  his  term  of  service  he  was 
twice  wounded,  first  at  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  when  the  end  of  his  nose 
was  shot  oflf,  and  again  in  front  of  Petersburg,  when  a  ball  struck  his  left  leg 
below  the  knee,  which  he  carried  for  seventeen  days  before  it  was  extracted. 
This  last  wound  caused  his  removal  from  the  field  to  the  hospital,  where  he 
remained  until  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  hostilities.  June  29,   1865. 

Mr.  Smith  then  returned  to  his  \'ermont  home,  where  he  remained  until 
1866,  when  he  decided  to  seek  the  opportunities  of  the  middle  west,  which 
district  was  entering  upon  an  era  of  most  substantial  yet  rapid  growth.  In  the 
spring  of  that  year  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  first  in  Winneshiek  county,  where 
he  engaged  in  general  farming  for  eight  years.  He  then  sold  his  farm  there 
and  returned  to  \'ermont  on  a  visit  to  his  old  home,  remaining  in  his  native 
state  from  December  until  the  following  July.  On  again  coming  to  Iowa,  in 
1874,  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Poweshiek  county,  purchasing  a  quarter  of  a 
section  of  land  in  Pleasant  township.  During  the  eighteen  years  in  which  that 
farm  remained  his  home  he  carried  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  and  stock 
raising  wfth  gratifying  results.  He  made  a  specialty  of  breeding  horses  and 
became  well  known  through  the  locality  for  the  high  grade  of  stock  to  be  found 
upon  his  place.  He  continued  in  this  enterprise  with  increasing  success  until. 
in  1893,  he  left  the  farm  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Malcom,  where  he  is 
now  living  retired,  being  ranked  among  the  substantial  and  well-to-do  citizens 
of  this   community. 

Mr.  Smith  was  married,  on  the  i8th  of  February,  1868,  to  Miss  Cynthia  M. 
GifTord,  who  was  born  in  Randolph,  Vermont,  on  the  28th  of  May,  1846,  and 
there  resided  until  her  marriage.  Her  parents  were  Friend  and  Armida  (  Smith ) 
Gifford,  lifelong  residents  of  that  state.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  been 
born  two  sons:  Walter  D.,  of  Saskatchewan,  Canada;  and  Amos  B.,  at  home. 

Mr.  Smith  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  is 
highly  esteemed  in  a  large  circle  of  friends  in  this  locality.  He  early  learned 
the  lesson  that  success  must  be  purchased  at  the  price  of  earnest,  well  defined 
labor,  and  as  the  years  went  by  his  record  was  one  of  indefatigable  effort,  close 
application  and  intelligent  direction  that  found  their  just  reward  in  the  life  of 
ease  and  comfort   which  today  is  his. 


WILLIAM  CLELAND. 


It  is  astonishing  to  witness  the  success  of  men  who  have  emigrated  to 
America  without  capital  and  from  a  position  of  comparative  obscurity  have 
worked  their  way  upward  to  a  place  of  influence  and  prominence.  The  readi- 
ness with  which  they  adapt  themselves  to  circumstances  and  take  advantage 
of  opportunities  offered  brings  to  them  success  and  wins  them  a  place  among 
the  leading  men  of  the  community  in  which  they  reside.     To  this  class  belongs 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  175 

William  Cleland,  who  is  today  perhaps  the  largest  landowner  in  Poweshiek 
county,   owning  altogether  one   thousand   three   hundred   and  eighty   acres. 

He  is  a  native  of  County  Down,  Ireland,  born  January  8,  1840,  a  son  of 
lames  and  Margaret  (Adams)  Cleland,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  on  the  Emer- 
ald isle.  The  father  was  a  stone-mason.  His  family  numbered  four  children  : 
John,  who  at  one  time  came  to  the  United  States  but  returned  to  his  native 
country,  where  he  departed  this  life;  William,  of  this  review;  James,  who  died 
in  Cook  county,  Illinois ;  and  Jane,  who  is  also  deceased. 

William  Cleland  was  a  young  man  of  twenty  years,  when,  in  i860,  he 
emigrated  to  the  new  world.  He  first  located  in  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois, 
and  there  worked  on  a  farm  for  eight  years.  In  the  meantime,  however,  he 
carefully  saved  his  earnings  and  from  time  to  time  invested  his  capital  in  land 
m  Iowa,  having  in  1864  purchased  the  farm  on  which  he  now  makes  his  home. 
He  continued  to  work  for  others  until  he  had  accumulated  a  sum  sufficient 
to  begin  operations  on  his  own  account,  and  eventually,  feeling  justified  in  es- 
tablishing a  home  of  his  own,  he  was  married  in  Rock  Island  county,  December  28, 
1867,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Sarah  McKeag.  who  was  likewise  born 
in  County  Dow-n.  Ireland,  in  1842,  and  in  1866  came  to  the  United  States,  also 
settling  in  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois.  The  parents,  James  and  Jane  McKeag, 
emigrated  to  the  new  world  in  1868  and  settled  in  Rock  Island  county,  but 
both   are    now    deceased. 

Following  their  marriage,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cleland  came  to  Poweshiek  county 
and  since  1868  have  resided  on  their  present  farm  on  section  19,  Pleasant 
township.  He  began  work  in  earnest  and  through  his  economy  and  frugality 
gradually  added  to  his  land  holdings  until  he  is  now  the  owner  of  thirteen  hun- 
dred acres,  situated  in  Pleasant  and  Washington  townships.  He  is  engaged  in 
farming  on  quite  an  extensive  scale  and  also  gives  much  of  his  time  and  at- 
tention to  stock-raising.  He  is  a  man  of  good  business  judgment  and  in  this 
lies  the  secret  of  his  success. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Airs.  Cleland  has  been  blessed  with  three  daugh- 
ters and  two  sons.  Elizabeth,  the  eldest,  is  the  wife  of  William  Molison,  a  resi- 
dent of  Pleasant  township,  and  has  four  children.  Margaret  is  the  wife  of  Geo. 
W.  Hays,  of  Malcom.  James  passed  away  in  November,  1908,  at  the  age  of 
thirty-four  years,  leaving  a  widow  and  one  child.  Rose  is  the  wife  of  E.  O. 
Porter,  of  Grinnell,  and  her  one  child,  William,  the  youngest,  w-ho  manages  the 
home  farm,  wedded   Miss   Emma  Agnew,  and  they  have  two  children. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Cleland  is  a  stanch  republican  and  for  the  past 
twenty  years  has  filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  and  for  si.x  years  was 
trustee  of  the  township.  In  i8go  he  took  the  census  of  Pleasant  township  and 
in  the  various  public  positions  he  has  filled  has  ever  fully  merited  the  confidence 
of  those  whose  interests  he  has  served.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his 
membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church  at   Ewart. 

When  Mr.  Cleland  first  located  in  Poweshiek  county  the  district  in  which  he 
settled  was  all  wild  and  unbroken  prairie.  He  has  lived  to  see  the  conditions 
changed,  for  today  the  land  is  divided  into  beautiful  and  highly  cultivated  farms, 
inhabited  by  a  prosperous  and  contented  people,  and  while  Mr.  Cleland  has  wit- 
nessed this  change  he  has  also  been  an  active  participant  in  bringing  about  this 


176  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

condition,  for  he  has  ever  been  a  hard  working  man  as  may  be  known  by  the 
broad  acreage  of  which  he  is  now  the  possessor.  The  accumulation  of  wealth, 
however,  has  not  been  his  sole  aim  and  ambition  in  life,  for  he  is  a  public- 
spirited  citizen  who  is  ever  ready  to  lend  his  aid  and  influence  to  any  worthy 
movement  for  the  betterment  of  his  home  locality.  Perhaps  the  highest  tribute 
that  can  be  paid  Mr.  Cleland  is  that  he  has  been  successful  in  all  of  his  under- 
takings and  that  he  has  so  discharged  his  duties  as  a  citizen  and  as  a  business 
man  as  to  merit  the  confidence  of  those  who  know  him  best. 


SAMUEL  JAY  BUCK,  D.  D. 

Samuel  Jay  Buck,  who  has  been  termed  "the  grand  old  man  of  Iowa  College." 
was  for  forty-two  and  one-third  years  connected  with  the  institution  as  instructor 
and  acting  president,  and  the  school  in  its  present  prosperous  condition  stands 
largely  as  a  monument  to  his  ability  in  and  devotion  to  the  profession  which  he 
chose  as  a  life  work.  He  came  to  Grinnell  in  early  manhood  and  for  forty-two 
years  labored  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  school.  Ex-President  Eliot  of  Harvard 
said :  "What  is  needed  is  continuous  education  which  lasts  all  through  life."  It 
was  this  which  Professor  Buck  strove  to  give  to  his  pupils,  believing  with  Kant 
that  "The  object  of  education  is  to  train  each  individual  to  reach  the  highest  per- 
fection possible  for  him."  He  had  acquired  some  previous  experience  as  a  teacher 
in  Ohio  and  Illinois  before  coming  to  Iowa.  He  had  gone  to  the  former  state  in  his 
early  boyhood  with  his  parents,  who  removed  westward  from  Russia.  Herkimer 
county.  New  York,  where  Professor  Buck  was  born  on  the  4th  of  July,  1835. 
Upon  a  farm  near  the  town  of  Mecca  in  Trumbull  county,  Ohio,  his  youthful 
days  were  passed  and  his  experiences  were  those  which  usually  fall  to  the  lot  of 
the  farm  lad.  It  is  undoubtedly  true  that  environment  has  not  a  little  to  do  with 
the  forming  of  character  and  Professor  Buck  spent  his  youth  in  Ohio  where  the 
forces  of  New  England  were  arrayed  against  the  incoming  forces  from  the  south 
over  the  questions  of  gambling,  intemperance  and  the  slave  trade.  The  discussion 
of  such  themes  could  not  have  failed  to  leave  an  impress  upon  the  mind  and  char- 
acter of  the  boy  who,  moreover,  spent  five  years  as  a  student  in  Oberlin  College, 
Ohio,  the  very  center  from  which  permeated  a  strong  influence  of  personal  lib- 
erty and  public  morality.  He  entered  the  preparatory  department  of  the  school 
in  1853  and  on  the  completion  of  the  college  course  was  graduated  in  1858  and  at 
once  turned  his  attention  to  the  profession  of  teaching.  At  one  time  he  was  an 
instructor  in  an  academy  at  Bazetta.  Ohio,  and  at  another  time  principal  of  the 
Union  high  school  at  West  Liberty,  Ohio. 

Soon  after  his  marriage  in  1859  to  Miss  Jane  Cory,  a  college  classmate.  Dr. 
Buck  entered  the  theological  school  of  Oberlin,  from  which  he  graduated  in  1862 
with  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  He  then  accepted  the  position  of  principal 
of  Orwell  Academy  in  Orwell.  Ohio,  and  in  1863  was  ordained  to  the  ministry 
of  the  Congregational  church.  His  time  was  afterward  given  to  the  dual  profes- 
Mim  of  teaching  and  preaching,  his  pastoral  work  being  done  at  Orwell  and  Mecca 
until   1864. 


S.  J.   BUCK 


-EN  POUNOATION*. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  179 

111  tliat  vcar  Iowa  College  at  (Irinnell  sought  the  services  of  Dr.  Buck,  and  he 
came  to  this  citv  to  take  up  his  work  in  connection  with  the  school  that  was  strug- 
gling for  existence.  The  greater  part  of  its  pupils  who  were  able  to  carry  a 
Tiuisket  had  gone  to  the  front  in  defense  of  the  Union  cause  and  there  were  hut 
ninety-two  students  enrolled  in  the  catalog  of  if~'<')V4  under  the  charge  of  four 
teachers,  one  of  whom  was  Professor  \'on  Coelln,  whose  recommendation  of  Dr. 
I'lUck  had  led  to  his  selection  for  the  ])rofessorship  at  Grinnell.  He  reached  Grin- 
iiell  on  the  5th  of  p-ebruary.  1864,  and  at  once  took  up  his  work  as  principal  of 
the  Iowa  College  .Academy  and  second  permanent  instructor  in  Iowa  College.  He 
hrouglit  to  his  new  duties  zeal  and  enthusiasm  as  well  as  wide  knowledge,  and  the 
>chool  soon  felt  the  stimulus  of  his  interest  and  e.xertions.  In  1869  the  college 
trustees  elected  him  professor  of  mathematics  and  physics,  which  position  he  tilled 
until  1905.  the  title  of  the  chair,  however,  being  changed  in  1893  to  that  of  mathe- 
matics and  astronomy.  In  the  earlier  years  of  his  professorship  here  he  preached 
at  Chester,  aiding  in  organizing  the  Congregational  church  there  and  supplying 
the  pulpit  until  January,  1866.  when  he  resigned  to  accept  the  position  of  county 
superintendent  of  schools.  He  was  twice  elected  to  that  position  and  the  public 
school  svstem  of  this  city  benefited  by  the  stimulus  given  to  it  by  his  efforts  and 
ability. 

In  i8(;)8  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  the  independent  dis- 
trict of  Grinnell  and  continued  to  serve  ipMi  it  until  1880,  being  president  of  the 
hoard  the  last  six  years,  declining  to  serv|e :kihger., ,'  ■    ■■,     .v;  •' 

After  three  years  in  the  county  superiijtehclency  he  resigned  to  accept  again  the 
pnstorate  of  the  church  at  Chester.  Foritwo  years, he,  engaged  in  preaching  the 
gos])el  there  and  then  resigned  to  supply  the  rife'w  cJiurch  at  Gilman,  which  he  had 
aided  in  organizing  and  of  which  he  remained  pastor  for  seven  years.  For  two 
\L'a'-s  he  supplied  the  pulpit  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Toledo.  Iowa,  and 
his  labors  in  the  ministry  were  not  denied  the  full  harvests  nor  the  aftermath. 

.\t  the  same  tim£  Dr  Buck  was  continuing  his  work  in  the  college  and  the 
beneficial  results  of  his  labors  were  so  far  and  so  strongly  felt  that  in  1870,  when 
the  trustees,  feeling  the  need  of  more  funds,  began  to  look  about  for  some  one 
to  act  as  a  representative  of  the  college  in  the  solicitation  of  gifts  for  the  memo- 
rial fund,  -o-called  because  that  year  was  the  two  hundred  and  fiftieth  anniversary 
of  the  landing  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers,  they  very  naturally  chose  Dr.  Buck,  The 
same  zeal  and  enthusiasm  which  characterized  him  in  the  performance  of  every 
duty  were  manifest  in  this  connection  and  within  a  few  months  he  had  succeeded 
in  securing  between  twenty-five  and  thirty  thousand  dollars  for  endowment  and 
an  additional  sum  of  three  thousand  dollars  for  the  equipment  of  the  physics  de- 
partment. At  the  following  commencement  the  trustees  in  recognition  of  his 
succe-^sful  efforts,  unsolicited,  gave  his  chair  the  title  of  "the  memorial  professor- 
shi])."  This  name  was  retained  until  1891  when  Alonzo  Steele,  of  Grinnell,  pledged 
twenty  thou-^and  dollars  for  the  endowment  of  the  chair  and  at  his  request  the 
title  wa-  changed  to  "the  Myra  Steele  professorship  of  mathematics  and  physics" 
in  lionor  of  a  deceased  daughter,  which  name  is  still  retained  except  that  the  word 
astronomy  has  been  substituted  for  physics. 

In  the  same  vear  in  which  Iowa  College  chose  him  as  professor  of  mathematics 
and  astrononn-  to  solicit  funds,  the  .State  Teachers  Association  elected  him  to  its 

Tol  n— 9 


180  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

presidency  and  he  occupied  the  chair  at  the  meeting  of  the  State  Teachers  As- 
sociation held  in  Council  Bluffs  the  following  year.  Later  he  was  again  chosen 
as  the  chief  executive  of  the  association  but  declined  the  honors.  It  has  been 
characteristic  of  the  life  of  Dr.  Buck  that  duty  has  ever  been  with  him  the  first 
consideration.  He  has  refused  honors  and  emoluments  to  remain  with  Grinnell 
College.  He  was  offered  the  presidency  of  Talladega  College,  in  Alabama,  by 
the  American  Missionary  Association  in  1880  and  although  this  would  have  meant 
advancement  in  honors  and  salary,  he  declined  in  order  to  remain  with  Grinnell 
College,  where  his  interests  had  so  long  centered.  In  1884,  when  George  F. 
Magoun,  the  first  president  of  the  college,  resigned.  Professor  Buck  was  chosen 
acting  president  and  the  work  went  forward  without  interruption,  gaining  in 
quality  and  quantity  so  that  at  the  close  of  this  triennium  the  attendance  had  in- 
creased over  forty-three  per  cent  and  more  money  was  raised  for  Grinnell  College 
than  during  any  similar  period  in  its  history  of  nearly  six  decades.  There  is  per- 
haps no  department  of  the  college  that  has  not  been  benefited  materially  and 
largely  by  the  efforts  of  Dr.  Buck,  while  in  various  directions  his  labors  have 
been  of  inestimable  value.  In  1888  the  Clark  Equatorial  telescope  was  given  to 
ihe  college  and  Professor  Buck,  who  had  been  teaching  astronomy  without  in- 
terruption since  1869,  determined  to  obtain  other  equipment  for  the  department. 
The  usual  success  attended  him  in  this  undertaking  and  soon  the  astronomical 
department  was  supplied  with  a  modern  equipment  for  advanced  instruction  in 
the  science  of  astronomy.  In  1903  the  degree  of  D.  D.  was  bestowed  upon  Pro- 
fessor Buck  by  Tabor  College,  Iowa.  After  forty-two  years'  connection  with  the 
school  Dr.  Buck  tendered  his  resignation,  announcing  his  determination  to  retire 
from  the  active  work  of  teaching,  an  announcement  that  was  received  with  deep 
regret  on  the  part  of  all  who  had  been  connected  with  the  school.  He  had  en- 
deared himself  not  only  to  his  associate  professors  and  teachers  but  also  to  the 
students  of  the  college.  In  his  work  as  a  teacher  he  had  always  regarded  the  per- 
sonal equation  and  studied  the  individual  needs  of  the  pu]iil  and  had  adapted  his 
instruction  thereto.  Moreover,  his  pupils  recognized  his  strong  sympathy  and  his 
abiding  spirit  of  helpfulness  and  therefore  his  work  was  an  inspiration  that 
prompted  them  to  do  their  best. 

In  addition  to  his  regular  college  work  Dr.  Buck  had  made  regular  weather 
reports  from  1888  as  a  volunteer  observer.  He  has  also  filled  the  office  of  county 
surveyor  for  twenty-one  years,  in  which  connection  he  was  never  loath  to  give 
his  students  an  opportunity  to  aid  him  and  thus  supplement  their  college  instruc- 
tion not  only  by  practical  experience  but  also  by  the  attainment  of  funds  of  which 
many  of  them  stood  in  need.  An  alumnus  of  Grinnell  College,  writing  the  bio- 
graphy of  Dr.  Buck,  has  said:  "As  one  recalls  the  story  of  his  life  and  thinks  of 
the  part  which  he  has  played  in  the  building  up,  not  only  of  the  college  and  the 
town  of  Grinnell,  but  of  the  state  as  well,  it  is  little  wonder  that  he  hesitates  to 
point  a  moral  or  adorn  the  tale  with  words  which  cannot  be  more  eloquent  or  force- 
ful than  a  statement  of  the  simple  facts.  Moreover  eulogy  seems  inappropriate 
here  from  the  fact  that  Dr.  Buck  has  never  been  one  to  court  public  notice  or  to 
desire  public  praise.  But  for  the  alumni  of  Iowa  College  who  have  learned  to 
know  this  man  and,  knowing,  to  love  him.  the  news  of  his  resignation  will  in- 
voluntarily call  up  certain  thoughts  and  lessons  which  associate  themselves  nat- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  181 

iirally  with  the  story  of  his  life  and  which  it  seems  well  to  mention  briefly  at  this 
time.  H  there  is  any  one  thing  more  than  another  which  Dr.  ljuck"s  life  and 
efforts  illustrate  it  is  perhaps  the  great  amount  of  work  which  a  man  can  ac- 
complish simply  by  living  his  life  conscientiously  from  day  to  day  and  by  work- 
ing patiently,  tirelessly,  calmly — without  unseemly  haste  or  worry.  That  Dr.  Buck's 
days  have  been  filled  with  hard,  serious  toil,  none  who  have  known  of  the  various 
interests  of  his  life  will  deny.  One  of  his  own  household  recalls  many  a  day  in 
earlier  years  when,  wearied  by  the  trials  of  a  week's  hard  work,  he  would  shut 
himself  up  alone  on  Saturday  in  order  not  to  be  disturbed  while  preparing  a  dis- 
course for  his  Chester  or  Oilman  or  Toledo  congregation  the  following  day.  On 
Sunday  morning  he  would  be  up  and  off  early  for  the  long  drive  to  his  pulpit 
where  he  would  conduct  one,  two  and  often  three  services  and  then  drive  home 
and  cheerfully  begin  the  week's  round  over  again  early  Alonday  morning.  Yet 
his  life  has  been  characterized  by  tranquillity  and  patient  reserve — a  mark  of 
culture  which  the  much-boasted  strenuousness  of  our  present  working-day  world 
cares  little  for  and  which  shames  the  hasty  ways  of  little  men. 

"But  the  characteristic  which  we  think  most  prominently  associates  itself  with 
Dr.  Buck  in  the  minds  of  those  who  have  been  his  students  is  his  unfailing  kind- 
ness and  gentleness.  He  has  always  tried  to  be  just  and  while  holding  up  high 
ideals  to  others  he  has  never  been  one  to  demand  of  others  what  he  did  not  re- 
quire of  himself.  Like  Chaucer's  good  priest,  'Christ's  lore  and  His  apostles 
twelve  he  taught,  but  first  he  followed  it  himselve.'  Another  conspicuous  fea- 
ture in  the  life  of  this  man  has  been  the  respect  and  high  regard  which  he  has 
always  maintained  for  his  calling.  Whether  preaching  or  teaching  he  has  felt 
that  he  was  doing  God's  good  work  and  he  has  done  it  with  a  befitting  dignity. 
Yet  this  dignity  and  self-respect  could  never  be  mistaken  for  bigotry  or  intoler- 
ance towards  the  views  or  acts  of  others.  Being  by  nature  conservative,  he  has 
held  conservative  views  and  was  never  accused  of  unorthodoxy,  but  he  has  been 
broad-minded  enough  to  have  respect  for  the  opinions  of  others.  In  fact  one  may 
say  he  has  been  as  a  rule  very  reserved  in  expressing  his  own  views  except  when 
he  thought  the  time  imperatively  demanded  it.  On  one  such  occasion  at  least  he 
took  a  firm  and  decided  stand  when  others  questioned  and  hesitated,  only  to  see 
his  position  justified  by  time.  He  possesses  a  real  and  keen  sense  of  humor  which 
has  always  found  ready  expression  and  this  humor  has  been  as  unfailing  as  his 
kindness  and  his  bright,  cheerful  manner  has  been  a  tonic  and  a  lesson  for  those 
who  have  come  in  contact  with  him.  Generosity  has  ever  been  another  of  his 
traits — a  generosity  which  has  led  him  to  give  to  college,  church,  town  and  public 
interests  far  in  excess  of  his  means  or  his  share,  particularly  in  the  early  days  of 
town  and  college.  In  regard  to  him  a  prominent  graduate  of  the  college  ex- 
presses the  common  sentiment  when  he  writes,  'He  is  one  of  the  Pioneers  of  the 
college,  a  true  friend  to  all  students,  and  a  kind  Providence  has  found  him  so 
useful  in  the  institution  that  two  score  years  of  labor  have  been  measured  out  to 
him.  It  is  a  rare  record ;  one  vouchsafed  to  but  few  persons.  He  ought  to  be 
proud  of  it  and  every  son  and  daughter  of  Grinnell  College  is  proud  of  Dr.  Buck.' 
He  has  been  in  a  very  true  sense  a  connecting  link  between  the  old  and  the  new 
in  our  college  life,  for  he  has  shared  the  privileges  and  helped  bear  the  burdens 
of  both.    Young  in  spirit  and  in  faith,  he  is  old  in  service  and  rich  in  experience. 


182  HISTORY  OF  I'OWI'.Sl  II  [•:k  COUNTY 

Though  by  no  means  tlie  last  by  whom  the  new  has  been  tried  he  has  never  been 
the  first  to  throw  the  old  aside.  Thus  he  has  been  a  constant  reminder  of  old 
ideals  at  the  same  time  that  he  has  been  a  conservative  adopter  of  new  ideas.  If, 
as  President  Eliot  has  said,  'It  is  the  greatest  of  human  rewards  to  be  enfolded 
as  years  advance  in  an  atmosphere  of  honor,  gratitude  and  love,"  Dr.  Buck  has 
come  as  near  realizing  this  supreme  happiness  as  perhaps  any  one  could.  He  has 
been  blessed  for  over  half  a  century  with  a  wife  in  sympathy  with  all  his  aspira- 
tions, who  'wears  the  pure  flower  of  a  blameless  life'  and  who  has  borne  her  full 
share  of  her  husband's  burdens  as  she  has  been  joint  participant  in  his  joys.  He  has 
seen  the  college,  whose  success  has  been  his  ambition  and  care,  grow  from  a 
weakling  to  its  present  state  and  has  been  allotted  a  prominent  part  in  bringing 
about  this  development.  He  has  won  the  respect  and  afl:"ection  of  all  those  who 
have  had  the  interests  of  the  college  in  their  hearts  and  he  has  been  in  the  truest 
sense  "the  student's  friend.'  " 

On  November  17,  1909,  the  golden  wedding  of  Dr.  Buck  and  his  wife  was 
celebrated.  At  this  time  all  their  chihlrcn  now  living  were  present.  Edith  C. 
Buck,  professor  in  the  Iowa  Teachers  College  at  Cedar  Falls ;  Dr.  Samuel 
C.  Buck,  a  physician  of  Grinnell,  and  family;  and  Irving  J.  Buck,  a  business  man 
of  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  and  family.  Many  friends  called  during  the  afternoon  and 
evening  to  offer  their  congratulations.  During  the  evening  two  songs  written 
especially  for  the  occasion  were  sung,  one  being  composed  by  a  college  classmate, 
the  other  by  two  former  pupils.  Letters  to  the  number  of  one  hundred  and  fifty 
were  received  from  acquaintances  of  note,  from  college  classmates,  from  teachers 
in  other  institutions,  from  former  pupils  and  from  relatives,  extending  hearty  con- 
gratulations and  paying  high  tribute  to  tlie  work  accomplished  in  the  world  by  Dr. 
Buck  and  his  wife,  and  to  their  noble  and  useful  lives.  On  diis  occasion,  the 
house  was  filled  with  flowers,  the  gifts  of  friends  and  neighbors. 

When  names  were  selected  for  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  chapter  of  Oberlin  College, 
members  of  classes  of  years  ago  were  chosen  by  vote  of  the  surviving  classmates 
and  Dr.  Buck  was  one  of  four  of  his  class  of  1858  to  receive  this  mark  of  high 
attainment. 


WILLIAM  McDowell. 

William  McDowell,  whose  farm  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-six  acres  in 
Washington  township  is  proof  of  his  business  sagacity  and  who  is  at  the  head 
of  one  of  the  protuising  families  in  the  township,  is  a  native  of  Ireland.  He 
was  born  in  County  Antrim,  February  25,  1859,  a  son  of  David  and  Eliza  (Jam- 
eson) McDowell,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  County  Antrim.  The  father 
was  a  laborer  and  resided  during  his  entire  life  on  the  Emerald  isle.  The 
mother  came  to  .\merica  in  i8<j4  and  took  u])  her  home  at  Oak  Grove,  Iowa. 
She  nassed  away  October  10,  1907,  having  then  reached  the  age  of  seventy-si.x 
vears  and  six  months.  Both  .she  and  her  husband  were  sincere  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church.      In   their   family   were   four  children:  Robert,  who  is  now 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  183 

living  in  New  Zealand  :  William,  oi  this  review  ;  David,  deceased  ;  and  Agnes, 
the  wile  of  Dan  McMuUin,  uf  l'liiladeli)hia. 

William  McDowell  received  his  early  education  in  the  natitJiial  sciiools  of 
Ireland.  Even  as  a  boy  he  was  taught  the  value  and  importance  of  labor  and 
hired  out  by  the  month  until  he  had  reached  maturity,  coming  to  .America  when 
he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age.  lie  located  in  Washington  to\vnshi]j.  I'ow- 
eshiek  county,  and  in  UJ04  purchased  the  farm  upon  which  he  has  since  lived. 
It  consists  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-si.x  acres  and  the  general  air  of  neat- 
ness and  order  that  prevails  about  the  place  indicates  a  goodly  measure  of 
prosperity.  He  uses  practical  and  jirogressive  methods,  which  have  gained  for 
him  the  success  he  has  richly  merited. 

On  the  23th  of  December,  1889,  Mr.  McDowell  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 
D.  Heacock,  who  was  born  in  Washington  township  November  4,  1871,  a 
daughter  of  .\lfred  W.  and  Sarah  E.  ( De  Bord)  Heacock,  whose  sketch  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Ten  children  have  blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McDowell,  nine  of  whom  are  now  living  at  home:  Fred  R.,  who  was  born 
November  12,  1890:  David  John,  decea.sed  ;  William  M.,  born  March  21.  1893: 
Charles  E.,  born  March  29,  1895:  Bertha  E.,  born  May  2,  1897;  Leslie  A.,  born 
February  28,  1899:  Arthur  O.,  born  June  22,  1902:  Earle  E.,  born  April  16, 
1904:  Carl  R.,  born  June  i,  1907:  and  Paul  R.,  born  July  7,  1909. 

Mr.  McDowell  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  whose  teachings  of 
brotherhood  he  has  ever  made  the  guiding  principles  of  his  life.  In  politics  he 
adheres  to  the  republican  ])arty.  He  has  served  as  township  trustee  for  one 
term  and  as  member  of  the  school  board  for  two  terms,  dis])hving  the  same 
interest  in  his  duties  as  a  public  officer  that  he  evinces  in  private  affairs.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  McDowell  are  rearing  their  children  to  lives  of  usefulness  and  un- 
selfishness, and  the  family  has  many  well  wishers  in  a  community  where  its 
members  are  highly  popular  and  most  favorably  known. 


GEORGE  W.  WILTSE. 

The  public  record  of  George  W.  Wiltse  is  most  creditable.  Since  1903;  he 
has  filled  the  position  of  postmaster  at  Montezuma  and  his  administration  of  the 
duties  of  office  has  been  characterized  by  singleness  of  purpose,  by  promptness 
and  loyalty  whereby  he  has  won  the  high  commendation  of  all  concerned.  He 
has  ever  been  classed  as  a  progressive  citizen,  manifesting  the  same  faithfulness 
to  his  country  in  times  of  peace  that  he  did  when  he  defended  her  interests  upon 
the  southern  battlefields  in  times  of  war.  He  was  born  in  Qayton  county,  Iowa, 
February  17,  1845,  his  parents  being  Leonard  and  Jane  (Smith)  Wiltse.  the 
former  a  native  of  Ontario,  Canada,  and  the  latter  of  Pennsylvania.  In  1838 
the  father  arrived  in  Delaware  county,  Iowa,  and  three  years  later  Jane  Smith 
took  up  her  abode  there,  having  accompanied  her  parents  on  their  westward 
removal.  They  were  married  in  Delaware  county  and  spent  many  years  in 
Clayton  coimty,  but  after  retiring  from  active  business  life  the  father  became 
a  resident  of  Rawlins  county,  Kansas,  where  his  death  occurred.     His  widow 


184  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

still  resides  there  and  was  eighty-six  years  of  age  on  the  nth  of  January,  191 1. 
Leonard  Wiltse  had  devoted  his  entire  life  to  agricultural  pursuits  save  when 
engaged  in  military  duty.  He  served  as  a  soldier  in  the  Alexican  war  and  also 
aided  in  subduing  the  Indians  in  Iowa  and  Minnesota  when  the  white  race 
were  first  making  a  settlement  in  these  states. 

George  W.  Wiltse  is  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  eight  children,  four  sons  and 
four  daughters,  of  whom  one  son  and  one  daughter  are  now  deceased.  He 
resided  at  the  place  of  his  birth  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Clayton  county  until 
he  enlisted  for  active  service  in  the  Civil  war,  in  August,  1862,  when  a  youth 
of  but  seventeen  years.  He  joined  Company  D,  Twenty-first  Iowa  \'olunteer 
Infantry,  and  continued  with  his  command  for  three  years,  or  until  mustered 
out  at  the  close  of  the  war.  The  regiment  left  Dubuque  for  Montrose,  Iowa, 
thence  went  to  St.  Louis  and  after  being  in  camp  until  January,  1863.  a  detach- 
ment of  the  Twenty-first  was  sent  to  Springfield,  Missouri,  which  was  threat- 
ened by  the  rebel  forces  under  General  Marmaduke.  In  February  the  regiment 
went  to  Cape  Girardeau  and  subsequently  moved  on  to  Milliken's  Bend,  Louisiana, 
and  afterward  to  Richmond  with  a  view  to  engaging  in  the  X'icksburg  cam- 
paign. Mr.  Wiltse  on  account  of  illness  was  left  at  Young's  Point  but  on  con- 
valescing rejoined  his  regiment  at  Richmond.  In  quick  succession  the  bloody 
battles  of  Champion's  Hill  and  Black  River  Bridge  were  fought  after  which  the 
command  assisted  in  building  fortifications  and  in  making  the  assault  on  Vicks- 
burg.  Mr.  Wiltse  was  wounded  in  the  charge  and  was  sent  to  a  hospital 
but  rejoined  his  command  after  ten  days.  On  August  13,  the  Twenty-first  Iowa 
left  Vicksburg  and  was  on  camp  and  picket  duty  at  Bayou  Boeuflf  until  the 
order  to  take  part  in  the  Teche  expedition.  After  a  brief  period  spent  at  New 
Orleans  the  command  came  to  proceed  to  the  coast  of  Texas  and  the  regiment 
landed  at  Matagorda  Island.  In  January,  1864,  they  proceeded  to  Indianola, 
Texas,  and  on  the  17th  of  May  received  orders  to  join  General  Banks  in  his 
Red  River  expedition,  leaving  New  Orleans  on  the  14th  of  May.  They  went 
into  camp  at  Thibodeaux  and  remained  there  on  provost  duty  until  July  9 
when  they  returned  to  Algiers.  The  next  move  took  them  to  Morganza  Bend 
and  later  to  Natchez,  opposite  \'icksburg.  Subsequently  a  camp  was  built  at 
the  mouth  of  the  White  River  in  Arkansas  and  expeditions  were  made  up  the 
river  as  far  as  Duvall's  Bluflf  where  the  regiment  engaged  in  picket  duty  for 
some  time.  Early  in  December  they  started  to  assist  in  the  operations  against 
Hood  who  was  besieging  Nashville,  and  on  the  ist  of  January,  1865,  returned 
to  Memphis  and  embarked  for  New  Orleans.  Later  orders  caused  them  to 
join  in  the  Mobile  campaign  under  General  Canby  and  on  the  12th  of  April  the 
city  of  Mobile  surrendered.  There  the  troops  learned  of  Lee's  surrender  and 
the  collapse  of  the  Confederacy,  and  in  June  the  Twenty-first  Iowa  was  mustered 
out,  returning  up  the  Mississippi  and  disbanding  at  Clinton,  Iowa. 

When  the  war  was  over  Mr.  Wiltse  again  became  a  resident  of  Clayton  county 
where  he  followed  farming  until  1877,  when  he  tfiok  up  his  abode  upon  a  tract 
of  land  a  mile  south  of  Alontezuma.  Here  he  carried  on  general  agricultural 
pursuits  until  1883  when  he  entered  the  dray  and  coal  business  in  Montezuma, 
being  thus  prominently  connected  with  the  mercantile  interests  of  the  city  for 
twenty  years,  or  until  his  api)ointment  to  the  position  of  postmaster,  in    1903. 


I 


HISTORY  Ol"  I'OWESHIEK  COUNTY  185 

This  position  he  has  since  filled  and  during  his  eight  years'  service  has  made 
a  most  creditable  record  in  office. 

In  July,  1870,  in  Colesburg,  Iowa,  Mr.  Wiltse  was  married  to  Miss  Emily  J. 
Twonibly  who  died  in  Montezuma.  They  had  five  children :  D.  O.,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  four  years ;  Frank,  a  resident  of  Emmetsburg,  Iowa ;  Lottie,  the 
wife  of  Fred  Wiegant,  of  Clayton  county;  Maude,  the  deceased  wife  of  Richard 
Pierce;  and  William,  of  Waterloo,  Iowa.  On  the  12th  of  May,  1889,  Mr.  Wiltse 
was  again  marrieil,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Tillie  F.  Myers,  of  Monte- 
zuma, and  they  have  one  child,  Lois. 

Mr.  Wiltse  has  been  a  lifelong  republican,  unfaltering  in  his  advocacy  of  the 
party  and  its  principles.  He  served  as  deputy  sheriiT  of  Poweshiek  county  for 
four  years  and  in  that  position,  as  in  the  office  of  postmaster,  made  a  creditable 
record.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic, 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
In  every  relation  of  life  he  has  been  as  true  and  loyal  to  his  country  as  when 
he  followed  the  old  flag  upon  the  southern  battlefields  and  won  his  right  to  be 
classed  with   the   honored   veterans   of   the  Civil   war. 


ARTHUR  C.  NORRIS. 


Arthur  C.  Norris,  a  well  known  and  highly  esteemed  resident  of  Grinnell. 
is  ably  discharging  the  duties  devolving  upon  him  in  the  capacity  of  postmaster. 
His  birth  occurred  in  Pittsfield,  New  Hampshire,  on  the  27th  of  May,  1868,  his 
parents  being  Moses  L.  and  Anna  (Joy)  Norris,  who  were  born,  reared  and 
married  in  Pittsfield.  In  1870  they  came  west  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  re- 
siding on  a  farm  a  mile  east  of  Grinnell  for  one  year.  On  the  expiration  of 
that  period  Mr.  Norris  purchased  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  in  Rock  Creek 
township,  six  miles  southwest  of  Grinnell,  paying  ten  dollars  an  acre  for  the 
property.  He  made  his  home  thereon  until  1887  and  then  took  up  his  abode 
in  Grinnell,  where  he  engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  being  thus  identified 
with  mercantile  interests  for  ten  years.  Since  1898  he  has  lived  in  honorable 
retirement,  enjoying  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil  in  well  earned  ease.  In  1903 
he  removed  to  Greeley,  Colorado,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  owns 
a  farm  there  but  is  not  actively  engaged  in  its  operation.  His  political  alle- 
giance is  given  to  the  democracy,  while  in  religious  faith  both  he  and  his  wife 
are  Baptists.  While  a  resident  of  Rock  Creek  township  Mr.  Norris  was  a 
leader  in  the  local  ranks  of  his  party,  holding  the  various  township  offices. 

Arthur  C.  Norris,  who  was  but  two  years  of  age  when  brought  to  Poweshiek 
county  by  his  parents,  has  made  his  home  within  its  borders  continuously  since. 
He  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  obtained  his  early  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  while  subsequently  he  attended  Iowa  College.  In  early  manhood 
he  entered  his  father's  hardware  store  as  an  assistant  and  there  learned  the 
tinner's  trade,  remaining  in  the  store  until  his  father's  disposal  of  the  same  in 
1898.  For  several  years  prior  to  that  time  he  had  been  associated  with  the 
Iowa  National  Guards  as  captain  of  the  Grinnell  company,  which  was  known 


186  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

as  Company  K,  Second  Iowa  Infantry.  The  company  volunteered  for  service 
at  the  outbreak  of  the  Spanish-American  war,  enlisting  on  the  26th  of  April 
and  being  mustered  in  as  Company  K  and  assigned  to  the  Fiftieth  Regiment  on 
the  17th  of  May  following.  Mr.  Xorris  was  sent  to  T:,cksonville,  Florida,  in 
command  of  his  company  and  on  the  30th  of  November  was  discharged  from 
the  service.  On  returning  home  he  accepted  a  position  as  bookkeeper  in  the 
lurdware  store  of  G.  L,  Miles,  being  thus  employed  for  three  years.  In  the 
spring  of  1902,  being  advised  by  his  physician  to  recuperate  his  strength  by 
spending  more  time  out-of-doors,  he  took  a  position  as  rural  mail  carrier,  hold- 
ing the  same  for  nine  months.  He  then  spent  a  few  months  in  the  hardware 
store  and  on  the  ist  of  July,  1903,  entered  the  Grinnell  postoffice  as  substitute 
clerk,  while  on  the  15th  of  November  following  he  was  appointed  a  regular  clerk. 
In  the  latter  capacity  he  served  until  a  special  election  was  called  that  the  people 
might  choose  a  successor  to  W.  G.  Ray,  the  retiring  postmaster.  Mr.  Norris 
was  elected  by  a  majority  of  three  hundred  and  si.xty-one  votes  over  si.x  other 
candidates  for  the  office.  He  has  proven  a  capable,  genial  and  popular  official 
and  enjoys  the  friendship  and  confidence  of  the  public  at  large. 

\lr.  Norris  has  been  married  twice.  In  1890  he  wedded  Miss  Nellie  E. 
Rafifety,  of  Grinnell,  Iowa,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Renna  and  Wendell. 
The  wife  and  mother  died  of  typhoid  fever  at  St.  Louis,  in  1898,  while  return- 
ing from  a  visit  to  her  husband,  who  had  been  stricken  with  the  fever  and  was 
lying  in  the  hospital  at  Jacksonville.  While  there  she  contracted  the  disease 
and  was  advised  by  her  physician  to  go  north  at  once.  She  began  the  journey  but 
was  taken  off  the  train  at  St.  Louis,  where  her  demise  occurred.  On  the  4th 
of  June,  1901,  Mr.  Norris  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss 
Jennie  V.  Rafifety,  a  sister  of  his  first  wife. 

Mr.  Norris  is  a  stanch  republican  in  politics,  while  his  religious  faith  is 
mdicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Baptist  church,  to  which  his  wife  also  be- 
longs. Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.; 
Hardy  Camp,  No.  291,  Modern  Woodmen;  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows.  He  is  a  sterling,  upright  and  conscientious  citizen,  true  to  a  lofty  ideal 
of  manhood  in  all  the  relations  of  life  and  eminently  worthy  of  the  high  esteem 
in  which  he  is  held. 


BEDY  BRYAN. 


Bedy  Bryan  is  now  living  retired  in  Montezuma,  enjoying  a  rest  which  he 
has  truly  earned  and  richly  deserves.  He  was  very  successful  in  his  business 
operations,  conducting  fanning  along  extensive  lines.  At  one  time  he  owned  si.x 
hundred  acres  and  is  still  the  possessor  of  a  valuable  property  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy-three  acres,  which  returns  to  him  a  gratifying  annual  income.  His 
birth  occurred  in  Greene  county.  Ohio,  near  Jamestown,  February  28,  1834, 
his  parents  being  Alanson  and  Easter  ( Mendenhall)  Bryan.  The  Bryan  family 
came  from  Ireland.  Bryan  as  a  surname  originated  in  Ireland  in  most  instances 
with   descendants  of   Brian    Boru,   king  of   Ireland,    from    1002  to    1014.     The 


.MU.    AM)    MItS.    m:i>V    KKYAN 


j  TH2  NEW  YORK 

'■'^'^IC  LIBRARY 


A8T0R,  LENOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS,         ' 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  189 

first  form  of  the  name  was  OTJrien,  from  which  I'.ryan  and  many  other  varia- 
tions are  derived.  I'Vom  King  Brian  descended  a  hne  of  chiefs  and  princes 
who.  with  their  adherents,  defendetl  tlieir  national  independence  for  centuries 
in  Thomond,  called  OT^)rien's  country,  with  tierce  contests  against  the  Anglo, 
Norman  and    British  settlers. 

Sir  I'Vancis  Bryan  was  a  prominent  man  in  Ireland  ahout  the  middle  of  the 
sixteenth  century  and  ])rohably  became  president  of  \Iunster.  It  is  thought  that 
he  was  the  ancestor  of  the  following  liryan  line.  William  Smith  Bryan  was  a 
landholder  in  Ireland  at  the  time  of  the  English  invasion  under  Cromwell  ami 
for  championing  the  cause  of  the  Irish  was  transported  as  a  rebellious  subject 
in  1650  to  the  American  colonies.  He  settled  in  Gloucester  county.  Virginia. 
He  had  eleven  sons,  of  whom  Morgan  Bryan  of  Norfolk  county,  was  probably 
one.  It  is  believed  that  William  Bryan,  born  in  1685.  was  another  son.  He  and 
his  wife.  Margaret,  lived  at  Ballyroney,  County  Down  Ireland,  and  one  day 
sent  their  little  son  John  to  the  woods  to  cut  a  stick  to  make  a  handle  for  a 
hook  used  in  weaving.  The  boy  was  arrested  for  poaching.  After  much  trouble 
and  expense  the  father  secured  his  release  and  immediately  sailed  for  zAmerica, 
where,  as  he  said,  timber  was  free  and  there  were  no  constables.  This  was  in 
1 7 18  and  he  settled  first  in  New  Jersey  or  Pennsylvania.  Their  son  John  wedded 
Mary  Morrison  and  to  them  was  born  a  son,  Andrew  Morrison  Bryan,  April 
25,  1748.  He  wedded  Mary  Akers  and  their  son  Morrison  married  Rhoda 
Johnson  and  removed  from  X'irginbfjjto.'Hig^hland  cOunty,  Ohio,  in  1807. 

It  was  in  that  county  that  Ala^sfcrric'Jjiyali.^'fatlier  of  our  subject,  was  Ixirn 
in  a  log  schoolhouse,  February  4,  1808,  and  two  years  later  the  family  removed 
to  Greene  county,  Ohio,  wherej  at  t-be-^fe  df  twenty,  Alanson  Bryan  married 
Easter  Mendenhall.  He  owned' a  sT>ffli' interest  in  fifty  acres  of  land  in  (Ireene 
county,  Ohio,  afterward  purchased  the  interests  of  the  other  heirs  and  added 
to  his  holdings  until  he  had  two  hundred  acres.  In  1849  he  sold  his  property 
for  fifteen  dollars  per  acre  and  came  to  Iowa,  where  he  purchased  two  hun- 
dred acres  at  seven  and  a  half  dollars  per  acre  in  Mahaska  county.  He  then 
came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  intended  to  enter  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
adjoining  Montezuma  on  the  northeast,  but  made  a  misentry  and  secured  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  timber  land  three  miles  southwest.  Some  one  dis- 
covering his  misentry  told  him  of  it  and  B.  O.  Payne,  who  had  a  claim  on  it. 
unknown  to  Mr.  Bryan,  called  a  number  of  the  members  of  the  claim  club 
together  and  started  for  Oskaloosa  to  make  Air.  Bryan  give  up  the  timber  land 
or  tar  and  feather  him.  John  Deardolif.  living  on  Moon  creek  in  Mahaska 
county,  was  president  of  the  club.  He  advised  the  party  to  wait,  saying  that 
he  would  go  down  and  get  Mr.  Bryan.  When  he  returned  a  trial  was  held  and 
it  was  proven  that  Payne  had  more  land  than  he  could  hold  by  the  claim  laws, 
which  allowed  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  prairie  and  eighty  acres  of 
timber  land  to  an  individual.  With  that  the  case  was  dropped.  A  few  years 
later  the  land  was  all  taken  up  and  the  "claim  law*  accordingly  passed  out  of 
use.  Within  the  next  two  years  Alanson  Bryan  entered  land  until  at  one  time 
he  owned  over  eleven  hundred  acres  in  Poweshiek  county.  Three  of  his  chil- 
dren died  before  coming  to  Iowa  and  to  the  surviving  eight  lie  gave  each  one 
hundred    and    twenty    acres.      His    children    began,    therefore,    to    settle    in   this 


190  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

county  in  1850  but  the  father  did  not  live  in  Poweshiek  county  until  about  1875. 
His  sons  and  daughters  numbered  eleven :  Morrison  G.,  John  M.,  Rachel, 
Dennis,  Bedy,  William  A.,  Rhoda,  Neri  E..  Talitha,  Andrew  A.  and  James  J. 
Seven  of  these  are  now  living.  Of  the  children  J.  M.  Bryan,  Mrs.  Rachel 
Bryan  Bone  and  Neri  Bryan,  a  brother  of  Alanson,  came  to  Poweshiek  county 
in  January,  1850,  and  lived  in  the  Gideon  ^Villson  double  log  house  at  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  square  in  Montezuma  until  they  could  erect  a  log  house  on 
the  one  hundred  and  sixty  acre  tract  previously  mentioned.  There  they  es- 
tablished the  first  brickyard  in  the  county.  In  1851  or  1852  J.  M.  Bryan  mar- 
ried Tacy  Jane  Smith  and  removed  to  the  farm  northeast  of  Montezuma,  where 
he  still  makes  his  home.  His  wife  died  in  1898.  W.  A.  Bryan  came  to  this 
county  in  1856,  ran  a  breaking  team  with  oxen  and  later  opened  the  Mincer 
coal  mine  in  Mahaska  county,  this  being  the  first  coal  mine  on  Buck  creek. 
In  the  following  winter  he  married  Catharine  Pearson,  and  in  the  spring  of  1857 
they  took  up  their  abode  in  Union  township,  Poweshiek  county.  Two  sons, 
Neri  E.  and  Andrew  A.,  were  soldiers  of  the  Union  army  from  1862  until  the 
close  of  the  war.  Neri  afterward  wedded  Mary  E.  Jobe  and  occupied  a  farm 
north  of  Montezuma,  while  Andrew  married  Harriet  Harner  and  settled  on 
his  farm  a  mile  and  a  half  north  of  Montezuma.  Several  years  ago,  however, 
he  took  up  his  abode  in  the  city  and  eighteen  years  ago  Neri  Bryan  removed  to 
California.  Two  others  of  the  family,  Dennis  Bryan  and  Mrs.  Talitha  Harner, 
are  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  The  mother  of  this  family,  Mrs.  Easter 
Bryan,  died  in  1874  in  Hamilton  county,  Iowa,  and  the  father,  Alanson  Bryan, 
afterward  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  continued  to  live  with  his  chil- 
dren until  his  death  in  August,  1897,  when  in  the  ninetieth  year  of  his  age. 

Bedy  Bryan,  the  fifth  of  the  family,  came  to  Iowa  with  his  parents  in  1849 
and  bore  the  usual  hardships  and  privations  of  pioneer  life  in  the  early  days. 
He  resided  with  his  parents  tintil  his  marriage,  April  19,  1855,  when  with  a 
loaded  ox  wagon  he  drove  to  Montezuma  and  settled  a  mile  and  a  half  north- 
east of  the  town  on  an  eighty  acre  tract  of  prairie  land  on  section  6,  Jackson 
township.  He  also  had  forty  acres  of  timber  land,  this  property  being  given 
him  by  his  father,  who  had  entered  it  in  1849.  Mr.  Bryan  resided  on  his  eighty 
acre  tract  for  fifty  years  lacking  two  months.  He  then  sold  out  and  since  1905 
has  made  his  home  in  Montezuma.  He  was  also  at  one  time  owner  of  eighty 
acres  in  Scott  township,  which  he  sold  in  1906.  Throughout  his  life  he  fol- 
lowed farming  and  was  very  successful  in  his  work,  becoming  the  owner  of 
over  six  hundred  acres.  He  made  a  specialty  of  stock-raising  and  his  business 
interests  brought  to  him  substantial  success.  Although  he  has  since  disposed 
of  much  of  his  land,  he  is  still  the  owner  of  a  valuable  tract  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy-three  acres,  which  returns  to  him  a  gratifying  annual  income. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  1855,  Mr.  Bryan  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  A. 
Victor,  who  was  born  in  Delaware.  October  13,  1834.  After  living  for  a  time 
in  Ohio  and  later  in  Indiana  she  accompanied  her  parents  to  Iowa  in  1848,  the 
family  being  established  near  Oskaloosa,  in  the  same  neighborhood  as  the  Bryan 
home.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Burton  and  Sarah  A.  (Todd)  Victor,  who  were 
natives  of  Delaware.  Her  mother  died  in  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  and  her 
father  passed  away  in  Arkansas.     Mr.  and  Mrs.   Bryan  became  the  parents  of 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COLWTY  191 

five  children.  Sarah  E.,  the  eldest,  is  the  wife  of  J.  M.  Chamberlain,  of  Wash- 
ington township,  and  has  five  children :  Sylvia  A.,  Charles  L.,  William,  who 
married  Laura  Cline  and  has  a  son,  Virgil ;  and  Clarence  and  Lawrence,  twins. 
Mary  E.  died  at  the  age  of  twenty  years.  Elliott  ^L,  a  resident  of  Montezuma, 
wedded  Mary  A.  Cochran  and  they  have  one  child,  Lowell  V.  John  B.,  who 
for  the  past  thirty  years  has  been  agent  for  the  Grinnell  &  Montezuma  Railroad 
at  Montezuma,  married  Nellie  Porter  and  has  two  sons :  Chester  S.,  who 
wedded  \^ida  Brown  and  has  one  child.  Hazel  Fay,  and  Harold.  William  A., 
the  youngest  of  the  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bedy  Bryan,  married  Xellie  Henry 
and  they  have  five  children :  Edna  L.,  Howard,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four 
years ;  Ellis,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years ;  Verna,  and  Raymond  V. 

Xo  history  of  this  county  would  be  complete  without  extended  mention  of 
the  Bryan  family,  one  of  the  oldest  within  its  borders.  The  representatives  of 
the  name  have  ever  been  loyal  in  citizenship  and  reliable  in  business  and  have 
made  excellent  records  in  every  relation  of  life.  Bedy  Bryan  tells  most  in- 
teresting stories  and  incidents  of  the  early  days  when  the  family  were  under- 
going all  the  hardships  of  a  new  country.  They  lived  here  during  the  era  of  wild- 
cat money  from  1854  until  i860,  which  made  it  doubly  hard,  as  one  had  to 
consult  Thompson's  Bank-Xote  Detector  every  time  they  received  a  paper 
dollar,  as  the  value  changed  nearly  every  day.  One  day  it  would  be  quoted  at 
its  face  and  the  next  day  ten  or  twenty  cents  on  the  dollar ;  sometimes  it  was. 
fifty  cents  and  again  it  was  worthless.  It  was  not  safe  to  keep  money  on  hand 
twenty-four  hours,  but  the  money  system  of  the  country,  like  all  other  things, 
has  changed  and  the  people  of  Poweshiek  county  are  now  living  in  a  splendidly 
developed  region,  the  naturally  rich  and  fertile  land  responding  readily  to  the 
care  and  cultivation  bestowed  upon  it,  while  business  interests  of  many  kinds 
have  here  sprung  up,  affording  excellent  opportunity  to  the  man  who  is  will- 
ing to  put  forth  earnest,  honest  labor  for  the  attainment  of  success. 


F.  S.  BERNARD. 


F.  S.  Bernard  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  business  man,  in  point 
of  years  of  residence,  in  Malcom,  and  his  record  has  therefore  been  closely 
identified  with  the  growth  and  development  of  the  town  from  the  earliest  chap- 
ters of   its  history. 

A  native  of  Ohio,  he  was  born  in  Highland  county,  May  26,  1849,  ^  son  of 
Richard  and  Eunice  ( Wick)  Bernard,  who  were  born  in  \'irginia  and  Kentucky 
respectively.  They  were  reared  and  married  in  Ohio,  however,  and  came  to 
Poweshiek  county,  settling  in  Montezuma  in  the  fall  of  i860.  In  1895  they 
arrived  in  Malcom,  where  their  remaining  days  were  spent,  the  father  passing 
away  in  iQOi,  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  and  the  mother  in  1899,  when 
eighty-two  years  of  age.  The  former  had  devoted  his  entire  lifetime  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits.  Their  family  consisted  of  the  following  children :  Mary  Ann, 
who  married  Ivins  Johnson  and  is  now  deceased;  Louisa,  who  passed  away  in 
infancy ;  W.  H.,  of  Montezuma,  who  served  in  the  Third  Iowa  and  Twenty-eighth 


192  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Iowa  Infantry  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  war:  Christopher  C,  who  enlisted  from 
Poweshiek  county  as  a  meml^er  of  Company  C,  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  w-as  killed  at  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek ;  Eliza,  the  widow  of 
Andrew  Gilliland.  of  Hartford,  Michigan;  F.  S.,  of  this  review;  H.  R.,  of  Port- 
land, Oregon;  Joseph  Edgar,  residing  in  Pasadena,  California;  Ella,  who  mar- 
ried D.  H.  Jonty,  of  Hartford;  and  Flora,  the  wife  of  Charles  Swaney,  oi 
Montezmna. 

F.  S.  Bernard  was  a  lad  of  eleven  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Pow- 
eshiek county  with  his  parents  in  i860,  and  through  the  intervening  years 
since  that  period  has  continued  to  make  his  home  within  its  limits.  On  the 
home  farm,  about  three  and  a  half  miles  southeast  of  Montezuma,  he  was 
reareLl  to  rural  life,  and  remained  with  his  parents  until,  believing  that  he  might 
find  other  pursuits  more  congenial  and  profitable  than  farming,  he  went  to 
Ottimiwa,  Iowa,  where  he  worked  at  the  blacksmith  trade  for  about  three  years, 
during  which  period  he  thoroughly  mastered  all  branches  of  the  business.  In 
March,  1875,  he  came  to  Malcom.  which  has  since  continued  to  remain  the 
scene  of  his  business  activity.  Malcom  at  that  time  was  but  a  town  in  embryo, 
consisting  of  little  more  than  a  group  of  buildings  near  the  depot  and  bearing 
little  resemblance  to  the  flourishing  village  of  today.  He  at  once  sought  work 
and  for  nine  years  was  employed  in  the  blacksmith  shop  of  T.  S.  Cartwright. 
.\t  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  joined  his  brother  in  purchasing  the  busi- 
ness of  Mr.  Cartwright.  and  they  continued  in  its  operation  until  the  election 
of  the  latter,  in  1902,  to  the  office  of  county  recorder.  Mr.  Bernard  then 
entered  into  partnership  relations  with  R.  A.  Wiley,  under  the  firm  style  of 
Bernard  &  Wiley,  engaging  in  general  blacksmithing  and  all  kinds  of  repairing 
and  wood  work.  They  also  conduct  an  agricultural  implement  business,  dealing 
in  buggies,  wagons,  pumps,  windmills,  etc..  and  in  this  direction  they  have 
built  up  an  extensive  trade,  drawing  their  patronage  from  all  parts  of  the 
county.  While  connected  with  his  brother  Mr.  Bernard  erected  the  present 
shops,  consisting  of  a  two-story  frame  building,  one  hundred  and  five  by  twenty- 
five  feet,  with  an  ell  extension  of  fifty  feet.  The  enterprise,  which  has  had  a 
continuous  and  substantial  growth  since  its  inception,  has  developed  into  one 
of  the  important  business  interests  of  the  town  and  its  success  is  due,  in  large 
measure,  to  the  keen  business  ability,  expert  workmanship  and  reliable  methods 
of  the   partners. 

In  the  year  1881  Mr.  Bernard  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Priscilla 
Stoaks,  who  was  born  in  Donahue.  Scott  county,  Iowa,  on  the  i8th  of  August. 
1862,  but  was  reared  and  married  in  Poweshiek  county.  Her  parents,  Peter  and 
Nancy  (Helm)  Stoaks,  are  both  deceased,  the  mother  passing  away  on  the 
4th  of  July.  1891.  and  the  father  on  the  ist  of  March.  igo8,  while  residing  with 
his  daughter.  Mrs.  Bernard.  The  latter  by  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Bernard  be- 
came the  mother  of  five  children,  namely :  Blanche,  the  wife  of  Worth  Porter, 
of  Grinnell  township ;  Fred,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  nine  years ;  Hazel, 
who  married  Harley  Bookneau.  of  Grinnell ;  and  Frank  and  James,  both  at 
home. 

Mr.  Bernard  is  well  known  in  Masonic  circles  as  a  Master  Ma.son,  belonging 
to  Lily  Lodge.  No.  254.  A.  F.  &:  .\.  M..  of  Malcom;  llysoi)  Chapter.  No.  50. 


HISTORY  UF  I'UVVliSlllEK  COUNTY  193 

K.  A.  M.,  also  of  Malcom ;  aiul  ( )ii<;ntal  Conunaiulcry,  No.  22,  K.  T.,  of  New- 
ton. He  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  at  one  time 
served  on  the  city  council.  He  is  justice  of  the  peace  at  present  and  for  eigh- 
teen years  has  served  on  the  board  of  education,  of  which  he  is  now  president, 
i  le  has  ever  been  a  stanch  champion  of  the  cause  of  education,  standing  as  he 
does  for  the  highest  and  best  in  intellectual  training,  and  other  interests  as  well 
have  felt  the  stimulus  of  his  influence,  for  he  is  public-spirited  in  his  citizenship, 
lulvucating  all  those  measures  which  tend  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  com- 
munity. He  has  been  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  Malcom  longer 
than  any  other  resident,  his  connection  therewith  extending  over  a  periotl  of 
thirtv-six  years,  and  in  the  meantime  he  has  witnessed  its  development  from  a 
small  hamlet  to  the  progressive  little  town  of  the  present,  his  own  record 
tvpifying  in  a  certain  degree  the  progress  and  advancement  which  has  been 
continuously  carried  forward  w'ithin  its  limits.  He  is  widely  known  throughout 
the  cdmmunitv  and  the  consensus  of  public  opinion  accords  him  a  prominent 
place  among  Malcom's   representative  and   resjjected  citizens. 


JOHN  S.  DEVEREUX. 

Ever  since  he  arrived  at  an  age  when  he  was  able  to  work  in  the  fields  John 
S.  Devereu.x  has  been  connected  with  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  began 
as  a  farmer  on  his  father's  place  but  now  owns  productive  property  in  Wash- 
ington township,  and  each  year  under  his  management  the  land  yields  excellent 
harvests.  He  is  a  native  of  Harford  county,  Maryland,  is  a  son  of  .\lexander 
and  Elizabeth  (  Hayes )  Devereux,  and  was  born  Jvme  4,  1859.  The  parents 
were  both  born  in  County  Wexford,  Ireland.  The  mother  came  to  the  United 
States  in  1852  and  the  father  in  the  year  following.  They  were  married  in  the 
east  and  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  March  17,  1871,  where  Mr.  De- 
vereu.x purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  which  he  cleared  and 
improved.  He  devoted  his  attention  especially  to  stock  farming  and  attained  a 
goodly  measure  of  success.  He  died  December  20,  1900,  the  mother  being 
called  away  February  11,  1905.  They  were  consistent  members  of  the  Catholic 
church  and  politically  Mr.  Devereux  gave  his  support  to  the  democratic  party. 
He  never  sought  public  office  but  served  for  several  years  as  member  of  the 
school  board  in  his  district.  There  were  nine  children  in  their  family:  James, 
who  is  now  living  in  Adair  county,  Iowa;  John  S.,  the  subject  of  this  review: 
-Mary,  the  wife  of  John  Hanley,  of  .\dair  county;  .Alexander,  of  Washington 
township:  Sarah,  who  is  deceased;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Edward  Comerforcl,  of 
Stewart,  Iowa;  Ida.  who  is  living  with  her  brother  .\lexander;  William,  of 
Floyd  county.  Iowa;  and  .\nnie.  now  Mrs.  Louis  Higdon.  of  Washington 
township. 

John  S.  Devereux  received  his  preliminary  education  in  the  schools  of  Mary- 
land. He  came  to  Iowa  with  his  parents  in  his  boyhood  and  remained  on  his 
father's  farm  until  about  1897,  when  he  took  up  his  residence  on  a  farm  of 
two  bundred  acres,  which  he  had  purchased  in  1890,     This  place  he  sold  in  1900 


194  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

and  then  bought  three  hundred  and  forty-nine  acres,  which  he  has  developed 
into  one  of  the  most  attractive  farms  in  this  part  of  the  county-  He  raises 
various  kinds  of  grain  but  speciaHzes  in  hvestock — a  Hne  of  business  which 
he  understands  thoroughly  and  one  which  yields  good  returns. 

On  the  27th  of  April,  1897,  Mr.  Devereux  was  married  to  Miss  Alice  Com- 
erford,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  March  17,  1864,  a  daughter  of  Pierce  and  Mary 
(Ford)  Comerford.  The  father  was  born  in  County  Tipperary  and  the  mother 
in  County  Mayo,  Ireland.  They  emigrated  to  America  in  1847  and  for  a 
number  of  years  lived  near  Dayton,  Ohio.  In  1869  they  came  west  to  Os- 
kaloosa,  Iowa,  and  m  the  year  following  removed  to  New  Sharon,  where  Mr. 
Comerford  purchased  a  farm,  which  became  the  family  homestead.  He  died 
January  31,  1905,  his  wife  having  been  called  away  April  12,  1899.  They  were 
both  born  and  reared  in  the  Catholic  church  and  in  politics  he  gave  his  support 
to  the  democratic  party.  Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Devereux : 
James  E.,  who  is  deceased ;  and  Leo  P.,  now  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Devereux  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Catholic  church  and  are 
earnest  and  sincere  believers  in  its  teachings.  In  politics  he  is  in  sympathy 
with  the  democratic  party,  its  platform  and  candidates,  but  he  is  not  a  seeker 
for  political  honors,  his  interest  being  mostly  centered  in  his  business.  He  is  a 
friend  of  education  and  has  served  for  two  years  as  member  of  the  school 
board.  Ever  alert  and  enterprising,  he  is  governed  by  a  worthy  ambition  to 
make  the  best  use  of  his  talents  and  the  success  he  has  achieved  indicates  that 
he  was  wise,  indeed,  in  establishing  his  permanent  home  amidst  the  inviting 
scenes  of  Washington  township. 


GRANT  L.  OSTROM. 


On  the  paternal  side  the  family  of  which  Grant  L.  Ostrom,  of  Poweshiek 
county,  is  a  member  has  been  traced  to  Holland,  the  early  progenitors  of  the 
family  in  America  assisting  in  the  founding  of  New  Amsterdam,  which  is 
now  New  York  city.  The  sagacity,  patience  and  perseverance  of  the  Dutch 
settlers  of  New  York  have  been  observed  as  characteristics  of  many  of  their 
descendants  and  it  is,  perhaps,  due  to  influences  handed  down  from  worthy  an- 
cestry that  Mr.  Ostrom  owes  a  large  measure  of  his  success  in  business.  He 
was  born  in  Knox  county,  Illinois,  July  24,  1863,  a  son  of  George  L.  and  Mar- 
garet M.  Ostrom,  a  record  of  whom  is  presented  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Grant  L.  Ostrom  was  brought  by  his  parents  to  Iowa  in  his  infancy  and 
grew  to  manhood  in  the  parental  home.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the 
common  schools  and  after  laying  his  books  aside  worked  on  shares  on  his  fath- 
er's farm.  Later  he  entered  the  implement  and  lumber  business  at  Hartwick, 
but  after  five  years  moved  out  upon  his  present  location  on  section  24,  Jefferson 
township,  where  he  applied  himself  to  farming  for  six  years.  He  then  returned 
to  Hartwick  and  for  seven  years  was  connected  with  the  lumber  business, 
finally  settling  permanently  on  his  farm.  He  owns  a  place  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,   which   is   well   improved   and,  as   it   is   diligently   cultivated,   yields 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  195 

handsome  annual  returns.  The  farm  is  provided  with  modern  improvements 
and  its  appearance  reflects  high  credit  upon  its  owner  and  incHcates  that  he 
takes  great  interest  in  his  vocation. 

On  the  25th  of  December,  1888,  Mr.  Ostrom  was  married  to  Miss  Sadie  C. 
Whitlatch,  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  Whitlatch,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania 
and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  He  died  in  1908.  Mr.  Os- 
trom was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  death  of  his  wife  in  1903.  Three  children 
were  born  of  this  union,  namely :  Ray  L. ;  Earl ;  and  Lisle,  all  of  whom  are  liv- 
ing. For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Ostrom  married  Mrs.  Ada  (Doty)  Smith,  a 
daughter  of  Abel  and  Laura  (Sheets)  Doty,  a  record  of  whom  is  given  on  an- 
other page  of  this  work.  To  this  union  two  children  have  been  born :  Grace  and 
Percy.  William  A.  Smith,  a  son  of  Mrs.  Ostrom  by  her  former  marriage,  is 
also  a  member  of  the  family. 

Mr.  Ostrom  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  the  republican  party  and  takes  great 
interest  in  its  success,  usually  voting  the  entire  ticket  as  indorsed  by  the  con- 
ventions. He  served  for  four  terms  to  the  general  satisfaction  of  the  commu- 
nity as  justice  of  the  peace,  and  also  for  many  years  as  member  of  the  school 
board.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Sharon  Lodge,  No.  287,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
of  Victor,  Iowa.  A  successful  business  man  and  a  thorough  farmer  he  is  now 
reaping  the  rewards  of  his  labors,  and  also  enjoys  the  confidence  and  respect 
of  those  who  have  known  him   from  his  boyhood. 


CHARLES  O.  LORD. 


Charles  O.  Lord,  who  was  born  at  Shapleigh,  York  county,  Maine,  Febru- 
ary 6,  1849,  and  died  December  30,  1904,  was  one  of  the  highly  respected  citi- 
zens of  Poweshiek  county  and  was  the  owner  of  a  well  improved  farm  in 
Washington  township.  He  retired  from  active  labors  two  years  before  his 
.death,  having  through  his  industry  and  good  management  acquired  a  handsome 
competence  for  himself  and  family.  His  parents  were  Oliver  and  Hulda 
(Thurston)  Lord,  and  both  of  them  were  natives  of  York  county.  The  father 
was  a  ship  builder  and  also  the  owner  of  a  farm.  He  died  in  Maine  about 
1878,  the  mother  being  called  away  several  years  later  while  living  near  Haver- 
hill, Massachusetts.  Mr.  Lord  was  in  political  belief  a  democrat,  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Free  Will  Baptist  church.  Besides  their  son, 
Charles  O.,  there  were  two  other  children  in  the  family — Maria  H.  and  Francis 
M.,  both  of  whom  are  deceased. 

Charles  O.  Lord  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  Pine  Tree  state 
and  after  completing  his  education  he  worked  in  a  shoe  shop  until  1864  when, 
although  he  had  scarcely  passed  his  boyhood,  he  was  accepted  as  a  soldier  in 
Company  F,  Thirty-second  Maine  Volunteers,  being  later  transferred  to  the 
Thirty-first  Maine  Volunteers.  He  served  most  acceptably  until  the  close  of  the 
war,  a  period  of  about  one  year.  He  then  engaged  in  peaceful  pursuits  and  was 
employed  in  a  piano  factory  at  Deep  River,  Connecticut,  until  1872,  when  he 
came  to  Grinnell  and  rented  a  farm.     Later  he  went  to  Nebraska  for  two  years 


196  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

bin  returning  once  more  took  up  his  residence  in  Grinnell.  In  1S95  he  pur- 
chased a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Washington  township  which 
became  the  family  homestead.  He  took  great  interest  in  his  work  and  improved 
his  farm  by  the  erection  of  buildings  and  fences  and  the  setting  out  of  shade 
trees,  so  that,  although  the  place  was  not  as  large  as  some  others  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, it  compared  favorably  in  appearance  and  productive  capacity  with  the 
best  kejJt  farms  in  the  township.  Mr.  Lord  was  a  good  business  man  and  his 
labors  were  attended  with  an  abundant  measure  of  prosperity. 

On  the  6th  of  February,  1879,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Caroline 
Brownell,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Franklin  and  Mary  Jane  (Shipman) 
Brownell.  She  was  born  April  10,  1858,  in  Pike  county,  Illinois,  and  was 
educated  in  Chester  township,  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  having  accompanied 
her  [larents  to  this  county  when  she  was  nine  years  old.  Two  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lord,  namely:  George  Curtis,  who  was  born  October  24,  1880, 
and  is  now  living  in  Grinnell  township;  and  Jesse  Cornelius,  born  July  14,  1882, 
and  now  living  with  his  mother. 

Mr.  Lord,  the  subject  of  this  review,  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  an  active  worker  in  that  organization,  having  served  as  super- 
inten<ient  of  the  Sunday  school  in  Westfield  for  several  years.  Politically,  he 
gave  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  and  although  he  did  not  seek  public 
oftice  he  filled  the  ])osition  of  school  director  in  Washington  township  very 
acceptably.  As  an  e.x-soldier  of  the  Civil  war  he  held  membership  in  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  He  was  for  many  years  a  member  of  the  Ma- 
sonic order  and  advanced  through  many  degrees,  becoming  a  Knight  Templar. 
He  was  a  man  of  genial  characteristics  who  made  many  friends,  and  by  a  life 
which  was  devoted  in  a  large  measure  to  the  promotion  of  the  welfare  of  others 
he  gained  the  good  will  of  the  entire  community.  Mrs.  Lord  still  lives  upon 
the  family  homestead,  her  son,  Jesse,  now  being  in  charge  of  the  farm.  She 
is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  is  one  of  the  highly  respected 
and  honored  residents  of  this  section. 


JAMES  FORDYCE  BAILEY. 

James  Fordyce  Bailey  was  born  August  22,  181 5,  in  Westmoreland  town- 
shij).  Oneida  county,  Xew  York.  On  the  nth  of  June,  1845,  he  married  Cor- 
nelia Doolittle,  the  ceremony  taking  ]3lace  at  Hampton  village  ( now  called  West- 
moreland village),  Westmoreland  township,  ( )neida  county,  Xew  York.  The 
same  day  his  brother,  John  Bailey,  married  Emily  Seymour  in  Kirkland,  Oneida 
county.  New  York,  at  the  home  of  her  sister,  while  his  sister,  Joanna  Bailey, 
married  Dr.  Ralph  Abercromby  Severance  at  the  Bailey  homestead.  His  bro- 
ther-in-law. Rev.  Amzi  D.   Barber,  performed   all  these  ceremonies. 

James  Fordyce  Bailey  was  one  of  a  family  of  nine  children,  seven  sons  and 
two  daug'hters.  His  parents  were  Eliphalet  and  Xancy  (  Bradish )  Bailey.  His 
father,  one  of  tlic  early  settlers  of  Westmoreland,  was  a  prosperous  farmer  and 


.lAMKS  r.Air.KY 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


TILOeN   f  OUNOAT  iONS. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  199 

took  an  active  part  in  public  affairs.  The  paternal  grandparents  of  onr  sub- 
ject were  James  and  Lucy  (day)  Bailey,  who  lived  in  Lebanon,  Connecticut. 
During  the  Revolutionary  war  the  grandfather  acted  as  a  guard  for  a  few 
ilays.  The  grandmother  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  ninety-two  years.  .Mr. 
r.ailey  of  this  review  was  descended  from  John  Bailey,  who  came  from  Cliip- 
|)enham,  England,  being  shijjwrecked  at  Pemaquid  (now  Bristol),  Maine,  in 
tlie  great  storm  on  the  15th  of  August,  1635.  He  settled  first  at  Newbury, 
.Massachusetts,  ami  in  1639  became  one  of  the  founders  of  Salisbury,  Massa- 
chusetts. The  mother  of  our  subject  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Nancy  Bradish 
and  was  born  in  Cummington,  Massachusetts,  her  parents  being  Dr.  James  and 
Irene  (Townsend)  Bradish.  Her  mother  was  twice  married,  her  first  hus- 
l)and  being  Dr.  Clark.  They  took  up  their  abode  in  Floyd,  Oneida  county.  New 
York,  in  1802.  Dr.  James  Bradish  was  a  surgeon  at  the  siege  of  Boston  in 
tile  Revolutionary  war.  Irene  (Townsend)  l'>radisli  lived  to  attain  the  age  of 
ninety-two  years  She  was  a  twin  sister  of  Nathaniel  Townsend  and  a  daugh- 
ter of  David  and  Irene  (Loomis)  Townsend.  The  Loomis,  Townsend  and 
Bradish  families  have  been  traced  to  New  England  pioneers  of  very  early 
dates.  Deacon  John  Bradish,  the  father  of  Dr.  James  Bradish,  served  as 
selectman  in  1775  and  was  a  member  of  the  Revolutionary  committee  of  cor- 
respondence for  Hardwick,  Massachusetts,  from  1774  until  1777.  Robert  Bradish, 
the  emigrant  from  England,  was  in  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  at  least  as 
early  as  August  28,    1635.  .'"TT!^  T:  T  . .  ."  .    '    , 

Cornelia  Doolittle,  who  was '  b6T,n  ,in;  Camden;  Oneida  county.  New  York, 
on  the  28th  of  August,  1824,  hail  two  brothers  and  a  half  sister.  She  was  the 
eldest  child  of  Amzi  Doolittle,  psq..  and.,his  first  wife,  Hannah  (Cone)  Doo- 
little, who  was  the  widow  of  *.\ndre\v  Bettis.  Amzi  Doolittle  was  born  in 
Watertown.  Connecticut,  and  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to 
Plymouth,  Connecticut.  Subsequently  he  made  his  way  to  Camden,  New  York, 
and  about  1825  went  to  the  village  of  Hampton  in  New  York,  where  he  served 
as  town  judge  until  his  health  failed.  He  was  a  cooper  by  trade.  The  name 
Doolittle  means  "of  Dolieta,"  a  place  on  the  Norman  coast  in  France.  Rudolph 
of  Dolieta.  a  Norman  noble  who  came  over  with  William  the  Conqueror,  is 
the  progenitor  of  all  the  Doolittles  in  England.  Cornelia  Doolittle  was  de- 
scended from  Hon.  Abraham  Dowlittell  (as  he  spelled  his  name),  who  was 
born  in  England  in  1619  or  1620.  He  was  a  Puritan  and  came  to  America 
at  the  age  of  about  twenty-one  to  escape  the  tyranny  of  Charles  I.  As  early 
as  1640  he  was  in  Boston,  Massachusetts.  He  removed  to  New  Haven,  Con- 
necticut, prior  to  1642  and  was  the  chief  executive  officer  of  that  town  in 
1644,  when  scarcely  twenty-five  years  old.  For  many  years  he  served  as 
selectman  and  was  seven  times  deputy  to  the  general  assembly  at  Hartford. 
He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Wallingford,  Connecticut,  and  held  almost 
every  office  of  honor  and  trust  in  the  town.  Several  times  he  acted  as  repre- 
sentative to  the  general  court  at  Hartford.  He  was  made  a  sergeant  in  1673 
and  at  the  time  of  King  Philip's  war  was  a  member  of  the  vigilance  committee. 

Cornelia  Doolittle  was  descended  from  Daniel  Cone,  who  was  probably  the 
emigrant.  The  first  mention  of  Daniel  Cone  in  this  country  that  has  been 
found  is  in  1657.     He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Haddam,  Connecticut.     Lieu- 


200  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

tenant  James  Cone  of  East  Haddam,  Connecticut,  the  great-great-grandfather 
of  CorneHa  Doolittle,  served  under  Sir  WiUiam  Pepperill  in  1745.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  legislature  of  the  colony  from  1747  until  1749.  The  great- 
grandfather of  Cornelia  Doolittle  was  Sylvanus  Cone,  who  participated  in  the 
French  and  Indian  wars  and  also  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  being  a  minute- 
man  at  Bunker  Hill.  Hannah  (ConeJ  Doolittle,  the  mother  of  Cornelia  Doo- 
little, was  born  in  Westmoreland  township,  Oneida  county.  New  York.  Cor- 
nelia Doolittle  had  some  Scottish  ancestry.  She  lived  in  the  Hampton  village 
of  Xew  York  from  the  time  she  was  about  a  year  old  until  her  marriage  except 
that  after  the  death  of  her  mother,  in  1834.  her  father  resided  in  Plymouth, 
Connecticut,  for  a  few  years.  She  attended  the  Ladies'  Seminary  at  Utica, 
Xew  York,  and  subsequently  taught  public  and  private  schools.  She  also  sang 
in  the  church  choir. 

James    F.    Bailey,    whose    name    introduces   this   review,   left    Westmoreland 
in  1853  and  took  up  his  abode  in  the  vicinity  of  Auburn,  Xew  York.     He  and 
some  of  his   brothers   were   planning   to   move    farther   west   where   they  could 
obtain  more  land  and  they  wished  to  find  a  place   where  their  children   would 
have  good  educational  advantages.     Happening  to  notice  Mr.  Grinnell's  article 
in  the  New  York  Independent  with  reference  to  the  new  colony  to  be  founded 
in  the   west,  they   wrote  to  Mr.    Grinnell   making   inquiries.     James   F.   Bailey 
came  to  Grinnell,   Iowa,  in   October,   1854,   and   in   February,    1856,  went  back 
to  Auburn,  New  York,   for  his   wife  and  children,  with  whom  he  returned  to 
Grinnell   in   the   following   May.     When   the   question   arose   of    increasing  the 
price  paid  for  the  land  on  condition  that  the  college  should  be  located  in  Grin- 
nell within  a  certain  time,  he  voted   for  the  increase  and  cheerfully  paid   the 
increased  price  on  his  land.     Not   a   few  students   were  helped  by  the  oppor- 
tunities he  gave  them  to  work   for  their  board  and  room.     On  first  coming  to 
Grinnell  he  brought  with  him  a  horse   power  sawmill,   setting  it  up  near  the 
present  site  of  the   Colonial.     While   sawing  the  second   board  the  mill  broke. 
He    and    his    brother   John    then    went    to    Muscatine    and    purchased    a    steam 
engine.     Bringing  the  boiler  here  was  a  very  difficult  task,  as  the  roads   were 
poor  and   the   sloughs   unbridged.     They  now  had   a  good   saw   and  grist   mill 
combined,   located  on   what  is   at  present  block   4  of   Bailey's   Addition.     Coal 
could  not  be  obtained  and  they  were  obliged   to  haul  all  of  the   fuel   for   the 
■  mill  a  distance  of   seven  miles   from  their  timber  land  in  Rock  Creek,  Jasper 
county.     They   sawed  some  of   the   lumber   for  the   first   schoolhouse   and   also 
for  some  of  the  first  dwellings.     James  F.   Bailey   assisted   in   the  erection  of 
some  of  the  first  houses.     He  conducted  the  mill   for  eight  or   ten  years  and 
during  this   period  had  brought  his  farm  under  cultivation,   eventually  becom- 
ing a   prosperous    farmer   and    stock-raiser.     His   house   was   a    station  on   the 
"underground    railroad"    for   escaped    slaves    and    with   his    team   he   carried    a 
number  of  John  Brown's  party  to  the  ne.xt  station.     He  was  one  of  those  who 
stood  guard  on  the  night  of  the  "Sugar  Creek"  war.     Some  time  later,  on  his 
way  to  the  coal  banks,  he  fell  in  with  some  of  the  participants  in  that  skirmish, 
who  declared   lustily   that   they   would   yet   wipe  out   every   abolitionist.     Upon 
being  told  that  he  was  an  abolitionist  and  that  they  might  wipe  him  out,  they 
concluded  they  were  not  ready.     He  welcomed  the  coming  of  the  Rock  Island 


HISTORY  OI"  I'OWF'SIIIRK  COUNTY  201 

Railroad,  for  he  knew  what  it  was  to  haul  wheat  forty  miles  to  Marengo  and 
sell  it  for  ihirty-hve  cents  per  bushel.  He  gave  three  hundred  dollars  in  labor 
and  money  to  help  build  the  Iowa  Central  Railroad.  He  was  one  of  the  stock 
holders  of  the  land  company  for  the  Benzonia  (Michigan)  colony  and  at  one 
time  owned  four  hundred  acres  of  land  there.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
Grange  and  a  stockholder  in  the  Grange  store.  His  political  allegiance  was 
given  to  the  republican  party,  while  in  religious  faith  he  was  a  Congregationalism 
He  was,  moreover,  a  strong  temperance  man  and  advocated  the  suppression 
of  the  liquor  traffic.  He  won  a  host  of  friends  and  had  a  wide  acquaintance 
in  all  the  surrounding  country. 

Tames  F.  liailey  lived  in  several  different  houses  in  Grinnell.  In  .April, 
1864,  he  moved  to  the  corner  of  his  farm  west  of  West  street  and  north  of 
Eleventh  avenue,  where  he  resided  until  his  death.  .\t  the  time  of  his  demise 
he  owned  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  a  part  of  which  was  afterward 
l^latted  by  his  children  and  called  Bailey's  Addition.  Another  portion  was 
platted  by  his  daughter.  Mrs.  Joanna  (Bailey)  Baggs.  and  called  Baggs'  Addi- 
tion. ;\Ir.  Bailey  died  on  the  ist  of  February,  1888,  and  was  buried  in  the 
southwest  corner  of  lot  67,  Hazelwood  cemetery,  Grinnell.  His  wife,  Cor- 
nelia (Doolittle)  Bailey,  died  in  Grinnell  on  the  9th  of  January,  1893,  and 
was  buried  beside  him.  They  had  seven  children,  six  daughters  and  one  son, 
four  of  whom  were  born  in  New  York  and  three  in  Grinnell.  Joanna  Eliza- 
beth, who  was  graduated  from  Iowa  College  of  Grinnell  in  1868,  married  George 
Thomas  Baggs  on  the  31st  of  May,  1877,  and  is  still  a  resident  of  Grinnell. 
Mary  Irene  died  at  the  age  of  two  years.  Ella  Cornelia  gave  her  hand  in 
marriage  to  Elmore  Chapman  Read  on  the  27th  of  May,  1872,  and  makes  her 
home  at  Parsons,  Kansas.  Irene  Conklin,  who  was  an  artist,  passed  away  on 
the  24th  of  August,  1877,  when  twenty-three  years  of  age.  Gertrude  Laurinda, 
who  was  graduated  from  Iowa  College  in  1879,  resides  at  Grinnell.  Jennie, 
who  completed  her  course  in  Iowa  College  in  1883,  also  makes  her  home  in 
Grinnell.  William  Doolittle  was  graduated  from  Iowa  College  of  Grinnell 
in  1891  and  from  the  law  department  of  Yale  University  at  New  Haven.  Con- 
necticut, in  1893.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the  law  firm  of  Washburn,  Bailey 
&  Mitchell  of  Duluth,  Minnesota,  and  has  an  immense  practice.  On  the  12th 
of  June,   1901,  he  wedded  Miss  Ora  Ida  Gridley. 

Four  of  the  brothers  of  James  F.  Bailey  lived  in  Grinnell  for  a  time.  John 
Bailey  came  from  Auburn,  New  York,  to  Grinnell  in  June,  1854,  and  went  to 
Glen  Arbor,  Michigan,  in  the  fall  of  1857.  Rev.  Charles  Eliphalet  Bailey  came 
from  Weymouth,  Ohio,  to  Grinnell  in  the  fall  of  1856.  While  in  Weymouth  he 
had  conceived  the  idea  of  founding  a  Christian  colony  and  a  Christian  college 
in  the  west.  In  November,  1857,  he  was  preaching  at  Ontario,  Illinois.  In 
October,  1858,  Rev.  Charles  E.  Bailey,  John  Bailey,  Horace  Burr  and  Mr. 
Wolcott  founded  Benzonia.  Michigan,  and  a  college  was  chartered  in  1862. 
Horace  Clark  Bailey  lived  in  Grinnell  several  months  in  the  summer  and  fall 
of  1857.  He  went  to  Glen  Arbor,  Michigan,  in  the  fall  of  1857,  intending  to 
help  bis  brothers  found  a  new  colony,  but  died  in  Glen  Arbor  on  the  nth  of 
June,  1858.  Lorenzo  Bailey  came  from  Auburn,  New  York,  to  Grinnell  in 
May,    1856,  and  removed  to  Benzonia,  Michigan,  in   1866. 


202  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Two  cousins  of  James  F.  Bailey,  brothers,  lived  in  Grinnell  a  few  years 
anti  died  in  this  city.  Edwin  S.  Bailey,  who  came  to  Grinnell  from  Antwerp, 
New  York,  in  the  fall  of  1855,  conducted  a  store  and  passed  away  on  the  23d 
of  March,  1864.  Alfred  Bailey  came  from  Antwerp,  New  York,  to  Grinnell 
in  the  fall  of  1856.  He  conducted  a  hotel  on  the  corner  west  of  Main  street 
and  south  of  Fifth  avenue,  which  was  named  the  Bailey  House.  His  demise 
occurred  on  the  26th  of  March,   1858. 


CHARLES  JACOB  SANDERS. 

Charles  Jacob  Sanders  may  truly  be  termed  a  self-made  man.  for  he  started 
out  in  life  empty-handed  and  today  owns  valuable  farm  property  of  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty-three  acres,  located  on  section  6,   Pleasant  township.      He  was 
born  in    Trumbull   county,   Ohio,   .\pril   30,    1850,   a   son   of    Henry   and   Hettie 
(Smith)    Sanders,    who    were   both    natives   of    Pennsylvania   but   were   married 
in  Ohio.       In    1855    they    journeyed    westwanl,    settling    in    Poweshiek   county, 
Iowa,  and  here  they  remained  until  1858,  when  they  removed  to  Dallas  county. 
Texas,  and  there  the  father  died  in  i860  at  the  age  of  fifty  years.      Following 
his  demise,  the  mother  and  her  family  returned  to  Poweshiek  county,  arriving 
here  in    the    fall   of    iSC)!.       They   had   a    long   and    arduous    journey,    driving 
through   with   a   wagon   drawn   by   two  yoke  of  oxen,   and   our   subject   walked 
much  of  the  distance.     In  passing  through  the  state  of  Missouri  they  came  in 
contact   with  the  guerrillas,  who  were  engaged   in   warfare,  but  eventually  they 
reached    their    destination    in    safety.       The    family    located    at    Deep    River    in 
Poweshiek  county  but  after  a   few  years,  in   1865,  the  laother  returned  to  her 
old  home   in  Crawfonl   county.   Pennsylvania,  and  was  thei?  married  a  second 
time,  her   union   being   with    lleiiry   Wolf.       She   once   more   returned   with   her 
husband    to    Poweshiek    county    and    died    here    in    18S8,    having    reached    the 
advanced    age    of   eighty-two   years.       By   her    marriage    to    ^Ir.    Sanders    she 
had   become    the    mother   of    ten    children,    nine    of    whom    grew    to    years    of 
maturity   and  are  as    follows :     Harrison,  of   Montezuma ;    Frank,   who   se'-v?J 
for  three  years  as  a  member  of  the  Tenth  Iowa  Infantry  and  is  now  deceased: 
^^'illiam,  who  served  three  and  a  half  years  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of 
the  Fourth   Iowa  Infantry  and   is  now   residing  in    Deep   River;   Rachel;  Mrs. 
Mary  Ann  Stonebocher,  decea.sed  ;  Mrs.  Eliza  Smith,  of  Searsboro ;  Daniel  M., 
who  served  for  one  hundred  days  in  the  Civil  war  and  is  now  a  resident  of 
New  York;  Charles  J.,  of  this  review;  and  Mrs.  Rosanna  Mulhollan,  deceased. 
Charles  J.  Sanders,  of  this  review,  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  various 
removals  and  was  a  lad  of  eleven  years  when  he  returned  with  his  mother  to 
Poweshiek    county    from    Texas.       He    remained    in    this    county    until    he   had 
attained  his  majority,  when  he  went  to  Ohio  and  was  there  married  in    1871. 
He  spent  eight  years  in  the  Buckeye  state,  during  which  time  he  was  engaged 
in   farming  a  part  of  the  time,   while  the   remainder  of  his  time   was  given  to 
the  oil  business.      In   1878  he  returned  once  more  to  Poweshiek  county  and  for 
fourteen   vears    farmed   rented   land   in   various  localities.       In    1891    he  bought 


TTTSTORV  OF  I'OWESHIEK  COUNTY  203 

his  i)resent  Imme  farm,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-three  acres  on 
sectit)n  ().  Pleasant  ttjwnship.  lie  has  made  most  of  the  improvements  on 
this  place,  which  has  added  much  to  its  value,  being  worth  today  two  hundred 
dollars  per  acre.  He  was  actively  engagetl  in  the  operation  of  this  farm  until 
h'ebruary,  190S,  when  he  rented  the  land  to  his  son. 

As  above  stated,  Mr.  Sanders  was  married  in  Ohio  in  1871,  the  lady  of 
his  choice  being  Miss  Susan  \irginia  Campbell,  who  was  born  in  Rockbridge 
county,  \'irginia.  May  22.  1853,  and  died  in  Poweshiek  county.  December 
15,  1903,  at  the  age  of  fifty  years.  Jler  parents,  Charles  and  Mary  (Pieaty) 
Campbell,  were  likewise  natives  of  Virginia.  The  father  died  in  Greene 
county,  ()hit),  but  the  mother  still  survives  and  makes  her  home  in  Kansas. 
The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sanders  was  blessed  with  five  children.  William 
Monroe  died  when  seventeen  months  old.  Lydia  May  died  at  the  age  of 
eleven  months.  Rose  lielle  is  the  wife  of  Willis  ]\Iartz,  a  resident  of  Grin- 
nell  township.  Charles  H.  makes  his  home  in  Malcom  township.  He  wedded 
Miss  Rachel  Wright  and  served  for  a  year  and  a  half  in  the  Spanish-American 
war.  James  Franklin  is  living  on  the  home  farm.  He  was  married,  January 
23,  1910,  to  Miss  Gertie  Wright,  a  daughter  of  William  Wright  of  Montezuma 
and  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Charles  H.  Sanders. 

Mr.  Sanders  formerlv  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party 
but  now  votes  independently.  He  has  held  various  township  offices  and  in 
all  public  movements  has  exerted  immeasurable  influence  in  his  home  locality. 
He  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  and  his  life  is  m  harmony  with  his 
professions.  He  encountered  many  difficulties  and  obstacles  in  his  early  career 
but  has  overcome  all  these  and  worked  his  way  upward  to  success,  so  that 
today  he  stands  among  the  well-to-do  and  prominent  citizens  of  his  section  of 
the  countv. 


WILLIAM  JOHN   COX. 

A  well  tilled  and  highly  cultivated  farm  of  two  hundred  and  twenty-four 
acres  in  Union  township  pays  tribute  to  the  agricultural  skill  of  William  John 
Cox,  who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  was  born  in 
Beaver  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  5th  of  April,  1851,  and  is  a  son  of  Hiram 
and  Nancy  (Wright)  Cox,  both  natives  of  the  Keystone  state.  The  father, 
who  was  born  in  Westmoreland  county,  was  a  carpenter  by  trade.  He  came 
to  Iowa  in  1865.  locating  in  Poweshiek  county.  Upon  his  arrival  here  he  first 
boitght  a  farm  in  Jackson  township,  which  he  cultivated  for  a  time,  but  later 
disposed  of  it  and  purchased  other  land  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  in  the  opera- 
lion  of  which  he  engaged  until  his  retirement  to  New  Sharon,  Mahaska  county, 
where  he  later  passed  away.  The  mother,  also  died  in  New  Sharon.  Unto 
them  were  born  six  children ;  Joseph  L.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Searsboro,  Iowa ; 
Alexander  R.,  a  resident  of  Montezuma,  Iowa ;  Sarah  E.,  deceased  :  William  John, 
our  subject;  Hiram  Zenas,  who  is  living  in  Oskaloosa ;  and  Nancy  Jane,  the  wife 
of  Charles  Bogard,  of  Oskaloosa.     The  family  attended  the  services  of  the  Pres- 


204  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

byterian  church.  In  politics  Mr.  Cox  was  always  an  ardent  democrat  and 
served  as  school  director  in  his  district. 

As  William  John  Cox  was  fourteen  years  of  age  when  his  parents  settled 
in  Poweshiek  county  his  education  was  largely  acquired  in  the  common  schools 
of  Pennsylvania.  After  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  assisted  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  home  farm  until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  In  1872  he  rented 
the  homestead  from  his  father  and  for  a  year  thereafter  engaged  in  its  cultiva- 
tion. He  subsequently  went  to  Nemaha  county,  Kansas,  where  he  resided  for 
live  years  going  from  there  to  Nebraska.  In  the  latter  state  he  filed  upon  a 
homestead,  which  he  cultivated  for  a  time,  and  then  disposed  of  it  and  returned 
to  Iowa,  purchasing  a  farm  in  Union  township,  this  county,  upon  which  he  has 
ever  since  continued  to  reside.  He  now  owns  two  hundred  and  twenty-four 
acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  engages  in  general  farming,  making  a  specialty  of 
raising  high  grade  stock,  particularly  thoroughbred  horses.  Mr.  Cox  has  met 
with  success  in  his  ventures  and  owns  one  of  the  highly  improved  and  well 
stocked   farms  of  the  township. 

In  1875  ^^'^s  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Cox  and  Miss  Amanda  M.  Mc- 
Farlin,  a  daughter  of  Perry  and  Nancy  (Kemp)  McFarlin,  of  Sugar  Creek 
township,  and  they  have  become  the  parents  of  two  sons  and  three  daughters, 
the  order  of  their  birth  being  as  follows :  Harvey  H.,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Union  township ;  Rose,  the  wife  of  Charles  A.  White,  of  Sugar  Creek  town- 
ship;  Essie,  the  wife  of  George  Sheehe,  of  Mahaska  county,  Iowa;  Verde  M., 
the  wife  of  Guy  Hildebrant,  of  Union  township ;  and  Joy  L.,  who  is  at  home. 

Ever  since  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Cox  has  given  his  political  support  to 
the  candidates  of  the  democratic  party  but  has  never  held  any  official  position 
save  that  of  school  director.  .\  capable  business  man  as  well  as  agriculturist, 
Mr.  Cox  has  so  intelligently  directed  his  activities  during  the  period  of  his  resi- 
dence in  Union  township  that  he  is  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  substantial 
citizens  of  the  community  in  which  he  resides. 


GEORGE  L.  MILES. 


George  L.  Miles,  one  of  the  leading  and  respected  citizens  of  Grinnell,  is 
extensively  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  and  is  also  prominently  identi- 
fied with  financial  interests  as  the  president  of  the  Grinnell  Savings  Bank.  His 
birth  occurred  in  Steuben  county,  New  York,  on  the  15th  of  April,  1858,  his 
parents  being  William  and  Nancy  A.  (Parker)  Miles,  who  were  born,  reared 
and  married  in  that  county.  The  year  1866  witnessed  their  removal  westward 
to  Princeton,  Illinois.  William  Miles  had  become  familiar  with  the  lumber 
business  in  early  life,  rafting  logs  down  the  river  as  a  boy.  After  locating  in 
Princeton  he  embarked  in  the  retail  lumber  business  and  acquired  and  worked 
extensive  pine  forests  in  Michigan.  He  became  a  very  successful  man,  accu- 
mulating much  land  and  also  becoming  connected  with  banking  interests.  He 
supported  the  republican  party  and,  while  in  no  sense  a  politician,  was  a  recog- 
nized factor  in  local  politics,  holding  the  various  town  offices.     His  demise  oc- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  205 

curred   in    Princeton   in    1S98,   while   his   wife  was   called  to  her  final   rest  two 
years  later. 

George  L.  Miles  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  supplemented  his 
preliminary  education  by  a  course  of  study  in  the  Princeton  high  school.  His 
ambition  as  a  boy  was  to  become  a  farmer  and  when  a  youth  of  nineteen  he 
went  to  western  Iowa,  locating  in  Pottawattamie  county,  where  his  father  owned 
fourteen  hundred  acres  of  land  and  where  he  devoted  his  attention  to  general 
agricultural  pursuits  for  nine  years.  After  abandoning  farming  pursuits  he 
turned  his  attention  to  the  hardware  business  in  Tipton,  Iowa,  being  thus  prom- 
inently identified  with  the  mercantile  interests  of  the  town  for  seven  years. 
During  this  period  he  became  interested  in  the  Tipton  Savings  Bank  and  was 
chosen  vice  president  of  the  institution.  In  1894  he  came  to  Grinnell  and  es- 
tablished himself  in  business  as  a  hardware  dealer,  the  enterprise  having  since 
grown  to  extensive  and  profitable  proportions.  Subsequently  he  became  iden- 
tified with  the  Grinnell  Savings  Bank  and  was  made  president  of  the  institu- 
tion. He  is  an  able  officer  as  well  as  enterprising  merchant  and  in  the  control 
of  his  business  affairs  has  displayed  excellent  management  and  keen  discernment. 

In  1882  Mr.  Miles  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Flora  Priestley,  her  father 
being  Charles  M.  Priestley,  a  prominent  hardware  dealer  of  Princeton,  Illinois. 
L'nto  our  subject  and  his  wife  have  been  born  two  children,  namely:  Louise 
Beach,  of  Aledo,  Illinois,  who  is  the  wife  of  Glenn  Clark,  a  professor  in  Will- 
iam &  Vashti  College ;  and  Rosella  May,  who  is  employed  as  a  bookkeeper  by 
her  father.  Both  daughters  graduated  from  Iowa  College  with  the  class  of 
1906. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  Mr.  Miles  has  sup- 
ported the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party,  believing  that  its  princi- 
ples are  most  conducive  to  good  government.  He  served  as  a  member  of  the 
town  council  and  of  the  school  board  while  a  resident  of  Tipton  but  has  re- 
fused political  preferment  in  Grinnell.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  belonging  to  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  358.  No 
lireath  of  suspicion  has  ever  assailed  his  good  name  and  on  the  contrary  he 
stands  as  a  splendid  type  of  the  honorable,  reliable,  successful  man,  the  public- 
spirited  citizen  and  the  trustworthy  friend. 


EDWIN  DARE. 


Edwin  Dare,  whose  farm  in  section  24,  Chester  township,  gives  evidence  of 
careful  cultivation  and  liberal  returns  each  year,  is  a  native  of  Dorsetshire, 
England,  and  was  born  April  16,  1869.  He  is  a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (Bus 
sell)  Dare,  both  natives  of  England.  The  father  learned  the  miller's  trade  but 
later  devoted  his  attention  to  farming,  continuing  during  his  entire  life  in  the 
old  country.  He  died  in  1905,  but  the  mother  is  now  living  with  a  son  in  Eng- 
land. 

Edwin  Dare  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  seven  children. 
He  received  a  common  school  education  and  for  three  years  lived  with  an  uncle. 


206  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COLXTV 

at  the  end  of  which  time,  being  tlien  twenty  years  of  age.  he  came  to  America, 
arriving  in  Chester  township,  Poweshiek  county,  in  1889.  He  worked  for  eight 
years  as  a  farm  laborer  by  the  month  and  then  rented  a  place  of  a  Mr.  Fore- 
hand at  Chester  Center,  upon  which  he  continued  for  two  years.  At  the  end  of 
the  time  named  he  rented  land  in  section  24,  Chester  township,  which  he  pur- 
chased in  the  fall  of  1902  from  (ieorge  Rutherford.  His  farm  comprises  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  in  many  respects  he  has  added  to  its  appearance, 
making  it  a  very  desirable  property.  He  raises  feed  for  cattle  and  hogs,  which 
he  usually  delivers  to  the  market  in  excellent  condition,  thus  commanding  the 
highest  prices. 

On  the  17th  of  March,  1897,  Mr.  Dare  was  married  at  Chester  Center  to 
Miss  Minnie  Warren,  who  was  born  in  England,  a  daughter  of  Walter  and 
Frances  (Green)  Warren,  who  are  identified  with  agricultural  interests  in  their 
native  country,  Mr.  Warren  being  a  farmer  and  dairyman.  The  parents  are 
both  still  living  but  have  never  visited  America.  Fi\e  children  have  been  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dare:  Arthur  E.,  Mildred,  George  W.,  Ada  F.  and  Harlan 
Charles.  These  children  have  all  possessed  excellent  advantages  in  the  way 
of  educational   facilities. 

Mr.  Dare  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  at  Chester  Center  and 
in  politics  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  not  held  an)-  pub- 
lic office  save  that  of  member  of  the  school  board.  He  has  never  looked  to  luck 
or  chance  for  his  fortune,  but  by  steady,  persistent  application  has  won  a  com- 
petency for  himself  and  family  from  the  soil.  He  is  deeply  interested  in  the 
progress  of  the  community  and  has  labored  earnestly  for  the  public  good,  never 
seeking  to  advance  his  own  welfare  to  the  injury  of  others. 


JOHN  SCHiMITZ. 


One  of  the  thrifty  and  energetic  Cjermans  who  are  now  numbered  among 
Poweshiek  county's  successful  farmers  is  John  Schmitz,  who  owns  two  him- 
dred  and  seventy  acres  of  excellent  land  in  Grinnell  township.  He  was  born 
in  Germany  on  the  27th  of  March,  1852,  a  son  of  Emery  and  Margaret  (Dahm  ) 
Schmitz,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  their  native  land,  where  the  father  en- 
gaged in  teaching  and  farming.  For  many  years  he  taught  in  Onhoven.  in  which 
village  he  was  born  and  where  he  passed  away  in  1857. 

The  common  schools  of  his  native  land  provided  John  Schmitz  with  his  edu- 
cation, and  after  laying  aside  his  school  books  he  worked  out  until  he  was  nine- 
teen years  of  age.  Having  decided  at  the  expiration  of  that  time  that  better 
advantages  must  be  available  for  energetic  young  men  in  the  United  States,  he 
took  passage  for  America,  landing  in  New  York  in  April,  1871.  From  there  he 
made  his  way  directly  to  Brooklyn,  this  county,  where  he  worked  for  a  year 
and  then  came  to  Washington  township,  where  he  was  employed  by  "Uncle" 
Johnnv  Brom  for  a  year.  Being  very  thrifty,  he  had  carefully  ;aved  a  portion 
of  each  month's  salary  until  he  had  acquired  sufficient  capital  to  enable  him  to 
buy  a  farm,  and  then  purchased  sixty-five  acres  in  Washington  township,  adding 


V. 

•I. 


HISTORY  Ul'-  I'OVVESlllEK  COUNTY  UOy 

to  his  original  tract  forty  acres  at  one  time  and  fifteen  at  another,  making  the 
aggregate  of  his  holdings  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  In  1879  he  remuved 
to  Grinnell  township  and  in  1902  he  bought  his  present  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  seventy  acres  in  Grinnell  township.  Here  he  engages  in  general  farming 
and  stock-raising  and  makes  a  specialty  of  Poland  China  hogs  and  Hereford 
cattle,  in  which  he  is  meeting  with  most  gratifying  success. 

On  February  18,  1879,  Mr.  Schmitz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Caroline 
Hertzel,  who  was  born  January  19,  1848,  in  Germany,  from  which  country  she 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  friends.  Five  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schmitz:  Mary,  the  wife  of  Henry  Schmidt,  of  Washington  town- 
ship ;  Emery,  who  married  Anna  Flannigan  and  has  one  child,  and  is  living  one 
mile  west  of  the  home  place;  and  Eliza,  John  and  Francis,  all  of  whom  are  at 
iiome  with  their  father.  The  family  are  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church  of  Grinnell. 

Ever  since  acquiring  the  full  rights  of  citizenship  ^Ir.  Schmitz  has  given  his 
^Kjlitical  support  to  the  democratic  party,  but  he  has  always  been  too  absorbed  in 
his  private  affairs  to  aspire  to  a  public  office,  so  does  not 'actively  participate 
in  local  governmental  matters.  He  has  clearly  demonstrated  by  his  life  that 
success  invariably  awaits  him  who  has  the  i)atience.  perseverance  and  deter- 
mination to  conquer  conditions. 


HERBERT   WESTON 'SOMERS.     ' 

•  ■•:•  /.'  ';>  .:  ";,    : 

Herbert  Weston  Somers.  who  has  held  the  dual  position  of  business  manager 
and  secretary  of  Grinnell  College  since  the  ,ist  of  September,  1907,  is  one  of  the 
representative  and  highly  respected  residents  of  <thiscity.  His  birth  occurred  in 
Barnet,  \'ermont,  on  the  31st  of  May,  1857,  his  parents  being  John  S.  and 
Mary  L.  Somers,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  that  state  and  came  of  Scotch 
ancestry.  They  removed  to  Marshall  county,  Iowa,  in  1864  and  continued  to 
reside  on  a  farm  in  that  county  until  1891,  when  they  took  up  their  abode  in 
Rapid  City,  South  Dakota,  both  passing  away  there  in  January,  1898.  They 
were  consistent  and  devoted  members  of  the  Congregational  church. 

Herbert  W.  Somers  obtained  his  early  education  in  a  country  school  of 
Marshall  county,  Iowa,  subsequently  attended  Grinnell  Academy  and  then  en- 
tered Grinnell  College,  from  which  institution  he  was  graduated  with  the 
"cyclone  class"  of  1882 — the  year  of  the  cyclone  in  Grinnell.  Grinnell  College 
has  conferred  upon  him  the  degrees  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  and  Master  of  Arts. 
He  was  reared  on  a  farm  and  when  not  in  school  spent  all  his  time  there  until 
he  liad  graduated  from  college.  During  his  junior  year  in  Grinnell  College  he 
taught  a  country  school  in  Marshall  county  throughout  one  winter  term,  at 
the  same  time  keeping  up  his  own  studies.  Following  his  graduation  he  be- 
came identified  with  educational  interests  as  superintendent  of  the  city  schools 
of  Rapid  City,  South  Dakota,  serving  in  that  capacity  from  1882  until  1885. 
During  this  period  he  spent  two  summer  vacations  of  three  months  each  as 
traveling  salesman  for  the  Morrison  Glove   Manufacturing   Company  of   Grin- 


210  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

nell.  In  October,  1885,  he  began  work  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Rapid 
City.  South  Dakota,  and  in  January,  1898,  was  elected  cashier  of  the  institution, 
resigning  in  1907  to  accept  a  call  from  the  trustees  of  Grinnell  College  to  act 
as  their  business  manager  and  secretary.  Since  the  1st  of  September,  1907, 
he  has  ably  discharged  the  duties  devolving  upon  him  in  this  connection,  his  ex- 
cellent executive  ability  and  sound  judgment  proving  potent  factors  in  the  suc- 
cessful control  of  the  institution.  He  was  formerly  a  stockholder  and  director 
in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Rapid  City  and  also  owned  a  fourth  interest 
in  the  stock  of  the  Rapid  City  Electric  Light  Company,  serving  as  business 
manager,  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the  latter  concern  for  eighteen  years.  He 
likewise  acquired  considerable  real  estate  in  Rapid  City  but  has  disposed  of 
most  of  it  since  coming  to  Grinnell.  He  has  invested  in  Florida  lands  to  some 
extent  and  now  owns  a  fine  home  at  No.  1018  Broad  street  in  Grinnell.  Since 
January,  1910,  he  has  been  a  director  of  the  Merchants  National  Bank  of 
Grinnell. 

On  the  13th  of  June,  1888,  at  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  Mr.  Somers  was  united 
in  marriage  to  Miss  Nellie  May  Van  Zandt,  a  native  of  that  place.  She  is  a 
graduate  of  The  Athenaeum  a  ladies'  seminary  of  Jacksonville,  and  also  pur- 
sued a  vocal  course.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Somers  have  three  children,  as  follows : 
Leslie  V.,  who  was  born  in  1890  and  is  a  senior  in  Grinnell  College;  Helen  M., 
born  in  1891,  who  is  a  sophomore  in  Grinnell  College;  and  Paul  W.,  whose 
natal  year  was  1895  and  who  is  a  high  school  student. 

Mr.  Somers  is  a  stanch  republican  in  politics  and  while  a  resident  of  Rapid 
City  served  on  the  school  board  from  1885  until  1890.  He  was  connected  with 
the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  while  living  there  and  joined  the  Com- 
mercial Clubs  in  both  Rapid  City  and  Grinnell.  In  early  life  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Congregational  church  at  Green  Mountain,  Marshall  county,  Iowa, 
and  later  joined  the  church  of  that  denomination  in  Rapid  City,  South  Dakota, 
serving  as  one  of  its  trustees  for  several  years  and  also  acting  as  Sunday  school 
superintendent  from  1884  until  1904.  After  coming  to  Grinnell  he  joined  the 
Congregational  church  here  and  has  been  a  deacon  since  1910.  In  manner 
modest  and  retiring,  free  from  self-laudation,  he  is  best  appreciated  by  those 
who  know  him  intimately,  and  his  friendship  is  greatly  prized  by  those  who 
come  within  the  close  circle  of  his  intimate  acquaintance. 


JOHN  W.  SAWYER. 


From  an  outlook  which  it  has  required  three-quarters  of  a  century  to  attain 
John  W.  Sawyer,  of  Grinnell,  reviews  in  moments  of  reminiscence  many  inter- 
esting scenes  and  incidents  of  his  life.  A  native  of  New  England  he  traces  his 
descent  to  worthy  ancestry,  whose  characteristics  of  grit  and  perseverance  he 
clearly  inherited.  He  remained  in  the  east  until  middle  life,  but  has  spent  thirty- 
seven  years  in  Iowa  and  has  been  an  interested  witness  of  the  marvelous  growth 
of  this  state  as  it  has  taken  its  place  well  toward  the  top  of  the  column  as  one 
of  the  most  wealthy  and  progressive  commonwealths  of  the  Union,     He  was 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'XTY  211 

born  in  May,  1836,  in  Vermont,  and  is  a  son  of  Calvin  and  Fannie  f Hatch) 
Sawyer.  The  parents  were  both  born  in  Connecticut,  the  father  in  1793  and 
the  mother  in  1797.  They  removed  to  Vermont,  where  Mr.  Sawyer  engaged  in 
farming  and  Hved  for  more  than  fifty  years  on  the  old  homestead.  He  died  in 
1883,  his  wife  having  been  called  away  four  years  earlier. 

John  W.  Sawyer  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools  and  after 
leaving  school  was  apprenticed  to  the  harness-maker's  trade,  working  for  the  first 
three  years  for  the  meager  compensation  of  ninety  dollars  and  board.  He  con- 
tinued in  the  harness  business  in  Vermont  until  1874  and  then  came  with  his  fam- 
ily to  Grinnell,  Iowa,  where  he  engaged  in  clerking  in  a  dry-goods  store.  Being 
a  man  of  good  address  and  genial  social  disposition,  he  made  many  friends  and 
in  1878  was  elected  marshal  and  street  commissioner.  He  resigned  from  his  posi- 
tion in  the  store  and  serveil  for  a  number  of  years  as  a  public  officer.  He  also 
became  connected  with  the  coal  business  and  for  twenty-tive  years  was  identified 
with  the  Grinnell  Fuel  Company.  In  1905  he  gave  up  business  concerns  and  is 
now  happy  in  the  serenity  of  a  retired  life  in  the  city  of  his  adoption. 

On  the  20th  of  November,  i860,  Mr.  Sawyer,  in  Hartland,  Vermont,  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  G.  Short,  a  daughter  of  Benjamin  Short,  of 
Hartland.  Two  children  have  blessed  this  union :  Ida  Louise,  who  lives  in  Chi- 
cago ;  and  Carroll  E.,  who  is  married  and  now  lives  in  Oskaloosa,  Iowa,  being 
manager  of  a  branch  of  the  Western  Grocers'  Company.  Mr.  Sawyer  has,  ever 
since  he  reached  his  majority,  taken  the  interest  of  a  patriotic  citizen  in  support- 
ing the  men  and  measures  that  seem  to  him  most  essential  in  promoting  the  gen- 
eral welfare.  As  a  public  official  and  in  private  business  he  always  aimed  to  be 
just  and  true  to  his  highest  sense  of  right,  and  the  respect  in  which  he  is  held  in 
a  community  where  he  has  long  been  a  resident  is  the  best  evidence  of  his  per- 
sonal worth.  He  has  a  host  of  friends,  who  sincerely  wish  that  he  may  enjoy  for 
many  years  to  come  abundant  health  and  prosperity. 


ALEX.\NDER  H.  SMITH. 

One  of  the  finely  improved  farms  of  Jackson  township  stands  as  a  monument 
to  a  life  of  activity  and  enterprise  on  the  part  of  Alexander  H.  Smith  who,  start- 
ing out  in  life  without  any  special  advantages,  has  attained  to  his  present  posi- 
tion of  prosperity  through  his  own  efforts.  Born  in  Morgan  county.  Ohio,  on 
the  26th  of  July,  1847,  he  is  a  son  of  Solomon  and  Lethinda  (Newman)  Smith, 
both  natives  of  Ohio.  Their  entire  lives  were  passed  in  the  Buckeye  state,  where 
the  father  followed  the  blacksmith's  trade  throughout  his  active  career.  Their 
family  consisted  of  five  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  first  in  order  of 
birth.  The  others  were:  Harrison,  residing  in  Des  Moines;  J.  A.,  of  Harlan, 
Iowa ;  J.  B..  who  passed  away  at  Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa ;  and  Susanna,  the  wife 
of  Frank  Cunningham,  of  Pittsburg.  Kansas. 

The  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  were  spent  by  Alexander  H.  Smith  in 
the  home  of  his  parents,  with  whom  he  remained  until  he  had  reached  the  age 
of  eighteen  years,  when,  in  March,  1865,  he  made  his  way  to  Bushnell,  Illinois. 


212  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

vshcre  he  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand  for  two  years,  lie  then  came  to  Powe- 
shiek county,  Iowa,  in  1867,  and  for  a  similar  period  was  engaged  at  farm  work 
by  the  month.  The  money  which  he  had  been  able  to  accumulate  then  made  it 
possible  for  him  to  rent  a  farm,  and  for  a  time  he  operated  a  tract  of  eighty  acres 
located  in  Jackson  township.  It  was  not  long  before  he  was  able  to  purchase 
a  farm  of  his  own,  and  he  invested  in  his  present  place,  consisting  of  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  on  sections  3  and  4.  Jackson  township.  Since  that  time 
he  has  given  much  of  his  time  to  the  further  development  of  this  property,  which 
is  now  a  well  improved  tract,  equipped  with  good  barns  and  outbuildings,  with 
neat  fences  and  all  of  the  modern  accessories  for  facilitating  farm  labor.  In 
1910  he  erected  his  present  fine  nine-room  dwelling,  supplied  with  all  modern 
conveniences  including  water  and  gas  systems.  Much  of  his  attention  is  given 
also  to  his  stock-raising  interests,  for  he  is  an  extensive  breeder  of  high  grade 
stock,  making  a  specialty  of  shorthorn  cattle  and  .Shire  horses,  also  Morgan  horses 
and  Duroc  Jersey  hogs.  He  is  prominently  known  throughout  the  neighlxirhood 
for  the  excellence  of  his  stock,  and  his  efforts  in  this  direction  have  done  mucli 
toward  sustaining  the  high  standard  of  stock  in  Poweshiek  county,  .\side  from 
his  home  place,  Mr.  Smith  is  also  interested  in  a  half  section  of  land  in  the 
Panhandle  of  Te.xas  in  connection  with  his  son. 

On  the  2d  of  April,  1874,  Mr.  Smith  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza- 
beth Searight,  who  was  born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  August  28,  1847, 
and  with  her  parents  came  to  Iowa  in  1862.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  F.  and 
Harriet  Ann  (Stevens)  Searight.  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  re- 
spectively. Both  passed  away  in  Montezuma,  where  the  father  was  engaged  at 
the  tailor  trade.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Smith  have  been  born  five  children,  namely: 
Hattie  L.,  the  wife  of  Benjamin  J.  Farmer,  of  Pleasant  township:  John  H..  of 
Jackson  township,  operating  his  father's  farm  and  residing  upon  a  portion  of 
it;  Mary,  who  married  John  W.  Johnston,  of  Deep  River;  the  Rev.  Frederick 
A.,  pastor  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Oxford,  Iowa ;  and  Katharine, 
now  in  her  senior  year  at  Mount  Pleasant  College. 

The  religious  faith  of  Mr.  Smith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the 
Christian  church  of  Montezuma,  while  his  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the 
republican  party.  He  earlv  learned  the  lesson  that  success  must  be  purchased 
at  the  price  of  earnest,  well  defined  labor,  and  as  the  years  have  gone  by  per- 
severance, diligence  and  integrity  have  constituted  the  guiding  posts  of  life, 
bringing  him  to  the  honorable  position  which  he  now  occupies  in  the  opinion 
of  his  fellow  citizens,  among  whom  he  has  long  lived  and  labored. 


JOHN  W.  ROSE. 


On  the  roster  of  county  officials  appears  the  name  of  John  \V.  Rose,  who 
for  the  fourth  time  has  been  elected  to  the  office  of  county  auditor.  He  was 
born  in  Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  November  8,  1855,  and  is  a  son  of  Thompson 
antl  Susanna  (Lowe)  Rose,  who  were  also  natives  of  the  Buckeye  state  and 
there  resided  until  their  removal  westward  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  in   1882. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  213 

They  are  now  living  at  iJelle  1  Maine,  this  state,  and  the  father  has  retired  from 
farm  life,  to  which  he  devoted  many  years.  He  has  served  as  street  commis- 
sioner of  Belle  Plaine  for  a  number  of  years  and  is  a  respected  and  worthy 
citizen  of  that  community. 

John  W.  Rose  is  the  eldest  of  a  family  of  two  sons  and  eight  daughters  all 
of  whom  arc-  yet  living,  lie  resided  at  his  birthplace  until  he  came  to  this 
county,  in  iSjd.  and  within  its  borders  he  has  since  lived  covering  a  period  of 
tbirty-live  years,  lie  has  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  and  has  engaged  in 
general  agricultural  pursuits  but  put  aside  business  interests  of  that  character 
to  enter  upon  the  duties  of  county  auditor  to  which  he  was  elected  in  1904.  He 
discharged  his  duties  with  such  ability  and  fidelity  during  his  first  term  that 
he  was  reelected  in  1906,  again  was  the  pwpular  choice  in  1908,  and  for  a  third 
time  was  chosen  for  the  office  in  1910.  At  each  election  he  has  been  the  can- 
didate of  the  republican  i)arty  of  which  he  has  been  a  lifelong  supporter.  He 
has  done  active  work  in  the  party  ranks  and  for  a  number  of  years  served  as  a 
member  of  the  county  central  committee.  He  has  also  held  other  public  positions, 
serving  in  most  of  the  township  offices,  and  was  assessor  of  his  township  for 
thirteen  consecutive  years  before  he  was  elected  county  auditor.  He  still  owns 
a  good  farm  of  eighty-seven  acres  situated  in  Lincoln  township. 

In  1876  ^Ir.  Rose  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  J.  Henderson,  who 
was  born  in  the  same  township,  in  Guernsey  county.  Ohio,  as  was  her  husband, 
her  natal  year  being  1848.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  L.  Henderson  and  by 
her  marriage  she  has  become  the  mother  of  four  children:  ^Minnie,  the  wife  of 
H.  L.  Shrader,  of  Lincoln  township;  Earl  P.,  who  is  married  and  resides  upon 
his  father's  farm ;  Clarence  W.,  who  is  married  and  lives  in  Grinnell ;  and  Elsie, 
at  home. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Rose  belongs  to  Lafayette  Lodge,  Xo.  52,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Montezuma,  also  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modern 
Woodmen  camp.  In  Ohio  he  became  a  member  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church 
and  when  he  came  to  Iowa  united  with  a  congregation  of  the  same  denomina- 
tion at  Guernsey.  His  labors  in  behalf  of  the  church  have  been  far-reaching  and 
effective  and  at  all  times  his  aid  is  to  be  counted  upon  when  a  question  of  truth 
and  right  is  involved. 


L.  P.  R.AYMOND. 


L.  P.  Raymond,  who  is  numbered  among  Malcom's  native  sons,  is  a  repre- 
sentative of  a  well  known  family  whose  name  was  for  a  long  period  closely  and 
prominently  identified  with  banking  interests  in  this  community.  He  was  born 
December  19,  1877,  his  parents  being  E.  P.  and  Lizzie  (Reedy)  Raymond,  natives 
of  \'ermont  and  Tama  county.  Iowa,  respectively.  The  former  was  the  only  child 
of  P.  P.  Raymnnd.  who  was  also  born  in  X'ermont  and  came  to  Poweshiek  county 
when  his  son  was  but  two  years  of  age.  Locating  in  Malcom.  he  established  the 
private  bank  of  P.  P.  Raymond  &  Son.  the  first  and  only  hank  i)f  Malcom.  now 
conducted  under  the  name  of  the  Malcom  Savings   I'.ank.     F.  P.  Ravmnnd  was 


214  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

very  active  in  the  conduct  of  the  business,  his  father  giving  his  attention  entirely 
to  the  loan  department  of  the  institution,  and  continued  in  the  management  of  the 
business  for  many  years,  or  until  the  incorporation  of  the  concern  as  the  Malcom 
Savings  Bank  at  which  time  P.  P.  "Raymond  &  Son  disposed  of  their  interests 
therein.  E.  P.  Raymond  was  also  interested  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Poweshiek 
county  for  a  number  of  years  and  in  1904  went  to  Missouri.  For  the  past  three 
years,  however,  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  in  Minneapolis, 
Minnesota,  in  which  line  of  activity  he  is  meeting  with  gratifying  success. 

L.  P.  Raymond,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  was  the  eldest  of  three 
children,  the  other  two,  Edna  Ruth  and  \'ictor  Rex,  still  making  their  home  with 
their  parents.  He  acquiretl  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  this  commu- 
nity and  for  a  time  assisted  his  father  in  the  conduct  of  his  agricultural  interests. 
He  made  his  home  in  Alalcom  township  until  1901,  when  he  went  to  Te.xas  and 
took  up  his  abode  on  a  ranch  which  he  had  purchased  in  Dallam  county.  He  re- 
mained there  for  three  years,  after  which  he  sold  out  and  went  to  Paris,  Missouri, 
where  he  farmed  for  a  similar  period.  The  following  year  was  spent  with  his 
parents  in  Minneapolis,  after  which  he  returned  to  Poweshiek  county,  in  1907, 
since  which  time  he  has  continuously  given  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits 
on  a  farm  which  he  ptirchased  from  his  father.  It  is  a  tract  of  one  hundred  anil 
sixty  acres  located  on  section  23,  about  a  half  mile  north  of  Malcom,  which  has 
been  in  the  Raymond  family  for  about  twenty  years.  It  is  a  highly  developed 
property,  all  modern  improvements  having  been  made  upon  it  by  Mr.  Raymond's 
father.  He  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  and  conducts  his  affairs 
in  accordance  with  the  most  practical  and  up-to-date  methods.  He  possesses  good 
business  ability,  and  his  keen  discrimination  and  close  application  to  his  interests 
have  been  potent  elements  in  the  acquirement  of  a  most  enviable  degree  of  pros- 
perity. 

In  1898  Mr.  Raymond  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nellie  May  Martin. 
who  was  born  in  Malcom,  December  21,  1880,  a  daughter  of  P>.  B.  Martin,  of 
whom  mention  is  made  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  With  the  exception  of  seven 
years  Mr.  Raymond  has  made  his  home  in  the  vicinity  of  Malcom  and  he  has  a 
wide  circle  of  friends  in  this  community,  which  is  almost  coextensive  with  the 
circle  of  his  acquaintances.  He  is  now  in  the  very  prime  of  young  manhood,  and 
the  characteristics  which  he  has  displayed  in  the  conduct  of  his  business  affairs 
and  in  private  life  are  such  as  augur  a  bright  future  and  speak  for  upright  man- 
hood and  desirable  citizenship. 


B.  F.  BROWN  ELL. 


I!.  F.  Browncll,  who  owns  a  productive  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Grinnell  town- 
ship, is  one  of  the  well  known  residents  of  the  county,  having  arrived  here  forty- 
four  years  ago.  He  is  a  native  of  Delaware  county.  New  York,  born  Alarch  29, 
1832,"  and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  Ferris  and  Jane  (Rickey)  Brownell,  both  of 
whom  were  born  in  New  York  state.  The  paternal  grandfather  was  a  patriot  of 
the  Revolutionary  war.    He  was  paid  off  in  colonial  money,  which  proved  to  be 


HISTORY  OF  1K)\VESH1EK  COUNTY  215 

worthless,  but  he  never  regretted  the  part  he  took  in  the  estabhslinient  of  the  great 
American  repubhc.  B.  Ferris  Brownell.  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  by  trade 
a  blacksmith.  He  removed  with  his  family  in  1840  to  Pike  county,  Illinois,  and 
died  in  that  state  at  the  age  of  eighty-four  years,  Mrs.  Brownell  being  called 
away  a  week  later.  There  were  nine  children  in  their  family :  Newton  and  Bela. 
both  of  whom  are  deceased;  James;  Jane;  Wesley;  B.  F.,  of  this  review;  Hector 
and  Elbert,  both  deceased ;  and  Caroline,  who  is  living  in  Pike  county,  Illinois. 

B.  F.  Brownell  received  his  early  education  in  the  subscription  schools.  He 
early  learned  the  importance  and  value  of  labor,  and  after  his  marriage  engaged 
in  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Illinois.  In  1867  he  came  to  Iowa  and  culti- 
vated a  farm  in  Chester  township,  Poweshiek  county,  for  twenty  years.  He  then 
located  on  a  place  in  Grinnell  township,  but  after  six  years  returned  to  Chester 
township,  where  he  continued  as  a  farmer  for  three  years.  At  the  end  of  that 
time  he  took  up  his  residence  at  Lynnville,  where  he  spent  five  years,  after  which 
he  took  up  his  present  location,  his  farm  yielding  an  income  that  enables  him  to 
live  comfortably  in  his  declining  years.  Formerly  he  gave  considerable  .ittention 
to  raising  shorthorn  cattle  and  he  also  fed  stock  for  the  market.  During  recent 
vears  he  has  lived  retired. 

In  1855,  in  Pike  county,  Illinois,  Mr.  Brownell  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  Ship- 
man,  a  daughter  of  Reuben  Shipman,  a  well  known  farmer  of  the  county.  Five 
children  blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brownell:  Clarissa  Jane,  who  is  living 
at  home ;  Caroline,  who  is  now  a  widow,  living  in  Washington  township,  and  has 
two  children,  George  and  Jessie ;  George,  who  died  in  infancy ;  Curtis,  now  a 
blacksmith  of  Grinnell,  who  is  married  and  has  two  children,  Mary  and  Ruth: 
and  Alice,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Brownell  died  in  1895.  She  was  a  devoted 
wMfeand  mother  and  her  departure  was  deeply  mourned  by  her  husband  and  chil- 
dren and  sincerely  regretted  by  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances. 

Mr.  Brownell  in  religious  belief  adheres  to  the  Methodist  church.  Having  ob- 
served the  evil  effects  of  the  liquor  traffic  he  has  given  his  political  support  to  the 
prohibition  party.  He  has  now  reached  the  venerable  age  of  seventy-nine  years 
and  the  labors  of  the  farm  have  been  delegated  to  younger  men.  Throughout  his 
life  he  has  been  actuated  by  high  and  worthy  aims,  and  he  receives  his  reward  in 
the  esteem  in  which  he  is  held  by  the  entire  community,  of  which  he  has  so  long 
been  an  honored  resident. 


GEORGE  G.   PEARCE. 


The  owner  of  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Washington  town- 
ship, George  G.  Pearce  is  a  representative  agriculturist  of  Poweshiek  county.  He 
was  born  in  Grinnell  township,  January  27,  1866,  and  is  a  son  of  William  Cyrenus 
and  Mathilda  Grant  (Brown)  Pearce,  a  record  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in 
this  work. 

Mr.  Pearce,  of  this  review,  received  his  preliminary  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  of  Grinnell  township  and  later  attended  the  public  schools  of  Grin- 
nell.   He  worked  for  his  father  on  the  home  farm  and  then  rented  land  in  Grinnell 


216  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

township  for  nine  years.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he  decided  to  see  the  great 
west  and  went  to  the  state  of  Washington,  spending  one  year  in  Tacoma,  and 
three  years  in  the  hardware  store  of  an  uncle  at  Yakima.  BeHeving  that  a  more 
favorahle  opening  was  presented  in  his  native  county  than  he  could  find  in  the 
northwest,  and  having  also  made  up  his  mind  to  reengage  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits, he  returned  to  Poweshiek  county  and  again  cultivated  rented  land.  In 
1902  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Washington  township,  which 
he  has  improved  by  the  erection  of  buildings,  fences,  and  setting  out  of  shade 
and  ornamental  trees,  making  it  a  highly  desirable  property.  He  devotes  special 
attention  to  raising  and  marketing  cattle,  hogs  and  sheep,  and  his  lalxirs  have 
met  with  an  abundant  measure  of  reward.  He  has  won  a  creditable  position  and 
enjoys  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  fellowmen. 

On  tiie  20th  of  March,  1895,  Mr.  Pearce  was  married  to  .Miss  Catherine  Max- 
well, born  March  29,  1870,  in  Henry  county,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  John  A.  and 
Louisa  A.  (  P)ick  )  Maxwell.  The  father  was  born  in  Henry  coimty,  Illinois,  Jan- 
uary 9.  1849,  ant'  the  mother  near  Columbus,  Ohio,  January  20,  185 1.  They 
came  west  to  Missouri,  where  -Mr.  .Maxwell  engaged  in  farming  for  three  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  he  brought  his  family  to  Poweshiek  county  and  from 
1875  to  1906  rented  land  in  this  county.  In  the  latter  year  he  purchased  a  farm 
at  .Malcoin  and  engaged  in  general  farming.  He  is  an  ardent  adherent  of  the 
democratic  i^arty  and  a  leader  in  politics  in  his  part  of  the  county,  being  at  the 
present  time  mayor  of  Malcom.  He  has  also  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  and 
assessor  of  Malcom  township.  He  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order  and  the 
Knights  of  Pythias  andvlys  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church. 
Six  children  were  born. to  (the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pearce:  Herbert  \\'., 
who  was  born  August  28.  '1897*;"  Alwe- iM„  Tiorn  May  10,  1899;  Helen  M..  born 
March  14,  1901  ;  George  Wendell,  born  March  2,  1903;  Leonard  -M.,  born  May 
4,  ifp6;  and  Harold  Graht,  born,^fay  3,  191 1. 

In  politics  Mr.  Pearce  is  independent  and  therefore  is  not  affiliated  with  any 
of  the  political  organizations.  He  has  served  two  terms  very  acceptably  as  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board,  and  the  confidence  of  his  friends  and  neighbors  is  in- 
dicated by  his  election  as  justice  of  the  peace,  which  office  he  now  holds.  He 
is  not  connected  with  any  religious  denomination,  but  his  wife  is  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  church.  He  has  had  wide  experience  in  life  and.  being  a 
man  of  good  powers  of  observation  and  reflection,  he  learned  many  useful  lessons 
which  he  has  been  able  to  apply  practically.  He  ranks  today  as  one  of  the  best 
and  most  popular  citizens  of  Washington  township. 


WJLI.IA.M    PROSSER. 


.\t  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-nine  years,  William  Prosser,  of  Washington 
township,  is  living  in  honorable  retirement  upon  his  farm.  He  is  one  of  the 
most  interesting  pioneers  to  be  met  with  in  the  state  of  Iowa.  His  eyes  first 
rested  on  Poweshiek  county  in  1848— sixty-three  years  ago — when  there  were 
comparatively  few  settlers  in  the  county  and  the  great  west  was  largely  a  wilder- 


AVII.I.IAM     I'ltOSSI'.K 


MKS.  wu.i.iA.M   ri;(issi;i; 


THE  NEVv    ;  u  \K 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LSNOX   *r<D 
TILOEN  FOUNOATIONS. 


HISTORY  ()!•    POWESHIEK  COUNTY  2:il 

ness  untrodden  by  white  men.  He  participated  in  the  gold  excitement  and 
joined  "the  tens  of  thousand.--  that  braved  the  hardships  of  the  deserts  and 
niomitains.  and  the  greater  danger  from  attacks  of  hostile  Indians,  and  for 
several  years  on  the  I'acihc  coast  he  witnessed  the  memorable  scenes  coin- 
cident with  the  establishment  of  the  early  mining  camps.  Returning  to  Iowa, 
he  established  his  home  in  Poweshiek  county,  and  today  is  the  owner  of  one 
of  the  valuable  farms  in  the  county. 

He  is  a  native  of  Richland  county.  Ohio,  and  was  born  November  25,  1821, 
a  son  of  William  and  Catherine  (  Uempsey )  Prosser.  both  of  whom  were  born 
in  Pennsylvania.  The  father  removed  with  the  family  to  Brown  county,  In- 
diana, and  engaged  in  farming,  and  later  continued  in  the  same  occupation  in 
.Morgan  county.  Illinois.  In  the  spring  of  1848  he  arrived  with  his  family  in 
Poweshiek  county,  where  he  and,  his  wife  spent  the  remaining  years  of  their 
lives.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  In  politics  Mr. 
Prosser  adhered  to  the  democratic  party.  He  was  a  patriotic  man  and  served 
as  a  private  in  the  war  of  1812,  enlisting  from  Pennsylvania.  Of  the  seven 
children  reared  at  the  fireside  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Prosser,  William,  of  this  re- 
view, is  the  onl\'  survivor.  The  others  were  Polly,  Margaret,  Daniel,  Isaac, 
(ieorge  and  Rachel. 

William  Prosser  received  his  preliminary  education  in  the  district  schools 
of  Ohio  and  Indiana.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he  began  working  for  wages 
in  Indiana,  and  continued  as  a  Nv^^'.'^r^er  .4n  Illinois.  In  1848,  being  then 
twenty-seven  years  of  age,  he  cameqt9>.I^Jweshij5k  county  and  took  up  govern- 
ment land  which  he  later  sold.  In  1851  he  yielded  to  jhe  gold  fever  excitement 
and  crossed  the  plains  to  Califdrnia^vijvli^^e;  .Ite  spent  four  years  in  quest  of 
the  yellow  metal.  He  met  with  marfj'-'Sdv'Wtures  and_  with  many  strange  char- 
acters, who  were  attracted  there  from  all  parts  of  the  world  by  the  lure  of 
wealth.  The  dreams  of  the  great  majority  of  the  vast  throng  never  became 
realized,  and  thousands  of  the  weary  wanderers  were  buried  in  unknown  graves 
on  the  mountains  and  in  the  plains.  Mr.  Prosser  met  with  a  measure  of  suc- 
cess and,  in  1855.  he  returned  to  Poweshiek  county  and  purchased  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  established  his  homestead.  As 
the  years  advanced  he  lx)ught  more  land,  until  he  became  the  owner  of  eight 
hundred  and  twelve  acres,  all  of  which  is  well  improved.  He  has  followed 
general  farming,  also  raising  and  feeding  stock  upon  an  extensive  scale.  He 
now  lives  at  ease,  the  labors  of  the  farm  having  been  given  over  to  younger 
shoidders. 

On  the  i6th  of  .\pril.  1858,  Mr.  Prosser  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Jenkins,  who  was  born  June  3.  1832,  in  West  Virginia  and  is  a 
daughter  of  Thomas  and  Nancy  (Stafford)  Jenkins.  The  parents  were  both 
born  in  West  Virginia  and  the  family  removed  to  Madison,  Indiana,  where 
the  father  died  .April  30.  1837.  Later  the  mother  took  up  her  residence  in 
Poweshiek  county.  Iowa,  where  she  died  December  16,  1875.  Both  she  and 
her  Inisband  were  members  of  the  Methodist  church. 

Politically  Mr.  Prosser  affiliates  with  the  democratic  party.  He  has,  how- 
ever, devoted  his  attention  to  business  rather  than  to  politics,  and  his  beauti- 
ful farm  is  evidence  of  his  judgment  and  enterprise.     He  is  one  of  the  honored 


222  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

survivors  of  the  white  race  that  opened  the  way  for  the  millions  that  now 
occupy  the  fertile  lands  of  the  west  and  have  made  them  blossom  as  a  garden. 
The  work  of  the  venerable  pioneer  is  now  accomplished  and  he  is  in  the 
enjoyment  of  the  peace  and  plenty  that  rightfully  belong  to  those  who,  in  the 
heat  of  the  day  and  the  midst  of  the  battle,  attempted  to  perform  their  duty. 


ALBERT  W.  READ. 


Almost  a  half  century  has  come  and  gone  since  the  arrival  of  Albert  W. 
Read  in  Iowa,  and  with  the  passing  years  he  has  witnessed  the  development  of 
one  of  the  finest  agricultural  districts  in  the  country. 

A  native  of  Pennsylvania,  he  was  born  in  Clearfield  county  on  the  9th  of 
September,  1857,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Jane  (Irwin)  Read,  who  were  natives 
of  Ireland  and  Clearfield  county,  Pennsylvania,  respectively.  The  father,  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  came  west  in  1866,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Madison  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county,  upon  which  his  son  now  makes  his  home.  His  pur- 
chase consisted  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  16,  and  here 
he  continued  to  reside,  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  on  the  31st  of  October,  1908.  He  survived  his  wife  for  about  seven 
years,  her  death  occurring  April   11,   1901. 

Reared  in  the  Keystone  state  Albert  W.  Read  accompanied  his  parents  on 
their  westward  trip  in  1866,  and  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  home 
farm  in  Madison  township  until  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  started 
out  on  his  own  account,  working  at  farm  labor  by  the  month  until  he  reached 
man's  estate.  When  he  had  attained  his  twenty-second  year  he  rented  a  farm 
in  Madison  township  which  he  operated  for  five  years,  and  then  rented  a  farm 
in  Tama  county,  Iowa,  for  two  years,  although  he  still  retained  his  residence  in 
Madison  township,  Poweshiek  county.  At  the  end  of  that  period  he  returned 
to  the  homestead  farm  and  here  cared  for  his  parents  until  their  demise. 

He  then  purchased  the  home  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  to  which 
he  has  since  added  forty  acres,  making  it  today  an  excellent  place  of  two  him- 
dred  acres.  The  place  contains  no  waste  land  but  is  all  under  a  high  state  of 
cultivation  and  is  a  well  developed  tract.  It  contains  a  fine  orchard  of  one 
acre,  and  is  well  watered  and  well  tiled  throughout.  Mr.  Read  has  recently 
greatly  enhanced  the  value  of  the  property  by  installing  an  up-to-date  acetylene 
lighting  svstem,  operated  by  electricity  generated  by  storage  batteries,  there 
being  only  three  such  plants  in  Madison  township.  He  has  remodeled  his  dwell- 
ing, adding  all  of  the  modern  conveniences  of  a  city  home,  making  it  one  of  the 
well  improved  and  attractive  homes  of  the  district.  He  engages  extensively  in 
the  raising  of  grain,  cattle  and  hogs,  which  he  sells  to  shippers  direct,  and  .the 
high  grade  of  his  grain  and  stock  makes  it  possible  for  him  to  realize  excellent 
returns.  He  is  practical  and  progressive  in  the  management  of  his  aflfairs  and 
his  well  directed  efforts  are  meeting  with  substantial  and  merited  success. 

On  the  i6th  of  December,  1903,  Mr.  Read  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  E.  Leach,  a  daughter  of  Jonathan  and  Liza  Jane   (Lawn)  Leach,  natives 


HISTORY  UI<    I'OVVKSIIII-.K  COUXTY  223 

of  Virginia  and  Pickaway  county,  Ohio,  resiJectively.  The  mother  passed  away 
at  the  age  of  twenty-nine  years,  but  the  father  still  survives  and  is  now  en- 
gaged in  business  at  Harrisburg,  Franklin  county,  Ohio.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Read  has  been  born  one  daughter,  Ruth  Naomi,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the 
28th  of  March,  1908,  and  who  is  the  life  and  light  of  the  household. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  work 
of  which  they  are  greatly  interested,  and  both  are  held  in  the  highest  esteem  in 
the  community  in  which  they  reside.  Mr.  Read  gives  his  political  support  to 
the  democracy,  and  is  now  serving  as  township  trustee  of  Madison  township, 
having  been  elected  to  that  office  in  the  fall  of  1910  for  a  term  of  two  years. 
He  has  now  made  his  home  in  this  county  for  almost  a  half  century  and  his 
life,  ever  upright  and  honorable,  has  gained  for  him  the  warm  esteem  and  un- 
qualified confidence  of  those  with  whom  business  or  social  relations  have  brought 
him  in  contact. 


WILLIAM  W.  CUMMINGS. 

Among  the  citizens  of  Union  township  who  have  contributed  toward  the  de- 
velopment of  the  agricultural  interests  of  Poweshiek  county  is  William  W. 
Cummings,  who  was  born  in  the  township  where  he  now  resides  on  the  17th  of 
l'"ebruary.  1858.  His  parents  were  Alexander  and  Jane  ( Duffus )  Cummings, 
natives  of  Scotland,  from  which  country  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States, 
locating  in  Ohio.  Later  they  removed  to  Iowa,  settling  upon  a  farm  in  the 
vicinity  of  Ewart,  in  Pleasant  township.  The  father,  who  was  a  stone-mason 
by  trade,  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  his  homestead  until  he  passed  away. 
Both  parents  were  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  his  political  sup- 
port was  accorded  the  republican  party.  They  were  the  parents  of  six  children, 
the  order  of  their  birth  being  as  follows :  Margaret,  the  widow  of  Moses  Jacob, 
of  Ewart;  James  A.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Malcom ;  Ellen  D.,  the  wife  of  James 
Donnan,  of  Ewart;  William  W.,  our  subject;  George  W.,  also  a  resident  of 
Ewart ;  and  John  L..  deceased. 

After  the  completion  of  his  education  which  was  acquired  in  the  common 
schools  of  Poweshiek  county,  William  W.  Cummings  laid  aside  his  text-books 
and  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  assisting  his  father  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  homestead.  He  remained  a  member  of  the  parental  house- 
hold until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  following  which  he  rented  some 
land,  which  he  operated  for  three  years.  Subsequently  he  went  to  Ewart,  where 
he  engaged  in  the  mercantile  and  stock  business  for  several  years.  In  1898  he 
purchased  his  present  homestead,  containing  four  hundred  and  fifty-two  acres 
within  the  corporate  limits  of  Montezuma.  Here  he  is  engaging  in  the  breed- 
ing and  raising  of  stock  in  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  his  fields. 

Mr.  Cummings  was  married  on  the  17th  of  February,  1881,  to  Miss  Ella  J. 
Donnan,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Nancy  (Hamilton)  Donnan,  of  Ewart.  Her 
parents  were  natives  of  Belfast,  Ireland,  coming  from  there  to  the  United  States 
and  locating  in  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  where  the   father  engaged  in  agricultural 


224  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'XTY 

pursuits.  Subse(|uently  they  came  to  Rwart,  Iowa,  again  settling  on  a  farm, 
and  here  the  father  passed  away  on  the  31st  of  .\ugust,  1871,  but  the  mother 
survived  until  the  20th  of  October.  1891.  Six  children  were  born  to  them  as 
follows:  Susanna,  the  wife  of  \\'.  A.  McGonigan,  of  Chicago:  James,  who  is 
a  resident  of  Ewart.  Iowa:  Ella  J.,  now  Mrs.  Cummings.  who  was  born  in  Rock 
Island  on  the  loth  of  March,  1857:  Mary  A.,  the  wife  of  William  McCormick, 
of  Ewart:  Elizabeth  N.,  who  is  at  home:  and  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Andrew  Mc- 
Cormick, also  of  Ewart.  The  family  affiliated  with  the  Presbyterian  church, 
of  which  the  parents  were  active  and  earnest  members,  Mr.  Donnan  having 
been  both  an  elder  and  trustee.  His  political  support  he  always  gave  to  the 
democratic  party  and  he  served  his  district  in  the  capacity  of  school  director. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cummings  were  born  five  daughters  and  three  sons  in  the 
following  order:  Charles  G.,  who  is  a  resident  of  ^Montezuma:  James  A.;  Mae 
Agnes:  Pearl  Elizabeth:  Sarah  Jane:  William  J.:  Florence  S. :  and  Margaret, 
all  of  whom  are  at  home.  P>oth  Mr.  and  Airs.  Cummings  hold  membership  in 
the  Presbyterian  church,  and  fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  political  support  he  gives  to  the  men  and  measures 
of  the  republican  party.  He  is  one  of  the  representative  citizens  of  L'nion  town- 
ship, where  he  and  his  family  are  held  in  high  regard. 


WILLIAM  NEMLLE. 


Left  at  an  early  age  to  the  mercy  of  strangers  through  the  death  of  both  par- 
ents, and  handicapped  by  the  loss  of  one  hand,  William  Neville  has  nevertheless 
become  one  of  the  representative  agriculturists  of  Malcom  township  and  one  of 
the  substantial  men  of  Poweshiek  county. 

He  was  born  in  New  York  city  on  the  15th  of  Novemi)er,  1861,  a  son  of  F"rank 
and  Elizabeth  (Barrett)  Neville,  both  natives  of  England.  They  were  reared  in 
their  native  country  and  were  there  married,  and  ere  leaving  for  this  country  be- 
came the  parents  of  one  son.  Upon  their  arrival  in  the  United  States  they  located 
in  New  York,  and  Mr.  Neville  passed  away  in  Brooklyn  from  the  effects  of  small- 
po.x  when  William  Neville  was  but  four  years  of  age.  .\t  the  time  of  the  father's 
death  the  widowed  mother  also  lost  two  children  from  the  same  disease,  and  was 
left  with  four  small  children.  Her  death  occurred  when  her  son,  William,  was 
eleven  years  old.  He  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  six  chil- 
dren, as  follows :  Frank,  who  died  in  youth  from  smallpox  :  \\'illiam  :  Albert,  who 
until  recently  resided  in  Poweshiek  county,  but  now  makes  his  home  in  X'irginia : 
Martha,  the  wife  of  J.  C.  Clemmens.  of  Tacoma,  Washington:  Nellie,  who  passed 
away  at  the  time  of  her  father's  death  :  and  Sarah,  whose  whereabouts  are  un- 
known. 

.\fter  the  mother's  demise  the  children  were  taken  by  the  Children's  Aid  So- 
ciety of  the  Episcopal  church  of  Brooklyn,  and  in  June,  1873,  William  Neville  and 
his  younger  brother,  Albert,  were  brought  to  Poweshiek  county  at  first  being 
located  at  Brooklyn.  Later  they  went  to  Grinnell  and  subsequently  went  to  live 
with  C.  H.  Verbeck,  who  was  residing  on  a  farm  near  Grinnell,  in  Malcom  town- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESUIKK  COL'NTY  22B 

shiji.  Not  long  afterward  tliey  sent  for  their  sister,  Martha,  and  slie,  too,  was 
reared  in  this  county.  Wilham  Xeville  remained  in  the  home  of  Mr.  Verbeck 
until  twenty  years  of  age,  when,  in  iS8i,  lie  look  up  agriculture  on  his  own  ac- 
count, cultivating  a  rented  farm  for  three  years.  He  was  then  married,  after 
which  he  ojierated  Mr.  X'erbeck's  farm  on  shares  for  several  years,  being  thus 
engaged  until  i8(>S,  when  his  carefully  saved  earnings  made  it  possible  for  him 
to  invest  in  i)ro])erty  of  his  own.  Me  accordingly  purchased  his  present  farm  of 
two  hundred  and  ten  acres,  located  on  section  ro,  Malcoin  township,  while  he 
later  invested  in  another  tract  of  eighty  acres  on  section  29.  The  home  place  is  a 
highly  im]jri)vt'(l  pri)|)erty  which,  in  its  neat  appearance,  indicates  progressive  and 
[practical  methods  on  the  part  of  its  owner.  He  is  an  extensive  stock-raiser, 
breeding  on  an  average  of  one  hundred  head  of  cattle  jier  year,  wdiile  in  igio  he 
shipped  one  hundred  and  fifty  head  to  the  Chicago  market.  He  likewise  raises 
and  ships  a  large  number  of  hogs  and  the  high  grade  of  his  stock  commands  for 
him  reach-  sale  and  excellent  prices.  1  le  has  been  eminently  successful  in  his 
agricultural  enterprise  and  as  he  has  prospered  he  has  assumed  other  interests, 
being  now  known  in  the  financial  circles  of  this  community  as  a  stockholder  in 
the  Mutual  Home  &  Loan  Bank  of  Grinnell,  and  also  of  the  Malcom  Savings 
Bank. 

On  the  iSth  of  February,  i8go,  Mr.  Xeville  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Cora  Nutting,  who  was  born  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  D.  W.  and 
Helen  Nutting,  the  former  now  deceased  and  the  latter  a  resiflent  of  Grinnell. 
Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neville  have  been  born  four  children,  as  follows:  Ina,  Martha. 
Rex  and  Orville. 

Mr.  Neville  has  excv  supportecl  the  democratic  party  and  on  that  ticket  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  trustee  of  Malcom  township.  He  also  served  as  director- 
at-large  of  the  school  board,  and  is  public-spirited  in  citizenship,  lending  his  in- 
fluence and  cooperation  to  all  measures  and  movements  for  the  betterment  and 
improvement  of  the  community.  Few  residents  of  Poweshiek  county  more  rightly 
'leserve  the  proud  .\merican  title  of  a  self-made  man,  for  through  difficulties  and 
obstacles  he  has  forged  his  way  upward,  allowing  nothing  to  bar  his  path  that 
might  be  overcome  by  persistent,  earnest  effort,  and  today  he  stands  among  the 
most  prominent,  progressive  and  substantial  business  men  of  the  county. 


WILLIAM  H.  FISHER. 


Among  the  wide-awake  and  progressive  farmers  of  Poweshiek  county  should 
be  named  William  H.  I-'isher,  whose  beautiful  place  of  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  Jefferson  township  presents  abundant  evidence  of  his  interest  in  his 
calling  and  his  ability  as  an  agriculturist  and  stock-raiser. 

He  was  born  in  the  township  where  he  now  lives  December  19,  1878,  a  son 
of  Luther  and  Margaret  (Kelly)  Fisher.  The  father  was  born  in  Ohio  and  the 
mother  in  Massachusetts,  and  both  came  to  Iowa  in  their  childhood.  They 
were  married  in  Mahaska  county,  this  state,  and  in   1874  located  in  Poweshiek 


226  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

county,  where  Mr.  Fisher  purchased  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres, 
which  he  later  increased  to  four  hundred  acres,  becoming  the  owner  of  one  of 
the  best  developed  properties  in  his  part  of  the  county.  He  distributed  a  large 
portion  of  his  land  among  his  children  and  is  now  living  retired  at  Belle  Plaine. 
He  has  adhered  to  the  democratic  party  ever  since  he  cast  his  first  ballot  and  has 
served  as  township  trustee,  township  treasurer  and  also  as  school  director.  He 
has  for  years  been  known  as  a  man  of  excellent  judgment  in  financial  matters  and 
is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Hartwick  Bank. 

William  H.  Fisher,  of  this  review,  had  the  advantage  of  education  in  the 
common  schools,  and  later  attended  the  high  school  at  Belle  Plaine  and  at  Dixon, 
Illinois,  finally  taking  a  course  in  the  Iowa  City  Commercial  College.  He  re- 
ceived his  first  lessons  in  agriculture  upon  his  father's  farm  and  at  twenty-one 
years  of  age  began  farming  upon  land  owned  by  his  father.  Three  years  later, 
in  March,  1902,  he  moved  to  his  present  location  on  section  24,  Jeiiferson  town- 
ship, where  he  has  one  of  the  most  attractive  residences  of  the  township  and 
also  has  provided  his  place  with  large  and  well  built  barns.  He  raises  cattle  and 
hogs  and  is  usually  successful  in  securing  the  best  prices  that  are  quoted  for  the 
class  of  stock  which  he  delivers. 

On  February  5,  1902,  Mr.  Fisher  was  married  to  Miss  Nellie  Hakeman,  a 
daughter  of  George  Hakeman,  of  Sanborn,  Iowa.  The  father  is  a  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war  and  is  now  living  retired,  but  still  owns  the  old  homestead  in  O'Brien 
county,  Iowa.  Two  children,  Zada  M.  and  Edev  C.  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Fisher. 

Mr.  Fisher  votes  in  support  of  the  republican  party,  believing  firmly  in  its 
principles  as  essential  to  the  prosperity  of  the  country.  He  has  served  as  town- 
ship treasurer  and  trustee,  but  his  business  has  demanded  most  of  his  attention. 
anrl  the  excellent  results  he  has  obtained  could  not  have  been  secured  except  by 
thoughtful  attention.  He  is  a  representative  of  the  younger  element  in  farming 
and  is  always  on  the  lookout  for  methods  that  will  produce  the  best  results  at 
a  reasonable  cost  in  time,  money  and  labor.  Earnest,  energetic  and  ambitious 
of  advancement,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe  that  he  will  lie  known  in  years 
to  come  as  one  of  the  prominent  factors  of  Poweshiek  county. 


GIDEON   W.   MERRILL. 

liideon  W.  Merrill,  who  has  reached  the  sixty-fourth  mile-stone  in  life's 
journey,  is  one  of  the  best  known  residents  of  Grinnell.  He  is  a  native  of  Plain- 
field,  New  Hampshire,  born  April  18,  1847,  a  son  of  Philo  G.  C.  and  Sophia  W. 
(Woodward)  Merrill,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  X'ermonl.  The  father  was 
reared  as  a  farmer  and  in  1851  took  u])  his  residence  at  Wilton,  New  York, 
where  he  remained  for  a  year  and  a  half,  coming  west  to  Warren  county,  Iowa, 
in  1853.  He  conducted  a  store  and  gristmill  at  his  new  home  in  this  state  and 
had  attained  a  goodly  measure  of  prosperity  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war. 
Ti>  him  belongs  the  honor  of  being  the  first  man  from  Warren  county  to  enlist 
in  the  LInion  army.     His  name  was  enrolled  as  first  lieutenant  of  Company  G, 


HISTORY  OI-  I'OWF.SIlll'.K  COrNTY  227 

riiiril  Iowa  Regiment.  At  the  hattle  of  Shiloh  he  was  wounded  and  captured  and 
was  confinecl  for  six  moiUlis  in  a  Confederate  prison  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  and 
later  at  Tuskegee  and  Mijbile,  Alabama.  He  was  finally  exchangetl  and  returned 
to  his  company,  with  which  he  served  until  il^'i^,  when,  on  account  of  ill  health 
occasioned  by  the  hardshi])s  through  which  he  had  passed,  he  was  discharged  from 
the  army  and  returned  home.  The  estimation  in  which  he  was  held  by  the  people 
of  Warren  county  is  indicated  b\-  the  fact  that  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate 
from  that  county  and  served  in  i8f>,^-4.  In  the  spring  of  1864  he  removed  to  Pow- 
eshielc  county  and  engaged  with  marked  success  in  farming.  He  died  in  1896  but 
his  wife  is  still  living  upon  the  old  homestead. 

Gideon  W.  Merrill  arrived  in  Iowa  with  his  parents  at  the  age  of  six  years 
and  has  ever  since  that  time  been  a  resident  of  this  state.  He  attended  the  com- 
mon schools  in  Warren  count\-  and  later  was  a  student  at  Iowa  College.  After 
leaving  college  he  devoted  his  attention  to  agriculture  and  stock-raising  upon  the 
home  place,  where  he  is  now  living  retired.  The  original  farm  upon  which  his 
father  located  is  within  the  city  limits  of  Grinnell  and  its  value  has  increased 
many  fold  so  that  Mr.  Merrill  enjoys  a  good  income. 

In  1897  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Dickerson,  of  Grinnell,  a 
daughter  of  George  and  Nancy  Jackson,  the  former  of  whoin  was  born  in  New- 
York  and  the  latter  in  Indiana.  They  came  to  Iowa  and  settled  in  Iowa  City  in 
1853.  Mr.  Jackson  was  by  trade  a  carpenter  and  assisted  in  building  the  first 
capitol  of  the  state  of  Iowa. 

Mr.  Merrill  has  been  a  resident  of  Iowa  since  1853 — ^  period  of  fifty-eight 
years — and  for  forty-seven  years  he  has  made  his  home  at  Grinnell.  He  has 
seen  the  country  town  grow  to  a  thriving  modern  city  and  has  been  one  of  the 
factors  by  which  this  great  transformation  was  wrought.  As  the  son  of  a  noble 
defender  of  the  republic,  he  was  early  taught  the  duties  of  citizenship,  and  he  has 
ever  attempted  to  discharge  his  responsibilities  fairly  and  with  justice  to  all  con- 
cerned. He  has  never  been  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  office  seeking,  as  his  in- 
terests have  been  concentrated  on  his  business.  Fraternally  he  is  a  valued  mem- 
ber of  the  Masonic  lodge  at  Grinnell. 


H.  R.  BOOKNAU. 


( )ne  of  the  finest  farms  in  Poweshiek  county  is  that  owned  by  H.  R.  Booknau. 
It  comprises  nine  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  is  in  many  respects  a  model  place, 
the  barns  being  strictly  modern  and  all  utensils  and  appliances  the  best  to  be 
foimd  in  the  market.  This  large  and  valuable  property  Mr.  Booknau  has  ac- 
quired through  his  own  exertions  and  it  is,  indeed,  a  monument  to  his  ability 
and  energ}'. 

He  is  a  native  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  born  June  22,  1848,  a  son  of  George 
and  Christina  (Lynn)  Booknau,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Germany.  The 
father  was  born  in  1809  and  devoted  his  attention  to  farming  in  the  old  country. 
He  came  to  America  in  1842.  and  in  1850  removed  with  his  family  from  Boston 
to  Hartford,  Wisconsin.    He  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  in  1859,  and  after 


228  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COLXTV 

spending  one  year  at  Montezuma  removed  to  Grinnell.  and  in  1864  purchased  a 
farm  in  Chester  township.  He  apphed  himself  with  such  (hhgence  that  in  a  few 
years  he  owned  four  hundred  acres,  but  in  1870  met  with  financial  reverses  from 
which  he  did  not  recover.  He  died  in  1890,  his  wife  having  passed  away  at  Hart- 
ford. Wisconsin,  forty  years  previously.  There  were  five  children  in  the  family 
— four  boys  and  one  girl,  the  subject  of  this  review  being  the  fourth  in  order 
of  birth. 

Educated  in  the  common  schools  and  in  an  academy  at  (irinnell.  H.  R.  Booknau 
early  became  ac(|uainted  with  farm  work  under  liis  father,  and  ever  since  his 
boyhood  has  devoted  his  attention  to  agriculture  and  stock-raising.  The  financial 
reverses  of  his  father  he  regards,  not  as  a  misfortune,  but  rather  as  a  blessing  to 
himself.  He  went  to  work  on  his  own  account  and  thus  developed  the  strength 
of  character  and  clearness  of  judgment  which  carried  him  through  many  diffi- 
culties and  finally  made  him  financially  independent.  He  jJurchased  his  first 
land  in  1880,  the  cost  being  thirty-six  dollars  an  acre,  and  in  1881  he  acquired 
more  land,  being  today  one  of  the  important  landholders  of  the  county.  He  makes 
a  specialty  of  raising  and  feeding  Poland  China  hogs  and  shorthorn  cattle,  mar- 
keting as  many  as  three  hundred  cattle  in  a  year.  He  is  a  large  feeder,  and  as 
he  is  a  good  judge  of  livestock  and  understands  his  busmess  thoroughly  he 
usually  receives  the  best  prices  quoted  for  his  class  of  stock  in  the  market. 

In  politics  Mr.  Booknau  supports  the  republican  party,  and  religiously  he  is 
connected  with  the  Congregational  church  at  Grinnell.  He  is  a  bachelor,  his 
widowed  sister,  who  has  four  children,  keeping  house  for  him.  He  has  witnessed 
many  changes  in  Poweshiek  county,  one  of  which  is  the  advance  in  the  price  of 
land.  He  remembers  when  land  sold  at  three  dollars  per  acre  and  the  same  land 
now  commands  three  hundred  dollars  per  acre.  He  has  also  noted  the  remark- 
able improvements  in  farm  methods,  all  branches  of  agriculture  and  stock-rais- 
ing having  been  revolutionized  since  the  early  days  of  farming  in  this  county.  He 
is  fond  of  building  anchor  posts,  and  has  one  two  feet  in  diameter,  which  extends 
seven  feet  in  the  ground  and  six  feet  above,  tapering  to  eighteen  inches  at  the  top. 
It  is  reinforced  by  steel  wire  and  weighs  seventy-five  hundred  pounds,  and  yet  it 
is  a  cheap  post,  as  it  only  cost  sixteen  dollars.  This  is  believed  to  be  the  most 
remarkable  anchor  post  in  the  county,. if  not  in  the  state.  He  is  a  man  of  good 
education,  a  constant  reader,  a  clear  and  logical  thinker,  and  his  advice  is  often 
sought  by  neighbors  and  friends,  who  seldom  make  a  mistake  if  they  follow  the 
line  he  suggests. 


101 IX  INERSON. 


Among  the  X'orwegian  Americans  of  Poweshiek  county  John  Iverson  is 
prominent,  being  the  owner  of  a  beautiful  farm  which  he  acquired  through 
his  energy  and  ability  as  an  agriculturist  and  stock-raiser.  He  was  born  at 
Stavanger.  Norway,  May  20.  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  Iver  and  Bertha  ( Johanson ) 
Iverson,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Norway  and  spent  their  entire  lives  in  their 
native  country. 


JOHN     IVDUSON     AMI     FAMILY 


THE  NEV 

PUBLIC  LIB..,^V 


ASTOR,  LSNCa 
TILOEN  FOUNts 


HISTORY  OF  rOWESIllEK  COl-XTY  231 

John  Iverson  received  a  common-school  education  and  at  seventeen  years  of 
age  began  work  on  a  fishing  boat.  However,  he  was  not  satisfied  with  the  outlook 
in  his  native  land,  where  wages  were  low  and  opportunities  for  advancement 
were  limited.  Accordingly,  on  May  12,  1882,  he  landed  in  .\merica  and  soon 
came  to  Brooklyn,  Iowa,  finding  employment  as  a  farm  laborer.  He  continueil 
to  work  for  wages  for  four  years  and  tiien,  in  1886.  rented  a  farm  in  Sheridan 
townslii]).  I'our  years  later  he  purchased  land  at  his  present  location  on  section 
34,  Chester  township,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  beautiful  farm  of  two  hundred 
and  forty  acres,  which  he  has  supplied  with  substantial  buildings  and  all  mo<l- 
ern  conveniences.  His  residence  stands  back  about  one  hundred  yards  from  the 
road  in  an  attractive  location,  an  evergreen  hedge  bordering  the  front  of  the 
premises  and  a  roadway  winding  through  a  nicely  shaded  lawn  to  the  house. 
It  is  one  of  the  beautiful  sights  of  the  neighborhood  and  the  appearance  of  the 
farm  indicates  a  high  degree  of  prosperity. 

On  the  14th  of  February,  i8yi,  Air.  Iverson  was  united  in  marriage,  at  the 
Lutheran  church  in  Sheridan,  to  Miss  Letta  Severson,  a  daughter  of  Severt 
Severson,  a  farmer  of  Norway.  She  came  to  America  with  an  uncle  but  her 
parents  never  made  the  trip  to  this  country.  One  child,  Elmer  .S.,  has  blessed 
this  union. 

.Mr.  Iverson  is  a  man  of  fine  tastes,  as  is  sho\v,n..by  the  appearance  of  his 
place  and  the  care  he  takes  in  keeping' Jpv.ery^^ing  io'Ofd^r  about  him.  He  believes 
that  everything  should  be  well  don^-that,  is' \vbrtl£'.d6ing  at  all  and  accordingly 
he  puts  his  best  efforts  into  his  work."  He  is  a  consistent  advocate  of  education 
and  was  instrumental  in  establishir^  a  ^p;liQOJ^  im.Cfhtstei;  township,  of  which  he 
has  just  cause  to  be  proud.  ReligipusAy^he  ^adheres. , to .ihe  Lutlieran  church,  in 
which  he  was  reared  as  a  boy,  an9"Tn  politics  he  votes  in  support  of  the  re- 
publican party.  He  has  not  been  a  seeker  for  public  office  but  has  served  as 
road  supervisor  of  his  township.  His  principal  interests  are  centered  in  his  fam- 
ily'and  his  farm,  and  it  is  the  general  opinion  of  his  friends  that  lie  is  one  of  the 
model   farmers  of  the  countv. 


DR.  U.  Al.  HIBBETS. 


Dr.  U.  M.  Hibbets,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  located  in  Grinnell  for  the 
practice  of  osteopathy  in  Ajiril,  1898,  and  has  enjoyed  a  large  practice  from  the 
beginning.  He  was  born  in  Lebanon,  Missouri,  March  6,  1870,  but  his  parents 
moved  to  \\'ayne  county,  Iowa,  two  years  later  and  then  back  to  .\dair  county, 
Missouri,  when  he  was  seven  years  of  age.  He  grew  to  manhood  on  the  farm. 
Dr.  Hibbets  attended  the  public  schools  of  his  county  in  acquiring  his  educa- 
tion, and  in  the  spring  of  1896  he  matriculated  in  the  .American  School  of  Os- 
teopathy, from  which  institution  he  graduated  in  1898  and  came  immediately  to 
Iowa  and  oj^ened  offices  in  Grinnell  and  Brooklyn,  coming  at  once  into  a  very 
active  and  lucrative  practice.  In  1900  he  gave  up  his  Brooklyn  j^ractice  to  Dr. 
George  W.  Graham  and  then  confined  his  practice  to  Grinnell  alone,  havmg  one 
of  the  largest  practices  in  the  county. 


232  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Dr.  Hibbets  has  twice  served  his  profession  as  president  of  the  Iowa  Osteo- 
pathic Association,  and  being  one  of  the  oldest  practitioners  of  his  school  in 
the  state  is  frequently  called  in  consultation  with  other  physicians  of  his 
school. 

Dr.  Hibbets  has  been  married  twice.  In  1889  he  wedded  Alaud  L.  Gill,  of 
Kirksville,  Missouri,  by  whom  he  had  two  children :  Charles  Andrew,  who  was 
born  in  1898,  and  lived  but  a  little  more  than  four  years;  and  George  Kenneth, 
who  was  born  in  1900  and  is  now  a  bright  lad  of  eleven  years.  The  wife  and 
mother  passed  away  in  June,  1902,  and  in  October.  1904,  Dr.  Hibbets  was  mar- 
ried to  Ida  B.  Gordon,  of  Montezuma,  Iowa. 

Dr.  Hibbets  is  identified  with  many  enterprises  in  Grmnell  and  is  always 
among  those  willing  to  do  their  part  in  advancing  Grinnell  and  Poweshiek 
county.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  the  ?^Iasonic  lodge,  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  and  in  both  pro- 
fessional and  business  circles  he  is  recognized  as  a  success,  being  widely  known 
as  a  leading  and  representative  citizen  of   Grinnell. 


WILLIAM  HALL. 


A  well  developed  and  highly  ini[irovetl  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
in  Pleasant  township  is  the  property  of  William  Hall,  who  has  spent  his  entire 
life  in  Poweshiek  county.  He  was  born  on  a  farm  three  miles  west  of  Monte- 
zuma, September  9,  1849,  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Nancy  (Wright)  Hall,  the  former 
born  in  Butler  county,  Ohio,  and  the  latter  in  Pennsylvania,  in  November,  1810. 
They  were  married  in  Indiana,  and  from  there  made  their  way  to  Jefferson 
county,  Iowa,  in  a  prairie  schooner  about  1845.  After  one  year  spent  in  that 
locality,  they  came  in  1846  to  Poweshiek  county.  It  was  two  years  before  the 
land  on  which  they  settled  was  placed  on  the  market  but  when  the  time  arrived 
the  father  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  there  made  a  home  on  the 
western  frontier  for  himself  and  family.  The  place  continued  to  be  their  home 
until  1885,  when  they  crossed  the  line  into  Iowa  county  but  after  two  or  three 
years  they  located  in  New  Sharon,  Iowa,  where  the  mother  died  in  January, 
1893,  when  she  had  reached  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-three  years.  The  father 
afterward  made  his  home  in  Grinnell  and  there  departed  this  life  when  he  had 
reached  the  age  of  eighty  years.  Their  family  numbered  ten  children,  three  of 
whom  died  in  infancy.  Those  who  reached  mature  years  were :  Juliann,  the 
widow  of  Henry  Sharp,  of  Ollie,  Iowa;  Nancy,  the  wife  of  Jackson  Gregson, 
of  South  Dakota;  Mrs.  Sarah  Faircloth,  deceased;  Susan,  the  widow  of  John 
Bradbury,  a  resident  of  Des  Moines;  William,  of  this  review;  Joseph,  deceased; 
and  Hannah,  the  wife  of  Scott  McCready,  a  resident  of  South  Dakota. 

William  Hall  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Poweshiek  county  and  has  made 
farming  his  life  work.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
rich  and  valuable  land,  situated  on  section  23,  Pleasant  township.  He  gives 
mucli  of  his  time  to  general  farming  but  makes  a  specialty  of  small  fruits  and 
his  knowledge  of  horticulture  has  brought  him  success  in  this  venture. 


HISTORY  OF  POWF.SIITF.K  COrXTV  233 

Mr.  Hall  was  married  October  20,  1867.  to  Miss  Mary  A.  McCoy,  who  was 
born  in  New  lUitTalo,  I'.errien  county.  Michigan,  February  29,  1848.  a  daughter 
of  .\ndrew  and  Flizabeth  I  Metz)  McCoy.  The  parents  were  both  natives  of 
Ohio,  the  father  born  in  Highland  county,  June  20,  1817,  and  the  latter  in  Chaiu- 
paign  couutv,  December  20.  i8n).  They  came  to  Poweshiek  county  in  181)3  trmn 
Valparaiso,  Indiana,  and  both  died  on  the  farm  which  is  now  the  home  of  our 
subject,  the  father  on  the  17th  of  April,  1883,  and  the  mother  on  the  i6th  of 
September,  1906  He  was  a  prosperous  farmer  of  this  county  for  many  years 
and  a  man  highly  respected  by  all  who  knew  him.  The  marriage  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McCoy  was  celebrated  on  the  20th  of  April,  1846,  and  their  union  was 
blessed  with  three  children  but  the  eldest  died  in  infancy,  while  the  youngest, 
Hadden  D.,  died  June  18,  1883,  leaving  Mrs.  Hall  as  the  only  survivor. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  have  been  born  nine  children:  Nancy  L.,  a  resi- 
dent of  Des  Moines ;  Rosa  May,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years  and  ten 
months ;  Martha  A.,  the  wife  of  Henry  Schneekloth,  of  Montezuma ;  Emma  G., 
who  died  at  the  age  of  twenty  months;  Sarah  L.,  the  wife  of  Ed  Palmer,  of 
\'alley  Junction  ;  Ethel  Z.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  ten  years ;  one  who  died  in 
infancy;  Frank,  a  resident  of  Jackson  township;  and  Lila  F.,  who  is  with  her 
jjarents. 

In  his  political  views  and  affiliations  Mr.  Hall  is  a  democrat,  while  his  fra- 
ternal relations  connect  him  with  the  Modern  Brotherhood  of  America.  He  and 
his  estimable  wife  are  well  known  in  their  home  locality  and  his  reputation  for 
fair  and  honorable  dealing  is  surpassed  by  no  man  in  the  community. 


ANDREW  A.   FOSTER. 

In  whatever  line  of  business  he  has  been  engaged  Andrew  A.  Foster,  of 
Grinnell,  has  through  his  shrewdness,  sagacity  and  clear  judgment  produced 
substantial  financial  returns.  He  is  known  not  only  as  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful business  men  of  Grinnell,  but  also  as  one  of  its  most  public-spirited  cit- 
izens— one  who  is  at  all  times  ready  to  assist  in  forwarding  any  movement  that 
aims  to  promote  the  general  welfare. 

He  is  a  native  of  Scott  county,  Iowa,  born  May  11,  1851,  and  is  a  son  of 
William  and  Margaret  (Alcorn)  Foster,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  the  north 
of  Ireland.  They  came  to  the  United  States  as  children  with  their  parents 
and  both  families  located  near  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  where  the  children 
were  reared.  Some  time  after  their  marriage  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Foster  came  to 
Iowa,  landing  at  Davenport,  March  26,  1851.  They  located  on  a  farm  near  the 
city  and  there  the  father  died  from  cholera  four  years  later,  leaving  a  widow  and 
nine  children.  Mrs.  Foster  continued  upon  the  farm  until  1869,  when  she 
came  to  Grinnell  with  her  son  Andrew  and  two  other  members  of  the  family. 
She  made  her  home  with  her  son  until  her  death,  which  occurred  December  13, 
1007,  when  she  was  ninety-two  years  of  age. 

.Andrew  A.  Foster  was  reared  under  a  mother's  loving  care  and  attended 
the  public  schools,  also  possessing  the  advantage  of  two  terms  at  Iowa  College. 


234  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

He  began  in  business  life  by  renting  land  in  Jasper  county  just  across  the  line 
from  Poweshiek  county,  which  he  cultivated  for  eight  years,  and  then  pur- 
chased eighty  acres  in  Grinnell  township.  In  February.  1877.  he  tiiok  up  his 
residence  in  Grinnell  and  engaged  in  the  harilware  and  implement  business, 
also  being  an  extensive  buyer  and  seller  of  stock  and  a  slock- feeder.  He  was 
connected  with  the  implement  and  hardware  business  for  twenty-six  years  and 
during  that  time  dealt  largely  in  Iowa  farm  lands,  of  which  he  is  an  excellent 
judge.  He  now  owns  four  hundred  and  ten  acres  of  good  land,  a  part  of  which 
is  in  Grinnell  township  anil  the  remainder  in  Marshall  comity  He  is  now 
devoting  his  attention  principally   to   farming. 

On  the  22(1  of  December.  1880,  Mr.  Foster  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Fannie  E.  Houghton,  a  daughter  of  William  Houghton,  a  in-ominent  farmer  of 
Grinnell  township.  He  and  his  wife  are  earnest  members  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church,  in  which  he  has  served  as  trustee  for  many  \ears.  Politically 
he  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  for  se\eral  years  past  has  been 
a  member  of  the  citv  council.  He  is  connected  with  the  Commercial  Club 
and  his  opinions  as  to  the  best  means  to  encourage  the  development  of  the  city 
alwavs  find  ready  acceptance.  He  has  been  interested  in  many  business  en- 
terprises in  which  he  has  demonstrated  a  rare  judgment,  and  it  is  doubtful 
whether  his  superior  in  deciding  such  (piestions  is  to  be  found  in  this  part  of  the 
state. 


JAMES   W.   CUXXIXGH.XM. 

lames  W.  Cunningham,  who  is  now  living  retired  on  his  farm  on  section  14. 
Jefiferson  township.  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  is  one  of  the  highly  respected 
citizens  of  the  county,  was  born  in  Jefiferson  township  December  19.  1869.  He 
is  a  son  of  James  R.  and  Elizabeth  M.  (Noble)  Cunningham,  the  former  of 
whom  was  born  in  Indiana  and  the  latter  in  Illinois.  The  father  was  taken  by 
his  parents  to  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  when  he  was  four  years  of  age  and  grew 
to  manhood  in  that  county.  After  attaining  his  majority  he  worked  in  a  pack- 
ing house  in  ]\Iercer  county  but,  having  decided  to  devote  his  attention  to  farm- 
ing, he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1862  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres,  which  he  improved  and  developed  into  an  attractive  homestead.  He  died 
at  lielle  Plaine  May  6,  1899.  He  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist 
church  of  Walnut  Creek,  and  served  as  trustee  of  the  township  and  also  as  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board.     In  politics  he  gave  his  support  to  the  republican  party. 

James  W.  Cunningham,  of  this  review,  received  his  preliminary  education  in 
the  district  schools  and  devoted  his  attention  to  farm  work,  expecting  later  to 
become  a  student  in  college.  Owing  to  financial  reverses  of  the  family  he  was 
obliged  to  give  up  his  college  education  and  he  continued  upon  the  home  farm 
until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  then  began  working  on  his  own 
account  and,  in  1901,  moved  to  the  farm  on  section  14  where  he  now  lives.  The 
place  consists  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  and  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  culti- 
vation. For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Cunningham  devoted  his  energies  principally 
to  raising  shorthorn  cattle  and  Duroc  Jersey  hogs,  and  was  very  successful  along 


r 

CO 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  235 

this  line,  as  he  is  a  good  judge  of  animals  and  also  understands  thoroughly  how  to 
liandlc  tlicni  and  prepare  them  for  the  market.  Owing  to  ill  health  he  is  now 
renting  his  farm  and  is  not  engaged  in  any  active  work. 

On  the  23d  of  November,  1898,  Mr.  Cunningham  was  married,  in  this  county, 
to  -Margaret  Dixon,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Jennie  (Mc.Arthur)  Dixon.  The 
lather  wa>  horn  in  England  and  the  mother  in  New  York  state.  He  took  up  his 
oidence  in  \  irginia  after  coming  to  this  country,  but  later  settled  in  Poweshiek 
unty  on  the  location  now  occupied  by  the  subject  of  this  review.  He  is  at 
present  engaged  in  the  stock  business  at  lielle  Plaine.  Two  children  were  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cunningham,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy.  The  other,  \'era 
E..  is  now  attending  the  district  school. 

Mr.  Cunningham  casts  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  republican  party,  believ- 
ing that  its  principles  are  important  in  promoting  the  best  interests  of  the  country. 
He  has  never  nought  public  office,  but  at  all  times  has  aimed  to  discharge  the 
duties  of  an  intelligent  and  progressive  .American  citizen.  He  applied  himself 
faithfullv  to  his  vocation  as  a  farmer  and  now  enjoys  a  competency  which  is  the 
result  of  many  years  of  well  directed  laljor.  He  is  a  man  of  acknowledged  high 
character  and  sound  judgment  and  one  who  has  ever  been  a  credit  to  his  county 
and  his  state. 


D.\NIEL  WEBSTER  BRAINARD. 

A  noticeable  factor  in  the  experience  of  long  established  families  of  the  east- 
ern states  has  been  the  departure  of  the  younger  members  for  more  promising 
fields  in  the  great  and  growing  west.  Iowa  has  profited  very  largely  by  the 
arrival  of  stalwart  young  men,  who  generally  remain  in  this  state  after  once 
gaining  a  knowledge  by  personal  investigation  as  to  its  marvelous  agricultural 
resources.  In  the  number  may  be  named  Daniel  Webster  Brainard,  who  en- 
gaged in  farming  in  Poweshiek  county  and  for  twenty-seven  years  has  been 
a  resident  of  Grinnell. 

He  is  a  native  of  New  \"iirk  state,  basing  l)een  liorn  in  W)oming  county  in 
August,  1837,  and  is  a  son  of  Edmond  and  Alzina  (Howe)  Brainard,  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  at  Rome.  New  York,  and  the  latter  at  Springfield,  Massa- 
chusetts. On  the  paternal  >ide  the  family  has  been  traced  back  seven  genera- 
tions to  East  Haddam,  Connecticut,  where  one  of  the  early  progenitors,  Daniel 
r.rainerd,  was  buried.  On  the  maternal  side  the  ancestry  has  been  traced  to 
Lord  Howe,  a  prominent  general  of  the  British  forces  at  the  time  of  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  Edmond  Brainard.  the  father,  was  a  well  known  and  highly  re- 
spected farmer  and  spent  his  entire  life  in  New  York  state.  Politically  he  gave 
his  support  to  the  whig  party,  and  later  to  the  republican  party.  Of  a  /fear- 
less and  independent  disposition,  he  did  not  hesitate  to  make  up  his  mind  on 
anv  subject  and  to  act  in  accordance  with  his  own  convictions  without  seeking 
the  advice  of  others.  He  was  married  to  .\lzina  A.  Howe  in  1831,  and  the 
celebration  of  their  golden  wedding  at  the  old   farm  homestead  in   New   York. 


236  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

in  1881,  was  one  of  the  memorable  events  of  that  section,  the  beloved  wife  be- 
ing called  away  the  year  following.    The  death  of  Air.  Brainard  occurred  in  1886. 

Daniel  W.  Brainard  attended  the  common  schools  of  Wyoming  county  and 
later  became  a  student  of  an  academy  at  Alexander,  New  York,  acquiring  the 
foundation  of  an  education  which  he  has  largely  broadened  through  reading  and 
contact  with  the  world.  After  leaving  school  he  became  a  teacher  and  engaged 
in  this  vocation  at  fourteen  dollars  a  month  and  board,  following  this  occupa- 
tion during  the  winter  seasons  until  1868.  In  the  spring  of  year  named  he 
came  west  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Alalconi  township,  Poweshiek  county,  where 
he  followed  agriculture  and  stock-raising  with  a  goodly  measure  of  success  for 
sixteen  years.  In  1884  he  moved  to  Griimell  and  has  since  lived  in  this  city,  be- 
ing now  engaged  in  the  real-estate  and  insurance  business. 

On  January  i,  1S63,  Mr.  Brainard  was  married  to  Miss  Susie  M.  Kingdon, 
a  member  of  a  well  known  family  of  Stafford,  Genesee  county.  New  York,  and 
a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  Kingdon.  Mr.  Brainard  cast  his  first  presi- 
dential vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  in  i860  and  during  all  the  years  that  have 
since  passed  he  has  faithfully  adhered  to  the  republican  party.  He  is  a  valued 
member  of  Lodge  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Lodge  No.  358,  I.  O.  O.  F.,  both 
of  Grinnell.  In  religious  belief  he  is  a  confirmed  Spiritualist  and  is  fully  per^ 
suaded  that  communication  has  been  opened  with  disembodied  spirits  that  once 
inhabited  this  world.  He  is  a  thoughtful  man,  of  wide  observation,  and  one 
who  is  entirely  fearless  in  expressing  his  views  after  making  up  his  mind  as  to 
what  he  considers  to  be  right  anti  true.  Ever  sincere,  straightforward  and 
generous-hearted,  he  is  greatly  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him  in  Grinnell  and 
Poweshiek  county. 


HENRY  LUTTiMAN,  Sr. 

Industry,  thrift  and  perseverance  have  been  marked  characteristics  in  the 
life  of  Henry  Luttman,  Sr.,  who  is  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  in  Chester 
township,  which  yields  generous  returns  for  the  labor  expended  upon  it.  He 
sought  in  the  new  world  to  establish  a  home  for  himself  and  family  and  his 
early  hopes  have  been  more  than  realized,  he  being  today  one  of  the  most  pros- 
perous men  in  Chester  township.  He  is  now  practically  living  retired,  while 
his  sons  manage  the  farm. 

He  was  born  in  Hanover,  Germany,  November  7,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  Louis 
and  Lizzie  Luttman,  who  passed  their  entire  lives  in  the  old  country.  In  his 
boyhood  days  he  became  familiar  with  farming  and  was  required  to  make  him- 
self useful  from  an  early  age  about  the  house.  He  received  his  education  in 
the  public  schools  and  continued  to  work  as  a  farmer  in  his  native  land  until 
he  reached  the  age  of  twenty-four  years.  Ambitious  and  highly  desirous  of 
advancing  as  rapidly  as  possible  toward  a  state  of  independence,  he  crossed  the 
ocean  in  1866  and  found  employment  in  a  factory  at  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  later 
working  in  a  stone  quarry.  In  1890  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and 
after  spending  two  years   in   Sheridan   township   located    in   Chester  township. 


HISTORY  Ol'    I'OWKSIITEK  COUNTY  237 

I  le  has  pros])ere(l  greatly  in  his  labors  and  is  the  owner  of  five  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land,  which  he  has  developed  into  one  of  the  most  attractive  farms 
in  the  townshi]).  He  has  devoted  his  attention  to  general  farming  and  the  feed- 
ing of  stock  for  the  market  and  each  year  has  shown  an  increase  in  his  prosperity. 

In  December,  1868,  in  Ohio,  Mr.  Luttman  was  married  to  Miss  Minnie 
Hadler,  a  daughter  of  William  Hadler,  of  Hanover,  Germany,  and  three  chil- 
dren came  to  brighten  their  home,  namely:  Louis,  a  resident  of  Chester  town- 
ship, wdio  married  Annie  Siehl  and  has  two  children ;  Sophia,  who  married  Otto 
Schultz,  a  farmer  of  Sheridan  township,  and  has  five  children;  and  Henry,  Jr., 
with  whom  the  father  is  now  living  upon  the  home  farm,  who  married  Clara 
ITink,  a  daughter  of  Henry  Hink,  Sr.,  and  has  four  children. 

Like  thousands  of  his  countrymen,  Mr.  Luttman  early  left  home  and  friends 
in  order  to  better  his  conditions  in  a  foreign  land.  He  applied  himself  with 
great  determination  and  by  practicing  self-denial  in  his  earlier  years  he  saved 
money  which  enabled  him  to  become  a  landowner  in  one  of  the  most  favored 
sections  of  Iowa.  His  life  has  been  a  success  and  his  example  of  patient  per- 
severance has  encouraged  others  to  follow  in  his  footsteps,  thus  attaining  a 
measure  of  prosperity.  In  politics  he  supports  the  republican  party  and  in  relig- 
ious belief  he  is  in  hearty  accord  with  the  German  Lutheran  church,  being  a 
member  of  the  church  of  Malcom. 


D.  T.  GORSUCH. 


D.  T.  Gorsuch,  now  serving  as  treasurer  of  Jackson  township  and  success- 
fully engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  was  born  in  Jackson  county,  Kansas,  near 
the  city  of  Circleville,  on  the  26th  of  December,  1858,  a  son  of  Thomas  B.  and 
Margaret  Ann  (Murrow)  Gorsuch.  The  father  came  to  Iowa  with  his  parents 
in  1844,  the  family  locating  in  Mahaska  county,  and  later  he  removed  to  Jackson 
county.  Kansas,  where  he  resided  for  about  three  years.  In  i860  he  came  to 
Poweshiek  county  and  here  passed  away  December  30,  1884,  at  the  age  of  fifty- 
four  years.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  devoting  his  entire  life  to  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the  owner  of  valuable  prop- 
erty amounting  to  three  hundred  and  thirty  acres.  His  wife  also  passed  away 
in  this  county  in  February,  1910,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  In  their  family 
were  nine  children,  as  follows:  Martha  Ellen,  the  wife  of  H.  L.  Jones,  of  Monte- 
zuma; David,  who  passed  away  in  infancy;  John  J.,  of  Jackson  township;  D.  T., 
of  this  review ;  Sarah  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  O.  J.  Butler,  of  Montezuma;  Rebecca 
Emeline,  who  married  W.  A.  Wells,  of  Pleasant  township;  Laura  D.,  of  Monte- 
zuma ;  Charles  W.,  of  Scott  township ;  and  \'erna  Edith,  also  a  resident  of 
Montezuma. 

\Mien  only  two  years  of  age  D.  T.  Gorsuch  was  brought  to  Poweshiek  county 
and  since  that  time  has  made  this  locality  his  home.  He  attended  the  country 
schools  in  the  acquirement  of  his  education  and  early  in  life  was  given  a  part 
in  the  work  of  the  fields,  so  that  his  practical  training  in  no  way  was  neglected. 
He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  about  the  year  1882,  when  he  en- 
tered  independently   into   agricultural   pursuits   in   connection   with   his    brother. 


23H  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

lolm  |.  Gorsuch,  with  whom  he  engaged  in  general  farming  under  the  name  of 
Gorsuch  Brothers  for  nineteen  years.  Their  start  in  business  was  made  on 
rented  land,  but  it  was  not  long  before  their  enterprise  and  perseverance  made 
it  possible  for  them  to  invest  in  property  of  their  own,  and  they  became  the  own- 
ers of  six  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land.  Upon  severing  their  relations  they 
divided  their  property  and  D.  T.  Gorsuch  has  now  a  tract  of  two  hundred  and 
forty  acres,  located  in  section  ii,  Jackson  township.  Under  his  careful  direc- 
tion and  wise  management  it  has  become  a  highly  developed  farm,  containing 
two  good  sets  of  buildings,  neat  fences,  well  kept  orchards  and  equipped  with  all 
conveniences  and  accessories  for  the  conduct  of  a  successful  farming  enterprise. 
In  1902  he  erected  his  present  home,  a  fine  ten-room  modern  dwelling,  while 
the  other  residence,  which  is  occupied  by  his  son-in-law.  w-as  built  in  1907.  The 
excellent  condition  of  the  place  is  due  entirely  to  the  efforts  of  Mr.  Gorsuch, 
and  is  generally  considered  an  exceptionally  well  improved  property.  The  soil 
is  rich  and  fertile,  well  adapted  to  various  crops  and  is  particularly  excellent 
for  pasture  land,  enabling  the  owner  to  engage  in  stock-raising  in  addition  to  the 
cultivation  of  the  fields.  The  success  which  has  attended  his  efforts  has  kept 
pace  with  the  general  prosperity  of  a  community  located  in  one  of  the  best 
agricultural  districts  of  the  entire  country. 

It  was  in  March,  1883,  that  Mr.  Gorsuch  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
?arah  E.  Webber,  who  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1863  and  came  to  Iowa  with 
her  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  .A.  Webber,  of  Montezuma.  By  her  marriage  she 
became  the  mother  of  three  children,  namely:  Ethel  Bernice,  now  the  wife  of 
William  E.  ^IcKee,  residing  on  a  portion  of  her  father's  farm ;  Blanche  Edith, 
a  senior  at  the  State  University  of  Iowa ;  and  Maude  E.,  who  resides  with  her 
])arents  and  is  engaged  in  teaching  in  the  home  school. 

Mr,  (n)rsuch  belongs  to  the  Knights  of  Pythias  lodge  at  Montezuma  and 
m  p(ilitic>  gives  stalwart  su])port  to  the  democratic  party.  He  has  held  various 
schiiol  and  road  offices  and  for  the  past  ten  years  has  served  as  township  treasurer, 
his  long  retention  in  that  office  being  indicative  of  the  confidence  and  trust  re- 
posed in  him  bv  his  fellow  citizens.  Fortunate  in  possessing  ability  and  char- 
acter that  inspire  confidence,  the  simple  weight  of  his  character  and  ability  has 
Ijniught  him  into  ])ositions  of  responsibility  and  he  ranks  high  among  the  well 
kr.own  and  valued  citizens  of  Jackson  township.  His  record  has  ever  been  in 
harniiiny  with  that  of  an  honored  veteran  father  who,  as  a  soldier  of  Company 
B,  Fortieth  Iowa  X'olr.nteer  Infantry,  serxed  for  three  years  at  the  front  to 
protect  the  interests  of  the  nation. 


JUDGE  W.  k.  LEWIS. 


With  the  work  of  framing  as  well  as  interpreting  the  laws  of  Iowa  Judge 
W.  R.  Lewis  has  been  closely  associated,  serving  at  different  times  as  a  member 
of  the  u]oper  house  of  tlje  state  legislature  and  as  judge  of  the  circuit  and  district 
courts.  .Aside  from  this  he  has  won  a  wid.e  and  enviable  reputation  as  a  learned 
lawyer,  seldom,  if  cxer,  at  faidt  in  the  application  of  a  legal  principle.     For  more 


W.     K.    I.KWIS 


PUSLIC  LlBi 


oTOR,  LENOX  AND 
jcN  FOONOXTIONS. 


HISTORY  OF"   I'OWESIIIEK  COUNTY  241 

than  a  half  century  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Poweshiek  county,  having  come  here 
in  the  days  of  his  early  manhood,  his  birth  having  occurred  near  Zanesville,  Mus- 
kingum county,  Ohio,  on  the  12th  of  October,  1835.  He  was,  therefore,  about 
twenty-two  years  of  age  when  he  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county  and  nine  years 
later  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 

He  comes  of  Welsh  and  German  ancestry.  His  father,  John  M.  Lewis,  was 
born  in  Muskingum  county,  Ohio,  his  natal  year  being  181 1.  He  was  a  son  of 
.\bel  Lewis,  who  was  born  near  White  Sulphur  Springs.  \'irginia,  and  was  a 
college  graduate.  In  the  latter  part  of  the  eighteenth  century  he  removed  to 
Ohio  and  became  a  government  surveyor  in  Muskingum  and  Coshocton  counties. 
He  took  part  in  several  of  the  Indian  wars  and  was  closely  associated  with  many 
of  the  events  which  led  to  the  reclamation  of  Ohio  for  the  purpose  of  civiliza- 
tion. Following  his  marriage  he  established  his  home  in  Zanesville  and  there 
served  as  clerk  of  the  court  for  four  years.  He  was  also  the  author  of  some 
mathematical  works.  Entering  a  large  tract  of  land,  he  became  interested  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  took  up  his  abode  on  his  farm  and  spent  the  residue  of  his 
davs  there.  For  many  _\ears  he  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  his  entire  life  was  the  e.xemplitication  of  his  Christian  belief. 

John  M.  Lewis,  the  father  of  Judge  Lewis,  married  Louisa  A.  Ramey  and  set- 
tled upon  a  part  of  the  old  homestead,  five  and  a  half  miles  from  Zanesville.  Sub- 
sequently he  took  up  his  abode  at  New  Castle,  Coshocton  county,  Ohio,  and  en- 
gaged in  merchandising  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Thornhill,  Berry  &  Lewis. 
The  discovery  of  gold,  however,  attracted  hjm.to  California  in  1851,  the  journey 
to  the  coast  being  made  by  \vay  of  tl^e  jsthmUS  of  Panama.  He  spent  two  years 
in  prospecting  and  mining,  in  which  li'e  vVas'^fainl^  successful.  He  then  returned 
to  New  Castle  and  soon  afterward  retired  from  business.  He,  too,  belonged  to 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  churclT,'iand,,hjs  jjolitical  allegiance  was  given  to  the  re- 
publican party.  His  wife  was  born"iti  Muskingum  county,  a  daughter  of  Sanford 
Ramey,  a  native  of  X'irginia  and  of  German  descent.  He  became  one  of  the 
early  settlers  of  Ohio  and  his  daughter  Louisa  was  born  and  reared  in  that  state. 
I  ler  death  occurred  in  1886. 

Judge  Lewis,  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  ten  children,  spent  the  first  ten  years  of 
his  life  in  his  native  county  and  then  removed  with  his  parents  to  Coshocton 
county,  Ohio.  For  four  or  five  years  he  attended  school  during  the  winter 
months,  the  remainder  of  the  year  being  spent  in  assisting  his  father  in  the 
store.  He  was  also  at  intervals  engaged  in  farm  work  and  took  up  the  study 
of  surveying.  He  read  law  in  New  Castle  and  while  thus  engaged  followed 
the  profession  of  surveying  for  several  years.  In  1856  he  took  the  first  step 
in  the  removals  which  brought  him  eventually  to  Iowa.  In  that  year  he  be- 
came a  resident  of  Southport,  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  at  the 
carpenter's  trade  and  also  spent  a  month  in  farm  labor.  During  the  winter 
he  taught  school  at  Southport  and  in  the  spring  of  1857  he  came  to  Montezuma, 
then  a  little  village  of  four  or  five  hundred  inhabitants.  Since  that  time  he 
has  continuously  resided  in  Poweshiek  county  and  has  made  for  himself  a  high 
and  eviable  position  in  the  regard  of  his  fellowmen.  Through  the  summer 
months  he  worked  at  carpentering  or  at  other  employment  which  he  could 
secure  and  his  evening  hours   were  devoted  to  the   further  studv  of  law.     He 


242  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

thus  soon  qualified  for  admission  to  the  bar  but  he  determined  not  to  seek 
admission  until  he  felt  that  he  could  give  his  entire  attention  to  law  practice. 
He  recognized  the  fact  that  to  do  this  he  must  have  a  certain  amount  of  capital 
to  tide  him  over  that  initial  period  in  the  life  of  every  lawyer  when  he  must 
spend  some  time  in  waiting  for  clients. 

In  the  fall  of  1857  Judge  Lewis  secured  the  position  of  principal  of  the 
public  schools  and  did  splendid  works  as  one  of  the  early  educators  of  Poweshiek 
county.  While  active  in  that  capacity  he  was  largely  instrumental  in  organizing 
the  teachers'  institute  and  he  also  graded  the  schools  of  Montezuma.  This 
work  alone  would  entitle  him  to  the  lasting  gratitude  of  his  fellow  townsmen. 
In  1862  he  was  elected  county  superintendent  of  schools  and  before  the  e.xpira- 
tion  of  his  term  was  chosen  by  popular  suffrage  for  the  office  of  clerk  of  the 
countv  and  district  courts.  In  the  latter  position  he  served  acceptably  for  a  term, 
after  which  he  resigned  to  form  a  partnership  with  Hon.  M.  E.  Cutts,  former  mem- 
ber of  congress,  to  conduct  a  milling  business,  which  was  carried  on  success- 
fully for  a  great  period,  after  which  he  sold  out.  For  a  year  he  occupied  the 
position  of  deputy  treasurer  and  for  two  years  as  a  member  of  the  county 
board  of  supervisors  served  as  its  chairman.  He  has  ever  regarded  a  public 
office  as  a  public  trust  and  it  is  well  known  that  no  public  trust  reposed  in  Judge 
Lewis  has  ever  been  betrayed  in  the  slightest  degree.  Capable,  diligent  and 
loyal,  he  won  the  confidence  and  good-will  of  the  public  through  his  devotion 
to  duty  in  the  offices  which  he  was  called  upon  to  fill  in  the  earlier  years  of 
his   residence  here. 

At  length,  feeling  that  the  time  was  ripe  when  he  might  give  his  attention 
to  his  profession,  in  1866  he  applied  for  and  secured  admission  to  the  bar  and 
entered  upon  active  practice,  being  associated  for  a  time  with  the  Hon.  D.  H. 
Emery,  while  later  he  became  a  partner  of  C.  R.  Clark.  He  won  success  because 
he  wisely  and  conscientiously  used  the  talents  with  which  nature  endowed  him. 
An  analytical  mind  enabled  him  to  bring  a  trend  of  reasoning  to  its  logical  con- 
clusion and  to  accurately  apply  the  principles  of  law  to  the  points  at  issue.  His 
successful  handling  of  cases  early  in  his  legal  career  awakened  public  confidence 
and  brought  him  an  increased  clientage.  In  the  fall  of  1880  he  was  honored 
with  election  to  the  circuit  court  bench  for  the  district  embracing  Poweshiek. 
Jefferson,  Washington,  Keokuk,  Mahaska,  Marion  and  Jasper  counties,  be- 
coming the  second  circuit  judge,  his  predecessor  having  been  Judge  Blanchard. 
After  filling  the  position  for  four  years  the  district  was  divided  and  he  was 
elected  judge  of  the  first  circuit,  which  included  Jefferson,  Washington,  Keokuk 
and  Poweshiek  counties.  He  continued  upon  that  bench  until  1886,  when, 
upon  the  abolishment  of  the  circuit  court,  he  was  made  one  of  the  three  judges 
for  the  district.  There  was  keen  strife  for  the  office  and  Judge  Lewis  was 
not  renominated  by  his  party  at  the  time  but  in  response  to  the  unanimous  wish 
of  his  constituents  he  permitted  his  name  to  be  used  as  an  independent  candirlate 
and  was  elected  by  a  sweeping  majority.  There  was  a  prevailing  belief  that  his 
defeat  in  the  convention  was  due  to  unfair  means  and  this  contributed  to  his 
success  at  the  polls.  He  retired  from  the  bench  in  1890,  after  a  judicial  service 
of  ten  years,  and  resumed  the  practice  of  law  in  Montezuma.  A  contemporary 
biographer  has  said  of  him : 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COl'XTY  243 

"He  is  a  man  of  great  legal  ability  and  while  on  the  bench  was  a  warm 
friend  of  the  young  practitioner.  He  never  permitted  a  young  lawyer  to  sac- 
rifice his  client's  interest  if  a  word  or  suggestion  from  the  court  could  help 
him.  His  decisions  were  rarely  reversed.  No  district  or  circuit  judge  has  a 
better  record  in  the  supreme  court  than  Judge  Lewis.  So  unerring  were  his 
views,  especially  in  equity  cases,  that  the  attorneys  in  his  court  learned  it  was 
next  to  useless  to  appeal  as  he  was  nearly  always  sustained.  He  was  slow  in 
deciding  but  his  work  never  had  to  be  done  a  second  time.  As  special  counsel 
for  the  county  in  the  famous  cases  against  the  Rowes  and  against  the  bondsmen 
of  the  defaulting  treasurer  he  earned  new  laurels." 

Following  his  retirement  from  the  bench  Judge  Lewis  during  the  year  1891 
acted  as  general  manager  for  the  Hawkeye  Electric  Manufacturing  Company, 
with  headquarters  at  Davenport,  but  in  the  fall  of  1891  again  took  up  his  abode 
in  Montezuma  and  has  since  been  actively  associated  with  the  work  of  the 
courts  and  at  seventy-five  years  of  age  has  a  large  and  lucrative  law  practice, 
doing  as  much  court  work  as  he  ever  did  in  his  younger  days.  In  addition  he 
has  proved  his  worth  in  the  management  of  commercial  interests.  He  was  one 
of  the  organizers  of  the  Montezuma  Electric  Light  &  Power  Company,  superin- 
tended the  construction  of  the  plant  and  took  up  the  management  of  the  busi- 
ness. He  also  superintended  the  erection  and  installation  of  the  electric  light 
works  at  Bloomfield  and  at  Sigourney  and  assisted  in  surveying  the  route  for 
the  Grinnell  &  Montezuma  Railroad.  He  made  and  published  the  first  map 
of  Poweshiek  county  and  at  all  times  has  been  closely  associated  with  the  growth 
and  progress  of  the  county  not  alone  by  reason  of  his  connection  with  industrial 
and  commercial  afl^airs  or  with  the  legal  profession  but  also  because  he  has 
been  the  champion  of  every  project  and  measure  which  he  deemed  of  value  in 
the  public  life  of  the  community.  He  was  again  called  to  office  in  the  fall  of 
1897,  when  he  was  nominated  by  acclamation  for  the  state  senate  at  the  republi- 
can convention  of  the  twelfth  senatorial  district,  comprising  Poweshiek  and 
Keokuk  counties.  The  election  showed  that  he  was  the  popular  candidate  and 
for  four  years  he  remained  a  member  of  the  upper  house.  He  gave  careful 
consideration  to  each  question  which  came  up  for  settlement  and  left  the  impress 
of  his  individuality  and  ability  upon  the  laws  enacted  during  that  period. 

In  1865,  in  Burlington,  \'ermont,  Mr.  Lewis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  E.  Cutts,  a  daughter  of  Edwin  Cutts,  of  Brandon,  Vermont,  and  a  sister 
of  M.  E.  Cutts,  of  Oskaloosa.  The  marriage  relation  between  them  was  al- 
ways of  a  most  ideal  character  and  the  deepest  grief  in  the  life  of  Judge  Lewis 
came  to  him  in  the  death  of  his  wife  on  the  loth  of  April,  1893. 

Fraternally  Judge  Lewis  is  connected  with  Masonry  as  a  Knight  Templar  and 
belongs  also  to  the  Iowa  Legion,  the  Ancient  Order  of  United  Workmen  and 
to  the  Iowa  State  Bar  Association.  He  has  never  faltered  in  his  stalwart  sup- 
port of  the  republican  party  and  its  principles  and  has  served  as  chairman  of  the 
county  central  committee.  He  was  a  member  of  the  first  city  council  of  Monte- 
zuma and  while  important  political  interests  relative  to  the  work  of  the  courts 
and  to  the  law-making  body  of  the  state  have  claimed  his  attention  he  has  never 
considered  himself  above  the  duties  connected  with  the  management  of  local 
interests.      .\    lifelong  member   of   the    Presbyterian   church,   he    has   served   as 


244  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

elder  and  trustee  and  for  a  number  of  years  was  superintendent  of  the  Sunday 
school,  in  which  position  he  continued  until  his  election  to  the  bench.  He  is 
today  one  of  the  oldest  residents  of  Montezuma  in  years  of  continuous  con- 
nection with  the  city,  and  among  the  men  of  Poweshiek  county  who  have 
been  long  in  public  service  the  record  of  none  has  been  more  constant  in  honor, 
fearless  in  conduct  and   stainless  in   reputation. 


LYMAN  DUNLAP  TUTTLE. 

Lyman  Dunlap  Tuttle  is  numbered  among  the  well  known  and  prosperous 
residents  of  Madison  township  whose  well  directed  elTorts  of  former  years  now 
make  it  possible  for  him  to  live  retired,  enjoying  in  merited  retirement  a  goodly 
competence.  He  was  bom  in  Peoria  county,  Illinois,  on  the  30th  of  December 
1848.  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Betsey  A.  ( Dunlap)  Tuttle,  natives  of  Oneida 
county.  New  York.  The  family  history  in  this  country  can  be  traced  back  to 
William  Tuttle,  who  came  to  America  in  1635.  The  father,  who  was  born  and 
reared  in  Oneida  county,  came  west  to  Illinois  in  the  early  '40s  and  there  passed 
the  remaining  years  of  his  life,  his  time  and  attention  being  devoted  to  the  oc- 
cupation of  farming.  His  death  occurred  in  1904,  but  his  wife  had  passed  away 
when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  but  six  years  of  age,  her  death  occurring 
on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  Illinois. 

No  event  of  sjiecial  importance  came  to  vary  the  routine  of  life  for  Lyman 
Dunlap  Tuttle  during  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  which  was  spent 
on  the  home  place  in  Peoria  county.  Illinois.  Reared  amid  the  busy  activities 
of  rural  life  he  early  mastered  the  tasks  that  usually  fall  to  the  lot  of  the 
country  lad,  and  he  continued  to  give  his  father  the  benefit  of  his  assistance 
until  he  was  twenty-two  years  of  age,  when  he  decided  to  enter  the  business 
world  independently. 

Consequently,  in  1871,  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  on  his  jiresent  farm  on 
section  32,  Madison  township,  Poweshiek  county.  This  farm,  consisting  of  one 
hundred  ami  sixtv  acres,  had  been  purchased  by  his  father  a  few  years  prior 
to  his  arrival  here,  for  six  dollars  per  acre.  He  at  once  applied  himeslf  to  the 
further  develo]iment  and  improvement  of  this  farm,  and  it  was  not  long  ere 
his  unfaltering  enterprise,  close  application  and  ])ractical  methods  had  brought 
it  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  .Xs  time  passed  he  labored  earnestly,  each 
year  witnessing  a  substantial  advance  in  the  business  world  until,  several  years 
ago.  he  was  able  to  withdraw  practically  from  active  life,  leaving  the  actual 
work  of  the  farm  to  younger  shoulders,  while  he  devoted  his  attention  to  the 
supervision  of  his  afifairs.  His  son  is  now  in  charge  of  the  operation  of  the 
farm  and  thev  are  now  conducting  a  very  remunerative  enterprise.  Aside 
from  the  raising  of  a  considerable  amount  of  grain  annually  the  place  is  de- 
voted also  to  stock-raising  ])urposes,  Mr.  Tuttle  and  his  son  giving  their  entire 
time  and  attention  in  this  direction  to  the  feeding  of  hogs.  This  stock,  which  is 
of  a  high  grade,  is  largely  shipped  to  the  Chicago  market  direct,  although  they 
deal  to  some  extent  with  local  shippers. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  •->45 

I'-re  coming  to  Iowa  Mr.  I'uUle  liad  liccn  inarriccl,  in  irivoli,  Illinois,  on  the 
iJth  of  Jannary,  1871,  to  Miss  Jennie  A.  IJnnttm,  a  danghter  of  I  lenry  Dnnlon, 
and  rhilena  (Conrad)  a  well  known  farmer  of  llnreau  ci)unty,  Illinois,  where 
he  and  his  wife  both  passed  away.  I'ntd  this  union  were  born  eleven  children, 
but  one  daughter,  Minnie  May  Luella,  ])assed  away  in  1875  at  the  age  of  si.\ 
vears.  The  surviving  members  are  as  follows :  John  lierl,  a  ditching  foreman 
in  northern  Iowa ;  George  Orie,  a  resident  farmer  of  Lockney,  Texas,  who  mar- 
ried Clara  Miller,  of  Canton,  Illinois,  and  who  jiassed  away  leaving  four  children, 
I'ansv,  (ieorge,  Howard  and  William;  Maude,  who  marrietl  Jay  Jewell,  a 
farmer  residing  on  a  homestead  in  Colorado,  by  whom  she  has  four  children, 
Allen,  \  iola,  I'earl  and  Lucy:  Arthur,  a  foreman  in  a  glove  factory  at  Kewanee, 
Illinois,  who  wedded  Miss  Jessie  Hodge,  of  that  city;  Edward  W.,  a  tiler  and 
ditcher  of  Madison  township,  who  married  Miss  Mary  Willett,  of  Kewanee, 
Illinois,  and  who  now  has  one  daughter,  Grace;  Bernard  Stanley,  operating  the 
homestead  farm  for  his  father,  who  wedded  Edna  Hiner,  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
Miner,  a  farmer  of  Madison  township,  one  child  having  been  born  of  this  union, 
Howard  Jacob,  aged  two  years;  Bessie,  who  became  the  wife  of  Rudy  Doran,  a 
farmer  of  Pleasant  township,  Poweshiek  county ;  William  Harrison,  residing  at 
home  and  engaged  in  the  tiling  and  draining  business  with  his  brother,  Edward  ; 
Clarence,  who  is  employed  as  a  farm  hand  in  Madison  township ;  and  Orris, 
also  working  at  farm  labor  near  Malcom,  Iowa.  On  the  7th  of  June,  igo6,  the 
mother  of  this  family  was  called  to  her  final  rest,  her  death  occurring  on  the 
old  home  place  in  Madison  township. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Tuttle  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  given  stal- 
wart support  to  the  republican  party  and  for  four  years  served  as  township 
clerk.  He  was  also  census  enumerator  in  1910,  and  for  several  years  was  a 
member  of  the  school  board  in  district  Xo.  9,  the  cause  of  education  finding 
in  him  a  friend  and  champion.  Although  over  sixty  years  of  age  Mr.  Tuttle 
still  remains  actively  interested  in  the  world's  work,  and  no  resident  of  Madison 
township  has  ever  proved  himself  more  loyal  or  public-s|)irited  in  citizenship. 


H.  H.  HANSSEN. 


Among  Iowa's  native  sons  who  are  meeting  with  substantial  and  well 
merited  success  along  agricultural  lines  is  numbered  H.  H.  Hanssen,  who  was 
horn  in  Davenport,  on  the  20th  of  September,  1869. 

He  is  the  son  of  Peter  Jacob  and  Phoebe  Wiebka  (Stoldt)  Hanssen,  natives  of 
Germany,  the  father's  birth  occurring  in  Meldorf,  Holstein,  on  the  20th  of 
May,  1840.  His  parents  were  Peter  and  Margaret  (Maasen)  Hanssen,  life- 
long residents  of  the  fatherland,  where  they  engaged  in  farming.  Peter  Hans- 
sen, Sr.,  was  twice  married  and  had  a  family  of  eight  children,  of  whom  the 
eldest,  Peter  Jacob  Hanssen,  was  the  only  child  by  the  first  marriage,  his 
mother  passing  away  when  he  was  but  two  years  of  age.  Peter  Jacob  Hans- 
sen was  a  young  man  of  twenty-six  years  when  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  ocean 
to  the  new  world  in   1866.     He  landed  at  New  York,  but  did  not  tarry  on  the 


24tj  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

eastern  coast,  making  his  way  direct  to  Indiana.  He  remained  in  that  state, 
however,  for  only  about  two  months,  after  which  he  came  to  Iowa  and  for 
three  years  was  employeil  in  a  sawmill  at  Davenport.  At  the  expiration  of 
that  period  he  took  up  farming  pursuits  in  Scott  county  and  there  continued  in 
that  line  of  activity  until  1885.  In  that  year  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and 
located  upon  a  farm  which  is  now  the  property  of  H.  H.  Hanssen.  He  was 
most  successful  in  his  undertaking  and  won  a  substantial  measure  of  success. 
At  one  time  he  owned  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  but  he  has  since 
sold  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  to  his  son,  now  making  his  home  on  a  farm 
of  eighty  acres  located  in  section  23,  Malcom  township.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Lutheran  church  and  in  politics  gives  his  allegiance  to  the  democracy. 
He  is  well  known  throughout  the  community  in  which  he  resides  and  few  men 
more  justly  merit  the  high  regard  and  respect  entertained  for  him  by  his  fel- 
lowmcn.  On  the  nth  of  June,  1866,  in  Valparaiso,  Indiana,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Phoebe  Stoldt,  who  was  born  in  Meldorf.  Holstein,  Germany, 
on  the  8th  of  March,  1836,  and  came  to  the  United  States  at  the  same  time  that 
Mr.  Hanssen  made  the  journey.  In  their  family  are  three  children,  namely: 
Peter  Albert,  of  Sheridan  township;  H.  H.,  of  this  review:  and  Joanna,  the  wife 
of  Fred  Rehberg,  also  at  Sheridan  township,  the  family  circle  remaining  un- 
touched by  the  hand  of  death. 

H.  H.  Hanssen,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch,  spent  the  first  sixteen 
years  of  his  life  in  Davenport,  where  he  attained  a  good  public  school  educa- 
tion. In  1885  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Poweshiek  county,  the  family  home 
being  established  in  Malcom  township,  and  here  he  has  since  continued  to  reside. 
He  was  first  engaged  in  farming  in  connection  with  his  father,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  his  tnarriage,  when  he  took  up  agricultural  pursuits  independently, 
purchasing  his  present  farm  from  his  father,  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  on  section  22.  This  is  a  highly  developed  farm,  upon  which  Mr.  Hanssen 
and  his  father  have  made  many  improvements,  including  a  large  and  comfort- 
able house,  substantial  barns  and  outbuildings  and  good  fences,  and  is  ecjuipped 
with  u  complete  water  system  and  all  of  the  modern  accessories  for  facilitating 
farm  labor.  Mr.  Hanssen  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock-iaising  and 
also  operates  his  father's  farm  of  eighty  acres.  He  is  a  progressive  farmer, 
keeping  in  touch  with  modern  ideas  of  agriculture,  and  his  practical  methods, 
close  application  and  wise  management  are  proving  potent  forces  in  the  at- 
tainment of  a  success  which  ranks  him  among  the  successful  and  substantial 
agriculturists  of  Malcom  township. 

In  1899  Mr,  Hanssen  was  married  to  Miss  Ella  Weise.  who  was  born  in 
Davenport,  Iowa,  July  20,  1880,  and  as  a  little  maiden  nf  eight  years  came 
to  Poweshiek  county  with  her  mother.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  and  Sophia 
(Schiller)  Weise,  both  natives  of  Germany,  the  former's  birth  occurring  in 
Hamburg  and  the  latter's  at  Preetz,  Holstein.  Mr.  Weise  passed  away  in 
Davenport  in  1887,  and  his  wife,  who  later  married  William  Cropper,  now  re- 
sides at  Davenport.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanssen  have  two  sons,  Lester  and  Delmar, 
born  on  the   loth  of  July,  1901,  and  the  15th  of  June,  1904,  respectively. 

Mr.  Hanssen  is  democratic  in  politics  but  has  never  sought  to  figure  in 
public  life,  preferring  to  do  his  duty  as  a  private  citizen,  and  he  is  highly  es- 


HISTORY  OF  rOWESTIIEK  COUNTY  247 

teemed  by  his  fellow  citizens,  not  only  by  reason  of  the  success  which  he  has 
attained  along  agricultural  lines,  but  also  because  of  his  many  substantial  final- 
ities of  manhood. 


FRANK   S.   WATSON. 


Of  good  American  parentage,  F"rank  S.  Watson  was  given  a  fair  start  in 
life  and,  as  he  possesses  the  essential  qualities  that  lead  to  success  in  business 
affairs,  he  became  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  in  Washington  township. 
The  prosperity  which  has  attended  his  efforts  has  been  due  largely  to  his  good 
judgment  and  his  practical  knowledge  of  a  business  with  which  he  has  been  con- 
nected  from   his  earliest   recollection. 

.\  native  of  Poweshiek  county,  he  was  born  in  Sugar  Creek  township, 
.March  22,  1869,  a  son  of  William  and  Sarah  (Cline)  Watson.  The  father  was 
born  in  Indiana  and  the  mother  in  Illinois.  He  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa, 
as  a  young  man  and  rented  a  farm,  later  purchasing  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  upon  which  he  has  since  lived.  Politically  he  gives 
his  support  to  the  democratic  party  and,  although  he  has  not  sought  public 
office,  he  has  served  very  acceptably  as  member  of  the  school  board.  Mrs. 
Watson  died  May  5,  1905.  She  was  a  woman  of  many  excellent  qualities  and 
a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian  church,  as  is  also  Mr.  Watson.  In  their 
family  were  eight  children :  Laura,  who  is  deceased ;  Charles,  now  living  in 
Grinnell ;  Frank  S.,  of  this  review;  Arthur,  of  Sugar  Creek  township:  Alice, 
who  is  the  wife  of  John  McMickle,  of  Davis  county,  Iowa;  Frederick,  of  An- 
tigo,  Wisconsin ;  Robert,  also  of  Sugar  Creek  township ;  and  Nellie,  who  mar- 
ried Fred   Rivers,  of   Sugar  Creek  township. 

Frank  S.  Watson  received  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools  and  as 
he  grew  up  assisted  his  father  upon  the  home  farm.  At  the  age  of 
nineteen  he  began  working  out  on  his  own  account  and  continued  so  doing  for 
some  years,  thus  becoming  well  acquainted  with  the  various  details  of 
agriculture  and  stock-raising.  In  1900  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
four  acres,  upon  which  he  has  established  his  home.  Since  assuming  possession 
of  his  place  he  has  made  many  improvements  and  by  proper  rotation  of  crops 
has  increased  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  farm  now  comparing  favorably  with  any 
other  of  its  area  in  the  county  as  to  general  appearance  and  abundance  of 
iiarvests. 

On  the  22(1  of  February,  1893,  Mr.  Watson  was  married  to  Miss  Matilda 
Prosser,  a  daughter  of  Daniel  D.  and  Matilda  S.  (Jenkins)  Prosser.  Her 
father  was  born  in  Richland  county,  Ohio,  August  18.  181 3,  while  the  birth  of 
her  mother  occurred  in  Virginia,  June  8,  1821.  They  were  married  in  In- 
diana and  came  to  Iowa  in  1851,  first  locating  in  Lynnville,  Jasper  county, 
where  the  father  improved  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-four  acres,  which 
was  all  wild  land  when  it  came  into  his  possession.  He  died  on  the  24th 
of  January,  1896,  and  his  wife  passed  away  February  5,  1898.  They  were 
both  earnest  and  consistent  members  of  the  Christian  church.     In  their  family 


248  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COLXTY 

were  eight  children,  namely:  Thomas  J.,  now  deceased,  whose  family  live  ni 
Des  Moines ;  Catherine,  the  widow  of  S.  1>.  Faircloth  who  died  in  Grinnell : 
Nancy,  the  wife  of  A.  R.  Faircloth,  of  Des  ]Moines ;  George  W.,  also  a  resident 
of  Des  Moines ;  William,  of  Grinnell :  Margaret,  who  married  F.  C.  Dickinson 
and  died  in  Nebraska;  Daniel,  a  resident  of  Wisconsin;  and  Matilda,  the  wife 
of  our  subject.  One  son,  William,  has  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Watson.  His 
natal  day  was  June  22,  1894. 

In  religious  behef  Mr.  Watson  gives  his  support  to  the  Christian  church, 
believing  that  the  teachings  of  that  denomination  very  nearly  conform  to  the 
standard  of  the  new  testament.  Politically  he  is  in  sympathy  with  the  repub- 
lican party,  and  is  an  earnest  advocate  of  its  principles  as  being  conducive 
to  the  welfare  of  the  nation.  However,  he  is  a  broad-minded  man,  and  in  local 
afifairs  votes  for  the  best  man,  irrespective  of  part)-.  He  has  worked  persist- 
ently, year  after  year,  and  his  efforts  have  met  with  their  deserved  reward,  lie 
possesses  the  unqualified  confidence  and  regard  of  those  with  whom  he  comes 
into  contact  and  may  be  designated  as  one  of  the  fortunate  men  of  Washington 
township. 


TAMES   E.    McINTIRE. 


The  life  record  of  James  E.  Mclntire  covered  almost  seventy-three  years. 
He  was  born  in  Waveland.  Montgomery  county,  Indiana.  September  20,  183 1, 
and  died  in  Montezuma,  July  29,  1904,  after  having  lived  retired  here  for  twenty 
years.  He  came  to  Iowa  in  1849  with  his  parents,  John  and  Jane  (McMains) 
Mclntire,  both  of  whom  were  born  near  Lexington,  Kentucky,  the  former  in 
1801  and  the  latter  about  181 1.  The  father  was  a  son  of  Alexander  and  Mar- 
garet (Clark)  Mclntire,  the  former  a  native  of  Tennessee  and  the  latter  of 
Pennsylvania.  In  the  state  of  his  nativity  Alexander  Mclntire  spent  his  youthful 
days  on  the  farm  and  then  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Ken- 
tucky, the  family  home  being  one  of  the  first  established  in  the  present  city  of 
Lexington.  Follow^ing  his  marriage  he  devoted  his  attention  to  agricultural  pur- 
suits, becoming  the  owner  of  a  large  plantation  and  a  number  of  slaves.  Later 
he  cast  in  his  lot  with  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Montgomery  county,  Indiana,  where 
he  carried  on  farming  for  many  years,  taking  active  part  in  the  work  of  reclaim- 
ing that  region  for  the  purposes  of  civilization.  He  died  at  the  home  of  one  of 
his  daughters  in  Montezuma,  about  1843,  when  eighty-seven  years  of  age. 

John  Mclntire,  father  of  James  E.  Mclntire,  had  been  reared  to  manhood 
in  Kentucky,  where  a  common-school  education  had  been  accorded  him.  He. 
too,  was  long  identified  with  agricultural  pursuits.  About  1827  he  was  married, 
in  Montgomery  countv.  Indiana,  to  Jane  McIMains.  a  daughter  of  James  Mc- 
Mains.  who  was  born  in  Ireland.  Purchasing  land  in  Indiana,  John  Mclntire 
there  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  the  soil  until  his  removal  to  Iowa  in  1845, 
traveling  overland  with  wagons  in  which  were  loaded  all  of  his  household 
goods.  He  was  then  a  man  of  well-to-do  circumstances  and  secured  a  farm 
about  five  miles  west  of  Montezuma,  being  one  of  the  first  to  purchase  property 


M      r. 


fej       r. 

2      ►- 


THE  NEW  Yo.w. 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


A5T0FI,  L£NOX  AND 
TlLO£N  FOUNDATIONS. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESIllKK  COLXTV  251 

in  Poweshiek  county.  He  afterward  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  was  the 
owner  of  four  hundred  acres  in  one  body  and  an  almost  equal  amount  in  other 
tracts.  He  built  the  tirst  hotel  in  Montezuma  and  also  erected  and  conducted 
the  Stanley  House.  At  one  time  he  was  the  owner  of  a  large  grist  and  saw  mill, 
the  tirst  erected  in  the  county,  and  he  continued  in  the  milling  business  in  vari- 
ous portions  of  the  county  until  a  short  time  prior  to  his  death,  when  he  retired. 
In  1856  he  also  became  connected  with  merchandising  and  for  some  time  figured 
prominently  in  commercial  connections  in  Montezuma.  His  political  support  was 
given  to  the  democracy  and  he  served  as  county  commissioner.  He  died  in  1890 
in  the  faith  of  the  Christian  church,  in  which  both  he  and  his  wife  held  mem- 
bership. Her  demise  occurred  in  1870.  In  their  family  were  nine  children  : 
Anne,  who  became  the  wife  of  George  Wasson ;  James  E. ;  John;  Margaret,  who 
married  Hiram  Taylor;  Thomas;  Ferry;  Sarah  J.,  the  wife  of  John  Furnaugh  : 
Ellen,  the  wife  of  Edward  Shipley;  and  Robert. 

lames  E.  Mclntire  was  a  youth  of  about  eighteen  years  when  the  family 
came  to  Iowa,  arriving  in  1849.  He  aided  in  the  arduous  task  of  developing  a 
farm  and  when  twenty  years  of  age  began  teaching,  which  profession  he  followed 
for  three  years.  He  was  qualified  for  this  work  by  the  excellent  educational 
advantages  which  had  been  accorded  him  in  Waveland,  while  wide  reading  had 
also  added  to  his  knowledge. 

On  the  i6th  of  October,  1851,  James  E.  Mclntire  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Catharine  Willson.  This  was  the  first  marriage  celebrated  in  .Montezuma 
and  probably  the  first  in  the  county.  Mrs.  Mclntire  was  born  June  29,  1837, 
and  was  a  daughter  of  Gideon  and  Catharine  (Wilson)  Willson.  Soon  after 
their  marriage  the  young  couple  locatqa.'iipon.  a;  .iat'pi"0^f'.:orie  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  which  had  been  given  him  by  bis  {atlien  H-is'.w-ife'  had  also  received  a 
generous  allowance  from  her  father— a  farm  of  two  hijndred  acres.  After 
spending  five  years  in  agricultural  pu^suit^  th^y.^ removed  tb  Montezuma,  where 
for  two  years  Mr.  Mclntire  operated  a  nwll  that- beionged  to  his  father.  After 
a  few  years,  however,  he  returned  to  a  farm^to  the' cultivation  of  which  he  de- 
voted his  energies  for  thirty-one  years,  and  in  the  meantime  won  substantial 
and  gratifying  success,  owing  to  the  careful  management  of  his  business  inter- 
ests. At  the  time  of  his  retirement  he  was  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  having  disposed  of  much  of  his  property,  which  at  one  time  amounted  to 
seven  hundred  and  eighty  acres. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mclntire  were  born  nine  children,  all  of  whom  are  grarl- 
uates  of  the  high  school.  Mary  A.,  born  August  29,  1852,  was  married  Febru- 
ary 10,  1870,  to  Ellis  Herrod,  who  died  in  Montezuma,  and  she  afterward  became 
the  wife  of  David  McKee.  of  Des  Moines.  She  is  now  a  very  wealthy  woman. 
She  has  reared  a  family  of  three  children,  all  of  whom  are  now  married  and 
doing  well.  Catharine  J.,  born  March  20,  1854,  died  December  16,  1872.  John 
G.,  born  March  22,  1856,  died  December  5,  1872.  He  was  a  teacher  at  the  time 
of  his  demise  and  was  also  studying  for  the  ministry  of  the  Christian  church. 
Nancy  E.,  born  ,\pril  6.  1859,  in  Marshalltown,  became  the  wife  of  E,  J.  Pimlott 
and  they  had  four  children.  After  the  death  of  her  first  husband  she  married 
Henry  Hersley  and  had  one  daughter.  Her  third  husband  was  Russell 
Geisler  and   unto  them  has  been   born   a   son.     Sarah    E.    Mclntire,    the    fifth 


252  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

member  of  the  family,  was  born  June  i",  1862,  and  on  the  14th  of  October,  1884. 
became  the  wife  of  William  N.  Alorrison,  now  of  Tulsa,  Oklahoma.  They  are 
parents  of  seven  children.  Isaac  N.  Mclntire,  born  February  8,  1864,  is  a  grad- 
uate of  the  law  department  of  the  Iowa  State  University  and  for  the  past  twenty 
years  has  been  engaged  in  law  practice,  being  now  located  at  Sheldon,  Iowa. 
He  has  been  married  twice  and  has  a  son  and  two  daughters.  Rev.  James  R. 
Mclntire,  now  of  Santa  Monica,  California,  was  born  January  21,  1867,  received 
his  education  at  Oskaloosa,  Iowa,  at  Lexington,  Kentucky,  and  in  the  Chicago 
University,  and  is  now  a  minister  of  the  Christian  church.  Ida  M.,  born  October 
14,  1869,  became  the  wife  of  William  Buxton,  who  was  then  serving  as  county 
recorder  of  Poweshiek  county,  but  they  now  reside  in  Los  Angeles,  California. 
Rev.  Thomas  C.  Mclntire,  the  youngest  of  the  family,  was  born  July  16,  1874, 
and  is  a  minister  of  the  Christian  church  at  Ainsley,  Nebraska.  He  also  owns 
a  farm  of  one  thousand  acres  in  that  vicinity.  All  of  the  sons  of  this  family  and 
their  wives  as  well  are  college  graduates. 

Mr.  Mclntire  continued  to  reside  upon  the  home  farm,  which  he  converted 
into  a  very  valuable  property,  for  more  than  thirty-one  years,  and  1894  removed 
to  Montezuma,  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days,  his  death  there  occurring  on 
July  29,  1904.  He  was  a  devoted  member  of  the  Christian  church,  in  which  he 
served  as  an  elder  for  many  years,  and  in  politics  he  was  a  stanch  democrat  and 
in  later  years  voted  the  temperance  ticket.  It  is  well  known  that  he  was  true 
to  very  honest  conviction  and  nothing  could  swerve  him  from  the  course  which 
he  believed  to  be  right.  All  who  knew  him  trusted  him  because  of  his  well  known 
integrity  and  esteemed  him  because  of  his  sound  judgment  and  his  justice.  He 
lield  friendship  inviolable  and  was  most  devoted  to  his  family,  and  throughout 
the  county  where  he  was  so  widely  known  his  death  was  most  deeply  regretted. 

Mrs.  Mclntire  still  makes  her  home  in  Montezuma,  where  she  owns  seven 
good  dwellings  and  other  property.  Her  husband  left  her  most  comfortably  sit- 
uated in  life  and  she  has  done  much  for  her  children,  of  whom  she  has  ever}' 
reason  to  be  proud.  .^11  are  well  educated  and  are  people  of  genuine  worth  who 
advocate  temperance  principles  and  adliere  at  all  times  to  the  right.  They  are 
certainly  a  credit  and  honor  to  her  name  and  their  lives  are  also  an  indication  of 
the  teachings  of  a  true  Christian  woman.  Mrs.  Mclntire  is  very  well  known  in 
the  county,  where  she  has  lived  continuously  since  1847,  ^nd  no  history  of  this 
part  of  tiie  state  would  be  complete  without  mention  of  her  and  her  husband, 
witli  whom  she  so  long  and  happily  traveled  life's  journey. 


LOUIS  E.  HIGDON. 


Enterprise,  perseverance,  ability  and  industry  have  been  important  elements 
which  have  contributed  to  the  progress  of  Louis  E.  Higdon,  who  is  today  one 
of  the  respected  farmers  of  Poweshiek  county.  He  is  a  native  of  Kentucky  and 
was  born  in  Daviess  county,  March  9,  1868,  a  son  of  James  T.  and  Alary  E. 
(  McDaniel )  Higdon.  The  father  was  also  born  in  Kentucky  and  the  mother 
is  a  native  of  Illinois.     They  were  married   in  Kentucky,  where  the  father  en- 


HISTORY  Ol'    l'()\Vi:SlllI'.K  COL'XTV  253 

gagfd  in  farming  during  his  entire  life.  In  politics  he  was  in  sympathy  with 
the  democratic  party  and  in  religious  views  he  gave  his  earnest  adherence  to  the 
Catholic  church.  The  mother  is  now  living  in  Kentucky.  In  their  family  were 
fifteen  children :  Francis,  who  is  deceased  ;  Delia,  who  is  the  widow  of  Ed.  Jarboe, 
of  Kentucky:  Charles,  who  now  lives  at  Utnver,  Colorado;  Emma,  of  Clinton, 
Iowa;  Robert,  of  Oklahoma;  Louis  E.,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Alattie,  the 
wife  of  Zach  Higdon,  of  Kentucky;  Lillie,  the  wife  of  James  Devereux,  of 
Adair  county.  Iowa;  Geneva,  who  is  also  married;  Eloda,  the  wife  of  John  Neal, 
of  Kentucky;  Hilory,  of  Kentucky;  Paul,  who  lives  in  Denver,  Colorado;  and 
Bernard,  Petronella  and  Thomason,  all  of  whom  are  deceased. 

Louis  E.  Higdon  secured  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native 
state  and  assisted  upon  his  father's  farm  until  after  reaching  his  majority.  In 
1891,  desiring  to  see  the  world  and  also  to  find  a  favorable  location,  he  traveled 
westward  to  York,  Nebraska,  and  for  four  years  hired  out  by  the  month,  later 
continuing  to  work  at  monthly  wages  in  Adair  county,  Iowa.  In  1902  he  ar- 
rived in  Poweshiek  county,  where  the  outlook  appeared  quite  favorable,  and  for 
three  years  he  rented  land,  which  he  cultivated  on  his  own  account.  He  then 
lunchased  eighty  acres.  He  is  a  man  of  great  industry  and  of  good  business 
judgment,  as  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  at  the  present  time  he  is  owner  of  a  farm 
of  two  hundred  acres  of  valuable  land  in  this  county.  He  is  a  general  farmer 
and  raises  horses,  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  market. 

On  the  13th  of  January,  1902,  Mr.  Higdon  was  married  to  Miss  Anna  De- 
vereu.x,  a  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Ehza  Devereux,  of  Washington  township. 
Four  children  have  blessed  this  union :  Mary,  who  was  born  September  10, 
1905;  Margaret,  born  April  18,  1908;  James,  born  June  6,  1909;  and  Francis, 
born  September  6,   19 10. 

Mr.  Higdon  possesses  sterling  qualities  of  character,  as  is  attested  by  his 
undaunted  ambition  to  obtain  a  worthy  position  among  his  fellowmen.  Starting 
among  strangers,  without  aid  from  others,  he  applied  himself  with  undiminished 
zeal,  toiling  from  month  to  month  and  from  year  to  year,  even  denying  him- 
self recreation  and  many  of  the  ordinary  comforts  of  life,  until  he  felt  assured 
that  he  was  on  the  way  to  financial  independence.  It  is  through  such  efforts 
that  many  of  the  most  honored  men  of  the  nation  have  won  recognition  and 
wrought  out  their  destiny.  He  early  learned  to  make  good  use  of  the  strength 
and  talents  with  which  nature  endowed  him,  and  he  has  his  reward  in  his  happy 
home  and  pleasant  surroundings.  Politically  he  is  allied  with  the  democratic 
jiarty  and  religiously  he  and  his  family  are  devout  members  of  the  Catholic 
cliurch. 


JOHN   F.  DRYDEN. 


During  a  residence  covering  forty-four  years  in  Poweshiek  county,  John  F. 
Dryden  has  seen  remarkable  changes  in  this  section  of  the  state,  for  when  he 
came  here  in  his  early  manhood  much  of  the  country  was  still  open  prairie, 
uncultivated  and  uninhabited.  Today  the  country  is  thickly  settled,  while  there 
is  no  waste  land  to  be  found  and  the  farms  in  their  splendid  appearance,  give 


254  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

evidence  of  the  thrift  and  industry  of  the  people.  Mr.  Dryden  was  born  in 
Adam.s  county,  Ohio,  September  25,  1841,  a  son  of  Samuel  Al.  and  Sarah 
(Sparks)  Dryden,  the  former  a  native  of  Virginia,  and  tlie  latter  of  Ohio.  The 
wife  and  mother  passed  away  in  Ohio  in  the  year  184(1  and  the  father  after- 
ward married  again  and  came  with  his  second  wife  and  hve  children  to  Powe- 
shiek county  in  1867.  Both  he  and  his  last  wife  departed  this  life  in  .Montezuma. 
The  children  are :  James,  who  served  for  over  three  years  as  a  member  of  the 
Forty-eighth  Ohio  \'olunteer  Infantry  and  is  now  residing  in  Oskaloosa.  Iowa; 
John  F.,  of  this  review;  Mrs.  Mary  Jane  Grice,  of  Highland  county,  (Jliio;  Mrs. 
Krila  Abbott,  deceased;  and  Mrs.  Sarah  .Mice  Mcliride,  also  of  Highland  county. 

John  F.  Dryden,  whose  name  introduces  this  record,  was  reared  in  the 
Buckeye  state  and  when  he  attained  his  majority,  the  Civil  war  having  been  in- 
augurated, he  offered  his  services  to  the  government,  becoming  a  member  of 
the  Second  Ohio  \'olunteer  Artillery  on  the  13th  of  June,  1863.  He  gave  valiant 
and  faithful  service  for  two  years  and  was  then  discharged  on  the  12th  of  May, 
1865,  owing  to  injury. 

Following  his  discharge  from  the  army,  Air.  Dryden  returned  to  his  home 
in  Ohio,  where  he  remained  for  two  years,  and  then  accom])anied  his  father  on 
his  removal  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  He  was  soon  afterward  married  and 
located  on  the  farm  which  has  since  been  his  place  of  residence,  this  tract  com- 
prising eighty  acres  on  section  24,  Pleasant  township.  He  purchased  the  land 
from  his  father,  paying  for  the  same  three  hundred  dollars,  the  latter  having 
paid  for  it  two  and  a  half  dollars  per  acre.  Air.  Dryden  at  once  set  to  work 
to  improve  and  cultivate  his  land  and  in  course  of  time  he  had  it  divided  into 
fields  of  convenient  size  and  planted  with  the  various  grains  best  suited  to  the 
soil  and  climate  of  Iowa,  wdiile  his  buildings  were  constructed  with  a  view  to 
convenience  and  durability.  Today  his  land  is  worth  two  hundred  dollars  per 
acre.  He  is  here  engaged  in  general  farming  and  his  labors  are  bringing  him 
a  merited  measure  of  success. 

Mr.  Dryden  was  married  April  28,  1869,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Aliss 
Mary  Hennicutt,  who  was  born  in  Clinton,  Ohio,  October  13,  1846.  She  ac- 
companied her  parents,  Abel  and  Ann  (Hagan)  Hennicutt,  to  Henry  county, 
Iowa.  They  were  both  natives  of  Virginia  but  were  married  in  Ohio.  The 
father  departed  this  life  in  Salem,  Iowa,  but  the  mother  still  survives  and  now 
makes  her  home  in  Montezuma.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dryden  have  been  born 
three  sons  and  two  daughters,  namely:  Fred,  who  is  still  under  the  parental 
roof ;  Burtie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seven  years ;  Eva  D.,  at  home ;  Krila,  the 
wife  of  Hershel  Smothers,  of  Pleasant  township;  and  Arthur,  who  is  at  home. 
.Ml  were  born  on  the  home  farm. 

Mr.  Dryden  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  served  as 
assessor  of  his  township  for  three  or  four  terms,  while  he  has  also  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board.     His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHFEK  COl'XTY  255 

the  Methodist  Episcopal  chunh  and  his  fraternal  relations  connect  him  with  the 
Odd  Fellows  Lodge,  Xo.  74,  at  Montezuma,  while  he  maintains  pleasant  re- 
lations with  his  old  army  comrades  through  his  membership  in  Wisner  Post,  No. 
127,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Montezuma.  He  is  well  known  as  a  pioneer  of  the  county  and 
as  a  most  industrious  and  useful  man,  whose  probity  is  an  unquestioned  element 
in  his  character. 


W.  W.  GWINN. 


W.  W.  Gwinn.  who  for  the  past  four  years  has  capably  and  acceptably  tilled 
the  office  of  steward  of  the  Poweshiek  county  farm,  is  one  of  Iowa's  native  sons, 
almost  his  entire  life  having  been  spent  within  the  borders  of  Poweshiek  county. 
His  birth  occurred  near  Victor,  Warren  township,  this  county,  on  the  9th  of 
December,  1859.  his  parents  being  Sampson  C.  and  Sarah  A.  (Morgan)  Gwinn. 
They  were  born  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  and  Pennsylvania  respectively  and  in 
childhood  were  brought  by  their  parents  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  Sampson 
C.  Gwinn  was  the  son  of  John  Gwinn,  a  native  of  Ohio,  who  came  to  Iowa  in 
1S48,  about  the  same  time  that  the  Talbott,  Manatt  and  Snook  families  located 
here,  and  with  them  was  numbered  among  the  first  settlers  of  his  section  of  the 
county.  He  entered  large  tracts  of  land  here  and  gave  farms  to  all  of  his  chil- 
dren, his  family  consisting  of  six  sons  and  six  daughters,  all  now  deceased.  His 
death  occurred  in  Warren  township.  Several  years  after  coming  to  this  county 
with  his  parents  Sampson  C.  Gwinn  entered  land  from  the  government  here, 
which  property  is  still  in  possession  of  the  family.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occu- 
pation and  made  his  home  upon  one  of  his  government  claims,  consisting  of  two 
luuKlred  and  twenty  acres  in  Warren  township,  upon  which  he  and  his  wife 
spent  the  remaining  days  of  their  lives.  In  their  family  were  five  children,  as 
follows:  Frank  B..  now  deceased:  Henry  W.,  of  Kansas  City,  Kansas;  M.  D., 
of  Warren  township;  W.  W.,  of  this  review;  and  May,  also  of  Warren  township. 

On  the  old  homestead  in  Warren  township  W.  W.  Gwinn  spent  the  period 
of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  and  he  remained  with  his  parents  until  the  time  of  his 
marriage,  when  he  took  up  farming  independently.  In  1882  he  went  to  South 
Dakota  and  there  entered  land  from  the  government,  proving  a  homestead  claim, 
aiifl  to  the  improvement  and  cultivatinn  of  that  property  he  devoted  the  succeed- 
ing five  years.  In  1887  he  sold  his  farm,  however,  and  returned  to  Poweshiek 
county,  Iowa,  locating  upon  one  of  his  father's  farms.  Subsequently  he  pur- 
chased a  tract  of  fifty  acres  in  Warren  township,  upon  which  he  took  up  his 
abode  and  which  is  yet  in  his  possession.  That  farm  remained  his  home  for 
about  twenty  years,  and  there  he  carried  on  general  agricultural  pursuits,  giving 
his  entire  time  and  attention  to  the  development  of  his  property,  which  under  his 
wise  management  and  close  application  became  one  of  the  neat,  attractive  and 
desirable  farms  of  that  section.  In  1907,  however,  he  laid  aside  his  personal 
interests  to  accept  the  position  of  steward  of  Poweshiek  county  farm,  to  which 
he  had  been  appointed  by  the  board  of  supervisors.  He  has  since  concentrated 
his  energies  upon  the  discharge  of  tin-  duties  of  that  office  and  is  bringing  to 


256  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

bear  the  same  close  application,  business  ability  and  common  sense  which  char- 
acterized his  conduct  of  his  private  affiairs.  His  interests  are  now  thoroughly 
identified  with  those  of  the  institution  with  which  he  is  connected  and  the  effi- 
cient and  satisfactory  manner  in  which  he  is  managing  its  affairs  is  proving  to 
all  concerned  that  the  choice  for  that  office  was  a  wise  one. 

On  the  2ist  of  August,  1879,  Mr.  Gwinn  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Virginia  Price,  who  was  born  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  and  was  called  from  this 
life  on  the  25th  of  May.  1904.  At  her  death  she  left  four  children,  as  follows: 
Eva  M.,  now  the  wife  of  Edgar  Hicks,  of  Fort  Collins,  Colorado;  Edna  M.. 
who  married  Charles  Rohrer,  of  \'ictor,  Iowa ;  Blanche,  the  wife  of  William 
Norton,  of  Hartwick,  who  is  assisting  Mr.  Gwinn  in  the  management  of  the  county 
farm;  and  C.  P.,  at  home.  On  the  iith  of  April,  190(1.  Mr.  Gwinn  was  again 
married,  his  second  union  being  with  Miss  Florence  Fasten,  a  native  of  Poweshiek 
county. 

Interested  as  all  American  citizens  should  be  in  the  political  situation  of  the 
country.  Mr.  Gwinn  has  thoroughly  informed  himself  concerning  the  questions 
and  issues  of  the  day  and  gives  stalwart  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  is 
well  known  in  the  locality  in  which  he  has  resided  for  almost  a  half  century  and 
the  principles  which  have  governed  his  life  in  business,  private  or  public  rela- 
tions have  ever  done  credit  to  a  representative  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most 
honored  names  of   Poweshiek  countv. 


LEWIS  E.  WHITE. 


A  thoroughly  developed  farm  of  forty  acres  pays  tribute  to  the  labors  of 
Lewis  E.  White,  who  has  spent  his  entire  life  in  Poweshiek  county.  He  comes 
of  good  Quaker  parentage  and  in  the  course  of  his  experience  in  business, 
extending  through  a  period  of  ten  or  twelve  years,  and  also  in  private  affairs, 
he  has  ever  aimed  to  be  controlled  by  the  gentle  teachings  under  which  he  was 
reared. 

He  was  born  on  his  parents'  farm  in  Washington  township,  July  Z2.,  \'>^~2, 
being  a  son  of  Thomas  J.  and  Caroline  J.  (Patterson)  White.  The  father  was 
born  in  Indiana;  the  mother  at  Portland,  Maine,  on  February  18,  1853.  They 
were  married  in  Poweshiek  county,  Mr.  White  having  come  to  this  county  with 
his  parents  in  his  boyhood.  The  family  located  in  Sugar  Creek  township  and 
there  he  grew  to  manhood,  receiving  his  education  in  the  district  schools.  He 
engaged  in  farming  in  this  county  for  many  years  and  is  now  identified  with  the 
same  occupation  in  Jasper  county,  having  reached  the  age  of  sixty-seven  years. 
His  study  of  public  questions  has  convinced  him  that  the  saloon  is  the  great 
evil  of  the  country  and,  therefore,  he  is  a  pronounced  prohibitionist,  being  also 
a  valued  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends  and  a  man  of  great  influence  wherever 
he  is  known.  There  were  four  children  in  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  White: 
Lewis  E.,  of  this  review ;  Edwin,  who  now  lives  at  Kellogg,  Iowa ;  Lila,  who 
is  the  wife  of  Arthur  Cope,  of  New  Sharon,  Iowa;  and  Roy  R.,  of  Jasper  county. 


HISTORY  OF  rOWIuSlIIF.K  COl'-XTY  I'JT 

Lewis  E.  White  attended  the  public  schools  of  Washington  township  in  his 
boyhood,  and  later  took  advantage  of  instruction  for  one  year  at  the  Grinnell 
high  school.  He  assisted  in  the  work  upon  the  home  farm  until  he  reached 
the  age  of  twenty  years.  He  then  began  working  for  wages  upon  neighboring 
farms  and  continued  so  doing  for  four  years.  At  the  end  of  this  time  he  asso- 
ciateil  with  his  father  in  farming  but,  after  another  period  of  four  years,  having 
acquired  sutficient  capital  and  desiring  to  become  independent  he  purchased 
forty  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  established  his  homestead.  He  has  erected 
buildings  and  improved  his  place  in  many  ways,  making  it  one  of  the  most 
productive  farms  of  its  size  in  this  part  of  the  county.  He  uses  good  judgment 
in  his  work  and  each  year  witnesses  an  increase  in  his  prosperity. 

On  the  24th  of  April,  1901,  Air.  White  was  married  to  Miss  Nellie  D.  Harbi- 
son, of  Poweshiek  county,  who  was  born  September  8,  1882,  a  daughter  of 
George  W.  and  Jennie  (Edwards)  Harbison.  Her  father  was  born  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  her  mother  in  England.  He  engaged  in  farming  in  the  Keystone 
state  and,  being  attracted  westward,  came  to  Iowa  and  worked  in  coal  mines  in 
the  southern  part  of  the  state.  Subsequently  he  located  in  Washington  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county,  upon  land  which  he  purchased  and  cultivated,  and  which 
produced  generous  returns.  He  then  moved  to  Grinnell  township,  where  he 
died,  the  mother  also  being  deceased.  Politically  he  gave  his  support  to  the 
republican  party.  At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  was  a  valiant  soldier  for  the 
Union,  and  later  held  membership  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  Five 
children  have  blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  White:  Raymond  E.,  who 
was  born  May  12,  1902;  Harold  E.,  born  October  9,  1903;  Martha  B.,  born 
September  9,  1905;  Ruth,  born  June  4,  1908;  and  Alice  Viola,  born  July  21, 
1910. 

Mr.  White  has  made  an  excellent  start  as  a  farmer  and  conducts  his  place 
m  such  a  way  that  each  year  adds  to  his  prosperity,  and  he  is  regarded  as  one 
of  the  rising  young  men  of  this  section.  Energetic  and  efficient,  always  mindful 
of  his  duties  to  others,  and  known  as  a  progressive  and  useful  citizen,  he  is  a 
credit  to  his  county  and  state. 


MYRON  A.  SEARS. 


Myron  A.  Sears  is  now  operating  one  of  the  valuable  farm  properties  of 
Chester  township,  owned  by  his  father's  estate.  It  is  situated  in  section  10  and  is 
provided  with  facilities  which  are  considered  essential  in  an  up-to-date  farm. 
He  has  shown  a  practical  knowledge  of  his  business  and  although  he  is  a  young 
man,  he  has  won  a  high  standing  and  enjoys  success  which  is  the  result  of 
well  directed  effort.  He  was  born  in  Chester  township,  January  25,  1881. 
and  is  a  son  of  Milton  A.  and  Etta  F.  (Bacon)  Sears,  the  former  a  native  of 
New  York  state  and  the  latter  of  Vermont.  The  father  removed  from  New 
York  to  Grinnell,  Iowa,  where  he  later  became  connected  with  the  implement 
business  under  the  title  of  Fuller  &  Sears,  continuing  in  that  line  about  six  years. 
He  died  in  1908,  at  the  age  of  fifty-two,  but  the  mother  is  now  living  at  Grinnell. 


25b  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Myron  A.  Sears  atteiuled  the  common  schools  and  took  advanced  work,  in- 
cluding several  histories,  algebra  and  bookkeeping.  After  laying  aside  his  books 
he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  for  a  year,  at  the  end  of  which  time,  in  1903, 
he  began  farming  in  Chester  township  at  his  present  location,  where  he  cultivates 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  engages  principally  in  feeding  livestock  for 
the  market,  raising  hay  and  grain  for  this  purpose,  and  his  labors  return  to  him 
a  gratifying  annual   income. 

On  the  9th  of  December,  1903,  Mr.  Sears  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Edith  L.  Palmer,  who  is  a  graduate  of  Grinnell  Academy.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
Anson  and  Abi  F.  (Alden)  Palmer,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  in  Ohio 
and  the  latter  at  Montour,  Iowa.  Mrs.  Sears  on  the  mother's  side  is  a  direct 
descendant  of  John  and  Priscilla  Alden  of  Mayflower  fame.  Three  children  have 
come  to  bless  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sears:  Margaret  E.,  Anson  .\.  and 
Howard  A.,  all  of  whom  are  living  at  home. 

Ever  since  he  reached  maturity  Mr.  Sears  has  given  his  close  attention  to 
agriculture  and  stock-raising,  and  having  employed  the  best  known  methods, 
his  farm  has  become  one  of  the  most  productive  of  its  area  in  the  township. 
His  study  and  observation  of  affairs  have  convinced  him  of  the  evils  of  the  liquor 
traffic  anil  he  therefore  casts  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  prohibition  party.  He 
is  a  stanch  advocate  of  education  and  has  served  as  school  director,  being  at 
all  times  in  favor  of  the  employment  of  none  but  thoroughly  competent  teachers. 
He  has  never  been  afraid  to  work  and  has  found  in  industry  and  persistent 
application  the  road  to  prosperity. 


H.  F.  MORTON. 


H.  F.  Alorton  is  a  lawyer  of  Montezuma,  whose  life  has  been  largely  spent 
in  public  service,  his  fidelity  in  office  winning  him  the  high  regard  of  his  fellow 
townsmen.  He  was  born  in  Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  ]March  18,  1845,  his  par- 
ents being  Morris  and  .Sarah  (Ferrell)  Morton,  the  former  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania in  1818,  the  latter  a  native  of  Ohio.  When  a  youth  of  ten  years  Morris 
^lorton  went  to  Ohio,  was  there  married  and  spent  his  remaining  days  in  the 
Buckeye  state,  devoting  his  life  to  farming.  His  death  occurred  in  1884  and 
his  wife  passed  away  some  time  later.  In  their  family  were  four  sons  and 
three  daughters,  one  of  whom,  W.  H.  Morton,  now  deceased,  was  a  soldier 
of  the  Ninety-seventh  Ohio  \'olunteer  Infantry  during  the  Civil  war. 

H.  F.  ]\Iorton,  who  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth,  resided  upon  the  home 
farm  until  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  he  offered  his  services  to  the  govern- 
ment in  defense  of  the  Union,  enlisting  at  Fairview,  Guernsey  county,  Ohio, 
as  a  member  of  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-second  Ohio  \^olunteer 
Infantry.  He  served  under  Captain  James  A.  Coleman  for  one  hundred  days 
and  was  then  honorably  discharged  on  the  3d  of  September,  1864.  He  after- 
ward devoted  the  summer  luonths  to  farming  and  in  the  winter  seasons  engaged 
in  teaching  in  the  countrv  schools.  He  also  spent  one  year  as  a  teacher  in 
the  graded  schools  of  Quaker  City.  Ohio.     He  further  promoted  his  own  edu- 


[|.  V.  M(ii;i(i.\ 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 

A8T0R,  LENOX  ANB 
TILDEN  FOUKDATION*. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  261 

cation  immediately  after  the  war  by  attending  college  at  New  Sharon,  Noble 
county,  Ohio,  of  which  his  brother,  the  Rev.  W.  H.  Morton,  was  then  prin- 
cipal. During  one  term  of  teaching  11.  I*".  Morton  conducted  his  school  in  one 
of  the  old  time  log  schoolhouses.  He  taught  altogether  for  about  ten  winter 
terms  and  in  the  summer  months  worked  at  farm  labor.  His  leisure  hours 
during  the  last  three  years  of  that  decade  were  devoted  to  the  study  of  law  with 
the  intention  of  devoting  the  remainder  of  his  life  to  its  practice  and  in  Sep- 
tember. 1877,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  at  Cambridge,  Ohio. 

In  September,  1878,  Mr.  Morton  came  to  Montezuma,  where  he  has  since 
practiced  his  profession.  His  time  has  not  been  given  solely,  however,  to  pri- 
vate practice,  for  he  has  been  again  and  again  called  to  public  office  and  has 
done  excellent  service  for  his  fellow  townsmen  in  this  connection.  He  served  as 
mayor  of  the  city  for  one  term  and  was  clerk  of  the  district  court  for  six  years. 
Previously  he  had  filled  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace  and  on  his  retirement 
from  the  position  of  district  court  clerk  he  again  became  judge  of  the  justice 
court,  over  which  he  has  presided  continuously  since  1880  with  the  exception  of 
six  years.  He  has  been  secretary  of  the  school  board  for  ten  or  twelve  years 
and  is  still  the  incumbent  in  that  office.  He  is  a  director  and  the  vice  presi- 
dent of  the  Montezuma  Savings  Bank  and  is  the  owner  of  valuable  property 
holdings.  The  town  of  Guernsey  was  located  on  a  quarter  section  of  land 
that  he  owned  but  he  has  sold  of?  all  of  this  with  the  exception  of  thirty  acres 
for  town  lots.  He  also  has  a  number  of  properties  in  Montezuma  and  his 
life  on  the  whole  has  been  a  most  successful  one. 

In  1882  occurred  the  marriage  o-f  Mr.  Morton  and'i^iss  Laura  J.  Mullikin, 
who  was  born  in  Indiana  and  came  to  Poweshiek  county  \K'ith  her  parents,  James 
and  Mary  Mullikin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morton  have  two  children:  Gertrude,  who 
is  pursuing  the  library  course  in  the  Illinois  State  University  at  Champaign , 
and  Winifred,  who  is  a  student  in  .the'  State  Teadhefs'  College  at  Cedar  Falls, 
Iowa.  The  parents  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in 
which  Mr.  Morton  is  now  serving  as  a  trustee.  He  also  belongs  to  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  has 
ever  given  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party,  thus  following  in  the 
footsteps  of  his  father,  who  was  one  of  the  early  advocates  of  the  party.  Mr. 
Morton  is  regarded  as  a  dependable  man  in  any  relation  and  in  any  emergency, 
and  strong  character  and  honorable  purpose  have  placed  him  in  a  most  creditable 
position  in  the  regard  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


S.  A.   CRAVATH,   M.   D. 

Dr.  S.  A.  Cravath,  one  of  the  prominent  and  respected  residents  of  Grin- 
nell.  is  serving  as  the  president  of  the  Merchants  National  Bank.  His  birth 
occurred  in  Conneaut,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  27th  of  September,  1836,  his  par- 
ents being  James  and  Emily  (Davis)  Cravath,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
New  York.  He  lost  his  father  when  but  a  few  months  old  and  when  eight 
years  of  age  was  left  an  orphan  by  the  death  of  his  mother.     Entering  the 

Tol.  n— 13 


262  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

home  of  an  uncle  and  aunt,  he  lived  with  them  until  1851  and  in  that  year 
entered  Oberlin  College  at  Oberlin,  Ohio,  which  institution  conferred  upon 
him  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  in  1858.  During  his  collegiate  years  he 
also  followed  the  profession  of  teaching,  acting  a  part  of  the  time  as  an  in- 
structor at  college  in  order  to  defray  the  expenses  of  his  course.  Following 
his  graduation  he  continued  educational  work  for  five  years,  teaching  in  Mad- 
ison Seminary  at  Madison,  Ohio,  for  three  years,  while  for  two  years  he  acted 
as  superintendent  of  the  Marion   (Ohio)   city  schools. 

At  the  time  of  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  Dr.  Cravath  could  not  enlist 
because  of  a  broken  shoulder.  Being  told  that  he  could  be  used  if  he  had  a 
medical  degree,  he  immediately  took  up  the  study  of  medicine  and  was  gradu- 
ated from  the  Cincinnati  Medical  College  with  the  class  of  1865.  When  hos- 
tilities had  ceased  he  located  for  practice  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  where  he  re- 
mained  for  three  years. 

In  the  fall  of  1867  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Alitchell,  Mitchell  county, 
where  he  successfully  followed  his  profession  until  1872.  During  his  residence 
there  he  became  identified  with  journalistic  interests  and,  after  insistent  urging 
on  the  part  of  the  town's  leading  men,  took  charge  of  and  edited  the  local  paper 
for  two  years.  He  found  the  work  congenial  and  in  1872  came  to  Grinnell  and 
purchased  the  Grinnell  Herald,  publishing  that  sheet  until  he  disposed  of  it  in 
1894.  WHiile  still  a  factor  in  journalism  he  became  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Grinnell  Savings  Bank,  of  which  institution  he  was  later  made  president 
and  director.  On  the  organization  of  the  Merchants  National  Bank  he  became 
a  stockholder  thereof.  In  1897  or  1898  he  resigned  the  presidency  of  the 
Grinnell  Savings  Bank  and  soon  thereafter  was  chosen  the  chief  executive  ofii- 
cer  of  the  Merchants  National  Bank.  However,  he  still  retains  an  interest  in 
the  savings  bank  and  is  yet  a  director  of  the  institution.  A  wide-awake,  ener- 
getic business  man,  he  has  done  much  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  institu- 
tions with  which  he  is  connected  and  has  become  thoroughly  conversant  with 
every  department  of  banking.  He  keeps  well  posted  on  the  financial  interests 
of  the  country  and  in  his  management  of  afifairs  has  followed  a  safe,  conservative 
policy  which  has  won  the  commendation  and  gained  the  confidence  of  the 
general  public. 

On  the  nth  of  July,  i860,  in  the  church  uf  the  Rev.  Albert  Barnes  at  Phil- 
adelphia, Pennsylvania,  Dr.  Cravath  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Miss  Mary 
Raley,  of  Hanoverton,  Ohio,  by  whom  he  had  three  children.  The  only  sur- 
viving child  is  James  R.  Cravath,  now  an  electrical  engineer  of  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois, who  for  several  years  has  been  an  editorial  writer  for  the  Electrical  World. 
Mrs.  Cravath  also  reared  one  of  her  nieces,  Ella  B.,  who  is  still  in  the  Doctor's 
home.  All  three  were  devoted  members  of  the  Congregational  church,  .\fter 
a  happy  married  life  of  over  fifty  years  the  wife  died  on  the  25th  of  February. 

1911. 

Dr.  Cravath  has  made  his  home  in  Grinnell  for  almost  four  decades  and  is 
widely  recognized  as  one  of  the  city's  most  esteemed  and  leading  residents.  He 
has  now  passed  the  seventy-fourth  milestone  on  life's  journey  and  can  look 
back  upon  an  active,  useful  and  honorable  career.  He  was  a  trustee  of  the  col- 
lege for  several  years  and  a  member  of  the  public  school  board  about  half  the 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  263 

time  of  liis  residence  in  Grinnell.  He  also  served  as  postmaster  under  Presi- 
dent Harrison  and  has  been  president  of  the  Building,  Loan  &  Savings 
Association. 


ROBERT  A.  SAUNDERS. 

Robert  A.  Saunders,  who  is  one  of  the  successful  agriculturists  of  Union 
township,  was  born  near  the  farm  where  he  now  resides  on  the  17th  of  April, 
1857,  and  is  a  son  of  Aaron  A.  and  Harriet  E.  (Dudley)  Saunders.  The 
parents  were  natives  of  Greene  county,  Ohio,  the  father's  natal  day  being  the  13th 
of  May.  1820.  and  that  of  the  mother  the  i6th  of  April,  1830.  After  the  com- 
pletion of  his  education  the  father  engaged  in  farming,  and  he  also  learned  the 
carpenter's  trade.  In  1851  he  migrated  west,  locating  in  Union  township, 
Poweshiek  county,  where  he  acquired  eighty  acres  of  land,  which  he  imme- 
diately began  to  cultivate.  As  time  passed  he  was  able  to  extend  the  boundaries 
of  his  farm,  which  embraced  two  hundred  and  thirty-one  acres  at  the  time  of 
his  demise.  He  passed  away  on  the  19th  of  November,  1880,  but  the  mother 
survived  him  until  the  4th  of  February,  1899.  Their  family  numbered  nine 
children:  Mary  S.,  the  wife  of  P.  A.  Hayes,  of  Montezuma,  Iowa;  Irvin  S.,  of 
Searsboro ;  Nancy  S.,  who  became  the  wife  of  Jasper  N.  Marsh,  of  Montezuma; 
James  M.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Searsboro;  Robert  A.,  our  subject;  Isaac  H., 
also  of  Poweshiek  county ;  Richard  A.,  who  is  living  in  Lorimor,  Iowa ;  Harry 
S.,  of  Searsboro;  and  Ernest  F.,  of  Union  township.  The  parents  affiliated 
with  the  Christian  church.  The  father  was  a  republican  and  served  his  town- 
ship in  both  the  capacity  of  trustee  and  assessor  for  several  years. 

At  the  usual  age  Robert  A.  Saunders  began  his  education  in  the  district 
schools,  which  he  continued  to  attend  until  he  hatl  mastered  the  common 
branches.  Being  reared  on  a  farm  his  early  energies  were  largely  directed  along 
the  discharge  of  the  easier  and  lighter  chores  of  the  homestead,  until  he  had 
laid  aside  his  studies,  following  which  his  entire  time  was  devoted  to  agricul- 
tural pursuits,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  when  he  taught  one  term  of 
school  in  his  township.  He  remained  at  home  uiUii  his  father's  death  and  then 
he  and  his  brother  Isaac  H.,  bought  the  interest  of  the  other  heirs  in  the 
farm,  which  they  have  ever  since  operated.  The  land  is  very  fertile  and  pro- 
ductive, but  nevertheless  is  always  given  the  supervision  which  yields  abundant 
harvests.  In  connection  with  the  tilling  of  their  fields  Mr.  Saunders  and  his 
brother  devote  considerable  attention  to  the  breeding  and  raising  of  stock. 

On  the  5th  of  October.  1881,  Mr.  Saunders  was  married  to  Miss  Ida  E. 
Draper,  a  daughter  of  William  T.,  and  Mary  A.  (Thrailkill)  Draper,  who  was 
born  in  Elmwood,  Illinois,  on  the  loth  of  December,  i860.  Mr.  Draper,  who 
was  a  saddle  and  harness-maker,  came  to  Montezuma,  where  he  followed  his 
trade  until  1880.  when  he  went  to  Denver,  Colorado.  After  remaining  there 
for  a  short  time  he  removed  to  Sherman  county,  Nebraska,  going  from  there  to 
Loup  City,  where  he  passed  away.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  he  also  affiliated 


264  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

with  the  G.  A.  R.  He  was  a  veteran  of  both  the  Mexican  and  Civil  wars.  His 
political  support  he  always  gave  to  the  democratic  party.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Saunders  have  one  daughter,  Mrs.  Amy  A.  Cox,  who  was  born  August  21, 
1882,  and  with  her  two  children  is  now  living  with  her  parents.  Her  children 
are  Bertha  G.,  born  January  13,  1904;  and  Alice  C,  born  January  26,  1906. 

Mr.  Saunders'  political  views  coincide  with  those  of  the  progressive  faction 
of  the  republican  party,  and  he  served  for  a  long  period  as  township  com- 
mitteeman. For  ten  years  he  was  assessor.  Both  he  and  his  wife  attend  the 
Christian  church,  of  which  Mrs.  Saunders  is  a  member.  He  is  one  of  the  well 
known  and  highly  regarded  representatives  of  the  pioneer  families,  being  rec- 
nized  as  an  able  business  man  and  estimable  citizen. 


MISS  ETHEL  M.  MALCOLM. 

Popular  prejudice  is  fast  breaking  down  and  popular  opinion  is  daily  be- 
coming stronger  in  regard  to  the  capability  of  women  for  public  office.  That 
Poweshiek  county  has  taken  a  progressive  stand  on  this  question  is  indicated 
in  the  fact  that  Miss  Ethel  M.  Malcolm  is  now  filling  the  position  of  county 
recorder  to  which  she  was  elected  in  1908  and  reelected  in  1910.  That  she  is 
well  equipped  for  the  duties  of  the  position  none  question,  and  at  the  same 
time  she  has  the  attractive  womanly  qualities  which  make  her  socially  a  favor- 
ite. She  was  born  in  Deep  River  township,  this  county,  November  10.  1876, 
her  parents  being  Albertis  and  Lydia  A.  (Rose)  Malcolm,  who  are  now  res- 
idents of  Montezuma. 

Her  father  was  born  near  Cambridge.  Henry  county,  Illinois,  February  8. 
1845,  a  son  of  Norman  and  Cynthia  (Cady)  Malcolm,  the  former  of  whom  was 
born  in  Ontario,  Canada,  in  1818,  and  the  latter  in  Allegany  county,  New  York, 
July  19th  of  the  same  year.  They  were  married  in  Michigan,  and  in  1840  became 
residents  of  Henry  county,  Illinois,  where  they  lived  for  manv  years.  The 
death  of  Mrs.  Cynthia  Malcolm  there  occurred  on  the  13th  of  May,  1862,  while 
Norman  Malcolm  passed  away  at  .\mes,  Iowa,  when  about  eighty  years  of  age. 
He  had  devoted  his  entire  life  to  farming.  After  losing  his  first  wife  he  was 
married  twice,  and  by  his  second  union  had  two  children.  By  his  third  mar- 
riage there  was  one  child. 

Albertis  Malcolm  was  fourth  of  the  nine  children  born  of  his  father's  first 
marriage,  the  others  being:  Mrs.  Elma  Waterman,  now  deceased:  Stephen,  of 
Belle  Plaine,  Iowa,  who  served  in  the  Forty-second  Illinois  Infantry  in  the 
Civil  war:  Charles,  of  Cambridge.  Illinois,  who  was  born  February  26,  1843, 
and  was  a  member  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-second  Illinois  Regiment 
in  the  Civil  war :  Harriet,  the  widow  of  Allen  Stackhouse,  of  Plains,  Montana ; 
Brainard,  deceased :  Italy,  who  is  the  widow  of  Nathan  Moore,  of  Tacoma, 
Washington :  Gene,  livmg  on  the  old  homestead  at  Cambridge,  Illinois :  and 
Frank,  of  Montezuma. 

Albertis  Malcolm  resided  on  the  farm  with  his  parents  until  he  enlisted 
from  Henry  county  on  the  i8th  of  February,  1864,  as  a  member  if  Company  D, 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  265 

One  Hundred  and  Twelfth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  he  served 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  being  mustered  out  July  13,  1865.  He  took  part  in 
the  engagements  at  Town  Creek  and  Fort  Anderson,  North  Carolina,  and 
Franklin,  Duck  River  and  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  many  others.  After  the 
war  he  returned  to  Henry  county,  Illinois,  and  resumed  farming  with  his  par- 
ents. In  1866  he  was  married  and  in  1868  removed  to  Missouri,  .\fter  two 
years  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Deep  River  township 
which  he  continued  to  cultivate  until  1887,  when  he  went  to  Colorado  and  there 
spent  several  months,  after  which  he  returned  to  this  county,  but  later  was  for 
two  years  a  resident  of  Des  Moines.  For  twenty-one  years,  however,  he  has 
resided  continuously  in  Montezuma.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the 
republican  party.  His  fraternal  relations  are  with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Re- 
public and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  his  religious  faith  is 
evidenced   in   his   membership   in   the   Methodist  Episcopal   church. 

In  1866  Albertis  Malcolm  was  married  to  Lydia  Ann  Rose,  who  was  born 
in  Sullivan  county,  New  York.  September  11,  1842.  When  thirteen  years  of 
age  she  accompanied  her  parents  to  Jasper  county,  Iowa,  later  to  Henry  county, 
Illinois,  and  just  before  her  marriage  spent  two  years  in  New  York.  She  is 
a  daugher  of  John  and  Elizabeth  P.  (Mott)  Rose,  both  natives  of  Sullivan 
county.  New  York.  Mrs.  Rose,  who  was  born  July  i,  1818,  died  January  28, 
1883.  Mr.  Rose,  who  was  bom  March  31,  181 1,  is  now  living  in  Montezuma 
at  the  remarkable  old  age  of  one  hundred  years,  making  his  home  with  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Malcolm  since  the  death  of  his  wife.  So  far  as  is  known  he  is  the  oldest 
man  residing  in  Poweshiek  county.  His  physical  and  mental  condition  are 
good.  Occasionally  he  walks  down  town  alone.  His  eyesight  is  good  and  he 
has  remarkable  hearing  for  one  of  his  years.  In  the  fall  of  1870  he  came  to 
this  county  from  Illinois  and  was  actively  engaged  in  farming  until  seventy 
years  of  age,  after  which  he  devoted  a  number  of  years  to  gardening.  In  his 
young  manhood  he  was  an  expert  raftsman  in  the  lumber  regions  of  New  York 
and  throughout  his  life  has  been  a  hard  working  man.  His  family  numbered 
seven  children:  Henry  M.,  of  Montana;  Melissa  M.,  the  wife  of  G.  C. 
Pjanning,  of  Carbondale,  Colorado :  Mrs.  Lydia  A.  Malcolm ;  Mrs.  Martha 
Augusta  Wallace,  of  Bancroft,  Idaho ;  William  Blake,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
three  years ;  Herbert  Edgar,  living  at  Malcolm,  this  county ;  and  Mrs,  Elvira 
Theresa  O'Brian,  of  Cedar  Rapids. 

Mrs.  .Mbertis  Malcolm  is  the  first  cousin  of  John  R.  Mott,  the  distinguished 
lecturer,  who  has  been  heard  from  the  lecture  platform  all  over  the  world.  He 
is  a  Christian  worker,  particularly  prominent  in  the  Young  Men's  Christian 
Association,  and  was  chairman  of  the  World  Missionary  Conference  "In  Com- 
mittee" and  chairman  of  the  continuation  committee  appointed  at  Edinburgh. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albertis  Malcolm  have  been  born  four  children :  James 
Edgar,  who  was  born  August  5,  1870,  and  died  March  21,  1900:  Albertis  Roy, 
who  was  born  Jul\  8,  1874,  and  died  November  3,  1877:  Ethel  May,  of  whom 
mention  is  made  below ;  and  Elsie  Lillian,  who  was  born  March  7,  1879,  and  is 
now  the  wife  of  T.  C.  Davis,  of  Montezuma,  She  is  acting  as  deputy  county 
recorder  under  her   sister. 


266  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Miss  Malcolm  whose  name  introduces  this  review  resided  at  the  place  of 
her  birth  until  about  ten  years  of  age  when  her  parents  removed  to  Colorado, 
there  spending  about  a  year.  She  afterward  lived  with  the  family  at  Des 
Moines  for  a  few  years  and  then  came  to  Montezuma.  During  this  period  she 
had  attended  school  in  the  different  places  and  was  graduated  from  the  high 
school  in  the  different  places  and  was  graduated  from  the  high  school  of 
Montezuma  with  the  class  of  1896.  She  afterward  devoted  two  years  to  teach- 
ing in  the  country  schools  and  later  pursued  a  course  of  study  in  a  business 
college.  For  a  time  she  was  employed  in  the  law  office  of  Judge  Lewis,  and 
later  worked  for  E.  J.  Lewis  in  the  abstract  office  and  also  for  the  Poweshiek 
County  Abstract  Company.  By  H.  R.  Bernard,  then  county  recorder,  she  was 
appointed  to  the  position  of  deputy  recorder  on  the  ist  of  January,  1907,  and 
tilled  that  position  for  two  years.  In  the  latter  part  of  1908  she  was  elected 
county  recorder  and  was  reelected  in  1910,  entering  upon  her  second  term  on 
the  1st  of  January,  191 1.  She  has  proven  most  capable  and  efficient  in  the 
office  as  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  she  was  again  chosen  for  the  position  by 
popular  suffrage.  Her  work  is  promptly,  faithfully  and  systematically  done 
and  her  course  has  won  her  the  high  commendation  and  warm  regard  of  the 
business  men  and  the  general  public.  She  is  also  well  known  in  the  social 
circles  of  the  city  and  is  a  valued  member  of  the  Rebekah  Lodge,  the  Woman's 
Auxiliary  of  the  Odd  Fellows  Society,  and  is  an  active  member  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal   church  and  a   representative   of  its   choir. 


ERNEST  F.  SAUNDERS. 

Ernest  F.  Saunders,  who  is  meeting  with  success  in  stock-raising  and  gen- 
eral farming  in  Union  township,  was  born  in  this  township  on  the  14th  of  May, 
1873,  being  a  son  of  Aaron  .\.  and  Harriet  E.   (Dudley)   Saunders. 

Born  and  reared  on  a  farm  Ernest  F.  Saunders  acquired  his  preliminary 
education  in  the  district  schools  of  Poweshiek  county,  this  later  being  supple- 
mented by  a  year's  attendance  at  Palmer  College  at  Le  Grand.  Iowa.  After 
completing  his  education  he  taught  for  a  year.  He  then  decided  that  he  pre- 
ferred to  adopt  agriculture  for  his  life  vocation.  He  subsequently  purchased 
fifty  acres  of  land,  later  adding  to  this  another  tract  of  sixty-one  acres,  making 
the  aggregate  of  his  landed  possessions  one  hundred  and  eleven  acres.  Mr. 
Sauntlers  devotes  the  cultivation  of  his  fields  to  those  cereals  he  deems  best 
adapted  for  the  feeding  of  his  stock,  as  he  is  making  a  specialty  of  the  breed- 
ing and  raising  of  thoroughbred   Poland  China  hogs  and  cattle. 

Mr.  Saunders  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lillie  M.  Allen,  a  daughter 
of  William  L.  Allen,  and  unto  them  have  been  born  three  daughters:  Erma  N., 
who  was  born  on  the  3d  of  January,  1898:  Letha  E.,  whose  birth  occurred  on 
the  17th  of  July,  1899:  and  Effie  T.,  who  was  born  on  the  18th  of  May,  1908. 

Air.  and  Mrs.  Saunders  are  earnest  and  helpful  members  of  the  Christian 
church,  of  which  he  is  one  of  the  trustees,  and  fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with 
the   Knights    of    Pythias    lodge    of    Montezuma.      His    political    views    coincide 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  267 

with  those  of  the  progressive  faction  of  the  republican  party,  and  he  always 
tinds  time  to  assist  in  the  government  of  his  township.  He  is  now  serving 
as  clerk  and  he  is  also  president  of  the  school  board.  Mr.  Saunders  takes  a 
great  interest  in  all  educational  matters  and,  in  addition  to  his  other  duties,  is 
a  member  of  the  board  of  trustees  of  Palmer  College.  He  is  well  known  in 
L'nion  township,  where  he  has  spent  practically  his  entire  life,  and  meets  to 
the  best  of  his  ability  the  requirements  of  good  citizenship  by  espousing  the 
adoption  of  every  movement  which  he  feels  will  in  any  way  tend  to  advance 
the  moral  or  intellectual  welfare  of  the  community. 


THOMAS   A.   HARRIS. 

.\n  e.xcellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  si.xty  acres,  located  in  Chester  town- 
slii]).  nays  a  splendid  tribute  to  the  wel]  directed  efforts  of  Thomas  A.  Harris, 
one  of  the  progressive  and  prosperous  agriculturists  of  this  part  of  Poweshiek 
county.  He  is  one  of  Iowa's  foreign  born  citizens,  his  birth  occurring  in  Stan- 
ton, St.  Gabriels,  Dorsetshire,  England,  on  the  i8th  of  February,  1868,  his 
parents  being  James  and  Elizabeth  (Slade)  Harris.  The  former,  also  a  native 
(if  the  "Merrie  Isle,"  was  born  on  the  28th  of  November,  1838,  and  like  his 
father,  James  Harris,  devoted  his  life  to  the  occupation  of  farming.  On  the 
maternal  side,  however,  the  family  was  largely  connected  with  the  army  and 
navy  of  England,  and  the  ancestry  can  be  traced  back  through  seven  genera- 
tions. The  old  homestead  of  the  Slades,  located  in  Stanton,  St.  Gabriels,  has 
been  handed  down  from  one  generation  to  another  for  more  than  one  hundred 
vears.  A  brother  of  Mrs.  Harris  was  a  veteran  of  the  Crimean  war,  and  her 
cousin.  Sir  John  Slade,  was  a  general  in  the  English  army.  Another  repre- 
sentative of  the  name.  Sir  Fred  Slade,  a  barrister,  would  have  been  appointed 
judge  if  he  had  lived  another  month.  Sir  Adolphus  Slade  was  sent  by  the  Eng- 
lish government  as  ambassador  to  Turkey,  and  while  serving  in  that  country 
was  given  the  title  of  Muchia  Pasha.  James  Harris  passed  away  in  1872,  and 
his  wife  continued  to  reside  in  England  until  1890,  when  she  came  to  this 
country  with  her  son,  with   whom  she  has  continued  to  make  her  home. 

Thomas  A.  Harris  is  indebted  to  the  public  school  system  of  his  native 
'  country  for  the  educational  advantages  which  he  enjoyed.  He  spent  the  period 
of  his  boyhood  and  youth  on  his  father's  farm,  early  becoming  familiar  with 
the  best  methods  of  plowing,  planting  and  harvesting.  For  eight  years  he  was 
employed  as  a  farm  hand  and  then,  determining  to  seek  the  opportunities  of 
the  new  world,  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  America  in  1890,  and  came  to  Pow- 
eshiek county.  Iowa.  During  the  first  four  years  of  his  residence  in  this  country 
he  was  employed  at  farm  work  by  the  month,  and  then,  desiring  that  his  efforts 
should  more  directly  benefit  himself,  he  rented  a  farm  in  connection  with  his 
brother.  Edgar  J.  Harris,  which  they  operated  jointly  for  eleven  years. 

In  1905  he  invested  in  his  present  farm,  a  fine  tract  of  one  hundred  and 
si.xty  acres,  all  in  one  body,  located  on  section  11,  Chester  township.  He  is 
also  the  owner  of  another  tract  of  eighty  acres  south  of  the  home  place,  and 


268  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

is  extensively  engaged  in  general  farming,  cultivating  the  cereals  best  adapted 
to  soil  and  climate.  He  also  gives  considerable  attention  to  his  livestock  in- 
terests, making  a  specialty  of  feeding  cattle  and  hogs.  Prosperity  has  come 
to  him  in  his  undertaking  for  he  has  so  managed  his  affairs  as  to  bring  forth 
the  best  results  possible.  He  has  watched  every  detail  of  his  business,  has 
employed  progressive  and  modern  methods  in  the  conduct  of  his  enterprises, 
and  has  manifested  those  qualities  which  are  resultant  forces  in  the  atcainment 
of  success  along  any  line  of  activity — industry,  energ}',  perseverance  and  in- 
tegrity. He  also  has  other  interests  aside  from  his  agricultural  business,  hav- 
ing been  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Senora  Telephone  Company,  of  which  in- 
stitution he  is  now  serving  as  secretary  and  treasurer. 

In  January,  1896,  Mr.  Harris  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Katharine  M. 
Schmidt,  a  daughter  of  William  Schmidt,  a  native  of  Germany.  Mr.  Schmi(h, 
who  followed  the  occupation  of  farming  during  his  active  career,  is  now  living 
retire.l,  making  his  home  in  Tama.  In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harris  are 
five  children:  Frank  A.,  Esther  R.,  Raymond  William,  Lilly  M.  and  Harvey 
Thomas. 

Mr.  Harris  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal  church  of  England,  of  which  he 
is  a  loyal  supporter  and  of  which  he  has  served  as  trustee  for  many  years.  He 
gives  stalwart  allegiance  to  the  republican  party  but  has  never  sought  public 
office,  the  only  public  capacity  in  which  he  has  served  being  that  of  school 
director.  He  is  numbered  among  Chester  township's  valued  and  honored  cit- 
izens, for  he  has  not  only  been  progressive  and  successful  in  business,  but  has 
also  been  a  factor  in  the  public  life  of  the  community,  supporting  many  public 
movements  and  taking  a  commendable  interest  in  all  those  things  which  have 
to  do  with  the  betterment  of  the  district  along  material,  political,  intellectual  and 
moral  lines. 


JAMES  D.  BOYACK. 


Eight  years  ago  James  D.  Boyack  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  established 
himself  on  a  farm  which  he  purchased  in  Grinnell  township.  He  is  now  the 
possessor  of  one  of  the  finest  farms  in  the  county  and  through  his  industry,  per- 
severance and  clear  judgment  has  attained  a  large  measure  of  prosperity.  He 
is  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  was  born  April  4,  1850,  a  son  of  William  and  Jane 
(Doig)  Boyack,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Scotland.  The  parents  came  to 
the  United  States  in  1852  and  lived  for  four  years  at  Rockford,  Illinois,  the 
father  being  employed  as  salesman  in  a  lumber  yard.  He  then  removed  to  In- 
dependence, Iowa,  and  entered  about  three  hundred  acres  of  government  land, 
upon  which  he  lived  until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  July,  1902,  when  he  had 
arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-two  years.  The  beloved  wife  and  mother 
was  called  away  January  i,  1889,  at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years.  Mr.  Boyack. 
Sr.,  politically  gave  his  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  was  an  active  factor 
in  local  politics  and  for  many  years  an  office  holder.  He  was  a  man  of  many 
sterling  characteristics  and  exerted  a  strong  influence  for  good  wherever  he  was 
known. 


MR.   AMI    MKS.   .1.    D.    BOYACIv 


HE  NEW  YORK 

J  BLIC  LIBRARY 


A3T0«,  LBNOX  AND 
■"ILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  271 

James  D.  Boyack  was  brought  to  America  with  his  parents  in  his  infancy  and 
grew  up  under  the  favorable  conditions  of  country  life.  He  received  his  educa- 
tion in  the  common  schools  and  after  arriving  at  maturity  continued  with  his 
father,  assisting  upon  the  home  farm.  When  he  was  about  twenty-tive  years  of 
age  he  began  upon  his  own  account  by  buying  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land  adjoining  his  father's  place.  He  cultivated  this  land  to  such  good  advantage 
that  he  later  became  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres,  which  produced 
a  handsome  annual  revenue.  However,  he  was  attracted  to  Poweshiek  county 
as  a  more  favorable  location,  and  in  1903  he  sold  his  farm  and  bought  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  in  this  county,  which  he  has  improved  and  developed  on 
modern  lines,  making  it  a  highly  desirable  property. 

On  May  14,  1883,  Mr.  Boyack  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  M. 
Williams,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Ann  (Minard)  Williams,  of  Herefordshire, 
England.  She  came  to  America  with  relatives  when  she  was  ten  years  of  age 
and  was  reared  and  educated  in  this  country.  Three  children  have  been  born 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Boyack:  Breeze  E.,  a  graduate  of  Grinnell  College;  George  W., 
who  is  in  the  sophomore  class  of  the  State  Agricultural  College  at  Ames,  Iowa ; 
and  Grace  L.,  who  is  now  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Boyack  is  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  republican  party,  believing  that  its 
principles  are  essential  to  the  permanency  and  prosperity  of  the  country.  He 
has  served  in  various  offices,  both  in  Buchanan  and  Poweshiek  counties,  and  for 
four  years  served  as  township  trustee  in  this  county.  He  and  his  family  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Congregational  church.  Mrs.  Boyack  is  a  lady  of  unusual  intellectual 
attainments  and  before  her  marriage  engaged,  with  marked  success,  for  five 
years  as  a  school-teacher.  The  home  over  which  she  presides  is  one  of  the  popu- 
lar gathering  places  of  the  township  and  is  the  abode  of  genuine  hospitality  and 
true  kindliness.  -.,,    ^:.'-. 


JAMES  S.  ROLLINS. 


Among  the  old  soldiers  of  the  Civil  war  now  living  in  lionored  retirement  is 
James  S.  Rollins  of  Grinnell.  He  engaged  successfully  in  farming  and  stock- 
raising  in  Grinnell  township  for  more  than  thirty  years  and  for  six  years  past 
he  has  been  a  valued  citizen  of  Grinnell.  He  was  born  in  Kennebec  county, 
Maine,  November  26,  1836,  and  is  a  son  of  Levi  and  Julia  (Smart)  Rollins, 
who  were  also  natives  of  Maine.  The  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  spent  his 
entire  life  in  the  Pine  Tree  state.  In  politics  he  gave  his  support  for  many 
years  to  the  democratic  party  but  later  became  an  earnest  adherent  of  the  republi- 
can party.  He  died  in  April.  1882.  his  beloved  wife  being  called  away  thirty- 
two  years  previously  in   1850. 

James  S.  Rollins  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
state.  In  the  spring  of  1857  he  came  to  Iowa  and  located  in  Cedar  county, 
where  he  engaged  in  farming.  However,  the  Civil  war  interfered  with  his  plans 
and  on  the  13th  of  .-\ugust,  1862,  he  enlisted  in  Company  B,  Twenty-fourth  Iowa 
Infantry.     The  regiment  participated  in  many  important  battles  and  lesser  en- 


272  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

gagements,  and  Private  Rollins  took  part  in  the  siege  and  battles  of  \'icksburg ; 
in  the  Red  River  campaign ;  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley  campaign ;  and  in  the 
movements  around  the  city  of  Savannah.  After  the  close  of  the  war,  on  July 
17,  1865,  he  was  honorably  discharged  and  mustered  out  of  service  at  Savannah 
and  returned  to  farming  in  Cedar  county.  In  1875  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county 
and  located  on  a  farm  in  Grinnell  township,  a  mile  and  one-half  west  of  Grin- 
nell.  There  he  lived  for  thirty  years  and  one  month,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
he  took  up  his  residence  in  Grinnell. 

On  January  3.  i860,  Mr.  Rollins  was  united  in  marriage  in  Cedar  county  to 
Miss  Matilda  J.  Fuller,  who  was  born  in  Ohio.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Spencer 
S.  Fuller,  who  came  to  Iowa  with  his  family  in  1853  and  located  on  a  farm  in 
Cedar  county.  Two  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rollins,  namely: 
John  S.,  who  is  a  graduate  of  the  Grinnell  high  school  and  is  now  married  and 
engaged  in  farming  in  Grinnell  township ;  and  Ann,  also  a  graduate  of  the 
high  school,  who  is  now  Mrs.  Buchanan,  her  husband  being  a  well  known 
farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Montour,  Iowa. 

Politically  Mr.  Rollins  ever  since  reaching  manhood  has  given  his  support 
to  the  republican  party.  He  cast  his  first  ballot  for  Abraham  Lincoln  for  presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  an  act  of  which  he  has  always  been  very  proud.  He 
has  served  as  school  director  and  also  most  acceptably  as  assessor  of  Grinnell 
township.  Fraternally,  he  holds  membership  in  Gordon  Granger  Post,  No.  64, 
of  Grinnell.  He  is  now  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age  and  the  repose  he 
enjoys  is  well  earned  as  he  has  bravely  endeavored  to  perform  his  duty  and 
therefore  deserves  the  good-will  of  all  right-minded  and  liberty  loving  people. 


ALBERT  LIVEZEY. 


Albert  Livezey.  now  in  a  hospital  at  Mount  Pleasant,  Iowa,  was  for  many 
years  prominently  identified  with  the  agricultural  development  of  Poweshiek 
county.  He  w'as  connected  with  farming,  a  vocation  for  which  he  was  eminently 
fitted  by  natural  taste  and  training,  and  he  was  known  as  one  of  the  most  suc- 
cessful farmers  in  his  section  of  the  county. 

He  was  born  at  Newcastle,  Henry  county,  Indiana,  November  17,  1850,  a 
son  of  Ezekiel  and  Eliza  ( Hughes)  Livezey.  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania.  The  father  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade  in  Penn- 
sylvania and  removed  to  Indiana,  where  he  engaged  in  farming.  Subsequently 
he  came  with  his  family  to  Poweshiek  county  and  here  both  he  and  his  wife 
passed  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  In  politics  he  was  a  supporter  of  the  republi- 
can party  and  in  religious  views  was  in  hearty  sympathy  with  the  doctrines  and 
usages  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  There  were  three  children  in  the  family  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Livezey:  George,  deceased;  Albert;  and  Emily,  who  is  now  the 
wife  of  Monroe  Efner,  of  Nebraska. 

Albert  Livezey  was  educated  in  the  public  schools  of  Newcastle.  Indiana, 
and  as  a  boy  gave  evidence  of  many  generous  and  noble  traits  of  character. 
He  came  to  Poweshiek  county   with  his  parents  and  engaged   in   farming  with 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'XTY  27:5 

such  success  that  in  1883  he  was  enabled  to  purchase  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  which  became  the  family  homestead.  He  improved  his  place  by  the  erec- 
tion of  buildings  and  fences  and  by  drainage  and  the  rotation  of  crops,  so  that 
it  became  highly  productive  and  his  labors  were  abundantly  rewarded.  He 
followed  general  farming  and  stock-raising. 

On  the  24th  of  December,  1878,  Mr.  Livezey  was  married  in  Washington 
township  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Murphy,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Xancy  (Jenkins) 
Murphy,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Morgan  county,  Virginia.  The  father  was 
a  blacksmith  and  carpenter  and  also  engaged  in  farming.  He  took  up  his  resi- 
dence in  Brown  county,  Indiana,  where  he  became  a  man  of  considerable  promi- 
nence, continuing  to  reside  in  that  county  until  his  death.  The  mother  subse- 
quently came  to  Iowa  and  died  at  Lucas.  Politically  Mr.  Murphy  gave  his 
support  to  the  democratic  party  and  served  as  road  supervisor  of  his  township. 
He  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  Baptist  church  in  which  he  filled  the  office 
of   deacon. 

By  a  former  marriage  Mr.  Livezey  had  one  child.  William  P.,  now  a  resi- 
dent of  Wisconsin.  There  were  six  children  born  to  him  by  his  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  E.  Murphy,  namely:  Gertrude  M.,  now  the  wife  of  Joseph  Dexter, 
of  Washington  township,  this  county  ;  George  W.  anfl  James  A.,  at  home ;  Aly 
F.,  the  wife  of  Dr.  Louis  .Mien;  Eliza  H..  wife  of  Glen  Boget,  of  Sugar  Creek 
township ;  and  Mary  Elizabeth,  at  home. 

Mr.  Livezey  belonged  to  that  class  of  men  who  come  to  the  front  in  any 
undertaking  that  enlists  their  interest.  He  was  a  man  who  never  broke  his 
word  and  never  deserted  a  friend.  Politically  he  adhered  to  the  democratic 
party.  He  was  a  member  of  the  school  board  and  his  religious  belief  was  in- 
dicated by  membership  in  the  Methodist  church. 


A.  C.  HARRIMAN. 


A  faithful  public  ofiicer  and  an  obliging  friend  and  neighbor,  A.  C.  Harri- 
man,  city  clerk  of  Grinnell,  may  be  truly  named  as  one  of  the  leading  and 
popular  men  of  the  community.  He  is  a  native  of  Searsport,  Maine,  born 
December  5,  1852.  and  is  a  son  of  James  T.  and  Rebecca  (Chase)  Harriman, 
both  of  whom  were  born  in  Bangor,  Maine,  .\fter  their  marriage  they  took  up 
their  residence  in  Searsport,  where  the  father  became  prominent  as  a  builder 
and  contractor.  In  1856,  seeking  for  a  wider  field,  he  came  to  Grinnell  and  two 
years  later  brought  his  family  to  this  place,  then  a  struggling  village  with  good 
prospects  for  the  future.  He  continued  as  a  contractor  during  his  entire  bus- 
iness life  and  passed  away  in  1906  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years.  Politically 
he  gave  his  support  to  the  republican  party  but  he  was  liberal  in  his  views  and 
often  voted  irrespective  of  party  lines.  He  was  a  man  of  high  character  and 
generous  nature  and  had  many  friends  in  this  county.  Mrs.  Harriman  died 
at  the  age  of  sixty-three  in  1890.  She  was  an  earnest  member  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church  and  a  worker  who  never  tired  in  advancing  its  interests. 


274  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

A.  C.  Harriman  came  to  Grinnell  at  the  age  of  five  years  and  has  ever 
since  made  his  home  in  this  city.  He  received  his  education  in  the  public 
schools,  later  attending  the  Grinnell  high  school  and  Grinnell  College,  being 
a  student  in  the  latter  institution  for  several  years.  Under  his  father  he  learned 
the  contracting  business,  in  which  he  continued  for  a  number  of  years,  then 
taking  charge  of  a  planing  mill  which  he  operated  for  si.\  years.  Afterward 
he  entered  the  general  mercantile  business  in  Grinnell  but  after  twelve  years* 
experience  in  that  line  he  sold  out  and  took  a  vacation,  making  an  extensive 
trip  through  the  west.  Upon  returning  home  he  accepted  a  position  in  the  build- 
ing and  loan  office  of  J.  F.  Wilson,  formerly  city  clerk  for  a  short  time,  and  in 
1907  was  made  city  clerk  succeeding  his  brother-in-law,  Willis  Davis,  deceased. 
At  the  first  election  following  his  appointment  he  was  regularly  elected  to  the 
office  which  he  now  fills  with  marked  ability. 

In  1874  Mr.  Harriman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Kate  M.  Davis,  of 
Jasper  county,  Iowa,  and  by  this  union  five  children  were  born,  three  of  whom 
survive,  namely:  Jessie  H.,  who  is  the  widow  of  David  S.  Schuyler  and  is  now 
living  with  her  parents ;  Raymond  D..  a  graduate  of  Grinnell  College  and  now  a 
teacher  in  the  Muscatine  high  school :  and  Rebecca  P.,  a  student  in  the  high 
school. 

Mr.  Harriman  politically  is  independent,  preferring  to  vote  for  the  man 
rather  than  the  party.  He  served  for  six  years  as  member  of  the  school  board 
and  for  three  years  in  the  town  council.  He  has  ever  since  arriving  at  manhood 
been  industrious  and  persevering  in  everything  he  has  undertaken,  and  his 
acknowledged  honesty  and  reliability  have  given  him  an  established  standing  in 
the  city.  He  is  efficiently  filling  his  present  office  and  well  deserves  the  confidence 
and  respect  of  the  people. 


OLIVER  W.  PARK. 


A  well  known  retired  farmer  of  Chester  township  is  Oliver  W.  Park,  who 
continues  to  live  on  the  homestead  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  was  for  so 
many  years  engaged.  He  was  born  in  Searsport,  Maine,  on  the  7th  of  June, 
1849,  being  a  son  of  Captain  Oliver  C.  and  Catherine  E.  (  Park)  Park,  natives  of 
the  same  place.  They  are  descended  from  Richard  Parke  of  England,  who  was 
born  in  1602.  The  first  member  of  the  family  to  take  up  his  residence  in  .America 
was  the  Rev.  Joseph  Park,  who  was  a  missionary  to  the  Indians  in  Rhode 
Island.  The  majority  of  them  were  agriculturists  and  the  land  where  Harvard 
University  is  now  located  was  cultivated  by  some  of  the  ancestors  of  Oliver  W. 
Park.  Other  members  of  the  family  followed  the  sea,  and  among  those  who 
engaged  in  the  latter  vocation  was  Captain  Oliver  C.  Park,  who  died  when  he 
was  forty-five  years  of  age. 

After  completing  his  elementary  education,  which  was  acquired  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  his  native  town.  Oliver  W.  Park  entered  the  Bucksport  Academy 
of  Bucksport,  Maine.  At  the  age  of  fourteen  years  he  went  to  sea  with  his 
father,  where  he  remained  for  three  years,  following  which  he  attended  school 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWESIIIEK  COUNTY  275 

for  another  three  terms.  In  June,  1872,  just  after  passing  his  twenty-third 
birthday,  he  came  to  Grinnell  to  visit  some  relatives.  He  decided  to  remain 
here  and  for  five  years  worked  on  a  farm.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he 
went  to  Nebraska,  where  he  remained  for  a  similar  period,  returning  to  Grin- 
nell in  1882.  Mr.  Park  is  now  living  retired  on  his  homestead,  which  contains 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  excellent  land   in   Chester  township. 

In  January,  1878,  Mr.  Park  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Carrie  R. 
Beaton,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Loretta  M.  (Hubbard)  Beaton.  Mrs.  Park 
was  born  in  Grinnell  on  the  27th  of  September,  1857,  and  has  spent  the  greater 
part  of  her  life  in  Poweshiek  county.  After  graduating  from  the  high  school 
in  the  class  of  1875,  she  attended  Iowa  College.  She  also  received  a  musical 
education  and  taught  music  for  a  time.  She  officiated  as  organist  in  the  church 
in  Hokah,  Minnesota,  where  she  resided  for  two  years. 

William  Beaton,  the  father  of  Mrs.  Park,  was  of  Scotch  parentage,  and  was 
born  on  the  loth  of  February,  1829,  in  St.  Andrews,  Canada.  At  the  age  of 
nine  years  he  was  apprenticed  to  a  cabinet-maker,  and  five  years  later  he  took  a 
position  in  an  organ  factory.  In  1849  he  went  to  Hudson,  Ohio,  where  he 
entered  Western  Reserve  University,  from  which  he  was  graduated  six  years 
later,  having  worked  his  way  through.  From  his  earliest  youth  he  had  given 
evidence  of  possessing  unusual  musical  ability  and  had  always  studied  music 
when  it  was  possible  for  him  to  do  so.  While  in  college  he  trained  a  glee  club 
of  one  hundred  and  thirty-two  voices,  was  director  of  the  music  in  the  Con- 
gregational and  Episcopal  churches  and  was  also  conductor  of  the  Handel  So- 
ciety. A  fellow  student,  Henry  Hamilton,  urged  him  to  come  to  Grinnell 
which  he  did  on  his  wedding  journey  in  1855.  Having  decided  to  remain  here 
he  established  a  singing  school,  which  was  the  first  ever  held  in  the  town.  Dur- 
ing the  early  years  of  his  residence  he  followed  the  carpenter  trade  and  he  was 
also  at  one  time  principal  of  the  public  schools.  When  the  call  came  for  vol- 
unteers he  responded  and  went  to  the  front  with  the  Fourth  Iowa  Infantry, 
where  he  remained  for  three  years.  Mr.  Beaton  was  also  a  teacher  of  the  violin 
as  well  as  of  voice. 

On  the  2ist  of  June,  1855,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Beaton  and  Miss 
Loretta  M.  Hubbard,  a  native  of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  the  following  children 
were  born  of  this  union :  Carrie  R.,  now  Mrs.  Park ;  Isabella,  of  Cleveland ; 
and  William  H.  and  Henry  Adam,  who  died  in  infancy.  Mrs.  Beaton  died  on 
the  K^t  of  January,  1887,  and  he  subsequently  was  imited  to  Mrs.  Maggie 
Tichnor.  who  only  survived  a  few  years.  In  1893  he  married  Miss  Ella  M. 
Asay  of  Philadelphia,  who  is  still  living.  He  passed  away  in  Grinnell  on  the 
i6th  of  January.  1907. 

The  younger  daughter  born  of  the  union  of  Mr.  Beaton  and  his  first  wife, 
Isabella  Beaton,  is  a  musician  of  uncommon  ability.  She  was  born  in  1870  at 
the  family  home  in  Grinnell,  and  at  the  age  of  four  years  began  the  study  of 
music.  When  she  was  nine  years  old,  having  studied  for  five  years,  she  was 
admitted  to  the  conservatory  of  Iowa  College.  She  studied  there  under  Prof. 
Willard  Kimball  for  ten  years,  and  Prof.  L.  A.  Phelps,  early  recognizing  her 
ability,  devoted  his  summer  vacations  to  perfecting  her  technic  and  interpreta- 
tion.    She  gave  her  first  public  recital  when  she  was  twelve,  her  repertoire  at 


276  HISTORY  OI'   POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

that  time  containing  many  of  the  best  compositions  of  the  leatUng  masters,  which 
were  interpreted  with  remarkable  skill  for  one  of  her  years.  Soon  thereafter 
she  was  afflicted  with  eye  trouble  and  for  a  year  and  a  half  she  was  unable  to 
see,  but  nothing  daunted  this  ambitious  girl,  and  despite  her  handicap  she 
managed  to  pass  her  examinations  at  school.  She  spent  five  years  in  Europe, 
being  in  Berlin  three  years  and  in  Paris  two,  during  which  time  she  played 
for  some  of  the  members  of  royalty.  She  was  graduated  from  Western 
Reserve  University  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy,  and  at  the  present 
time  she  has  the  chair  of  musical  history  and  theory  in  the  Cleveland  School  of 
Music,  where  she  is  also  giving  a  series  of  recitals.  That  she  is  a  performer  of 
unusual  skill  and  ability  is  fully  attested  by  the  fact  that  Moritz  Mozkowski, 
her  teacher  for  five  years,  gave  her  unstinted  praise.  She  has  recently  incor- 
porated the  Beaton  School  of  Music  of  Cleveland,  of  which  Mrs.  Park  is  one 
of  the  trustees. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Park  have  been  born  two  daughters  and  a  son,  the  order 
of  their  birth  being  as  follows :  Louise  P.,  who  was  graduated  from  Iowa  Col- 
lege with  the  class  of  1902,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  J.  L.  Carpenter,  a  farmer  of 
Malcom ;  Hubbard  Beaton,  who  is  ranching  near  Tacoma,  Washington,  grad- 
uate of  Grinnell  high  school,  class  of  1903 ;  and  Ada  C,  wdio  graduated  from 
high  school  and  Grinnell  College,  and  also  resides  in  Grinnell. 

The  family  all  affiliate  with  the  Congregational  church.  His  political  sup- 
port Mr.  Park  accords  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  never  taken  a  prominent 
part  in  politics  and  the  only  official  position  he  ever  held  was  that  of  treasurer 
of  the  school  board  while  residing  in  Nebraska.  Mr.  Park  is  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial citizens  of  Chester  township  and  both  he  and  his  family  are  held  in 
high  esteem  by  all  who  know  them. 


GEORGE  SAMPSON. 


The  possibilities  under  the  favoring  influences  of  the  republic  for  ambitious 
and  deserving  young  men  from  foreign  lands  are  clearly  illustrated  in  the  career 
of  George  Sampson,  now  a  leading  contractor  of  Grinnell.  He  was  born  in  Nor- 
way, November  5,  1849,  the  son  of  Sigard  and  Anna  Sampson,  both  of  whom 
were  natives  of  Norway.  The  father  was  a  miner  and  died  when  the  subject 
of  this  review  was  a  child  of  four  years.  The  mother  came  to  America  in  1867 
and  settled  at  Spring  Valley,  Minnesota,  where  she  lived  until  her  death,  which 
occurred  on  the  4th  of  March,   1876. 

George  Sampson  possessed  limited  opportunities  of  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  land  and  was  early  set  to  work  herding  cattle.  At  twelve 
years  of  age  he  secured  employment  on  a  stage  route  in  Norway  and  continued 
for  four  years,  after  which  he  worked  upon  a  farm.  In  iSfx)  he  crossed  the  ocean 
to  the  new  world  and  for  two  years  applied  himself  to  farming  in  Spring  Valley, 
Minnesota.  Having  decided  to  take  up  government  land  he  went  west  for  that 
purpose,  but  not  being  able  to  find  a  desirable  location  he  returned  to  Minne- 
sota, in   1871,  and  went  to  Mankato,  where  he  worked   for  wages  on   a   farm 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  277 

and  attended  school  for  three  months.  At  Mankato  he  became  acquainted  with 
William  Roberts,  a  mason,  and  under  Mr.  Roberts  he  learned  the  mason's  trade. 
In  1873  lie  began  as  a  contractor  at  Spring  \'alley  and  three  years  later,  on 
July  7,  1876,  arrived  at  Grinnell,  Iowa,  where  he  readily  secured  work  at  his 
trade.  He  went  to  Omaha  for  a  short  time,  but  believing  Grinnell  to  be  a  more 
favorable  location  he  returned  to  this  city  and  on  Se]:)tember  i,  1877,  began  as 
contractor  in  stone  and  brick  work.  Since  that  time  he  has  extended  his  opera- 
lions,  and  he  now  does  general  contracting  in  the  city  and  surrounding  towns. 
He  has  applied  himself  to  such  good  purpose  that  he  is  now  at  the  head  of  a 
large  anfl  growing  concern  and  one  which  has  erected  many  of  the  substantial 
buildings  in  this  part  of  the  county. 

On  the  15th  day  of  November,  1876,  Mr.  Sampson  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Mary  Jane  Stowe  of  Grinnell,  daughter  of  Luther  Watson  and  Phebe 
R.  (Allen)  Stowe,  the  father  being  a  native  of  Massachusetts  and  the  mother 
of  New  York.  They  came  west  in  1856  and  located  at  Oak  Grove,  Iowa,  where 
they  lived  for  twenty  years.  In  1876  the  family  moved  to  Grinnell.  The  father 
was  born  in  1819  and  is  now  living  in  this  city,  having  reached  the  age  of  ninety- 
two  years.  The  mother  is  deceased.  Two  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Sampson,  namely:  Cora  B.,  wife  of  Samuel  M.  Pegram,  of  Lincoln,  Illinois, 
who  is  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business  at  Muskogee,  Oklahoma;  and  Louis  J., 
who  is  married  and  is  engaged  in  the  mason's  trade  at  Rockford,  Illinois. 

Mr.  Sampson  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Methodist  church  of  Grinnell.  He  is  identified  prominently  with 
the  Masonic  order,  being  a  member  of  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
of  Grinnell,  Palestine  Chapter,  No.  loi,  R.  A.  M.  of  Grinnell.  and  of  the  com- 
mandery  and  shrine,  being  also  connected  with  the  Odd  Fellows. 

Coming  to  this  country  as  a  young  man  he  started  at  the  very  foundation  by 
learning  the  language  and  gradually  forged  his  way  through  obstacles  until  he 
became  established  in  a  permanent  and  lucrative  business.  It  required  pluck, 
zeal  and  unswerving  perseverance,  but  he  was  liberally  endowed  with  all  of 
these  necessary  qualities  and  he  is  today  one  of  the  substantial  and  progressive 
citizens  of  Poweshiek  county.  His  life  may  truly  be  designated  as  active  and 
useful,  and  in  all  his  business  transactions  he  has  been  entirely  honorable  and 
trustworthy,  and  he  possesses  the  esteem  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  his 
relations,  socially  or  in  business,  have  brought  him  in  contact. 


OMMUND  PEDERSEN. 

Ommund  Pedersen,  who  lives  in  Chester  township,  came  to  Poweshiek 
county.  Iowa,  from  Norway  twenty-nine  years  ago  and  has  ever  since  applied 
himself  to  farming.  He  was  born  at  Stavanger,  January  13,  1858.  and  is  a  son 
of  Peder  and  Olena  (Olson)  Pedersen,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Norway. 
The  father  was  a  sailor  and  fisherman.  He  came  to  America  with  his  wife 
in  1891   and  they  made  their  home  with  Ommund  Pedersen,  the  son,  and  sub- 


278  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

ject  of  this  review.  The  father  died  in  July,  1910,  the  mother  having  passed 
away  in  December,   1905. 

Ommund  Pedersen  possessed  but  limited  advantages  of  education  in  his 
native  land  and  early  began  assisting  his  father  in  fishing,  continuing  in  that 
occupation  until  after  he  arrived  at  his  majority.  In  1882  he  arrived  in  the 
new  world  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  For  a  num- 
ber of  years  he  worked  for  wages  and  later  rented  land,  which  he  cultivated 
industriously  and  with  good  judgment,  thus  acquiring  capital  with  which  he 
purchased  land  on  his  own  account.  In  1897  h^  acquired  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  and  he  also  rents  eighty  acres.  He  raises  the  cereals,  but  devotes 
his  attention  principally  to  raising  Shorthorn  cattle  and  Poland  China  hogs  for 
the  market. 

In  July,  1890,  Mr.  Pedersen  was  maried  to  Miss  Lena  Olson,  of  Roland, 
Story  county,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Ole  Olson,  a  farmer  of  Norway.  He  passed 
his  entire  life  in  the  old  country.  Mrs.  Lena  Pedersen  died  in  September,  1892, 
and  Mr.  Pedersen  was  again  married  August,  1894,  his  second  union  being  with 
Miss  Bertha  Tokle,  a  daughter  of  Ole  Tokle,  of  Norway.  Seven  children  have 
blessed  this  union :  Paran,  who  is  now  attending  the  high  school ;  and  Orville, 
Leonard,  Edwin,  Lawrence,  Anna  and  William.  Mr.  Pedersen  is  not  connected 
with  any  of  the  old  political  parties,  preferring  to  cast  his  ballot  in  behalf  of 
the  prohibition  cause.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Norwegian  Lutheran  church  at 
Grinnell  and  has  aimed,  in  his  life,  to  follow  the  teachings  of  the  great  book  on 
which  the  church  is  founded.  He  represents  the  class  of  stalwart  and  brave- 
hearted  men  who  do  not  hesitate  to  make  personal  sacrifices  if  necessary  in  order 
to  provide  for  the  welfare  of  their  families  or  friends.  As  a  young  man  he 
sought  to  establish  a  home  among  strangers  and  he  succeeded,  being  now  one 
of  the  flourishing  farmers  of  Poweshiek  county.  He  fully  deserves  the  respect 
in  which  he  is  held  as  a  good  citizen  and  head  of  one  of  the  promising  families 
of  Chester  township. 


JACOB  TERABERRY. 


One  of  the  most  highly  improved  and  valuable  farms  of  Sheridan  township 
stands  as  a  monument  to  the  splendid  business  ability  and  the  spirit  of  enter- 
prise and  progress  of  Jacob  Teraberry.  a  retired  agriculturist  now  making  his 
home  in  Malcom.  He  was  born  near  Clinton,  in  Clinton  township,  Hunterdon 
county,  New  Jersey,  on  the  27th  of  October,  1S44.  a  son  of  Frederick  and  Eliza- 
beth fLindaberry)  Teraberry,  both  natives  of  New  Jersey.  In  the  spring  of 
1867  they  removed  to  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  and  in  1872  brought  their  family 
to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  locating  on  a  farm  three  miles  west  of  Malcom. 
where  the  mother's  death  occurred.  Later  the  father  retired  from  business  and 
moved  to  Grinnell,  where  he  spent  his  remaining  days.  His  entire  life  had  been 
devoted  to  farming.  In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frederick  Teraberry  were 
eight  children,  as  follows:  Nathan  S.,  of  High  Bridge,  New  Jersey;  John,  re- 
siding in  Montezuma;  Jacob,  of  this  review;  Sarah  E.,  who  married  J.  S.  Hul- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  281 

sizer,  of  Trenton,  New  Jersey ;  Rachel,  the  widow  of  John  S.  Temple,  of  Grin- 
nell :  -Mary    I.,  who  wedded   Austin  Cramer  and  resides  near  Annandale,  New 
lersev  :  Dr.    f.  F..  a  physician  of  New  York  city;  and  Carrie  V.,  the  wife  of  C.  ^ 
W.  Lee,  of  Clinton,  New  Jersey. 

No  event  of  special  importance  came  to  vary  the  routine  of  life  for  Jacob 
Teraberry  during  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  which  was'  spent  in  his 
eastern  home,  and  there  he  remained  until  the  removal  of  the  family  to  Illinois 
in  \Sf)j.  I'l^on  his  arrival  in  Poweshiek  county,  in  1872,  he  purchased  a  farm 
five  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Malcom  in  Sheridan  township.  For  more  than  a 
third  of  a  century  he  devoted  his  energies  and  attention  to  the  cultivation 
of  that  property  and  then,  in  March,  1908,  he  purchased  his  present  home  in 
Malcom,  where  he  is  now  living  retired.  He  still  retains  possession  of  his  farm, 
however,  which  consists  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  located  on  section  36, 
and  which  is  now  operated  by  his  son.  It  is  a  highly  improved  property  and  the 
dwelling  erected  upon  it  by  Mr.  Teraberry  is  one  of  the  finest  country  homes 
in  the  township.  The  beautiful  shade  trees  upon  the  place  were  all  set  out  by 
]^lr.  Teraberr}-,  who  also  introduced  all  of  the  modern  conveniences  and  acces- 
sories of  a  model  farm  of  the  twentieth  century.  No  better  evidences  of  a  life 
of  industry,  enterprise  and  thrift  on  the  part  of  the  owner  can  be  given  than  the 
excellent  condition  of  this  property.  In  his  agricultural  pursuits  he  followed 
[iractical  methods  and  the  spirit  of  progress  was  one  of  his  most  salient  charac- 
teristics. Substantial  and  well  merited  was  the  success  which  came  to  him  as 
the  result  of  his  well  directed  efTorts,  and  which  today  enables  him  to  enjoy  in 
retirement  all  of  the  comforts  and  many  of  the  luxuries  of  life. 

Mr.  Teraberry  was  married,  on  the  30th  of  November,  1870,  to  Miss  Le- 
nora  Judd,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  19th  of  March,  1850,  in  Alden,  Erie 
county.  New  York,  while  her  parents  were  on  a  visit  to  the  Empire  state,  the 
family  home  being  located  in  Illinois  at  that  time.  She  is  a  daughter  of  E.  P.  and 
Sarah  (Rearick)  Judd,  the  former  born  in  Vermont  on  the  25th  of  June,  1813; 
and  the  latter  in  New  York,  on  the  5th  of  June,  1819.  They  were  married  in 
Erie  county.  New  York,  October  31,  1837,  immediately  after  which  they  re- 
moved to  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  arriving  at  their  new  home  on  the  1st  of  De- 
cember. There  Mr.  Judd  entered  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  two  and 
a  half  miles  east  of  Princeton,  to  the  improvement  and  development  of  which 
he  devoted  a  number  of  years.  Later  he  sold  that  property  and  in  1875  came 
to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  locating  on  a  farm  here  which  he  had  entered  in 
1835.  He  entered  and  purchased  land  in  Poweshiek  county,  including  the  farm 
which  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  Teraberry,  now  owns.  He  was  one  of  the  largest 
lanrlowners  in  this  district,  owning  at  one  time  three  thousand,  two  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  in  Poweshiek  county  and  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  in  Illinois. 
He  was  engaged  in  general  farming  and  was  also  an  extensive  feeder  of  cattle 
and  hogs.  He  passed  away  on  the  9th  of  May,  1894,  in  Chicago,  while  on  his 
way  home  after  spending  a  winter  in  Florida.  His  widow,  however,  still  sur- 
vives and  is  now  making  her  home  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Teraberry.  She 
has  passed  the  ninety-second  milestone  on  life's  journey  and  is  enjoying  ex- 
cellent health,  her  mental  and  physical  vigor  being  remarkable  and  unusual  in 
one  of  her  advanced  age.     In  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Judd  were  eight  chil- 


282  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

dren,  namely :  Laura,  the  wife  of  Asher  Shifflett,  of  Grinnell ;  Mar\',  who  passetl 
away  in  infancy ;  Carrie,  who  married  Dr.  J.  W.  McDowell,  of  Eustis,  Florida ; 
Emma,  the  wife  of  Charles  Bossier,  of  Sheridan  township:  Minerva,  who  wedded 
J.  D.  Carpenter,  of  Malcom  township;  Lenora,  now  Mrs.  Teraberry ;  D.  E.,  of 
Brooklyn ;  and  Mark  L.,  also  of  Brooklyn. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Teraberry  were  the  parents  of  two  children,  of  whom  the 
eldest,  Frederick  J.,  was  killed  by  the  cars  while  a  student  at  high  school.  He 
was  born  on  the  6th  of  October,  1879,  and  his  death  occurred  February  26, 
1896.  The  surviving  son.  Glen  E.  Teraberry,  was  born  January  3,  1886,  and 
spent  two  years  at  Grinnell  .Acatlemy  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education,  lie 
has  since  engaged  in  farming  and  is  now  operating  his  father's  farm  in  Sheridan 
township. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  Mr.  Teraberry  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  given 
stalwart  support  to  the  republican  party  and  has  been  called  upon  at  times  to 
fill  various  township  offices.  For  thirty  years  he  served  as  school  treasurer,  the 
cause  of  education  finding  in  him  a  stalwart  champion,  while  many  other  pro- 
jects having  for  their  object  the  ultimate  growth  and  <levelopment  of  the  com- 
munity have  received  his  hearty  indorsement.  For  several  years  he  served  as 
director  of  Malcom  Agricultural  Society  and  has  been  actively  interested  in 
various  fairs.  He  has  constantly  and  earnestly  labored  to  stimulate  the  interests 
of  his  fellowmen  in  all  that  tends  to  promote  progress  in  agricultural  and  other 
lines.  The  success  which  he  himself  attained  in  that  direction  is  most  credit- 
able and  Poweshiek  county  numbers  him  among  her  progressive,  prominent  and 
desirable  citizens. 


BALEY  A.  ALLEX. 


Baley  A.  Allen,  whose  time  and  attention  are  devoted  to  the  further  develop- 
ment and  improvement  of  his  farm  in  Union  township,  was  born  in  Mahaska 
county,  Iowa,  on  the  8th  of  February,  1863.  He  is  a  son  of  Samuel  and  Sarah 
J.  (Barnes)  Allen,  natives  of  Kentucky.  The  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  mi- 
grated from  his  native  state  to  Indiana,  where  he  resided  until  about  1832,  when 
he  removed  to  Mahaska  county,  Iowa.  He  subsequently  came  to  Union  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county,  where  he  was  living  at  the  time  of  his  demise,  which 
occurred  on  the  12th  of  December.  1904.  The  mother  still  survives  and  con- 
tinues to  make  her  home  in  Union  township.  He  affiliated  with  the  Christian 
church,  of  which  Mrs.  Allen  is  a  member,  and  was  for  many  years  a  deacon  in 
same,  while  fraternally  he  was  identified  with  the  Masonic  order.  He  voted  the 
democratic  ticket  and  always  took  a  great  deal  of  interest  in  all  educational 
matters  and  for  many  years  served  as  a  school  director,  during  a  large  portion 
of  which  time  he  was  treasurer  of  the  board.  In  the  order  of  birth  their  chil- 
dren were  as  follows :  William  L. :  and  Mary  A.  and  Martha  J.,  both  of  whom 
are  deceased ;  Isam  T.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Union  township ;  Joseph  R.,  de- 
ceased ;  Baley  A.,  our  subject ;  and  Irvin  C,  who  is  living  in  Union  township. 


THh  >  .--v    -rORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOH,  LS.NOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  285 

The  boyliooil  and  youth  of  Baley  A.  Allen  were  very  similar  to  those  of 
other  farm  lads,  who  early  become  familiar  with  the  lighter  duties  and  labors 
of  the  agriculturist,  during  which  time  he  was  also  pursuing  his  education  in  the 
tlistrict  schools.  He  remained  upon  the  old  homestead  until  he  was  thirty-two 
years  of  age,  during  the  latter  [)ortion  of  which  time  he  was  associated  with  his 
father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  fields.  Later  he  rented  the  property  continuing 
its  operation  until  he  located  upon  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  which  he  had 
inherited  and  upon  which  he  has  ever  since  resided.  He  has  made  all  of  the 
improvements  ujjon  his  place,  which  is  now  one  of  the  best  improved  and  cul- 
tivated farms  in  Union  township. 

Mr.  Allen  was  married  on  the  ist  of  January,  1892,  to  Miss  Clara  Adams,  a 
daughter  of  Clark  and  Mary  Frances  (Gates)  .'Kdams,  who  were  pioneer  resi- 
dents of  Iowa  but  natives  of  Ohio.  They  were  married  in  the  Buckeye  state  on 
the  i8th  of  January,  1846,  removing  from  there  to  Iowa,  where  Mr.  Adams 
engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  later  went  to  New  Sharon,  Mahaska 
county,  where  he  conducted  a  restaurant.  After  his  retirement  he  settled  in 
Lorenz,  this  state,  and  there  he  passed  away  on  the  ist  of  January,  1908.  Mrs. 
Adams  had  preceded  him  many  years,  her  demise  occurring  in  August,  1867. 
Mr.  Adams  was  a  man  of  liberal  views  and  helpful  spirit,  a  member  of  the  Uni- 
versalist  church  and  of  the  socialist  party.  He  was  also  a  Mason  and  a  member 
of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  Mrs.  Allen  was  born  in  New  Sharon, 
.Mahaska  county,  this  state,  on  the  25th  of  June,  1866,  and  by  her  marriage  she 
has  become  the  mother  of  one  child,  Celoa  Belle,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the 
nth  of  January,   1893. 

Mr.  Allen  holds  membership"in  the  Christian  church,  while  his  wife  belongs 
to  the  Methodist  church,  and  Ite  is  also  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  fraternity. 
He  generally  votes  for  the  candidates  of  the  democratic  party  but  in  local  afTairs 
is  independent.  He  is  not  an  aspirant  to  public  honors  or  the  emoluments  of 
office,  and,  therefore,  devotes  his  energies  to  his  personal  interests. 


DANIEL  F.  HAYS. 


A  tried  and  true  soldier  in  times  of  danger  and  an  industrious  and  progres- 
sive citizen  in  times  of  peace,  Daniel  F.  Hays,  now  living  at  Grinnell,  deserves 
mention  in  a  history  treating  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Poweshiek  county. 
He  is  a  native  of  Frederick  county,  Maryland,  and  was  born  August  i,  1834,  a 
son  of  Joseph  and  Elizabeth  (Fuss)  Hays,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Mary- 
land. The  mother  died  in  1846,  when  the  subject  of  this  review  was  a  boy  of 
twelve  years.  The  father  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade  and  followed  this  line  in 
the  east  for  thirty-five  years.  In  October,  1856.  he  came  to  Grinnell,  Iowa, 
where  he  spent  eighteen  months,  removing  on  April  19,  1858,  to  a  farm  in 
Chester  township.  Having  once  established  himself  as  an  agriculturist  he  set 
vigorously  to  work  to  develop  his  property,  and  for  forty-one  years  he  was 
identified  with  agriculture  and  stock-raising  in  this  county,  his  demise  occurring 
in  1899. 


286  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'XTY 

Daniel  F.  Hays  received  his  preliminary  education  in  the  common  schools 
of  Maryland,  and  in  his  young  manhood  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade.  He 
came  to  Iowa  with  his  father  and  was  just  fairly  settling  down  in  life  when  his 
plans  were  interfered  with  by  the  Civil  war.  On  September  22,  1862,  he  en- 
listed in  Company  E,  Fourth  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  participated  with  the  regiment 
in  many  important  battles  and  movements.  He  was  present  at  the  \'icksburg 
campaign  and  was  with  the  regiment  at  the  battle  of  Guntown,  Mississippi,  which 
was  one  of  the  hardest  fought  battles  in  which  the  regiment  took  part  during  the 
entire  war.  The  Fourth  Iowa  assisted  in  covering  the  retreat  of  the  army  for 
si.xty  miles  and  private  Hays  witnessed  terrific  scenes  of  slaughter  during  this 
memorable  period,  the  recollection  of  which  are  as  vivid  in  his  memory  as  if 
they  were  enacted  but  yesterday.  He  also  served  in  the  campaign  of  General 
Wilson  in  Alabama  and  Georgia  in  1865.  He  was  honorably  mustered  out 
June  17,  1865,  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  and  returned  to  Poweshiek  county.  He 
conducted  a  blacksmith  shop  at  Grinnell  and  later  engaged  in  farming,  also  main- 
taining a  blacksmith  shop  upon  his  place.  In  1904  he  moved  to  Grinnell,  where 
he  has  since  lived. 

On  the  1 2th  of  December,  1867,  Mr.  Hays  was  united  in  marriage  at  Me- 
chanicstown,  Maryland,  to  Miss  Susan  Weller,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Weller. 
of  Maryland,  who  died  when  his  daughter  Susan  was  four  years  old.  Six  chil- 
dren were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hays,  five  of  whom  grew  to  maturity,  namely : 
Joseph  Weller,  a  graduate  of  Cornell  College  at  Mount  Vernon,  Iowa,  who  is 
married  and  now  resides  at  Chicago,  Illinois ;  Harvey  G.  A.,  also  a  graduate  of 
Cornell  College,  who  is  married  and  lives  on  a  farm  at  Hereford,  Texas ;  Rosa 
D.,  at  home;  Charles  W.,  who  is  married  and  lives  in  Chicago;  and  Grace  S., 
also  at  home. 

Mr.  Hays  and  his  wife  are  now  living  in  a  beautiful  residence  in  Grinnell 
with  well  kept  lawn  and  fine  shade  trees,  making  it  one  of  the  most  attractive 
homes  in  the  city.  They  are  earnest  friends  of  education,  as  is  shown  by  the 
unusual  facilities  enjoyed  by  their  children,  all  of  whom  were  given  the  ad- 
vantages of  a  college  training.  Mr.  Hays  voted  for  Abraham  Lincoln  as  presi- 
dent and  he  has  generally  supported  the  repuljlican  party  since,  but  he  has  pro- 
hibition tendencies  in  local  affairs.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  Chester 
lownship  and  has  held  many  of  the  offices  of  the  township  from  its  earliest 
days.  He  is  a  valued  member  of  the  Methodist  church  and  of  the  Grand  Army 
Post  at  Grinnell.  Having  now  arrived  at  his  seventy-seventh  year  he  is  practically 
retired  from  active  labor  and  enjoys  a  peace  and  prosperity  which  he  has  richly 
earned  bv  manv  vears  of  earnest  effort. 


THOMAS  S.  APPLEGATE. 

Thomas  S.  Applegate,  who  for  twenty  years  has  filled  the  office  of  justice 
of  the  peace  in  Montezuma,  his  decisions  being  a  clear  exposition  of  the  law 
and  the  equity  in  the  case,  was  born  in  Ray  township,  Morgan  county,  Indiana, 
December  3,  1834,  a  son  of  Joseph  and  Lavina  (Blunk)  Applegate.    The  father 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWF.SHIF.K  COUNTY  287 

was  born  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  in  1808,  and  was  reared  in  Bullitt  county,  that 
state.  The  mother  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Indiana,  in  1814,  and  was 
a  daughter  of  George  and  Rebecca  (Davis)  Blunk,  the  former  a  native  of  Ger- 
many and  the  latter  of  Virginia.  Mrs.  Blunk  died  at  the  age  of  one  hundred  and 
six  years,  while  her  mother  reached  the  remarkable  age  of  one  hundred  and 
fifteen  and  David  Blunk,  a  brother  of  Airs.  Lavina  Applegate,  passed  away  at  the 
age  of  one  hundred  and  three. 

The  marriage  of  Joseph  and  Lavina  (Blunk)  Applegate  was  celebrated  in 
Indiana  and  in  1854  they  came  with  their  family  to  Iowa,  driving  across  the 
country.  Settling  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  the  father  en- 
tered land  from  the  government  and  upon  the  claim  which  he  secured  and  de- 
veloped he  made  his  home  until  his  death,  which  occurred  about  1880.  His  wife 
survived  him  for  some  years,  passing  away  in  the  same  township  in  1887.  He 
had  made  farming  his  life  work  and  in  early  manhood  had  engaged  in  teaching 
school  through  the  winter  months.  For  a  number  of  years  he  filled  the  office 
of  justice  of  the  peace  during  his  residence  in  Indiana.  His  political  allegiance 
was  originally  given  the  whig  party  and  upon  its  dissolution  he  joined  the  ranks 
of  the  new  republican  party.  His  religious  faith  was  that  of  the  Baptist  church. 
Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  nine  children,  of  whom  four  sons  and  one 
daughter  are  yet  living,  while  three  of  the  family  died  in  infancy,  and  Mrs. 
Eliza  Hakes  passed  away  January  3,  191 1.  Those  who  still  survive  are:  Mrs. 
Zerelda  Watson,  a  widow  living  in  Touchet,  Washington;  Thomas  S. ;  Ira,  of 
Norton  county,  Kansas ;  Peter  N.,  whose  home  is  in  Carroll  county,  Arkansas ; 
and  William  J.,  of  Springfield,  Kansas.  The  second  son,  Ira,  enlisted  at  Monte- 
zuma for  service  in  Company  C,  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  on 
the  nth  of  August,  1862.  At  the  same  time  Thomas  S.  Applegate  joined  the 
army  and  they  went  to  the  front  under  Captain  J.  W.  Carr,  who  is  mentioned 
elsewhere  in  this  volume.  They  took  part  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  the 
regiment  until  Thomas  S.  Applegate  was  wounded  in  the  last  fight  at  Cedar 
Creek,  Virginia,  October  19,  1864,  a  fragment  of  a  shell  striking  him  in  the 
ankle.  He  was  honorably  discharged  in  January,  1865,  but  his  brother  Ira 
remained  at  the  front  until  the  cessation  of  hostilities. 

After  he  had  recovered  from  his  injuries  Thomas  S.  Applegate  resumed 
farming  and  was  continuously  and  successfully  connected  with  agricultural  pur- 
suits in  this  county  until  1884,  when  he  sold  his  farm  in  Sugar  Creek  town- 
ship and  established  a  hardware  and  implement  business  in  Searsboro.  There 
he  was  engaged  in  the  conduct  of  his  store  until  1898,  when  he  came  to  Monte- 
zuma, where  he  has  since  resided. 

During  much  of  the  period  of  his  residence  here  Mr.  Applegate  has  filled 
public  offices.  He  is  a  stalwart  republican,  unfaltering  in  his  advocacy  of  the 
party  and  its  principles.  He  filled  the  position  of  county  supervisor  from  1884 
until  1889,  was  justice  of  the  peace  in  Sugar  Creek  township  for  two  terms  and 
afterward  served  as  deputy  sheriflF  for  one  term.  In  19CX3  he  was  chosen  justice 
of  the  peace  of  Montezuma  and  entered  upon  a  new  term  in  the  office  on  the 
1st  of  January,  191 1.  His  decisions  are  strictly  fair  and  impartial  and  the 
record  he  has  made  in  presiding  over  the  justice  court  commends  him  to  the  con- 
fidence of  all  law-abiding  citizens. 


288  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

On  the  i6th  of  July.  1854,  Mr.  Applegate  was  united  in  marriage,  in  Sugar 
Creek  township,  to  Miss  Sarah  Rivers,  who  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  In- 
diana, in  183 1,  and  about  1848  came  to  this  county  with  her  parents,  Richard 
and  Mary  (Watson)  Rivers,  the  former  a  native  of  Kentucky  and  the  latter 
of  North  Carolina,  although  both  spent  their  last  days  in  Poweshiek  county. 
Of  the  children  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Applegate  three  died  in  infancy  or  early 
life,  Joseph  Richard  passing  away  in  infancy,  Mary  Lavina  when  four  years 
of  age  and  John  at  the  age  of  eight  years.  Those  still  living  are :  William,  of 
Tama.  Iowa ;  and  George  T..  of  Kansas  City,  Missouri.  Mr.  Applegate  is  a 
member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  thus  maintains  pleasant  rela- 
tions with  his  old  army  comrades.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Masons 
and  his  religious  belief  is  that  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  in  which  he  is  serving 
as  elder.  His  life  has  ever  been  upright  and  honorable  and  his  many  manly  and 
sterling  qualities  have  gained  for  him  the  warm  and  enduring  regard  of  all  with 
whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 


JOHN  T.  CESSNA. 


John  T.  Cessna,  of  Grinnell,  is  a  native  of  Scott  county,  Iowa,  born  October 
25,  1862,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  R.  Cessna,  who  for  more  than  fifty  years  was 
a  citizen  of  Iowa.  The  Cessnas  are  of  Huguenot  ancestry  and  are  direct  de- 
scendants of  Count  John  De  Cessna.  In  1690,  owing  to  persecution  of  the 
Huguenots,  about  twelve  hundred  of  the  nobility  of  France,  together  with  about 
half  a  million  of  the  Protestant  faith  fled  to  England,  Holland,  Switzerland  and 
Denmark,  an  official  proclamation  having  been  made  by  those  countries  proffer- 
ing refuse  to  the  oppressed.  Many  of  the  refugees  entered  military  service  and 
among  these  was  Count  John  De  Cessna,  who  in  1690  distinguished  himself 
as  an  officer  under  Duke  De  Schomberg  at  the  battle  of  the  Boyne  in  Ireland. 
He  remained  in  Ireland  until  1718  and  then  crossed  the  ocean  to  America,  set- 
tling in  Pennsylvania,  where  he  died  in  1751.  One  of  his  sons,  John  De  Cessna, 
located  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  family  became  very  prominent. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  provincial  assembly  and  also  of  the  constitutional 
convention  of  1775.  He  joined  with  all  his  heart  in  the  patriotic  cause  and 
served  as  colonel  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  Hon.  John  Cessna,  member 
of  the  forty-first  and  forty-third  congresses  of  the  United  States,  belonged  to 
this  family  and  was  a  brother  of  Thomas  R.  Ces.sna.  both  of  them  being  great- 
grandsons  of  Colonel  John  De  Cessna. 

Thomas  R.  Cessna  was  a  son  of  William  and  Rachel  (Morgaret)  Cessna. 
He  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania,  October  27,  1827.  and  possessed 
limited  opportunities  of  education  in  the  schools  but  became  a  man  01  strong 
character  and  great  integrity,  gaining  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  with 
whom  he  associated.  He  was  married,  in  1848,  to  Sarah  A.  Koerner,  who  was 
also  a  native  of  Bedford  county,  and  in  1858  with  his  wife  and  three  children 
came  to  Scott  county,  Iowa,  and  located  upon  a  farm  which  he  purchased  near 
Davenport.     He  and  his  wife  reared  a   family  of  seven  children,  all  of  whom 


TTISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  289 

are  now  living.  He  was  very  successful  in  business  and  took  an  active  part  in 
public  affairs,  discharging  his  duties  as  a  public  officer  with  the  same  interest 
that  he  evinced  in  his  i)rivate  business.  In  1885,  desiring  to  be  near  his  children 
who  had  settled  at  Grinnell,  he  disposed  of  his  farm  in  Scott  county  and  came 
to  this  city.  However,  he  was  not  yet  prepared  for  a  life  of  inactivity,  and  he 
engaged  for  ten  years  in  a  profitable  real-estate  business.  He  was  a  stanch 
believer  in  the  authority  and  inspiration  of  the  Bible  and  served  for  many 
years  as  an  officer  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  He  died  on  March  26, 
i<;ii,  having  arrived  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-four  years. 

John  T.  Cessna,  of  this  review,  was  reared  in  the  parental  home  and  at- 
tended the  district  schools,  later  becoming  a  student  of  Cornell  College,  at 
.Mount  \'ernon,  Iowa,  and  Grinnell  College.  In  1886  he  purchased  a  farm  ad- 
joining the  southeast  limits  of  Grinnell,  upon  which  he  later  took  up  his  resi- 
dence, cultivating  it  with  increasing  prosperity  for  seven  years.  He  was  for 
some  time  associated  with  A.  A.  Foster  in  the  agricLdtural  implement  business 
at  Grinnell  and  also  in  buying  and  selling  livestock,  but  since  1907  has  not 
been  actively  engaged  in  business.  He  owns  two  farms,  one  of  which  is  in 
Jasper  county,  Iowa,  and  the  other  near  Wichita,  Kansas.  He  also  owns  an 
interest  in  a  business  block  in  Kansas  City,  Missouri,  and  is  a  stockholder  in 
the  Merchants  National  Bank  of  Grinnell. 

On  the  22d  of  March,  1888,  Mr.  Cessna  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elsie 
Brown,  of  Mason  City,  Iowa,  and  four  children  have  come  to  brighten  their 
home,  namely :  E.  Gladys,  now  a  student  in  the  sophomore  class  of  Grinnell 
College ;  Fannie  Blythe,  a  student  in  the  same  class  with  her  sister ;  Thomas  R., 
Jr.,  who  is  a  member  of  the  senior  class  of  the  high  school ;  and  Mildred  Koer- 
ner,  who  is  now  attending  the  public  schools.  The  two  older  daughters  are 
both  graduates  of  the  Grinnell  high  school. 

Mr.  Cessna  inherited  from  worthy  parents  many  of  the  characteristics  that 
have  assisted  materially  in  his  business  career.  He  has  through  life  stood  for 
what  seemed  to  him  to  be  right  and  just  and,  therefore,  occupies  a  prominent 
place  in  the  estimation  of  his  fellowmen.  He  and  his  wife  are  valued  members  of 
the  Methodist  church  and  politically  he  is  a  progressive  republican,  believing  that 
the  party  has  within  itself  the  honesty  and  ability  necessary  in  the  perpetuation 
of  a  popular  government.  He  has  not  sought  public  office  but  as  a  friend  of 
education  became  a  member  of  the  city  school  board  and  is  now  president  of 
that  body.     Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  175.  K.  P. 


J.  C.  GOODRICH. 


I.  C.  Goodrich  of  the  Grinnell  Manufacturing  Company,  is  a  leading  resi- 
<lent  of  Grinnell  and  is  associated  with  H.  W.  Spaulding  in  the  conduct  of  a 
retail  buggy  business.  His  birth  occurred  in  Williamstown,  Vermont,  on  the 
7th  of  .^pril,  1863,  his  parents  being  .\bram  and  Harriet  (Cass)  Goodrich,  who 
were  natives  of  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire  respectively.  Following  their 
marriage  they  located  on  a  farm  near  Williamstown,  Vermont,  the  father  being 


290  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

actively  engaged  in  its  operation  until  1865.  In  that  year  they  came  west  to 
Iowa,  locating  on  a  farm  a  mile  and  a  half  east  of  Grinnell,  where  Abram  Good- 
rich made  his  home  until  called  to  his  final  rest  in  1881.  His  widow  then  took 
up  her  abode  in  Grinnell,  where  her  demise  occurred  the  followmg  year.  Both 
were  Universalists  in  religious   faith. 

J.  C.  Goodrich  was  reared  at  home  and  supplemented  his  preliminary  educa- 
tion, obtained  in  the  common  schools,  by  a  course  of  study  at  Grinnell  Acad- 
emy. After  his  mother's  death  he  returned  to  the  home  farm  and  was  engaged 
in  its  operation  until  i8gi  or  1892,  when  he  came  to  Grinnell  and  embarked  in 
the  agricultural  implement  business  as  a  member  of  the  Foster,  Bailey,  Good- 
rich Company.  In  1900  Mr.  Goodrich  and  Mr.  Bailey  sold  their  interests  to 
Mr.  Foster  and  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  under  the  firm  style  of  Bailey 
&  Goodrich,  the  partnership  being  maintained  for  one  year.  Mr.  Goodrich  then 
withdrew  from  the  concern  and  took  charge  of  the  city  water  works,  managing 
them  for  four  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  became  one  of  the 
organizers  of  the  Grinnell  Manufacturing  Company,  manufacturers  of  power 
hammers  and  blacksmith  tools,  being  made  manager  of  the  new  concern.  In  the 
spring  of  1908  the  Grinnell  Manufacturing  Company  discontinued  its  former  line 
of  work  and  engaged  in  the  retail  buggy  business  under  the  old  firm  name,  the 
proprietors  of  the  establishment  being  H.  W.  Spaulding  and  J.  C.  Goodrich.  The 
business  of  the  company  covers  the  southwestern  states  and  is  conducted  on  what 
is  known  as  the  trailing  system.  Mr.  Goodrich  is  a  stockholder  and  a  member  of 
the  board  of  directors  of  the  Merchants  National  Bank  of  Grinnell  and  is  also 
a  stockholder  and  director  in  the  Grinnell  Washing  Machine  Company.  He  has 
earned  for  himself  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  careful  man  of  business  and  in 
his  dealings  is  known  for  his  prompt  and  honorable  methods,  which  have  won 
him  the  deserved  and  unbounded  confidence  of  his  fellowmen. 

In  1885  Mr.  Goodrich  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Harriet  L.  Kingdon. 
of  Grinnell,  Iowa,  by  whom  he  has  one  child,  Mae  J.,  who  is  now  in  her  senior 
year  at  Grinnell  College.  He  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party. 
Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  belong- 
ing to  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  358.  Mrs.  Goodrich  is  a  member  of  the  Episcopal 
church  and  also  belongs  to  the  Priscillas,  a  ladies'  social  club  of  Grinnell.  ^Ir. 
Goodrich  has  spent  practically  his  entire  life  in  Poweshiek  county  and  enjoys  a 
wide  and  favorable  acquaintance  within  its  borders. 


JOHN  W.  WILLSON. 


John  W.  Willson,  who  for  many  years  figured  as  one  of  the  leading  and 
prosperous  business  men  of  Montezuma,  is  now  living  retired  upon  an  excellent 
farm  of  seventy  acres,  his  home  being  within  the  corporation  limits  of  the 
county  seat.  He  has  ever  been  a  man  of  excellent  purpose,  carrying  forward 
to  successful  completion  what  he  has  undertaken,  and  his  sound  judgment  in 
business  affairs  has  been  one  of  the  strong  elements  in  his  prosperity. 


JOHN    W.    WILLSOX 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  ttNOX  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATION!. 


IILSTORV  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'NTY  293 

He  was  born  December  9,  1839,  in  Hendricks  county,  Indiana,  in  a  dis- 
trict about  ten  miles  from  Indianapolis,  known  as  the  Shiloh  Church  neigh- 
borhood, that  church  being  situated  upon  his  father's  land.  His  parents  were 
Gideon  and  Catharine  (Wilson)  VVillson.  They  were  first  cousins  and  were 
natives  of  Virginia,  born  both  in  1801.  They  were  married  at  White  River, 
Indiana,  on  the  3d  of  October,  1819.  Gideon  Willson  was  the  first  of  the 
family  to  spell  his  name  with  the  double  L,  doing  this  because  the  other  spell- 
ing was  so  common.  He  lost  his  father  when  eleven  years  of  age  and  was 
reared  by  an  uncle.  Catharine  Wilson  lost  her  mother  in  early  girlhood  and 
was  reared  by  a  stepmother.  Her  father  was  the  owner  of  slaves,  to  whom' 
he  gave  their  liberty. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gideon  Willson  were  without  capital  when  they  were  mar- 
ried and  it  was  through  strenuous  labor  that  he  managed  to  secure  enough 
money  to  pay  for  the  marriage  license.  Soon  after  their  marriage  they  took 
up  their  abode  in  Indianapolis,  which  at  that  time  contained  only  two  or  three 
cabins,  and  he  secured  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  constituting  a  part  of  the 
present  site  of  the  city.  He  became  a  prominent  and  influential  resident  of  that 
district  and  served  as  judge  of  the  court.  General  Lew  Wallace  practicing  be- 
fore him.  He  had  opportunity  to  attend  school  for  only  three  months  in  his 
life  but  through  private  reading  and  study  he  became  a  well  informed  man. 
After  living  in  the  city  for  a  few  years  he  removed  to  a  farm  near  Shiloh 
Church,  about  ten  miles  from  Indianapolis,  and  there  carried  on  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits  until  J848,  when  he  came  to  Montezuma,  arriving  in  October 
after  driving  across  the  country  with.t^ams.  There  was  only  one  cabin  in  the 
town  at  the  time.  Mr.  VV'^ilTsoA  established  the  first  store  in  the  county  in  1850, 
carrying  a  general  line  "of-*'go>3d's.  At  first  his  stock  consisted  only  of  a  few 
staple  articles  but  as  thfc  country  developed  and  became  more  thickly  settled  he 
added  to  his  line  of  goods, 'tlj.e 'store  building  being  a  double  hewed  log  house. 
Subsequently  he  erected  a  good  frame  store  building  on  the  east  side  of  the 
square  but  it  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  31st  of  December,  1854.  He  after- 
ward erected  what  is  known  as  the  Union  block  on  the  west  side  of  the  square 
and  continued  in  merchandising  until  June,  1870,  when  he  sold  out  to  his  son 
John  W.  and  retired  from  active  business,  spending  his  remaining  days  in  the 
enjoyment  of  well  earned  rest.  His  death  occurred  in  1879,  while  his  wife 
passed  away  in  1886.  He  was  a  stanch  democrat  throughout  his  entire  life  but 
never  held  office  in  this  county,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  his 
business  affairs  that  he  might  provide  a  comfortable  living  for  his  family,  which 
numbered  eleven  children,  namely:  Mrs.  Sarah  Benjamin,  Isaac  G.,  Nancy, 
Mrs.  Mary  Ann  Walker  and  Elizabeth,  all  now  deceased ;  Mrs.  Catharine  Mc- 
Intire,  a  widow  living  in  Montezuma;  John  W.;  Mrs.  Emily  Rogers,  of  Monte- 
zuma ;  and  three  who  died  in  infancy. 

John  W.  Willson  came  to  Poweshiek  county  with  his  parents  when  nine 
years  of  age  and  has  since  resided  within  its  borders.  He  has  witnessed  its 
growth  from  the  period  of  its  early  development  and  as  the  years  have  gone 
on  has  taken  active  and  helpful  part  in  the  work  of  general  progress  and  im- 
provement. He  assisted  his  father  in  the  store  for  one  year  and  afterward 
devoted  his  attention  to  farming  until  he  enlisted  under  the  stars  and  stripes 


294  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

in  August.  1862,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  C.  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  \'ol- 
unteer  Infantry,  under  Captain  J.  W.  Carr.  He  served  for  three  years  and 
was  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  the  war,  having  participated  in  all  of  the 
engagements  of  his  regiment  except  that  of  Jackson,  Mississippi,  which  occurred 
when  he  was  in  the  convalescent  camp.  After  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek  he 
secured  a  furlough  of  thirty-six  days,  spending  two  weeks  of  that  time  at 
home.  He  then  made  his  way  to  Baltimore,  which  was  the  nearest  place  at 
which  he  could  join  his  regiment.  There  he  reported  to  General  Lew  Wallace, 
who  gave  him  a  pass  to  New  York  city  with  a  letter  to  the  commander  of  the 
department  there.  Mr.  Willson  had  a  pleasant  interview  with  General  Wallace 
after  telling  him  that  he  was  the  son  of  Judge  Gideon  Willson,  before  whom 
General  Wallace  had  jsreviously  practiced  law.  On  the  organization  of  the 
company  Mr.  Willson  hatl  been  elected  sergeant.  He  had  many  narrow  escapes 
from  injury  and  death.  At  Champion  Hill  a  ball  passed  through  his  hat  and 
cut  off  a  lock  of  his  hair.  His  comrade,  Thomas  Applegate,  picked  up  the  hat 
with  the  remark :  "You  will  never  see  home  if  you  have  a  closer  call."  When 
the  war  was  over  Mr.  Willson  resumed  farming,  which  he  followed  until  the 
spring  of  1870,  when  he  purchased  his  father's  store.  He  increased  his  stock 
and  the  business  developed  along  substantial  lines.  He  also  began  buying  live 
stock  and  became  one  of  the  foremost  representatives  of  that  business  in  this 
section  of  Iowa.  He  handled  two  hundred  and  eighty  cars  of  stock  one  year, 
shipping  the  only  full  train  of  stock  ever  sent  from  Montezuma.  His  success 
as  a  live  stock  dealer  caused  him  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  that  business 
and  he  disposed  of  his  store  in  the  fall  of  1875,  giving  his  entire  attention  to 
live  stock  until  1885,  when  he  returned  to  the  farm  whereon  he  now  resides. 
Here  he  owns  seventy  acres  of  valuable  land,  splendidly  improved,  and  he  has 
refused  three  hundred  dollars  per  acre  for  the  place. 

On  the  nth  of  December.  1858,  Mr.  Willson  was  married  in  Montezuma 
to  Miss  Sarah  Head,  who  was  born  in  Highland  county,  Ohio,  September  27, 
1840,  and  in  1855  was  brought  to  Poweshiek  county  by  her  ])arents,  William 
M.  and  Margaret  (Ferneau)  Head,  the  former  a  native  of  England  and  the 
latter  of  Germany.  The  mother  died  in  Montezuma,  while  Mr.  Head  passed 
away  in  Jefiferson,  Iowa.  They  were  the  parents  of  eleven  children,  seven  of 
whom  reached  adult  age,  while  two  of  that  number  served  as  soldiers  of  the 
Civil  war — Captain  Albert  Head  and  Lieutenant  Mahlon  Head.  They  enlisted 
from  Montezuma  and  are  now  engaged  in  the  banking  business  in  Jefferson. 
^Ir.  and  Mrs.  Willson  became  the  parents  of  a  daughter,  Margaret  K.,  now  the 
wife  of  Robert  Le  Gore,  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska,  and  unto  them  was  born  a 
daughter,  Lila  Marie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Charles  Richey,  county  attorney 
of   McCook,   Nebraska. 

Mr.  Willson  was  the  only  one  of  his  father's  family  to  support  the  republi- 
can party.  His  position  in  this  regard  indicates  his  independent  spirit  and  his 
loyalty  to  his  honest  convictions.  His  fellow  townsmen,  appreciative  of  his 
worth,  elected  him  a  member  of  the  council,  in  which  he  served  for  eleven  years, 
years,  and  he  was  also  township  trustee  of  Jackson  township  for  nineteen  vears. 
His  long  continuance  in  office  is  proof  of  his  ability  and  his  record  was  at 
all  times  creditable  to  himself  and  satisfactory  to  his  constituents.     Mr.  Will- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  295 

son  is  a  valued  and  popular  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights  of  Pythias  fraternity. 
No  history  of  this  county  would  be  complete  without  a  record  of  him  not  alone 
because  he  is  one  of  the  successful  men  of  the  county  but  also  owing  to  sev- 
eral others  facts.  The  length  of  his  residence  in  Montezuma  exceeds  that  of 
any  other  citizen  here.  He  was  in  Grinnell  the  day  that  town  was  named, 
going  there  on  horseback  to  join  in  the  celebration.  He  wanted  to  buy  some 
land  but  his  father  did  not  indorse  the  idea,  for  he  did  not  believe  a  town  would 
ever  be  built  way  out  there.  Mr.  Willson  has  lived  to  see  remarkable  changes 
in  the  county  as  the  work  of  growth  and  development  has  been  carried  on  and 
it  is  well  known  that  at  all  times  he  has  borne  an  active  and  iielpful  part  in 
bringing  about  the  transformation  that  has  made  Poweshiek  one  of  the  popu- 
lous ami  prosperous  counties  of  tlie  state. 


LOUIS   PULS. 


.\o  country  has  given  to  the  United  States  better  citizens  than  Germany,  and 
sons  of  the  fatherland  are  always  welcomed  here,  for  all  have  those  homely 
virtues  of  honesty,  sincerity,  energy  and  frugality  which,  when  combined,  are 
certain  to  be  productive  of  good  citizenship  and  prosperous  results. 

Louis  Puis  is  one  of  Germany's  contributions  to  the  citizenship  of  Iowa,  his 
birth  having  occurred  in  Mecklenburg-.Schwerin,  Germany,  September  27.  1846, 
his  parents  being  Fred  and  Annie  (Miller)  Puis.  The  mother  passed  away  in 
the  fatherland,  an<l  later  the  father,  who  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  came  to 
the  United  States,  locating  in  Princeton,  Illinois.  In  his  family  were  the  follow- 
ing children  :  Christina  and  Freda,  both  deceased  ;  Mary,  a  resident  of  Germany ; 
Charles,  of  Princeton.  Illinois ;  John,  also  residing  in  Germany ;  Hannah,  who 
passed  away  in  the  fatherland ;  Louis,  of  this  review ;  and  Sophie,  who  married 
John  Tiedemann,  of  Malcom  township. 

Louis  Puis  spent  the  first  nineteen  years  of  his  life  in  his  native  country, 
acquiring  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  fatherland,  and  through 
the  assistance  which  he  gave  his  father  on  the  home  farm  became  thoroughly 
familiar  with  agricultural  pursuits.  Opportunities  for  advancement  in  the  old 
world,  however,  were  limited,  and  the  rumors  concerning  the  advantages  offered 
in  the  United  States  early  aroused  his  determination  to  seek  a  home  on  this  side 
of  the  -Atlantic.  Consequently,  in  1865,  he  came  alone  to  this  country,  making 
his  wav  to  Princeton,  Illinois,  where  for  one  year  he  was  employed  by  the  month 
as  a  farm  hand.  In  the  spring  of  1866  he  arrived  in  Iowa,  locating  in  Powe- 
shiek county,  and  for  two  and  a  half  years  worked  for  Charles  .Schultz,  and 
was  then  employed  for  a  similar  period  by  Fred  Schultz.  For  the  following  two 
years  he  rented  a  farm,  and  then,  in  the  spring  of  1877  was  married.  Imme- 
diately afterward  he  purchased  the  farm  which  is  now  his  home,  and  has  since 
been  continuously  engaged  in  its  development.  It  consists  of  two  hundred  acres 
located  on  section  4,  Malcom  township,  and  at  the  time  that  it  came  into  his 
possession  it  was  unbroken  prairie  land  without  a  single  improvement  upon  it. 


296  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

With  characteristic  energy  he  at  once  began  breaking  the  sod,  divided  the  land 
into  fields  of  convenient  size,  and  by  undaunted  energy  and  unceasing  persever- 
ance converted  it  into  a  productive  farm.  He  has  made  excellent  improvements 
upon  the  place,  erecting  substantial  buildings  and  inclosing  his  fields  with  good 
fences,  and  it  is  today  one  of  the  valuable  and  desirable  properties  of  the  town- 
ship. He  also  owns  thirteen  acres  of  timberland  about  two  miles  east  of  his 
home  farm,  and  at  one  time  was  the  owner  of  eighty  acres  which  he  has  since 
sold  to  his  son.  He  gives  his  attention  to  general  farming,  practices  rotation 
of  crops,  makes  a  close  study  of  the  cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate  and, 
withal,  has  attained  a  most  gratifying  degree  of  prosperity. 

Mr.  Puis  was  married  on  the  2d  of  March,  1877,  to  Miss  Minnie  Schultz, 
who  was  born  in  Princeton,  Illinois,  on  the  22d  of  April,  1855,  and  came  to 
Poweshiek  county  in  the  fall  of  1864  with  her  parents.  She  is  a  daughter  of 
Joachim  and  Marie  (Peek)  Schultz,  who  were  natives  of  Prussia,  Germany. 
Both  were  born  in  the  year  1820,  the  father  on  the  19th  of  March  and  the 
mother  on  the  2d  of  February.  They  were  married  in  the  fatherland  and  came 
to  the  United  States  in  1854,  arriving  in  Princeton,  Illinois,  in  the  fall  of  that 
year.  They  passed  away  in  Malcom  township,  the  father  on  the  25th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1884,  and  the  mother  on  the  nth  of  April,  1891.  In  their  family  were 
six  children :  Charles,  whose  death  occurred  in  Malcom ;  Lena,  who  passed 
away  in  the  spring  of  1855  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years ;  Fredericka,  who  mar- 
ried Lawrence  Lidtka,  of  Malcom;  Minnie,  the  wife  of  Louis  Puis;  Jacob,  of 
Malcom  township ;  and  Fred,  also  of  this  township.  The  home  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Puis  has  been  blessed  with  ten  children,  namely :  Fred,  a  resident  of  Ches- 
ter township;  Josephine,  the  wife  of  Herman  Mithelman,  of  Malcom  township; 
John,  of  Malcom  township;  Ida,  who  married  Orin  Ferguson,  of  this  township; 
Louis,  who  died  at  the  age  of  seventeen  years ;  Marie,  at  home ;  Charles,  whose 
death  occurred  at  the  age  of  two  months ;  and  Theodore,  Elmer  and  Evelyn, 
all  at  home. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church  and  Mr.  Puis  gives  his 
support  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  held  several  road  and  school  offices  and 
is  deeply  interested  in  all  matters  concerning  the  material,  political,  intellectual 
and  moral  development  of  the  community.  He  has  ever  been  public-spirited  in 
his  citizenship,  loyal  to  the  best  interests  of  his  adopted  country,  and  the  prin- 
ciples which  govern  his  private  and  business  life  are  such  as  have  gained  for  him 
the  unqualified  regard,  respect  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  has  come  in 
contact. 


TOHN  T.  GORSUCH. 


Agricultural  pursuits  in  Poweshiek  county  are  abiy  represented  by  John 
T.  Gorsuch,  whose  activities  along  this  line  are  meeting  with  gratifying  and  sub- 
stantial results.  One  of  Iowa's  native  sons,  he  was  born  in  Mahaska  county, 
about  a  mile  west  of  Barnes  City,  on  the  12th  of  December,  1856.  He  is  a 
representative  of  an  old  pioneer  family  of  Iowa,  his  grandparents,  Joshua  and 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  297 

Mary   (Bosley)    Gorsuch,    liaviiig   come   to   tliis   state    from    Maryland   as   early 
as  1844.  locating  in  Mahaska  county. 

His  parents  were  Thomas  B.  and  Margaret  (Murrow)  Gorsuch,  natives  of 
Maryland  and  Indiana  respectively,  who  came  to  Iowa  with  their  parents  at 
an  early  day,  the  father  arriving  in  1844  and  the  mother  in  1850.  They  were 
married  in  Mahaska  county  on  the  nth  of  March,  1852,  and  for  lour  years 
thereafter  continued  their  residence  in  that  county,  after  which  they  removed 
to  Jackson  county,  Kansas,  which  remained  their  home  for  three  years.  On 
returning  to  Iowa  in  i860  they  took  up  their  abode  in  Poweshiek  county,  locating 
on  a  farm  near  Montezuma,  where  their  remaining  days  were  spent.  The 
father  was  a  lifelong  farmer,  in  which  line  of  activity  he  proved  very  success- 
ful, being  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  rich  land  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  He  had  an  interesting  military  record,  enlisting  in  August, 
1862,  as  a  member  of  Company  B,  Fortieth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  with 
which  he  served  throughout  the  remainder  of  the  war,  or  for  a  term  of  three 
years.  He  passed  away  on  the  30th  of  December,  1884,  and  was  survived 
by  his  wife  lor  a  number  of  years.  Her  birth  occurred  in  Parke  county,  In- 
diana, on  the  15th  of  August,  1835,  her  parents  being  Benjamin  and  Sally  (Blue) 
Murrow.  She  was  a  consistent  and  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  who  daily  exemplified  in  her  life  the  teachings  of  the  Golden  Rule. 
Her  death  occurred  on  the  26th  of  February,  1910,  at  the  age  of  seventy-four 
years.  She  passed  away  in  the  Montezuma  home,  to  which  she  had  removed 
with  her  two  daughters,  Laura  and  Edith,  in   1902. 

In  early  childhood  John  J.  Gorsuch  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  re- 
moval to  Kansas  and  was  but  four  years  of  age  when  brought  by  them  to  Pow- 
eshiek county,  within  whose  borders  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  passed 
the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  upon  the  homestead  near  Montezuma,  ac- 
quiring his  education  in  the  country  schools  of  that  locality,  and  he  remained 
with  his  parents  until  he  attained  his  majority.  At  the  age  of  twenty-four 
he  embarked  in  agricultural  pursuits  with  his  brother,  D.  T.  Gorsuch,  under 
the  style  of  Gorsuch  Brothers,  this  relationship  continumg  for  nineteen  years. 
They  began  as  renters,  carrying  on  general  farming  in  that  capacity  until  they 
had  acquired  sufficient  money  to  enable  them  to  invest  in  property  of  their  own, 
when  they  purchased  a  farm,  to  the  cultivation  and  development  of  which  they 
gave  their  attention  for  a  number  of  years.  They  became  recognized  throughout 
the  community  as  progressive,  practical  farmers,  and  upon  severing  their  part- 
nership relations  were  the  owners  of  an  excellent  tract  of  six  hundred  acres. 
Since  that  time  John  J.  Gorsuch  has  engaged  in  farming  and  stock-raising 
independently  and  is  now  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  located 
on  sections  11  and  12.  Jackson  township,  which  is  equipped  with  two  sets  of 
buildings,  all  in  good  condition,  and  has  all  of  the  accessories  and  conveniences 
of  a  model  farm.  His  energy,  perseverance  and  integrity  are  salient  elements 
in  his  career  and  have  proved  potent  forces  in  the  acquirement  of  a  success 
which  now  ranks  him  among  the  substantial  and  representative  agriculturists 
of  this  section. 

Mr.  Gorsuch  was  married,  in  1880,  to  Miss  Lucy  Webber,  who  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  on  the  4th  of  July,   i860,  and  was  brought  to  Iowa  in  early  life 


298  HISTORY  Ol-   i'OWESHIEK  COUNTY 

by  her  parents,  Air.  and  Mrs.  G.  .\.  Webber.    Unto  Mr.  and  Mr>.  Gorsuch  have 
been  born  four  children,  Guy  W.,  Nellie.  Madge  and  Louis. 

Mr.  Gorsuch  is  democratic  in  politics  and  has  held  several  school  and  road 
offices  although  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  public  position  as  a  reward 
for  party  fealty.  He  is  a  progressive  and  wide-awake  farmer,  always  on  the 
alert  for  and  ready  to  incorporate  in  his  business  modern  methods,  and  his  in- 
dustry an<l  enterprise  have  not  only  enabled  him  to  attain  prosperity  but  have 
won  him  a  high  place  in  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  neighbors. 


W.  R.  JOHNSTON. 


A  record  of  service  covering  twenty-nine  consecutive  years  as  township  trus- 
tee is  one  of  which  any  man  might  be  proud,  for  it  indicates  clearly  the  confidence 
and  trust  of  his  fellowmen.  This  is  the  record  of  W.  R.  Johnston,  who  is  also 
a  prominent  farmer  of  Scott  township,  owning  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
on  section  22,  this  land  having  been  in  possession  of  the  family  since  1867. 

Mr.  Johnston  comes  of  a  long  line  of  Irish  ancestry  and  his  birth  occurred 
in  County  Fermanagh,  Ireland,  April  5,  1842.  He  was  a  lad  of  six  years  when  his 
parents,  John  R  and  Jane  (Jordan)  Johnston,  emigrated  to  the  United  States. 
The  mother  was  born  in  Ireland,  April  16,  1816,  and  they  were  married  in  that 
country,  Alay  5,  1840.  Five  children  were  born  to  them  ere  their  emigration  to 
the  United  States  in  1848.  They  established  their  home  in  Rock  Island  county, 
Illinois,  and  there  eight  more  children  were  born.  The  father  engaged  in  general 
farming  in  Illinois  and  was  identified  with  the  interests  of  Rock  Island  county 
for  two  decades,  when,  in  1868,  he  removed  with  his  family  to  Poweshiek  county, 
Iowa,  but  had  purchased  his  land  here  the  year  previously.  This  tract  constitutes 
the  one  now  owned  by  our  subject  and  is  located  on  section  22,  Scott  township. 
As  Mr.  Johnston  expressed  it,  there  was  nothing  but  a  "wolf  and  an  Indian"  on 
the  land  when  he  took  possession,  indicating  the  unsettled  condition  of  the  coun- 
try and  the  task  that  lay  before  the  pioneer  settlers.  He  at  once  set  to  work  to 
improve  and  develop  his  land  and  in  due  course  of  time  had  a  good  property,  im- 
proved with  substantial  buildings.  He  died  here,  November  17,  1881,  at  the  age 
of  sixty-six  years,  and  his  wife,  surviving  for  many  years,  departed  this  life.  De- 
cember 31,  1904,  when  in  her  eighty-ninth  year. 

The  record  of  their  children  is  as  follows:  John  R.,  a  resident  of  Rugley, 
North  Dakota :  W.  R.,  of  this  review  ;  Mrs.  Bessie  Jane  Lipton,  now  deceased ; 
Joshua  and  James  R.,  who  have  also  departed  this  life ;  Anna,  a  resident  of 
Brooklyn ;  Margaret,  deceased ;  Laura,  the  wife  of  John  W.  Brannian,  of  Deep 
River  township ;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Thomas  Orr,  of  Brooklyn;  Samuel  and  Rob- 
ert, who  reside  in  South  Dakota :  T.  R.,  a  resident  of  Scott  township :  and  Henry, 
who  makes  his  home  in  Delaware  county,  Iowa. 

W.  R.  Johnston  was  reared  and  educated  in  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  and 
was  a  young  man  of  twenty-five  years  when  he  came  with  the  family  to  Powe- 
shiek county.  He  assisted  in  the  arduous  task  of  establishing  a  home  on  the 
frontier  and  the  lessons  which  he  learned  in  early  life  have  proved  of  value  to  him 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUXTV  299 

in  his  later  years  of  labor.  He  now  owns  the  homestead  property  of  three  hun- 
dred  and  twenty  acres  and  his  time  is  fully  occu]Me(l  in  its  management  and  culti- 
vation. 

Mr.  Johnston  was  married  in  1870,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Sarah 
Jane  McDonald,  who  was  born  in  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  June  i,  1852,  a 
daughter  of  James  and  Jane  (Clarke)  McDonald,  the  former  born  in  Nebraska 
and  the  latter  in  Illinois.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have  been  born  twelve 
children,  namely:  Mary,  who  died  at  the  age  of  one  year;  Sarah  Jane,  who  died 
when  a  month  old  :  Joshua,  who  makes  his  home  in  Scott  township  :  Maude,  the 
wife  of  J.  E.  Gilmore,  a  resident  of  Montana;  Nettie,  who  departed  this  life 
Tune  30,  1902,  when  twenty-four  years  of  age;  Elmer,  at  home;  William,  also  at 
home;  Sadie,  the  wife  of  Frank  Hutchinson,  also  of  Scott  township;  Margaret. 
the  wife  of  Elza  Hall,  also  of  Scott  township;  and  Clara,  Laura  and  Clinton,  all 
still  under  the  parental  roof. 

Mr.  Johnston's  study  of  the  political  issues  of  the  day  has  led  hnn  to  give 
stalwart  support  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  for  twenty-nine  consecutive 
years  filled  the  office  of  township  trustee,  his  loyalty  and  faithfulness  being  proven 
m  the  fact  of  his  long  service.  He  has  also  served  as  a  member  of  the  school 
board.  Mr.  Johnston  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Episcopal  church  but  as 
there  is  no  church  of  that  denomination  in  his  home  locality  he  attends  and  sup- 
ports the  Methodist  Episcopal  and  the  United  Presbyterian  churches.  His  fra- 
ternal relations  are  with  the  Orangemen.  Possessing  the  indominable  persever- 
ance of  his  race  and  endowed  by  nature  with  a  good  constitution,  he  early  de- 
veloped all  the  attributes  that  make  the  successful  man.  .Although  he  has  led  a 
busv  and  useful  life  in  the  conduct  of  his  private  business  affairs,  he  has  yet 
found  time  to  become  interested  in  affairs  of  a  public  nature,  lending  his  aid  and 
influence  in  the  cause  of  every  good  movement  and  heartily  promoting  the  pro- 
gress and  advancement  of  his  community. 


FRANK  KELM. 


A  large  percentage  of  the  citizenship  of  Iowa  are  either  of  German  birth  or 
parentage,  and  among  those  who  claim  the  fatherland  as  the  place  of  their  nativity 
IS  numbered  Frank  Kelm.  He  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  on  the  5th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1847,  ^  son  of  Gottlieb  and  Elizabeth  (Pohl)  Kelm,  whose  entire  lives 
were  spent  on  a  farm  in  that  country.  In  their  family  were  five  children,  as  fol- 
lows :  William,  operating  the  home  place  in  Germany ;  Henrietta,  who  passed 
away  in  the  fatherland  ;  August ;  Frederick  ;  and  Frank,  of  this  review. 

Frank  Kelm  spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  his  native  country 
and  there  resided  until  he  was  about  twenty-four  years  of  age,  when  the  reports 
which  he  heard  concerning  the  opportunities  offered  in  the  new  world  proved 
irresistible  and  he  determined  to  seek  his  fortune  on  this  side  of  the  Atlantic. 
.Accordingly,  in  1871,  he  made  the  long  tri])  to  the  United  States.  On  the  17th 
of  July  he  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  Reared  to  farm  life  he  wisely 
sought  employment  along  that  line,  and  for  eight  months  worked  on  a  farm  as  a 


300  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

farm  hancl.  He  then  rented  land  in  Sheridan  and  Alalcom  townships  for  eleven 
years,  but  during  that  period  he  was  actuated  by  the  desire  to  one  day  become  the 
owner  of  a  farm  in  order  that  his  efforts  might  more  directly  benefit  himself. 
Consequently  he  practiced  the  utmost  economy  and  labored  earnestly  and  dili- 
gently and,  in  1S82,  he  was  able  to  purchase  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  located  on  section  16,  Malconi  township,  upon  which  he  has  since  made  his 
home.  When  the  place  came  into  his  possession  it  was  an  undeveloped  tract,  but 
with  characteristic  energy  and  perseverance  Mr.  Kelm  set  about  its  improvement, 
erecting  new  buildings,  introducing  modern  and  up-to-date  machinery,  and  even- 
tually converting  it  into  a  highly  cultivated  and  valuable  property.  He  is  engaged 
in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  and  his  efforts  are  meeting  with  well  mer- 
ited success. 

Before  leaving  the  fatherland  Mr.  Kelm  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1866,  to 
Miss  Julia  Poleske,  who  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  on  the  28th  of  March, 
1849,  and  unto  them  have  been  born  five  children,  as  follows :  Emma,  who  is 
now  the  wife  of  Henry  Rix,  of  Grinnell  township ;  Mary,  who  married  Herman 
Evoldt,  of  Washington  township;  Gustav,  a  resident  of  Malcom  township;  Otto, 
at  home ;  and  Julia,  now  Mrs.  Fred  Bingham. 

Prior  to  coming  to  the  United  States  Mr.  Kelm  served  for  two  years  and 
eight  months  in  the  Prussian  army  as  an  infantry  soldier,  and  during  that  period 
received  an  injury  which  destroyed  the  sight  of  his  right  eye.  He  has  never 
regretted  his  determination  to  come  to  this  country,  for  here  he  has  gained  a  most 
creditable  degree  of  prosperity.  The  country  has  at  the  same  time  gained  a  val- 
ued citizen,  for  during  his  connection  with  American  interests  and  institutions  he 
has  been  as  loyal  in  citizenship  as  any  native  born  resident.  He  gives  stalwart 
support  to  the  republican  party  and  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church, 
and  the  sterling  worth  of  his  character  has  won  for  him  the  respect,  confidence 
and  good  will  of  all  with  whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 


EUGENE  W.  FISHER. 


A  native  of  Poweshiek  county  and  from  his  earliest  recollection  identified 
with  agricultural  interests,  Eugene  W.  Fisher,  whose  name  stands  at  the  head  of 
this  sketch,  has  continued  in  this  county  all  his  life  and  is  now  one  of  its  pros- 
perous farmers.  He  was  born  in  Chester  township,  July  9,  1865,  and  is  a  son  of 
Edward  and  Mary  Ellen  (Davis)  Fisher,  both  of  whom  were  born  in  Vermont 
and  were  married  in  that  state.  The  father,  as  a  young  man,  came  to  Iowa  in 
i860  and  located  in  Poweshiek  county.  At  the  breaking  out  of  the  Civil  war  he 
enlisted  in  the  Fourth  Iowa  Cavalry  and  served  for  sixteen  months.  After  re- 
ceiving his  honorable  discharge  he  went  to  his  old  home  in  Vermont  and  was  mar- 
ried February  16,  1863.  soon  afterward  bringing  his  bride  to  this  county.  He 
died  April  30,  1875,  having  attained  a  position  as  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of 
the  county.  He  served  for  several  years  as  town  clerk  of  Chester  and  was  one 
of  the  original  sixteen  members  of  the  Congregational  church  at  that  place.  Mrs. 
Fisher  is  now  living  at  Grinnell.     In  their  family  were  five  children,  three  of 


m;;.  am>  -mks.  k.  \v.  fisiiku 


TTISTORV  OF  mWESHTEK  COUNTY  303 

whom  survive:  Eugene  VV.,  of  this  review;  Ehzabeth  A.,  who  is  now  a  teacher 
in  tlie  Grinnell  high  school ;  and  Fannie  O.,  a  teacher  in  Grinnell  Academy. 

Eugene  W.  Fisher  attended  the  (hstrict  schools  and  Grinnell  Academy,  thus 
laying  a  foundation  for  an  education  which  he  has  greatly  broadened  by  reading 
and  contact  with  the  world.  After  leaving  school  he  devoted  his  attention  to 
the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  acres,  of  which  he 
is  now  the  owner.  1  le  has  succeeded  through  industry,  unfaltering  determination 
and  indefatigable  energy,  applying  to  his  business  a  practical  judgment  which  has 
made  him  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of  the  county  and  a  worthy  successor 
of  his  father. 

In  1903,  in  Chester  township,  Mr.  Fisher  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Emma  Dempster,  a  daughter  of  John  E.  Dempster,  a  well  known  farmer,  a  record 
of  whom  is  found  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  this 
union :  Esther  E.,  who  is  now  attending  school :  Ruth  M.,  also  a  pupil  in  school ; 
and  Dorothy  E. 

Politically  Mr.  Fisher  is  a  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  republican  party 
and  in  religious  belief  he  is  a  consistent  adherent  of  the  Congregational  church, 
being  a  member  of  the  church  at  Chester  Center.  All  his  life  he  has  adhered  to 
what  he  believed  to  be  right  and  true  and  thus  he  gained  the  confidence  and  re- 
spect which  is  freely  accorded  him  by  his  fellow  men. 


EPHRAIM  E.  LAMB. 


Agricultural  pursuits  of  MalcoiM  township  are  well  represented  by  Ephraim 
E.  Lamb,  whose  entire  life  has  been  given  to  that  vocation.  He  was  born  in  Keo- 
kuk county,  Iowa,  on  the  nth  .of  December,  1S70,  a  son  of  Tobias  R.  and  Ra- 
chel (  Humes)  Lamb.  The  father,  who.  wag  born  iri  Greene  county,  Ohio,  in  1841, 
went  with  his  parents  in  early  childhood  to  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  and  resided 
there  until  he  was  nineteen  years  of  age,  when  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  m  Keo- 
kuk county.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  was  well  known  in  political 
circles,  being  a  member  and  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  greenback  party  in  this 
locality.  Later,  however,  he  supported  the  democratic  party.  He  was  married, 
in  Keokuk  county,  to  Miss  Rachel  Humes,  who  was  born  in  Tippecanoe  county, 
Indiana,  in  1845.  and  when  a  little  maiden  of  three  years  went  to  Keokuk  county, 
Iowa,  with  her  parents.  She  now  makes  her  home  in  Brooklyn,  Poweshiek 
county,  her  husband  having  passed  away  in  Malcom  township  on  the  29th  of  No- 
vember, 1899.  They  were  the  parents  of  twelve  children,  as  follows:  Linas  E., 
of  Poweshiek  county :  Jeremiah,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years : 
James  H.,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  eleven  years  ;  Ephraim  E.,  of  this  re- 
view ;  William  Lewis,  operating  the  home  farm  in  Malcom  township  ;  Ralph  F., 
of  Grinnell  township ;  Myrtle,  who  married  Herman  Jantzen,  of  Grinnell :  Sylvia, 
ih.e  wife  of  William  Bolen,  of  Madison  township:  Addie,  who  married  Theo. 
Mehlin,  of  Sheridan  township ;  Hattie,  residing  with  her  mother  in  Brooklyn : 
Sadie,  who  married  Friend  Kensinger,  of  Bear  Creek  township;  and  Harrison, 

of  Brooklyn. 

Vol.  n— 15 


304  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Ephraim  E.  Lamb,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  spent  the  early  period 
of  his  life  in  his  native  county,  where  he  acquired  his  education,  and  was  four- 
teen years  of  age  when  he  came  with  his  parents,  in  1884,  to  Malcom  township 
which,  with  the  exception  of  one  year,  has  since  remained  the  place  of  his  resi- 
dence. Reared  to  farm  life,  he  has  continued  to  engage  in  that  pursuit,  and  for 
about  five  years  after  the  death  of  his  father  he  operated  the  home  farm.  He 
then  rented  a  farm  in  Madison  township,  upon  which  he  remained  for  one  year, 
when  he  removed  to  his  present  home,  where  he  has  resided  for  the  past  live 
years.  The  place,  known  as  the  Charles  Hatcher  farm,  which  he  is  operating  in 
the  capacity  of  renter,  consists  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  located  on  sec- 
tion 15.  Mr.  Lamb  gives  his  attention  mostly  to  his  stock-raising  interests,  which 
are  extensive  and  carefully  conducted,  according  to  the  most  practical,  progres- 
sive methods,  and  which  are  proving  a  most  gratifying  source  of  revenue. 

Air.  Lamb  was  married,  on  the  21st  of  February,  1905,  to  Miss  Viola  Eisele, 
a  native  of  Malcom  township,  born  on  the  13th  of  May,  1884.  She  is  a  daughter 
of  J.  E.  Eisele,  of  whom  extended  mention  is  made  in  another  part  of  this  vol- 
ume. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lamb  have  one  son.  Earl  F.,  who  was  born  on  the  14th  of 
June,  1906,  and  who  is  the  life  and  light  of  the  household. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Malcom,  in 
the  work  of  which  they  take  a  deep  and  helpful  interest,  and  fraternally  Mr. 
Lamb  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  in  which  he  has  held  all 
of  the  chairs.  Early  in  life  he  became  interested  in  the  politics  of  the  country 
and,  forming  his  own  opinions  and  rules  of  conduct,  has  given  his  support  to  the 
democratic  party.  He  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  township  assessor  and 
has  ever  been  a  loyal  worker  for  the  best  interests  of  Malcom  township,  where 
he  is  widely  known  as  a  man  of  high  principles  and  noble  manhood. 


ROBERT  G.  COUTTS. 


Prominent  among  the  building  contractors  of  Iowa,  Robert  G.  Coutts,  of 
Grinnell,  has  attained  a  wide  reputation  for  the  excellence  of  his  work  and  his 
straightforward  business  methods.  He  owes  his  success  to  indefatigable  perse- 
verance and  industry — traits  inherited  from  a  long  line  of  worthy  ancestry.  He 
was  born  at  Aberdeen,  Scotland,  June  25,  1856,  a  son  of  Adam  and  Helen  (An- 
derson) Coutts,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Scotland.  The  parents  came  to 
Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  in  1875  and  settled  near  Ewart,  where  the  father  died 
less  than  eight  weeks  after  his  arrival.  The  mother  is  still  living  and  makes  her 
home  with  a  daughter  who  lives  three  miles  south  of  Grinnell.  She  celebrated 
her  ninetieth  birthday  on  December  23,  1910,  and  notwithstanding  her  advanced 
age  still  retains  in  a  remarkable  degree  her  mental  and  physical  faculties. 

Robert  G.  Coutts  received  limited  opportunities  of  education  in  his  native 
land,  as  he  attended  school  only  in  his  early  boyhood,  being  obliged  to  assist  in 
the  support  of  the  family  after  reaching  his  ninth  year.  .A.t  the  age  of  eighteen, 
in  1874,  having  decided  to  seek  his  fortune  on  the  opposite  shore  of  the  Atlantic, 
he  crossed  the  ocean  to  Quebec,  Canada,  and  on  June  25— his  birthday— arrived 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  305 

at  I'liit  lliuiJii,  Michigan,  lie  traveled  westward  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa, 
and  went  to  work  at  the  stone-mason's  trade.  After  completing  his  apprentice- 
ship he  worked  as  a  journeyman  until  1884,  when  he  began  as  a  contractor,  a  line 
of  business  with  which  he  has  ever  since  been  prominently  connected.  He  has 
erected  more  stone  and  brick  buildings  in  Grinnell  than  any  other  contractor, 
among  which  may  be  named  the  Grinnell  high  school  building,  the  Stewart  Li- 
brary building,  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  many  of  the  handsomest  pri- 
vate residences  in  the  city.  He  is  president  of  the  Grinnell  Brick  &  Tile  Com- 
pany and  a  member  of  the  Grinnell  Stone  Manufacturing  Company,  both  of 
which  enterprises  are  highly  successful  financially.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Iowa  Association  of  Cement  Users  and  was  the  first  president  of  that  organ- 
ization. 

On  the  15th  of  September,  1881,  Mr.  Coutts  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Alvaretta  Farley,  who  came  to  Poweshiek  county  with  her  parents,  from  New 
York  state,  in  1880.  Eight  children  blessed  this  union,  seven  of  whom  are  now 
living:  Ross  V.,  a  graduate  of  the  engineering  department  of  the  Iowa  State  Col- 
lege at  Ames,  and  now  in  the  employ  of  the  Union  Pacific  Railway  at  Omaha, 
Nebraska;  Harry  G.,  also  a  graduate  of  the  engineering  department  of  the  Iowa 
State  College  and  now  in  the  employ  of  the  United  States  Steel  Corporation  at 
Chicago,  Illinois ;  Dwight  R.,  of  Omaha ;  and  Hazel  R.,  Helen  J.,  Grace  D.  and 
Ray  C,  all  of  whom  are  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  Coutts  is  identified  with  the  republican  party.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  city  council  when  the  water-works  and  sewer  systems  were  under  con- 
struction and  in  1905  was  elected  mayor  of  the  city,  serving  for  two  years.  As  a 
public  official  he  was  highly  efficient  and  he  succeeded  in  a  marked  degree  in  ad- 
vancing the  cause  of  honest  government.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Her- 
man Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  358,  I.  O.  O.  F. 
He  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  he  is 
serving  as  trustee.  He  has  spent  many  of  the  best  years  of  his  life  at  Grinnell 
and  the  high  place  he  occupies  in  the  estimation  of  the  people  is  due  to  his  un- 
sullied character  and  a  worthy  ambition  to  accomplish  to  the  best  of  his  ability 
everything  that  his  hands  find  to  do. 


EDWARD  L.  GARING. 


An  energetic  and  progressive  farmer  of  Union  township,  the  appearance  of 
whose  homestead  bespeaks  capable  supervision,  is  Edward  L.  Garing,  who  was 
born  in  that  township  on  the  7th  of  September,  1870.  His  father,  John  Garing, 
was  a  native  of  Germany,  and  the  mother,  who  prior  to  her  marriage  was  Mary 
M.  Johnson,  was  born  in  Ohio.  The  former  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in 
his  early  manhood,  locating  in  Ohio,  where  he  was  later  married.  When  the 
Civil  war  broke  out  he  enlisted  in  the  Union  army,  going  to  the  front  where  he 
remained  for  three  years.  After  receiving  his  discharge  he  came  to  Iowa,  buy- 
ing a  farm  in  Union  township,  Poweshiek  county,  which  he  operated  until  his 
retirement  to  Montezuma,  where  he  died  on  the  14th  of  November,  1893,  at  the 


306  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIICK  COUNTY 

age  of  fifty-five  years,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Wittenberg  on  the  23d  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1838.  The  mother  still  survives  and  continues  to  make  her  home  in  Mon- 
tezuma. In  politics  Mr.  Garing  was  a  republican  and  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  In  the  family  were  five  children,  as  follows :  Viola 
Geneva,  the  wife  of  Elzie  Meeker,  of  San  Diego,  California;  Clara  Caroline,  who 
passed  away  on  the  28th  of  May,  1890:  Edward  L.,  our  subject;  John  Henry,  of 
Barnes  City,  Iowa;  and  Gertrude,  who  died  in  1902. 

Edward  L.  Garing  was  reared  on  the  homestead  where  he  was  born,  acquir- 
ing his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  that  vicinity.  Ambitious  and  energetic, 
he  was  impatient  to  assume  the  heavier  responsibilities  of  life  and  laying  aside 
his  text-books  at  an  early  age  began  fitting  himself  for  an  agriculturist.  At  the 
age  of  nineteen  years  he  felt  he  had  sufficient  knowledge  of  farming  to  begin  for 
himself,  so  he  rented  his  present  farm,  which  contains  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres. 
He  later  purchased  the  property  and  has  ever  since  continued  its  cultivation,  in 
addition  to  which  he  runs  a  threshing  outfit  and  sinks  wells.  Success  has  at- 
tended the  various  enterprises  undertaken  by  Mr.  Garing,  and  he  has  accordingly 
improved  his  farm,  having  erected  a  nice  residence  and  various  outbuildings. 

Mr.  Garing  was  married  on  the  24th  of  November,  1889,  to  Miss  Rosie  T. 
Mackie,  a  daughter  of  Jesse  S.  and  Wealthy  J.  (Skeels)  Mackie  of  L'nion  town- 
ship. The  father  was  a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  the  mother  of  Ohio.  When 
a  lad  of  sixteen  years  Mr.  Mackie  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  later  pur- 
chased a  farm,  being  identified  with  agricultural  pursuits  until  his  retirement. 
He  and  Mrs.  Mackie  continue  to  live  upon  their  homestead,  although  he  is  no 
longer  actively  engaged  in  its  operation.  They  are  members  of  the  Christian 
church,  and  he  votes  the  democratic  ticket.  Mrs.  Garing,  who  is  also  a  native  of 
Union  township,  was  born  on  the  27th  of  November,  1870.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Garing  have  been  born  the  following  children:  Lela,  who  was  born  on  the  15th 
of  June,  1890,  and  died  on  the  24th  of  September,  1897;  Edward  Leland,  born 
on  the  2d  of  February,  1899;  Adrian  Ward,  who  was  born  on  the  22d  of  Decem- 
ber, 1902;  and  Wilbur  Mackie  and  Willard,  who  were  born  on  the  14th  of  June, 
1905,  but  the  latter  died  on  the  i6th  of  the  same  month. 

His  political  support  Mr.  Garing  always  gives  to  the  republican  party,  and 
for  the  past  eight  vears  he  has  been  constable  and  he  is  also  a  school  director. 
Such  success  as  has  fallen  to  his  lot  has  been  the  result  of  his  own  industry  and 
capably  directed  efforts,  as  he  started  out  practically  empty-handed  in  his  youth. 


ELBERT  WARREN  CLARK,  M.  D. 

There  are  in  every  community  men  who  stand  in  the  forefront  as  political 
leaders  and  guide  the  machinery  of  government,  men  who  are  foremost  in  busi- 
ness circles  and  control  the  arteries  of  trade  and  commerce.  There  are  still 
others  none  the  less  capable  in  a  chosen  line  of  work  who  have  as  a  dominating 
characteristic  a  recognition  of  the  obligations  of  man  to  his  fellowmen  that  is 
manifest  in  a  broad  humanitarianism  and   a  helpful   spirit  that  reaches  out  to 


E.   W.   CLARK 


.:T 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUXTY  a09 

all  his  humankind.  Of  the  latter  class  Dr.  Elbert  Warren  Clark  was  a  repre- 
sentative, lie  was  recognized  as  a  learned  and  skillful  physician  and  had 
among  his  patrons  many  of  the  most  prominent  and  prosperous  residents  of 
Grinnell  and  the  surrounding  country,  but  he  responded  as  quickly  to  a  call  for 
professional  service  from  the  poor  as  from  the  rich,  ministering  as  conscien- 
tiously to  the  needy  as  to  the  prosperous,  and  in  fact  gave  to  them  even  greater 
inspiration  and  aid  as  he  felt  that  their  need  was  greater.  He  might  well 
have  made  the  request  "Write  me  as  one  who  loves  his  fellowmen,"  and  in  doing 
thip,  as  the  old  legend  runs,  "proving  his  love  of  God." 

Dr.  Clark  came  to  Grinnell  a  young  man  in  the  '60s.  He  was  born  in  Glover, 
Orleans  county,  Vermont,  February  22,  1842,  of  Scotch-American  parentage, 
and  after  spending  twelve  years  in  New  England  accompanied  the  family  on 
their  removal  to  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  where  he  was  reared  amid  rural  sur- 
roundings, spending  the  period  of  his  minority  upon  the  home  farm.  He  was  a 
pupil  in  the  public  schools  and  completed  a  course  in  the  high  school  at  Kewanee, 
Illinois.  Xo  financial  resources  awaited  him  when  he  started  out  in  life  for 
himself,  leaving  the  farm  in  1865  at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years.  Jn  fact 
he  knew  that  if  further  educational  advancement  was  his  it  must  be  obtained 
through  his  own  efforts,  and  his  labors  therefore  provided  the  means  that 
enabled  him  to  become  a  student  in  Rush  Medical  College  in  1866.  He  con- 
tinued his  course  in  Chicago  as  opportunity  offered  until  graduated  from  that 
institution  in  February,  1871. 

Dr.  Clark  arrived  in  Grinnell  in  May  of  the  same  year  and  almost  from  the 
beginning  a  liberal  practice  vvag;^accorded  him.  He  soon  proved  his  ability, 
gave  evidence  of  his  wide  knowledge  and  in  a  professional  capacity  was  called 
to  many  households  not  only, in  Grinnell  but  also  throughout  the  surrounding 
district.  He  entered  upon  his  prxvfession  with  the  determination  to  serve  the 
people  who  needed  him  and  he  never  hesitated,  whether  his  patients  were  near 
at  hand  or  far  out  on  the  prairie.  No  night  was  too  dark,  no  storm  too  fierce, 
no  cold  too  penetrating  for  hiin  to  face.  With  the  growth  of  the  city  and  the 
settlement  of  the  county  his  practice  continuously  grew  and  he  became  particu- 
larly brilliant  in  surgical  work.  He  was  made  one  of  the  staff  of  surgeons  for 
the  Rock  Island  and  Iowa  Central  Railroads  and  he  was  frequently  called  in 
consultation  or  asked  to  assist  in  some  difficult  surgical  or  medical  case. 

Dr.  Clark  had  been  a  resident  of  Grinnell  for  only  three  years,  when,  in 
1874,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha  Brainerd  of  this  city,  a  daugh- 
ter of  the  Rev.  Timothy  and  Harriett  Poor  (Cilley)  Brainerd.  Her  father  was 
a  Yale  graduate  of  the  class  of  1830  and  of  the  Andover  Theological  Seminary 
of  1839.  He  was  also  at  one  time  a  law  student  of  the  New  Haven  Law  School 
and  on  leaving  college  found  himself  in  poor  health.  Soon  afterward  he  was 
offered  and  accepted  the  principalship  of  the  Randolph  Academy,  which  posi- 
tion he  occupied  for  some  time  and  then  turned  his  attention  to  ministerial  work. 
For  many  years  he  filled  the  pulpit  in  Londonderry,  New  Hampshire,  and 
later  in  Halifax,  Massachusetts,  but  after  coming  to  the  west  retired  from  the 
ministry.  His  wife  was  a  direct  descendant  of  General  Enoch  Poor,  of  Exeter, 
New  Hampshire,  and  General  Joseph  Cilley,  of  Nottingham,  New  Hampshire, 
both  of  Revolutionary  war  fame.     The  death  of  the  Rev.  Timothy  G.  Brainerd 


310  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

occurred  in  1894.     His  daughter  Martha,  as  previously  stated,  had  become  the 
wife  of  Dr.  Clark  and  unto  them  was  born  a  son,  E.  W.  Clark,  Jr. 

Throughout  the  period  of  his  residence  in  Grinnell  Dr.  Clark  was  a  prominent 
man  is  the  public  life  of  the  community,  not  because  he  sought  distinction  or 
desired  public  honors  but  because  his  fellow  townsmen  recognized  his  aptness 
for  positions  of  public  trust.  He  was  very  deeply  interested  in  the  cause  of 
education,  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board  of  Grinnell  and  was  elected 
a  trustee  of  Iowa  College  in  1898,  after  which  he  gave  much  time  to  the  trouble- 
some questions  which  came  to  the  local  trustees  and  especially  to  the  executive 
committee  for  settlement.  He  desired  that  the  college  should  give  to  the  pupils 
the  best  possible  instruction,  should  surround  them  with  the  best  influences  and 
hold  them  to  loyalty  and  to  the  high  moral  ideals  which  had  been  before  the 
college  from  the  beginning.  He  also  served  as  a  trustee  of  the  Stewart  Public 
Library  and  in  1893  was  chosen  mayor  of  Grinnell,  filling  the  position  for  four 
years.  Many  substantial  public  improvements  were  incorporated  during  that 
period,  sewers  were  laid,  water-works  were  installed  and  much  other  practical 
work  was  done. 

His  political  allegiance  was  always  given  to  the  republican  party  from  the 
time  when  he  cast  his  first  presidential  ballot  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  was  an 
active  and  influential  worker  in  party  ranks  and  he  was  twice  sent  to  the  gen- 
eral assembly,  becoming  representative  of  Poweshiek  county  in  the  thirty-first 
session  of  the  state  legislature,  while  in  1906  he  went  to  the  state  senate  from 
the  twelfth  district,  composed  of  Poweshiek  and  Keokuk  counties.  His  ser- 
vice in  the  legislature  was  marked  by  untiring  devotion  to  duty.  He  rarely 
missed  a  session  and  even  during  the  winter  of  1908-9,  when  his  physical  con- 
dition was  causing  him  much  suffering,  he  was  always  in  his  place.  High  pro- 
fessional honors  had  come  to  Dr.  Clark  for  the  State  Medical  Society  in  1907 
had  elected  him  as  their  president. 

One  of  the  local  papers  at  the  time  of  his  death  said:  "Of  late  years  Dr. 
Clark"s  friends  have  noted  that  the  efforts  of  long  years  of  arduous  practice  were 
beginning  to  tell  upon  him.  He  had  never  spared  himself.  Time  and  again 
when  the  condition  of  his  own  health  should  have  forced  him  to  be  in  bed  he 
had  gone  out  at  night  to  answer  the  call  of  some  one  in  distress.  In  July,  1907, 
he  made  a  trip  to  Carneyville,  Wyoming,  where  he  had  property  interests,  and 
while  there  suffered  a  heavy  fall,  striking  his  side  and  fracturing  a  rib.  The 
injury  was  not  in  itself  serious  but  the  shock  was  great  and  soon  after  his 
return  to  Grinnell  his  condition  became  such  as  to  cause  great  alarm.  He  was 
taken  to  California  for  the  winter  and  when  he  returned  to  Grinnell  in  the 
spring  he  was  apparently  much  improved.  Declining  to  retire  entirely  from  the 
work  to  which  his  life  had  been  devoted,  he  persisted  in  his  general  practice 
during  the  summer  but  in  September  he  was  forced  to  put  aside  all  such  and  on 
February  16,  1910.  passed  away."  Something  of  the  high  respect  entertained 
for  him  throughout  the  community  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  at  the  time 
of  the  burial  services  all  business  houses  of  the  city  were  closed  as  a  silent 
tribute  to  the  good  man  who  was  gone. 

We  quote  again  from  the  Grinnell  Herald,  which  said :  "A  whole  city  paid 
homage  to  a  man  who  has  exemplified  to  so  great  a  degree  the  possibilities  of 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  311 

a  life  of  service..  He  practiced  with  a  devotion  and  a  self-sacrifice  that  few 
realized,  it  was  considered  so  much  as  a  matter  of  course.  No  difference  wliat 
his  own  ailment,  no  matter  how  wearied  he  might  be  from  previous  calls,  he  was 
always  ready  to  answer  the  summons  of  those  who  needed  him.  He  kept 
abreast  of  his  profession,  possessed  an  unerring  sense  of  diagnosis  and  went 
to  the  seat  of  the  trouble  with  a  sound  judgment  rarely  mistaken.  No  better 
parallel  can  be  found  to  the  light  in  which  he  was  considered  by  the  people  of 
Grinnell  than  that  of  Dr.  McClure,  the  loved  physician  of  Drumtochty." 

Iowa  College  closed  a  memorial  resolution  with  the  words :  "He  passed 
from  us,  from  the  work  in  which  he  delighted,  from  the  community  he  loved, 
from  the  institutions  which  had  profited  much  by  his  advice  and  his  benevolence, 
on  the  i6th  day  of  February.  1910,  having  lived  nobly  and  served  his  genera- 
tion with  sacrificial  and  Christly  whole-heartedness  in  Grinnell  for  thirty-nine 
years." 


FRANCIS  !\I.  OHMART. 

A  good  soldier  when  the  life  of  the  republic  was  assailed  and  an  energetic 
and  progressive  citizen  in  times  of  peace  Francis  M.  Ohmart,  of  Washington 
township,  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  highly  respected  men  of  Poweshiek  county. 
He  was  born  in  Clark  county,  Ohio,  January  12,  1842,  and  is  a  son  of  Christian 
and  Mary  (Snyder)  Ohmart.  The  father  was  born  in  Clark  county  March  8, 
1819,  and  the  mother  in  Westmoreland  county,  \'irginia,  March  24,  1824.  In  his 
early  manhood  Mr.  Ohmart,  Sr.,  engaged  in  the  milling  business,  but  later  took 
up  farming  in  Jefferson  county,  Iowa,  subsequently  engaging  in  the  hotel  busi- 
ness at  Trenton,  Missouri.  He  dfed  at  Gait,  Missouri,  March  6,  1909,  the  mother 
having  been  called  away  two  years  previously  on  December  25,  1907.  Politically 
he  gave  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  and  although  he  took  no  active  part 
in  politics  he  served  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Christian  church.  In  their  family  were  sixteen  children :  Francis 
M.,  of  this  review  :  Newton  J.,  deceased ;  George  W.,  of  Oklahoma  ;  Mary  E., 
Martha  E.,  John  W.,  Alice  C,  Virginia  B.  and  Samuel,  all  of  whom  are  deceased ; 
Flora,  the  wife  of  Melvin  Bingham,  of  Gait,  Missouri ;  Charles  O.,  Grant  and 
Winifred,  all  of  whom  are  deceased ;  and  three  who  died  in  infancy. 

Francis  M.  Ohmart  came  to  Iowa  with  his  parents  and  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  Jefferson  county.  At  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war  he  was  nineteen 
years  of  age  and  in  response  to  his  country's  call  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company 
K,  Thirteenth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  September  28,  1861.  For  three  years 
he  faithfully  performed  his  duty  as  a  soldier,  being  advanced  to  the  position  of 
corporal.  He  participated  in  many  of  the  important  battles  and  movements  of 
the  war  and  was  honorably  discharged  from  the  service  at  Chattanooga,  Tennes- 
see, November  2,  1864.  Returning  home,  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  farm 
work  and  later  rented  a  place  in  \'an  Ruren  county,  Iowa,  for  seven  years.  He 
came  to  Poweshiek  county  in  March.  1875,  and  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Wash- 
ington township  where  he  now  lives.  He  has  added  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
to  his  original  fariu  and  by  the  application  of  systematic  modern  methods  has  at- 


312  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

lained  gratifying  results  from  his  labors.     He  specializes  in  raising  hogs  for  the 
market  and  is  highly  successful  in  raising  cereals. 

On  the  4th  of  July,  1865,  Mr.  Ohmart  was  married  to  Miss  Martha  M. 
Charles,  a  daughter  of  Abraham  and  Ruth  (Bufkin)  Charles,  of  Jefferson  county' 
Iowa,  and  to  this  union  two  children  were  born :  Charles  O.,  who  is  living  at 
hpme  and  Bertha  M.,  who  is  deceased.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  .Au- 
gust 23,  1878,  and  Mr.  Ohmart  was  again  married  on  the  6th  of  November,  1882 
to  Miss  Mary  E.  Bechtel,  who  was  born  in  Van  Buren  county  November  10, 
1851,  a  daughter  of  Stephen  and  Martha  (Mizner)  Bechtel.  The  father  was 
born  at  Chambersburg,  Pennsylvania,  July  4,  1816,  and  the  mother  at  Ithaca. 
New  York,  May  12,  1819.  They  were  married  in  Ohio  and  arrived  in  \'an  Buren 
county,  Iowa,  in  1840,  where  they  continued  during  the  remainder  of  their  lives. 
Mr.  Bechtel  served  as  a  member  of  the  Home  Guards  at  the  time  of  the  Civil 
war.  He  gave  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  filled  the  office  of  town- 
ship clerk,  also  serving  as  township  trustee  for  ten  years.  He  was  steward  and 
class  leader  of  the  Methodist  church  antl  an  active  worker  in  religious  causes. 

Francis  M.  Ohmart,  of  this  review,  cast  his  first  ballot  when  a  soldier  of  the 
Union  army,  voting  the  republican  ticket,  and  he  has  discovered  no  reason  potent 
enough  to  cause  him  to  transfer  his  political  allegiance  to  any  other  party.  He 
has  always  discharged  his  duties  as  a  citizen  or  in  business  affairs  with  prompt- 
ness and  fidelity,  according  to  his  best  judgment,  and  he  is  greatly  respected  in  a 
section  where  he  has  been  known  for  more  than  a  third  of  a  century.  It  is  much 
to  his  credit  that  those  who  have  known  him  the  longest  are  his  closest  friends. 
The  prosperity  which  he  enjoys  is  the  result  of  his  own  well  directed  enterprise, 
as  he  has  indeed  been  the  architect  and  the  builder  of  his  own  fortune. 


ISAAC  H.  SAUNDERS. 

Isaac  H.  Saunders  is  the  owner  of  an  excellent  farm  of  ninety-seven  acres 
m  Union  township,  and  while  giving  his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  he  also 
fills  the  position  of  county  supervisor.  He  was  born  at  Forest  Home,  Iowa, 
March  20,  1859,  his  parents  being  .\aron  A.  and  Harriet  E.  (Dudley)  Saunders, 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Greene  county,  Ohio,  the  former  born  May  13, 
1820,  and  the  latter  on  the  i6th  of  April,  1830.  Their  youthful  days  were  passed 
in  their  native  county  and  there  their  marriage  was  celebrated.  In  the  spring  of 
185 1  they  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  settled  on  section  21,  Union  township, 
where  Mr.  Saunders  entered  an  eighty  acre  claim.  With  characteristic  energy  he 
l)egan  to  break  the  sod  and  develop  his  fields,  and  as  the  years  passed  on  he  ex- 
tended the  boundaries  of  his  place,  eventually  becoming  the  owner  of  an  excel- 
lent property  of  two  hundred  and  seventy  acres. 

On  the  journey  westward  from  Greene  county,  Ohio,  he  and  his  family  had 
traveled  by  boat  from  Cincinnati  down  the  Ohio  river  and  up  the  Mississii)pi. 
The  boat  was  wrecked  at  the  Keokuk  rapids  and  they  lost  everything  that  they 
had.  They  were  landed  on  the  Illinois  side  and  had  to  wait  for  a  boat  to  get  them 
across.     It  cost  more  to  get  passage  over  the  river  to  Burlington  than  they  had 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  313 

])ai(l  for  the  trip  from  Cincinnati.  The  mother  wa!ke<I  from  Burlington  to  Keo- 
kuk county,  as  did  all  of  the  children  who  were  old  enough  to  do  so.  Their  lot 
here  in  the  early  days  was  that  which  usually  fell  to  the  pioneers.  Hardships 
and  difficulties  were  to  be  borne  in  reclaiming  the  wild  land,  but  in  time  their 
labor  was  rewarded  by  bounteous  harvests  and  their  property  became  valuable, 
owing  to  the  care  and  cultivation  which  they  bestowed  upon  the  place. 

The  death  of  .Karon  A.  Saunders  occurred  November  19,  1880,  while  his  wife 
survived  him  until  the  4th  of  February,  1899.  They  were  both  active  members 
of  the  Christian  church  and  guided  their  lives  by  its  teachings.  In  politics  he 
was  a  republican  and  took  a  helpful  interest  in  political  affairs,  yet  never  sought 
nor  desired  office.  L^nto  this  worthy  couple  were  born  fifteen  children,  six  of 
whom  died  in  early  life,  while  nine  are  now  living:  Samantha,  the  wife  of  Pleas- 
ant Hayes,  of  Montezuma;  I.  S.,  a  merchant  living  in  Searsboro :  fames  M.,  a  re- 
tired farmer  residing  in  Searsboro:  Nancy  S.,  the  wife  of  J.  N.  Marsh,  of  Monte- 
zuma; Robert  A.,  of  Union  township;  Isaac  H.,  of  this  review;  Harry  S.,  of 
Searsboro;  Richard  A.,  a  merchant  of  Lorimor,  Union  county,  Iowa;  and  E.  P'., 
who  is  living  in  Union  township  upon  the  land  which  his  father  entered  from  the 
government.     He  has  in  his  possession  the  old  patent  signed  by  Franklin  Pierce. 

Isaac  H.  Saunders,  born  and  reared  on  the  old  homestead,  early  became  fa- 
miliar with  the  duties  and  labors  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  agriculturist.  As  soon 
as  old  enough  to  handle  the  plow  he  began  working  in  the  fields,  alternating  his 
labors  with  attendance  at  the  country  schixils.  .\fter  his  marriage  he  left  Imnie 
and  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  cultivating  rented  land  for  a  number  of 
years,  during  which  time  he  carefully  saved  his  earnings  until  the  sum  was  suf- 
ficient to  enable  him  to  purchase  his  present  home  place  on  section  21,  Union 
township.  This  is  a  tract  of  ninety-seven  acres  of  land,  naturally  rich  and  arable, 
and  the  improvements  he  has  placed  upon  it  make  it  a  valuable  and  desirable 
farm.  It  presents  a  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  and  gives  every  mdication  of 
^areful  and  progressive  management  on  the  part  of  the  owner. 

On  the  i6th  of  February,  1882,  Mr.  Saunders  was  married  to  Miss  Ida  Ter- 
rell, who  was  born  in  Union  township,  April  19,  1861,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  C.  C. 
and  Martha  A.  (McCoy)  Terrell,  who  came  from  Clinton  county,  Ohio,  to  Powe- 
shiek county  in  1856.  Here  the  father  practiced  medicine,  living  at  Forest  Home 
up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  February  28,  1897,  when  he  was  about 
seventy-eight  years  of  age,  his  birth  having  occurred  May  30,  1819.  He  was  a 
graduate  of  the  Cincinnati  Medical  College  and  was  well  equipped  for  the  onerous 
duties  of  his  profession.  His  wife,  who  was  born  in  1822,  had  passed  away  May 
2^.  1882.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Saunders  became  the  parents  of  two  children  but  Mur- 
rell,  the  elder,  died  in  infancy.  The  daughter,  Neola,  is  the  wife  of  L.  O.  Miller, 
of  Sugar  Creek  township,  and  they  have  two  children :  Grace,  who  was  born  Sep- 
tember 10,   1907;  and  Mabel,  born  February  8,   1910. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Saunders  has  always  been  an  earnest  republican 
and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  local  leaders  of  the  party.  He  served  as  town- 
ship trustee  in  Union  township  for  twelve  consecutive  years,  was  also  school 
treasurer  for  twelve  years,  and  in  1906  was  elected  to  the  office  of  county  super- 
visor, in  which  position  he  has  been  continued  by  reelection,  his  third  term  to 
begin  on  the  1st  of  January.  191 2.     His  first  term  was  for  two  years  and  his  next 


314    •  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

for  three  years.  His  reelections  have  come  as  an  endorsement  of  his  worth  and 
abihty  in  office  and  his  loyalty  to  the  trusts  reposed  in  him.  Fraternally  he  is 
connected  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of  Montezuma.  In  every  relation  of  life 
he  is  found  reliable  and  straightforward  and  his  success  in  business  has  come  as 
the  legitimate  and  well  merited  reward  of  his  energy  and  industry. 


FREDERICK  V.  BEELER. 

Frederick  V.  Beeler.  a  prominent  farmer  of  Washington  township,  is  a 
native  of  the  township  in  which  he  now  lives.  He  was  born  June  27,  1858,  a 
son  of  George  M.  and  Nancy  (Carpenter)  Beeler.  The  father  was  born  in 
Morgan  county,  Indiana,  and  the  mother  in  Kentucky.  George  M.  Beeler  came 
to  Poweshiek  county  in  1849  ''"'l  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  si.xty 
acres  in  Washington  township,  following  general  farming  and  stock-raising  with 
such  success  that  he  eventually  acquired  eight  hundred  acres  of  good  land.  He 
died  May  3,  1886,  the  beloved  wife  and  mother  having  been  called  away  Janu- 
ary 12,  1885.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  prominent  in  the  good  works  of  the 
community  and  were  valued  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  In  politics  he 
gave  his  support  to  the  democratic  party  and  served  for  several  terms  as  town- 
ship trustee. 

To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beeler  were  born  nine  children:  Susan,  now  the  widow  of 
Simon  Watson,  of  Washington  township;  Mary  Ann,  the  wife  of  William  Gar- 
rett, also  of  Washington  township ;  Ellen  C,  who  married  John  S.  Beeler,  of 
Washington  township,  a  record  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work;  Jane, 
the  wife  of  H.  E.  Vanderveer,  of  Texas;  Levi,  deceased;  Frederick  V.;  Rob- 
ert and  Sarah  Dorcas,  both  of  whom  are  deceased ;  and  Clement,  who  is  now 
living  at  Grinnell.  The  grandparents  on  the  maternal  side  were  Levi  and  Susan 
(Moore)  Carpenter,  the  former  of  whom  was  born  October  14,  1797,  and  the 
latter  June   14,   1798. 

Frederick  V.  Beeler,  of  this  review,  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  of 
Washington  township,  and  as  he  grew  up  assisted  his  father  upon  the  home 
farm.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he  rented  land  upon  his  own  account  and 
two  years  later  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  having  previously  in- 
herited eighty  acres  from  the  family  estate.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  a  farm 
of  three  hundred  and  eight  acres,  which  is  highly  valuable  on  account  of  its  fer- 
tility and  productiveness.  He  and  his  family  live  in  a  comfortable  house  and  he 
has  erected  substantial  outbuildings  and  made  numerous  other  improvements. 
The  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  of  everything  about  the  place  indicates  the 
thoughtful  care  and  practical  ideas  of  its  owner. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  1881,  Mr.  Beeler  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Isabel  Jenkins,  who  was  born  in  Grinnell  township,  October  17,  18(12,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Nehemiah  and  Angeline  (Hibbs)  Jenkins.  The  father  was  born  at 
Morgantown,  Virginia,  December  14,  1828,  and  the  mother  at  Williamsburg, 
Indiana,  September  4,  1837.  He  removed  to  Indiana  with  his  parents  who 
located  near  Williamsburg.     In   1849,  after  his  marriage  to  Angeline  Hibbs,  he 


MK.  AMI    .MRS.    FKKDKKICK    V.    I'.KKLKU 


RARY  I 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  317 

came  to  Poweshiek  county.  Two  years  later,  yielding  to  the  gold  excitement, 
he  went  to  California,  but  returned  to  this  county  in  1853  ^"d  became  one  of 
the  well  known  farmers  of  Grinnell  township.  He  died  March  11,  191 1,  but  his 
wife  is  still  living  at  Vinton,  Iowa.  Politically  he  gave  his  support  to  the 
democratic  party  and  served  as  township  trustee  and  school  director.  He  was  a 
valued  member  of  the  Masonic  order.  There  were  seven  children  in  the  family 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jenkins:  Ambrose,  now  living  in  Grinnell;  Eldora,  who  is  the 
wife  of  Walter  Vanderveer,  of  Ames,  Colorado;  Isabel,  now  Mrs.  Frederick  V. 
Beeler;  Mary,  deceased:  Edna,  the  wife  of  Clement  Beeler ;  McClellan,  also  de- 
ceased ;  and  Nellie,  the  wife  of  Harry  Pitman,  of  Vinton,  Iowa.  Two  chil- 
dren have  blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Beeler:  Nellie  D.,  who  is  the  wife 
of  Floyd  Breeden,  of  Colfax,  Iowa,  and  who  has  one  child  ;  Lyle  A. ;  and  Mary 
A.,  the  wife  of  George  Manor,  of  Carrollton,  Michigan,  and  the  mother  of  one 
child,  Mildred  L. 

In  politics  Mr.  Beeler  adheres  to  the  democratic  party  as  the  one  whicli,  in  his 
opinion,  can  best  preserve  the  liberties  of  the  people.  He  takes  the  interest  of  a 
wide-awake  citizen  in  public  affairs  and  has  served  several  terms  as  town- 
ship trustee.  Since  his  boyhood  he  has  been  actively  engaged  in  farming  in 
Poweshiek  county,  and  few  have  possessed  more  favorable  opportunities  for  the 
acquiring  of  practical  knowledge  and  the  best  methods  than  he.  His  personal 
worth  has  gained  him  the  good  will  of  his  fellowmen  and  he  has  an  extensive 
circle  of  friends,  who  have  the  greatest  confidence  in  his  integrity  and  ability. 


NEWTON  TYSON. 


Newton  Tyson,  who  is  engaged  in  the  carpenter  business  at  Grinnell  and  is 
also  the  owner  of  valuable  farming  property,  is  a  native  of  Ohio.  He  was  born 
in  October,  1862,  a  son  of  Hagerman  and  Matilda  (Thompson)  Tyson,  the  former 
of  whom  was  born  in  Vermont  and  the  latter  in  Ireland.  The  father  was  reared 
as  a  farmer  and  came  west  to  Illinois  where  he  lived  for  twenty-two  years,  later 
taking  up  his  residence  in  Fillmore  county,  near  Lincoln,  Nebraska.  He  died 
March  22,  1909,  his  wife  having  been  called  away  five  years  previously. 

Newton  Tyson  possessed  advantages  of  education  in  the  common  schools  and 
assisted  his  father  in  farm  work,  thus  becoming  thoroughly  acquainted  with  the 
various  details  of  agriculture  and  stock-raising.  After  leaving  Illinois  he  lived 
at  Stuart,  Iowa,  for  fifteen  months  and  then,  in  1877,  having  become  acquainted 
with  the  advantages  of  Poweshiek  county,  located  on  a  farm  in  Grinnell  town- 
ship, which  he  cultivated  to  good  advantage  for  twelve  years.  He  has  made  his 
home  in  Grinnell  since  1899,  and  is  engaged  in  the  carpenter  business.  He  owns 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  well  improved  land  in  Grinnell  township  and 
also  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Nebraska,  having  managed  his 
affairs  so  ably  that  he  now  enjoys  a  handsome  annual  income. 

In  February.  1887,  Mr.  Tyson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Delia  Fox,  a 
daughter  of  .^aron  Fox,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  and  later  lived  in  Illinois  and 
Iowa.     One  child,  Matilda,  who  died  in  infancy,  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ty- 


318  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

son.     A  niece,  Aletha  Grinn,  of  \'an  Meter,  Iowa,  is  a  valued  member  of  the 
family. 

Mr.  Tyson  is  liberal  in  his  political  views.  He  is  in  sympathy  with  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  republican  party,  but  in  voting  is  not  bound  by  party  lines,  especially 
in  local  elections.  Socially  he  is  well  known  and  is  an  active  member  of  the 
lodge  of  Knights  of  Pythias  at  Grinnell.  He  is  a  strong  thinker  and  reasoner,  a 
fine  conversationalist,  and  is  well  informed  upon  all  topics  that  interest  a  wide- 
awake and  progressive  man. 


W.  L.  POWELL. 


W.  L.  Powell  is  today  the  oldest  merchant  of  Montezuma  in  years  of  con- 
tinuous connection  with  the  trade  circles  of  the  city.  He  has  a  well  appointed 
grocery  establishment  and  his  success  has  come  to  him  by  reason  of  his  close 
application,  watchfulness  of  trade  conditions  and  honorable  dealing.  Mr.  Powell 
is  a  native  of  \'irginia,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Charlottesville,  on  the  23d  of 
May.  1841.  His  parents  were  Pienjamin  L.  and  Mary  ( \'andegrift)  Powell,  both 
of  whom  were  natives  of  Albemarle  county,  \'irginia,  and  there  spent  their  en- 
tire lives,  passing  away  in  Charlottesville.     The  father  was  a  merchant  tailor. 

W.  L.  Powell  was  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  si.x  children,  five  sons  and  one 
daughter.  He  remained  at  home  until  after  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war.  when, 
in  1861,  in  response  to  the  call  of  the  Confederacy,  he  enlisted  in  defense  of  his 
loved  southland,  joining  Company  F,  of  the  Nineteenth  \'irginia  Regiment,  which 
was  assigned  to  General  George  E.  Pickett's  division.  He  served  for  four  years, 
from  May,  1861,  until  May,  1865,  and  took  part  in  many  hotly  contested  engage- 
ments, where  his  valor  and  loyalty  never  faltered.  He  was  wounded  in  the  battle 
of  Fraziers  Farm  and  again  in  the  seven  days'  fight  around  Richmond,  a  minie 
ball  injuring  his  left  arm  and  hand.  He  was  taken  prisoner  at  Farmville,  \'ir- 
ginia,  tw'O  days  before  the  surrender  at  Appomattox.  He  was  made  first  ser- 
geant on  joining  the  army  and  on  the  reorganization  of  his  company  was  elected 
lieutenant.  For  two  years  after  the  war  Mr.  Powell  continued  in  the  south  and 
in  1867  made  his  way  to  Ohio,  settling  at  Groveport,  near  Columbus,  where  he 
engaged  in  the  saddlery  and  harness  business  from  1869  until  1879.  In  the  lat- 
ter vear  he  removed  to  Oskaloosa,  Iowa,  where  he  conducted  a  grocery  store  un- 
til 1881.  In  that  year  he  came  to  Montezuma,  where  he  has  since  been  engaged 
in  the  grocery  business,  and  is  now  the  oldest  merchant  in  this  city.  He  owns  his 
store  building  and  also  his  place  of  residence.  His  business  block  is  a  two-story 
brick  structure,  in  part  fifty  by  twenty-two  feet,  while  the  remainder  is  eighty- 
two  by  twenty-two  feet.  His  property  and  his  store  are  the  visible  evidence  of 
his  well  directed  thrift  and  industry,  for  his  success  is  attributable  entirely  to 
his  own  labors. 

In  1870  Mr.  Powell  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Lydia  L.  Weaver,  who 
was  born  in  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  May  26,  1845,  and  there  resided  until  her 
marriage,  a  daughter  of  Giles  Weaver.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Powell  became  the  parents 
of  four  children  who  died  in  infancy  and  four  who  are  still  living,  namely;  I!en 


HISTORY  eJF  J'UWliSlIIEK  COUiNTY  319 

L.,  who  is  acting  as  clerk  in  his  father's  store:  Holmes  L.,  of  Oklahoma;  Ger- 
trude, the  wife  of  E.  D.  Rayhurn,  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  i\Ionte- 
zuma:  and  Catharine  V..  the  wife  of  John  W.  liryan,  of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa. 
On  the  6th  of  November,  1907,  the  wife  and  mother  died  and  on  the  24th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1909,  Mr.  Powell  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Mrs. 
X'irginia  I'armer.  He  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  to  the 
Masonic  lodge  and  to  the  Eastern  Star  and  is  in  thorough  sympathy  wth  the  prin- 
ciples and  purposes  of  the  craft,  which  is  based  upon  mutual  helpfulness  and 
brotherly  kindness.  His  fellow  townsmen  recognize  in  him  a  reliable  merchant 
and  a  worthy  citizen  and  his  success  is  proof  of  what  may  be  accomplished  when 
determination  and  energy  lead  the  way. 


SAMUEL  OSBORN. 


-Samuel  Osborn,  who  has  been  a  resident  of  Poweshiek  county  since  1873  and 
during  the  greater  portion  of  which  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  agricultural  pur- 
suits, was  born  in  Worcestershire,  England,  on  the  9th  of  February,  1857,  and  is 
,x  son  of  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  Osborn.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and  continued 
to  be  identified  with  that  vocation  until  his  death,  which  was  caused  by  an  acci- 
dent in  1859.  The  mother,  who  was  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Birmingham  on  the 
20th  of  December.  1820,  resided  in  England  until  1873  at  which  time,  accompa- 
nied by  her  daughter  and  son,  Samuel,  she  joined  her  elder  son,  Frederick,  who 
had  located  upon  a  farm  in  Poweshiek  county  two  years  previously.  They  ar- 
rived in  Grinnell  on  the  24th  of  ^ilay,  after  spending  six  weeks  on  the  boat,  hav- 
ing come  by  way  of  New  Orleans,  and  Mrs.  Osborn  immediately  went  to  live  on 
the  farm  of  her  son,  with  whom  she  continued  to  reside  until  his  marriage. 
She  subsequently  made  her  home  with  her  younger  son  until  her  death,  in  1901, 
on  the  eighty-first  anniversary  of  her  birth. 

Samuel  Osborn,  who  was  only  an  infant  when  his  father  died,  was  reared  by 
his  mother  on  the  old  homestead,  acquiring  his  elementary  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools  of  the  village,  and  following  which  he  was  sent  to  a  boarding  school 
in  Somersetshire  for  a  time.  Coming  to  America  with  his  mother  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  he  located  on  his  brother's  farm,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  assisted 
for  six  years.  In  1880  he  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  upon  which  he  removed 
the  following  year,  engaging  in  its  operation  for  nine  years.  At  the  expiration 
of  that  period  he  went  to  Pleasant  township,  where  he  resided  for  a  year  and 
then  returned  to  the  old  homestead  in  Malcom  township,  where  he  remained  for 
two  years.  He  then  removed  to  a  place  west  of  Grinnell.  remaining  there  until 
1895,  when  he  came  to  Grinnell  and  where  he  lived  for  three  years.  In  1898  he 
again  returned  to  the  old  homestead,  on  account  of  his  sons,  continuing  to  re- 
side there  until  191 1,  at  which  time  he  came  back  to  Grinnell,  where  he  is  now 
living. 

On  the  20th  of  June,  1879,  Mr.  Osborn  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Cath- 
erine A.  Gross,  the  ceremony  occurring  in  Malcom  township.  Mrs.  Osborn  is  a 
daughter  of  .Andrew  J.  and  Margaret   (Starrett)   Gross,  the  father  a  native  of 


320  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Pennsylvania  and  the  mother  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Gross  was  also  a  farmer.  Five  chil- 
dren have  been  born  of  this  union:  Maggie  E.,  who  was  the  eldest,  and  who  is 
deceased ;  Maude  J.,  who  married  Clarence  S.  Warne,  a  farmer  of  Villisca, 
Montgomery  county,  and  has  three  children,  Ray  S.,  Keith  L.  and  Esther,  who 
is  a  baby;  Amy,  the  wife  of  Henry  Eriksen,  a  farmer  of  Grinnell  township,  and 
who  has  one  child,  Maria  H. ;  John  S.,  a  farmer,  and  also  is  married  and  lives 
on  the  old  homestead ;  and  William  Jackson,  unmarried,  who  lives  with  his 
brother,  John,  and  assists  in  the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osborn  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church  and  his 
political  allegiance  is  accorded  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  filled  various 
minor  offices  in  the  townships  where  he  has  resided  and  is  now  serving  as  a 
school  director  in  Grinnell  township.  General  farming  and  stock-raising  for 
many  years  engrossed  the  attention  of  Mr.  Osborn,  who  is  now  living  retired, 
having  rented  his  farm,  which  contains  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land,  to 
his  son.  He  is  well  known  throughout  the  county  in  which  he  has  resided  for 
thirty-eight  years  and  where  he  and  Mrs.  Osborn  have  many  friends. 


JOHN  J.  MINCER. 


Beginning  in  his  boyhood  John  J.  Mincer,  of  Grinnell,  acquired  habits  of 
application  and  self-reliance.  He  worked  for  a  number  of  years  for  others,  but 
since  1900  has  been  managing  a  business  of  his  own  and  has  shown  an  aptitude 
ivhich  has  produced  gratifying  financial  returns.  He  was  born  in  Mahaska  county, 
Iowa,  February  19,  1863,  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Martha  (Marsh)  Mincer.  The 
father  was  a  native  of  Richmond,  Virginia,  and  the  mother  of  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 
About  1845  they  started  west,  having  decided  to  make  their  home  in  Iowa.  There 
was  no  bridge  across  the  Mississippi  river  at  Burlington  at  that  time  and  they 
were  obliged  to  cross  the  river  by  boat.  After  a  short  stop  in  Monroe  county 
they  took  up  their  permanent  abode  in  Mahaska  county,  where  Mr.  Mincer  lo- 
cated on  government  land.  His  death  occurred  February  12,  1873,  the  beloved 
wife  and  mother  having  died  three  years  earlier. 

John  J.  Mincer  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  acquired  his  early  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools  of  the  neighborhood.  In  January,  1874,  being  then 
less  than  twelve  years  of  age,  he  came  to  Grinnell  and  since  that  time  has  made 
his  own  way  in  the  world.  For  several  years  he  worked  at  whatsoever  he  could 
find  to  do,  but  after  arriving  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years  he  entered  the  employ 
of  A.  W.  Thayer,  who  was  in  the  restaurant  business,  and  continued  with  him 
for  two  years.  He  then  transferred  his  allegiance  to  George  M.  Christian,  of  the 
Chapin  House,  then  the  principal  hostelry  of  the  town.  After  three  years'  expe- 
rience at  the  hotel  he  worked  for  a  year  in  the  factory  of  Craver  &  Steele.  About 
this  time  H.  W.  Spaulding  began  in  the  buggy  manufacturing  business  and  Mr. 
Mincer  secured  employment  in  the  shops  of  this  concern,  continuing  there  for 
ten  years.  He  then  bought  a  restaurant  in  Grinnell  and  for  the  first  time  entered 
business  upon  his  own  account,  being  very  successful  and  giving  employment  to 
eleven  persons.  However,  on  February  13,  1903,  he  opened  a  pool  and  billiard  hall 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  321 

on  Fourtli  avenue,  but  on  account  of  the  difficulty  in  securing  employes  at  the 
restaurant  he  closed  out  that  branch  of  his  business  and  opened  up  a  pool  hall 
in  a  building  at  No.  827  Main  street.  On  July  17,  1905,  he  removed  his  business 
from  Fourth  avenue  to  No.  922  Main  street  where  he  has  one  of  the  most  modern 
and  best  conducted  halls  in  central  Iowa.  At  one  time  he  had  a  hall  at  Monte- 
zuma, but  has  sold  out  there,  and  for  some  time  was  in  charge  of  the  similar  es- 
tablishment at  Malcom.  He  never  drinks,  smokes  or  chews  and  has  endeavored 
to  maintain  a  pool  and  billiard  business  along  strictly  business  lines,  and  in  the 
opinion  of  his  friends  he  has  succeeded  admirably  in  doing  so. 

On  the  14th  day  of  October,  1884,  Mr.  Mincer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Flora  Baird,  of  Grinnell.  Both  he  and  his  estimable  wife  are  members  of  the 
Episcopal  church,  and  he  is  an  active  supporter  of  all  movements  designed  to 
promote  the  prosperity  of  the  city.  Politically  Mr.  Mincer  is  in  sympathy  with 
the  democratic  party,  but  is  liberal  in  his  views,  and  in  local  afifairs  is  not  re- 
stricted by  party  lines  in  voting.  No  man  has  a  wider  acquaintance  in  this  sec- 
tion of  the  state  and  by  his  genial  and  pleasing  address  he  has  made  a  host  of 
friends. 


OSCAR  MILTON  McNEAL. 

The  late  Oscar  Milton  McNeal,  who  was  one  of  the  well  known  and  success- 
ful agriculturists  of  Union  township,  was  born  in  Oskaloosa,  Iowa,  on  the  lOth 
of  November,  1852,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Minerva  (Kreitzswitzer)  McNeal,  na- 
tives of  Ohio.  The  father,  who  came  to  Iowa  in  his  early  manhood,  located  on 
a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Oskaloosa,  which  he  improved  and  cultivated  until  the 
opening  of  the  Civil  war,  when,  responding  to  his  country's  call  for  volunteers, 
he  enlisted  and  went  to  the  front  where  he  was  killed.  The  mother,  who  still 
survives,  is  living  in  New  Sharon,  Iowa.  They  were  both  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church  and  the  father  voted  the  republican  ticket.  Five  children 
were  born  to  them  in  the  following  order:  George  W.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Union 
township ;  Oscar  Milton,  our  subject ;  Leona,  the  wife  of  W.  F.  McVey,  of  New- 
Sharon,  Iowa;  Etta  E.,  the  wife  of  W.  W.  Garner,  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  and 
Emma,  the  wife  of  John  Seal,  of  Wichita,  Kansas. 

One  of  the  older  members  of  the  family  and  the  son  of  a  widow,  Oscar  Mil- 
ton McNeal  early  had  to  assist  in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm,  acquiring  his  edu- 
cation in  the  district  schools,  at  such  times  as  his  services  were  not  required  at 
home.  After  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  worked  for  his  mother  until  he  was 
able  to  buy  a  farm  in  Union  township,  this  county.  This  contained  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  met  with  such  success  that  he 
was  later  able  to  buy  the  eighty  acres  upon  which  his  widow  is  now  residing, 
making  the  aggregate  of  his  holdings  two  hundred  and  forty  acres. 

On  the  9th  of  March,  1879,  ^^^-  McNeal  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary 
A.  Johnson,  a  daughter  of  Virgil  H.  and  Mary  V.  (Wilson)  Johnson,  of  Union 
township.  Her  parents  were  both  natives  of  Greene  county,  Ohio,  where  they 
were  married  and  began  their  domestic  life.  They  were  among  the  pioneer  set- 
tlers of  Poweshiek  county,  filing  on  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  government 


322  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

land  in  Union  township.  This  the  father  cleared  and  improved,  continuing  its 
cultivation  for  many  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson,  both  of  whom  have  now 
passed  away,  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  in  politics  he  was  a  re- 
publican. Of  the  five  children  born  to  them  Mrs.  McNeal  is  the  youngest,  her 
birth  having  occurred  in  Union  township  on  the  15th  of  September,  1858.  The 
others  are  as  follows :  Lorenzo  D.,  who  is  also  a  resident  of  Union  township ; 
Harvey  P.,  who  is  living  in  Montezuma ;  Joseph  A.,  who  is  residing  in  Maryland ; 
and  William  P.,  of  Union  township.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McXeal  were  born 
nine  children:  William  T..  who  is  a  resident  of  Jackson  township;  Walter  W., 
at  home  ;  Jessie  M.,  the  wife  of  Fred  Whitaker,  of  Canada ;  Lela,  who  died  on  the 
28th  of  February,  1895,  at  the  age  of  eight  years,  one  month  and  twenty-seven 
days;  Mary  V.,  the  wife  of  Lewis  Stanford,  of  Montezuma;  Benjamin  H.,  who 
lives  in  Canada ;  and  John  M.,  Roy  R.  and  Herman  C,  all  of  whom  are  at  home. 
Mr.  McNeal,  who  passed  away  on  the  17th  of  September,  1909,  was  one  of  the 
public-spirited  and  progressive  citizens  of  his  township.  His  ballot  he  always  cast 
in  support  of  the  candidates  of  the  republican  party.  His  widow  continues  to 
cultivate  the  home  farm  and  has  by  her  capable  supervision  fully  attested  her 
ability  not  only  as  an  agriculturist  but  as  a  business  woman. 


JACOB  B.  NISWANDER. 

[acob  B.  Niswander,  one  ei  the  best  known  and  most  highly  respected  citizens 
of  Poweshiek  county,  is  now  living  retired  on  his  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
six  acres  on  section  19,  Warren  township,  on  which  he  has  made  his  home  for 
the  past  thirty-six  years.  His'  birth  occurred  in  Rockingham  county,  \'irginia, 
on  the  loth  of  November,  1838,  his  parents  being  Samuel  and  Barbara  (Burner) 
Niswander,  who,  though  born  in  this  country,  came  of  good  old  German  stock. 
In  1875  they  established  their  home  in  Iowa,  locating  in  Warren  township, 
Poweshiek  county.  Samuel  Niswander  here  passed  away  in  1901,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-three  years,  while  his  wife  died  in  1906,  her  demise  occurring  at  the 
home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Anna  Lincoln,  of  Brooklyn,  this  state. 

.\t  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  Jacob  B.  Niswander  went  to  the  front  in  de- 
fense of  his  loved  southland,  serving  for  four  years  as  a  member  of  Company 
A,  First  \'irginia  Infantry.  He  was  wounded  in  Morgan  county.  West  \'irginia, 
and  subsequently  reenlisted.  serving  with  the  Home  Guards  during  the  Shen- 
andoah \'alley  camiiaign.  Mr.  Niswander  was  at  Piedmont,  West  Virginia, 
where  he  was  wnunded  when  General  Hunter  led  his  men  through  the  Shen- 
andoah valley.  .\t  the  time  of  Lee's  surrender  he  was  at  home  recovering  from 
a  wound.  In  1872  he  came  west,  locating  in  Jefferson  township,  Poweshiek 
county,  Iowa,  where  he  devoted  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  rented  land 
for  four  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  purchased  and  located  on 
a  tract  of  forty  acres  in  Warren  township,  later  adding  a  quarter  section  oi 
land  to  his  holdings.  At  the  present  time  he  owns  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  fifty-six  acres  but  leases  the  property,  having  put  aside  the  active  work  of 
the  fields  in  order  that  he  may  enjoy  the  evening  of  life  in  well  earned  ease. 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LERARY 


J.  i:.  xis\\AMu;i; 


.MRS.  .1.  1!.  MSWANDKR 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  327 

He  spends  a  part  of  each  year  in  the  home  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  John  Grietch, 
whose  husband  is  an  agriculturist  of   Warren   township. 

In  1869,  in  \'irginia,  Mr.  Niswander  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Catharine 
Miller,  her  father  being  John  J.  Miller,  a  well  known  farmer  of  Rockingham 
county,  Virginia.  Unto  them  were  born  seven  children,  two  of  whom  died  in 
infancy.  Rebecca  is  the  wife  of  Quinter  Connell,  an  agriculturist  of  Warren 
township,  by  whom  she  has  five  children,  namely :  Earl,  Ivan,  Guy,  Ross  and 
Ada.  All  attend  district  school  No.  9  in  Warren  township.-  John  S.,  a  farmer 
of  Warren  township,  wedded  Miss  Ida  Adams,  a  daughter  of  Warren  Adams. 
Their  union  has  been  blessed  with  four  children :  Nina,  Freemtii,  Katie  and 
Roy.  Bettie  is  the  wife  of  John  Grietch,  who  follows  farming  in  Warren  town- 
ship and  by  whom  she  has  four  children :  Marvin,  Celia,  John  and  Howard. 
The  parents  of  John  Grietch  were  Joseph  and  Celia  Grietch.  natives  of  Germany, 
who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives  in 
Warren  township,  this  county.  Walter,  an  agriculturist  of  Warren  township, 
married  Miss  Eda  Adams,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  John  Niswander.  Their  children 
are  two  in  number,  .Audrey  and  Thelma.  Benjamin  Niswander,  who  follows 
farming  near  Prairie  City,  Iowa,  wedded  Miss  Susan  Kagey,  a  daughter  of 
Samuel  Kagey  of  Virginia.  Unto  them  were  born  two  children,  as  follows  : 
Walter;  and  Owen,  who  was  killed  in  1910,  when  a  little  lad  of  six  years,  being 
run  over  by  a  wagon.  Mrs.  Catharine  Niswander  died  on  the  2d  of  February, 
1910,  passing  away  on  the  old  homestead  in  Warren  township,  this  county. 

Mr.  Niswander  is  a  democrat  in  his  political  views  and  held  the  office  of 
road  supervisor  for  six  years.  For  a  similar  period  he  also  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board  in  district' -KV.  6,- Warteu_Iawnship.  He  is  a  devoted 
and  exemplary  member  of  the  ChiU;cn,  of ,  fhe/B^Mireii  in  Warren  township, 
to  which  his  wife  also  belonged,  a!  typic'^l^Cmthern  gentlemen  of  the  old  school, 
Mr.  Niswander  has  won  and  retained  many  friends.  He  has  now  passed  the 
seventy-second  milestone  on  this  earthly  pilgi-jmage  and  enjoys  the  veneration 
and  respect  which  should  ever  be  accorded  one  who  has  traveled  thus  far  on 
life's  journey  and  whose  career  has  been  at  all  times  upright  and  honorable. 


JOHN  M.  CHAMBERLAIN. 

Jiihii  M.  Chamberlain  has  been  a  resident  of  Poweshiek  county  for  more  than 
sixty  years,  ha\'ing  arrived  in  this  county  with  his  parents  in  his  infancy,  and 
few  men  can  claim  better  acquaintance  with  this  part  of  the  state.  He  may 
be  designated  as  a  pioneer,  having  witnessed  the  development  from  the  crude 
forest  and  prairie  to  the  wonderful  improvements  of  the  twentieth  century,  in 
the  course  of  which  a  complete  change  has  been  wrought  in  the  methods  of  farm- 
ing as  well  as  in  marketing  the  products  of  the  farm. 

He  was  born  in  Ohio,  September  25,  1848,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Rosanna 
(Mitchell)  Chamberlain.  The  father  was  a  farmer  and,  seeking  larger  oppor- 
tunities, came  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1849  ^^'^  located  in  Jackson  township, 
where  he  entered  three  hundred   acres  of  government   land.      He   followed  his 


328  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

vocation  successfully  until  he  retired  a  few  years  before  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred March  i,  1900.  The  beloved  wife  and  mother  died  July  23,  1880.  In 
politics  Mr.  Chamberlain  gave  his  adherence  to  the  democratic  party.  He  was 
reared  in  the  Society  of  Friends  and  continued  in  that  faith  until  some  time 
after  his  arrival  in  Iowa,  when  he  became  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church. 
He  was  a  man  of  excellent  character,  who  always  exercised  an  influence  for 
good  upon  those  with  whom  he  was  associated,  and  was  known  as  one  of  the 
highly  useful  members  of  the  community.  There  were  nine  children  in  his 
family,  namely :  William  and  James,  who  are  deceased ;  Margaret,  the  wife  of 
Joseph  Saults,  of  Gregory,  Nebraska ;  John  M.,  of  this  review ;  Anna,  Mary  and 
Sarah,  all  of  whom  are  deceased ;  Alexander  M.,  who  is  now  living  in  Kansas 
City,  Missouri ;  and  Martha  J.,  the  widow  of  Thomas  Wiley,  of  Des  Moines. 

John  M.  Chamberlain  received  his  early  education  in  the  schools  of  Monte- 
zuma. As  he  grew  up  he  assisted  his  father  upon  the  home  farm  and  continued 
on  the  home  place  until  February,  1902,  when  he  moved  to  Washington  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county,  having  acquired  a  valuable  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres.  He  follows  general  farming  and  stock-raising  and  has  been  an  active 
factor  in  the  work  of  developing  this  region  into  one  of  great  fertility  and 
productiveness. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  1882,  Mr.  Chamberlain  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah 
E.  Bryan,  who  was  born  on  a  farm  near  Montezuma,  in  this  county,  February  21, 
1856,  being  a  daughter  of  Bedy  and  Margaret  A.  (Victor)  Bryan,  whose  sketch 
appears  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Five  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Chamberlain:  Sylvia  Ann,  who  is  the  wife  of  Frank  I.  Temple,  of  Provo,  Utah: 
Charles  L.,  now  in  California,  but  who  makes  his  home  with  his  parents;  W'il- 
liam  L.,  of  Valley  Junction,  Iowa ;  and  Lawrence  and  Clarence,  twins,  both  of 
whom  are  at  home. 

Politically  Mr.  Chamberlain  supports  the  democratic  party,  whose  principles 
he  has  indorsed  ever  since  he  reached  his  majority.  He  is  not  identified  with 
any  religious  denomination,  but  his  wife  is  a  valued  member  of  the  Methodist 
church.  On  account  of  their  genial  social  characteristics  and  their  long  residence 
in  the  county  they  can  claim  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances.  Mr. 
Chamberlain  is  an  intelligent,  liberal-minded  and  patriotic  citizen,  and  is  rightly 
classed  among  the  representative  men  of  the  great  state  of  Iowa. 


C.  W.  HARTZELL. 


Agricultural  pursuits  have  always  engaged  the  attention  of  C.  W.  Hartzell, 
who  is  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  on  a  very  attractive  farm  of 
eighty  acres  in  Grinnell  township.  He  was  born  on  the  5th  of  December,  1863, 
in  Hancock  county,  Illinois,  his  parents  being  Nath  and  Mary  (Coontz)  Hart- 
zell, natives  of  Pennsylvania.  The  father,  who  was  born  in  Westmoreland 
county  on  the  28th  of  July,  1834,  migrated  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Hancock  county 
in  1852,  where  eight  years  later  he  was  married.  Being  an  agriculturist,  he  cul- 
tivated his  farm  in  Illinois  for  seventeen  years  and  then,  with  his  wife  and  family. 


HISTORY  OV  1'()\\1':S11II':K  COL'NTV  329 

removed  to  Iowa,  settling  on  a  farm  in  CJrinnell  township,  Poweshiek  county,  in 
March,  1877.  Here  the  mother  passed  away  in  iQOi,  but  the  father  survived  her 
for  six  years,  his  demise  occurring  on  the  7th  of  August,  1907.  He  was  a  quiet, 
unassuming  citizen,  but  a  man  of  sterling  worth  and  high  principles,  who  was 
ever  striving  to  inculcate  in  his  children  an  appreciation  of  all  that  is  noble  and 
upright  in  thought  and  action,  which  qualities  he  exemplified  in  his  daily  life. 

Being  but  a  lad  of  thirteen  years  when  his  parents  located  in  Poweshiek 
county,  C.  W.  Hartzell  obtained  much  of  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of 
Iowa.  When  he  had  acquired  such  knowledge  as  he  deemed  essential  to  enable 
him  to  begin  his  business  career  he  laid  aside  his  text-books  and  engaged  with 
his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm,  having  decided  that  he,  too,  would  be 
an  agriculturist.  He  now  owns  eighty  acres  of  fertile  land  which  is  given  the 
careful  cultivation  and  capable  supervision  that  yields  abundant  harvests,  and 
which  is  netting  him  gratifying  financial  returns.  In  addition  to  his  farming  Mr. 
Hartzell  makes  a  si)ecialty  of  raising  Poland  China  hogs,  and  he  is  meeting  with 
good  success. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  1887,  Mr.  Hartzell  married  Miss  Sarah  E.  Barnes, 
a  daughter  of  Ira  J.  and  Eliza  (  Higby)  Barnes.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Ohio 
and  the  mother  of  Pennsylvania,  but  they  were  married  in  Montezuma.  Two 
children  have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hartzell:  Pearl  E.,  who  is  a  graduate 
of  the  high  school,  and  Jessie  C,  who  is  attending  the  district  school. 

The  religious  views  of  the  family  are  evidenced  through  their  identification 
with  the  Baptist  church  of  Grinnell,  while  politically  Mr.  Hartzell  affiliates  with 
the  republican  party.  The  family  are  well  known  and  highly  regarded  in  the  com- 
munity where  they  have  lived  for  so  many  years  and  have  hosts  of  friends,  to 
whom  the  hospitality  of  their  home  is  ever  extended. 


CHARLES  F.  ROHR. 


Charles  F.  Rohr,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  progressive  farmers  and 
stock-raisers  of  Malcom  township,  has  spent  his  entire  life  within  the  boundaries 
of  Poweshiek  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Sheridan  township  on  the  19th 
of  March,  1877.  His  parents,  Henry  and  Wilhelmina  (Schroeder)  Rohr,  were 
both  natives  of  Holstein,  Germany,  where  the  father's  birth  occurred  on  the 
5th  of  January,  1842,  and  the  mother's  on  April  14,  1852.  The  father,  who  was  a 
farmer  by  occupation,  came  to  the  United  States  at  an  early  day  and  took  up  his 
abode  in  Iowa,  carrying  on  agricultural  pursuits  in  Scott  county  for  about  a 
year.  Later  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  worked  for  about  three 
years  as  a  farm  hand,  after  which  he  was  married,  on  the  15th  of  November, 
1874.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  of  his  own  and  continued  to  engage  in  general 
farming  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  very  industrious,  enter- 
prising man,  and  that  success  came  to  him  in  substantial  measure  with  the  passing 
of  the  years  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that,  although  he  came  to  this  country  with- 
out any  capital,  at  the  time  of  his  demise,  which  occurred  near  Grinnell,  Iowa,  on 
the  2d  of  .August,  1009,  he  was  the  owner  of  two  hundred  acres  located  on  sec- 


330  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

tion  20,  Malcom  township :  one  hundred  and  seventy-seven  acres  in  Grinnell 
township ;  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Saskatchewan,  Canada :  and  a  five- 
acre  tract  in  Grinnell  township,  upon  which  his  last  years  were  spent.  His  wife 
still  survives  him  and  makes  her  home  on  her  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres,  a  part  of  the  original  homestead.  In  their  family  were  eight  children, 
as  follows :  Lena,  the  wife  of  William  Bastian,  of  Newbury  :  Charles  F.,  of  this 
review ;  Henry  W.,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  eight  months ;  Lizzie,  a 
trained  nurse ;  Sophia,  the  wife  of  William  Bost,  of  Malcom  township ;  Christ 
H.,  of  Pleasant  township;  John  H.,  residing  with  Charles  F.,  on  the  home  farm; 
and  Ella  A.,  who  makes  her  home  with  her  mother. 

Charles  F.  Rohr  was  but  eight  years  of  age  when  his  parents  came  to  Malcom 
township,  and  consequently  almost  his  entire  life  has  been  spent  on  the  old  home- 
stearl  farm.  Reared  to  agricultural  pursuits,  he  assisted  in  the  work  of  plowing, 
planting  and  harvesting  through  the  spring  and  summer  months,  while  a  short 
period  each  winter  was  devoted  to  study  in  the  district  schools,  wherein  he  mas- 
tered a  fair  knowledge  of  the  common  branches  of  learning.  He  has  always 
made  farming  the  source  of  his  livelihood  and  in  this  direction  his  efforts  have 
been  most  successful.  He  owns  eighty  acres  of  the  old  homestead  farm,  and  in 
addition  to  its  cultivation  also  operates  his  mother's  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres.  The  place  is  a  well  improved  one,  the  father  having  erected  good 
buildings  and  introduced  many  modern  improvements  which  greatly  enhanced  its 
value.  Mr.  Rohr  engages  in  general  farming  and  also  is  an  extensive  raiser  and 
feeder  of  stock,  fattening  for  the  market  about  two  carloads  of  hogs  and  from 
two  to  three  carloads  of  cattle  annually.  He  is  a  man  of  energv*  and  persever- 
ance, possessing  sound  business  ability  and  keen  discrimination,  and  his  interests 
are  so  widely  conducted  that  he  now  ranks  among  the  enterprising  and  pros- 
perous agriculturists  of  this  district. 

On  the  26th  of  February,  u)o8.  Mr.  Rohr  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Rosie  S.  Beck,  a  native  of  Germany,  born  in  Brettbach,  Weinsburg,  Wurtem- 
burg,  on  the  nth  of  December,  1886.  In  March,  1905,  she  came  to  Pow- 
eshiek county,  Iowa,  with  her  parents,  Louis  and  Katharine  (Heinle)  Beck, 
wno  now  reside  in  Chester  township.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rohr  have  been 
born  two  children :  Henrietta  Louise  and  Erwin  Karl. 

A  resident  of  Poweshiek  county  throughout  his  entire  lifetime,  Mr.  Rohr 
has  become  widely  known  in  the  community  in  which  he  has  so  long  made 
his  home,  and  that  he  has  ever  proved  himself  a  worthy  citizen  is  indicated 
by  the  fact  that  many  of  his  best  friends  are  those  who  have  known  him  from 
his  boyhood. 


LOUIS   H.  RINEFORT. 

The  clothing  business  of  Grinnell  finds  an  able  representative  in  Louis 
H.  Rinefort,  who  is  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  best  appointed  clothing  establish- 
ments in  this  part  of  the  state.  He  has  had  a  large  acquaintance  with  the 
business  and,  being  a  man  of  good  taste  and  excellent  judgment,  he  has  the 
ability  to  meet  the  wants  of  his  patrons.     He  is  a  native  of  Poweshiek  county, 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  331 

and  was  born  April  17,  1876,  a  son  of  Christian  and  Liicinda  (Stromer)  Rine- 
fort,  record  of  whom  appears  in  the  sketch  of  Andrew  C.  Rinefort,  which  is 
presented  elsewhere  in  this  work. 

Louis  H.  Rinefort  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  and  attended  the  district 
schools,  later  becoming  a  student  of  the  Grinnell  high  school,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1895.  After  leaving  school  he  became  a  clerk  in  the  cloth- 
ing store  of  G.  H.  McMurray,  continuing  as  such  for  four  years,  when  he 
purchased  a  half  interest  in  the  business,  the  style  of  the  firm  becoming  McMur- 
ray &  Rinefort.  In  1907  he  sold  his  interest  to  his  partner,  but  continued  under 
him  as  a  salesman.  In  F"ebruary,  191 1,  having  decided  to  devote  his  life  to  a 
vocation  for  which  he  seemed  eminently  adapted,  he  purchased  Mr.  McMurray's 
interest  and  is  now  sole  proprietor  of  the  store.  He  has  been  connected  with 
the  business  for  more  than  fifteen  years  and  is  one  of  the  best  known  men 
in  this  line  in   Poweshiek  county. 

In  October,  1905,  Mr.  Rinefort  was  united  in  marriage  at  Grinnell  to  Miss 
Mable  Wetmore,  a  daughter  of  George  E.  and  Ella  (Milliman)  Wetmore. 
The  father  was  for  many  years  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  in  this  city 
and  is  now  deceased,  but  the  mother  is  still  living  and  makes  her  home  with 
the  subject  of  this  review.  The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rinefort  has  been 
blessed  by  the  birth  of  one  child :  Harry  Edwin. 

Mr.  Rinefort  politically  gives  liis  adherence  to  the  republican  party,  but  in 
local  afifairs  pays  little  attention  to  party  lines.  He  has  never  been  an  office 
seeker,  as  his  energies  have  been  concentrated  upon  his  business.  Socially  he 
is  well  known  and  highly  popular.  He  is  a  valued  member  of  Marshalltown 
Lodge,  No.  312,  B.  P.  O.  E.,  and  in  his  life  he  practices  the  principles  of  broth- 
erhood so  beautifully  inculcated  by  that  order.  He  was  early  actuated  by  a 
laudable  ambition  to  acquire  a  responsible  position  among  his  fellowmen,  and 
this  ambition  has  been  realized.  His  good  fortune  is  due  to  his  energy,  ability 
and  integrity — three  elements  that  are  almost  certain  to  lead  to  happiness  and 
financial  prosperity. 


BENJAMIN  B.  GRIFFITH. 

Benjamin  B.  Griffith,  a  pioneer  of  1845,  has  now  for  sixty-six  years  been 
a  witness  of  the  development  of  the  county  and  in  substantial  measure  has 
aided  in  its  progress  and  improvement.  Success  has  come  to  him  as  the  years 
have  passed  by,  enabling  him  now  to  live  retired.  He  was  born  in  Jamestown, 
Ohio,  September  i,  1837,  and  is  a  son  of  Isaac  N.  and  Paulina  P.  (Johnson) 
Griffith.  The  father  was  born  in  Virginia,  March  3,  1813.  The  mother  was 
born  in  Ohio,  August  10,  181 5,  of  English  parentage,  while  the  father  of 
Isaac  N.  Griffith  was  a  native  of  Wales  and  his  mother  was  of  Pennsylvania 
German  birth.  In  the  year  1845  Isaac  N.  Griffith  and  his  wife  came  to  Iowa, 
settling  in  Henry  county,  and  throughout  his  remaining  days  he  was  a  resi- 
dent of  this  state,  his  death  occurring  in  Carroll  county,  August  10,  1890.  He 
had  entered   land   in    Henry   county,   where  he   lived    for   two   years,   and   later 


332  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

entered  land  in  Mahaska,  Poweshiek  and  Marshall  counties.  After  living  in 
Henry  county  for  two  years  the  family  in  1847  settled  on  the  boundary  line 
between  Mahaska  and  Poweshiek  counties  and  here  Benjamin  B.  Griffith  has 
since  made  his  home. 

Benjamin  B.  Griffith  was  but  ten  years  of  age  when  the  family  took  up 
their  abode  on  the  Poweshiek  county  farm.  He  rode  horseback  from  here  to 
Iowa  City,  remaining  in  the  saddle  from  sunrise  to  sunset  in  order  to  enter 
a  piece  of  land  which  his  father  had  staked  out,  wishing  to  secure  the  claim 
before  it  could  be  entered  by  another  man  who  desired  the  same  property.  The 
entire  distance  covered  by  Mr.  Griffith  in  his  ride  was  sixty  miles.  At  the 
family  home  were  six  children  born  of  the  father's  first  marriage :  Hannah 
Ann,  now  the  deceased  wife  of  Rev.  John  Hestwood ;  Benjamin  B. ;  John,  liv- 
ing in  Chicago ;  James  E.,  a  resident  of  Carroll,  Iowa ;  Eli  P.,  of  Fort  Dodge ; 
and  Helen,  the  wife  of  Louis  Barger,  of  Carroll.  The  mother  of  these  children 
passed  away  in  Henry  county,  December  30,  1850,  and  the  father  afterward 
married  again.  By  this  second  marriage  he  had  two  children :  Isaac  Newton, 
now  living  in  Kansas  City;  and  Mrs.  Ella  Aiken,  of  Glidden,  Iowa. 

The  boyhood  experiences  of  Benjamin  B.  Griffith  were  those  which  usually 
fall  to  the  lot  of  farm  lads.  He  aided  in  the  arduous  task  of  developing  a  new 
farm,  the  difficult  work  of  breaking  the  sod  and  preparing  the  fields  for  cul- 
tivation early  falling  to  his  lot.  At  sixteen  years  of  age  he  began  working 
his  way  through  school,  desirous  to  enjoy  a  better  education  than  had  been 
accorded  him  m  the  public  schools.  He  attended  the  state  normal  at  Oskaloosa 
for  a  time  and  later  spent  two  years  in  Western  College  at  Tama,  Iowa.  His 
broadening  knowledge  better  equipped  him  for  life's  practical  duties  and  for  six 
or  seven  years  he  engaged  in  teaching  in  the  country  schools  of  Poweshiek 
and  Mahaska  counties  for  a  part  of  the  time,  devoting  other  portions  of  the 
year  to  farming. 

On  the  14th  of  April,  1858,  Mr.  Griffith  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Ferneau,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  September  15,  1841,  and  in  1856 
came  to  Iowa  with  her  father,  Levi  William  Ferneau.  The  children  of  this 
marriage  were  ten  in  number:  Mrs.  Ada  L.  Mullen,  who  is  now  living  with  her 
father  and  had  two  children,  of  whom  one  is  yet  living,  Hugh  E.,  who  is 
engaged  on  the  construction  of  the  Panama  canal :  Frank  E.,  of  Des  Moines ; 
Maude  N.,  who  became  the  wife  of  Charles  Brooks  and  died,  leaving  three 
sons,  Ross,  William  and  Mark,  who  are  living  with  their  grandfather;  Blanche 
Paulina,  the  wife  of  C.  L.  Harris,  of  Montezuma,  and  the  mother  of  two  chil- 
dren, Elizabeth  and  Larid ;  Ralph  H.,  who  is  principal  of  the  schools  at  Thorn- 
ton. Iowa,  and  has  three  children,  Lihl,  Louise  and  David ;  Kate  Anna,  the  wife 
of  C.  W.  Manatt,  of  Carroll,  and  the  mother  of  two  children,  Naomi  and  Kath- 
ryn;  Dick  Carl,  living  in  Montezuma;  Hugh  Bush,  who  has  one  son,  Gerald, 
and  makes  his  home  in  Montezuma ;  and  two  children  who  died  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Griffith  engaged  in  farming  for  two  years  after  his  marriage.  He  put 
aside  all  business  cares  and  considerations,  however,  at  the  time  of  the  Civil 
war  and  from  the  schoolhouse  where  he  was  teaching  he  enlisted  on  the  14th  of 
August,  1862,  as  a  member  of  Company  B,  Fortieth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry. 
He  was  on  active  duty  for  fourteen  months  and  was  then  honorably  discharged 


HISTORY  U]'    POWESHIEK  COUNTY  333 

on  account  of  disability.  He  has  since  resided  in  Montezuma,  where  he  has 
followed  merchandising  most  of  the  time.  After  the  war,  however,  he  estab- 
lished a  barber  shop  and  his  two  sons  living  in  Montezuma  are  now  engaged 
in  the  same  business.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Griffith  is  a  democrat  but  has 
never  sought  nor  desired  office.  He  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd 
Fellows  and  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  his  brethren  of  those 
fraternities  entertain  for  him  warm  and  kindly  regard.  During  his  long  resi- 
dence here  he  has  become  very  widely  known  and  his  many  good  qualities  have 
gained  him  the  friendship  and  esteem  of  all.  The  story  of  Poweshiek  county's 
development  is  a  famiHar  one  to  him.  He  came  here  when  Montezuma  had  no 
existence,  when  only  here  and  there  had  a  settlement  been  made,  much  of  the 
land  being  still  in  possession  of  the  government.  The  broad  prairies  were 
starred  with  a  million  wild  flowers  in  June  and  in  winter  were  covered  with 
an  unbroken,  dazzling  sheet  of  snow.  One  could  ride  a  long  distance  without 
coming  to  a  fence  or  house  to  impede  progress  and  the  most  farsighted  would 
scarcely  have  dreamed  of  the  wonderful  development  which  was  to  take  place, 
making  this  one  of  the  prosperous  and  popular  counties  of  the  state. 


JOHN  WESLEY  COCHRAN. 

John  Wesley  Cochran,  who  is  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Union 
township,  where  he  owns  a  farm  of  sixty-eight  acres,  was  born  in  Jackson 
township,  Poweshiek  county,  on  the  4th  of  November,  i860.  He  is  the  eldest 
son  of  Hiram  and  Mary  Jane  (Saunders)  Cochran,  the  father  a  native  of 
Indiana,  having  been  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Wayne,  and  the  mother  of 
Ohio.  Hiram  Cochran  was  reared  and  educated  in  his  native  state,  where  for 
a  time  he  engaged  in  farming.  In  his  early  manhood  he  removed  to  Iowa,  lo- 
cating upon  a  farm  in  Jackson  township,  Poweshiek  county,  and  here  he  met 
and  subsequently  married  Miss  Saunders.  He  later  disposed  of  his  land  in  this 
county  and  bought  a  farm  in  Union  township,  Mahaska  county,  where  he 
passed  away  on  the  24th  of  August,  1874.  Mrs.  Cochran  survived  him  until 
1882,  continuing  to  reside  upon  the  homestead  in  Union  township.  Five  chil- 
dren were  born  of  their  marriage,  those  beside  our  subject  being:  Frances 
Elmira,  deceased ;  Selkirk  Saunders,  who  is  a  resident  of  Jackson  township ; 
William  A.,  who  is  living  in  Union  township:  and  Mary  Alfretta,  the  wife  of 
Elliott  Bryant,  of  Montezuma.  The  father  voted  the  republican  ticket  and 
served  one  or  two  terms  as  school  director.  His  wife  was  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church. 

The  education  of  John  Wesley  Cochran  was  begun  in  the  district  schools  of 
Poweshiek  county  and  completed  in  those  of  Alahaska  county.  Although  he 
was  only  a  lad  of  fourteen  years  when  his  father  died  he  was  assisting  in  the 
cultivation  of  the  home  farm,  and  being  the  eldest  of  the  family  naturally  his 
duties  became  quite  heavy  during  the  early  widowhood  of  the  mother.  After 
leaving  home  he  worked  for  an  uncle  for  a  time,  but  being  desirous  to  engage 
in  farming  for  himself  he  later  rented  land  in  Jackson  township,  which  he  cul- 


334  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

tivated  for  years,  and  also  ran  a  threshing  machine.  In  1891  he  bought  his 
present  place  in  Union  township  and  has  ever  since  continuously  resided  there. 
He  has  remodeled  and  built  additions  to  many  of  the  buildings  and  effected 
various  other  improvements,  all  of  which  have  added  greatly  to  the  appearance 
as  well  as  value  of  the  property. 

Mr.  Cochran  established  a  home  by  his  marriage  on  the  24th  of  January, 
1882,  to  Miss  Fannie  Howard,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Martha  (Barber) 
Howard,  of  Mahaska  county.  Her  parents  were  both  natives  of  England,  who 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  located  south  of  Oskaloosa.  There  the 
father,  who  was  a  traveling  man,  passed  away,  but  the  demise  of  the  mother 
occurred  in  Union  township,  Mahaska  county.  In  politics  Mr.  Howard  was  a 
republican.  Mrs.  Cochran  is  also  a  native  of  England,  her  natal  day  being  the 
2d  of  May,  1862.  By  her  marriage  she  became  the  mother  of  six  children: 
William  E.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Colorado;  Vergie  Jane,  the  wife  of  Calvin 
Cutler,  also  of  Colorado ;  James  Hiram,  who  is  living  in  Colorado ;  Charles 
Edwin,  who  is  at  home ;  Frederick,  deceased ;  and  Ernest  La  Verne,  at  home. 
They  also  have  one  grandchild,  Theron  John,  who  is  the  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Calvin  Cutler. 

The  family  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  Mr.  Cochran 
is  a  member,  and  fraternally  Mr.  Cochran  is  affiliated  with  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  Knights  of  Pythias,  being  identified  with  the  lodges 
of  Montezuma.  His  right  of  franchise  he  exercises  in  support  of  the  candi- 
dates of  the  republican  party  and  for  the  past  four  terms  has  been  township 
trustee.  He  as  well  as  his  wife,  is  favorably  known  in  Union  township  among 
whose  citizens  they  have  many  friends. 


JOHN  T.  ROUDABUSH. 

John  T.  Roudabush.  a  well  known  and  successful  agriculturist  of  Bear  Creek 
township,  owns  and  cultivates  a  highly  improved  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixtv  acres  on  section  11.  His  birth  occurred  in  Rockingham  county,  \'irginia, 
on  the  14th  of  September,  1848,  his  parents  being  Jacob  and  Malinda  (Andes) 
Roudabush,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  that  county.  The  father,  who  was 
a  farmer  by.  occupation,  there  spent  his  entire  life,  passing  away  about  1872. 
At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  went  to  the  front  in  defense  of  his  beloved 
southland.     His  wife  was  called  to  her  final  rest  about  1871. 

John  T.  Roudabush  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  twenty-one  years 
of  age  and  when  not  busy  with  his  text-books  assisted  his  father  in  the  operation 
of  the  home  farm.  On  attaining  his  majority  he  was  employed  by  the  month 
as  a  farm  hand  by  an  uncle,  Noah  Beery,  for  whom  he  worked  for  a  year  and 
a  half.  On  the  26th  of  February,  1870,  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Warren  county, 
Illinois,  there  working  on  a  farm  by  the  month  for  five  and  a  half  years.  On 
the  expiration  of  that  period  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Bear  Creek  township, 
Poweshiek  county,  where  he  resided  for  eighteen  months  and  then  returned 
to  his  native  state  and  was  married.     After  returning  to  this  county  with   his 


.iMiix   r.  i:i)riiAr.rsii  anh  family 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  337 

young  bride  he  rented  a  farm  in  Bear  Creek  township,  one  mile  east  of  Brooklyn, 
being  busily  engaged  in  its  operation  for  six  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time 
he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  the  farm  on  which  he  has  resided  continuously 
since  and  which  now  embraces  a  quarter  section  of  land.  He  likewise  owns 
another  tract  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  one  mile  north,  in  Bear  Creek 
township,  which  is  the  home  of  his  son,  Gordie  G.  In  addition  to  raising  the 
cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate  Mr.  Roudabush  also  feeds  hogs  to 
some  extent.  He  likewise  has  good  orchards  and  there  is  no  waste  land  in  his 
farm,  all  of  it  being  well  improved  and  tiled.  In  the  conduct  of  his  agricultural 
interests  he  has  won  a  gratifying  measure  of  prosperity,  being  numbered  among 
the  substantial   and  representative  citizens  of   the   community. 

On  the  r>th  of  February,  1876,  Mr.  Roudabush  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Sophia  Rhoades,  a  native  of  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  and  a  daughter 
of  Jacob  C.  and  Sallie  (Berry)  Rhoades.  The  father,  who  was  also  born  and 
reared  in  that  county,  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  spent  his  entire  life  in  the 
Old  Dominion.  During  the  period  of  hostilities  between  the  north  and  south 
he  was  a  member  of  the  same  regiment  to  which  Jacob  Roudabush  belonged. 
His  demise  occurred  in  1884,  while  his  wife  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in 
1867.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Roudabush  are  the  parents  of  two  children.  G.  G.,  who 
lives  on  a  farm  on  section  i,  Bear  Creek  township,  wedded  Miss  Gertrude  Doty, 
a  daughter  of  Abel  Doty  of  Madison  township,  and  has  one  child,  Johnnie  E., 
a  little  lad  of  three  years.    Mamie  E.  Roudabush  is  still  under  the  parental  roof. 

Mr.  Roudabush  is  a  democrat  in  politics  and  for  two  years  has  served  as 
director  of  school  district  No.  i.  Bear  Creek  township.  Both  he  and  his  wife 
are  devoted  and  consistent  members  ^pf  _  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at 
Brooklyn.  The  period  of  his  resid^oc^  in  Poweshiek  county  covers  more  than 
a  third  of  a  century  and  he  is  well  and  favorably  known  within  its  borders. 


PETER  SCHNEEKLOTH. 

Among  the  residents  of  Malcom  township  who  are  now  living  retired,  their 
present  comfortable  financial  position  being  the  direct  result  of  former  activity 
and  enterprise  along  agricultural  lines,  is  numbered  Peter  Schneekloth.  As  the 
name  indicates  he  is  of  German  descent,  his  birth  occurring  in  Holstein,  Ger- 
many, on  the  19th  of  January,  1841.  His  parents,  Clause  and  Mary  (Gotschj 
Schneekloth,  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  fatherland,  where  the  lather  fol- 
lowed the  occupation  of  farming.  Peter  Schneekloth,  their  only  child,  was 
reared  and  educated  in  his  native  land.  After  attaining  manhood  he  decided  to 
seek  the  opportunities  of  the  new  world.  Consequently  the  year  1864  witnessed 
his  arrival  in  the  United  States  and,  making  his  way  direct  to  Iowa,  he  located 
first  in  Davenport,  where  he  was  employed  in  a  malt  house  for  about  three 
years.  He  next  engaged  as  a  teamster  for  one  year,  after  which  six  years 
were  devoted  to  agricultural  pursuits  in  Scott  county. 

In  1873  he  came  to  Alalcom  township,  where  he  purchased  a  tract  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  27,  and  to  the  operation  of  which  he  gave 


3^8  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

his  close  attention  until  fifteen  years  ago,  when  he  sold  it  to  his  elder  son, 
who  still  makes  it  his  home.  He  then  invested  in  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
in  Pleasant  township,  five  miles  south  of  Malcom,  and  there  he  resided  for  four 
vears,  when  he  sold  that  farm  to  his  younger  son  and  again  came  to  Malcom 
township.  He  did  not  again  take  up  agricultural  pursuits,  however,  but  with- 
drew from  the  active  work  of  the  farm  and  is  now  living  retired,  enjoying  a 
well  merited  rest  after  a  life  of  industry,  perseverance  and  close  application 
lo  business  affairs.  Preferring  the  scenes  and  environment  of  rural  life  to 
those  of  the  town,  he  erected  his  present  home  on  the  old  homestead  and  he 
and  his  son  each  have  a  most  comfortable  and  attractive  dwelling  on  that  place. 
He  is  also  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Wilkm  county,  Minnesota. 

In  1863,  in  Holstein,  Germany,  Mr.  Schneekloth  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Thriena  Schneekloth  who,  although  of  the  same  name,  was  no  relative. 
Her  birth  occurred  on  the  17th  of  January,  1844.  and  ere  their  removal  to  the 
L'nited  States  Mr.  and  Airs.  Schneekloth  became  the  parents  of  a  son,  John 
N.,  now  owning  and  operating  the  home  farm.  Two  others  have  since  been 
added  to  the  household,  however,  namely:  Louis,  who  passed  away  at  the  age 
of  five  years :  and   Henry   T.,  of   Montezuma,    Iowa. 

Mr.  Schneekloth  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Lutheran  church,  although 
he  is  not  at  present  a  member  of  that  denomination,  and  fraternally  he  is  iden- 
tified with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  politics  he  is  an  in- 
dependent democrat,  supporting  the  democratic  party  where  national  questions 
are  at  issue,  but  at  local  elections  voting  for  the  best  man  and  most  desirable 
measures.  In  his  life  he  has  exemplified  many  of  the  sturdy  traits  of  the 
Teutonic  race  and  some  of  the  best  qualities  of  his  adopted  country,  a  combina- 
tion which  has  won  him  a  place  among  the  substantial  and  representative  cit- 
izens of  Poweshiek  county. 


LAMBERT   L.  WOODS. 

.\  highly  improved  and  carefully  cultivated  farm  of  sixty  acres  in  Grinnell 
township  pays  tribute  to  the  agricultural  skill  of  Lambert  L.  Woods,  who  was 
born  in  Chester  township,  Poweshiek  county,  in  August,  1867.  His  parents, 
Abner  and  Maria  (Lightner)  Woods,  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  the  father 
horn  in  Mercer  county  and  the  mother  in  Huntingdon.  Mr.  Woods,  who  was 
always  identified  with  general  farming  and  stock  breeding,  removed  to  Powe- 
shiek county  in  1864,  locating  upon  a  quarter  section  of  land  in  Chester  town- 
ship. He  continued  to  reside  there  until  1877,  at  which  time  he  removed  to 
Grinnell  township,  where  he  passed  away  in  1893,  his  wife  surviving  him  for 
a  year.  They  were  among  the  early  settlers  of  the  county  and  had  been  com- 
pelled to  endure  many  of  the  hardships  and  privations  which  ever  fall  to  the 
lot  of  those  who  undertake  to  settle  in  a  new  country.  Mr.  Woods  was  a  man 
of  sterling  worth  and  integrity  and  possessed  many  friends  who  accorded  him 
the  esteem  he  well  merited. 


liiSTUKV  Oi'    I'UWliSlilEK  CUUXTV  339 

The  boyhood  ami  youth  of  Lambert  L.  Woods  were  spent  under  the  [)aternal 
roof,  his  time  being  largely  devoted  to  the  acquirement  of  an  education.  I-'ol- 
lowing  his  graduation  from  the  Grinnell  high  school  in  1884  he  decided  to 
become  a  chemist,  so  he  entered  the  Iowa  College,  being  awarded  his  degree  in 
1890.  He  subsequently  entered  tlie  employ  of  the  Illinois  Steel  Company, 
serving  as  chemist  in  both  their  Chicago  and  Joliet  plants  for  two  years.  From 
there  he  went  to  Pueblo,  Colorado,  where  he  accepted  a  position  with  the  Col- 
orado Fuel  &  Iron  Company,  which  he  relinquished  in  order  to  return  to  Iowa 
and  engage  in  farming.  Air.  Woods  enjoys  country  life  and  is  meeting  with 
most  gratifying  success  in  his  ventures.  Although  he  is  doing  general  farming 
the  greater  part  of  his  time  and  attention  is  devoted  to  the  breeding  of  Duroc- 
[ersey  hogs  and  buflf  Plymouth  Rock  chickens,  both  of  which  he  has  found  to 
be  most  lucrative.  His  is  one  of  the  model  farms  of  the  township :  the  im- 
provements are  all  good  and  kept  in  excellent  repair,  the  lawn  carefully  mowed, 
the  trees  and  hedge  well  trimmed  and,  in  fact,  everything  about  the  place  be- 
speaks that  careful  regard  for  details  which  invariably  indicates  the  capable 
supervision  of  the  competent  and  successful  agriculturist.  The  property  is 
located  just  outside  of  the  city  limits  and  the  residence  is  large,  comfortable  and 
homelike   in   appearance  and   thoroughly  modern   in  all   of    its  appointments. 

Mr.  Woods  is  a  progressive,  public-spirited,  but  thoroughly  practical  man, 
and  although  he  takes  much  interest  in  the  commercial  and  political  advance- 
ment of  the  community  his  energies  are  very  largely  concentrated  upon  the 
development  of  his  personal  interests. 


MRS.  TALITHA  HARNER. 

Mrs.  Talitha  Harner  is  a  representative  of  one  of  the  old  and  honored 
pioneer  families  of  Poweshiek  county  and  has  lived  in  this  part  of  the  state 
since  a  little  maiden  of  eight  summers,  having  for  sixty-two  years  been  a  wit- 
ness of  all  the  changes  that  have  occurred  in  transforming  the  wild  prairie 
land  into  productive  and  fertile  farms  dotted  here  and  there  with  thriving 
tdwns  and  prosperous  villages.  She  was  born  in  Greene  country,  Ohio,  No- 
vember 22,  1841,  a  daughter  of  Alanson  and  Easter  (  Mendenliall)  Bryan,  of 
whom  extended  mention  is  made  in  connection  with  the  history  of  Bedy  Bryan 
on  another  page  of  this  volume. 

The  fani'ly  arrived  in  Iowa  in  1849,  settling  about  three  miles  northeast 
of  Clskaloosa,  and  upon  the  home  farm  there  Mrs.  Harner  residetl  until  her 
marriage.  She  was  carefully  trained  in  the  duties  of  the  household  and  was, 
therefore,  well  qualified  to  take  charge  of  a  home  of  her  own  when  in  March, 
1857.  she  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  S.  Roberts,  who  was  born  in  Indiana 
in  1834  and  in  early  manhood  came  to  Iowa  with  his  brother,  settling  in  Ma- 
haska county.  They  began  their  domestic  life  in  Poweshiek  county,  settling 
on  a  farm  which  her  father  had  entered  and  gave  to  her.  It  was  a  tract  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Pleasant  township,  seven  miles  northwest  of 
Montezuma.     Mr.  Roberts  continued  the  cultivation  of  that  place  until  Decem- 


340  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

ber,  1863,  when  he  felt  that  his  first  duty  was  to  his  country  and  enHsted  from 
Montezuma  under  Captain  Campbell  in  Company  B,  Fortieth  Iowa  Volunteer 
Infantry.  He  was  wounded  at  Okolona,  Arkansas,  April  3,  1864,  and  was  taken 
prisoner.  Later  he  was  recaptured  by  his  own  company,  but  was  again  taken 
prisoner  at  Camden,  Arkansas,  all  this  occurring  within  twenty-four  hours. 
As  he  was  unable  to  ride  horseback  he  could  not  get  away  and  his  brother 
was  obliged  to  leave  him.  The  lack  of  attention  and  the  treatment  which  he 
received  in  prison  as  well  as  his  wounds  caused  his  death  on  the  29th  of  June, 
1864.  His  comrade,  Conrad  Blewer,  who  was  also  a  prisoner  at  the  same  time, 
reported  to  his  widow  the  circumstances  and  details  of  his  demise.  They  were 
the  parents  of  four  children:  Andrew  M.,  now  of  Oregon;  Dennis  M.,  of  Pleas- 
ant township ;  Pertzell  E.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  one  and  one-half  years ;  and 
Ruth  A.  J.,  the  wife  of  John  E.  Gregson,  of  Grinnell.  Mrs.  Harner  has  eleven 
grandchildren  living  and  six  great-grandchildren. 

After  the  death  of  her  first  husband  she  left  the  farm  in  Pleasant  township 
in  March,  1864,  and  removed  to  Montezuma  where  she  spent  one  year.  She 
then  went  to  her  father's  farm  in  Oskaloosa  and  resided  there  until  1869.  In 
that  year  she  returned  to  Poweshiek  county  and  in  1877  again  took  up  her  abode 
upon  the  old  home  farm  in  Pleasant  township.  In  December,  1879.  she  was 
again  married,  becoming  the  wife  of  Andrew  Harner,  who  was  born  in  Vir- 
ginia, June  16,  1814,  and  when  three  years  of  age  was  taken  by  his  parents 
to  Ohio  where  he  was  reared  and  educated  and  began  farming.  In  the  spring 
of  1837  he  went  to  Indiana  where  he  also  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits,  and 
m  1855  he  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  By  a  previous  marriage  he 
had  si.x  children.  After  he  married  Mrs.  Roberts  they  lived  upon  his  farm, 
which  was  situated  two  and  one-half  miles  from  Montezuma.  He  died  Decem- 
ber 26,  1883. 

After  being  again  left  a  widow  Mrs.  Harner  returned  to  her  old  home  in 
Pleasant  township,  and  for  twenty-one  years  she  made  her  home  with  her 
children  and  friends.  Seven  years  ago,  however,  in  February,  1904,  she  pur- 
chased her  present  home  in  Montezuma  and  sold  her  farm  to  her  daughter. 
She  is  comfortably  situated  in  life  and  not  only  has  a  sufficient  amount  of  this 
world's  goods  to  supply  her  with  the  necessities  but  also  with  the  luxuries  of 
life,  and,  moreover,  has  a  large  circle  of  warm  friends  who  regard  her  most 
kindly. 


WILLIAM  P.  JOHNSON. 

William  P.  Johnson,  who  is  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  eighty  acres  of 
the  homestead  farm  upon  which  he  was  born  on  the  i8th  of  April,  1854,  is  also 
devoting  his  attention  to  the  real-estate  business.  His  parents,  the  late  \'irgil 
Harrison  and  Mary  (Wilson)  Johnson,  were  natives  of  Ohio,  the  father's  birth 
occurring  in  Highland  county  on  the  i6th  of  September,  1813,  and  that  of  the 
mother  in  Greene  county,  her  natal  day  being  the  8th  of  May,  1816.  They  were 
reared,  educated  and  married  in  the  Buckeye  state,  where  Mr.  Johnson  engaged 
in  farming  until  his  thirty-sixth  year.     In   1849  he  and  his  family  migrated  to 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  341 

Iowa,  locating  in  Poweshiek  county.  Upon  his  arrival  here  he  filed  upon  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  government  land  in  Union  township,  which  he  im- 
proved and  placed  under  cultivation.  He  continued  to  operate  this  until  he 
passed  away  on  the  5th  of  April,  1893.  His  wife  survived  him  for  five  years, 
her  demise  occurring  on  the  9th  of  June,  1898.  He  had  met  with  more  than 
average  success  in  his  work  and  in  addition  to  his  homestead,  upon  which  he  had 
made  very  good  improvements,  he  owned  thirty  acres  of  timber  land.  Both 
parents  were  active  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  Mr.  Johnson  being  one  of  the 
trustees,  and  he  was  also  an  ardent  republican.  He  always  took  an  active  in- 
terest in  all  township  politics  and  served  in  both  the  capacity  of  school  director 
and  road   supervisor. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  \'irgil  H.  Johnson  were  born  the  following  children: 
Lorenzo  D.,  who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Ohio,  on  the  4th  of  February,  1842, 
and  is  now  a  resident  of  Union  township ;  Carey  A.,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the 
20th  of  November,  1845,  in  Greene  county,  Ohio,  and  is  now  deceased;  Harvey 
P.,  also  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  state,  his  birth  occurring  in  February,  1849,  and 
now  a  resident  of  Montezuma;  Joseph  A.,  who  was  born  on  the  15th  of  April, 
1851.  and  is  living  in  Maryland;  William  P.,  our  subject;  Merritt  U.,  who  was 
born  on  the  20th  of  June,  1856,  and  is  deceased;  and  Mary  Angeline,  the  widow 
of  O.  M.  McNeal,  of  Union  township. 

The  life  of  William  P.  Johnson  has  thus  far  been  spent  in  Union  township, 
in  whose  schools  he  obtained  his  education.  He  remained  at  home  with  his 
parents,  assisting  in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm,  until  after  the  demise  of  his 
father.  Subsequently  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  the  homestead,  where  he 
has  ever  since  continuously  resided,  engaging  in  general  farming,  and  also  in 
the  real-estate  business. 

On  the  loth  of  October,  1888,  Mr.  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Georgiana  Mackie,  a  daughter  of  Jesse  Stanford  and  Wealthy  Jane  (Skeels) 
Mackie,  residents  of  Union  township,  and  of  this  union  there  has  been  born 
one  child,  Lettie  Mae,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  9th  of  May,  1895. 

Ever  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  full  rights  of  citizenship  Mr.  Johnson 
has  supported  the  republican  ticket,  but  he  does  not  actively  participate  in 
politics.  He  is  well  and  favorably  known  to  the  citizens  of  Union  township, 
numbering  among  his  friends  many  of  the  comrades  of  his  boyhood,  which 
fact  is  a  tribute  to  his  character. 


MORTON  MONROE  GREGSON. 

Although  Poweshiek  county  owes  much  to  settlers  from  other  parts  of  the 
state  and  country  for  its  high  reputation  as  one  of  the  richest  agricultural  sec- 
tions of  the  Union,  there  are  many  young  men  assisting  in  its  advancement  who 
are  natives  of  this  county.  Growing  up  under  favorable  conditions,  they  be- 
came highly  efficient,  and  the  effect  of  their  application  is  to  be  seen  in  farms 
whose  appearance  to  the  traveler  as  he  rides  through  the  county  is  evidence 
of  a  high  degree  of  prosperity. 


342  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Mr.  Gregson  of  this  review  is  a  native  son  of  Poweshiek  county,  and  was 
born  on  a  farm  in  Union  township,  February  23.  1871,  his  parents  being  Martin 
and  Eliza  (Carpenter)  Gregson.  The  father  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  In- 
diana, July  II,  1832,  and  the  mother  in  the  same  county  April  11,  1841.  He 
engaged  in  farming  and  also  became  a  minister  of  the  Baptist  church.  Arriving 
in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  he  located  in  Union  township,  where  he  purchased 
eighty  acres  of  land,  to  which  he  made  additions  as  his  resources  permitted 
until  he  became  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-four  acres.  After  many 
years  of  effective  labor  on  the  farm  and  also  in  the  pulpit  he  sold  his  place 
and  moved  to  Searsboro.  He  is  now  living  retired  at  Marshalltown.  Mrs. 
Gregson  was  called  from  earthly  scenes  May  28,  1898.  The  father  gives  his 
support  politically  to  the  democratic  party  and  served  several  terms  as  member 
of  the  school  board.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order.  There 
were  fourteen  children  in  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gregson,  namely:  America 
J.,  Theodore,  Commodore  and  Florida  Jane,  all  of  whom  are  deceased;  Mabel, 
who  is  the  wife  of  William  Pilgrim,  of  Grinnell :  Dayton  P.,  of  Searsboro; 
Amos  B.,  of  Sugar  Creek  township;  Morton  M.,  the  subject  of  this  review; 
Eli  M.,  who  is  living  at  Oskaloosa.  Iowa;  Leon  L.,  of  Marshalltown,  Iowa; 
Nellie,  the  wife  of  Ray  Butler,  of  Marshalltown ;  Sarah  .Mma,  who  married 
Frank  Faulkenburg,  of  Montezuma;  Clarence  A.,  of  Ames,  Iowa,  and  George 
T.,  of  Cedar  Rapids. 

Morton  Monroe  Gregson  received  his  preliminary  education  in  the  district 
schools  of  Union  township.  He  assisted  upon  the  home  farm  until  he  arrived 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years  and  then  for  seven  years  rented  land  on  his 
own  account  in  Washington  township.  In  1901  he  purchased  eighty  acres  and 
later  acquired  forty  acres  more,  which  he  has  developed  into  a  beautiful  [)!ace. 
having  made  many  improvements,  greatly  enhancing  its  value.  He  is  highlv 
successful  as  a   farmer,  especially  in  raising  and  feeding  stock  for  the  market. 

On  the  24th  of  November,  1892,  Mr.  Gregson  was  married  to  Miss  Dolly 
Viola  Evans,  who  was  born  in  Washington  township,  October  22.  1872,  a 
daughter  of  James  Daniel  and  Anna  Eliza  (  Farmer)  Evans.  The  parents  were 
both  born  near  Jamestown,  Ohio,  but  were  married  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa. 
Mr.  Evans  located  in  Washington  township,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  for 
many  years.  He  is  now  living  retired  with  his  wife  upon  the  home  place. 
He  served  faithfully  for  the  Union  in  the  Civil  war  for  a  period  of  four  years 
as  a  private  in  the  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry.  In  politics  he  ad- 
heres to  the  republican  party  and  has  served  as  township  trustee.  He  holds 
membership  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  is  also  a  consistent  mem- 
ber of  the  Christian  church. 

Five  children  have  blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gregson,  namely: 
Velma  Pearl,  who  was  born  September  20,  1893;  Bertha  Grace,  born  July  16, 
1897,  and  who  died  December  30,  1909;  Agnes  Irene,  born  September  9,  1901  : 
Ada  Bernice,  born  January   16,  1904;  and  Helen  Mabel,  born  August  19,   1906. 

In  politics  Mr.  Gregson  supports  the  candidates  and  principles  of  the  dem- 
ocratic party,  but  has  never  sought  the  honors  of  public  office,  save  that  of  school 
director.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Odd  Fellows'  lodge  at  Searsboro.  He  early 
made  a   choice  of    farming  as  his  life   work  and   gives   his   best  thoughts   and 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COLWTV  343 

energy  to  his  calling,  thereby  meeting  with  the  reward  which  always  attends 
wisely  directed  application.  As  the  head  of  a  promising  and  happy  family  and 
engaged  in  a  prosperous  and  successful  business  he  may  be  designated  as  one 
of  the  fortunate  citizens  of  Poweshiek  county. 


ALANSON  BRYAN. 


Six  decades  have  been  added  to  the  cycle  of  the  centuries  since  Alanson 
Bryan  became  a  resident  of  Montezuma.  Great  have  been  the  changes  that 
occurred  within  that  period  and  with  the  work  of  progress  and  improvement 
he  has  been  associated.  A  native  of  Ohio,  he  was  born  in  Greene  county,  April 
27,  1843,  his  parents  being  Xeri  and  Sarah  (Mendenhall)  Bryan,  who  were  also 
.natives  of  the  same  county,  the  father  having  been  born  there  March  11,  1820, 
while  the  mother  was  born  November  18,  1822.  They  were  married  May  21, 
1840.  and  lived  for  several  years  in  the  Buckeye  state,  but  in  1846  became  res- 
idents of  Jefterson  county,  Iowa.  On  the  25th  of  January.  1850,  they  arrived 
in  Montezuma,  where  their  remaining  days  were  passed.  The  father's  fleath 
occurred  December  2,  1903,  while  the  mother  died  on  the  27th  of  March,  1868. 
He  had  followed  farming  during  much  of  his  life  but  also  worked  at  the  car- 
penter's trade  and  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brick,  continuing  in  that 
business  from  i860  until  his  retirement  a  few  years  before  his  death.  He  made 
the  first  brick  in  the  county.  His  farm  w-as  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  a  mile 
north  of  Montezuma,  in  Scott  township,  and  this  he  entered  from  the  govern- 
ment. 

The  children  of  his  first  marriage  were :  Silas,  who  enlisted  in  Company  F, 
Tenth  Iowa  \'olunteer  Infantry,  in  1861,  and  was  killed  at  the  battle  of 
Champion's  Hill.  Mississippi,  May  16,  1863:  Alanson;  John  M.,  who  enlisted 
from  this  county.  January  i,  1864,  as  a  member  of  Company  B,  Fortieth  Iowa 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  was  wounded  at  Fort  Smith,  .\rkansas,  his  death  re- 
sulting from  his  injuries;  William  A.,  a  retired  farmer  of  Montezuma:  and 
Mrs.  Elma  I.  McCoy,  now  deceased.  After  losing  his  first  wife  Neri  Bryan 
married  Margaret  Kirk  and  they  had  three  children :  Charles  D.,  of  Union 
township ;  Mrs.  Lucy  R.  Dalbey,  of  Mason  City,  Iowa ;  and  Mrs.  Mary  E. 
Fleanor,  of  Reasnor,  Iowa. 

Alanson  Bryan,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  came  with  his  parents 
to  this  state  almost  two-thirds  of  a  century  ago  and  in  January,  1850,  arrived  in 
Montezuma,  where  he  has  since  lived.  Like  his  father  he  has  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits,  in  the  manufacture  of  brick  and  in  carpentry  and  has 
led  a  busy  and  useful  life.  But  his  labors  were  interrupted  at  the  time  of  the 
Civil  war  for  with  patriotic  ardor  he  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  troops, 
enlisting  on  the  22d  of  August,  1862,  as  a  member  of  Company  B,  Fortieth 
Iowa  Infantry.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Fort  Gibson,  in  the  Cherokee  Nation, 
Indian  territory,  .August  16,  1865,  having  taken  part  in  all  the  engagements  of 
his  regiment,  which  was  assigned  to  duty  with  the  Army  of  the  West. 


341  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

It  was  not  long  after  his  return  from  the  war  that  Mr.  Bryan  was  married, 
the  wedding  being  celebrated  February  15,  1866.  when  Sarah  P.  Ewing  became 
his  wife.  She  was  born  at  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  November  24,  1844,  and 
was  brought  to  Poweshiek  county  by  her  parents,  Samuel  and  Prudence  Ewing, 
in  the  '50s.  She  died  March  3,  1873,  leaving  a  daughter,  Florence  L.,  now 
the  wife  of  A.  U.  Dalbey,  of  Barnes  City,  Iowa,  by  whom  she  had  seven  chil- 
dren, four  of  whom  are  living. 

After  his  return  from  the  war  Mr.  Bryan  carried  on  business  pursuits 
until  about  ten  years  ago  when  he  retired  and  is  now  enjoying  a  well  earned 
rest  made  possible  by  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil.  He  is  a  republican  but  has 
never  sought  or  desired  office.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  the  Grand 
Army  of  the  Republic  and  thus  maintains  pleasant  relations  with  his  old  army 
comrades.  He  has  always  been  true  and  loyal  in  matters  of  citizenship,  display- 
ing the  same  fidelity  in  times  of  peace  that  he  manifested  when  he  followed  the 
stars  and  stripes  on  southern   battlefields. 


JOHN  H.  PATTON. 


John  H.  Patten,  one  of  the  most  prominent  lawyers  of  Poweshiek  county, 
whose  connection  with  the  bar  is  characterized  not  only  by  marked  ability  in 
the  preparation  and  presentation  of  his  cause,  but  also  in  fidelity  to  a  high 
standard  of  commercial  ethics,  was  born  in  Curwensville,  Clearfield  county, 
Pennsylvania,  February  8,  1856,  a  son  of  Edward  B.  and  Esther  A.  (Mason) 
Patton,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  Keystone  state.  Following  their 
marriage  they  located  in  Curwensville.  The  Patton  family  for  generations  have 
been  prominent  in  the  public  life  of  Pennsylvania.  The  great-grandfather,  John 
Patton,  was  a  member  of  Washington's  staff  in  the  Revolutionary  war  and 
an  uncle.  John  Patton,  brother  of  Edward  B.  Patton,  was  a  member  of  congress 
from  his  district  and  his  son.  Jack,  was  United  States  senator  from  Michigan 
by  appointment  of  Governor  Trowbridge.  At  the  expiration  of  that  term  he 
refused  to  become  a  candidate  for  the  regular  election,  although  it  was  con- 
ceded that  he  could  have  the  position  for  the  asking.  Other  members  have 
been  prominent  in  public  life.  Edward  B.  Patton,  the  father,  was  a  contractor 
and  builder,  who  remained  always  a  resident  of  Curwensville,  Pennsylvania, 
where  he  died  in  1908,  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-one  years.  His  wife 
passed  away  on  the  morning  of  July  4.  1861,  and  so  greatly  was  she  esteemed 
and  beloved  in  her  town  that  all  patriotic  demonstrations  were  suspended  and 
not  an  unnecessary  sound  was  heard  there  during  the  day  through  respect  to 
her  memory. 

John  H.  Patton  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof.  He  was  only  five  years 
of  age  at  the  time  of  his  mother's  death  and  he  is  largely  a  self-educated  as 
well  as  self-made  man.  He  naturally  enjoyed  the  advantages  of  the  district 
schools  and,  as  the  Pattons  were  a  family  of  affluence  in  Pennsylvania,  he 
could   have   had  a  course  in  Yale,  but  he  chose  the  independent  plan  and  has 


J.    II.   I'ATrOX— MAYOR   OF   GRIXXELL 


HISTORY  UF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  347 

depended  upon  life's  experiences  and  his  own  exertions  for  a  higher  echication. 
At  the  early  age  of  nineteen  years  he  was  a  newspaper  editor  and  pubhsher, 
editing  the  Curwensville  Times.  While  thus  engaged  during  the  Hayes  and 
Tilden  camjjaign  of  1876  he  ])ublished  a  criticism  of  J.  Blake  Walters,  which 
was  taken  up  and  copied  broadly  by  the  Philadelphia  papers  and  resulted  in 
the  defeat  of  Walters,  who  started  a  suit  against  Mr.  Patton  for  libel,  but  the 
latter's  statement  was  readily  proven. 

The  following  year  Mr.  Patton  sought  a  home  in  the  west,  coming  to  Grin- 
iiell,  Iowa,  and  during  the  succeeding  three  years  was  connected,  a  part  of  the 
time,  with  the  Grinnell  Herald  and  a  part  of  the  time  with  the  Citizens'  Bank. 
In  1880  he  took  charge  of  the  Grinnell  Independent,  publishing  this  as  a  semi- 
weekly  republican  newspaper.  During  the  period  of  his  connection  with  the 
paper  as  its  editor  he  brought  forth  an  editorial  on  the  Tilden  and  Hayes  cam- 
paign, giving  his  reasons  for  his  belief  that  Samuel  J.  Tilden  was  at  that  time 
elected  president.  This  editorial  came  to  the  attention  of  Charles  A.  Dana, 
of  the  New  York  Sun,  and  was  copied  in  his  paper — rather  an  unusual  occur- 
rence for  a  distinguished  editor  of  a  metropolitan  journal  to  copy  from  a  rural 
newspaper.  Mr.  Patton  continued  to  dictate  the  policy  of  the  Grinnell  In- 
dependent until  1887.  He  was  a  forceful  writer,  clear  and  cogent  in  the  state- 
ment of  his  opinions  and  in  the  defense  of  his  position,  and  his  editorials  at- 
tracted wide  attention. 

In  the  general  election  of  1886  Mr.  Patton  was  elected  district  clerk  and 
entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  office  in  January,  1887,  removing  to  Montezuma, 
where  he  continued  to  fill  the  position  for  three  terms,  his  reelections  being  in- 
controvertible proof  of  the  recognition-. (Jf^'Ris' ability  and  trustworthiness  on  the 

,      -    _-      -     _..  .__   fearly   manhood   Mr.    Patton   had    formed 

the  habit  of  night  study  and  for  years  there  was  not  an  evening  passed  that 
he  did  not  read  until  twelve  o'clocki  TW?._lJ3.bit  became  so  fixed  with  him  that 
it  seemed  as  necessary  as  his  daily  meals.  --"111.1877  lie  determined  to  learn  some- 
thing about  law  and  he  took  up  as  his  evening  course  of  reading  a  number  of 
text-books  on  law,  not,  however,  with  the  intention  of  practicing.  By  the  year 
1880,  however,  he  had  progressed  sufficiently  in  his  studies  to  pass  an  examina- 
tion and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  Even  then  he  did  not  intend  to  become  a 
practitioner,  but  after  serving  for  three  terms  in  the  district  clerk's  office  he 
resolved  to  enter  upon  the  practice  of  law  and,  in  1893,  passed  the  required 
examination  before  the  supreme  court  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  On  his 
return  to  Grinnell  he  received  a  letter  from  C.  T.  Jones,  clerk  of  the  supreme 
court,  telling  him  that  he  had  passed  with  the  high  grade  of  ninety-two  per 
cent  and  that  very  few  applicants  for  admission,  possibly  not  more  than  a 
half-dozen,  had  ever  received  so  high  a  grade  before  the  supreme  court  on 
examination.  Yet  Mr.  Patton  had  never  attended  a  law  school  and  his  prepara- 
tion was  made  entirely  independently  through  his  night  study. 

Opening  an  office  in  Grinnell  in  January,  1893,  Mr.  Patton  has  since  been 
continuously  connected  with  the  Poweshiek  county  bar,  and  through  the  inter- 
vening period  of  eighteen  years  has  made  marked  progress  in  his  practice, 
being  today  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  capable  and  prominent  lawyers  of 
this  part  of  the  state.     His  reading  has  covered  a  wide  range  and  not  only  does 


348  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

he  possess  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  principles  of  jurisprudence,  but 
also  the  ability  to  accurately   apply   its  principles. 

On  the  15th  of  January,  1879,  Air.  Patton  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  J. 
Worcester,  of  Grinnell,  a  daughter  of  Justice  Worcester,  who  came  to  Iowa 
in  an  early  day,  settling  in  Marshall  county,  whence  he  afterward  removed  to 
Grinnell.  He  was  a  cousin  of  the  compiler  of  Worcester's  dictionary.  Unto 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Patton  have  been  born  six  children:  John  H.,  Jr.,  a  traveling 
salesman  representing  the  Grinnell  Glove  Factory;  Homer  E.,  manager  of  the 
Postal  Telegraph  Cable  Company,  of  Des  Moines,  and  president  of  the  Iowa 
Corporation  of  that  company;  Edward  C,  a  graduate  of  the  Grinnell  high 
school;  Mary  E.,  a  graduate  of  the  high  school  class  of  191 1;  Esther  Ann.  a 
freshman  in  the  Grinnell  high  school ;  and  Paul  W.,  who  has  not  yet  completed 
the  work  of  the  grades. 

In  politics  Mr.  Patton  is  a  stalwart  republican,  has  served  as  city  attorney, 
and  was  elected  mayor  of  Grinnell  in  the  city  election  of  March,  191 1.  He 
deserves  much  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished.  Nature  endowed  him  with 
strong  mentality,  but  beyond  this  he  has  had  no  assistance  in  life  and  his 
progress  represents  the  fit  utilization  of  his  innate  powers  and  the  recognition 
of  his  opportunities.  His  fidelity  to  the  interests  of  his  clients  is  proverbial ; 
yet  he  never  forgets  that  he  owes  a  higher  allegiance  to  the  majesty  of  the  law. 
His  diligence  and  energy  in  the  preparation  of  his  cases  as  well  as  the  earnest- 
ness, tenacity  and  courage  with  which  he  defends  the  right,  as  he  under- 
stands it,  challenges  the  highest  admiration  of  his  associates.  He  invariably 
seeks  to  present  his  argument  in  the  strong  clear  light  of  common  reason  and 
sound  logical  principles. 


F.   L.  ABEL. 


Some  men  are  well  adapted  for  business  life  and  from  the  start  give  evi- 
dence of  an  interest  in  their  work  and  a  judgment  in  affairs  which  are  clear 
prophecies  of  success.  F.  L.  Abel,  who  is  at  the  head  of  a  flourishing  vehicle 
establishment  at  Grinnell,  early  showed  the  zeal  and  persistence  so  necessary  to 
success  in  this  age  of  strong  competition  and  for  ten  years  past  he  has  been 
carrying  on  business  on  his  own  account  with  excellent  results.  He  was  born 
in  Pleasant  township,  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  November  2,  1874,  a  son  of 
Frank  and  Anna  (Rainey)  Abel.  The  parents  were  natives  of  New  York 
slate  and  were  reared  and  married  there.  In  1866  they  came  to  Iowa,  locating 
in  Pleasant  township,  Poweshiek  county,  where  Mr.  Abel  bought  a  farm  and 
engaged  in  agriculture  and  stock-raising  for  ten  years.  He  then  sold  his  place 
and  removed  to  Grinnell,  where  he  has  since  lived  retired. 

F.  L.  Abel  received  his  jireliminary  education  in  the  public  schools  anci  later 
matriculated  at  Grinnell  College,  in  which  he  cntinueil  for  two  years,  .\fter 
leaving  college  lie  entered  the  eni;iloy  of  the  H.  W.  Spaulding  Manufacturing 
Company  and  was  employed  in  the  factory  of  the  company  for  two  years. 
Having  acquired    a   good   general    knowledge  of   the   business   he  was    sent   out 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWESIIIEK  COUNTY  349 

upon  the  road  and  represented  the  firm  in  various  parts  of  the  country  for 
live  years.  In  U)Oi,  liav.ng  decided  to  engage  in  business  for  himself,  he  became 
a  member  of  the  firm  of  Mason  &  Abel.  They  sold  buggies  and  carriages  in  the 
western  states,  employing  the  system  of  trailing- — taking  vehicles  through  the 
country  to  the  doors  of  their  prospective  customers.  In  1906  the  firm  was  dis- 
solved and  Mr.  Abel  became  associated  with  his  brother  B.  A.  under  the  style 
of  F.  L.  Abel  &  Company,  the  senior  member  looking  after  the  office  business 
and  the  junior  covering  the  field.  They  have  developed  a  lucrative  patronage, 
which  under  capable  management  is  steadily  growing.  F.  L.  Abel  is  also  identi- 
fied with  other  enterprises  and  is  a  director  of  the  Grinnell  Savings  Bank. 

In  1900  he  was  happily  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Violet  Naysmith  Blow, 
a  daughter  of  Mahlan  Blow,  a  farmer  of  Poweshiek  county,  now  deceased. 
By  this  union  one  child,  Maxine  Anna,  has  been  born.  Socially,  Mr.  Abel 
is  identified  with  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  is  a  sincere 
believer  in  the  beneficent  teachings  of  the  order.  He  is  an  adherent  of  the  re- 
publican party,  whose  principles  he  heartily  espouses,  but  he  has  never  sought 
the  honors  of  political  office,  preferring  to  devote  his  abilities  to  his  private 
affairs.  As  a  result  of  his  diligence  and  good  judgment  he  has  prospered  and  is 
recognized  as  one  of  the  substantial  business  men  of  Grinnell. 


HARRY  THOMPSON. 


By  means  of  diligence  and  application  Harry  Thompson,  who  is  engaged  in 
stock-raising,  has  become  one  of  the  extensive  landowners  of  Union  township. 
His  birth  occurred  in  Jersey  county,  Illinois,  on  the  13th  of  August,  1865,  his 
parents  being  Charles  N.  and  Martha  (Chapman)  Thompson,  natives  of  Lick- 
ing county,  Ohio,  where  they  were  married.  The  father,  who  was  born  on 
the  9th  of  January,  1837,  migrated  with  his  wife,  in  the  early  years  of  their 
married  life,  to  Illinois.  He  there  engaged  in  farming  until  1880,  when  he 
again  started  westward,  Iowa  being  his  destination.  They  first  located  in  Jasper 
county,  where  a  little  later  he  purchased  a  small  farm,  which  he  cultivated  until 
1910,  when  he  removed  to  Union  township,  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  is  now 
residing.  He  has  always  been  an  ardent  reiniblican,  and  his  wife  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  She  passed  away  in  Jasper  county, 
in  September,  1881.  Unto  them  were  born  the  following  children:  Minnie, 
the  wife  of  C.  S.  Wall,  of  Newton,  Iowa;  Harry,  our  subject;  Emma,  deceased; 
Leonard,  who  is  a  resident  of  Estherville,  Iowa;  Charles  Nathan,  who  is  living 
in  the  state  of  Washington;  Hattie,  the  wife  of  George  Jacobs,  of  West  Bend, 
Iowa;  and  Thomas,  who  is  living  in  Colfax,  Iowa. 

Harry  Thompson,  who  was  a  youth  of  fifteen  years  when  the  family  settled 
in  Iowa,  acquired  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native  state.  He 
remained  a  member  of  the  parental  household  until  he  was  nineteen,  assisting 
his  father  in  operating  the  farm.  He  subsequently  worked  as  a  farm  hand 
until  he  had  accumulated  sufficient  money  to  enable  him  to  begin  farming  for 
himself,   when  he  rented  land  in  Jasper  county.     Perseverance,  combined  with 


350  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'XTY 

diligence  and  the  intelligent  direction  of  his  affairs,  enabled  him  to  make  a 
success  of  his  ventures,  and  in  1908  he  bought  his  present  farm,  which  con- 
tains three  hundred  and  twenty-eight  acres  of  land.  Here  he  engages  in  breed- 
ing and  raising  shorthorn  cattle  and  Poland  China  hogs,  both  of  which,  under 
his  capable  supervision,  are  proving  to  be  very  lucrative. 

In  February,  1888,  Mr.  Thompson  and  Miss  Estella  Rayi  were  united  in 
marriage.  Mrs.  Thompson  is  a  daughter  of  Himelus  and  Sarah  Jane  (Macy) 
Ravi,  residents  of  Sugar  Creek  township.  Eight  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson,  the  order  of  their  birth  being  as  follows :  Don,  How- 
ard, Delima,  Luvilla,  Chalmer,  Dwight,  Vough  and  Colyne. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thompson  are  both  ardent  members  of  the  Baptist  church, 
of  which  he  is  a  deacon  and  clerk,  and  he  is  also  affiliated  with  the  Brotherhood 
of  American  Yeomen.  In  politics  he  is  a  republican  but  never  takes  an  active 
part  in  public  affairs.  He  has  always  worked  persistently  and  unfalteringly, 
so  judiciously  administering  his  affairs  that  he  has  became  recognized  as  one 
of  the  successful  and  prosperous  stockmen  and  agriculturists  of  Union  township. 


FREDERICK  F.  LEE. 


Frederick  F.  Lee  has  lived  for  thirty  years  in  Poweshiek  county  and  is 
now  retired  from  active  labor,  having  turned  over  the  work  of  the  farm  to  his 
sons.  His  memory  carries  him  back  many  years,  as  he  has  now  reached  the 
advanced  age  of  eighty-eight  years  and  in  the  course  of  a  long  and  useful  life 
has  passed  through  many  interesting  experiences.  He  was  born  in  Rutland 
county,  Vermont,  November  6,  1823,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Phoebe 
(Eastman)  Lee,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  same  place.  The  father 
learned  the  cooper's  trade,  but  devoted  his  attention  to  farming,  in  1836  he 
moved  with  his  family  to  Canada  and  he  and  his  wife  spent  the  remainder  of 
their  lives  in  that  country.  They  were  people  of  sterling  characteristics  and 
devout   members   of  the  Methodist   Episcopal  church. 

Frederick  F.  Lee  was  the  eldest  child  in  a  family  consisting  of  three  sons 
and  two  daughters.  He  received  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools  and 
went  with  his  parents  to  Canada,  continuing  at  home  until  he  was  si.xteen  years 
of  age.  He  then  became  clerk  in  a  store  and  retained  that  position  for  seven 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  began  farming  in  Canada,  remaining  there 
until  1881.  Believing  that  conditions  were  more  favorable  west  of  the  Mississ- 
ippi river,  he  removed  with  his  family  to  this  state  and  rented  land  in  Pow- 
eshiek county.  Later  he  purchased  eighty  acres  in  Grinnell  township  and  en- 
gaged in  general  farming,  specializing  in  the  raising  of  fine  horses,  cattle  and 
hogs,  in  which  he  attained  a  goodly  measure  of  success. 

On  the  ^d  of  March,  1845,  Mr.  Lee  was  married,  in  Canada,  to  Miss  Clara 
Mallory  a  daughter  of  David  and  Hulda  (Keeler)  Mallory,  and  there  were 
three  children  born  to  this  union:  Lucy,  who  was  married  and  became  the 
mother  of  four  children:  John,  Fred,  Clara  and  Anna,  and  is  now  deceased: 
Sarah    who  married   lames  Austin,  of  Knapp.  Wisconsin:  and  Wdham  F..  also 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  351 

deceased.  The  mother  of  these  children  died  in  1853  and  Air.  Lee  was  married 
later  to  Miss  Delilah  Adams,  a  daughter  of  Orrin  B.  and  Elizabeth  (Mallor)-) 
Adams,  of  Canada.  Two  children  have  blessed  this  union :  Herman  F.  and 
Malcomn  C,  both  of  whom  are  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Lee,  as  a  farmer,  has  aided  in  the  work  which  has  iiroduccd  so  wnn- 
derful  a  transformation  throughout  the  country  and  made  life  vastly  more 
agreeable  to  the  millions  living  in  the  agricultural  regions.  l!y  his  prompt  and 
honorable  methods  in  business  he  has  won  the  deserved  confidence  of  his 
neighbors  and  set  an  example  well  worthy  of  imitation.  He  served  as  post- 
master at  Mallorytown.  Canada,  but  has  never  sought  the  honors  or  emolu- 
ments of  public  office  in  Iowa,  preferring  to  devote  his  energy  to  his  farm. 
Politically  he  has  given  his  support  to  the  republican  party.  In  religious  faith 
he  has  been   for   manv  vears  identified  with  the  Methodist  church. 


JAMES   S.   McKEE, 


Agricultural  pursuits  have  characterized  the  efforts  of  James  S.  McKee 
throughout  his  entire  active  career,  and  in  the  cultivation  of  a  good  farm  in 
Malcom  township  he  is  meeting  with  creditable  success. 

He  is  one  of  Iowa"s  native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  Muscatine 
county  on  the  15th  of  December,  1866.  His  parents,  William  J.  and  Sarah 
(Corrough)  McKee,  were  both  natives  of  County  Down,  Ireland,  where  they 
were  reared  and  married.  They  came  to  Iowa  in  1854,  residing  in  Scott  county 
about  two  or  three  years,  after  which  they  removed  to  Muscatine  county.  Later 
they  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  established  the  family  home  on  the  farm 
which  is  now  the  property  of  our  subject.  Mrs.  McKee  passed  away  in  Mal- 
com township  in  1891,  at  the  age  of  fifty-six  years,  being  survived  for  almost 
twenty  years  by  her  husband.  His  life  record  covered  more  than  the  Psalmist's 
allotted  span  of  three  score  years  and  ten,  extending  from  the  loth  of  May, 
1832,  until  his  death,  at  Grinnell,  on  the  5th  of  January,  1910.  Their  family 
consisted  of  seven  children,  namely :  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Thomas  McKee, 
of  Grinnell ;  Mary,  also  of  Grinnell ;  John,  of  Pomona,  California ;  Agnes,  of 
Grinnell ;  Sarah,  the  wife  of  G.  H.  Pyle,  of  Malcom  township ;  Elizabeth,  who 
married  Gordon  Duflfus,  of  Canada ;  and  James  S.,  of  this  review. 

Spending  the  period  of  his  boyhood  in  the  county  of  his  nativity,  James  S. 
McKee  came  to  Poweshiek  county  with  his  parents  in  1880,  and  he  has  since 
continued  to  reside  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Malcom  township.  He  now  gives 
his  attention  to  the  operation  of  this  tract,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  located  on  section  34,  and  also  cultivates  another  farm  of  one  hundred 
and  sixty  acres  for  his  sister.  He  is  the  owner  of  another  farm  of  forty  acres 
located  on  section  3,  Grinnell  township,  about  a  mile  northeast  of  the  college. 
The  home  farm  is  well  improved  and  equipped  with  a  good  house  and  sub- 
stantial barns  and  outbuildings,  which  were  erected  by  the  father  of  Mr.  McKee. 
He  has  also  made  some  changes  about  the  place  which  have  served  to  enhance 


352  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

its  value.  He  is  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising, 
and  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Malcolm  garage  at  Malcolm. 

In  1899  Mr.  McKee  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Marie  Antoinette  Royce, 
who  was  born  in  Pleasant  township  on  the  2d  of  January,  1869.  a  daughter  of 
Horace  B.  and  Mary  A.  (Okey)  Royce.  The  parents  were  natives  of  Vermont 
and  England  respectively,  the  father  being  born  in  1832  and  the  mother  in  1843. 
They  were  married  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  and  in  1866  came  to  Poweshiek 
county,  Iowa,  where  both  passed  away,  the  former  in  1896  and  the  latter  in 
1903.  In  their  family  were  seven  children,  as  follows :  Sydney  L.,  of  Malcom ; 
Marie  Antoinette,  who  became  the  wife  of  Mr.  McKee ;  Ada  F..  who  wedded 
A.  M.  Gross,  of  Creston,  Iowa;  Horace  J.,  of  Malcom  township;  Edna  O.,  the 
wife  of  George  Cooper,  of  Long  Beach,  California ;  May  B.,  who  married  the 
Rev.  Victor  West,  of  Adele,  Iowa:  and  Carrie,  who  passed  away  in  1880  at  the 
age  of  five  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McKee  became  the  parents  of  three  sons, 
Kenneth  D.,  James  Paul  and  Donald  Royce. 

The  religious  faith  of  Mr.  McKee  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  while 
fraternally  he  holds  membership  in  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows. 
Politically  he  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  but  the  honors  and 
emoluments  of  office  have  no  attraction  for  him,  preferring  to  give  his  entire 
time  and  attention  to  the  conduct  of  his  personal  affairs  which,  carefully  man- 
aged, are  proving  a  source  of  gratifying  annual  returns. 


JACOB  HASLEY. 


One  of  the  energetic  sons  of  Germany  who  have  been  successfully  identified 
with  the  agricultural  development  of  Poweshiek  county  is  Jacob  Hasley,  who 
is  now  living  retired  but  for  many  years  was  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  his 
farm  in  Sugar  Creek  township.  He  was  born  in  the  province  of  W'urteniberg, 
Germany,  on  the  4th  of  February,  1834,  a  son  of  John  and  Elizabeth  Hasley. 
His  parents  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  old  country,  where  the  father  was 
a  gardener.  Five  children  were  born  to  them,  of  whom  Jacob  is  the  third  in 
the  order  of  birth. 

The  education  of  Jacob  Hasley  was  obtained  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  land,  where  he  spent  the  first  eighteen  years  of  his  life.  In  1852  he  took 
passage  for  America  to  seek  his  fortune  and  put  to  the  test  the  marvelous  tales 
he  had  heard  regarding  the  wealth  and  opportunities  afforded  ambitious  young 
men  in  the  United  States.  Upon  his  arrival  in  this  country  he  first  located  in 
Philadelphia,  where  he  followed  the  trade  of  wagonmaking  for  a  time.  From 
there  he  went  to  New  Jersey,  where  he  remained  for  thirteen  years.  In  1865 
he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  locating  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  where 
he  bought  a  farm,  which  he  cultivated  for  many  years.  He  is  now  retired  and 
living  with  a  daughter,  Mrs.  rfenry  Barnhart.  Unusual  success  attended  the 
efforts  of  Mr.  Hasley  and  at  one  time  he  owned  a  thousand  acres  of  farm  land 
in  Poweshiek  county. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'N'TV  355 

Mr.  Hasley  first  married  Elizabeth  Garrison,  who  passed  away  in  December, 
1870.  They  became  the  parents  of  seven  children:  James,  who  is  a  resident 
nf  Sii^^ar  Creek  township;  W'ilbcrt,  who  li\es  in  Aljingdon,  Illinois:  Martha  Ann, 
the  wife  of  Henry  Barnhart,  of  Sugar  Creek  township;  George  D.,  who  is 
deceased;  Frank,  a  resident  of  .Searsboro,  Iowa;  Henry,  who  is  Hvin^  in  Sugar 
Creek  township;  and  Elizabeth,  who  is  deceased.  In  1875  Mr.  Hasley  married 
Mrs.  Wymer,  who  died  in  March,  1907. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hasley  is  a  democrat  and  has  served  both  as  a  school  di- 
rector and  township  trustee.  He  now  affiliates,  with  the  Society  of  Friends 
but  while  living  in  the  old  country  he  belonged  to  the  Lutheran  church.  He  is 
one  of  those  whose  success  in  life  is  all  the  more  commendable  because  of  the 
fact  that  it  was  achieved  amid  the  handicaps  and  obstacles  which  always  con- 
front the  foreigner,  whose  only  asset  is  energ\-,  perseverance  and  determina- 
tion. He  is  the  only  survivor  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Searsboro  lodge 
of  Odd  Fellows. 

Henry  Barnhart,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  was 
born  ill  Indiana  on  the  9th  of  April,  1857,  and  when  a  lad  of  eight  years  he 
came  to  Poweshiek  county  with  his  parents,  completing  his  education  in  the 
common  schools  of  this  county.  After  laying  aside  his  studies  he  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stock-raising,  with  which  activities  he  continues  to  be 
identified.  He  is  a  democrat  in  politics  and  is  serving  in  the  capacity  of  school 
ilirector  and  road  supervisor.  Fraternally  he  is  a  charter  member  of  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  being  identified  with  the  lodge  at  Searsboro, 
and  he  also  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 

Mr.  Barnhart  was  married' o^,,^^  17th  of  December,  1888,  to  Miss  Martha 
Ann  Hasley,  and  they  have  t«C|)f|i^  ■  the  -parents  of  one  son,  Philip,  who  is  at 
home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barnhart  affiliate  with  the  Society  of  Friends,  and  she 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Ladies  Ai4i'£ociety  as  Well  as  of  the  Rebekah  lodge. 


HENRY  B.  STORM. 


It  is  doubtful  whether  a  more  active,  energetic  or  progressive  representative 
of  the  business  interests  of  Grinnell  could  be  named  than  Henry  B.  Storm, 
who  is  proprietor  of  one  of  the  most  complete  drug  stores  in  this  part  of  the 
state.  He  has  shown  remarkable  enterprise  and  judgment  and  as  a  result  is  on 
the  high  road  to  well  established  prosperity.  Born  in  Poweshiek  county,  No- 
vember 17,  1873.  he  is  the  son  of  James  and  Caroline  Storm. 

In  his  infanc}'  the  subject  of  this  review  became  a  member  of  the  family 
of  a  kind-hearted  uncle,  I.  B.  Baldwin,  one  of  the  prominent  farmers  of  Pow- 
eshiek county,  and  was  reared  to  manhood  in  his  household.  He  gained  his 
l^reHniinary  education  in  the  district  schools  and  later  attended  Grinnell  high 
school,  graduating  in  the  class  of  1892.  He  then  matriculated  in  Iowa  College, 
which  he  attended,  however,  but  one  year.  After  leaving  college  he  became  a 
professional  bicyclist  and  in  this,  as  in  other  vocations  in  which  he  has  engaged, 
attained  an  enviable  reputation,  becoming  known  as  one  of  the  best  developed 


356  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

athletes  in  the  state.  In  1897  he  retired  from  the  bicycle  track  and  gained 
his  first  acquaintance  with  the  drug  business  as  clerk  in  a  store  at  Kearney, 
Nebraska. 

In  the  meantime  the  Spanish-American  war  was  threatened  and  like  thou- 
sands of  patriotic  young  men,  he  offered  his  services  to  the  country  and  was 
accepted  as  a  member  of  the  Second  Nebraska  Regiment  and  served  as  hos- 
pital steward  in  one  of  the  division  hospitals  at  Chickamauga  Park,  Georgia. 
Less  than  a  year  after  its  establishment  the  hospital  was  abandoned  and  Mr. 
Storm  returned  to  his  regiment,  which  was  afterward  mustered  out  of  service 
at  Fort  Omaha,  Nebraska.  After  leaving  the  army  he  resumed  the  drug  bus- 
iness and  worked  for  three  years  in  a  store  at  Omaha,  when  he  resigned  to  accept 
a  position  in  the  Omaha  offices  of  Armour  &  Company.  At  the  close  of  three 
years  he  gave  up  that  place  and  was  associated  in  the  drug  business  at  Omaha 
with  L.  E.  Peyton,  but  two  years  later  the  firm  was  dissolved  and  he  again 
spent  two  years  in  the  employ  of  Armour  &  Company.  Subsequently  he  be- 
came connected  with  the  American  Druggists  Syndicate  of  New  York  city, 
being  engaged  in  organization  work  for  this  company  in  various  parts  of  the 
country.  The  drug  business  of  R.  R.  Rust  &  Company  at  Grinnell  was  of- 
fered for  sale,  the  firm  having  gone  into  insolvency,  and  Mr.  Storm  took 
advantage  of  the  opportunity  and  acquired  the  store,  reorganizing  the  business 
and  developing  it  until  the  concern  over  which  he  presides  is  the  largest  of  the 
kind  in  the  city. 

In  1901  Mr  Storm  was  united  in  marriage  at  Grinnell  to  Miss  Grace  F. 
Harrison,  a  daughter  of  William  Harrison  now  living  retired  in  this  city.  She  is 
a  graduate  of  the  Grinnell  high  school  of  the  class  of  1896  and  is  a  lady  of  refine- 
ment and  culture  who  has  proved  an  important  factor  in  the  business  success  of 
her  husband.     She  assists  him  in  the  store  and  has  a  host  of  friends  in  this  city. 

Mr.  Storm  fraternally  is  identified  with  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  175,  K.  P., 
and  Norfolk  Lodge,  No.  653,  B.  P.  O.  E-.,-  of  Norfolk,  Nebraska.  He  was  one 
of  the  original  stockholders  in  the  American  Druggists  Syndicate  and  in  his 
business  he  displays  a  lively  personal  interest  in  meeting  the  wants  of  patrons 
that  has  greatly  contributed  to  his  success.  He  is  a  good  judge  of  human 
nature  and  possesses  a  genial  manner  which  attracts  and  holds  friends.  As  to 
his  future,  there  is  no  doubt  that  he  will  figure  prominently  in  the  commercial 
development  of  Grinnell. 


JOSEPH  WOODWARD  RODGERS. 

Industry,  intelligently  directed,  ultimately  brings  a  sure  reward — a  fact 
which  again  finds  proof  in  the  life  record  of  Joseph  Woodward  Rodgers, 
whose  well  earned  success  now  enables  him  to  live  retired,  his  home  being  in 
Montezuma.  He  was  born  near  New  Garden.  Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember 17,  1836.  His  parents  were  John  K.  and  Levina  (Woodward)  Rodgers, 
the  former  born  in  Westchester,  Pennsylvania.  February  20,  1814.  and  the  latter 
in  Westchester   county,   Pennsylvania,  .August  6,    1814.      She   was   a    birthright 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  357 

member  of  the  Society  of  Friends  but,  marrying  out  of  the  church,  forfeited 
her  membership.  They  were  reared  in  the  Keystone  state  and  on  the  24th  of 
December,  1834,  were  married.  The  following  year  they  removed  to  Colum- 
biana county,  Ohio,  where  they  resided  until  they  came  to  Poweshiek  county. 
Iowa,  after  the  war.  The  father  was  a  miller  and  began  learning  the  trade 
when  fourteen  years  of  age,  serving  seven  years  as  apprentice.  His  entire  life 
was  devoted  to  that  business.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  faithful  members  of 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  latter  died  November  11,  i8<So,  and  Mrs. 
Rodgers  passed  away  January  4,  1896.  In  their  family  were  six  children,  of 
whom  Joseph  Woodward,  of  this  review,  is  the  eldest.  The  others  are  as  fol- 
lows: Meribah  F.,  now  deceased;  James  L.,  who  is  represented  elsewhere  in  this 
volume;  Martha  A.,  the  wife  of  George  A.  Webber,  of  Montezuma:  John  J.,  a 
produce  merchant  of  this  city,  mention  of  whom  is  also  made  on  another  page 
of  this  work;  and  Elwood,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  eight  years. 

Joseph  W'.  Rodgers  spent  the  first  nine  years  of  his  life  in  the  county  of  his 
nativity  and  then  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Jefferson  county, 
Ohio,  where  he  resided  until  1853,  when  he  returned  to  Columbiana  county. 
Two  years  later  he  went  to  Canal  Dover,  Ohio,  but  in  April,  1856,  arrived  in 
Marshall  county,  Iowa.  The  following  year  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and 
has  resided  in  this  locality  continuously  since.  He  followed  farming  until  1863, 
and  in  the  interval  embraced  the  opportunity  of  promoting  his  education  by  a 
three  months'  term  of  study  in  Grinnell  College  in  the  fall  of  1861.  He  has 
always  been  an  attentive  observer  of  men  and  measures  and  in  the  school  of 
experience  he  has  learned  many  valuable  lessons,  making  him  a  practical  and 
well  informed  business  man.  In  February,  1863,  he  located  in  Montezuma, 
where  he  has  since  resided.  He  was  engaged  with  his  father-in-law  in  general 
merchandising  from  1863  until  1870,  and  subsequently  engaged  in  clerking 
for  the  firm  of  Wilson  &  Griffin  at  Malcom,  being  thus  connected  with  the 
lumber  and  grain  business  for  four  years.  He  then  turned  his  attention  to  the 
grocery  business  in  Montezuma  in  partnership  with  B.  B.  Griffith,  but  after 
a  year  sold  out  and  joined  his  brother  James  in  the  conduct  of  a  grocery  store 
under  the  firm  style  of  Rodgers  Brothers.  They  conducted  a  well  appointed 
establishment  and  their  energy,  capable  management  and  close  application 
brought  them  a  substantial  measure  of  success.  Joseph  W.  Rodgers  was  also 
engaged  in  the  fire  insurance  business  for  fifteen  years  and  at  intervals  now 
assists  his  son  in  the  conduct  of  a  restaurant,  but  is  practically  living  retired. 

On  the  29th  of  October,  1865,  Mr.  Rodgers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Emily  Willson,  who  was  born  September  3,  1842,  near  Indianapolis,  Indiana, 
but  in  1848  came  to  Iowa  with  her  parents.  Her  father,  Gideon  Willson,  who 
was  'he  first  merchant  in  Montezuma,  is  mentioned  in  connection  with  the 
sketch  of  his  son,  John  Willson,  appearing  elsewhere  in  this  volume.  I'nto 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rodgers  were  born  five  children.  The  eldest,  Willson  Gideon, 
who  was  born  October  17,  1866,  in  Montezuma,  passed  away  on  the  19th  of 
February,  1910,  in  Chicago,  where  he  had  resided  for  twenty  years.  He  is 
survived  by  his  widow.  Mabel,  the  only  daughter,  is  now  the  wife  of  Enoch 
Judd,  of  Colorado.  Eugene  K.  is  the  proprietor  of  a  restaurant  in  Montezuma. 
Roy  Otto  is  connected  with  the  military  interests  of  the  United  States  as  first 


358  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

sergeant,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-ninth  Coast  Artillery  Company,  now  sta- 
tioned at  Honolulu.  Altogether  he  has  served  with  the  regular  army  for  ten 
years  and  is  credited  with  three  years'  experience  in  foreign  service,  during 
which  time  he  was  stationed  in  the  Philippine  Islands.  Clyde  Cecil,  the  young- 
est member  of  the  family,  is  engaged  as  a  baker  and  cook  in  Chicago. 

In  his  political  affiliations  Mr.  Rodgers  has  always  been  a  democrat  and  for 
four  years,  from  1885  to  1889,  filled  the  office  of  mayor,  in  which  connection 
he  gave  to  the  city  a  public-spirited  and  beneficial  administration  that  wrought 
many  needed  improvements  and  reforms.  He  has  also  been  treasurer  and 
assessor  of  the  town  and  is  well  known  as  a  public  official  who  can  be  trusted 
under  any  and  all  circumstances  to  discharge  his  duties  faithfully  and  capably. 
For  more  than  forty-one  years  he  has  been  a  loyal  advocate  of  the  ideas  of 
Masonry,  his  membership  being  in  Lafayette  Lodge,  No.  52,  F.  &  A.  M.,  of 
Montezuma,  and  Hyssop  Chapter,  No.  50,  R.  A.  M.,  of  Malcom.  He  also 
belongs  to  the  subordinate  lodge  and  encampment  of  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows.  His  fellow  townsmen  have  come  to  know  him  as  a  man  who 
is  reliable  under  all  circumstances  and  he  is  today  numbered  among  the  valued 
and  honored   residents   of   Montezuma. 


DAVID  A.  LAROS. 


David  A.  Laros,  a  prominent  representative  of  industrial  interests  in  Grin- 
nell.  is  conducting  an  extensive  business  in  the  manufacture  of  carriages,  spring 
wagons  and  buggies  under  the  firm  style  of  D.  A.  Laros  &  Sons.  His  birth 
occurred  in  Kutztown,  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  3d  of  February.  1847, 
his  parents  being  Robert  and  Rebecca  (Wink)  Laros,  the  former  a  native  of 
Millerstown,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  latter  of  Kutztown,  that  state.  They  were 
married  at  Kutztown  and  there  spent  the  remainder  of  their  lives.  The  father 
worked  at  the  hatter's  trade  in  early  manhood  but  subsequently  was  employed 
as  a  day  laborer. 

Owing  to  the  straitened  financial  circumstances  of  the  family,  David  .\. 
Laros  obtained  only  a  common  school  education  but  his  knowledge  has  been 
constantly  augmented  by  reading,  experience  and  observation.  On  the  i8th 
of  February,  1865,  when  but  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted  for  service  in 
tlie  Union  Army,  joining  Company  G,  Seventy-fourth  Pennsylvania  \'olunteer 
Infantry,  and  remaining  with  that  command  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  After 
being  mustered  out  he  returned  to  his  native  town  and  became  an  apprentice 
at  the  carriage  trimmer's  trade.  In  1877  he  came  west  to  Iowa,  locating  at 
Lisbon,  where  he  continued  work  at  his  trade  and  for  about  ten  years  operated 
a  farm  in  connection  with  his  carriage  work.  In  1889  he  came  to  Grinnell  and 
found  emiiloyment  in  the  shops  of  Craver,  Steele  &  .-\ustin,  remaining  with  that 
concern  for  but  one  year.  He  next  entered  the  service  of  the  H.  W.  Spaulding 
Manufacturing  Company,  continuing  with  that  firm  until  1897,  when  he  re- 
signed his  position  and  organized  his  present  business,  which  has  since  become 
one  of   the   important  industrial   enterprises  of   Grinnell.     His   business   record 


IX    A.    LAROS 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  361 

is  one  of  which  he  has  every  reason  to  be  proud.  Starting,  out  in  life  empty 
handed,  he  labored  as  a  journeyman  workman  for  thirty-two  years,  thus  gain- 
ing the  capital  and  experience  which  enabled  him  to  embark  in  business  on  his 
own  account  in  1897.  From  comparative  obscurity  and  poverty  he  has  worked 
his  way  steadily  upward  to  a  position  of  prominence  and  affluence,  being  now 
one  of  the  leading  manufacturers  of  Grinnell. 

In  1869  Mr.  Laros  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Sarah  Snyder,  of  Kutz- 
town,  Pennsylvania,  by  whom  he  had  fourteen  children,  the  record  of  whom 
is  as  follows:  Mary,  the  wife  of  Kirk  Gibbs,  of  Grinnell,  Iowa;  Charles,  who 
is  a  member  of  the  firm  of  D.  A.  Laros  &  Sons;  Harry  and  William,  both  of 
whom  are  deceased ;  John  and  Fred,  who  are  associated  with  their  father  in 
business;  Bessie,  the  wife  of  Ellsworth  Gruver,  of  Allentown,  Pennsylvania; 
Sadie,  the  wife  of  Fred  Lorish,  of  Allentown,  Pennsylvania ;  Augustus,  who  is 
likewise  a  member  of  the  firm  of  D.  A.  Laros  &  Sons;  and  Ruth,  Naomi,  Roberta, 
Helen  and  Gerald,  all  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  Laros  is  a  democrat,  while  his  religious  faith  is  indicated 
by  his  membership  in  the  Congregational  church.  Fraternally  he  is  identified 
with  the  Masons,  belonging  to  Herman  Lodge.  No.  273.  In  everything  he  is 
eminently  practical  and  this  has  been  manifest  not  only  in  his  business  under- 
takings but  also  in  social  and  private  life,  and  he  and  his  estimable  wife  enjoy 
the  respect  and  esteem  of  a  large  circle  of  friends. 


ANDREWv  ,^t  INTOSH. 

More  than  forty  }-ears  have  pjftlM''^)ce,  Ancfrew  Mcintosh  became  iden- 
tified in  an  humble  capacity  with  mercantile  business  at  Grinnell.  Today  he 
is  a  leading  merchant  of  the  city.  b^lTfef.at.  tji^  head  of  one  of  the  most  flour- 
ishing concerns  in  this  part  of  the--*tate'.  ■■^Gtytlrage.  zeal  and  unwearied  per- 
sistence are  the  keys  that  have  enabled  him  to  unlock  the  portals  of  fortune. 
He  is  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  was  born  October  18,  1854,  a  son  of  Robert 
and  Margaret  (McCarty)  Mcintosh,  who  were  both  natives  of  Scotland.  They 
were  married  in  the  old  country  and  in  1855  crossed  the  ocean  to  America  in 
search  of  a  permanent  home.  After  a  short  stay  in  Ohio  they  came  to  Mon- 
tezuma, Pow-eshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  was  in  the  employ  for  a 
number  of  years  of  F.  A.  Kilborn.  He  died  in  1871  at  the  age  of  thirty-nine 
years.  The  beloved  mother's  death  occurred  in  1863,  when  she  had  arrived  at 
the  age  of  thirty-three  years. 

Andrew  Mcintosh  was  reared  at  Montezuma,  but  received  limited  advan- 
tages of  education,  as  his  parents  were  poor  and  his  assistance  was  needed  in 
the  support  of  the  family.  At  the  age  of  thirteen  years  he  became  a  clerk  in 
the  store  of  Mr.  Kilborn  and  continued  there  for  four  years,  acquiring  the 
foundation  of  a  training  that  proved  of  great  value  to  him  in  later  life.  In 
January,  1873,  he  arrived  at  Grinnell  and  went  to  work  in  the  store  of  S.  S. 
Preston,  with  which  he  continued  for  four  years.  Having  determined  to  em- 
bark in  business  for  himself  he  formed  a  partnership  with  F.  O.  Proctor,  under 


362  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

the  title  of  Mclntosli  &  I'roctor,  and  opened  a  mercantile  establishment  in  Jan- 
nary,  1877.  They  continued  for  two  and  one-half  years  together  and  he  then 
sold  his  interest  to  his  partner,  but  shortly  afterward  he  and  \\'alter  F.  Ham- 
mond purchased  the  business  from  Mr.  Proctor  and  conducted  it  under  the 
title  of  Mcintosh  &  Hammond.  In  1882  Mr.  Mcintosh  withdrew  from  the 
firm  and  the  same  year  associated  with  D.  S.  Morrison  in  the  manufacture  of 
gloves.  This  work  however,  did  not  prove  as  satisfactory  to  Mr.  Mcintosh  as 
general  mercantile  business,  and,  although  he  retained  his  interest  in  the  con- 
cern, he  organized  in  1883  the  dry  goods  firm  of  A.  Mcintosh  &  Company, 
which  has  continued  in  uninterrupted  existence  up  to  the  present  time.  There 
have  been  several  changes  in  partners  but  no  change  has  been  made  in  the 
style  of  the  firm,  which  is  one  of  the  oldest  mercantile  institutions  in  the  city 
and  has  a  reputation  extending  throughout  central  Iowa.  On  January  i,  1908, 
Mr.  Mcintosh  severed  his  connection  with  the  glove  manufacturing  business  and 
has  since  devoted   his  entire  attention  to  mercantile  affairs. 

In  1879  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  .Addie  C.  Ricker  of  Grinnell,  a 
daughter  of  Edward  Ricker,  who  came  to  this  city  from  Scott  county,  Iowa. 
Eight  children  have  been  born  to  this  union,  six  of  whom  are  now  living, 
namely :  Robert,  who  is  a  mechanical  engineer  and  is  identified  with  mining 
interests  at  Calumet,  Michigan;  Mary,  now  the  wife  of  John  W.  Gannaway  of 
Grinnell:  Fannie,  wife  of  R.  H.  Lyman  of  Berlin,  Germany:  .\ndrew,  Jr., 
Edith  and  Edna,  all  of  whom  are  at  home.  The  two  younger  children  are 
attending  Grinnell  College  and  the  others  are  all  graduates  of  that  institution 
with  the  exception  of  Andrew,  who  was  compelled  to  discontinue  his  studies 
on  account  of  his  health. 

Mr.  Mcintosh  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  but  has  never 
aspired  to  political  honors,  as  his  attention' has  been  mainly  devoted  to  private 
affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Commercial  Club  of  Grinnell  and  takes  an  active 
interest  in  its  work.  He  has  for  years  been  an  ardent  advocate  for  closing 
the  stores  at  A  o'clock  in  the  evening,  anil  through  his  agitation  and  persistence 
the  consent  of  the  business  men  was  finally  secured  and  the  stores  of  Grinnell 
now  close  their  doors  promptly  at  that  hour.  Mr.  Mcintosh  has  been  remark- 
ably successful  in  business  and  has  many  friends  in  Grinnell  and  Poweshiek 
county,  who  do  not  hesitate  to  declare  that  he  is  one  of  the  most  capable, 
trustworthy  and  progressive  business  men  in  their  entire  circle  of  acquaintances. 


G.  F.  HYDE. 


Twenty  years  ago  G.  F.  Hyde  arrived  with  his  family  in  Poweshiek  county 
and  he  has  no  reason  to  regret  having  taken  up  his  jiermanent  abode  in  this 
county,  as  he  has  been  successful  financially,  being  the  owner  of  a  well  improved 
farm  of  eighty  acres  in  section  34,  Grinnell  township.  He  has  brought  the  fields 
under  a  state  of  rich  fertility  and  made  a  number  of  substantial  improvements, 
adding  not  only  to  the  value,  but  to  the  appearance  of  the  place  as  well. 


HISTORY  OF  POWRSIIIF.K  COUNTY  363 

He  was  born  on  a  farm  in  Pleasant  N'alley  township,  Scott  county,  Iowa, 
March  15,  1849.  and  is  a  son  of  George  J.  and  Julia  (Rowe)  Hyde,  both  of 
whom  were  natives  of  New  York  state.  The  father  came  to  Scott  county  in  1837 
and  settled  on  government  land.  He  was  married  in  Scott  county  to  Miss  |ulia 
Rowe  and  became  the  owner  of  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He 
died  on  the  old  homestead  in  1905,  the  mother  having  been  called  away  two  years 
previously.  There  were  nine  children  in  the  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hyde,  six 
of  whom  are  now  living. 

G.  F.  Hyde  accjuired  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Scott 
county  and  as  he  grew  up  assisted  in  the  work  upon  the  home  farm,  remaining 
upon  the  home  place  for  a  number  of  years  after  reaching  his  majority.  He 
came  with  his  family  to  Poweshiek  county  March  5,  1891,  and  has  ever  since 
made  his  home  in  this  county.  He  raises  hay  and  grain,  but  devotes  his  atten- 
tion especially  to  raising  milch  cows,  for  which  he  finds  a  ready  market. 

On  the  25th  of  December,  1876,  Mr.  Hyde  was  married,  in  Scott  county,  to 
Miss  Nannie  Smith,  a  daughter  of  Amos  Smith,  of  Pennsylvania.  The  father 
came  to  Iowa  in  1864  and  settled  in  Scott  county.  Four  children  were  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hyde,  namely:  Lottie,  who  married  George  Evans  and  lives  in 
Grinnell  township,  being  the  mother  of  three  children  ;  Helen,  who  married  C.  L. 
Pilgrim,  also  of  Grinnell  township;  Howard,  who  is  now  attending  Grinnell  Col- 
lege ;  and  George,  a  student  of  the  Grinnell  high  school. 

Mr.  Hyde  takes  the  interest  of  an  intelligent  citizen  in  local,  state  and  national 
politics  and  casts  his  vote  in  support  of  the  democratic  party.  In  religious  belief 
he  is  a  Baptist  and  holds  membership  in  the  church  at  Grinnell.  He  is  a  friend 
of  education  and  a  supporter  of  all  measures  seeking  to  make  easier  the  burdens 
of  the  unfortunate  and  to  spread  the  principles  of  truth  and  justice.  In  the  con- 
duct of  his  business  he  has  met  with  a  goodly  measure  of  success  and  on  account 
of  his  high  character  and  genial  qualities  is  greatly  esteemed  by  all  with  whom 
he  comes  into  contact,  either  in  a  business  or  social  w^ay. 


FREDERICK  OSBORN. 

Frederick  Osborn,  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  on  a  good  farm  in  Mal- 
com  townshi]).  is  one  of  Poweshiek  count\'s  foreign  born  residents,  his  birth  hav- 
ing occurred  in  Worcestershire,  England,  about  twelve  miles  north  of  the  city  of 
Worcester,  on  the  26th  of  January,  1848,  his  parents  being  Samuel  and  Elizabeth 
(Fallows)  Osborn.  The  father,  who  was  a  lifelong  farmer,  passed  away  in 
England,  and  the  mother  later  came  to  America,  her  death  occurring  at  the  home 
of  her  son,  Samuel.  In  their  family  were  three  children,  of  whom  our  subject 
was  the  eldest.  The  others  were:  Amy,  who  died  in  1878,  in  Poweshiek  county: 
and  Sanuiel.  a  retired   farmer  of  Grinnell. 

Frederick  Osborn  spent  his  early  life  in  the  land  of  his  nativity  and  in  the 
English  schools  acf|uired  his  education.  He  was  the  first  member  of  the  family 
to  seek  a  home  in  the  new  world,  arriving  in  Poweshiek  county  in  1871.  since 
which  time  he  has  continued  to  reside  within  its  borders.     For  about  a  year  after 


364  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

liis  arrival  he  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand,  and  later  he  rented  a  farm,  but  his 
industry  and  economy  soon  made  it  possible  for  him  to  purchase  a  place  of  his 
own  and  thus  engage  independently  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  became  the 
owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  sections  29  and  30,  Malcom  township, 
which  is  still  his  home,  and  here  he  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock-raising, 
his  efforts  in  both  directions  bringing  to  him  a  goodly  measure  of  success. 

In  October,  1900,  Mr.  Osborn  was  married  to  Miss  Mildred  Jane  Biddle,  also 
a  native  of  Worcestershire,  England.  She  was  born  on  the  13th  of  October,  1872, 
and  in  1900  came  alone  to  the  United  States.  By  her  marriage  she  became  the 
mother  of  three  children :  Noel,  Neal  and  Gordon. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Osborn  attend  the  Episcopal  church  at  Grinnell,  in  which  they 
hold  membership,  and  are  highly  esteemed  throughout  the  community  in  which 
they  reside.  Mr.  Osborn  has  always  led  the  quiet  but  industrious  life  of  the 
farm,  concentrating  his  entire  attention  upon  the  conduct  of  his  private  affairs, 
and  to  his  close  application  and  wise  management  is  due  in  large  measure  the 
degree  of  prosperity  which  he  today  enjoys. 


WILLL\M  GARRETT. 


County  Down,  Ireland,  has  been  for  a  century  or  more  a  center  from  which 
thousands  of  brave-hearted  young  men  and  women  have  come  to  America,  trust- 
ing that  under  the  stars  and  stripes  they  might  possess  the  advantages  denied 
them  on  the  Emerald  isle.  To  many  the  change  to  new  surroundings  has  proven 
of  inestimable  advantage  and  they  live  but  to  rejoice  in  the  recollection  of  the 
day  when  first  their  feet  trod  the  shores  of  the  new  world.  William  Garrett,  a 
prosperous  farmer  of  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  is  one  of  the  fortunate  natives 
of  County  Down  who  enjoys  richly  deserved  prosperity.  He  was  born  fourteen 
miles  from  Belfast,  March  7,  1843,  ^  son  of  William  and  Mary  (McKeag)  Gar- 
rett, both  of  whom  were  natives  of  County  Down.  The  father  was  a  farmer, 
and  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  entire  lives  in  Ireland.  They  were  stanch  mem- 
bers of  the  Presbyterian  church.  In  their  family  were  eight  children :  David, 
Thomas  and  James,  all  of  whom  are  deceased ;  Robert,  who  is  now  living  in 
County  Down  ;  William,  of  this  review ;  Isabella,  who  is  also  deceased ;  Mary, 
the  wife  of  Nathaniel  Ferguson  of  County  Down ;  and  Henry,  also  of  County 
Down. 

William  Garrett  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  and  high  schools 
of  Ireland.  After  his  education  was  completed  he  went  to  Belfast  and  for  four 
years  was  in  the  employ  of  a  wholesale  dry-goods  house.  He  then  took  up  Irs 
residence  at  Glasgow,  Scotland,  where  he  was  connected  with  the  commission 
business  for  one  year.  In  the  spring  of  1864  he  crossed  the  ocean  and  came 
west  to  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  securing  employment  by  the  month  for  three  sum- 
mers and  teaching  school  in  the  winter  seasons.  In  1867  he  arrived  in  Powe- 
shiek county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land.  After 
improving  his  property  he  sold  eighty  acres  and  a  year  later  disposed  of  the  re- 
mainder of  the  land.     He  then  bought  one  hundred  and   seventy-two  acres  in 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  365 

Pleasant  tcnvnship,  which  he  cultivated  for  two  years,  and,  having  disposed  of  it, 
])urchased  eighty  acres  in  the  same  township,  which  he  sold.  He  subsequently 
bought  several  tracts  of  land  in  Washington  township,  all  of  which  he  disposed 
of.  In  1881  he  acquired  eighty  acres  in  Washington  township,  upon  which  he 
has  since  lived,  the  farm  being  increased  to  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  by  the 
addition  of  eighty  acres  which  was  inherited  by  his  wife.  He  has  greatly  im- 
proved the  farm  and  is  now  well  established  as  an  agriculturist  and  stock-raiser. 
On  the  29th  of  June,  1869,  Mr.  Garrett  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  Ann  Heeler, 
a  daughter  of  George  M.  and  Nancy  (Carpenter)  Beeler.  To  this  union  four 
children  have  been  born:  Austin  Clement,  who  is  living  at  home;  Milton  H.,  of 
Jasper  county;  and  Emmanuel  F.  and  Clarence  R.,  twins,  the  former  of  whom 
is  living  at  home  and  the  latter  in  Grinnell  township.  Mr.  Garrett  has  taken  an 
active  interest  in  political  affairs  and  is  affiliated  with  the  democratic  party.  I  Ic 
is  a  man  of  clear  and  sound  judgment,  as  is  attested  by  the  fact  that  his  neigh- 
bors elected  him  assessor  of  the  township  for  nine  years,  and  he  is  now  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board.  Genial  and  companionable,  he  makes  friends  readily 
and,  being  a  man  of  high  character  and  well  known  diligence,  he  enjoys  the  con- 
fidence and  esteem  which  is  accorded  only  in  acknowledgment  of  true  merit. 


SAMUEL  GRAHAM. 


For  forty-two  years  Samuel  Graham  was  identified  with  mercantile  interests 
in  Montezuma  but  is  now  living  retired,  enjoying  a  rest  which  he  has  truly  earned 
and  richly  deserves  for  his  life  has  been  one  of  industry  and  honesty.  He  was 
born  in  Rathfryland,  County  Down,  Ireland,  August  4,  1848,  his  parents  being 
James  and  Margaret  (Grady)  Graham.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Ayrshire, 
Scotland,  but  when  he  was  but  eighteen  months  old  his  parents  removed  to  Ire- 
land and  his  remaining  days  were  spent  on  the  Emerald  isle.  He  was  severely- 
injured  by  a  horse  when  forty-five  years  of  age,  the  injury  causing  his  death. 
His  widow  long  survived  him  and  died  in  Ireland  in  1906,  at  the  age  of  eight_\- 
eight  years.  For  a  long  period  James  Graham  had  followed  the  profession  of 
school  teaching  and  also  engaged  in  farming.  In  their  family  were  five  children  ; 
Alexander,  who  is  living  on  the  old  home  farm  in  Ireland  ;  Robert,  a  resident  of 
Western,  Nebraska;  Andrew,  living  near  Gibson,  Iowa;  William,  of  Ireland;  and 
Samuel,  of  this  review. 

The  last  named  was  only  about  fifteen  months  old  at  the  time  of  his  father's 
death  and  at  an  early  age  he  started  out  in  life  on  his  own  account,  for  when  a 
vouth  of  twelve  he  began  earning  his  own  living  by  clerking  in  a  general  store 
in  Ireland.  He  afterwards  spent  three  years  as  a  clerk  in  Liverpool,  England, 
and  in  March,  1869,  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  joined  his  brother  An- 
drew, who  was  farming  near  Barnes  City,  Iowa.  He  remained  from  March  un- 
til September  with  his  brother  and  in  the  latter  month  came  to  Montezuma,  where 
he  secured  a  clerkship  in  the  employ  of  F.  H.  Kilburn,  with  whom  he  continued 
for  eight  years,  a  fact  indicative  of  his  faithfulness,  capability  and  the  confidence 
imposed  in  him  by  his  employer.     He  also  spent  a  period  of  equal  length  willi 


366  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

the  firm  of  Jordan  &  Stone,  and  in  1886  began  business  on  his  own  account,  con- 
(kicting  his  store  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century,  or  until  February,  1910.  His 
own  earnings  brought  him  the  capital  which  enabled  him  to  start  in  business  on 
his  own  account,  and  as  the  years  passed  he  carefully  and  systematically  managed 
his  interests,  increasing  his  stock  to  meet  the  growing  demands  of  his  trade,  and 
throughout  the  years  enjoying  a  liberal  patronage.  His  previous  experience  as  a 
clerk  well  qualified  him  for  the  conduct  of  the  business  and  the  success  to  which 
he  attained  enabled  him  in  1910  to  retire  with  a  substantial  competence  that  sup- 
plies him  with  the  comforts  and  some  of  the  luxuries  of  life.  Thus  was  termin- 
ated forty-two  years  of  close,  active  and  honorable  connection  with  mercantile 
interests  in  Montezuma.  He  derives  a  good  income  from  a  farm  of  eighty  acres 
which  he  owns  about  three  miles  southeast  of  Montezuma  in  Jackson  township. 

In  1871  Mr.  Graham  was  married  to  Miss  Maggie  A.  Green,  who  was  born 
ill  Butler  county,  Pennsylvania,  August  31,  1845,  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age 
came  to  Iowa  with  her  parents,  the  family  settling  first  at  Keokuk  county  and 
later  in  Mahaska  county,  where  she  was  married.  Her  father  was  the  Rev.  James 
Green,  a  minister  of  the  Presbyterian  church  who  came  to  Iowa  as  a  synodical 
missionarv  and  died  in  1863.  He  was  a  native  of  Ireland  but  was  educated  in 
Scotland,  in  which  country  his  father  was  born.  Immediately  after  his  gradua- 
tion the  Rev.  James  Green  sailed  for  America  and  established  his  home  in  Penn- 
sylvania, where  he  married  Margaret  E.  McNair.  Mrs.  Green  spent  her  last 
days  in  the  home  of  her  slaughter,  Mrs.  Graham.  The  Graham  household  is  a 
hospitable  one  and  their  m^ it}''. 'friends  are  always  sure  of  a  cordial  and  sincere 
welcome  there.  ■         •    . 

Mr.  Graham  has  been  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  since  he  attained 
his  majority,  holding  membership  in  the  Lafayette  Lodge,  No.  52,  F.  &  A.  M., 
of  which  he  has  been  treasurer  for  a  c|uarter  of  a  century.  He  also  belongs 
to  the  chapter  and  in  his  life  exemplifies  not  only  the  beneficent  and  fraternal 
si)irit  of  the  craft  but  also  the  teachings  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  which 
he  ha=  been  a  devoteil  member  from  the  age  of  fifteen  years.  His  life  has  in- 
deed been  well  spent  and  all  who  know  him  entertain  for  him  the  warm  regard 
that  is  instinctively  given  in  recognition  of  sterling  worth. 


GEORGE  EDWIN  TINKER. 

Few  occupy  a  more  prominent  position  among  the  agriculturists  and  stock- 
raiser'^  of  Bear  Creek  township  than  does  George  Edwin  Tinker,  an  extensive 
landowner  and  a  representative  of  a  well  known  family  of  this  locality.  One  of 
Poweshiek  county's  native  sons,  he  was  born  on  a  farm  south  of  Brooklyn,  in 
Scott  township,  on  the  ist  of  .\pril.  1862,  a  son  of  Edwin  and  Arabella  f  Thomp- 
son) Tinker.  His  parents  were  both  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  the  father's  birth 
there  occurring  on  the  nth  of  March,  1812,  on  a  farm  which  wa<  located  on  the 
present  site  of  Pittsburg.  His  education  was  acquired  in  one  of  the  oldtime  sub- 
scription schools,  held  in  a  log  schoolhouse.  His  wife,  who  was  born  on  the 
22d  of  April.  1821,  was  also  reared  in  the  Keystone  state  and  there  they  were 


ORK 

ARY 


ASTOr,,  L.E.\0>.  AND 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


MK.    ANI>    .MKS.    KDWIX    I'lNKKK 


MR.  AND  MRS.  JAMKS  1..    I  ItAXCIS 


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HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  371 

married,  in  Butler  county,  on  the  26th  of  November,  1840.  They  came  to  Powe- 
shiek county,  Iowa,  in  1856,  locating  on  a  tract  of  forty  acres  southeast  of  Brook- 
lyn, where  they  resided  until  the  fall  of  1865,  when  they  sold  that  property  and 
purchased  three  hundred  acres  of  the  present  homestead.  That  continued  to  be 
their  home  until  their  retirement  from  active  life,  a  few  years  prior  to  their  de- 
mise, when  they  took  up  their  abode  in  Brooklyn  and  there  spent  their  remaining 
days.  Mr.  Tinker  was  a  farmer  throughout  the  period  of  his  active  career,  and 
at  the  time  of  his  death  was  the  owner  of  three  hundred  and  fifty-five  acres,  all 
in  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  He  became  very  well  known  throughout  the 
locality  in  which  he  made  his  home,  and  among  his  fellow  citizens  was  accorded 
the  highest  respect  and  esteem  because  of  his  many  excellent  qualities.  He  gave 
his  support  to  the  democracy  but  never  sought  nor  desired  public  office.  He  was 
actively  and  helpfully  interested  in  the  work  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  church 
of  Brooklyn,  in  which  both  he  and  his  wife  held  membership,  and  Mrs.  Tinker 
was  described  as  being  a  woman  of  the  highest  character,  who,  in  addition  to 
raising  an  extensive  family  of  her  own,  adopted  into  her  home  and  reared  three 
orphan  children.  She  passed  away  on  the  12th  of  January,  1899,  her  husband's 
death  having  occurred  in  1895.  I"  their  family  were  twelve  children,  as  follows: 
Charlotte,  the  widow  of  a  Mr.  Hazelwood,  of  Oklahoma ;  Wainwright,  who  died 
while  serving  in  the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted  from  Poweshiek  county ;  Wesley, 
also  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  who  served  in  the  same  company  as  his  brother 
Wainwright,  and  who  is  now  living  at  the  Soldiers  Home ;  Martha,  the  deceased 
wife  of  Paris  Finipel,  of  South  Dakota:  William  Hilton,  of  Pennsylvania;  Mrs. 
Matilda  Sterling,  of  ISrooklyn :  Sarah, -wiii^married  D.  C.  Sleggel,  of  Bear  Creek 
township:  Joshua,  residing  in  Dexter,  'fbwa;  James^  who  passed  aw-ay  when 
twenty-two  years  of  age:  Arabella,  who 'tli^TJed' CIvarles  Jewell,  of  Lake  City, 
Iowa:  George  Edwin,  of  this  review:  and  Mrs.  Haniiah  Allen,  deceased. 

George  Edwin  Tinker  was  but  four  years. of  age  when  he  came  with  his  ])ar- 
ents  to  Bear  Creek  township,  and  he  has  therefore  passed  almost  his  entire  life 
upon  the  farm  which  is  still  his  home.  He  received,  his  education  in  the  coun- 
try schools  of  the  neighborhood  and  when  not  engaged  with  his  text-books  as- 
sisted his  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm,  largely  becoming  familiar  with  the 
tasks  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  country  lad.  Upon  attaining  liis  majority  he 
wisely  chose  as  his  life  work  the  occupation  to  which  he  had  been  reared,  and  for 
eighteen  years  rented  the  old  homestead  from  his  father.  At  the  end  of  that 
time  he  purchased  the  property,  which  then  consisted  of  three  hundred  and  fifty- 
five  acres,  and  to  its  cultivation  and  further  development  he  has  since  devoted 
his  titne  and  attention.  That  his  efforts  have  been  attended  by  most  excellent 
results  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  he  has  added  to  his  original  holdings  until 
his  farm  now  consists  of  five  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  located  in  one  body  on 
sections  5,  7,  8  and  18.  There  are  two  good  dwellings  on  the  place  and  Mr. 
Tinker  has  remodeled  all  of  the  old  buildings,  has  erected  new  barns  and  out- 
buildings and  has  introduced  many  modern  improvements,  making  this  one  of 
the  valuable  and  desirable  properties  of  this  part  of  Poweshiek  county.  Aside 
from  general  farming  he  engages  extensively  in  the  raising  and  feeding  of  stock 
and  is  a  large  shipper,  sending  from  five  to  eight  carloads  of  stock  annually  to 
the  Chicago  market.     He  also  has  other  interests,  being  a  stockholder   in   the 


372  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Farmers"  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Brooklyn,  and  also  a  stockholder 
in  the  Brooklyn  Opera  House  Company. 

It  was  on  the  19th  of  October,  1882,  that  Mr.  Tinker  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  Keturah  Francis,  a  native  of  La  Salle  county,  Illinois,  where  she  was 
born  on  the  9th  of  September,  1861.  On  the  7th  of  February,  1867,  she  came 
to  Poweshiek  county  with  her  parents,  James  L.  and  Margaret  (Cochran)  Fran- 
cis, both  natives  of  Ohio,  who  passed  away  on  a  farm  in  Bear  Creek  township. 
Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tinker  have  been  born  five  children,  namely :  Nola  May, 
who  married  Forest  Doty,  of  Bear  Creek  township,  and  has  one  daughter,  Mar- 
tha ;  Lowery  Edwin,  residing  on  the  home  farm,  who  is  married  and  has  a 
daughter,  Margaret :  Harry  Elmer,  at  home ;  Eva  Lena,  who  wedded  Herbert 
Brannian,  of  Brooklyn ;  and  Martha  Etta,  also  still  under  the  parental  roof. 

Having  passed  his  entire  life  within  the  borders  of  Poweshiek  county,  Mr. 
Tinker's  interests  have  ever  been  closely  identified  with  those  of  the  district  in 
which  he  has  so  long  resided,  and  he  has  ever  been  most  loyal  and  public-spirited 
in  his  citizenship.  Although  deeply  interested  in  the  public  welfare,  he  has  never 
sought  to  figure  prominently  in  politics,  preferring  to  give  his  undivided  attention 
to  his  private  affairs,  in  the  conduct  of  which  he  has  met  with  most  gratifying 
results.  He  is  a  man  of  excellent  business  ability  and  sound  judgment  and  the 
success  which  he  today  enjoys  has  come  to  him  as  the  result  of  his  own  labor, 
economy  and  indomitable  energy. 


GRANT  RAMSEY. 


Among  the  young  business  men  of  Grinneli  none  stands  higher  in  the  estima- 
tion of  the  people  than  Grant  Ramsey,  who  is  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  most 
flourishing  commercial  enterprises  in  the  city.  He  was  born  in  Gilman,  Marshal! 
county,  Iowa,  October  28.  1878,  a  son  of  John  and  Fannie  (Rice)  Ramsey,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  the  latter  in  Ohio.  The  mother 
removed  to  Franklin  Grove,  Illinois,  with  her  parents,  and  Mr.  Ramsey  came 
to  the  same  place  in  his  young  manhood.  They  were  married  there  and  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  until  1865,  when  he  removed  to  Iowa  by  wagon  and  located 
upon  one  hundred  and  si.xty  acres  of  government  land  near  Gilman.  in  Tama 
county.  He  proceeded  to  improve  his  property  and  later  purchased  eighty  acres 
adjoining,  making  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  which  became  highly 
productive.  In  1898  he  removed  to  Grinneli.  The  mother  was  called  away  in 
1903,  and  in  the  spring  of  1910  Mr.  Ramsey  was  married  to  Mrs.  Hausen,  widow 
of  Henry  Hausen.  Mrs.  Ramsey  was  a  schoolmate  of  her  husband  in  the  early 
days.  She  was  residing  at  Franklin  Grove,  Illinois,  at  the  time  of  her  second 
marriage  and  Mr.  Ramsey  has  since  made  his  home  there.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  church  and  in  business  affairs  has  been  highly  successful, 
having  attained  a  position  of  comparative  financial  independence. 

Grant  Ramsey  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  received  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  district  schools.  Later  he  attended  the  Grinneli  high  school.  Hav- 
ing decided  upon  a  mercantile  career,  he  began  as  a  clerk  in  the  hardware  and 


HISTORY  OI-'  I'CnVESIIIEK  COUXTY  373 

grocery  store  of  liailey  &  Rinefort,  continuing  therein  for  three  years.  He  then 
spent  one  summer  in  the  west  with  Mr.  Bailey  in  the  buggy-trailing  business. 
Upon  returning  to  Grinnell  he  went  to  work  in  the  grocery  department  of  Proc- 
tor, Cady  &  Company  and  on  June  i,  1903,  purchased  the  business  from  his  em- 
ployers. By  the  application  of  up-to-date  methods  he  has  built  up  a  large  pat- 
ronage and  is  now  at  the  head  of  the  largest  grocery,  bakery  and  market  business 
in  this  section  of  the  state.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  and  a  member  of  the  board 
of  directors  of  the  Grinnell  Savings  Bank  and  the  Grinnell  Brick  &  Tile  Com- 
pany. 

On  June  i,  1904,  Mr.  Ramsey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mamie  IVdc- 
tor,  a  daughter  of  F.  O.  Proctor,  formerly  a  prominent  business  man  of  Grinnell, 
but  now  deceased.  Of  this  union  two  children  have  been  born :  Frederick  P.  and 
John  P.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ramsey  are  valued  members  of  the  Congregationalist 
church.  Politically  he  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  fraternally 
he  is  identified  with  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  ( irinnell  Lodge, 
No.  175,  K.  P.  He  is  also  identified  with  the  Commercial  Club  and  the  Powe- 
shieks  of  (irinnell.  He  has  been  remarkably  enterprising  and  his  energy  has  met 
with  well  merited  reward.  His  business  methods  are  straightforward  and  his 
substantial  (|ualities  have  won  for  him  a  general  and  lasting  regard. 


JASPER  N.  MARSH. 


One  of  Poweshiek  county's  retired  agriculturists  who  spent  three  and  one-half 
years  of  his  early  manhood  on  the  battlefields  of  the  south  in  defense  of  his  coun- 
try, is  Jasper  N.  Marsh.  He  was  born  in  Lee  county,  Iowa,  on  the  lOth  of 
March.  1844,  his  parents  being  Isaac  L.  and  Martha  /\.  (Williams)  Marsh,  both 
natives  of  Darke  county,  Ohio,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  In  1839 
they  migrated  to  Lee  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  enteied  government  land, 
which  he  improved  and  cultivated,  continuing  its  cultivation  for  many  years.  The 
mother  has  now  passed  away,  but  the  father  still  survives  at  a  venerable  age  and 
continues  to  reside  in  Lee  county.  In  their  family  were  eleven  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Rebecca  J.,  who  is  the  widow  of  Amos  Sniff,  of  Lee  county.  Iowa;  Jasper 
N.,  our  subject;  Emeline.  who  is  deceased;  Martha,  the  wife  of  William  Liddle, 
of  Argyle,  Iowa ;  Wesley,  who  is  residing  in  Lee  county,  Iowa ;  Ransom,  who 
lives  in  Kansas ;  Louisa,  deceased  ;  Edward,  Monroe  and  Joseph,  all  of  whom  are 
residing  in  Lee  county ;  and  Belle,  deceased.  The  father  always  casts  an  inde- 
pendent ballot  in  politics,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  affiliated  with  the  Disciples 
church,  holding  membership  in  the  first  church  of  that  denomination  organized 
in  Iowa. 

Jasper  N.  Marsh,  having  been  reared  on  a  farm,  early  became  familiar  with 
the  work  of  the  fields,  as  while  yet  jmrsuing  his  education  in  the  district  schools 
he  was  assigned  the  lighter  duties  about  the  home.  His  responsibilities  increased 
with  the  passing  years,  as  his  strength  as  well  as  judgment  (levelo])ed,  so  that 
when  old  enough  to  begin  for  himself  he  decided  to  follow  agricultural  pursuits 
as  a  life  \ncation.     In  February,   1862,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  F, 


374  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Sixteenth  Iowa  \olunteer  Infantry,  and  went  to  the  front  in  defense  of  his  coun- 
try. He  saw  much  active  service  and  participated  in  the  battles  of  Pittsburg 
Landing  and  Kenesaw  Mountain,  both  battles  of  Corinth  and  the  siege  of  Vicks- 
burg  and  Atlanta.  He  was  captured  in  the  latter  and  consigned  to  Anderson- 
ville  prison  on  the  22(1  of  July,  1864,  and  there  he  was  held  until  the  28th  of 
April,  1865.  After  receiving  his  discharge  he  returned  home,  where  he  remained 
until  the  following  year.  In  1866  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  purchased 
a  farm  in  Union  township,  which  he  cultivated  until  1900,  when  he  withdrew 
from  agricultural  pursuits  and  removed  to  Montezuma,  where  he  is  now  living 
retired. 

The  7th  of  January,  1869,  Mr.  Marsh  married  Miss  Nancy  S.  Saunders,  a 
daughter  of  Aaron  A.  and  Harriet  E.  (Dudley)  Saunders,  of  Union  township. 
Her  parents  were  natives  of  Ohio,  having  been  born  and  reared  in  the  vicinity 
of  Jamestown.  They  removed  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1851,  where  the  father 
was  for  many  years  engaged  in  farming.  Both  parents  are  now  deceased.  Of 
their  union  was  born  nine  children,  in  the  following  order:  Saraantha,  the  wife 
of  Pleasant  Hayes,  who  is  a  resident  of  Montezuma ;  Irwin  S.,  who  is  living  at 
Searsboro,  Iowa ;  Nancy,  now  Mrs.  Marsh.,  who  was  born  in  the  vicinity  of  For- 
est Home,  Union  township,  on  the  22d  of  August,  185 1  ;  James  M.,  also  a  resi- 
dent of  Searsboro ;  and  Robert  A.  and  Isaac  H.,  both  living  in  Union  township ; 
Richard  A.,  a  resident  of  Lorimor,  Iowa;  Harry  S.,  of  Searsboro;  and  Ernest 
F.,  who  is  living  in  Union  township.  The  parents  both  affiliated  with  the  Chris- 
tian church,  and  Mr.  Saunders  was  a  republican  in  politics. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marsh  are  the  parents  of  three  children :  Martha,  the  widow 
of  Christopher  Rempp,  of  Montezuma ;  Ethel  Elizabeth,  the  \vife  of  Burton 
Saunders,  of  Union  township :  and  Lewis  A.,  also  a  resident  of  Union  township, 
who  married  Anna  Allen  and  lives  on  his  father's  farm. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Marsh  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, while  he  maintains  relations  with  his  army  comrades  through  his  member- 
ship in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Repulilic.  His  political  rights  have  always  been 
exercised  in  support  of  the  candidates  of  the  republican  party,  although  he  has 
never  been  an  aspirant  to  official  honors,  and  the  religious  affiliation  of  himself 
and  wife  is  with  the  Christian  church.  Mr.  Marsh  is  one  of  the  old  residents  of 
the  county,  in  the  development  antl  advancement  of  which  he  has  contributed  his 
quota  as  a  good  business  man,  successful  agriculturist  and  desirable  citizen. 


ORISON  C.  HOLDEN. 


During  the  entire  period  of  his  active  career  Orison  C.  Holden  has  been  as- 
sociated with  the  agricultural  development  of  Poweshiek  county,  continuing  to 
be  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  in  Grinnell  township.  He  was 
born  in  Jasper  county  in  September,  1867,  and  is  a  son  of  Elias  W.  and  Eliza- 
beth (McKay)  Holden,  both  natives  of  the  state  of  New  York,  but  the  father  of 
German  and  the  mother  of  Scotch  extraction.  The  father,  who  was  also  a 
farmer,  removed  to  Minnesota  in  1854,  following  his  vocation  in  that  state  for 


HISTORY  ()!••  I'OWKSIIIEK  COUNTY  376 

thirteen  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  removed  to  Jasper  county,  Iowa, 
where  he  owned  a  farm,  and  where  he  remained  until  1889.  In  the  latter  year 
lie  located  in  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  purchased  a  farm,  but  he  has  been  a 
resident  of  Webster  county,  Missouri,  since  1892. 

It  was  in  the  common  schools  of  Poweshiek  and  Jasper  counties  that  Orison 
C.  Holden  obtained  his  preliminary  education,  following  the  completion  of  which 
he  entered  business  college  at  Shenandoah,  where  he  pursued  a  commercial 
course.  Subsequently  he  taught  school  for  two  terms  in  Missouri  and  then  en- 
gaged in  farming.  Returning  to  Poweshiek  county  he  rented  a  farm  for  six 
years,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  engaged  until  1902,  when  he  purchased  a 
place  in  Grinnell  township,  upon  which  he  lived  until  the  ist  of  March,  191 1, 
when  he  removed  to  his  present  location,  which  he  rents,  adjacent  to  the  city  of 
Grinnell.  Here  Mr.  Holden  is  engaging  in  general  farming,  but  his  attention  is 
largely  given  to  the  breeding  of  Angus  cattle,  of  which  he  is  making  a  specialty. 
His  is  one  of  the  valuable  farms  of  the  township.  The  land  is  thoroughly  culti- 
vated and  in  good  condition,  while  the  buildings  are  substantially  constructed 
and  well  repaired.  Mr.  Holden  has  met  with  most  gratifying  success  in  his  vari- 
ous undertakings  and  owns  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  e.xcellent  land  in 
Mitchell  county,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Holden  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Julia  A.  Spooner,  a  daughter  of 
Luke  P.  Spooner,  a  farmer,  in  August,  1896.  Three  children  have  been  born  unto 
Mr.  antl  Mrs.  Holden:  Glenwood  Miles,  Grace  Olive  and  Winifred  Irene.  The 
religious  faith  of  the  family  is  manifested  in  their  affiliation  with  the  I'lajitist 
church  of  Grinnell. 

Mr.  Holden  has  always  been  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  republican  party,  but 
as  he  has  never  aspired  to  public  honors  or  the  emoluments  of  office  does  not  ac- 
tively participate  in  local  politics.  It  is  generally  known,  however,  that  his  sup- 
port is  always  given  to  all  measures  which  will  tend  to  promote  the  mental,  moral 
or  commercial  welfare  of  the  community. 


JOHN  J.  RODGERS. 

John  J.  Rodgers,  manager  of  the  Rodgers  Produce  Company,  arrived  in  Mon- 
tezuma on  his  eighteenth  birthday  and  has  since  been  a  resident  of  Poweshiek 
county.  There  are  no  esoteric  chapters  in  his  life  history  and  the  fact  that  many 
of  his  stanchest  friends  are  among  those  who  have  known  him  from  his  boyhood 
indicates  that  his  record  has  at  all  times  been  worthy  of  regard  and  admiration. 
He  was  born  in  Jefiferson  county,  Ohio,  March  20,  1852,  and  is  a  son  of  John  K. 
and  Levina  (  Woodward )  Rodgers.  He  was  next  to  the  youngest  in  their  family 
nf  eight  children  of  whom  mention  is  made  in  connection  with  the  sketch  of  Jo- 
sei)h  W.  Rodgers  on  another  page  of  this  work.  His  youthful  days  were  spent 
in  the  i'.uckeye  state  and  its  public  schools  afforded  him  his  educational  privi- 
leges. As  previously  stated,  he  reached  Montezuma  on  his  eighteenth  birthday 
in  company  with  his  parents  and  sisters,  his  brothers  James  and  Joseph  having 
preceded  him.      Here  John   J.   Rodgers   has   made  his   home   continuously   since 


376  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

1870  and  in  the  intervening  period  of  forty-one  years  has  been  an  advocate  of  all 
that  is  progressive  in  citizenship  and  in  business.  After  coming  to  this  county 
he  attended  school  for  three  months  and  then  put  aside  his  text-books  to  enter 
business  life.  He  clerked  for  about  four  years,  most  of  the  time  in  the  employ 
of  F.  A.  Kilburn,  the  pioneer  merchant  iiere.  He  afterward  engaged  in  farming 
for  five  years  about  four  miles  southeast  of  Montezuma,  and  for  twenty-three 
years  was  connected  with  the  lumber  and  grain  business  in  the  employ  of  Moler 
&  Clark.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  managing  the  Rodgers  Produce  Company, 
a  business  founded  by  his  brothers  but  now  owned  by  Muscatine  parties.  John 
J.  Rodgers  is  the  owner  of  a  comfortable  residence  here  and  his  wife  owns  a 
farm  near  the  city. 

It  was  in  the  year  1879  that  Mr.  Rodgers  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Sarah  K.  Searight,  who  was  born  in  June,  1856,  near  Zanesville,  Ohio,  and  in 
1863  came  to  Iowa  with  her  parents.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  F.  and  Harriet 
C.  (Stevens)  Searight,  natives  of  Ohio  and  Maryland  respectively,  both,  how- 
ever, passing  away  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rodgers 
have  been  born  two  children,  Elwood  J.  and  Lola  V.  The  son  married  Dorothy 
Evans  and  is  erriployed  by  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad  at  Omaha.  Nebraska. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Rodgers  is  an  earnest  republican,  having  continu- 
ously supported  the  party  since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise 
He  is  now  serving  on  the  school  board  and  was  its  president  in  1910.  His  fra- 
ternal relations  are  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  his  religious 
faith  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  The  Rodgers  family  has  long 
been  well  known  in  this  county  and  like  the  others  of  the  name  John  J.  Rodgers 
commands  the  good  will,  confidence  and  kindly  regard  of  his  fellow  townsmen. 


FREDERIC  MORRISON. 

A  native  of  Grinnell,  Frederic  Morrison  has  become  one  of  its  successful 
business  men  and  well  merits  the  high  regard  in  which  he  is  held  by  many  who 
have  known  him  from  his  early  boyhood.  He  was  born  June  9,  1879,  a  son  of 
David  S.  and  Fannie  (Ricker)  Morrison,  a  record  of  whom  appears  elsewhere  in 
this  work. 

Frederic  Morrison  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  possessed  rare  ad- 
vantages of  education  and  home  training.  He  attended  the  public  schools  and 
the  Grinnell  high  school,  later  matriculating  at  Grinnell  College,  from  which  he 
was  graduated  in  1901  with  a  degree  of  .A.  B.  Almost  from  his  earliest  recollec- 
tion he  has  been  acquainted  with  the  glove  manufacturing  business,  in  his  boy- 
hood learning  every  detail  of  this  important  industry.  After  leaving  college  he 
went  to  Europe,  combining  business  with  pleasure,  and  purchased  skins  for  the 
factory.  He  also  visited  England,  Belgium,  Germany  and  France  and  made 
many  observations  of  great  interest.  In  F"ebruary,  1902,  he  became  connected 
with  Morrison,  Mcintosh  &  Company,  he  and  Mr.  Ricker  buying  out  the  interest 
of  E.  A.  Wadsworth,  the  title  since  being  the  Morrison  &  Ricker  Manufacturing 


HISTORY  O!'    PnWF.SIIIEK  COUNTY  377 

Company.  This  is  one  of  the  important  concerns  of  the  kind  in  the  west  and  it 
now  enjoys  a  large  and  growing  patronage. 

On  April  25,  1906,  Air.  Morrison  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Fay  Cline, 
of  Belle  Plaine,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Milton  and  Alice  ( Alshire)  Cline,  who  died 
when  Mrs.  Morrison  was  a  child.  She  was  reared  by  an  uncle,  Dr.  James  Mc- 
Morris,  and  educated  at  the  Belle  Plaine  high  school,  graduating  in  1896.  Later 
she  entered  Grinnell  College,  from  which  she  was  graduated  with  a  degree  of 
A.  I!,  in  1905.  She  is  a  lady  of  many  estimable  traits  of  character.  Two  chil- 
ilren  have  blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Morrison,  namely :  David  Cline  and 
James  Robert. 

Mr.  Morrison  and  his  wife  are  consistent  and  faithful  members  of  the  Con- 
gregational church,  in  which  they  take  an  active  interest.  Ever  since  reaching 
manhood  he  has  given  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  and  fraternally  he 
holds  membership  in  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.  He  is  recognized 
as  a  representative  citizen  of  unusual  enterprise  and  marked  ability.  He  belongs 
to  the  class  known  as  progressive  men  and  by  his  integrity,  energy  and  industry 
lie  has  won  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his  associates  and  of  all  with  whom  he 
has  come  in  contact. 


OLE  FIGLAND. 


Ill  a  history  of  Poweshiek  county  mention  should  be  made  of  Ole  Figland, 
now  deceased,  whose  efforts  along  agricultural  lines  earned  for  him  the  proud 
American  title  of  a  self-made  man.  He  was  one  of  Norway's  contributions  to 
the  citizenship  of  Iowa,  and  throughout  his  lifetime  e.xemplified  many  of  the  ster- 
ling traits  for  which  the  people  of  that  country  have  ever  been  noted. 

In  early  manhood  he  left  his  native  country  to  seek  a  home  amid  the  strange 
environment  of  a  strange  land.  Crossing  the  -Atlantic  to  America,  he  made  his 
wav  direct  to  Chicago,  and  thence  went  to  Wisconsin,  arriving  in  that  state  in 
1 86 1.  There  he  worked  as  a  laborer  for  a  few  years,  after  which  he  went  to 
Michigan  and  was  there  employed  as  a  chopper  of  cordwood  for  three  winters. 
He  then  returned  to  Wisconsin  for  a  short  time,  after  which  he  came  to  Powe- 
shiek county,  locating  in  Searsboro  in  1866.  In  1871  he  came  to  Malcom  town- 
shij)  and  purchased  a  tract  of  unbroken  prairie  located  on  section  31.  With  char- 
acteristic energy  he  at  once  began  its  improvement  and  as  the  years  passed  suc- 
ceeded in  developing  it  into  a  highly  cultivated  tract.  This  farm,  consisting  of 
ninety-six  acres,  became  the  homestead,  and  subsequently  he  added  other  prop- 
erty, becoming  the  owner  of  two  hundred  and  twenty  acres  lying  across  the  road 
in  Grinnell  township.  Later  he  traded  eighty  acres  of  that  property  for  land  in 
South  Dakota,  and  also  sold  forty  acres.  He  improved  the  home  place  with  a 
good  dwelling  and  substantial  outbuildings,  and  continued  to  carry  on  agricul- 
tural pursuits  there  for  a  number  of  years.  Later,  however,  he  rented  it  and 
went  to  South  Dakota,  spending  his  last  years  on  his  property  in  that  state. 

Something  of  the  prosperity  which  attended  his  efforts  is  indicated  by  the 
fact  that  he  reached  Chicago  with  a  cash  capital  of  but  twenty-five  cents,  with 


378  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

no  knowledge  whatever  of  the  language  or  customs  of  the  American  people,  aiul 
at  the  time  of  his  death  he  not  only  owned  two  hundred  and  sixteen  acres  in  the 
home  farm  in  Poweshiek  county,  but  also  six  quarter  sections  of  land  in  San- 
born county,  South  Dakota,  all  well  improved,  which  stand  as  a  monument  to 
his  life  of  undaunted  energy,  unfaltering  industry  and  a  perseverance  that  never 
flagged.  When  death  claimed  him,  at  the  comparatively  early  age  of  fiftv-six 
years,  he  was  able  to  leave  to  his  family  a  most  comfortable  competence. 

Mr.  Figland  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1863,  near  Aladison,  Wisconsin,  to 
Miss  Annie  Sandmark,  who  was  born  in  Norway  on  the  24th  of  April,  1840. 
After  the  death  of  her  mother  she  came  with  a  sister  to  the  United  States  to  join 
her  father  in  Wisconsin,  arriving  in  that  state  in  1861.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fig- 
land  were  born  nine  children,  as  follows :  Charles,  of  Grinnell  township ;  Belle, 
the  wife  of  Ed  Larson,  of  Minneapolis;  Christina,  who  married  M.  C.  Bean,  of 
Wheelock,  North  Dakota ;  Anna,  the  wife  of  Christ  Olson,  of  Malta,  Illinois : 
Lily,  who  married  Theodore  Olson,  of  Grinnell :  Lena,  who  passed  awav  at  the 
age  of  one  year,  seven  months;  Lewis  Johann,  who  died  when  two  years,  nine 
months  old ;  Clara  Josephine,  who  passed  away  when  eleven  months  old ;  and 
Louis  J.,  renting  the  home  place  in  Poweshiek  county,  who  married  Miss  Nora 
Tysdal  and  has  one  child,  Le  Roy.  The  mother  still  survives  and  makes  her 
home  on  the  old  homestead   farm  with  her  youngest  son. 

Mr.  Figland  passed  away  on  the  12th  of  October,  1892,  his  death  resulting 
from  the  kick  of  a  horse.  He  was  a  strong,  powerful  man  physically,  and  still 
in  the  prime  of  life.  The  story  of  his  success  is  short  and  simple.  It  contains 
no  exciting  chapters,  but  is  a  record  of  w-ell  directed  efl:ort,  guided  by  a  sturdy 
common  sense  and  persistency  of  purpose.  He  came  to  this  country  with  no 
capital  save  brains,  energ}',  integrity  and  rugged  health,  but  he  was  not  afraid  to 
work,  and  accepted  any  honorable  employment  which  came  to  his  hand,  and  as 
time  passed  he  attained  a  position  of  independence  which  was  well  won  and 
justly  merited. 


HENRY  HILL. 


A  resident  of  Grinnell  for  fifty-seven  years,  Henry  Hill  has  watched  the 
little  hamlet  with  its  scattered  log  cabins  develop  into  a  thriving  town  with 
beautiful  homes  and  an  institution  of  learning,  which  causes  it  to  be  recognized 
as  one  of  the  educational  centers  of  the  state  of  Iowa.  Mr.  Mill  was  born  in 
Norfolk,  England,  on  the  12th  of  November,  1831,  and  is  a  son  of  Warner 
Chevalier  and  Georgiana  (Fanner)  Hill,  also  natives  of  Norfolk.  The  father, 
who  was  a  lawyer,  assessor  and  postmaster  of  Walsingham,  England,  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  forty  years  and  the  mother  survived  him  but  a  short  time. 
They  were  the  parents  of  seven  children.  One  of  their  sons,  who  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Third  Dragoons  during  the  Crimean  war,  returned  to  England  aufl 
was  killed  in  a  mob  in  London. 

Henry  Hill  was  reared  in  the  paternal  home,  acquiring  his  education  in  the 
common  and  high  schools  of  his  native  town,   and  later  he  delivered   mail  be- 


HKXUV    HILL 


TILOeN  FOUNOATi; 


TTTSTORV  OF  I'OWESIIIEK  COrXTV  381 

tween  Fakenham  and  Walsingham,  walking  the  distance,  which  was  five  miles, 
twice  a  day.  When  he  was  eighteen  years  of  age  an  uncle  of  his,  who  was  a 
farmer  in  the  vicinity  of  Niles,  Michigan,  wrote  to  the  father  and  asked  if  his 
eldest  son  could  come  to  the  United  States  and  work  for  him.  As  the  brother 
did  not  care  to  accept  the  offer  Henry  asked  permission  to  come,  which  was 
granted,  whereupon  he  took  passage  for  America,  arriving  in  Niles  in  1848. 
He  resided  there  until  June,  1854,  when  he  came  to  Latimer's  Grove,  Iowa, 
going  by  stage  to  Iowa  City.  From  there  he  walked  north  until  he  came  to 
Sugar  creek,  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  found  the  log  cabin  of  J.  B.  Grinnell, 
for  whom  the  town  was  later  named.  The  country,  which  was  very  sparsely 
settled  at  that  time,  was  full  of  wild  game,  and  there  were  deer  as  well  as 
wolves.  Mr.  Hill  liked  the  country  and  decided  to  settle  here,  immediately  en- 
gaging in  cutting  logs  for  cabins.  To  him  was  given  the  distinction  of  felling 
the  trees  for  the  first  cabin  built  in  Grinnell.  Much  discomfort  and  untold 
hardships  were  endured  by  the  early  settlers,  who  were  so  remote  from  all  resi- 
dence and  trading  centers  as  to  be  compelled  to  live  in  the  most  primitive  fash- 
ion. The  nearest  trading  point,  of  any  size,  was  Iowa  City  and  owing  to  the 
distance,  poor  roads  and  slow  gait  of  the  oxen — horses  being  almost  unknown 
in  this  section  at  that  time — a  week  was  consumed  in  the  journey,  which  was 
not  made  often.  In  order  to  facilitate  matters  somewhat  the  neighbors  took 
turns  in  going  to  town,  whoever  made  the  trip  discharging  the  errands  of  the 
entire  community  in  which  he  lived.  Mr.  Hill  helped  to  lay  out  the  city  of 
Grinnell  by  carrying  a  chain  for.^he  .sur.vey_o.ia.  who  platted  the  town.  After  a 
settlement  was  established  he  and  Ev'S;  Bartlett  opened  a  meat  market,  which 
they  conducted  for  thirteen  years.'  At  tfee-  expiration  of  that  period,  however, 
Mr.  Hill  disposed  of  his  interest  to  Mr.  Bartlett  and  thereafter  devoted  his 
attention  to  his  public  duties.  Having" ts^iired-a'thief  who  stole  some  money  in 
the  vicinity  of  Des  Moines,  Mr.  Hill  was  recognized  as  one  well  qualified  to 
discharge  the  duties  of  constable,  of  which  office  he  is  still  the  incumbent.  He 
was  also  marshal  for  many  years  as  well  as  street  commissioner  and  a  mem- 
ber of  the  city  council,  but  having  reached  the  age  of  eighty  years  he  is  now 
living  rather  a  retired  life. 

Mr.  Hill  has  been  twice  married,  his  first  union  being  with  Miss  Susan  Nesbor 
Harris,  and  their  marriage,  which  was  solemnized  in  1855,  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^^^  P^^' 
formed  in  Grinnell.  Mrs.  Hill,  who  was  a  daughter  of  James  Harris,  and  a 
native  of  Pennsylvania,  passed  away  in  1890.  By  this  marriage  five  children 
were  born,  as  follows :  Harry  E.,  who  is  married  and  living  in  Hutchinson, 
Kansas,  where  he  is  engaged  in  the  meat  business ;  Qara  E.,  who  became  the 
wife  of  F.  J.  McCumber;  Albert,  a  graduate  of  the  Grinnell  high  school  and 
college,  who  is  a  barber  in  Peoria.  Illinois ;  William  E.,  who  is  conducting  a 
barber  shop  in  Grinnell ;  and  Charles,  who  is  employed  by  the  Armour  Pack- 
ing Company,  of  Kansas  City.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Hill  chose  Miss  Rosa 
Turner,  a  daughter  of  Walter  and  Martha  (Hilsabeck)  Turner,  the  father  a 
native  of  England  and  the  mother  of  Germany. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hill  are  members  of  the  Congregational  church,  and  in  politics 
he  is  a  republican.  Many  are  the  interesting  reminiscences  he  relates  of  the 
pioneer  days,  some  of  which  are  humorous  as   well  as  pathetic.     Particularly 


382  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

viviil  is  the  story  which  he  relates  of  his  experience  in  killing  a  wolf,  of  which 
there  were  many  when  he  first  came  to  Grinnell.  Although  he  has  passed  the 
eightieth  milestone  on  life's  journey  Mr.  Hill  is  still  quite  active  and  takes  an 
interest  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  welfare  of  the  town  which  he  helped  found 
over  fifty  years  ago. 


JOHN  McDonald. 


At  the  present  writing  ( 191 1  )  John  McDonald  is  not  actively  engaged  in  busi- 
ness in  Montezuma  but  for  many  years  was  closely  associated  with  commercial  in- 
terests here  and  is  still  connected  with  the  grain  trade  in  other  parts  of  the  state. 
He  has  ever  placed  a  correct  valuation  upon  life  and  its  opportunities  and  as  the 
years  have  gone  by  has  made  such  wise  use  of  his  advantages  that  a  very  desirable 
measure  of  success  has  crowned  his  industry  and  perseverance. 

He  was  born  in  Godridge,  Ontario,  Canada,  June  10,  1837,  his  parents  being 
lohn  and  Hannah  (McMillan)  McDonald,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Nova 
Scotia.  The  former  was  the  son  of  Angus  McDonald,  who  was  born  in  Scotland 
and  on  coming  to  the  new  world  settled  in  Nova  Scotia  but  afterward  engaged  in 
farming  near  London.  Ontario.  Hannah  McMillan's  father  was  also  a  native  of 
Scotland.  In  fact  both  of  the  grandfathers  of  our  subject  were  from  the  High- 
lands and  became  residents  of  Nova  Scotia,  where  John  McDonald  and  Hannah 
McMillan  were  born.  They  were  married,  however,  in  London,  Ontario,  and  in 
1866  became  residents  of  Iowa.  Two  or  three  years  later  they  took  up  their 
abode  in  Montezuma,  where  Mr.  McDonald  passed  away  in  his  seventy-fifth 
year.  His  widow  afterward  made  her  home  with  her  daughters  and  reached  the 
very  advanced  age  of  ninety- four  years. 

The  second  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  eight  children,  John  McDonald 
remained  at  the  place  of  his  natixity  until  he  came  to  Iowa  in  1862.  The  follow- 
ing year  he  established  his  home  in  Montezuma  and  after  the  great  Chicago  tiie 
of  1871  went  to  that  city,  where  he  remained  for  three  years.  In  early  life  he 
entered  the  carpenter's  trade  with  his  father  and  for  a  long  period  followed  that 
pursuit,  being  engaged  in  the  rebuilding  of  Chicago  after  much  of  the  city  had 
been  destroyed.  He  also  worked  at  his  trade  in  Montezuma  for  about  four 
years.  In  1879,  however,  he  went  to  Colorado,  where  he  resided  until  the  fall  of 
1884.  He  owned  a  ranch  upon  which  he  made  his  home  and  also  engagetl  in 
the  hay  and  feed  business  there.  In  1884.  however,  he  again  came  to  Monte- 
zuma, where  he  established  a  lumber  and  grain  business,  in  which  he  continued 
with  gratifying  .success  until  July,  1910.  He  then  disposed  of  his  interests  in 
the  city  but  is  still  part  owner  of  an  elevator  at  Barnes  City  and  another  at  Cla- 
rion, being  associated  at  the  latter  place  with  T.  Harris  under  the  firm  style  of 
T.  Harris  &  Company.  Mr.  T.  Harris,  Sr.,  was  Mr.  McDonald's  partner  in  the 
lumber  and  grain  business  in  Montezuma  and  following  his  death  his  son  be- 
came a  partner  in  the  business.  In  ad.lition  to  his  other  interests  Mr.  McDonald 
owns  a  good  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  a  mile  and  a  half  west  of 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWKSHIEK  COUNTY  383 

Montezuma  and  an  attractive  residence  in  this  city  which  he  has  occupied  con- 
tinuously since   1885. 

Mr.  McDonald  first  married  Miss  Mary  P..  N'est,  who  iHed  in  1875.  She  was 
a  daughter  of  Dr.  J.  W.  H.  \'est,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  this  county  and  quite 
a  proniinent  man.  In  1880  Mr.  McDonald  was  again  married,  his  second  wife 
being  Miss  Sarah  Elizabeth  Harris,  who  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1856  and 
came  to  Iowa  with  her  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Harris,  both  of  whom  are 
now  deceased.  The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McDonald  has  been  blessed  with  five 
children,  as  follows  :  Professor  Thomas  H..  a  graduate  of  Iowa  State  University  at 
Ames,  Iowa,  who  is  now  an  engineer  in  the  employ  of  the  state,  being  located  at 
Ames  and  having  charge  of  improved  road  work  in  Iowa ;  Ross,  who  was  a  stu- 
dent for  three  years  in  the  Iowa  College  at  Grinnell  and  is  now  operating  his 
father's  farm :  Charles  M..  an  employe  of  the  Southern  Pacific  Railroad  located 
at  Tuscon,  Arizona,  who  attended  the  engineering  department  of  the  University  at 
.\mes  for  three  years:  Jean,  at  home;  and  Florence,  a  student  in  the  Monte- 
zuma high  school. 

Mr.  McDonald  has  never  been  an  office  seeker  but  has  served  as  a  member 
of  the  city  council  and  also  as  a  member  of  the  school  board.  He  belongs  to  the 
Presbyterian  church  and  is  interested  in  all  that  pertains  to  the  material,  social, 
intellectual  and  moral  progress  of  the  community.  In  fact  his  influence  is  al- 
ways on  the  side  of  right,  justice  and  truth,  and  his  friends  recognize  in  him 
a  man   who  is  depentlable  under   all  circumstances. 


JOIIX  FDWIN  X'AiN  EVERA. 

Among  the  lionored  citizens  of  Poweshiek  county  who  have  passed  to  their 
reward  may  be  named  John  Edwin  \'an  Evera,  who  for  many  years  was  well 
known  as  one  of  the  most  prosperous  farmers  of  the  county.  He  was  born  at 
Canajoharie,  Montgomery  county.  New  York,  June  3,  1849,  a  son  of  Rynier  and 
Katharine  (  Stowitts)  \'an  Evera.  The  family  traces  its  ancestry  to  an  enter- 
prising Hollander  who  established  his  home  in  New  York  at  an  early  date  in  the 
history  of  the  colonies  and  whose  descendants  may  now  be  found  in  various 
states  of  the  Union.  Rynier  \'an  Evera  was  married  in  New  York  state  to  Miss 
Katharine  Stowitts  and  they  began  their  wedded  life  on  a  farm  in  Montgomery 
county.  In  1855  he  came  to  Scott  county,  Iowa,  where  our  subject's  grand- 
father, John  \'an  Evera  had  previously  settled.  Rynier  Van  Evera  was  a  farmer 
and  devoted  the  remainder  of  his  life  to  agriculture  and  stock-raising.  There 
were  four  children  in  his  family,  the  subject  of  this  review  being  the  youngest. 

John  Edwin  \'an  Evera  was  reared  to  manhood  upon  his  father's  farm  and 
received  his  education  in  the  district  schools  and  at  Hopkinton,  Iowa.  He  con- 
tinued in  Scott  county  until  1884,  when  he  removed  to  Poweshiek  county  and 
purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  near  Grinnell,  cultivating  his  farm  to 
such  good  advantage  that  he  became  the  owner  of  four  hundred  acres,  which 
he  developed  into  one  of  the  most  valuable  properties  in  the  county.     He  raised 


384  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

stock  upon  an  extensive  scale  and  also  fed  stock  for  the  market,  in  1902  he 
took  tip  his  residence  in  Grinnell.  About  two  years  previous  to  this  time  he  had 
become  identified  with  the  loan  and  insurance  business,  in  which  he  was  very 
successful,  and  after  removing  to  the  city  he  devoted  his  attention  largely  to 
those  lines.  His  health,  however,  had  become  impaired  and  he  and  his  wife 
spent  a  year  traveling  in  the  west  in  the  hope  that  a  change  of  scene  and  climate 
would  restore  him  to  his  usual  vigor.  He  was  unusually  active  and  elificient  in 
business  affairs  and  was  treasurer  of  the  Poweshiek  County  Mutual  Insurance 
Company  and  also  of  the  Poweshiek  County  Agricultural  Society. 

In  January,  1873,  Mr.  \'an  Evera  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ella 
Cessna,  a  native  of  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  a  daughter  of  Thomas 
R.  Cessna,  a  record  of  whom  is  given  in  the  sketch  of  \^  W.  Cessna  which  appears 
elsewhere  in  this  work.  Four  children  came  to  bless  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Van  Evera,  namely:  Ray,  now  engaged  in  the  stock  business  at  VVessington 
Springs,  South  Dakota;  Rynier,  manager  of  the  Kansas  Milling  &  Export  Com- 
pany of  Kansas ;  Jay,  a  member  of  the  firm  of  Crow  &  \'an  Evera.  who  are  en- 
gaged in  the  real-estate  and  loan  business  at  Kansas  City,  and  Gertrude,  now 
Mrs.  H.  L.  Viets,  of  Grinnell. 

Mr.  Van  Evera  died  July.  1904.  and  the  general  expression  of  regret  which 
followed  the  announcement  of  his  death  gave  evidence  of  the  high  esteem  in 
which  he  was  held  by  the  community.  Religiously  he  affiliated  with  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church,  of  which  he  was  an  earnest  supporter.  F'olitically  he 
gave  his  adherence  to  the  democratic  party.  He  was  essentially  a  man  of  busi- 
ness and  his  judgment  was  usually  so  correct  that  his  neighbors  regarded  him  as 
an  authority  on  subjects  pertaining  to  agriculture  and  stock-raising.  He  was  a 
man  of  kindly  and  genial  temperament  who  attracted  friends  wherever  he  was 
known.  Mrs.  Van  Evera  still  resides  at  the  family  home.  She  is  well  known 
and  has  many  warm  personal  friends  in  Grinnell  and  Poweshiek  county. 


JOSEPH  MORRIS. 


Joseph  Morris  has  the  distinction  of  having  served  in  the  Civil  war  for  a 
longer  period  than  any  other  of  the  enlisted  men  of  Poweshiek  county,  and  his 
military  record  is  one  of  which  he  has  every  reason  to  be  proud,  for  at  no  time 
was  his  valor  or  his  loyalty  ever  questioned.  He  was  born  in  Greene  county, 
Penn.sylvania,  on  the  i8th  of  March,  1844.  The  family  is  of  Irish  lineage.  His 
paternal  grandparents  were  Samuel  and  Sarah  (Girard)  Morris.  They  were 
probably  born  in  Pennsylvania  and  spent  their  entire  lives  there,  the  former  dy- 
ing at  the  age  of  ninety-eight  and  the  latter  when  eighty-nine  years  of  age. 
Samuel  Morris  was  a  son  of  Jonathan  Morris,  a  native  of  New  Jersey,  and  a 
relative  of  Gouverneur  Morris,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Inde- 
pendence and  a  most  active  factor  in  support  of  the  continental  government  at 
the  time  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  The  parents  of  Joseph  Morris  were  Justin 
and  Rebecca  (Goulden)  Morris,  natives  of  Greene  county,  Pennsylvania,  born 
March  25.   1809,  and  the  year  1814  respectively.     Their  last  days  were  passed 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  385 

in  Clark  county,  Missouri,  where  Mrs.  Morris  died  in  1851.  her  liushand  having 
survived  her  for  a  half  century,  his  death  occurring  in  1901.  He  had  Ijeen  a  life- 
long farmer  and  thus  provideil  for  the  support  of  his  family  of  ten  children,  six 
sons  and  four  daughters,  of  whom  Joseph  Morris  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth. 
After  losing  his  first  wife  Justin  Morris  married  again  and  there  were  two  chil- 
dren hy  that  union.  John  P.  and  (ieorge  Morris,  brothers  of  our  subject,  were 
both  soldiers  of  the  Civil  war.  The  latter  died  soon  after  enlisting  and  John  P., 
in  tlie  fall  of  1863,  joined  the  same  company  and  regiment  of  which  Joseph  Mor- 
ris was  a  member. 

The  spirit  of  enterprise  and  progress  which  has  long  dominated  the  middle 
west  has  been  exemplified  in  the  life  of  Joseph  Morris,  who  was  reared  west 
of  the  Mississippi,  having  been  only  eighteen  months  old  when  his  parents  re- 
moved to  Clark  county,  Missouri.  There  he  resided  until  after  the  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  war,  when  he  enlisted  on  the  15th  of  June,  1861,  as  a  member  of  Com- 
pany G,  Twenty-first  Missouri  Veteran  Volunteer  Infantry,  under  Captain 
Thomas  Rose  and  Colonel  David  Moore.  He  was  mustered  out  April  19,  1866, 
having  been  connected  with  the  army  for  four  years,  ten  months  and  four  days. 
His  enhstment  was  in  response  to  the  first  call  for  three  years'  men  and  he  re- 
mained at  the  front  until  after  the  proclamation  of  peace  had  been  issued  by  the 
president.  He  was  first  under  fire  at  the  battle  of  Athens,  Missouri,  August  5, 
1861.  He  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Shiloh,  April  6-7,  1862:  Corinth,  October 
3-4,  1862;  Tupelo,  Tennessee,  July  14,  1864;  Blue  Spring,  Missouri,  in  the  fall 
of  1864:  and  was  afterward  allowed  a  veteran  furlough  which  he  spent  at  home. 
He  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Nashville  on  the  15th  and  i6th  of  December,  1864, 
and  at  Fort  P>lakeley,  Alabama,  April  g,  1865.  He  was  also  in  many  lesser  en- 
gagements but  never  did  he  falter  in  the  performance  of  duty,  whether  on  the 
firing  line  or  stationed  on  the  lonely  picket  line.  After  the  battle  of  Shiloh  he 
became  ill  and  was  forced  to  remain  in  the  hospital  for  two  months.  During 
most  of  the  service  he  was  a  corporal.  After  receiving  his  discharge  he  went 
to  Oskaloosa  and  there  resided  until  the  spring  of  1874,  when  he  removed  to 
Poweshiek  county  and  for  two  years  engaged  in  farming.  Since  1876  he  has 
made  his  home  in  Montezuma  and  was  engaged  in  the  painting  business  until 
1885,  when  he  joined  his  son,  Edward  K.  Morris,  under  the  firm  name  of  Mor- 
ns &  Son,  for  the  conduct  of  a  harness  business.  They  were  associated  in  the 
enterprise  for  twenty-two  years  or  until  1907,  since  which  time  Joseph  Morris 
has  practically  lived  retired,  although  occasionally  he  does  work  at  his  old  trade 
of  painter,  for  indolence  and  idleness  are  foreign  to  his  nature  so  that  he  fre- 
quently busies  himself  with  that  line  of  work. 

Mr.  Morris  was  married,  on  the  21st  of  June,  1866,  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Golden, 
who  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  4th  of  November,  1849, 
and  in  1856  removed  with  her  parents  to  Oskaloosa,  Iowa,  where  she  was  mar- 
ried. Her  parents  were  William  and  Catharine  Mary  (Truxsal)  Golden,  na- 
tives of  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia  respectively,  and  both  passed  away  in  Oska- 
loosa. On  the  paternal  side  Mrs.  Morris  comes  of  Irish  lineage  and  on  the  ma- 
ternal side  from  German  ancestry.  By  her  marriage  with  Joseph  Morris  she 
became  the  mother  of  five  children,  as  follows :  Edward  K.,  of  Montezuma : 
Charles  E.,  residing  in  Rapid   City,  South  Dakota ;  Frank,  of  Castle,   .\lberta. 


386  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Canada;  Justin  J.,  a  resident  of  Marion,  Iowa;  and  Ida  Louise,  the  wife  of  C.  C. 
McDonald,  of  Grafton,  Nebraska.  Of  these  Frank  and  Justin  enHsted  for  serv- 
ice in  the  Spanish-American  war,  the  former  becoming  a  member  of  Company 
D,  Fifty-second  Iowa  Infantry,  while  the  latter  w-as  a  member  of  Company  L, 
Fiftieth  low-a.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  military  spirit  is  strongly  developed 
in  the  family  and  that  loyalty  to  their  country  is  one  of  their  marked  character- 
istics. Mr.  Morris  is  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  and  his  life 
in  all  of  his  relations  with  his  fellowmen  and  in  business  has  been  actuated  by 
his  belief  in  the  teachings  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  w'hich  he  has 
long  been  a  member.  His  record  is  a  creditable  one  and  all  who  know  liim  en- 
tertain for  him  the  warm  regard  which  is  everywhere  a  recognition  of  noble 
traits  of  manhood. 


HERMAN  EWOLDT. 


Many  thousands  of  ambitious  young  men  have  come  to  America  from  Eu- 
rope in  quest  of  home  and  fortune  and  it  may  lie  said  to  their  credit  and  to  the 
credit  of  the  American  republic  that  the  majority  of  them  were  not  disappointed. 
Here  they  found  opportunities  that  long  settled  and  older  countries  could  not 
offer,  and  many  of  the  most  respected  citizens  of  the  L'nite<l  States  are  of  Eu- 
ropean birth.  In  this  number  may  be  mentioned  Herman  Ewoldt,  who  now  owns 
a  valuable  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  in  Grinnell  township.  He  was  born  in 
Holstein,  Germany,  December  25,  1864,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Bertha  (Koch) 
Ewoldt,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  the  same  place.  The  father  engaged  in 
teaming  and  is  now  deceased,  but  the  mother  is  still  living  in  the  old  country. 
There  were  five  children  in  their  family :  Anna,  deceased ;  Herman ;  Amelia, 
who  came  to  America  and  married  William  Edens,  of  Davenport,  Iowa  ;  VVil- 
helm,  who  is  living  in  Germany ;  and  Antonie,  who  is  the  wife  of  Bernhardt 
Schrader,  and  who  also  resides  in  Germany. 

Mr.  Ewoldt,  of  this  review,  possessed  good  advantages  of  education  in  his 
native  country  and  continued  at  home  until  eighteen  years  of  age.  In  March, 
1882,  he  landed  in  America  and  in  Butler  township,  Scott  county,  Iowa,  he  found 
employment  on  a  farm  where  he  continued  for  seven  vears.  He  then  came  to 
Grinnell  township,  Poweshiek  county,  and  later  to  Washington  township,  where 
he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  and  upon  which  he  established  his  home. 
As  his  resources  increased  he  bouglit  more  land  and  now  owns  a  fine  farm  of 
two  hundred  acres.  He  has  erected  the  buildings  which  are  to  be  seen  upon 
his  place  and  has  put  in  many  modern  improvements,  making  it  one  of  the  most 
desirable  farms  in  the  township.  He  raises  the  cereals,  but  pays  special  atten- 
tion to  feeding  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  market,  in  which  line  he  has  acquired 
an  enviable  reputation.  He  is  a  stockholder  of  the  Farmers'  Elevator  Company 
at  Grinnell  and  the  Farmers'  Cooperative  Creamery  at  Jacobs,  being  also  treas- 
urer of  the  latter  organization. 

On  the  I2th  of  March.  1895,  Mr.  Ewoldt  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  Kelm,  a  daughter  of  Frank  and  Julia  ( Polaska )   Kelm,  of  Malcom  town- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  387 

ship.      Mr.  and   Mrs.   Ewoldt   were  the  parents  of   one   son,    Henry,   who   was 
born  August  5,   1907,  and  is  now  deceased. 

Politically  Mr.  Ewoldt  is  identified  with  the  democratic  party,  but  uot  in  the 
hope  of  acquiring  office,  as  he  has  never  aspired  to  the  emoluments  of  any 
public  position,  being  more  than  satisfied  to  attend  quietly  to  his  own  affairs. 
He  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  to  which  he  has 
ever  since  adhered,  being  also  a  valued  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias 
lodge  of  Grinnell.  He  is  a  man  of  excellent  traits  and  one  who  readily  makes 
friends  wherever  he  is  known.  As  a  farmer  he  takes  great  interest  in  every- 
thing pertaining  to  agriculture  and  stock-raising,  and  for  several  years  ser\c<l 
as  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Malcom  fair. 


JOHN  H.  PORTER. 


John  H.  Porter  is  a  retired  merchant  of  ]\Iontezuma  and  the  vice  president 
of  the  First  National  Bank.  While  he  has  won  success  in  business  it  is  his 
I^ersonal  characteristics  that  have  endeared  him  t<i  his  fellowinen.  Especially 
is  he  prominent  and  popular  in  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic,  and  he  may 
well  be  proud  of  the  fact  that  for  thirty  years  he  has  been  chosen  the  color 
bearer  of  his  post. 

He  was  born  in  Carroll  county,  Ohio,  .April  29,  1841,  and  was  therefore  but 
a  lad  of  thirteen  years  when,  in  November,  1854,  he  arrived  in  Montezuma 
with  his  parents,  Alexander  and  Catharine  ( Ralston )  Porter.  The  father  was 
born  in  Ireland  in  1807  and  the  mother  in  \'irginia.  Alexander  Porter  came 
to  the  United  States  with  his  parents  when  seven  years  of  age  and  located  in 
that  portion  of  Virginia  which  is  now  the  Panhandle  of  West  Virginia.  There 
he  was  reared  and  married  and  later  he  became  a  pioneer  in  the  forests  of 
Ohio,  entering  land  from  the  government  and  residing  in  that  state  until  he 
came  to  Iowa.  For  a  few  years  he  lived  in  Montezuma  and  then  took  up  his 
abode  in  Pleasant  township,  where  for  a  long  period  he  carried  on  general 
agricultural  pursuits.  In  later  years,  however,  he  retired  from  business  and 
again  became  a  resident  of  Montezuma,  where  he  died  January  14,  1899, 
when  eighty-two  years  of  age.  His  wife  died  February  14,  1879.  In  their  family 
were  eleven  children,  of  whom  one  died  in  infancy.  The  others  were :  Hen- 
rietta, of  Montezuma;  Scott  T.,  deceased;  Eliza  J.,  who  passed  away  in  1838; 
James  L.,  of  Ohio,  who  served  for  three  years  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  soldier  in 
the  Fifty-second  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry;  Mary  A.,  who  wedded  George 
Burns,  of  Des  Moines;  John  H.,  of  this  review:  Joseph  M.,  of  Pleasant  town- 
ship; Johnson  A.,  residing  at  Grinnell :  S.  J.,  also  of  that  city;  and  C.  C,  of  Des 
Moines. 

The  usual  experiences  of  farm  life  came  to  John  H.  Porter  in  his  boyhood 
and  youth,  and  his  educational  advantages  were  those  afforded  by  the  public 
schools  of  his  native  and  his  adopted  state.  He  remained  with  his  father  until 
his  enlistment  for  service  in  the  Civil  war  on  the  2d  of  .August,  1862,  as  a 
member   of  Company  C,  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  \^olunteer   Infantry.     He  served 


388  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

for  three  years,  or  until  the  close  of  the  war,  and  was  mustered  out  with  his 
regiment  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  July  31,  1865,  having  in  the  meantime  par- 
ticipated in  a  number  of  hotly  contested  engagements  in  which  his  bravery  and 
his  determination   were  many  times  proven. 

Following  the  cessation  of  hostilities  Mr.  Porter  engaged  in  farming  in 
Pleasant  township  from  1865  until  1872,  and  following  his  removal  to  Monte- 
zuma in  the  latter  year  was  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  with  A.  F.  Ray- 
burn  under  the  firm  style  of  Rayburn  &  Porter  for  a  quarter  of  a  century. 
He  made  for  himself  a  creditable  place  among  merchants  in  this  city  as  the 
methods  he  pursued  were  always  straightforward  and  honorable,  and  he  put 
forth  earnest  efforts  to  please  his  patrons.  While  now  living  retired  from 
close  connection  with  active  business  affairs  he  is  the  vice  president  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Montezuma,  in  which  he  owns  considerable  stock,  and  his 
property  holdings  include  ninety  acres  of  valuable  land  in  Jackson  township 
adjoining  the  corporation  limits  of  Montezuma  on  the  north,  together  with  an 
attractive  residence  and  business  property  in  this  citw 

In  1869  Mr.  Porter  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Rayburn,  who 
was  born  in  Highland  cotmty,  Ohio,  and  in  1879,  at  the  age  of  forty-one  years, 
was  called  to  her  final  rest.  She  was  a  daughter  of  John  K.  Rayburn,  and  by 
her  marriage  became  the  mother  of  five  children,  as  follows:  Gertrude,  the  wife 
of  W.  L.  Meredith,  of  Montezuma ;  Mary,  who  passed  away  in  infancy ;  Ray- 
mond A.,  of  Idaho :  Alice,  who  also  died  in  infancy :  and  Albert  L.  operating 
his  father's  farm.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  in  1887,  Mr.  Porter  w-as 
again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Mrs.  Alicia  McMillien.  She  was 
born  HI  Harnedsville,  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  i6th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1850,  and  in  1865,  when  a  maiden  of  fifteen  summers,  came  with  her  par- 
ents to  Iowa.  She  is  a  daughter  of  John  Harned  and  a  granddaughter  of  Sam- 
uel Harned,  in  honor  of  whom  the  town  of  Harnedsville  was  named. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Porter  has  long  been  a  stalwart  republican,  giving 
to  the  party  unfailing  support.  For  twelve  years  he  served  as  a  member  of  the 
citv  council  and  did  effective  work  in  behalf  of  public  progress  an<l  improve- 
ment. He  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Grand 
Armv  of  the  Republic,  and  since  the  organization  of  the  local  post  has  served 
as  its  color  bearer.  He  has  strong  and  deep  attachment  for  the  starry  banner 
and  is  as  true  and  loyal  to  his  country  in  days  of  peace  as  when  he  followed 
the  old   flag  upon  the  battlefields  of  the  south. 


I.  W.  FOWLER. 


J.  W.  Fowler,  proprietor  of  the  Grinnell  Creamery,  Ice  &  Cold  Storage  Plant, 
is  one  of  the  most  respected  citizens  of  Poweshiek  county — an  honor  which  he 
has  gained  wholly  through  application  of  sound  principles  of  business  in  affairs 
in  which  the  city  and  surrounding  country  are  deeply  interested.  He  was  born 
near  Sullivan,  Indiana,  October  31,  1859,  a  son  of  James  D.  and  Caroline  (  Houg- 
land )   Fowler,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  Indi- 


Ml;.    AND    MKS.    .1.    \V.    lOWLKIt 


L^^^°^^--...        / 


HISTORY  OI'   FOWnSHIEK  COUNTY  891 

ana.  They  were  married  in  Indiana  and  located  on  a  farm  near  Sullivan.  The 
mother  died  in  1864,  and  tlie  father  subsequently  married  Miss  Martha  Merrill, 
ill  i8()S  h.e  removed  with  his  family  to  Mu.scatinc  county,  Iowa,  and  later  spent 
t\\ci  or  three  years  in  Arkan.sas,  but  returned  to  Iowa  and  took  u])  his  home  in 
(Iriunell,  where  he  now  lives. 

1.  W.  Fowler  came  to  Iowa  at  the  age  of  nine  years  and  received  his  early 
education  in  the  common  schools.  He  started  as  a  wage-earner  at  seventeen, 
working  as  a  farm  hand  in  the  suiumer  and  attending  school  in  the  winter.  He 
taught  school  for  two  years  but  determined  to  devote  his  attention  to  farming. 
Accordingly  he  rented  land  for  three  years  and  then  bought  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres,  the  northwest  quarter  of  section  36,  Grinnell  township,  on  which  he 
lived  until  1900.  For  ten  years  of  this  time  he  operated  a  creamery  on  his  farm, 
milking  from  twenty-five  to  thirty-five  cows.  He  also  made  a  specialty  of  breed- 
ing thoroughbred  Holstein  cattle  and  used  such  good  judgment  that  he  attained 
a  national  reputation  as  a  breeder.  He  left  his  farm  and  removed  to  Council 
Bluffs,  Iowa,  in  1900,  but  secured  the  services  of  E.  W.  Bortell  to  continue  in 
the  breeding  business  and  they  stocked  the  farm  with  thoroughbred  Hereford 
cattle.  Mr.  Bortell  managed  affairs  very  successfully,  but  at  the  end  of  three  years 
Mr.  Fowler,  having  other  use  for  his  money,  sold  the  place.  While  living  at 
Coiuicil  lUufifs  he  built  a  creamery  at  Corley,  Shelby  county,  Iowa,  which  he  ope- 
rated to  excellent  advantage  for  one  year  and  then  disposed  of  to  farmers  of  that 
section.  Returning  to  Grinnell.  he  fitted  out  the  old  wire  factory  as  a  creaiuery 
and  entered  upon  a  business  which  has  developed  to  remarkable  proportions.  His 
patronage  increased  to  such  an  extent  that  after  one  year  he  erected  a  modern 
brick  structure,  which  is  now  part  of  his  present  plant.  At  first  he  confined  his 
operations  exclusively  to  the  creamery  business  but  later  he  began  the  manufac- 
ture of  ice  cream,  and  the  demand  has  grown  to  such  proportions  that  he  now 
manufactures  from  two  hundred  to  three  hundred  gallons  a  day.  the  product 
finding  sale  over  a  wide  area  in  this  part  of  the  state.'  He  established  one  of  the 
first  centralizing  plants  in  this  section  and  now  receives  cream  daily  from  points 
as  far  distant  as  one  hundred  miles  and  manufactures  a  carload  of  butter  a  week, 
which  is  of  such  high  quality  that  it  finds  sale  even  in  the  most  exclusive  markets 
of  the  east.  In  1906  he  installed  an  ice  manufacturing  and  cold  storage  plant, 
which  is  one  of  the  most  modern  of  the  kind  to  be  found  in  Iowa.  In  addition  to 
his  large  enterprises  at  Grinnell  he  owns  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  seventy 
acres  in  Audrain  county,  Missouri,  which  under  his  direction  has  become  highly 
productive. 

On  the  20th  of  October,  1882,  Mr.  Fowler  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Eliza  Malvina  Allbee,  a  native  of  Muscatine  county,  Iowa,  and  by  this  union 
nine  children  were  born,  five  of  whom  are  now  living,  namely:  Theda  A.,  now 
Mrs.  Orville  Jordan,  of  Flagler.  Colorado;  Weaver  L.,  who  is  in  the  electrical 
l)usiness  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri ;  Ruth,  Raymond  E.,  and  Eunice,  all  of  whom  are 
at  home. 

Mr.  Fowler  and  his  estimable  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  in  which  she  is  an  active  worker,  being  at  the  present  time  president  of 
the  Ladies  Aid  Society.  Politically,  he  is  not  identified  with  any  party  but 
votes  for  the  individual  in  preference  to  supporting  any  party  organization.     Fra- 


392  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

ternalh',  he  holds  menihership  in  Grinnell  Lotlge,  Xo.  175,  Knights  of  Pythias, 
and  is  a  meniher  of  the  Grinnell  Commercial  Club.  He  is  a  clear-headed  busi- 
ness man  whose  energy',  persistence  and  zeal  have  readily  overcome  obstacles 
that  would  have  appeared  insurmountable  to  an  ordinary  individual.  He  has  built 
up  a  great  enterprise  from  its  very  foundation  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the 
potent  influences  in  the  prosperity  of  a  wide  section  in  central  Iowa.  It  is  men 
of  this  class  that  add  stability  to  the  community  and  value  to  interests  with  which 
they  are  identified. 


ITHIEL  S.  BAILEY,  Jr. 

Ithiel  S.  Bailey,  Jr.,  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  progressive  citizens  of 
Grinnell,  is  president  of  the  Bailey  Buggy  Company,  which  have  an  extensive 
trade  in  the  south  and  western  country.  He  is  also  an  extensive  landowner  and 
devotes  a  part  of  his  time  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  on  his  farm  two  miles 
northwest  of  Grinnell.  His  birth  occurred  in  IMoretovvn,  \'ermont,  on  the  6th 
of  June,  1858,  his  parents  being  Ithiel  S.  and  Lucy  (Pattroll)  Bailey,  the  former 
a  native  of  Acworth,  New  Hampshire,  and  the  latter  of  Norwich,  Vermont. 
Following  their  marriage,  which  was  celebrated  in  Aloretown,  \'ermont,  they 
removed  to  Fitchburg,  Alassachusetts,  where  Mr.  Bailey  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade  and  also  mastered  bridge  building.  .\t  that  time  bridges  were  largely  con- 
structed after  the  truss  pattern.  In  connection  with  his  duties  as  a  building 
contractor  Mr.  Bailey  also  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits,  operating 
a  farm.  In  the  spring  of  1869  he  came  west  to  Grinnell,  Iowa,  and  turned  his 
entire  attention  to  agriculture,  accjuiring  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty- 
three  acres  two  miles  northwest  of  the  town.  In  1876  he  disposed  of  the  prop- 
erty and  removed  to  Sac  county,  Iowa,  where  he  purchased  land  and  resided 
until  called  to  his  final  rest  about  1900,  when  eighty-two  years  of  age.  He  gave 
his  political  allegiance  to  the  democracy  and  held  various  local  offices,  serving 
as  justice  of  the  peace  for  several  years.  He  was  likewise  a  valued  member  of 
the  Masonic  fraternity,  joining  the  order  in  1865.  His  wife,  who  passed  away 
in  1906,  also  lived  to  attain  the  age  of  eighty-two  years. 

Ithiel  S.  Bailey,  Jr.  was  reared  at  home  and  obtained  his  education  in 
the  Grinnell  high  school.  When  a  youth  of  eighteen  he  began  his  career  as  an 
agriculturist,  renting  a  farm  in  the  summer  of  1876  and  devoting  his  attention 
to  its  operation  until  the  spring  of  1884.  At  that  time  he  came  to  Grinnell  and 
embarked  in  business  as  a  dealer  in  farm  implements,  being  thus  prominently 
identified  with  mercantile  interests  until  1900.  During  the  greater  part  of  the 
time  he  was  associated  with  A.  A.  Foster,  his  brother-in-law,  and  J.  C.  Goodrich. 
In  1900  Mr.  Bailey  and  Mr.  Goodrich  sold  their  interests  to  Mr.  Foster  and  em- 
barked in  business  as  hardware  merchants.  .\  year  later  A.  C.  Rinefort  joined 
the  firm  and,  in  association  with  Mr.  liailey.  purchased  the  interest  of  Mr.  Good- 
rich. Mr.  Bailey  and  Mr.  Rinefort  then  conducted  both  a  hardware  and  grocery 
establishment  for  about  two  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  Mr. 
Bailey   disposed    of   his   interest  in   the   concern    and   embarked    in   the    %'ehicle 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  393 

business,  his  market  being  the  west  and  southwestern  country.  For  the  past 
nine  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  that  line  of  business,  which  has  assumed 
extensive  and  i)rofitable  proportions.  He  disposes  of  his  goods  through  the 
system  of  trailing,  taking  the  buggies  through  the  country  and  selling  direct  to 
the  farmers.  Mr.  Bailey  is  also  (|uite  extensively  interested  in  farm  lands,  and 
in  addition  to  his  place  two  miles  northwest  of  Grinnell,  he  owns  three  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  in  the  Alberta  district  of  Canada  and  an  eighty  acre  farm 
in  Oklahoma.  He  cultivates  his  Poweshiek  county  land  and  likewise  feeds 
cattle  to  some  extent.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Grinnell  Gas  Company. 
In  1876  Mr.  llailey  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ida  Kate  Houghton,  of 
Grinnell,  Iowa,  by  whom  he  has  a  son,  Louis  Nelson  P>ailey.  still  at  home,  who 
is  engaged  with  his  father  in  the  buggy  business.  Mr.  Bailey  is  a  stanch  re- 
publican in  politics  and  served  for  several  years  as  president  of  the  Grinnell 
school  board.  At  the  present  time  he  is  a  member  of  the  city  council  of 
Grinnell.  He  is  also  a  valued  member  of  the  Grinnell  Commercial  Club,  while 
fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  belonging  to  Grinnell 
Lodge,  No.  175.  Both  he  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Congregational  church 
and  take  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  its  work.  By  constant  exertion,  as- 
sociated with  good  judgment,  Mr.  Bailey  has  raised  himself  to  the  position 
which  he  today  occupies  in  business  circles,  having  the  friendship  of  many  and 
the  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 


PAUL  ESLER. 


With  practically  no  capital,  but  an  unlimited  supply  of  energy  and  determina- 
tion of  purpose,  Paul  Esler  came  to  America  in  his  early  manhood,  and  by  means 
of  his  own  carefully  executed  i>lans  and  well  directed  efTorts  has  achieved  the 
success  he  so  thoroughly  merited.  He  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1852  and  is  a  son 
of  William  and  Jennie  I  Yetty )  Esler,  both  natives  of  the  Emerald  isle,  where 
they  spent  their  entire  lives,  the  father  engaging  in  agricultural  pursuits. 

The  common  schools  of  his  native  land  provided  Paul  Esler  with  his  educa- 
tion, following  which  he  engaged  in  farming  until  1879,  when  he  determined  to 
become  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  feeling  convinced  that  his  chances  of  real- 
izing his  ambition  were  far  better  here  than  there  so  he  took  passage  for  Amer- 
ica and  landed  in  New  York.  Immediately  making  his  way  into  the  interior  of 
the  state  he  obtained  employment  on  a  farm,  where  he  remained  a  short  time, 
when  he  came  to  Iowa.  Upon  his  arrival  here  he  located  in  Jasper  county,  being 
a  resident  of  Hickory  Grove  township  until  he  removed  to  Poweshiek  county  in 
1904.  By  means  of  thrift,  industry  and  constant  and  unceasing  application  he 
acquired  considerable  property  in  Jasper  county,  all  of  which  is  quite  valuable. 
When  he  came  here  Mr.  Esler  bought  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land  in 
Grinnell  township,  where  he  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  while 
he  also  makes  a  specialty  of  feeding  stock  for  the  market.  He  has  a  very  good 
farm,  which  is  stocked  with  fine  breeds  of  cattle  and  horses  and  contains  sub- 
stantial improvements. 


394  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

At  Kellogg.  Iowa,  on  the  31st  of  March,  1887.  Mr.  Esler  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Margaret  liarr.  a  daughter  of  John  Barr  of  Jasper  county,  who 
was  one  of  the  pioneer  settlers,  having  located  upon  a  farm  there  in  the  early  '80s. 
Six  children  have  been  born  of  this  marriage:  Jennie,  the  wife  of  Harry  Uacon,  of 
Grinnell  township;  and  Ross,  Agnes,  Mary,  William  and  Paul,  all  of  whom  are  at 
home.  The  family  attend  the  services  of  the  Congregational  church,  of  which 
denomination  they  are  members. 

Ever  since  granted  the  right  of  suffrage  Mr.  Esler  has  given  his  political  sup- 
port to  the  candidates  of  the  republican  party,  considering  its  policy  best  adapted 
to  subserve  the  interest  of  the  majority.  He  has  never  actively  participated  in 
local  governmental  matters,  however,  preferring  to  spend  such  time  as  is  not 
required  in  the  supervision  and  direction  of  his  business  in  the  company  of  his 
family,  to  whom  he  is  very  much  devoted.  A  man  of  high  and  honorable  princi- 
ples of  life,  Mr.  Esler  is  generally  accorded  the  regard  he  most  justly  deserves. 


JOHN  H.  OHLAND. 


Among  the  many  successful  agriculturists  of  Sheridan  township  who  came 
from  Germany  must  be  numbered  the  late  John  H.  Ohland,  who  at  the  time  of 
his  demise  had  acquired  three  hundred  acres  of  I'oweshiek  county's  most  fer- 
tile land.  He  was  born  in  Schleswig-Holstein,  Germany,  on  the  i6th  of  Novem- 
ber, 1842,  and  was  a  son  of  Marcus  and  Katharine  (Todth)  Ohland.  The  par- 
ents were  natives  of  Litzuesta  and  sjjent  their  entire  lives  in  the  fatherland. 
Mr.  (")hland,  who  was  a  cabinet-maker,  passed  away  in  1867.  but  his  wife 
sur\'i\'ed  him  until  1872. 

[dim  H.  Ohland  was  reared  in  his  native  province,  in  the  common  schools 
of  which  he  ac(|uired  his  education,  following  which  he  learned  the  carpentry 
trade.  He  remained  a  resident  of  his  native  country  until  1868,  at  which  time 
he  and  his  wife  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Scott 
county,  Iowa.  Mr.  Ohland  also  followed  his  trade  in  addition  to  his  agricul- 
tural pursuits  and  worked  as  a  stonemason,  continuing  I0  reside  in  Scott  county 
for  eleven  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  lie  removed  to  Poweshiek 
county,  farming  as  a  renter  in  Malcom  township  for  six  years,  during  which 
time  by  means  of  constant  a])plication,  perseverance  and  thrift  he  acquired  the 
necessary  capital  to  enable  him  to  buy  eighty  acres  in  Sheridan  township.  Here 
he  continued  to  reside,  engaging  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  until  his 
demise  on  the  26th  of  June,  1899. 

He  met  with  success  in  his  ventures  and  was  able  to  add  to  his  holdings  from 
time  to  time  until  he  had  secured  the  title  to  three  hundred  acres  of  valuable 
farming  land  at  the  time  of  his  death.  His  wife  subsequently  assumed  charge 
of  the  homestead,  continuing  its  operation  with  the  assistance  of  her  sons  until 
two  years  ago,  at  which  time  three  of  the  heirs — Clause,  .Anna  and  Henry — 
bought  the  interest  of  the  others.  They  now  have  entire  charge  of  the  prop- 
erty and  the  mother  is  living  with  them.  .All  but  fifty-seven  acres,  which  is 
natural    timber,    is    under    cultivation,    corn    and    oats    being    the    heavy    crops. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COrX'TY  395 

The  sons  now  make  a  specialty  of  the  breeding  and  raising  of  registered  Chester 
White  hogs,  while  Miss  Anna  is  raising  silver  laced  Wyandotte  and  Columbia 
Wyandotte   chickens. 

In  1864.  in  Tombettle,  Germany,  Mr.  Ohland  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Anna  Rehader.  Mrs.  Ohland  was  a  daughter  of  Clause  and  Vena  (Sei- 
bert)  Rehader,  both  natives  of  the  province  of  Schlcswig-IIolstein,  Germany. 
The  parents  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  fatherland  where  Mr.  Rehader,  who 
was  a  wagonmaker,  followed  his  trade  until  his  demise  in  1864.  His  wife 
survived  him  until  1888.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ohland  were  born  the  foUow- 
mg  children :  Marcus,  who  married  Helen  Reimers,  a  daughter  of  Clause  Reim- 
ers,  a  farmer  of  Sheridan  township,  and  who  lives  on  a  farm  northeast  of 
Grinnell  in  Malcom  township :  they  have  six  children,  Ett^,  John,  Fred,  Edith, 
Florence  and  Mary ;  Clause,  the  second  in  the  order  of  birth,  is  assisting  in  the 
cultivation  of  the  old  homestead ;  John,  a  farmer  living  in  Mitchell  county,  this 
state,  married  Miss  Anna  Anderson,  a  daughter  of  P.  A.  Anderson,  and  they 
had  two  children,  Gladys  and  Grant ;  Mrs.  Ohland  jiassed  away  on  the  14th 
of  August,  1906,  and  he  afterward  married  Miss  Isabella  Seibel,  a  daughter  of 
George  Seibel  of  Marshalltown,  Iowa,  and  they  have  one  child,  Rernhard  :  Rose, 
the  eldest  daughter,  married  Harry  Reimers,  a  farmer  of  Sheridan  townshfp 
and  has  one  child,  Harley ;  Anna  and  Henry,  the  youngest  members  of  the 
family  are  living  on  the  old  homestead. 

While  residing  in  Germany  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ohland  attended  the  Lutheran 
church.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of  Malcom.  He  was 
a  democrat  but  believed  in  the  gold  standard,  and  always  took  a  deep  interest 
in  all  political  activities,  having  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  in  Sheridan  town- 
ship for  two  terms,  while  for  many  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  board  of 
school  directors  in  district  No.  6,  Sheridan  township.  Mr.  Ohland  came  to 
Poweshiek  county  with  very  limited  means,  but  possessed  an  abundance  of  en- 
ergy and  determination,  which  qualities  were  very  instrumental  hi  winning  him 
the  fair  measure  of  success  he  enjoyed. 


HUGH  McCLURE. 


An  excellent  farm  located  in  Malcom  township  pays  tribute  to  the  care  and 
industry  of  Hugh  McClure,  who  is  numbered  among  Iowa's  native  sons,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  Scott  county  on  the  9th  of  June,  1856.  His  parents  were 
James  and  Mary  ( Corrough )  McCIure.  both  natives  of  Ireland,  and  he  is  the  sec- 
ond in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  seven  sons  and  three  daughters.  He  spent  the 
period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  his  native  county  and  had  already  attained 
man's  estate  ere  coming  with  his  parents  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1878.  Agricul- 
tural pursuits  have  cliaracterized  his  efforts  throughout  his  active  life,  and  he  be- 
came an  independent  farmer  when,  about  eight  years  ago,  he  purchased  a  farm  of 
his  own,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  located  on  section  35,  Malcom 
township.  This  is  a  well  improved  property,  for  Mr.  McClure  has  employed  the 
latest  methods  of  tilling  the  soil,  practices  rotation  of  crops,  and  uses  modern 


390  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

implements  for  facilitating  farm  labor.  He  engages  in  both  general  farming  and 
stock-raising  and  is  meeting  the  substantial  success  which  his  efforts  well  merit. 

On  the  gth  of  June,  1909,  Mr.  McClure  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nola 
Stilwell,  a  native  of  Grinnell,  Iowa,  where  her  birth  occurred  on  the  ist  of  April, 
1887.  Later  she  spent  thirteen  years  at  Chariton,  Lucas  county,  Iowa,  and  was 
graduated  from  the  high  school  of  that  city  in  1906.  Her  parents  were  Edwin  and 
Edith  (Goodrich)  Stilwell,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  Scott 
county,  this  state.  Mrs.  Stilwell  came  to  Poweshiek  county  in  early  childhood  with 
her  parents,  who  were  among  the  pioneers  of  this  district.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McClure 
are  the  parents  of  one  daughter,  Margaret  Laila,  her  birth  occurring  on  the  3d  of 
November,  1910. 

The  religious  faith  of  Mr.  McClure  is  that  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  while  in 
politics  he  gives  stanch  allegiance  to  the  republican  party.  He  is  a  worthy  repre- 
sentative of  our  best  type  of  American  manhood,  endowed  by  nature  with  admir- 
able qualities  and  commands  uniform  respect  and  good  will  wherever  he  is 
known. 


WILLIAM  H.  SHOWALTER. 

William  H.  Showalter,  one  of  the  representative,  substantial  and  progres- 
sive agriculturists  of  Warren  township,  owns  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred 
acres  on  section  22.  His  birth  occurred  in  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  on 
the  20th  of  March,  1846,  his  parents  being  ]\Iichael  and  Millie  (Spicer)  Show- 
alter,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  that  county.  The  father  was  of  German  de- 
scent, while  the  mother  came  of  English  ancestry  and  belonged  to  one  of  the 
first  families  of  \'irginia.  Michael  Showalter,  who  was  an  agriculturist  by 
occupation,  spent  his  entire  life  in  the  Old  Dominion,  passing  away  in  1904  at  the 
ripe  old  age  of  ninety-four  years.  His  wife  died  about  i8<)5,  her  demise  oc- 
curring at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Joseph  Xiswandcr.  in  Warren  town- 
ship. Poweshiek  county,  Iowa. 

William  H.  Showalter  remained  under  the  ]>arental  rodf  until  lie  had  at- 
tained the  age  of  sixteen  years  and  then  entered  the  army  in  defense  of  his  loved 
southland,  joining  Com[)any  C,  Eleventh  \'irginia  Cavalry,  at  Edinburg.  Vir- 
ginia, in  March,  1863.  He  remained  at  the  front  for  two  )ears  and  partici- 
pated in  the  battles  of  Gettysburg,  llrandy  Station,  the  Wilderness  and  a 
number  of  other  conflicts.  During  one  of  the  engagements  he  was  severely 
injured  by  a  fall  from  his  horse.  After  the  surrender  of  Lee  he  returned  home 
and  then  came  west,  first  settling  in  Illinois,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand 
for  one  vear.  Subsec|uently  he  spent  a  similar  period  in  Missouri  and  next 
made  his  home  in  Kansas  for  three  years.  On  the  expiration  nf  that  period  he 
returned  to  Virginia,  where  he  remained  for  two  years  and  then  removed  to 
Colorado,  where  for  three  years  he  rode  the  range.  He  then  again  spent  three 
years  in  Virginia  and  in  1878  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  locating  at  Carn- 
fortli.  Warren  township,  where  he  purchased  the  farm  of  two  hundred  acres 
which  has  since  remained  in  his  possession.  In  connection  with  the  produc- 
tion of  cereals  he  also  feeds  hogs  to  some  extent,  both  branches  of  his  business 


HISTORY  Ol'    roWl'.SlilMK  COUNTY  397 

returning  to  him  a  gratifying  annual  income.  His  farm  is  well  improved  in 
every  particular  and  in  its  neat  and  thrifty  appearance  gives  evidence  of  the 
supervision  of  a  practical  and  progressive  owner.  Mr.  Showalter  also  has  a 
substantial  and  attractive  home  in  Carn forth  and  is  widely  recognized  as  one 
of  the  prosperous  and  esteemed  residents  of  the  community. 

On  the  20th  of  September,  1897,  Mr.  Showalter  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Mrs.  Emma  Ratcliff  Ringler,  a  native  of  Marengo,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter 
iif  Martamore  and  Alary  Ann  (Griffen)  Ratcliff,  who  were  likewise  born  in  this 
.-tatc  and  spent  their  entire  lives  within  its  borders.  Mr.  Ratcliff,  who  followed 
farming  throughout  his  active  business  career,  passed  away  at  Marengo  in 
i()02,  while  the  demise  of  his  wife  occurred  at  Grinnell  in  1908.  Mrs.  She-v- 
ahcr  had  two  sons  by  her  first  marriage,  namely:  Frank  Ringler,  who  is  em 
pltjved  1)\-  the  Xorthwestern  Railway  as  telegraph  operator  at  South  luwa 
lunction,  Iowa;  and  Harry  Ringler,  who  lives  on  the  home  farm  with  his 
mother  and  stepfather. 

Mr.  Showalter  is  a  Jeftersonian  democrat  politically  and  was  a  great  ad- 
mirer of  the  late  lamented  President  Cleveland.  He  is  now  serving  his  second 
term  as  township  trustee  of  Warren  township  and  previously  held  the  office  for 
six  consecutive  years.  His  wife  is  a  devoted  and  consistent  member  of  the 
Congregational  church  at  Carnforth.  He  has  won  a  circle  of  friends  which  is 
almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  his  acquaintances,  and  his  salient  char- 
acteristics are  such  as  have  gained  for  him  the  untiualified  respect,  esteem  and 
good  will  of  his   fellowmen. 


ABSALOM    MILLER. 

.\bsalom  Miller,  a  well  known  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Poweshiek  county, 
now  deceased,  was  born  in  Rockingham  county,  Virginia,  on  the  31st  of  January, 
1835.  He  was  one  of  a  family  of  thirteen  children,  nine  sons  and  four  daugh- 
ters, bom  imto  John  and  Rebecca  (Shaw)  Miller,  both  natives  of  the  Old 
Dominion,  where  the  mother  passed  away  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  The 
father  later  came  to  Iowa  with  one  of  his  sons  and  here  his  death  occurred 
when  he  had  reached  his  seventy-fifth  year. 

.\bsalom  Miller  spent  his  early  life  on  the  old  \'irginia  homestead,  assist- 
ing his  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm  until  he  attained  his  majority,  when  he 
hccde.l  the  call  of  the  west  and  removed  to  Indiana,  locating  in  Delaware  county. 
Ihere  he  was  married  and  remained  until  1870,  when  he  resolved  to  seek  a  home 
west  of  the  Mississippi  and  consec|uently  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Towa,  pur- 
chasing a  farm  in  Warren  township,  not  far  from  Brooklyn.  There  he  carried 
on  general  farming  for  a  number  of  years  and  also  engaged  extensively  in 
stock-raising,  making  a  specialty  of  high  grade  horses,  cattle  and  hogs.  He  was 
the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  his  home  place,  all  well  developed 
and  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  also  bought  and  sold  a  number  of 
farms  as  a  matter  of  investment  and  in  the  conduct  of  his  various  interests  dis- 
plavcd  a  keen  business  sagacity  and  wise  management  that   found  their  logical 


398  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

reward  in  the  acquirement  of  a  substantial  ami  enviable  success.  He  continued 
to  devote  his  time  and  energies  to  agricultural  pursuits  until  about  two  years 
prior  to  his  death,  when  he  retired  from  the  active  work  of  the  farm  and  sought 
a  home  in  Brooklyn.  Here  he  resided  until  his  demise,  which  occurred  July 
29,  1895. 

On  the  26th  of  August,  1855,  ^^^-  ^liHer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  D.  McKimmey,  who  was  born  in  Delaware  county,  Indiana,  on  the  2d 
of  October,  1837,  and  there  resided  until  1870,  when  she  came  to  Iowa.  She  is 
a  daughter  of  Jesse  and  Anna  Eliza  (Tomlinson)  McKimmey,  natives  of  North 
Carolina.  Both  passed  away  in  Delaware  county,  Indiana,  the  mother  when 
Mrs.  Miller  was  but  two  years  of  age.  The  father  later  married  again  and  lived 
to  a  ripe  old  age.  Mrs.  Miller  was  the  youngest  of  three  daughters  born  unto  the 
first  union,  while  by  the  second  marriage  of  Mr.  McKimmey  there  were  two 
daughters. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miller  were  born  ten  children,  as  follows :  John  L.,  of 
Carlisle,  South  Dakota ;  Sarah  Ann,  who  married  John  Warner  and  died  when 
twenty-seven  years  of  age,  leaving  two  children ;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  William 
Polk,  of  Warren  township ;  William  Henry,  who  passed  away  in  Indiana  at  the 
age  of  nine  months;  Rebecca  C,  the  wife  of  Lon  Forbes,  of  Hudson,  Iowa: 
Elizabeth,  who  married  William  Torrence,  also  of  Warren  township ;  Lydia 
May,  the  wife  of  A.  W.  Rhinehart,  of  that  township ;  Jessie,  who  wedded  James 
A.  Childs,  a  farmer  of  Bear  Creek  township :  Eliza,  who  married  S.  D.  Sandy, 
of  Jefferson  township ;  and  Charles,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  months.  All  of 
the  children  were  born  in  Delaware  county,  Indiana,  with  the  exception  of  the 
three  youngest,  who  were  born  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa. 

The  religious  faith  of  Mr.  Miller  was  that  of  the  German  Baptist  Brethren 
church.  He  gave  his  political  support  to  the  Democratic  party  although  he  never 
aspired  to  public  office,  and  at  all  times  was  foimd  to  be  a  loyal  and  public- 
spirited  citizen.  His  life  was  an  exemplary  one  in  all  respects  and  he  enjoyed  the 
respect,  confidence  and  good  will  of  all  with  whom  he  came  in  contact. 


ROBERT  MILLER   HAINES. 

The  consensus  of  public  opinion  ever  placed  Robert  Aliller  Haines  in  a  fore- 
.nost  position  as  a  representative  of  the  Poweshiek  county  bar,  and  indeed  of  the 
bar  of  Iowa,  as  a  champion  of  education  and  a  friend  of  moral  progress.  He 
was  one  of  the  thinking  men  of  the  age.  The  great  problems  bearing  upon  the 
sociological,  political  and  economic  conditions  were  to  him  matters  of  intense 
interest  and  along  those  lines  he  thought  deeply  and  broadly.  There  was  noth- 
ing limited,  ijarrow  or  contracted  in  his  nature,  and  while  men  may  have  dis- 
agreed with  him  in  o])inion  or  in  matters  of  policy,  they  ever  respected  him  for 
the  honesty  and  vigor  of  his  convictions  and  his  fidelity  to  the  right  as  he  saw 
it.  It  is  imperative,  therefore,  that  his  life  record  be  given  place  in  this  history. 
A  farm  near  Salem,  Ohio,  w-as  his  birthplace  and  his  natal  day  was  December 
29,   1838.     His  youth  was  passed  amid   rural  surroundings   with  the  usual   ex- 


ROBERT    M.    TIAIM'.S 


HISTORY  OF  POWESllIKK  COUNTY  401 

periences  of  a  country  boy,  his  educational  opportunities  being  those  afl'orded 
by  the  chstrict  schools  although  after  attaining  his  eighteenth  year  he  spent  a 
brief  period  in  a  school  o£  higher  grade  in  Richmond,  Indiana.  But  his  native 
intelligence  sought  a  broader  outlet  and  he  eagerly  availed  himself  of  the  oppor- 
tunity of  pursuing  a  course  in  Iowa  College,  which  he  entered  in  i860  and  from 
which  he  was  graduated  in  1865  with  the  tirst  class  after  the  removal  of  the 
college  to  Grinnell.  He  was  a  very  poor  boy,  working  his  way  through  school 
by  teaching  in  college  and  working  during  vacations,  but  the  life,  though  strenu- 
ous, developed  in  him  a  self-reliant  spirit  and  strong  manhood  that  constituted 
the  foundation  of  his  later  success.  His  college  course  was  interrupted  in  1864 
when  almost  every  member  of  his  class  joined  the  Union  army.  Mr.  Haines 
had  been  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Society  of  Friends  and  as  war  was  con- 
trary to  the  teachings  of  his  religion  he  did  not  enlist  but  gave  needed  aid  to 
the  boys  in  blue  by  serving  them  as  a  nurse,  and  when  their  three  months'  term 
of  enlistment  had  expired  he  became  a  member  of  the  Christian  commission, 
serving  with  that  organization  in  St.  Louis,  Missouri,  but  returned  to  Grinnell 
in  time  to  graduate  with  his  class.  He  then  spent  four  years  in  tutoring,  teach- 
ing for  two  years  in  the  Troy  Academy  of  Davis  county,  Iowa,  and  afterward 
for  two  years  in  Iowa  College.  It  was  his  desire,  however,  to  become  a  mem- 
ber of  the  bar  and,  entering  the  law  school  of  the  State  University  of  Iowa, 
he  mastered  the  regular  course  and  was  graduated  in  1874.  In  the  meantime 
he  had  taught  school  for  a  period  in  Grinnell  and  had  also  entered  upon  the 
practice  of  law.  having  been  admitted  to  the  bar  before  finishing  his  law  course. 
He  began  practice  in  partnership  with  Edward  'Pruyn-,.  of  Grinnell,  the  asso- 
ciation being  maintained  until  June,  1871,  when  he  was  joined  by  Jacob  P. 
Lyman  in  a  partnership,  under  the  naipe.'pi  .Haines  &  Lyman,  that  was  con- 
tinued until  liis  tleath  on  the  22d  of  December,. -1902.  In  the  thirty  years  of 
his  law  practice,  while  devoted  to  his  client's  interests,  he  never  forgot  that 
there  were  certain  things  due  to  the  court,  to  his  own  self-respect  and  above 
all  to  justice  and  the  righteous  administration  of  the  law  which  neither  the 
zeal  of  an  advocate  nor  the  pleasure  of  success  would  permit  him  to  disregard. 
The  firm  was  connected  with  the  most  important  litigation  tried  in  the  courts 
of  the  district  and  Mr.  Haines  possessed  in  large  measure  all  of  the  qualities 
that  mark  a  strong  and  able  lawyer.  He  possessed  a  wonderful  memory  and  a 
great  faculty  for  details,  was  an  untiring  worker  and  did  thoroughly  and  well 
everything  that  he  undertook.  .\t  the  time  of  his  death  one  of  the  local  papers 
said:  "Xo  trust  reposed  in  him,  financial  or  otherwise,  was  ever  betrayed.  Xo 
poor  widow  ever  paid  him  fees  and  many  poor  men,  in  sickness  and  in  poverty, 
and  many  poor  young  men,  struggling  through  college,  have  appreciated  his 
kindly  help.  Xo  lawyer  ever  asked  Haines  to  put  a  stipulation  in  writing.  Xone 
ever  accused  him  of  violating  his  word.  When  he  was  victorious  in  the  higher 
courts  he  was  delighted,  and  liked  to  talk  about  it,  but  it  was  because  he  felt 
that  he  had  put  the  legal  propositions  in  such  a  way  that  defeat  was  impossible. 
On  the  other  hand,  in  defeat,  he  always  met  his  opponent  with  a  friendly  hand 
and  smiling  face,  without  rancor  or  ill  feeling.  He  never  retaliated.  Often, 
when  complaining  of  unfair  advantage,  it  has  been  suggested  that  he  might  get 
even,  invariably  he  would  reply:     "Xo.  I  do  not  practice  law  that   way.'     The 


402  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

philosophy  of  David  Haruiii  had  no  response  in  Haines'  soul.  During  his  long  and 
busy  professional  career  he  has  had  charge  of  many  important  cases,  not  cases 
involving  millions  but  cases  involving  intricate  legal  propositions  and  requiring 
profound  study.  Cases  which,  if  advertised  and  heralded  and  talked  about, 
as  similar  cases  are  that  are  tried  in  the  great  cities,  would  have  made  him  a  much 
talked  of  lawyer.'" 

Mr.  Haines  was  in  no  sense  a  political  leader  and  yet  there  have  been  few 
men  in  Iowa  so  thoroughly  versed  concerning  the  important  questions  and 
issues  of  the  day.  His  reasoning  was  too  deep  and  his  research  too  wide  in  its 
scope  to  win  the  following  of  the  artificial  thinker  who  delves  little  below  the 
surface  of  things.  There  were  times,  however,  when  his  fellow  townsmen  gave 
expression  of  their  faith  in  his  political  insight  and  integrity.  In  the  fall  of 
1877  he  was  elected  to  the  state  senate  and  served  his  district  with  distinction 
during  the  sessions  of  187S  and  1880.  He  took  up  the  study  of  finance,  taxation 
and  tariff  and  manifested  therein  the  same  thoroughness  and  mastery  of  de- 
tails that  marked  his  work  in  connection  with  the  courts.  He  is  said  to  have 
been  one  of  the  closest  and  most  convincing  talkers  of  the  rostrum.  He  alienated 
some  of  his  political  supporters  by  his  strenuous  opposition  to  the  amendment 
to  the  constitution  prohibiting  the  manufacture  and  sale  of  intoxicating  liquors. 
He  was  himself  a  strong  temperance  man  in  principle  and  practice  and  a  life- 
long prohibitionist,  but  maintained  that  the  organic  law  of  the  land  was  no 
place  for  a  police  regulation  and  that  it  was  futile.  As  a  lawyer  he  could  not 
tolerate  such  trifling  with  the  constitution  and  as  a  law  maker  he  knew  that 
it  would  be  absolutely  unavailing.  In  the  memorable  tariff  campaigns  he  fol- 
lowed the  dictates  of  his  conscience  and  judgment  and  was  an  active  opponent 
of  protection.  He  believed  firmly  in  civil  service  reform.  He  cared  little  him- 
self for  political  honors  but  the  majority  of  political  leaders  were  men  of  too 
slight  mental  caliljer  to  see  the  reach  of  his  own  thought  and  purpose. 

Mr.  Haines  was  married  on  the  19th  of  August,  1867,  to  Miss  Joanna  Hannah 
Harris,  who  had  taught  with  him  in  Troy  Academy  and  Iowa  College.  They 
became  the  parents  of  six  children.  The  sons  are:  Dr.  J.  H.  Haines,  practicing 
medicine  at  Stillwater,  Minnesota;  R.  M.  Haines.  Jr.,  a  lawyer  of  Grinnell ; 
C.  H.  Haines,  also  an  attorney;  and  A.  P.  Haines.  The  daughters  are:  Mrs. 
F.  I.  Herriott,  of  Des  Moines:  and  Mrs.  W.  G.  Ray,  of  Grinnell.  All  of  these 
children  are  graduates  of  the  college  that  conferred  on  their  father  his  A.  B. 
and  A.  M.  degrees.  Mr.  Haines  was  most  devoted  in  his  attachment  to  his 
home  and  family  and  in  relations  of  that  character  no  man  was  happier.  It  has 
been  said:  "His  life  was  orderly  and  upright  and  clean  as  it  falls  to  the  lot  of 
man  to  be.  He  was  opposed  to  men's  clubs  because  they  took  men  from  home. 
He  enjoyed  social  intercourse  only  when  he  could  converse.  Games  and  inno- 
cent fun  that  rest  tired  men  did  not  appeal  to  him.  This  was  his  misfortune  and 
his  comparatively  few  years  is  due  to  the  intense  way  in  which  he  lived  and 
worked.  His  early  Puritan  training  and  the  necessary  self-denial  of  his  early 
life  made  him  somewhat  intolerant  of  men  whose  lives  were  not  ordered  his 
way.  He  was  a  strong  advocate  of  athletics  but  only  because  he  believed  it  de- 
veloped the  physical  man.  Outside  of  his  home  and  family  his  great  love  was 
for  Iowa  College,  next  the  church  and  then  the  upbuilding  of  the  town."     His 


IITSTORV  (W  rnWI'SlIIF.K  COUXTV  403 

faitlifulness  and  usefulness  as  a  trustee  of  Iowa  College  has  been  exceeded  by 
no  other.  He  was  alumni  trustee  of  the  college  from  1881  until  1887  inclu- 
sive and  pemianent  tnistee  from  that  time  until  his  death.  He  served  as  chair- 
man of  the  finance  and  a  number  of  other  committees  of  the  college  and  was 
active  in  the  management  of  the  institution  through  the  last  twenty  years  of 
his  life.  The  public  schools  of  his  home  town  found  him  an  equally  strong 
advocate  and  supporter  and  he  gave  of  the  best  of  his  experience  to  the  work 
of  the  school  board  of  which  he  was  a  member,  introducing  clean,  clear  and 
direct  business  methods  for  the  benefit  of  the  schools.  College  students  found 
in  him  a  friend  to  whom  they  could  go  freely  for  advice,  counsel  or  assistance 
and  he  was  ever  a  champion  of  the  interests  of  the  boys  and  girls.  His  church 
relationship  was  with  the  Congregational  denomination  of  which  he  and  his 
wife  were  long  faithful,  active  and  helpful  members,  never  missing  an  important 
church  service  and  at  all  times  upholding  the  hands  of  their  pastor.  His  honesty 
was  proverbial  and  he  never  incurred  a  debt  that  he  did  not  pay  promptly  at 
maturity. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Haines  occurred  on  the  22d  of  December,  1902.  He  was 
at  the  time  President  of  the  Iowa  State  Bar  Association,  his  election  thereto 
being  an  honor  which  he  greatly  appreciated.  At  his  demise  the  Poweshiek 
County  bar  called  a  meeting  and  prepared  a  memorial  in  which  many  of  his 
professional  brethren  bore  testimony  to  his  life  and  work.  Judge  Lewis  said : 
"Life  to  him  was  a  serious  business — too  much  so.  I  have  no  doubt  if  he  could 
have  gone  more  into  lines  and  lanes  beyond  the  sound  and  stress  of  business 
and  wandered  and  played  until  the  sore  spots  made  by  life's  loads  were  rested 
numbers  would  have  been  added  to  the  days  of  his  life.  But  this  seems  to  have 
been  impossible  for  him  and  whilst  he  had  a  warm  social  side  for  all  his  friends 
and  was  not  austere  with  others,  not  intentionally  so,  he  was  a  serious  man. 
When  he  did  turn  aside  from  what  he  regarded  as  the  real  duties  of  life  he  was 
as  genial  as  light,  indulging  in  pleasantries  with  his  friends  in  the  most  delight- 
ful vein.  His  fault  was  that  all  this  had,  at  once,  to  yield  to  business ;  even  in 
his  more  playful  moods  he  was  prone  to  make  it  his  business  to  learn  or  to  teach. 
He  had  a  pride  in  his  ability  to  grasp,  understand,  make  plain  the  problems  in- 
volved in  living;  problems  of  state;  problems  of  money;  and  he  was  justified  in 
this.  Some  of  the  most  devoted,  earnest,  exhausting  work  he  ever  did  was  in 
his  effort  to  solve  some  of  these  and  to  fit  and  furnish  himself  'to  make  the 
solution  plain  to  others.  He  may  not  in  all  these  have  been  just  right,  but  he  was 
always  ready  to  tiy  to  make  you  believe  he  was,  not  merely  for  the  sake  of  the 
performance  but  for  the  sake  of  the  right.  He  taught  nothing  but  what  he  be- 
lieved. He  was,  again,  proud  that  his  word  was  as  good  as  his  bond ;  that  those 
who  had  tested  him  so  accepted  it.  The  point  in  his  life  was  not  to  promise 
imless  he  could  perform,  but  if  promise  he  did,  to  perform  over  and  against 
every  adversity.  He  always  did  this.  He  had  ever  so  much  delight  in  his 
achievements  of  good  and  success,  with  his  ability  to  discharge  any  duty  that 
came  to  him,  to  try  his  cause  well,  to  hold  his  own  in  repartee  and  any  con- 
test.    He  was  an  able,  learned  lawyer  and  a  good  practitioner." 

Paul  G.  Norris  saifl :  "We  all  know  that  he  was  a  kind  and  intlulgcnt  man 
and  an  acute  lawyer,  but  I  think  the  qualities  of  his  character  that  appeal  more 


404  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

strongly  to  us  were  his  sincerit}'  and  the  strength  of  his  moral  character.  Even 
in  a  casual  conversation  anyone  would  at  once  remark  the  evident  sincerity  of 
the  man  in  everything  that  he  did  or  said.  From  even  a  casual  acquaintance  with 
him  one  must  feel  the  strength  of  his  moral  character." 

From  these  opinions  there  was  no  dissenting  voice  or  thought.  D.  \V.  Xorris 
said:  "Mr.  Haines  was  a  man  concerning  whom  we  may  say,  1  think,  that  it 
rather  dishonors  any  of  us  not  to  respect  him.  That  does  not  mean  that  we 
should  agree  with  him ;  far  from  it.  But  I  do  not  know  that  I  have  ever  had 
dealings  with  a  man  for  whose  moral  integrity  I  have  had  a  higher  regard.  I 
believe  he  meant  to  do  absolutely  right  as  he  saw  it.  That  he  did  not  always 
see  it  as  some  of  the  rest  of  us  did  is  neither  here  nor  there.  He  may  have 
been  right  and  we  may  have  been  right ;  that  matter  is  entirely  irrelevant  to  the 
main  issue  which  is  whether  a  man  is  tme  to  the  light  that  i>  in  him.  Personally 
I  do  not  believe  that  I  had  a  more  loyal  friend  in  Grinnell  or  on  the  board  of 
trustees  of  Iowa  College  than  Mr.  Haines.  And  this  again  was  not  because  he 
agreed  with  me ;  many  times  he  sharply  differed  but  he  'stood  by'  and  that's  the 
main  thing.  This  is  the  keynote  of  Mr.  Haines'  character.  He  never  flinched 
from  any  duty  and  never  for  a  moment  turned  his  back  to  a  foe." 

The  bar  of  Poweshiek  county  has  greatly  missed  Mr.  Haines  since  he  was 
called  from  this  life.  His  was  an  example  of  high  professional  honor.  "His 
was  a  strong  personality — physically  powerful  and  vigorous,  mentally  alert,  his 
thought  was  characterized  by  clearness,  his  speech  by  incisiveness  and  forceful- 
ness."  Such  was  the  tribute  which  J.  H.  Patten  paid  to  his  colleague,  adding: 
"He  commanded  respect  not  so  much  by  his  manner  as  his  apparent  candor  and 
intellectual  power.  Right  or  wrong,  he  was  invariably  credited  with  believing 
he  was  right  and  his  arguments  to  the  court  on  law  questions  and  marshaling 
a  formidable  array  of  facts  before  a  jury  commanded  the  undivided  attention  of 
bench  and  bar.  Others  have  spoken  of  him  as  a  husband,  father,  neighbor, 
scholar  and  christian  gentleman,  and  in  all  these  capacities  he  has  been  worthily 
assigned  an  e.xalted  place."  Another  thus  bore  testimony  to  his  generosity. 
"whicli  was  freely  extended  to  all  who  came  in  contact  with  him,  for  he  had  ac- 
cumulated a  vast  wealth  of  diversified  knowledge  which  he  was  ever  ready  and 
^villing  to  impart  to  the  most  humble  applicant.  He  had  the  faculty  of  present- 
ing his  thoughts  in  such  a  clear  and  forceful  manner  that  the  dullest  mind  could 
fully  comprehend  them.  He  was  continually  called  upon  by  the  students  of  the 
college  in  the  town  in  which  he  resided  to  furnish  them  facts  and  information 
upon  different  subjects,  which  it  would  be  difficult  or  impossible  for  them  to 
obtain  elsewhere,  and  although  his  life  was  necessarily  a  very  busy  one.  yet 
every  appeal  for  assistance  from  these  young  men  received  the  same  attention 
and  consideration  that  he  would  have  given  them  if  they  had  consulted  him  as 
clients  in  regard  to  an  important  case  from  which  he  could  reasonably  have  ex- 
pected to  receive  a  large  fee,  and  I  think  I  am  warranted  in  saying  that  many 
hours  of  his  life  were  devoted  to  this  kind  of  benevolent  work,  which  most  men 
of  his  marked  ability  and  abundant  resources  would  have  given  to  the  pursuit 
of  w^orldly  gain.  Such  a  man  indeed  is  a  useful  citizen  and  rarely  found  in 
these  days  where  selfishness  is  personified  on  every  hand,  and  by  his  death 
the  society  in  which  he  mingled  has  suffered  an  irreparable  loss."     Perhaps  this 


HISTORY  OI-'  I'OW'KSITTEK  COUNTY  405 

brief  lii<Uir\-  cannot  better  be  closed  tlian  in  llie  words  of  Judge  Scott:  "Robert 
Haines  was  a  conscientious,  tnitliful  man,  a  conscientious,  truthful,  faithful  at- 
torney, a  true  father,  a  kind,  indulgent  and  loving  husband,  a  consistent  Chris- 
tian gentleman,  and  those  who  knew  him  best  knew  that  he  was  ever  ready  to 
respond  to  calls  of  charity.  He  came  very  nearly  reaching  the  to])most  roimd 
of  the  ladder  which  leads  to  perfection,  and  yet  to  say  of  him  that  he  was  per- 
fect would  be  untrue,  and  being  untrue,  he  himself  would  resent  such  praise  if 
he  were  here.  Perfection  has  never  been  attained  in  this  world  but  by  one  man 
and  that  man  Mr.  Haines  took  as  his  example  and  his  standard  and  came  nearer 
following  His  teachings  than  the  majority  of  us  do.  In  fact  he  followed  those 
teachings  so  consistently  that  he  was  marked  among  men.  It  might  be  truly 
said  of  him,  and  his  epitaph  might  well  be  written  in  the  words:  'Here  lies  a 
truthful  man  :  a  man  who  always  spoke  the  truth,  a  man  who  ever  lived  the 
truth."  ■' 


FRED  C.  \\A  rSON. 


I'red  C.  Watson,  whose  ])leasant  homestead  in  Sugar  Creek  township  bespeaks 
capable  supervision  and  skill,  was  born  in  the  township  where  he  now  resides 
on  the  28th  of  June,  1872,  a  son  of  Simon  and  Susan  (Beeler)  Watson.  The 
father  was  born  in  Greene  count}",  Indiana,  on  the  loth  of  March,  1826,  and 
the  mother  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  In  his  early  manhood  Simon  Watson 
migrated  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  where 
he  bought  a  farm  which  he  cultivated  until  his  demise  on  the  4th  of  April,  i<)o8. 
Mrs.  Watson  still  survives  and  continues  to  make  her  home  in  Sugar  Creek 
townshi]!.  In  matters  politic  Mr.  Watson's  views  accorded  with  those  of  the 
democracy,  for  whose  candidates  he  cast  his  ballot.  Their  family  numbered 
seven,  the  order  of  birth  being  as  follows:  Annie,  the  wife  of  S.  P.  Tish,  of 
Sugar  Creek  township;  Belle,  who  married  J.  S.  Rivers,  of  Washington  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county ;  George,  who  is  a  resident  of  Marshalltown,  Iowa : 
Walter,  who  is  deceased  ;  Fred  C,  our  subject :  Winslow,  also  deceased ;  and 
Elmer,  now  living  in  Cnion  townshi)!,  Poweshiek  county. 

The  district  schools  in. the  vicinity  of  his  home  provided  Fred  C.  Watson  with 
an  education,  while  at  the  same  time  he  was  becoming  acquainted  with  the  best 
meth.-ids  of  tilling  the  fields  by  assisting  his  father  with  the  work  of  the  farm. 
He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age,  at 
which  time  he  niu-chased  his  present  place  containing  eight}'  acres  of  fine  farm- 
ing land.  During  the  period  of  his  occupancy  Mr.  Watson  has  wrought  exten- 
sive improvements  in  his  property,  having  erected  some  fine  buildings,  while  at 
the  same  time  he  has  efifected  some  minor  changes  which  have  greatly  added  to 
the  general  ajipearance  of  the  place.  Here  he  follows  general  and.  stock  farm- 
ing and  imder  his  intelligent  and  cajiable  direction  both  are  proving  very  satis- 
factory from  a  financial  point  of  view. 

On  the  13th  of  December.  i8()6,  Mr.  W'atson  was  imited  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Martha  Pratt,  a  daughter  of  .\lva  and  Mary  (Fisher)  Pratt,  whose  birth  oc- 
curred in   Pleasant  township  on   the  2,^d  of  July.   1875,     Mr.   Pratt  is  a  native 


406  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

of  I'eacham,  X'ermont,  his  natal  day  being  the  14th  of  July,  1844,  while  Mrs. 
I'ratt  was  born  in  New  York  city  on  the  3d  of  August,  1849.  He  removed  to 
Illinois  with  his  parents  during  his  childhood  and  there  he  was  educated  and 
resided  until  1871.  In  the  latter  year  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  purchas- 
ing a  farm  in  Pleasant  township,  which  he  cultivated  until  his  retirement. 
He  is  now  living  retired  in  Searsboro,  having  acquired  the  means  to  enable 
him  to  spend  life's  evening  in  ease  and  comfort,  free  from  the  care  and  re- 
sponsibility of  earlier  years.  He  is  a  member  of  the  IModern  Brotherhood  of 
America.     Mrs.    Pratt   passed   away   June   22,    191 1. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Watson  have  been  born  eight  children,  the  ortler  of  their 
birth  being  as  follows:  Roy,  who  was  born  on  the  8th  of  January,  1898;  Ethel, 
born  on  the  3d  of  August,  1899;  Leo,  born  on  the  22d  of  March,  1901 ;  Alvah. 
born  on  the  i8th  of  February,  1903 ;  Lewis,  born  on  the  28th  of  February, 
1905;  Robey,  born  on  the  17th  of  August,  1906;  Joseph,  born  on  the  9th  of 
December,  1907;  and  Alice,  born  on  the  12th  of  June,  1909. 

Ever  since  attaining  his  majority  his  political  support  Mr.  Watson  has  al- 
ways accorded  the  candidates  of  the  democratic  party,  but  he  has  not  been  an 
office  seeker.  Enterprising  and  progressive  in  his  methods  of  pursuing  his  vo- 
cation Mr.  Watson  is  meeting  with  increasing  success  in  his  tmdertakings,  and 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  prosperous  agriculturists  of  his  township. 


JOHN  EICHHORN. 


John  Eichhorn  is  a  progressive  and  enterprising  farmer  of  Pow^eshiek  county, 
owning  three  hundred  and  fourteen  acres  in  Pleasant  township,  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  which  are  in  the  home  place  on  section  12.  He  is  a  native  of 
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania,  and  was  born  June  26,  1862,  a  son  of  Martin  and 
Louise  (Ploom)  Eichhorn,  both  natives  of  Ciermany.  They  came  to  the  L  nited 
States  in  early  life,  their  marriage  being  celebrated  in  Philadelphia.  In  1866 
the  father  reinoved  westward  with  his  family,  locating  in  Johnson  county,  Iowa, 
where  the  mother  died  in  1875.  Two  years  later,  in  1877,  the  father  came 
with  his  family  to  Poweshiek  county,  and  located  north  of  Malcom,  where  he 
was  engaged  in  farming  for  four  years.  He  then  located  near  (Irinnell,  where 
he  passed  away  in  1887.  at  the  age  of  sixty-five  years.  Their  family  numbered 
ten  children  but  only  five  of  the  number  are  now  living,  three  having  died  in 
infancy,  while  the  other  two  reached  years  of  maturity. 

John  Eichhorn  spent  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  the  home  of  his  parents, 
accompanying  them  on  their  various  removals  until  the  time  of  his  marriage. 
He  has  worked  earnestly  and  persistently  since  starting  out  in  business  on  his 
own  account  and  the  result  of  his  labor  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  he  today  owns 
three  hundred  and  fourteen  acres  of  valuable  Iowa  land,  located  in  Pleasant 
township,  this  being  divided  into  two  farms.  His  home  farm  comprises  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres,  located  on  section  12.  Mr.  Eichhorn  in  1904  erected 
a  modern  twelve-room  house  thereon,  supplied  with  all  conveniences  and  ac- 
cessories of  a  city  property.     He  also  erected   good   farm  buildings,   while  an 


IITSTORV  nv  l^OWF.SiriF.K  COrXTY  407 

ample  supply  of  water  is  conducted  through  pipes  for  farm  and  h(nisehold 
use.  He  raises  stock  on  (|uite  an  extensive  scale,  shipping  four  and  five  car- 
loads annually.  In  addition  to  his  farm  jjroperty  he  is  a  stockholder  in  the 
Malcom  Savings  Bank  and  is  also  serving  as  a  director  in  that  institution.  Me 
is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Poweshiek  County  Central  Agricultural  Associati<in 
and  the  ]\Ialcom  Garage  Company,  and  is  jjresident  of  the  latter.  Tt  will  thus 
be  seen  that  he  finds  time  to  give  to  various  public  interests  that  have  proved 
beneficial  to  the  community. 

Mr.  Eichhorn  was  married  January  i,  1884,  to  Miss  Julia  A.  Goodrich,  who 
was  born  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  February  3,  1867,  a  daughter  of  O.  D.  Good- 
rich, who  makes  his  home  with  our  subject  and  his  wife.  Unto  Mr.  and  ^Irs. 
Eichhorn  have  been  born  four  children:  Lilly  Bell,  who  died  in  infancy;  H.  D., 
a  resident  of  Pleasant  township ;  and  G.  L.  and  G.  E.,  at  home. 

Mr.  Eichhorn  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  since 
January  i,  191 1,  has  served  as  trustee  of  his  township.  In  1888  he  joined  Lodge 
Xo.  369,  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  Malcom,  and  is  likewise  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Rebekah  lodge.  His  success  in  life  is  well  merited  for  he  has  ever 
followed  honorable  methods  in  carrying  on  his  business  and  is  as  well  loyal  to 
his  obligations  as  a  citizen. 


EMANUEL  A.  KING. 


Througli  the  improvement  of  the  opportunities  which  Iowa  otifers  in  agri- 
cultural lines  Emanuel  A.  King  has  become  one  of  the  substantial  citizens  of 
Poweshiek  county.  He  was  born  in  Seneca  county,  Ohio,  December  25,  1869, 
a  son  of  Philip  and  Mary  (Cromwell)  King.  His  father,  who  is  descended 
from  Irish  lineage,  was  born  in  county  Limerick,  and  was  but  si.\  months  old 
when  brought  from  Ireland  to  this  country  by  his  parents,  who  first  located 
in  Ohio  and  later  took  up  their  abode  in  Marengo,  Iowa.  Upon  attaining  man's 
estate  he  took  up  farming  as  a  life  work  and  was  thus  engaged  until  the  time 
of  his  death,  which  occurred  at  Marengo  in  the  winter  of  1910,  when  he  had 
reached  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years.  His  wife,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  of  Eng- 
lisli  parentage,  still  survives  him  and  makes  her  home  with  her  two  sons, 
foseph  and  lohn  King,  extensive  farmers  of  South  Dakota,  where  they  are 
engaged   in  operating  rented  farms. 

In  the  public  schools  of  Marengo,  Iowa,  Emanuel  A.  King  acquired  a  good 
practical  education,  passing  through  the  consecutive  grades  until  his  gradua- 
tion from  the  high  school.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  at- 
taining his  majority,  after  which  he  crossed  the  threshold  of  the  business  world 
as  a  farm  hand,  being  employed  by  the  month  for  three  years.  He  was  then 
married,  immediately  after  which  he  began  farming  independently  on  a  rented 
farm  of  eighty  acres  three  miles  north  of  \'ictor.  There  he  remained  for  one 
vear,  next  removing  to  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  six  miles  south 
of  Victor,  in  Lincoln  township,  Iowa  county,  which  he  also  operated  for  a  time 
as  renter.      He   next   purchased    a   hundred    and    twenty   acre   tract    in    Benton 


408  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

county,  Iowa,  upon  which  he  resided  for  three  years.  Disposing  of  this  he 
later  bought  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  located  on 
section  20.  Bear  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  which  has  remained  his 
home  for  the  past  seven  years.  This  farm,  consisting  of  rich  rolling  land,  has 
ijeen  highly  developed  since  coming  into  his  possession,  its  value  being  greatly 
enhanced  by  the  many  modern  improvements  which  have  been  introduced  by 
.Mr.  King.  He  is  an  extensive  producer  of  grain,  and  annually  his  fields  yield 
abundant  harvests  in  return  for  the  care  and  labor  bestowed  upon  them. 

On  the  26th  of  September,  1893,  Mr.  King  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ada  J.  Bower,  a  daughter  of  Jabez  and  Mary  (Springer)  Bower.  The  father 
was  born  in  Canada,  of  English  parentage,  while  the  mother  is  American  born, 
her  birth  occurring  in  Iowa.  They  now  reside  on  a  farm  south  of  Watkins,  in 
P)enton  county,  Iowa,  where  Mr.  Bowers  is  now  living  retired,  receiving  good 
rental  for  his  farm  lands.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  King  have  been  born  three 
children,  but  only  one  is  now  living.  William  Albert,  the  eldest,  passed  away 
when  three  months  old ;  Leo,  the  youngest,  died  at  the  age  of  three  months : 
the  daughter,  Florence  Esther,  aged  sixteen  years,  is  now  attending  the  high 
school  at  Malcom  and  makes  her  home  with  her  parents. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Blairstown,  Iowa, 
and  Mr.  King  is  well  known  in  fraternal  circles,  holding  membership  in  the 
Kniglits  of  Pythias  lodge  of  Malcom.  the  Modern  \\'oodmen  of  America,  also 
at  Malcom,  and  with  the  Bankers'  Life  Association  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 
Earlv  in  life  he  became  interested  in  the  politics  of  the  country,  and,  forming 
his  own  opinions  and  rules  of  conduct,  has  given  his  support  to  the  republican 
party.  He  has  ever  been  a  worker  for  the  best  interests  of  Bear  Creek  town- 
shi]).  Since  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  his  acquaintance  has  continually 
broadened.  Those  who  meet  him  in  business  and  social  relations  find  him  a  man 
whose  friendship  is  worthy  to  be  cherished  and  whose  business  integrity  and 
cntenirise   call    for  emulation. 


FRANCIS  ASBURY  KILl'.l'RN. 

Francis  Asburv  Kilburn  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  and  successful  mer- 
chants of  the  count\  in  his  time.  He  was  born  in  Gilsum.  New  Hampshire.  Feb- 
ruary 21.  1820,  and  there  received  a  part  of  his  education.  He  was  the  second 
son  of  Iddo  and  Abigail  Kilburn.  The  father  died  in  Gilsum,  New  Hampshire, 
at  the  age  of  eightv  and  the  mother  in  \'ermont  at  the  age  of  ninety-two.  \\'hen 
nineteen  years  of  age  our  subject  went  to  \'ermont  and  attended  school  for  a 
time,  after  wliich  he  engaged  in  teaching  and  farming.  This  he  continued  until 
October,  185 1.  when  he  came  to  Montezuma,  then  a  village  of  six  log  houses, 
the  frame  of  a  house  being  built  and  a  courthouse  (  a  frame  structure  I  on  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  square,  one  room  below  and  three  offices  above.  The 
court  room  was  the  only  available  place,  so  for  a  time  that  was  their  home.  Later 
a  frame  house  was  completed  on  the  north  side  of  the  square,  into  which  they 
moved.     In  Febniary.  1852,  Mr.  Kilburn  drove  to  Keokuk,  that  being  the  nearest 


F.    A.    KIMUHN 


J   Pif'-r  r.-M 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  411 

railinail  pdint  or  ])lacc  where  goods  coultl  be  bought,  and  purchased  nicrchandise. 
<  )ii  tlie  way  home  lie  sohl  a  part  of  the  load.  With  what  was  left  his  wife  "set 
up  storekeeijing"  in  one  corner  of  the  court  room,  which  served  as  a  living 
rodui.  kitchen,  bedroom  and  store,  partitioned  with  curtains.  He  returned  for 
another  load  and  sold  what  he  could  on  the  way  home,  leaving  more  goods  at 
home  each  trip  until  as  the  town  and  business  increased  he  was  needed  in  the 
work  at  home.  But  the  four  or  six  horse  wagon  was  a  familiar  sight  for  a  good 
many  years  or  until  the  (irinnell  &  Montezuma  Railroad  reached  here  in  1875. 
I'rom  this  beginning  he  and  his  wife  built  up  a  successful  business.  He  was 
also  a  landowner  and  bought  and  sold  hogs  and  other  live  stock. 

Mr.  Kilbum  was  twice  married.  On  the  14th  of  June,  1841,  in  Hartford, 
\  ermont,  he  wedded  Miss  Sarah  Chandler,  who  was  an  estimable  w^oman,  one 
loved  and  respected  by  all.  She  was  a  good  mother,  a  consistent  Christian  and  a 
splendid  business  woman.  She  was  always  ready  to  help  those  who  needed  help 
and  seemed  to  know  just  the  best  way  to  do  those  things.  She  died  February 
25,  1870,  leaving  three  children.  Mary  H.,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  ist  of 
May,  1842,  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  W.  A.  Moody  and  had  three  children: 
Frank,  Elmer  and  Charles.  Abigail  S.,  whose  natal  day  was  November  22. 
1846,  wedded  Dr.  J.  C.  Tribbet,  by  whom  she  hatl  two  children:  one  who  died 
in  infancy;  and  Nellie  F.,  living  in  Montezuma,  who  is  the  wife  of  Dr.  D.  B. 
High  and  the  mother  of  two  children,  Helen  F.  and  Harlan  T.  Sarah,  who  was 
born  on  the  9th  of  October,  1850,  married.  .Howr-Judge  L.  C.  Blanchard  and 
passed  away  on  the  19th  of  February,  1878;  leaving  two  children.  Rose  and 
Claude.  Rose  Blanchard  became  the  wife  of  Dr.'^'B.'O.  Jerrel,  of  Oskaloosa,  by 
whom  she  now  has  two  children,  Louise  and  Burton.  On  the  2d  of  February. 
1871,  Mr.  Kilburn  was  again  married,, his 'seGoncruhion  being  with  Mrs.  Mary  F. 
Ferry,  by  whom  he  had  one  child,  Bilfiaiu''ftr -whose' birth  occurred  on  the  2<1 
of  June,  1873. 

On  account  of  ill  health  -Mr.  Kilburn  retired  from  active  business  in  1884, 
his  home  being  yet  in  Montezuma.  When  he  was  well  he  often  called  Monte- 
zuma the  "garden  spot  of  the  world."  His  demise  occurred  on  the  i6th  of  j\Iay, 
1896.  He  donated  the  ground  where  now  stands  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  parsonage.  For  many  years  his  home,  store  and  warehouses  occupied  the 
ground  where  the  church  now  stands.  The  buildings  were  destroyed  by  fire  a 
few  years  after  he  moved  from  them. 


I.  W.  FRIZZELL. 


Bear  Creek  ti:)wnship,  Poweshiek  county,  numbers  among  its  native  sons 
many  substantial  and  i)rogressive  farmers  and  stock-raisers  who  through  their 
own  efforts  and  industry  are  meeting  with  gratifying  success. 

This  number  includes  J.  W.  Frizzell.  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  19th  of 
January.  i8f')5.  The  family  whicli  he  represents  were  numbered  among  the 
early  settlers  of  this  district,  his  grandparents,  Absalom  and  Harriett  ( Merri- 
man)  Frizzell.  being  pioneers  of  Poweshiek  county.     Absalom  Frizzell  was  born, 


412  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COl'XTY 

reared  and  married  in  Maryland,  later  removing  to  Ohio,  and  thence  came  to 
Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  when  this  was  yet  a  frontier  district.  In  185 1  he 
purchased  school  land  from  the  state,  consisting  of  a  half  of  section  16  and 
eighty  acres  of  section  14,  Bear  Creek  township,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  following 
vear  took  up  his  abode  on  that  property,  there  residing  throughout  the  remain- 
der of  his  life.  He  passed  away  in  1885.  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-four 
years,  his  birth  having  occurred  in  the  year  1801.  In  his  family  were  four 
daughters  and  three  sons,  the  daughters  being  Rachel,  Ann,  Elizabeth  and 
Martha,  all  of  whom  lived  to  maturity  and  were  married,  the  two  eldest  being 
now  deceased.  The  sons  are:  Thomas,  the  father  of  our  subject:  James,  of 
Washington  :  and  John,  of  Boone,  Iowa. 

Thomas  Frizzell  was  born  in  Maryland  on  the  15th  of  November,  1835,  and 
when  si.xteen  years  of  age  came  with  his  parents  to  Poweshiek  county,  where 
his  remaining  years  were  spent.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  his  ef- 
forts in  that  direction  were  most  successful,  becoming  the  owner  of  nine  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  in  Poweshiek  county,  two  hundred  acres  in  Calhoun  county, 
Iowa,  and  tracts  in  Dakota  and  Colorado.  He  engaged  extensively  in  horse- 
raising,  making  a  specialty  of  draft  horses,  and  had  many  excellent  specimens  of 
that  variety  on  his  place.  In  the  early  days  before  the  advent  of  the  railroad  he 
and  his  father  had  both  earned  their  living  by  driving  teams  between  Daven- 
port and  Omaha.  He  went  to  Rockford,  Illinois,  to  buy  his  first  breaking  plow 
and  helped  to  move  the  stock  for  the  first  store  in  Brooklyn.  He  married  Miss 
Margaret  Buchanan,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in  September,  1833,  and  came  to 
Poweshiek  county  with  her  parents  in  the  latter  part  of  the  '50s.  She  was  a 
daughter  of  William  and  Isabelle  Buchanan,  both  of  whom  passed  away  in  this 
county.  Her  father,  wdio  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  died  in  1880  at  the  age 
of  eightv-two  years.  Thomas  Frizzell  passed  away  in  May.  1905.  having  long 
survived  his  wife,  whose  death  occurred  on  the  17th  of  February,  1894.  In 
their  family  were  four  children,  of  whom  J.  \\'.,  of  this  review,  is  the  eldest. 
The  others  are  as  follows:  Harriett,  the  wife  of  G.  S.  Maguire,  of  Calnoun 
county,  Ada,  who  married  G.  W.  Murrison,  of  Brooklyn  :  and  Ella,  the  wife  of 
J.  W.  Silcott,  also  of  Brooklyn. 

T.  W.  Frizzell  has  spent  his  entire  life  within  the  borders  of  Bear  Creek 
township  and  here  acquired  his  education.  He  took  up  agricultural  pursuits 
as  a  life  work  upon  attaining  his  majority,  and  the  wisdom  of  his  choice  has 
since  been  manifest  in  the  gratifying  success  which  has  come  to  him.  His  pres- 
ent farm,  which  consists  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  on  section 
16,  is  a  portion  of  the  land  purchased  by  his  grandfather  upon  his  arrival  in 
Poweshiek  county.  It  lies  along  the  river  and  river  road,  about  two  miles 
west  of  Brooklyn,  and  is  a  valuable  property,  all  of  the  improvements  thereon 
having  been  introduced  by  Mr.  Frizzell.  Aside  from  general  farming  pursuits 
he  engages  in  stock-raising,  being  a  breeder  of  Shire  horses,  .shorthorn  cattle 
and  Chester  White  hogs.  He  now  has  on  his  place  about  fifty  head  of  cattle, 
fifteen  head  of  horses  and  one  hundred  head  of  hogs,  all  of  high  grade,  and  his 
efforts  both  as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  have  been  most  resultant. 

Mr.  Frizzell  was  married,  in  1892,  to  :Miss  June  Sleggle,  who  was  born  in 
Bear  Creek  township  on  the  3d  of  February,  1871,  a  daughter  of  D.  C.  Sleggle. 


HISTORY  ()]•    I'OWKSllIKK  COl'XTV  413 

L'lUu  this  union  have  been  born  four  children,  as  follows:  Wayne,  Lee,  Helen, 
and  Ruth.  Mr.  Frizzell  is  connected  fraternally  with  the  Independent  Order 
of  Odd  Fellows,  having  passed  through  all  of  the  chairs,  and  in  politics  is  a 
stalwart  democrat.  He  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  township  trustee  and 
in  this  respect  the  public  has  had  little  need  to  regret  their  choice  of  a  repre- 
sentative, for  he  has  ever  been  guided  by  the  highest  and  most  public-spirited 
motives,  seeking  at  all  times  the  good  of  the  community  at  large. 


WILLIAM  E.  HAKEMAN. 

For  many  years  William  E.  Hakeman  was  actively  engaged  in  farming  in 
Poweshiek  county.  His  former  labor  has  brought  him  the  success  that  now 
enables  him  to  live  retired  in  Hartwick.  his  income  being  derived  from  his  in- 
vested interests. 

He  was  born  in  Cayuga  county.  New  York,  May  26,  1849,  a  son  of  Isaac  and 
Elizabeth  (Thom])son)  Hakeman,  whose  family  numbered  five  children.  The 
parents  were  both  natives  of  England  and  in  that  country  the  father  was  a  truck 
farmer  hut  in  the  latter  '40s  he  emigrated  to  America,  settling  in  New  York, 
where  he  engaged  in  general  farming.  He  later  journeyed  toward  the  west, 
settling  on  a  farm  in  Ashtabula  county,  Ohio,  where  he  remained  until  1855, 
and  on  the  28th  of  May  of  that  year  removed  to  Cedar  county,  Iowa.  He  re- 
mained in  that  section  of  the  state  until  1867,  when  he  again  made  a  change  in 
his  location,  this  time  coming  to  Poweshiek  county,  which  continued  to  be  his 
home  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1877.  His  wife  preceded  him  to  the  grave, 
her  death  having  occurred  here  in  1869.  Mr.  Hakeman  was  a  republican  in  his 
jjolitical  views  and  in  religious  faith  was  a  Methodist.  Three  of  his  sons  enlisted 
in  1862  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  becoming  members  of  Company  C,  Twenty- 
fourth  Iowa  Infantry,  which  they  joiiied  at  Tipton,  in  Cedar  county.  James 
was  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Champion's  Hill  and  was  taken  to  a  hospital  in 
Memphis,  Tennessee,  where  his  death  occurred.  He  had  served  three  years 
and  three  months  in  defense  of  the  L'nion  cause. 

William  E.  Hakeman,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  accompanied  his 
parents  on  their  various  removals  and  was  a  youth  of  eighteen  years  of  age 
at  the  time  of  the  family  removal  to  Poweshiek  county.  He  was  but  twenty 
vears  of  age  when,  in  1869,  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  operating  a 
tract  of  eighty  acres,  located  in  Jetiferson  township.  For  many  years  he  worked 
earnestly  and  persistently  in  the  hope  that  he  might  some  day  become  a  pros- 
perous man,  and  that  his  hope  was  fully  realized  is  indicated  in  the  fact  that  by 
adding  to  his  possessions  from  time  to  time  he  became  the  owner  of  eight  hun- 
dred acres  of  land,  all  in  Poweshiek  county.  He  has  since  sold  off  much  of 
this,  however,  but  still  retains  possession  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres, 
and  from  this  he  derives  an  income  that  has  enabled  him  to  put  aside  acti\e 
business  cares,  for  he  is  now  living  retired  in  the  village  of  Hartwick.  Since 
the  P.ank  of  Hartwick  was  organized,  in  1902,  he  has  been  a  stockholder  and 
director  of  that  institution,  and  he  has  likewise  been  interested  in  the  Farmers 


414  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Savings  Bank  of  X'ictor  for  the  past  twenty  years.  He  possesses  sound  business 
jiul£;ment  and  is  ever  alert  for  opportunities  that  tend  toward  advancement  and 
in  this  manner  he  has  made  his  way  to  the  front  rank,  being  today  classed  among 
tlie  well-to-do  citizens  of  this  section  of  the  state. 

Mr.  Hakeman  was  married  October  30,  1870.  to  Miss  Mary  E.  Holden.  a 
daughter  of  Sanford  Holden.  who  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  but  is  now  de- 
ceased. Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hakeman  have  been  born  seven  daughters  and  two 
sons,  namely :  Oscar,  who  is  in  Hartwick :  Edgar,  who  has  been  engaged  in  the 
lumber  business  in  Hartwick  for  many  years :  Eva.  the  wife  of  C.  Warrick,  a 
farmer  of  Minnesota,  by  whom  she  has  three  children:  Nellie,  the  wife  of 
lames  O'Halloran.  who  operates  her  father's  place,  and  by  whom  she  has  three 
children :  Stella,  the  wife  of  Tennie  Mcllrath.  a  farmer  of  Poweshiek  county, 
and  the  mother  of  four  children:  .Amy,  the  wife  of  Charles  Sherwood,  who 
follows  farming  in  Minnesota,  and  the  mother  of-  four  children :  Jennie,  the 
wife  of  B.  \\'.  Grier.  by  whom  she  has  one  child;  Clara,  the  wife  of  Thomas 
Barber,  of  Carnforth.  Iowa,  by  whom  she  has  one  child:  and  .\lma.  still  under 
the  pirental  roof. 

Mr.  Hakeman  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  from  1880  to  1883 
served  as  assessor,  while  he  has  also  filled  the  offices  of  township  trustee  and 
school  director.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Meth- 
odist church.  It  is  fitting  that  sketches  of  the  distinguished  citizens  of  the 
countv  should  find  a  place  in  this  voliune,  in  which  connection  Mr.  Hakeman  by 
the  consensus  of  public  opinion  is  rated.  He  stands  today  as  a  high  type  of 
American  manhood,  who  has  won  success  in  a  useful  field  of  business  and 
gained  the  respect  and  honor  of  his  fellowmen  by  his  public  service  and  his 
private  life.  He  and  his  estimable  wife  are  living  contented  and  happy  lives 
in  a  pleasant  home  in  Hartwick,  enjoying  in  retirement  the  accumulations  of 
profitable  and  successful  careers. 


JOHN  KRIEGEL. 


One  of  the  highly  successful  agriculturists  which  France  has  contributed  to 
Poweshiek  county  is  John  Kriegel,  who  owns  five  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land  in  Madison  township.  He  is  a  native  of  Alsace-Lorraine,  which  was  a 
province  of  France  at  the  time  of  his  birth,  which  occurred  on  the  nth  of 
November.  1849.  His  parents  were  Nicholas  and  Mary  (Coling)  Kriegel. 
also  natives  of  .\lsace  and  of  French  descent.  The  father  was  a  farmer,  con- 
tinuing to  be  identified  with  that  vocation  until  his  demise,  which  occurred  in 
1891.     The   mother,   however,   had    passed   away   twenty-one   years  previously. 

The  education  of  John  Kriegel  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  land,  after  which  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  their  little 
farm  until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  He  enlisted  in  the  French  army  at  the 
age  of  twenty  years  as  a  substitute,  for  a  consideration  of  seventeen  hundred 
francs,  but  before  he  was  able  to  join  his  regiment  the  Germans  had  entered 
the  country.     Not  knowing  what  to  do  Mr.  Kriegel  appealed  to  the  commander 


IIISTURV  UF  ruWESIllKK  COUNTY  415 

of  the  garrison  nearby  for  advice  and  was  told  to  retnrn  home  and  remain  until 
ordered  to  the  front  to  join  his  company.  This  he  did  Init  never  received  the 
^ummons,  and.  not  desiring  to  live  under  German  rule,  after  the  close  of  the 
war  he  took  passage  for  America,  lie  believed  with  his  seventeen  hundred 
francs  he  could  niaUe  his  fortune  in  the  United  States,  where  he  had  heard  that 
wondeiful  opportunities  awaited  energetic  and  persevering  young  men. 

On  the  22(1  of  June,  1871,  Mr.  Kriegel  landed  in  New  York  city  and  after 
spending  two  months  in  that  state  migrated  to  Jennings  county,  Indiana,  where 
he  worked  on  a  farm  for  six  months.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he 
again  set  his  face  westward,  this  time  locating  in  Champaign  county,  Illinois, 
where  he  remained  for  six  years  engaged  in  farm  work.  Me  subsequently  came 
to  Poweshiek  county,  obtaining  employment  on  what  is  now  the  Thompson 
Miller  farm  in  Madison  townshi]).  At  the  end  of  two  years  he  decided  to  be- 
gin for  himself  and  so  rented  eighty  acres,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  was 
engaged  for  a  similar  period.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he  rented  a  farm  ot 
Jacob  Webber,  in  Madison  townsliip,  upon  which  he  resided  continuously  for 
nine  years.  In  1893  Mr.  Kriegel  had  acquired  sufficient  capital  to  buy  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  on  sections  17  and  18  in  Madison  township,  which 
formed  the  nucleus  of  his  present  homestead.  Later  he  added  to  his  tract  an- 
other eighty  acres  located  on  section  17,  and  in  the  spring  of  lyio  he  purchased 
the  John  Bard  farm,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  on  section  y, 
upon  which  his  son  Joseph  is  now   residing. 

Bv  means  of  diligence  and  thrift  Mr.  Kriegel  has  become  one  of  the  ex- 
tensive property  owners  of  the  township.  He  has  placed  good  improvements 
upon  his  land,  every  acre  of  which  is  fenced  and  under  cultivation,  and  his 
homestead  has  the  neat  and  well-kept  appearance  which  is  ahvays  associated 
with  thrift  and  success.  Stock-raising  has  always  engrossed  a  great  deal  of 
his  attention,  and  he  is  an  extensive  feeder  of  cattle  and  hogs,  which  he  ships 
to  the  Chicago  market,  realizing  lucrative  returns  from  this  venture. 

Mr.  Kriegel  was  married  on  the  ()th  of  January,  1882.  to  Miss  Lizzie  Sie- 
wert,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Lena  (Hoffman)  Siewert,  both  natives  of 
(iermany.  They  emigrated  from  their  native  land  to  America  locating  in  Will- 
iamsport.  New  York,  removing  from  there  to  Champaign  county,  Illinois.  The 
father  was  a  farmer,  but  while  residing  in  New  York  he  worked  in  the  grist 
mills.  Both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away  on  the  homestead,  where  he  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  Champaign  county,  Illinois.  Eleven  chil- 
dren were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kriegel  but  only  nine  attained  maturity: 
George,  a  farmer  in  Madison  township,  this  county,  who  married  Miss  Mary 
Mayer  and  who  have  two  children,  Josephine  and  Margaret;  Lizzie,  who  be- 
came the  wife  of  Adam  Hauersperger,  a  farmer  of  Madison  township  at  that 
time  but  now  a  resident  of  Jennings  county.  Indiana,  and  who  have  three  chil- 
dren, Edward,  Margaret  and  Henry;  Joseph,  a  farmer  of  Madison  township,  who 
married  Miss  Sadie  Clark  and  who  have  one  son,  Leonard ;  Henry,  who  is  at 
home  assisting  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm  :  Nicholas,  living  on 
his  father's  farm  on  section  9,  and  who  married  Miss  Josephine  Roth ;  the  next 
four,  Margaret,  John,  Annie  and  Albert,  are  all  at  home.  Those  deceased  are 
as  follows :  Johnnie,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  two  months ;  and  Catharine, 


416  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

who  died  on  the  15th  of  April,  1901,  at  the  age  of  nine  months  and  fifteen 
days.  The  wife  and  mother  succumbed  to  dropsy  following  the  birth  of  her 
youngest  child,  on  the  4th  of  July,  1901. 

The  family  are  all  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  in  the 
faith  of  which  denomination  the  parents  were  reared.  Ever  since  granted  the 
right  of  suffrage  by  naturalization  Mr.  Kriegel  has  given  his  political  support 
to  the  candidates  of  the  democratic  party.  He  never  sought  public  office  or 
political  honors,  however,  although  he  served  as  school  director  in  district  No. 
4  for  one  term,  preferring  to  devote  his  undivided  attention  to  the  develop- 
ment of  his  personal  interests.  Although  he  met  with  hardship  and  misfortune 
during  the  early  years  of  his  residence  in  the  country  Mr.  Kriegel's  tireless 
energy  and  indomitable  purpose  enableil  him  to  overcome  all  obstacles  and  at- 
tain the  success  to  which  he  aspired. 


E.    T.   BENTON. 


Agricultural  pursuits  have  characterized  the  efforts  of  E.  J.  Benton  through- 
out his  business  career,  and  he  is  meeting  with  most  satisfactory  results  in  his 
undertakings. 

Born  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  on  the  i6th  of  December,  1859,  he  is  a  son  of 
William  and  Lavina  (Moorehead)  Benton,  the  former's  birth  occurring  in  Eng- 
land in  1795  and  the  latter's  in  Pennsylvania.  The  parents  were  married  in 
Franklin  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  came  to  Scott  county,  Iowa,  about  1856. 
The  father  there  passed  away  in  1865  and  later,  in  1866.  the  mother  came 
with  her  children  to  Poweshiek  county,  locating  in  Jackson  township,  where  she 
was  residing  at  the  time  of  her  death,  in  1892,  at  the  age  of  sixty-six  years. 

E.  J.  Benton  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  six  sens  and  three 
daughters,  and  was  but  a  young  lad  when  brought  by  his  mother  to 
Poweshiek  county,  within  whose  borders  he  has  since  contimieil  to  make  his 
home.  He  took  up  his  abode  in  Malcom  township  about  twelve  \ears  ago  on  a 
rented  farm  of  eighty  acres  on  section  14,  where  he  carries  on  general  farming 
according  to  modern  and  up-to-date  methods.  He  has  made  a  close  study  of 
agriculture  and  is  methodical,  systematic  and  progressive,  and  close  a])plica- 
tion.  unfaltering  industry  and  wise  management  are  proving  salient  elements 
in  the  attainment  of  a  creditable  and  gratifying  success. 

Jn  1882  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Benton  to  Miss  Minnie  Keysor,  who 
was  born  in  Morrow  county,  Ohio,  in  1861.  As  an  infant  she  came  to  this 
county  with  her  parents,  Robert  and  Elizabeth  Keysor,  natives  of  Ohio,  both 
of  whom  passed  away  in  Poweshiek  comity.  Ten  children  have  been  born  unto 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benton,  namely :  Tressie,  the  wife  of  Vernon  B.  Perry,  of  Wyom- 
ing; Jay,  at  home;  Mollie,  deceased;  Alma,  Ada,  Guy,  Wilma,  Delbert,  Harold 
and  Xavie,  all  of  whom  are  still  at  home. 

Mr.  Benton  holds  membershii)  in  the  Brethren  church  and  fraternalh-  he  is 
identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  gives  his  political 
allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  is  now  serving  as  a  director  of  school  No. 


lilSTUKV  UF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  417 

('),  the  cause  of  education  finding'  in  him  a  loyal  champion.  I'nblic-si)irited  in 
his  citizenship,  he  heartily  indorses  all  measures  and  movements  having  for  their 
object  the  public  welfare  and  he  is  numbered  among  the  county's  respected  and 
representative  adopted  sons. 


RICHARD  M.  CAIN. 


Energy,  perseverance  and  business  ability  were  salient  elements  in  the  active 
career  of  Richard  AI.  Cain,  and  were  potent  forces  in  the  acquirement  of  the 
substantial  degree  of  prosperity  which  enabled  him  to  retire  from  agricultural 
pursuits  and  enjoy  in  well  earned  rest  the  fruits  of  his  former  toil. 

He  was  born  near  Zanesville,  Ohio,  August  27,  1827,  a  son  of  Daniel  and 
Elizabeth  (McClain)  Cain,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  respectively.  The 
parents  were  both  reared  in  Ohio  and  were  there  married  and  in  that  state  the 
father  passed  away.  Later  the  mother  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and 
liere  her  death  occurred.  In  their  family  were  seven  children,  as  follows :  Will- 
iam, deceased ;  Richard  M. ;  Harvey,  who  has  also  passed  away ;  Mrs.  Elizabeth 
.Ann  Brague  Gray,  a  resident  of  California,  who  has  twice  been  a  widow;  M.  J. 
Cain,  of  Brooklyn,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume ;  Isaac,  deceased  : 
and  .Sarah  Jane,  the  widow  of  Louis  Nisperly,  now  residing  at  Parkersburg, 
West  Virginia. 

In  Monroe  and  Belmont  counties,  Ohio,  Richard  M.  Cain  spent  the  early 
period  of  his  life,  and  when  only  seventeen  years  of  age  entered  the  business 
world,  engaging  in  the  steamboat  business  on  the  Ohio,  Mississippi  and  Mis- 
souri rivers.  He  was  thus  engaged  at  the  time  of  the  inauguration  of  the  Civil 
war,  and,  prompted  by  a  spirit  of  patriotism,  enlisted  in  1861  at  the  first  call 
for  troops  for  three  months.  .Although  he  did  not  reenlist  he  was  employed 
throughout  almost  the  entire  remainder  of  the  war  on  the  Anglo  Saxon,  a  large 
stern-wheel  river  boat  in  the  Union  service.  He  was  captured  with  the  rest  of 
the  crew  and  was  held  a  prisoner  for  about  eight  months. 

.After  the  close  of  hostilities,  in  1866,  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa, 
and  purchased  a  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  on  section  12,  Bear  Creek  town- 
ship, about  two  miles  northeast  of  Brooklyn.  For  more  than  a  third  of  a  cen- 
tury that  remained  his  home  and  during  the  ensuing  years  he  gave  his  entire 
time  and  attention  to  the  development  and  improvement  of  his  fields,  bringing 
them  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  enhancing  the  value  of  his  ])roperty 
through  the  exercise  of  practical,  progressive  methods  and  good  business  ability. 
As  the  years  passed  success  attended  his  efforts  and,  in  1900,  he  retired  from 
agricultural  pursuits  and  came  to  Brooklyn  where  he  occupies  a  comfortable 
home  and  is  enjoying  well  merited  rest.  He  still  retains  the  ownership  of  his 
farm,  however,  and  since  coming  to  Brooklyn  has  become  the  owner  of  four 
town  dwellings  and  a  tract  of  five  acres  which  is  partially  located  within  the 
oorjioration  limits  of  the  town. 

Mr.  Cain  was  united  in  marriage,  on  the  7th  of  November,  1847,  to  Miss 
Marv   Foggin,   who  was  born   in  Ohio  in   May,   1828,  and  passed  awav  on  the 


418  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

farm  in  1885.  Unto  this  union  were  born  eight  cliikh-en.  as  follows:  Araminia. 
the  wife  of  J.  AI.  Snyder,  of  Brooklyn:  Clara  Hayward,  deceased:  Owen  I'., 
of  Oklahoma :  Singleton  B.,  also  deceased :  Samantha,  who  married  Frank  Hav- 
ward,  of  Mount  Home.  Idaho :  Isaac,  who  passed  away,  leaving  a  widow :  Cas- 
sie,  the  widow  of  J.  H.  Johnson,  of  South  Dakota:  and  Elizabeth,  who  married 
Leo  L.  Torey  and  is  now  deceased.  On  the  loth  of  March,  1886.  Mr.  Cain  was 
again  married,  his  second  union  being  to  Mrs.  Mary  .\.  Hayward,  who  was 
born  in  JetTerson  county,  Ohio,  January  3,  1835,  a  daughter  of  William  and 
Mary  (Burns)  Sprague.  She  was  reared  and  married  in  Monroe  county,  Ohio, 
to  Anthony  Hayward,  whose  death  (jcciuTed  in  that  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hay- 
ward were  the  parents  of  three  children:  Sevilla,  deceased;  Harvey  M.,  resid- 
ing with  Mr.  Cain :  and  William  S.,  of  South  Dakota. 

Mr.  Cain  belongs  to  the  Christian  church,  the  teachings  of  which  have  ever 
formed  the  guiding  influences  of  his  life,  and  for  about  twenty-five  years  he 
has  held  membership  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  is  re- 
publican in  his  political  views  and  is  public-spirited  in  his  citizenship,  although 
the  honors  and  emoluments  of  office  have  never  held  attraction  for  hmi.  Al- 
though he  has  long  since  passed  the  Psalmist's  allotted  span  of  three  score  years 
and  ten,  having  reached  the  eighty-fourth  milestone  on  life  s  journey,  he  is  still 
in  good  health  and  retains  a  deep  interest  in  the  vital  questions  and  issues  of 
the  day. 


GEORGE  L.  OSTRO.M 


Forty-six  years  have  passed  since  George  L.  Ostrom  located  on  a  farm  where 
Hartvvick  now  stands.  He  has  witnessed  a  great  transformation  in  Poweshiek 
county  and,  as  he  applied  himself  with  energy  and  good  judgment  during  his 
active  years,  he  now  enjoys  the  rewards  of  his  labors,  being  the  owner  of  two 
hundred  acres  of  land  in  this  county  from  which  he  receives  a  handsome  an- 
nual  revenue. 

He  was  born  in  New  York  state,  April  12,  1833,  a  .son  of  John  A.  and 
Ganretta  (La  Moure)  Ostrom,  the  former  of  whom  was  a  native  of  New  York 
state.  On  the  paternal  side  the  ancestry  has  been  traced  to  the  early  settlers  of 
New  Amsterdam,  now  New  York  city,  who  came  from  Holland,  and  on  the 
maternal  side  the  ancestry  has  been  traced  to  France.  The  father  was  by 
trade  a  blacksmith.  He  passed  his  entire  life  in  his  native  state  and  died  at 
the  age  of  eighty-three  year?,  his  wife  having  been  called  away  in  1847.  In 
politics  he  was  a  supporter  of  the  whig  party,  lie  was  a  man  of  many  wortliy 
traits  and  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Baptist  church. 

George  L.  Ostrom  received  advantages  of  education  in  the  common  schoi^l 
and  under  his  father  learned  the  blacksmith's  trade.  He  worked  on  the  farm 
and  in  the  shop  until  he  arrived  at  his  majority  and  then,  yielding  to  an  ir- 
resistible desire  to  see  the  world  and  to  establish  a  home  on  his  own  account, 
he  started  toward  the  great  and  growing  west.  In  April,  1854,  he  arrived  at 
Galesburg,  Illinois,  his  total  earthly  possessions  then  amounting  to  ten  dollars 
and  si.\ty-two  cents.     He  soon  found  work  at  fifteen  dollars  a  month  and  con- 


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HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  421 

tinned  steadily  for  two  years  and  one-half,  after  which  he  found  occupation  in 
various  em[)loyments  until  1858,  when  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  in 
Knox  county,  Illinois.  A  little  log  cabin  stood  on  the  place  and  here  he  and 
his  family  made  their  home  for  eight  years.  In  1865  he  sold  out  and  in  the 
fall  of  the  same  year  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  settling  on  one  hun- 
<lred  and  sixty  acres  of  government  land  where  the  city  of  Hartwick  is  now 
located.  This  land  he  purchased  for  six  dollars  an  acre,  which  was  considered 
a  good  price  at  the  time.  He  was  soon  established  as  a  farmer  in  his  new 
home  and  prospered  from  year  to  year,  becoming  eventually  the  owner  of  a 
thousantl  acres.  He  sold  a  part  of  his  land  and  gave  portions  to  his  children; 
but  still  retains  a  fine  farm,  which  is  under  an  excellent  state  of  culti\ation.  He 
is  a  director  of  the  Farmers'  .Savings  Bank  of  Hartwick,  being  also  a  member 
of  the  auditing  committee  of  the  bank. 

On  March  21,  1858,  Mr.  Ostrom  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  M.  Ostroni, 
a  daughter  of  Andrew  and  Hannah  (Holmes)  Ostrom.  The  father  was  a 
farmer  but  also  engaged  as  a  plasterer  and  shoemaker.  Seven  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  L.  Ostrom:  Charles,  now  deceased,  who  was 
married  and  had  two  sons,  Guy  and  Clyde ;  Murray ;  Grant,  a  farmer,  who  is 
married  and  has  five  children,  Ray,  Glenn,  Earl,  Percy  and  Lysle ;  Fred  G., 
who  is  married  and  has  ten  children,  Hazel,  Marjory,  Charles.  George,  Edna, 
Dorothy,  Nellie,  Mildred,  Margaret  and  Fred,  Jr.;  Arthur;  Mary,  who  is  liv- 
ing at  home;  and  Jennie,  who  married  William  Dixon,  a  farmer  of  Warren 
township,  and  is  the  mother  of  fli'ree- children,  Guy,  George  and  Hazel. 

Politically  Mr.  Ostrom  is  a  cepAi'^Ucanv  belonging  to  the  standpat  wing,  whicli 
accepts  the  platforms  and  nominees  of  the  party  and  heartily  supports  them 
without  reservation.  He  has  feerved  as  township  trustee  and  also  as  member 
of  the  school  board,  school  treasureu^ftctj.'fpwriship  assessor,  filling  the  last-named 
office  for  twelve  years.  He  was  made  a  Mason  in  1867  and  is  an  honored  mem- 
ber of  Sharon  Lodge,  No.  367.  Having  arrived  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years, 
he  is  now  largely  retired  from  active  affairs  and  can  look  back  on  many  years 
of  earnest  work,  in  the  course  of  which  he  earned  the  gratitude  of  his  fellow- 
men  by  innumerable  acts  of  kindness  and  generosity. 


JOHN  RATLIFF  DAVIS. 

A  highly  regarded  citizen  and  capable  agriculturist  of  Sugar  Creek  town- 
ship was  the  late  John  Ratliff  Davis,  who  was  born  in  Henry  county,  Indiana, 
on  the  8th  of  July,  1846. 

He  was  a  son  of  Elisha  and  Elizabeth  (Ratlifif)  Davis,  the  father  a  native  of 
\'irginia  and  the  mother  of  Inrliana.  In  his  early  manhood  Elisha  Davis  mi- 
grated from  his  native  state  to  Henry  county,  Indiana,  where  he  met  the  lady 
who  subsequently  became  his  wife.  He  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  there 
until  about  1856,  when,  together  with  his  wife  and  familv.  he  came  to  Iowa, 
settling  on  a  farm  in  Jasper  county.  There  the  mother  passed  away  on  the  lOth 
of  November,  1891,  and  the  father  on  the  27th  of  November,  1894.     He  was  a 


422  JIISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'XTV 

republican  ami  both  he  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Society  of  Friends.  Five 
children  were  born  of  this  marriage,  three  daughters  and  two  sons,  in  the  fol- 
lowing order:  Axelina  and  Lavinia,  both  of  whom  are  deceased:  John  Ratlitt, 
our  subject :  Lewis,  who  is  a  resident  of  Jasjier  county,  Iowa:  and  Alice,  who  is 
deceased. 

The  education  of  John  Ratliff  Davis  was  begun  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  state  and  completed  in  those  of  Jasper  county  and  Oskaloosa,  Iowa.  For 
about  eight  years  thereafter  he  taught,  following  which  he  operated  a  sawmill 
in  Lynnville  for  a  time.  He  then  purchased  some  land  in  Sugar  Creek  town- 
ship and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until  about  five  years  prior  to  his  de- 
mise, which  occurred  on  his  homestead  on  the   13th  of  May,  1909. 

On  the  nth  of  June,  1870,  he  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Eliza  Jane 
Lancaster,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Lucetta  (Stanley)  Lancaster.  The  par- 
ents were  both  born  in  Guilford  county,  North  Carolina,  the  father's  natal  day 
being  the  lOth  of  October.  1823,  and  that  of  the  mother  the  29th  of  October, 
1825.  The  father  first  migrated  to  Hamilton  county,  Indiana,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  for  several  years.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Iowa  with  hi> 
wife  and  family,  settling  in  Jasper  county  in  1847,  and  continuing  to  be  identi- 
fied with  agricultiu-al  pursuits  until  his  demise  on  the  28th  of  June,  1861.  His 
wife  still  survives  him  and  now  makes  her  home  with  her  daughter.  Mrs.  Davis. 
He  was  a  republican  and  belonged  to  the  Methodist  Protestant  church,  of  which 
his  wife  is  also  a  member.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lancaster,  who  were  married  in 
Guilford  county.  North  Carolina,  there  were  born  five  children :  Eliza  Jane, 
now  Mrs.  Davis,  who  was  born  on  the  24th  of  Alarch,  1849,  in  Hamilton  county, 
Indiana:  Sarah  Ann.  the  wife  of  John  P.  Stallings,  of  Oklahoma;  Benjamin 
Franklin,  who  is  a  resident  of  Gregory,  South  Dakota ;  Rhoda  Ellen,  the  wife 
of  Melton  Burton,  of  Palo  Alto  county,  Iowa :  and  Hannah  Elizabeth,  who  is 
deceased. 

LInto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davis  were  born  the  following  children:  Leonora,  who 
was  born  on  the  6th  of  April,  1871,  and  died  on  the  24th  of  September,  1877: 
James  Otis,  born  on  the  21st  of  September,  1872,  and  now  residing  in  .Sugar 
Creek  township,  this  county:  Charles  S.,  born  on  the  27th  of  May,  1874,  now  a 
resident  of  Le  Grande,  Iowa;  Edgar,  born  on  the  29th  of  May,  1876.  and  liv- 
ing in  Sugar  Creek  township:  John  S.,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  4th  of  Jan- 
uary. 1878,  also  a  resident  of  Sugar  Creek  township;  Lucetta,  born  on  the  loth 
of  August,  1879,  and  who  is  the  wife  of  Andrew  ^Mitchell  of  Oskaloosa,  Iowa  : 
the  seventh  in  order  of  birth  was  born  on  the  25th  of  February,  1881,  and  died 
two  days  later;  Fred  L..  born  on  the  22d  of  July,  1882,  now  a  resident  of  Des 
Moines,  Iowa;  Elizabeth,  born  on  the  23d  of  May,  1884.  and  who  died  on  May 
21,  1909,  the  deceased  wife  of  Joshua  Main,  of  Sugar  Creek  township;  Howard. 
born  on  the  4th  of  December,  1885,  now  living  in  Searsboro;  and  Kelly,  who 
was  born  on  the  loth  of  March,  1892,  and  who  lives  at  home. 

The  political  allegiance  of  Mr.  Davis  was  ever  accorded  to  the  republican 
party  and  he  served  his  township  in  both  the  capacity  of  treasurer  and  school 
director.  His  religious  affiliation  was  with  the  Society  of  Friends,  the  faith  in 
which  he  had  been  reared.  He  was  a  man  of  sound  principles  and  unquestion- 
able  integrity,   progressive  in  his   ideas   and   at   all   times   ready   to    indorse  any 


HISTURY  OF   I'UWMSlllEK  CULXTV  4:>3 

ninvenient  whicli  would  in  any  way  tend  to  elevate  the  intellectual  or  moral 
standards  of  tiie  community.  Since  his  demise  his  widow  has  left  tiie  home- 
steatl.  having  purchased  a  very  pleasant  home  in  Searsboro  in  October,  1909, 
which  she  now  occupies.  A  woman  of  tact  and  gracious  manner  she  has  many 
friends  in  the  village  by  whom  she  is  highly  esteemed. 


WILLIAM  W.  MILLICK. 

William  W.  Cillick  is  an  extensive  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Poweshiek 
county  and  the  success  which  crowns  his  efforts  is  the  legitimate  reward  of  in- 
dustry and  well  directed  effort. 

ITe  was  born  in  Winnebago  county,  Illinois,  July  26,  1870,  a  son  of  William 
and  Eliza  (Kibbie)  Billick,  the  former  a  native  of  New-  York  state  and  of  Ger- 
man descent,  and  the  latter  also  of  the  Empire  state  but  of  Irish  parentage.  In 
early  life  the  father  sought  the  opportunities  of  the  west,  first  locating  in  Win- 
nebago county,  Illinois.  He  later  located  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  in 
the  early  '40s,  when  Iowa  was  still  a  territorial  district,  was  a  scout,  hunter 
and  trapper.  He  followed  the  life  of  a  woodsman  until  he  reached  middle  life 
when,  in  1872,  he  located  on  a  farm  north  of  Brooklyn.  In  1876  he  removed 
to  Carroll  county,  Iowa,  and  there  followed  farming  throughout  his  remaining 
vears,  passing  away  there  on  the  14th  of  March,  1907.  His  widow  is  still  liv- 
ing at  the  age  of  sixty-nine  years  and  makes  her  home  in  Manning,  Carroll 
county. 

William  W.  I'.illick  was  a  little  lad  of  three  years  of  age  when  the  family  re- 
moved from  Illinois  to  Poweshiek  county,  and  was  but  six  years  of  age  when 
thev  made  a  permanent  location  in  Carroll  county.  He  attended  the  district 
schools  of  the  latter  locality  and  remained  with  his  parents  until  he  had  at- 
tained his  majority.  He  then  worked  at  farm  labor  by  the  month  for  three 
years,  at  the  end  of  which  time  he  rented  land  in  Carroll  county,  operating  the 
same  for  four  years.  He  then  returned  to  Poweshiek  county  and  lived  for 
three  years  on  rented  land  one  mile  west  of  ]\Ialcom,  in  Malcom  township.  In 
.March,  1901,  lie  purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  19,  Bear  Creek  township. 
In  addition  to  operating  his  own  land,  each  year  he  rents  from  two  to  five  hun- 
dred acres,  so  that  he  is  farming  on  quite  an  extensive  scale.  He  raises  quan- 
tities of  grain  and  hay,  which  he  feeds  to  his  stock,  devoting  much  time  to  the 
latter  business.  He  raises  mostly  cattle  and  hogs  and  ships  to  the  Chicago  mar- 
ket. His  own  land  is  well  improved,  his  fields  being  rich  and  arable  and  his 
buildings  are  ample  for  the  shelter  of  grain  and  stock.  He  has  a  good  orchard, 
covering  a  half  acre,  which  bears  its  fruit  in  season.  He  is  progressi\e  in  all 
his  work  and  what  he  undertakes  is  sure  to  bring  him  success. 

Mr.  Billick  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Addie  Goodrich,  a  daughter  of 
O.  D.  and  Jane  (Walls)  Goodrich,  well  known  and  highly  respected  farming 
people  of  Poweshiek  county.  The  father  was  born  in  Wisconsin  and  was  one 
of  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Iowa,  first  locating  in  Scott  county  and  being  engaged 
HI  freighting  from  Davenport  to  Des  Moines  ])rior  t(i  the  advent  of  the  railroads 


424  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

in  this  section.  He  is  still  living  anil  now  makes  his  home  with  a  daughter, 
Mrs.  John  Eichhorn,  whose  home  is  located  south  of  Malcom  and  whose  hus- 
band is  mentioned  on  another  page  of  this  work.  The  mother  departed  this  life 
some  fourteen  years  ago.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Billick  have  been  born  two  chil- 
dren :  Xavie,  who  is  ten  years  of  age ;  and  Clio,  five  years  old. 

Mr.  Billick  votes  for  the  man  whom  he  deems  best  qualified  to  till  public 
office,  irrespective  of  party  affiliation.  For  the  past  nineteen  years  he  has  been 
identified  with  the  Knights  of  I'ythias  at  Malcom,  while  his  wife  is  a  member 
of  the  Pythian  Sisters  of  that  place.  The  spirit  of  self-help  is  the  source  of  all 
genuine  worth  in  the  individual,  and  this  truth  is  abundantly  verified  in  the  life 
of  Mr.  Billick.  Steadily  pursuing  his  way,  undeterred  by  the  obstacles  and  dif- 
ficulties in  his  path,  he  is  achieving  a  prosperity  of  which  he  has  every  reason 
to  be  proud. 


JOHN  DOR  AN. 


County  W'e.xford,  Irelancl.  was  the  birthplace  of  John  Doran,  who  is  nuw 
living  retired  on  his  homestead  on  section  lo.  Sheridan  township,  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  which  he  engaged  for  many  years. 

He  was  born  on  the  25th  of  March,  1836,  a  son  of  John  and  Mary  Doran. 
also  natives  of  County  Wexford,  who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1850. 
Eight  weeks  and  four  days  were  consumed  in  crossing  the  ocean  from  Liver- 
pool to  New  York.  The  boat  encountered  a  storm  which  lasted  for  three  days 
and  nights,  during  which  time  three  of  the  masts  were  lost  and  all  of  the  family 
records  and  belongings  were  washed  overboard.  For  a  time  their  condition  was 
perilous  and  they  practically  abandoned  all  hope  of  ever  seeing  land,  but  finally 
reached  port  long  overdue.  The  parents  first  located  upon  a  farm  in  the  vicin- 
itv  of  Geneseo,  New  York,  where  they  lived  until  1864. 

John  Doran  was  fourteen  years  of  age  when  his  parents  emigrated  to  the 
United  States,  so  that  his  education  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  country.  He  remained  at  home  until  he  was  twentv-eight  years  of  age, 
at  which  time  he  was  married  and  subsecjuently  migrated  to  Bureau  county.  Illi- 
nois, settling  in  the  vicinity  of  Princeton,  where  he  resided  until  1872.  From 
there  he  removed  to  Poweshiek  county,  locating  on  a  farm  north  of  Malcom 
where  he  remained  for  two  years  and  then  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on 
section  10,  Sheridan  township,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  Mr.  Doran  engaged 
until  eight  years  ago,  when  he  retired  from  active  life,  although  he  continues 
to  live  upon  his  homestead. 

In  1864  Mr.  Doran  was  married  to  Miss  Catharine  McMahon  in  Livingston 
countv,  New  \'()rk.  .Mrs.  Doran  was  a  daughter  of  James  and  Ellen  McMahon, 
natives  of  Ireland,  but  she  was  born  in  Newcastle,  England,  on  the  2d  of  Jan- 
uarv.  1847.  When  a  child  of  eight  years  her  parents  emigrated  to  the  United 
States,  locating  in  Livingston  county.  New  York,  where  she  resided  until  her 
marriage.  The  following  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doran :  John 
F.,  who  is  an  implement  dealer  of  Tama,  Iowa :  Nellie,  the  wife  of  J.  P.  En- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  42r) 

right,  who  is  engaged  in  the  same  business,  and  also  of  Tama:  James  S.,  who 
is  a  painter  and  paper-hanger  of  Tama ;  Mary,  who  passed  away  on  the  22d  of 
]'"ebruary,  1909.  the  wife  of  John  Hallisy,  a  farmer  of  Tama  county,  Iowa; 
Charles  C,  a  stock  buyer  of  Grinnell ;  Edward  H.,  who  is  also  engaged  in  paint- 
ing and  paper-hanging  in  Tama ;  Catharine,  the  widow  of  Joseph  Dulify,  who 
was  drowned  in  July,  U)i  i  :  and  Michael,  a  railroad  conductor  of  North  Dakota. 
Mrs.  Doran  jjassed  away  on  the  9th  of  September,   1902. 

Mr.  Doran's  youngest  daughter,  Catharine,  was  united  in  marriage  to  Joseph 
Duft'v  on  the  23d  of  July,  1902,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  four  children: 
Paul,  who  is  seven  years  of  age:  Bernadetta,  aged  four  years:  Ellen,  who  is 
two  and  a  half  years  of  age:  and  a  baby.  Joseph  Duffy  was  a  son  of  John  and 
Anna  Duffy,  residents  of  Columbia  township,  Tama  county,  Iowa.  He  was  born 
in  Kellogg,  Iowa,  on  the  6th  of  March,  1878,  and  acquired  his  education  in  the 
district  schools  of  his  native  county,  following  which  he  assisted  his  father  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  homestead  until  he  rented  the  farm  of  his  father-in-law 
nnniediately   following  his  marriage  to  Miss  Doran. 

Mr.  Doran  and  his  family  are  communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church, 
with  which  denomination  Mrs.  Doran  was  also  afifiliated,  their  identification 
being  with  the  church  in  Tama  county.  Although  his  political  views  coincide 
i\ith  those  of  the  Jeft'ersonian  democrats  Mr.  Doran  always  casts  his  ballot  for 
the  man  he  deems  best  fitted  for  the  office,  irrespective  of  party  affiliations,  and 
has  twice  voted  for  republican  presidential  candidates :  Lincoln  and  Roosevelt. 
lie  has  been  offered  township  and  school  board  offices  at  various  times  but  has 
never  accepted,  always  having  preferred  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  the 
development  of  his  personal  interests. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  ROYCE. 

When  news  of  the  death  of  George  Washington  Royce  was  received  on  the 
29th  of  November,  1905,  a  gloom  was  cast  over  Malcom  township,  for  he  had 
.so  long  been  identified  with  the  people  of  this  locality  that  they  felt  that  one  of 
their  best  men  had  passed  to  his  long  rest. 

He  was  born  in  Genesee  county.  New  York,  November  7,  1837,  a  son  of 
Horace  B.  and  Sarah  (Judd)  Royce,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Vermont, 
the  former  born  in  Washington  county.  May  7,  1806,  and  the  latter  in  Irasburg, 
in  February,  i8o6.  They  were  reared  and  married  in  the  Green  Mountain 
state,  after  which  they  removed  to  New  York,  and  it  was  while  residing  in  the 
latter  state  that  their  son,  George  W.,  was  born.  .\  year  later,  in  1838,  they 
removed  to  Wisconsin,  where  the  succeeding  years  up  to  i860  were  spent.  At 
that  time  they  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  here  spent  their  remaining  days, 
the  father  passing  away  in  August,  1883,  when  he  was  seventy-seven  years  of 
age.  The  mother  survived  him  many  years  and  departed  this  life  in  1901,  when 
she  had  reached  the  unusual  and  extreme  old  age  of  ninety-four  years.  Their 
faniilv    numbered    four   sons   and    a    daughter,   the    sons   being   Horace,    Enoch, 


426  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

George  and  Leonidas,  while  the  daughter,  Sarah  M.  Antoinette,  became  the  wife 
of  George  L.  Nutting. 

George  W.  Royce  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  various  removals  and 
was  a  young  man  of  twenty-three  years  of  age  when  the  family  home  was  estab- 
lished in  Poweshiek  county.  He  and  his  three  brothers  located  on  farms  on 
section  4,  Pleasant  township,  each  having  a  quarter  section.  Later  Mr.  Royce 
purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  ^;^.  Alalcom  township.  I-Ie  made  farming 
his  life  work  and  not  only  sought  his  own  individual  success  but  was  ever  ready 
to  assist  in  any  movement  or  measure  for  public  improvement  and  welfare. 
He  took  a  deep  interest  in  agricultural  afTairs  and  believed  in  following  ad- 
vanced and  modern  methods  in  this  as  in  all  other  lines  of  business.  He  was 
one  of  the  tirst  directors  of  the  Poweshiek  County  Agricultural  .\ssociation  and 
for  many  years  served  as  its  president,  filling  that  position  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  and  his  brother,  Horace,  were  likewise  large  stockholders  in  the 
County  Fair  Association. 

Mr.  Royce  was  married  December  24.  1874,  to  Miss  Nellie  11.  Jones,  who 
was  born  in  Charleston,  Massachusetts,  May  6,  1853,  a  daughter  of  Hon.  Albin 
lones.  of  Montezuma.  She  was  fourteen  years  of  age  when,  in  1867,  the  fam- 
ily home  was  established  in  Iowa  and  after  reaching  mature  years  she  was,  for 
several  years  prior  to  her  marriage,  a  successful  teacher  in  this  county.  The 
marriage  of  Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Royce  was  blessed  with  four  daughters:  Lillian  M.. 
the  wife  of  G.  E.  Wheeler,  who  lives  on  the  home  farm  in  I'leasant  township: 
Irma  G..  the  wife  of  J.  .\.  Hargrave.  a  resident  of  Scott  township:  and  Addie 
B.  and  Isabelle  B.,  who  are  with  their  mother. 

Mr.  Royce  was  a  stanch  supporter  of  democratic  [irinciplcs  :uiil  was  rt'arcd 
in  the  faith  of  the  Universalist  church.  He  stood  as  a  high  type  of  American 
manhood,  who  won  success  in  a  useful  field  of  business  and  gained  the  respect 
and  honor  of  his  fellowmen  by  his  jniblic  service  and  private  life.  However, 
he  found  his  greatest  social  enjoyment  at  his  own  fireside  m  the  companionshijj 
of  his  wife  and  children  and  it  is  there  that  he  is  missed  most  of  all.  As  before 
stated,  his  death  occurred  November  29,  1905,  when  he  was  sixty-eight  years 
of  age. 


JOHN  C.  REHBERG. 


It  is  almost  twenty-three  years  since  John  C.  Rehberg.  who  was  engaged  in 
the  cultivation  of  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Sheridan  town- 
ship, passed  away. 

He  was  born  in  Puninian,  (icrmany,  un  the  i8th  of  February,  1832.  The 
first  twentv-two  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  his  native  land,  in  which  coun- 
try his  parents  passed  away  during  his  early  childhood.  In  1854  he  decided  to 
become  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  so  in  company  with  some  relatives  he 
crossed  the  Atlantic,  locating  in  Princeton,  Bureau  county,  Illinois.  Upon  his 
arrival  there  he  obtained  employment  as  a  farm  hand  with  which  occupation  he 
continued  to  be  identified  for  a  year,  .\mbitious  and  thrifty  he  carefully  saved 
his  earnings  in  order  to  buy  a  farm,  so  that  he  was  able  when  he  came  to  Powe- 


HISTORY  UF  I'OWESHIEK  COUNTY  427 

shiek  county  the  following  year  to  jnirchase  forty  acres  of  land  in  Sheridan 
township.  Later  he  added  to  this  another  eighty  acres  on  section  33,  thus  in- 
creasing his  holdings  to  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  in  the  cultivatitm  of 
which  he  engaged  until  the  18th  of  Octoher.  1888,  at  which  time  he  passed  away. 

Air.  Rehberg  was  united  in  marriage  on  the  27th  of  March,  1858,  to  Miss 
Susan  Harmon,  a  native  of  Crawford  county,  Missouri,  who  was  born  on  the 
27th  of  September,  1841.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Frances  (Powers) 
Harmon,  who  migrated  to  Iowa  in  1854,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Sheridan  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county.  There  the  father  passed  away  on  the  20th  of  March, 
1881 ;  the  mother,  however,  survived  him  until  the  i8tli  of  March,  1905.  Six 
children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Airs.  Rehberg,  four  of  whom  are  surviving 
as  follows:  Mary,  the  wife  of  .-Vugust  Schroeder,  a  retired  farmer  residing  in 
Grinnell,  and  with  whom  Airs.  Rehberg  now  makes  her  home ;  Fred,  an  agri- 
culturist of  Sheridan  township ;  Clarence,  a  farmer  residing  in  Siou.x  county, 
Iowa ;  and  Henry,  a  farmer  of  Grinnell  township.  Those  deceased  are :  Nettie, 
the  wife  of  Henry  Baustian,  a  farmer  of  Sheridan  township;  and  John,  who 
passed  away  at  the  age  of  ten  months. 

Air.  Rehberg  affiliated  with  the  German  Lutheran  church  of  Alalcom  town- 
ship, and  his  wife  with  the  Alethodist  Episcopal  church  of  Grinnell.  In  ])olitics 
he  was  a  Jeffersonian  democrat,  but  not  being  an  office  seeker  he  never  actively 
participated  in  civil  affairs,  and  fraternally  he  was  identified  with  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows  of  Brooklyn.  Air.  Rehberg  possessed  the  dnnii- 
nant  characteristics  of  the  Teuton,  energy  and  thrift,  by  means  of  which  he  at- 
tained a  ])osition  which  entitled  him  to  the  respect  which  was  accorded  him  by 
the  community. 


BEN'J.\AriX  W.  GRIER. 

Benjamin  W.  Grier,  an  enterjirising  young  resident  of  Poweshiek  county,  is 
the  well  known  and  popular  cashier  of  the  Savings  Rank  at  Hartwick,  His 
birth  occurred  on  the  old  family  homestead  in  Lincoln  township,  this  county,  on 
the  2 1  St  of  July,  1883,  his  parents  being  Benton  and  Alary  J.  (Sanders)  Grier. 
both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio.  Benton  Grier  was  born  in  Guernsey  county 
on  the  14th  of  July,  1842,  but  was  reared  and  educated  in  Coshocton  county, 
Ohio.  When  twenty-one  years  of  age  he  came  to  Iowa  with  his  father  and  for 
two  vears  thereafter  continued  to  remain  at  home,  assisting  in  the  operation 
of  the  farm  in  Lincoln  township.  In  1865  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on 
section  ^^  from  his  brother  Reuben,  the  papers  being  signed  on  the  loth  of  Jan- 
uary. The  further  cultivation  and  improvement  of  that  property  claimed  his 
attention  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  demise  occurring  in  1890. 
Both  he  and  his  wife  were  devoted  and  consistent  members  of  the  United  Pres- 
byterian church.     Their  union  was  blessed  with  seven  children. 

Benjamin  W.  Grier  attended  the  common  schools  in  the  acquirement  of  an 
education  and  also  pursued  a  course  of  study  in  the  Capital  City  Commercial 
College  at  Des  Aloincs.     .After  putting  aside  his  text-br)oks  he  entered  the  State 


428  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Bank  at  Deep  River,  being  enii^loyed  in  a  clerical  capacity  for  three  years.  In 
1908  he  became  cashier  of  the  Savings  Bank  at  Hartwick  and  has  since  dis- 
charged the  duties  devolving  upon  him  in  that  connection  in  a  most  commenda- 
ble and  efficient  manner. 

On  the  2ist  of  September,  1909,  Mr.  Grier  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Jennie  L.  Hakeman,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mary  Hakeman.  Her  father, 
a  retired  agriculturist,  now  makes  his  home  at  Hartwick.  Unto  our  subject  and 
his  wife  has  been  born  one  child,  Mildred  Thelma. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  Mr.  Grier  has  sup- 
ported the  men  and  measures  of  the  repubhcan  party,  believing  that  its  princi- 
ples are  most  conducive  to  good  government.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated 
by  his  membership  in  the  Congregational  church  at  Hartwick.  Air.  Grier  has 
already  won  a  gratifying  measure  of  success  for  one  of  his  years  and  his  many 
friends  believe  that  a  bright   future  lies  before  him. 


WESLEY  ALEXANDER  I'ALMER. 

One  of  the  native  farmers  of  Alalcom  township  who  has  advanced  steadily 
with  the  progress  of  the  times  is  Wesley  Alexander  Palmer.  He  was  born 
on  the  farm  on  which  he  how  resides,  March  16,  1868,  a  son  of  Alexander  F. 
and  Sarah  T-  (Milliman)  Palmer.  His  parents  were  born  in  Tompkins  county, 
New  York,  the  father  on  the  21st  of  August,  1825,  and  the  mother  on  the  loth 
of  October.  1829.  They  were  there  married,  after  which  they  went  to  Ohio, 
where  they  resided  for  four  or  five  years.  In  1855  Mr.  Palmer  came  to  Pow- 
eshiek county,  Iowa,  which  made  so  favorable  an  impression  upon  him  as  a 
place  for  location  that  he  brought  his  family  here  the  next  year,  establishing 
their  home  first  in  Pleasant  township.  There  he  entered  land,  which  he  later  sold. 
and  in  i860  came  to  Malcom  township,  purchasing  the  farm  upon  which  our 
subject  now  resides.  Here  he  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  until  1894,  when 
he  retired  from  active  life,  taking  up  his  abode  in  Malcom.  Later  he  sold  one 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  the  homestead  to  his  son  Wesley  Alexantler  Pal- 
mer, but  still  retains  the  ownership  of  forty  acres  in  this  township.  In  early 
life,  ere  leaving  New  York,  he  had  engaged  in  teaching  school.  During  the 
lifetime  of  the  greenback  party  he  had  supported  that  organization,  but  later 
gave  his  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  still 
living,  having  reached  a  ripe  old  age,  and  are  loyal  and  faithful  members  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Their  family  of  nine  children  include  the  fol- 
lowing: Hiram  M.,  of  Oregon;  Ellis  M.,  also  of  that  state;  Flora  E.,  who 
married  F.  G.  Benefield,  and  ])assed  away  in  1910;  John  H.,  a  traveling  man: 
Eva  J.,  the  widow  of  L.  P.  Lewis,  and  now  residing  with  her  parents;  Mary  J., 
the  wife  of  the  Rev.  D.  C.  Bevan,  of  Oregon  :  .\lmira,  who  wedded  J.  S.  Stoaks, 
of  Grinnell  township  ;  Ruth  Adel,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  ten  years  ;  and 
Wesley   Alexander,  of  this  review. 

I'pon  the  old  homestead,  which  has  ever  remained  his  place  of  residence, 
our  subject  passeil  the  jieriod  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  and  in  the  schools  of 


?v  ! 


■  ORK 

■;rv  ! 


MU.  A.\l>   .Mi;S.   W.   A.    I'Al.MKK    AM>   .SU.N 


riLL>iiN 


'OUNOa 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  433 

the  neighborhood  acquired  a  good  common  school  education.  Upon  his  gradu- 
ation he  began  teaching  school  and  was  engaged  in  that  profession  for  seven 
winters,  live  of  which  were  devoted  to  teaching  in  his  home  school  and  two 
in  a  school  two  miles  south,  in  Pleasant  township.  He  proved  himself  a  cap- 
able instructor,  clearly  and  readily  imparting  to  others  the  knowledge  which 
he  had  himself  ac(|uired,  and  his  services  in  educational  fields  in  Poweshiek 
county  were  highly  satisfactory. 

Sr.bse(|uently  lie  withdrew  from  that  profession,  however,  thinking  to  find 
nil  ire  congenial  and  remunerative  labor  in  agricultural  lines,  and,  purchasing  one 
hundred  and  fortv  acres  of  the  homestead  farm  from  his  father,  has  since 
given  his  attention  to  farming  interests.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  on  section  31,  Malcom  tcnvnship,  where  he  carries  on  general 
farming  and  stock-raising,  and  in  both  branches  he  is  proving  successful,  his 
close  application  to  business  interests,  his  wise  management  of  his  affairs  and 
his  |)rogressive  methods  proving  resultant  forces  in  the  acquirement  of  a  goodly 
prosperity. 

On  the  7th  of  June,  1894.  Mr.  Palmer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Luna 
r.elle  Wheeler,  who  was  born  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  on  the  15th  of  April, 
1866.  In  1874  she  came  to  Poweshiek  county  with  her  parents,  W.  W.  and 
Sarah  lane  (  Keller)  Wheeler,  natives  of  Vermont  and  Ohio  respectively.  The 
mother  is  now  deceased  but  the  father  su^^res  and  now  makes  his  home  in 
Erie.  Kansas.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paln>ei*-  has  been  born  one  child.  Arlo 
Wheeler,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  28th  of  December,  1895,  and  who  is  now 
in  his  sophomore  year  at  the  Malcom  high  school. 

Mr.  Palmer  holds  membershij)  in  the  Methodist -Episcopal  church  of  Malcom 
and  in  politics  is  an  independent  democrat,  supporting  the  men  and  measures 
of  the  democratic  party  in  national  elections,  but  when  casting  a  local  ballot 
voting  for  the  best  men  and  most  desirable  measures.  He  has  not  taken  any 
]iart  in  public  afifairs,  however,  but  is  nevertheless  highly  regarded  as  a  man  and 
citizen,  at  all  times  being  guided  by  sound  judginent  and  honorable  principles. 
Having  passed  his  entire  life  in  this  community  he  has  won  for  himself  a  circle 
of  friends  which  is  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  his  acquaintanceship, 
possessing  those  qualities  which  at  once  command  respect,  confidence  and  good 


JACOB  F.  JONES. 


One  of  the  highly  regarded  and  capable  agriculturists  of  Madison  township 
is  lacob  F.  Jones,  who  is  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  two  hundred  acres  of 
land  on  sections  17  and  20. 

He  was  born  in  the  homestead  upon  which  he  now  resides  on  the  22d  of 
February,  1856.  a  son  of  Uriah  and  Elizabeth  (Boyle)  Jones,  the  father  of 
Irish  and  the  mother  of  German  descent.  Uriah  Jones,  who  was  a  carpenter  and 
fanner,  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  nth  of  April,  1813. 
In  his  earlv  manhood  he  migrated  to  \'irginia.  where  he  resided  for  a  short 
time,  then   went   to  Clinton    county,    Indiana,   and  there   he  met   the   lady   who 

Vol.  U— JI 


434  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

subsequently  became  his  wife.  Mrs.  Jones  was  a  native  of  \"irginia,  her  birth 
having  occurred  in  Tazewell  county  on  the  8th  of  July,  1819.  They  began  their 
domestic  life  in  Indiana,  continuing  to  reside  there  until  185 1,  at  which  time 
they  removed  to  Illinois,  locating  on  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Peoria.  In  1852 
they  came  to  Iowa,  residing  for  a  year  on  a  farm  near  Mount  \'ernon,  Linn 
county.  They  then  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  where  Mr.  Jones  entered  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  government  land  which  he  cleared  and  improved. 
He  later  added  to  his  tract  another  forty  acres  which  adjoined  it  on  the  north. 
Mr.  Jones  was  the  first  white  settler  in  Madison  township  and  his  son,  Jacob 
P.,  was  the  second  white  child  born  there.  He  continued  to  engage  in  the  culti- 
vation of  his  farm  until  his  demise,  which  occurred  on  the  3d  of  April,  1894. 
Mrs.  Jones  survived  him  until  the  24th  of  October,  1910,  making  her  home  with 
her  son  after  her  husband  passed  away. 

After  the  completion  of  his  education,  in  the  acquirement  of  which  he  at- 
tended the  public  schools,  Jacob  F.  Jones  gave  his  entire  time  and  attention  to 
the  cultivation  of  the  homestead  under  the  supervision  of  his  father.  After  the 
latter's  death  he  rented  the  land  from  the  estate,  continuing  its  operation  until 
the  division  of  the  property  subsequent  to  the  death  of  his  mother.  Having 
spent  his  entire  life  on  the  place  he  desired  to  retain  possession  of  it  and  so 
purchased  the  interest  of  the  other  heirs.  In  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  the 
fields,  which  are  sowed  almost  entirely  in  grains,  he  breeds  and  raises  a  higli 
grade  of  stock  and  feeds  hogs  for  the  market.  Fifty  acres  of  the  land  is  in 
natural  timber  but  the  remainder,  which  is  well  drained,  rolling  prairie,  is  under 
cultivation. 

Mr.  Jones  was  married  on  the  24th  of  December,  1876,  to  Miss  Eva  I.  Sher- 
win,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Abi  (  Kimball )  .Sherwin.  The  father,  who  was 
a  farmer  and  miller,  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Virginia,  on  the  26th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1814,  but  the  mother  was  a  daughter  of  New  England,  her  birth  having 
occurred  in  Vermont  in  181 5.  They  first  migrated  to  Wisconsin,  coming  from 
there  to  Madison  township,  Poweshiek  county,  where  they  resided  for  many 
years.  Later  they  went  to  Pulaski  county,  Missouri,  and  there  the  father  passed 
away  on  the  28th  of  October,  1896.  He  had  survived  Mrs.  Sherwin  for  many 
years,  her  death  having  occurred  on  the  15th  of  June,  1888,  while  they  were  re- 
siding at  Dysart,  Tama  county.  Of  the  ten  children  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jones  but  seven  are  living:  Harlan  S..  a  farmer  of  ]\Iadison  township,  who  mar- 
ried Miss  Mary  Tezar  and  has  two  children  :  Warren  H.,  a  clerk  of  the  court  of 
Tama  county,  who  married  Zae  Cannon,  of  Toledo,  Iowa  ;  Daisy,  who  married 
S.  M.  Littrell,  a  farmer  of  Nemaha,  Nebraska,  and  who  has  one  child ;  Frank 
C,  a  dealer  in  automobiles  in  Toledo,  Iowa ;  Lester  L.,  who  is  at  home :  Anna, 
a  music  teacher,  living  at  home ;  and  Dorothy,  who  is  also  at  home.  Of  the 
three  who  are  deceased  two  died  in  infancy  and  the  other  was  a  son,  Clifton  S.. 
who  was  crushed  to  death  by  an  engine  in  the  roundhouse  at  Marshalltown, 
Towa,  when  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Jones  has  always  prominently  participated  in  local  political  activities, 
giving  his  support  to  the  candidates  of  the  democratic  party.  He  was  president 
of  the  school  board  of  Madison  township  for  ten  years  and  director  in  district 
No.  4  for  ten  years,  while  he  served  for  two  terms  in  both  tlie  oflfices  of  justice 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  485 

of  the  peace  ami  constable.  Although  not  a  member  of  any  church  he  attends 
the  services  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal,  with  which  Mrs.  Jones  is  affiliated. 
A  man  of  high  principles  and  sound  integrity  Mr.  Jones'  motives  are  ever  actu- 
ated by  worthy  i)urposes  which  govern  his  every  relation  in  life,  both  public 
and  private. 


THOiMAS  P.  SCOTT. 


Thomas  P.  Scott,  now  deceased,  was  at  the  time  of  his  death  numbered 
among  the  extensive  landowners  of  Poweshiek  county.  He  was  one  of  Scot- 
land's native  sons,  his  birth  occurring  in  New  Castleton,  in  October,  1839,  and 
was  the  only  child  of  William  and  Isabelle  Scott,  lifelong  residents  of  that  coun- 
try. He  spent  the  first  seventeen  years  of  his  life  in  the  land  of  hills  and 
heather,  and  then,  as  a  poor  boy,  came  to  the  United  States,  taking  up  his  abode 
in  Illinois  with  an  uncle.  There  he  remained  until  his  marriage  in  1869,  when 
he  started  for  Iowa,  establishing  his  home  on  a  farm  about  four  miles  north- 
west of  Brooklyn,  in  Poweshiek  county,  which  he  had  purchased  before  he  left 
Illinoi.s. 

This  farm,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  remained  his  home 
throughout  his  active  business  life,  and  constituted  the  nucleus  of  the  large  [)rop- 
erty  holdings  which  were  later  his.  He  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pur- 
suits and  throughout  his  active  career  manifested  the  sturdy  Scotch  elements 
of  industry,  perseverance  and  thrift,  qualities  which  proved  salient  forces  in  the 
acquirement  of  a  success  which  eventually  made  it  possible  for  him  to  withdraw 
from  active  labor  and  seek  the  comforts  and  conveniences  of  city  life.  From 
time  to  time  as  he  prospered  he  had  wisely  invested  in  more  land,  until  at  the 
time  of  his  retirement  he  was  the  owner  of  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of 
valuable  land,  all  lying  in  one  body.  About  1900  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Brook- 
lyn and  later  purchased  two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  so  that  at  the  time  of  his 
demise  he  was  the  owner  of  over  seven  hundred  acres  of  excellent  farm  land 
all  highly  improved  and  developed,  thus  constituting  him  one  of  the  substantial 
landowners  of  his  part  of  Poweshiek  county.  Less  than  a  year  after  his  retire- 
ment, however,  he  was  called  to  his  final  rest,  his  death  occurring  on  the  5th  of 
February,   1901,  at  which  time  his  property  was  divided  among  his  children. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  1869,  Mr.  Scott  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Jane 
Douglass,  who  was  born  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  July  2,  1840,  and  about  1850 
came  with  her  parents  to  the  United  States,  landing  at  Boston.  The  family 
home  was  first  established  in  Vermont,  where  they  resided  for  about  six  years, 
when  they  made  their  way  west  to  Stark  county,  Illinois,  where  the  father  passed 
away  in  1868.  Later  the  mother  resided  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs. 
Scott,  where  her  death  occurred.  In  their  family  were  three  sons  who  served 
in  the  Civil  war.  Of  this  number  John  resides  in  Poweshiek  county,  .-\ndrew 
in  Mitchell,  Nebraska,  and  William,  in  Quincy,  Illinois.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Scott  were  born  four  children,  as  follows:  Helen,  the  wife  of  Robert  Moore,  a 
farmer  of  Bear  Creek  township ;  Catharine  M.,  who  married  John  A.  Lang,  of 


436  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Grinnell ;  Albert  \\'.,  also  carrying  on  general  agriculture  in  this  township  ;  and 
Sadie  E.,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years.  Since  the  death  of  the 
daughter,  which  occurred  in  1896.  a  niece.  Rose  Douglass,  has  made  her  home 
with  .Mrs.    Scott. 

hi  his  religious  belief  Air.  Sco.tt  was  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
and  politically  he  gave  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  although  he  never 
sought  nor  desired  office  as  a  reward  for  party  fealty.  He  preferred  to  devote 
his  entire  time  and  attention  to  the  conduct  of  his  private  affairs,  and  to  his 
close  attention  to  his  interests  is  due,  doubtless,  the  high  degree  of  prosperity 
which  he  attained  in  agricultural  lines.  He  well  deserved  the  proud  American 
title  of  a  self-made  man,  for  he  came  to  this  coimtry  a  poor  lad,  with  no  especial 
advantages  to  assist  him  in  the  outset  of  his  career.  He  early  recognized,  how- 
ever, that  success  in  life  must  be  purchased  at  the  price  of  earnest,  well  defined 
labor,  and  as  the  years  passed  by  his  record  was  one  of  indefatigable  effort  and 
unfaltering  perseverance,  guided  by  a  sturdy  common  sense  which  is  a  birth- 
rig-ht  of  the  Scottish  race. 


ELIAS    L.    I  AMES. 


Elias  L.  James,  who  has  been  successfully  identified  with  the  commercial 
activities  of  Searsboro  for  the  past  eight  years,  was  born  in  L'nion  township, 
Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  on  the  12th  of  December,  18(0. 

Mr.  James  is  a  son  of  Henry  1!.  and  Mary  Ann  ( Stilwell )  James,  both  na- 
tives of  Indiana.  The  father  migrated  to  Poweshiek  county  with  his  parents 
and  here  his  father,  Thomas  James,  filed  on  some  government  land  which  he 
improved  and  cultivated  until  his  demise.  Mr.  James  also  engaged  in  agricul- 
tural pursuits  for  a  time  but  the  last  thirty  years  of  his  active  career  were  de- 
voted to  carpenter  work  and  contracting  in  Carroll  county,  Iowa.  He  is  now 
living  retired  in  Xebraska,  Mrs.  James  having  passed  away  in  Searsboro  in 
January,  1909.  Politically  he  is  a  democrat  and  in  matters  religious  he  affiliates 
with  the  Baptist  church,  of  which  his  wife  was  also  a  member.  Unto  the  union 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  were  born  four  children,  of  whom  the  son  Elias  L.  is 
the  eldest,  the  others  according  to  the  order  of  birth  being  as  follows:  Mathilda, 
who  is  the  wife  of  Hanley  llurbank,  of  Nebraska:  Margaret,  deceased:  and 
Susan,  w'ho  married  Leed  De  .^ecor,  both  of  wlmm  are  engaged  as  missionaries 
in  Central  .America. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Elias  L.  James  w-ere  spent  on  the  old  homestead 
of  his  grandfather  in  Sugar  Creek  townshi]i,  while  he  ])ursue<l  his  education  in 
the  district  schools  of  the  vicinity.  He  early  became  famili-ar  with  the  best 
methods  of  tilling  the  fields  and  caring  for  the  cmps.  having  from  his  childhood 
been  accustomed  to  assisting  with  the  work  of  the  homestead.  .After  complet- 
ing his  education  he  continued  to  follow  agricultural  jiursuits,  finally  purchas- 
ing the  old  homestead,  which  he  cultivated  for  about  six  years.  Disposing  of  it 
at  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  removed  to  -Searsboro.  In  1903  he  opened 
a  meat  market,  which  he  conducted  for  four  years  and  then  sold  and  went  into 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  437 

the  general  merchandise  business,  with  which  he  continues  to  be  identified.  The 
business  is  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  James  &  Company.  .Mrs.  lames 
being  a  silent  partner. 

On  the  29th  of  July,  1879,  Mr.  James  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Min- 
erva English,  a  daughter  of  John  and  May  (Stanley)  English,  residents  of  Su- 
gar Creek  township.  Of  this  union  there  have  been  born  five  children  :  Elias, 
who  is  deceased:  Ona,  the  wife  of  John  Davis,  of  Sugar  Creek  township;  Inez, 
deceased:  Ruby,  the  wife  of  Howard  Davis,  of  Searsboro :  and  Fay,  who  is  at 
home. 

His  political  su])i)ort  Mr.  James  accords  the  ])rohibition  party,  thus  voicing 
his  opinion  on  the  temperance  question,  and  in  matters  religious  he  and  his  wife 
affiliate  with  the  Society  of  Friends.  In  matters  of  citizenship  he  is  progressive 
but  never  prominently  participates  in  governmental  matters,  always  having  pre- 
ferred to  give  his  undivided  attention  to  the  development  of  his  personal  in- 
terests. 


ROBERT   WYLIE,   Jr. 


A  well  im])rovcd  and  highly  cultivated  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres, 
located  on  section  9,  Bear  Creek  township,  is  the  property  of  Robert  Wylie,  jr., 
who  is  one  of  the  enterprising  young  farmers  of  Poweshiek  county. 

He  was  born  in  Belfast,  Ireland,  March  12,  1877,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Mary 
(McMullen)  Wylie,  and  was  a  lad  of  five  years  of  age  when  he  was  brought 
to  the  new  world  by  his  parents.  Landing  in  Xew  York  city  they  at  once  made 
their  way  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  establishing  their  home  upon  a  farm  in 
Jefferson  tow^nship,  eight  miles  northeast  of  Brooklyn.  In  the  old  country  the 
father  had  been  a  day  laborer  and  had  also  worked  on  the  ship  docks,  but  since 
coming  to  Iowa  he  has  engaged  in  farming.  For  the  first  year  after  his  arrival 
here  he  worked  for  his  brother  John,  and  during  the  succeeding  two  years 
worked  for  his  sister.  Mrs.  Agnes  Mcllrath,  in  Jeft"erson  township.  As  time 
passed  and  he  prospered  in  his  undertakings,  he  accumulated  a  sum  of  money 
that  enabled  him  to  ])urchase  a  farm  in  Jefferson  township,  which  is  better 
known  as  the  M.  Calderwood  property,  and  today  he  is  giving  his  time  and  at- 
tention to  the  further  development  and  improvement  of  this  place. 

Robert  Wylie  ac(|uired  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  Poweshiek 
county  and  assisted  his  father  in  his  farm  work  until  he  had  attained  his  ma- 
jority. At  that  period  in  his  life  he  started  upon  an  independent  business  ven- 
ture, renting  land  from  his  father,  and  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty- 
six  years  he  had  saved  a  sufficient  sum  of  money  to  permit  him  to  farm  on  a 
larger  scale  and  he  accordingly  operated  rented  land  in  Bear  Creek  township 
for  three  years.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on 
section  9,  Bear  Creek  township,  and  has  here  since  made  his  home  with  the 
exception  of  the  year  1910,  when  he  lived  in  Brooklyn,  during  which  time  he 
was  having  extensive  improvements  made  upon  his  place.  He  has  a  fine  modern 
country  home,  substantial  outbuildings  and  all  equipments  for  the  successful 
conduct  of  his  farm.     He  has  tiled  his  fields  and  there  is  no  waste  land,  all  be- 


438  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

ing  cultivated  with  the  exception  of  six  acres,  which  are  covered  with  timber. 
He  carries  on  general  farming  and  raises  and  feeds  cattle  and  hogs,  which  he 
sells  to  shippers.  He  also  raises  much  small  fruit,  devoting  one  and  a  half  acres 
to  this  purpose.  Closely  adhering  to  a  systematic  rule  of  crop  rotation  a  close 
study  is  made  of  the  adaptability  of  certain  crops  to  certain  soils,  and  that  he 
has  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  work  which  he  follows  is  indicated  in  the 
splendid  appearance  of  his  farm  property. 

Mr.  Wylie  was  united  in  marriage,  November  25,  1903,  to  Miss  Ethel  Ja- 
cobs. She  is  a  daughter  of  Thomas  Franklin  and  Emma  (  Hogue)  Jacobs,  the 
former  a  native  of  \'irginia  and  of  Irish  descent,  while  the  latter  was  of  Ger- 
man descent.  The  father  located  in  Iowa  in  1837,  purchasing  a  farm  of  eighty 
acres  in  Deep  River  township,  Poweshiek  county.  He  lived  there  for  forty 
years,  in  the  meantime  adding  two  hundred  acres  to  his  original  holdings.  He 
eventually  sold  his  farm  and  moved  to  a  place  two  miles  east  of  Grinnell,  but 
later  took  up  his  abode  near  Rowan,  in  Wright  county,  this  state,  where  he 
still  follows  fanning.  His  wife  died  in  Montezuma,  Iowa.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wylie  have  four  little  daughters:  Naomi,  Ruth,  Fern  and  Thelma,  aged  re- 
spectfully six,  five,  three  and  one  year. 

Mr.  Wylie  is  a  stanch  advocate  of  the  re]Hiblican  party  and  both  he  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Brooklyn.  They  are  people 
of  sterling  worth  and  enjoy  the  high  regard  of  a  wide  circle  of  friends  and 
acquaintances. 


WILLIAM  ELMER  STECHER. 

One  of  the  enterprising  and  highly  successful  agriculturists  of  Sheridan 
township  is  William  Elmer  Stecher,  who  owns  an  excellent  farm  of  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  acres  on  section  30. 

Me  is  a  native  of  Poweshiek  county,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  a  farm 
one  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Grinnell  on  the  20th  of  May,  if^jJ.  and  is  a  son 
of  Otto  and  Helen  (Sherman-Peck)  Stecher.  The  father  was  born  in  Ger- 
many, from  which  country  he  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1855,  locating 
in  r.ureau  county.  Illinois,  in  the  vicinity  of  Princeton.  In  iSCio  he  removed  to 
Poweshiek  county,  where  he  farmed  as  a  renter  for  sixteen  years,  during  which 
time  he  saved  sufficient  capital  to  enable  him  to  purchase  fortv  acres  of  land 
in  Sheridan  township.  Later  he  bought  another  eighty  acres  but  subsequently 
sold  both  farms,  following  which  he  again  rented  land  for  several  years,  then 
bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  28,  where  he  ha.s  ever  since  con- 
tinued to  reside.  The  mother  passed  away  at  the  family  hdUiesteail  in  Sheridan 
township  on   the  28th  of   September,   1895. 

Reared  at  home  William  Elmer  Stecher  acquired  his  educatiim  in  the  district 
sciiools  of  his  native  county,  which  he  continued  to  attend  until  he  felt  C|ualified 
to  assume  the  heavier  responsibilities  of  life.  His  vacations  and  such  times  as 
he  was  not  engaged  with  his  studies  was  always  devoted  to  assisting  his  father 
in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm,  and  he  hail  thus  acquired  a  ver\'  tliorough  knowl- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESIIIKK  COUNTY  439 

edge  "f  agricultural  uiethnds  when  he  left  .schonl.  lie  ix'inaiiieil  a  member  of 
the  jiaternal  lioiisehold  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age,  at  the  expiration 
oi  which  ])erio(l  he  had  accumulated  the  necessary  means  to  enable  hyn  to  begin 
his  career,  so  he  rented  twn  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  on  section  30, 
Sheridan  township.  .After  cultivating  this  property  four  years  he  [nirchased  it, 
and  has  ever  since  continued  to  make  it  his  home.  The  land  is  all  well  drained 
and  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  while  the  im])rovements  are  in  good  condition. 
Mr.  Stecher  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  feeding  annually  a 
carKiad  of  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  Chicago  market.  He  is  an  indefatigable 
worker  and  judicious  manager,  giving  his  fields  the  careful  supervision  that 
brings  full  and  abundant  harvests  and  which  always  command  a  good  price. 

(Jn  the  14th  of  l-'ebruary,  lyoo,  Mr.  Stecher  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Ida  Schmidt,  a  daughter  of  .\dam  and  L.aura  (  P'rankenhausen  )  Schmidt,  her 
natal  day  being  the  27th  of  November,  1881.  Mr.  Schmidt,  who  was  born  in 
(lermany,  December  27,  1838.  emigrated  to  the  L'nitecl  States  with  his  parents 
when  a  youth  of  sixteen  years,  locating  in  the  vicinity  of  Sheffield,  Illinois, 
lie  migrated  fn_)ni  Illinois  to  Poweshiek  county,  settling  in  Sheridan  township, 
where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand  for  two  years.  Subsequently  he  bought  a 
good  farm,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  was  engaged  during  the  remainder  of 
his  active  career.  He  passed  away  at  the  home  of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Zella  Mat- 
zen,  of  Chester  township,  on  tlie  15th  of  August,  1905.  Mrs.  Schmidt  was  born 
in  Ottawa,  Illinois,  in  1860,  and  in  1881  she  was  married  to  Mr.  Schmidt.  She 
only  lived  to  be  thirty-eight  years  of  age,  her  demise  occurring  on  the  28th  of 
January,  1898.  One  child  has  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stecher:  Hazel, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  the  15th  of  August,  1901,  and  who  is  a  ])upil  of  dis- 
trict Xo.  9  school,  Sheridan  township. 

Airs.  Stecher  and  daughter  are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church 
of  Malcom  township,  and  politically  Mr.  Stecher  is  affiliated  with  the  republi- 
can party.  He  takes  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  local  afTairs  and  for  the 
past  six  years  has  been  serving  as  treasurer  of  school  board  district  No.  9, 
Sheridan  township.  Mr.  Stecher  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  representative  and 
substantial  farmers  of  the  township  in  which  he  has  resided  for  so  many  years, 
and  where  both  he  and  his  wife  are  highly  regarded. 


CHARLEY  O.  HARMAN. 

The  farm  in  Madison  township  on  which  Charley  O.  Harman  makes  his 
home  has  always  been  his  place  of  residence,  for  here  he  was  born  on  the  23d 
of  .\pril.  1881,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Julia  A.  (Boyle)  Harman,  the  former  born 
in  Mont.gomery  county.  Illinois,  October  11,  1839,  and  the  latter  in  Crawfords- 
ville  Indiana.  Deceml)er  14,  1848.  From  the  time  of  the  father's  return  from 
the  (_'ivil  war  until  four  years  ago  he  followed  farming  in  Madison  township 
on  the  place  on  which  our  subject  now  resides.  He  is  now  living  retired  in 
Brooklyn  but  the  mother  is  deceased,  her  death  occurring  on  the  21st  of  March, 


440  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

1910.  More  extended  mention  of  the  parents  is  made  in  connection  with  the 
sketch  of  Roland  O.   Harman,  printed  elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

Charley,  O.  Harman  was  reared  in  the  usual  manner  of  farm  lads,  his  time 
and  attention  (hu'ing  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  being  devoted  to  the 
various  duties  of  the  home  farm  such  as  the  work  of  plowing,  planting  and  har- 
vesting. When  his  services  could  be  spared  on  the  farm  he  attended  district 
school  No.  4  and  there  received  the  eilucation  that  fitted  him  to  face  the  re- 
sponsibilities of  life.  In  n;o8  he  rented  the  homestead  farm  on  section  ig,  .Mad- 
ison township,  and  is  here  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  deal- 
ing in  the  better  grades  of  cattle,  horses  and  hogs. 

Mr.  Harman  was  married  on  the  14th  of  June,  1903,  to  ?iliss  Margaret  Mavo, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Jane  (Milligan)  Mayo.  The  father  was  born  in  ling- 
land,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  Kirkcu<lbright,  Scotland.  They  emigrated 
to  America  in  their  childhood  da\s,  he  at  the  age  of  eleven  years  and  she  at  the 
age  of  fourteen  years.  The  two  families  located  in  Illinois  and  it  was  in  that 
state  that  ]\lr.  and  Mrs.  Mayo  were  married,  after  which  they  removed  io  Tama 
county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  was  engaged  in  farming  until  his  death.  The 
w'ife  and  mother  had  previous!}'  passed  away.  They  were  the  paients  of  seven 
children,  but  only  four  are  now  living:  Edward,  who  follows  farming  in  Tama 
county;  James,  also  a  farmer  of  that  county;  Bessie,  the  wife  of  Charles  Bach- 
man,  a  farmer  residing  near  Rockford,  Illinois;  and  Margaret,  now  Mrs.  Har- 
man. 

Mr.  Harman  gives  his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party,  while  his 
religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.  He  belongs  to  that  class  ot  representative 
young  men  who  rapidly  discern  opportunities  of  improvement  and  who  are 
rapidly  forging  to  the  front,  and  no  doubt  the  future  holds  for  him  abundant 
success  and  prosperity. 


JOHN  BUTT. 


One  of  Poweshiek  county's  former  agriculturists  whose  intelligently  and 
capably  directed  eliforts  now  enables  him  to  live  in  retirement  is  John  Butt,  who 
was  born  in  Lewis  county,  \'irginia,  on  the  3d  of  September.  1839.  He  is  the 
eldest  son  of  William  and  Susan  (Rigger)  Butt,  also  natives  of  Lewis  county. 
The  parents  came  to  Iowa  in  1841,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Van  Buren  county,  in 
the  cultivation  of  which  William  Butt  engaged  for  ten  years.  At  the  expiration 
of  that  period  he  disposed  of  his  property  and  removed  to  Poweshiek  county. 
He  purchased  a  farm  in  Union  township,  upon  which  he  settled  in  1851,  continu- 
ing to  engage  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  until  his  retirement  to  Oska- 
loosa  and  later  to  New  Sharon,  Mahaska  county,  where  he  was  residing  at  the 
time  of  his  demise.  The  mother  jiassed  away  in  \'an  Buren  county,  this  state. 
in  1847.  They  were  the  parents  of  the  following  children:  John,  our  subject; 
Mathilda,  who  is  deceased ;  and  Henry,  a  resident  of  Republic  county,  Kansas. 
The  family   always   worshiped   with   the   Methodist    l'4)iscopaI   denomination,   of 


.TOnX  BUTT 


Li- 


Hi^°l\o^'- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  443 

which  church  the  parents  were  members  of  man}-  years  standing.  iMr.  Butt  al- 
ways cast  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  democratic  candidates  and  at  one  time 
served  as  constable. 

Being  but  a  lad  of  twelve  years  when  his  father  removed  to  Union  tuwnshi]), 
the  greater  portion  of  the  education  of  John  Butt  was  acquired  in  the  district 
schools  of  Poweshiek  county.  He  remained  a  member  of  the  paternal  house- 
hold until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age,  assisting  in  the  cultivation  of  the  home 
farm.  In  i860  he  purchased  his  present  home,  which  contains  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  in  Union  township,  and  there  he  continues  to  reside  although  he  has 
retired  from  active  farming.  Mr.  Butt  always  devoted  the  greater  part  of  liis  at- 
tention to  stock-raising,  making  a  specialty  of  the  breeding  and  raising  of  thor- 
oughbred Duroc  Jersey  hogs.  During  the  long  period  of  his  residence  on  this 
farm  he  has  wrought  many  improvements,  having  erected  some  very  fine  build- 
ings which  are  always  kept  repaired,  and  as  a  result  he  owns  one  of  the  very  valu- 
able properties  of  the  township. 

In  April,  i8fx).  Mr.  Butt  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Julia  Farmer,  a 
daughter  of  Henry  L.  and  Diantha  L.  (Sears)  Farmer.  The  father  was  a 
native  of  X'irginia  and  the  mother  of  New  York  state,  but  for  a  time  the_\'  resided 
in  Indiana,  of  which  state  Mrs.  Butt  is  a  native,  removing  from  there  to  Iowa. 
They  located  in  Poweshiek  county  in  pioneer  days,  settling  ou  a  farm  in  Pleasant 
township,  which  Mr.  Farmer  operated  for  many  years.  Both  parents  are  now 
deceased.  The\'  were  members  of  the  United  lirethren  church,  of  which  de- 
nomination the  father  was  a  local  preaclrei'!",«!\''h']l^- -in  politics  he  was  a  repub- 
lican. Four  children  were  burn  unto  Mr.  arrfl^Mrs."  Butt,  liut  two,  Diantha  and 
Homer,  are  deceased.  Those  surviving  are:  Henry,  wbo  is  living  at  home;  and 
Anthony,  who  is  a  resident  of  Union  township.  ,  Mr.  Butt  also  has  four  grand- 
children :  Orval,  Earl,  Hugh  and  Mildred,-  who  are  the  sons  and  daughter  of 
Anthony  Butt.  In  1890  Mrs.  Butt  passed  away  and  he  subsequently  married  Mrs. 
Harriet  .M.  Farmer,  a  daughter  of  Shockley  Bryant  and  the  widow  of  Abner 
Farmer. 

Mr.  Butt  has  always  exercised  his  right  of  franchise  in  spport  of  the  candi- 
dates of  the  democratic  party  and  has  several  times  served  as  school  director. 
He  has  lived  beyond  the  alloted  three  score  years  and  ten  and  has  spent  the 
greater  portion  of  his  life  in  Union  township,  among  whose  citizens  he  num- 
bers many  strong  friends. 


FRED  C.  SCHULTZ. 


Fred  C.  Schultz,  successfully  engaged  in  farming  in  Malcom  township,  Powe- 
shiek county,  was  born  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  on  the  i8th  oi  August  1859, 
a  son  of  J.  J.  and  Mary  I  Piel)  Schultz.  In  the  fall  of  1864  when  a  little  lad  of 
five  years,  he  came  with  his  jjarents  to  Poweshiek  county,  and  within  the  bord- 
ers of  Malcom  township  he  has  since  made  his  home.  He  continued  to  give  his 
father  the  liencfit  of  his  assistance  imtil  his  marriage,  in  1881.  when  he  began 
farming  independently,   jiurchasing  his  jiresent   place  of  eiglity  acres  on  section 


444  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

12.  He  also  rents  two  hundred  acres  which  he  operates  in  connection  with  his 
lioine  farm,  and  in  addition  to  general  agricultural  pursuits  he  is  engaged  in 
feeding  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  market.  His  eii'orts  in  both  branches  have  been 
most  successful  for  he  has  followed  practical,  progressive  methods,  and  has 
ever  been  actuated  by  unfaltering  industry  and  untiring  perseverance. 

In  1881  Mr.  Schultz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ida  Eisele.  who  is  also 
a  native  of  I'.ureau  county,  Illinois,  her  birth  occurring  there  in  1862.  In  early 
life  she  came  to  Poweshiek  county  with  her  parents,  Andrew  and  Phillipina 
Eisele,  of  whom  extended  mention  is  made  under  the  caption  of  J.  F.  Eisele. 
By  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Schultz  she  became  the  mother  of  four  children,  namely: 
Ellen,  the  wife  of  L.  C.  Tedimann,  of  Malcom  township;  Anna,  who  married 
John  Lideke,  also  of  this  township;  Mabel,  the  wife  of  John  Stecher,  now  mak- 
ing their  home  with  Mr.  Schultz ;  and  Clara,  still  at  home. 

In  politics  Mr.  Schultz  is  allied  with  that  independent  movement  which  does 
not  permit  itself  to  be  bounil  by  party  ties,  supporting  the  men  and  measures 
which  in  his  opinion  are  best  adapted  to  conserve  the  public  welfare.  He  has 
held  some  minor  township  offices  but  is  not  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  ofifice 
seeking.  He  prefers  rather  to  devote  his  time  and  attention  to  private  interests, 
and  as  a  stockholder  in  the  Poweshiek  County  Central  Fair  Association  and  the 
Grinnell  Fair  Association  has  done  much  to  stimulate  the  interest  of  his  fellow- 
men  in  all  that  tends  to  promote  progress  in  agricultural  and  kindred  lines. 


JOHN  A.  FLOOK. 


For  over  forty-four  years  John  A.  Flook,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  Grin- 
nell. has  been  a  resident  of  Poweshiek  county.  He  was  born  in  Ontario,  Can- 
ada, on  the  15th  of  February,  1845,  and  is  a  son  of  Hugh  and  Elizabeth  (Good- 
fellow)  Flook,  natives  of  Belfast,  Ireland  and  Scotland  respectively.  The 
father,  who  emigrated  to  America  in  1810,  settled  upon  a  farm  in  Canada,  but 
in  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  his  land  during  the  early  days  of  his  residence 
he  worked  upon  the  canal.  The  parents,  who  were  married  in  Canada,  spent 
their  latter  (la\s  upon  their  homestead,  where  the  mother  passed  away  in  1851, 
but  the  father  survived  her  for  some  years.  They  were  both  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  church,  in  the  faith  of  which  denomination  they  reared  their 
family. 

lohn  A.  Flook  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
country,  following  which  he  engaged  in  farm  work  until  the  spring  of  1865,  at 
which  time  he  migrated  to  the  United  States.  He  first  located  in  Scott  coimty. 
where  he  resided  for  two  years  and  then  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  settling 
on  a  farm  in  Madison  township,  north  of  Brooklyn.  Here  he  engaged  in  gen- 
eral farming  and  stock-raising  for  twenty-five  years,  and  then  removed  to  Grin- 
nell w  here,  in  connection  with  a  Mr.  Goodfellow,  he  opened  a  meat  market  which 
they  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Goodfellow  &  Flook  for  ten  years.  Mr. 
Flook,  who  is  now  living  retired,  enjoying  the  ease  and  comfort  which  is  the 
reward  of  his  earlv  vears  of   toil   and   sclf-ilenial.  has  met   with   success  in  his 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  445 

various  ventures  anil  now  owns,  in  addition  In  his  property  in  town,  three  hun- 
(hx'd  and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  Chester  township,  which  he  rents. 

While  still  residing  in  Scott  county  Mr.  Mook  was  unitc<l  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Catharine  llrownlie  on  the  31st  of  Octoher,  1867.  Her  parents  were 
James  and  Retchie  (Walker)  Drownlic,  natives  of  Scotland.  'J"he  father,  who 
was  horn  on  the  10th  of  December,  1810,  emigrated  to  America  when  very 
young,  locating  in  Canada.  In  1831  he  was  married  at  Smith's  Falls,  Ontario, 
to  Miss  Walker,  and  for  five  years  they  continued  to  reside  in  Canada.  With 
two  of  his  brothers  Mr.  Brownlie  subsequently  came  to  the  United  States, 
locating  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  where  they  took  up  government  land  in  1836. 
Mr.  r.rownlie  was  a  lay  preacher  and  for  forty  years  he  ministered  to  the  spir- 
itual needs  of  the  people  in  the  vicinity  of  his  homestead,  in  addition  to  operat- 
ing his  farm.  Mrs.  I'.rownlie,  who  for  twenty  years  prior  to  her  death  had  been 
a  cripple,  passed  away  on  the  old  homestead  in  Scott  county  on  the  20th  of  De- 
cember, 1889.  She  was  a  woman  of  rare  strength  and  beauty  of  character,  who 
had  greatly  endeared  herself  to  those  among  whom  she  had  lived  for  so  many 
years.  Mr.  Brownlie  survived  her  for  four  years,  his  demise  occurring  at  the 
venerable  age  of  eighty-seven  years,  his  natal  day  having  been  the  26th  of  May, 
1807.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church,  and  his  po- 
litical support  he  had  always  given  the  republican  party.  He  possessed  a  fine 
mind  and  was  liberal  in  his  views  and  had  always  been  a  warm  friend  of  the 
colored  race. 

Mrs.  Flook  ac(iuireil  her  education  in  the  common  schools  of  Long  Grove, 
Scott  county,  a  village  about  twelve  miles  from  Davenport,  which  was  founded 
by  the  Brownlie  family.  After  the  completion  of  her  education  she  remained 
at  home  until  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Flook.  They  were  the  parents  of  one  child : 
Carrie  E.,  who  was  educated  at  Grinnell  College  and  married  A.  D.  Talbott,  a 
druggist  of  Grinnell;  they  also  adopted  a  daughter:  Ruth  Calderwood.  Mrs. 
Flook  passed  away  in  Davenport  on  the  31st  of  October,  1909.  She  was  highly 
regarded  by  all  who  knew  her,  and  had  by  her  judgment  and  advice  ever  been 
of  great  assistance  to  her  husband  in  the  conduct  of  his  business. 

Mr.  Flook,  who  has  passed  his  sixty-sixth  anniversary,  has  spent  the  greater 
part  of  his  life  in  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  is  well  known  and  esteemed  as  a 
friend  and  citizen.  His  religious  faith  is  manifested  by  his  membership  in  the 
Christian  church,   with   which  denomination  his  wife  was  also  affiliated. 


JAMES  MADISON  POWELL. 

James  Madison  Powell,  who  has  been  identified  with  various  activities  in 
Searsboro  and  is  now  conducting  a  grocery  store,  was  born  in  Clarion  county, 
Pennsylvania,  on  the  nth  of  February.  1837. 

His  parents  were  James  and  Sarah  (Turner)  Powell,  the  father  a  native 
of  Greene  county,  New  York,  and  the  mother  of  Armstrong  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. Mr.  Powell,  who  w-as  a  farmer,  removed  to  Pennsylvania  from  New 
York  in  his  early  manhood,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Clarion  countv.     He  engaged 


446  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

in  the  cultivation  of  this  until  1851.  when  he  came  west  and  located  in  Musca- 
tine county,  Iowa.  Here  he  also  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  l)ut  at  the 
end  of  five  years  he  removed  to  Poweshiek  county,  purchasing  a  farm  in 
Sugar  Creek  township  which  he  operated  until  alx)ut  1864.  He  disposed  of  his  hold- 
ings at  that  time  and  went  to  Illinois.  There  he  remained  for  a  time  and  then 
came  back  to  Poweshiek  county,  spending  the  last  fifteen  vears  of  his  life  in 
the  home  of  his  son,  James  Madison.  Mrs.  Powell  passed  away  while  the  family 
was  living  in  Clarion  county,  Pennsylvania.  In  [lolitics  Mr.  Powell  was  a  dem- 
ocrat and  his  church  affiliation  was  the  Baptist.  Of  the  seven  children  born 
unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Powell  all  are  deceased  with  the  exception  of  the  son  James 
Madison,  who  is  our  subject.  The  others  were  as  follows:  William  T..  Eliza 
Jane,  Susanna,  Hiram  Mc,  Silas  and  Mary  Ann. 

The  greater  portion  of  the  education  of  James  Madison  Powell,  the  young- 
est son  and  sixth  member  of  the  family  in  order  of  birth,  was  obtained  in  the 
common  schools  of  his  native  state,  .\fter  the  family  located  in  Iowa  his 
former  course  was  supplemented  by  two  terms  in  the  schools  of  Poweshiek 
county.  After  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  remained  with  his  father  for  an- 
other year,  assisting  in  the  cultivation  of  the  homestead.  .\t  the  expiration  of 
that  period  he  went  to  I'ort  Scott,  Kansas,  where  he  remained  for  two  years, 
engaged  in  Iniying  and  selling  horses  to  the  Indians.  Returning  to  Poweshiek 
countv  he  followed  agricultural  pursuits  until  1862.  when  he  enlisted  as  a  private 
in  Company  B.  Fortieth  Iowa  \olunteer  Infantry,  where  he  served  for  three 
years,  being  mustered  out  at  the  close  of  hostilities  at  l-"ort  Cibson.  After  re- 
ceiving his  discharge  he  again  returned  to  Poweshiek  county  where  he  again 
engaged  in  general  farming.  .At  the  end  of  three  years  he  went  to  Lynnville, 
Ja.sper  comity,  Iowa,  and  engaged  in  the  livery  business  until  1872.  In  the 
latter  year  he  again  took  up  his  residence  in  Poweshiek  county  and  erected  a 
hotel  and  livery  barn  in  Searsboro,  which  he  ran  for  several  years.  Disposing 
of  this  he  purchased  the  grocery  store  which  he  continues   to  conduct. 

Mr.  Powell  was  married  on  the  loth  of  June,  i860,  to  Miss  Rachel  Bur- 
rows, a  daughter  of  Roland  and  Caroline  (Carpenter)  Burrows,  residents  of 
Sugar  Creek  township.  Poweshiek  county,  at  that  time.  The  father  migrated 
to  Iowa  with  his  family  from  Indianapolis,  Indiana,  locating  on  an  eighty  acre 
tract  in  Sugar  Creek  township.  He  cultivated  his  farm  while  working  at  the 
carpenter  trade,  continuing  to  follow  the  two  vocations  diuMng  the  greater  part 
of  his  active  career.  Both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away  on  the  homestead.  In 
politics  Air.  Burrows  was  a  republican  and  served  for  a  time  as  justice  of  the 
peace,  while  both  he  and  his  wife  held  membership  in  the  Christian  church. 
Mrs.  Powell  is  a  native  of  Indiana,  as  were  also  her  parents,  her  birth  having 
occurred  in  the  town  of  Mooresville  in  October,  1840. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Powell  have  been  born  eight  children:  .\nderson  C, 
who  is  deceased  ;  .Anna  L.,  the  wife  of  Alfred  Ewart,  of  Poweshiek  coimty, 
Iowa :  Nellie,  who  married  John  Stroud,  of  Des  Moines.  Iowa :  James  H..  of 
Searsboro,  Iowa;  Roland,  Carrie  and  Harry,  all  of  whom  are  deceased:  and 
Tuni  Wyoma,  who  is  a  resident  of   Searsboro. 

Mr.  Powell  votes  with  the  republicans  and  has  served  both  as  marshal  and 
constable,  as   well   as  having  filled  some  of  the  minor  township  offices.     Fra- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  447 

ternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  liulepeiuleiit  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  he 
maintains  relations  with  his  old  comrades  of  the  held  by  means  of  his  mem- 
bership in  tile  G.  A.  R.,  being  identified  with  the  Oskaloosa  post.  In  matters 
religious  he  and  his  wife  are  connected  with  the  Society  of  Friends.  He  is  one 
of  the  well  known  citizens  of  Sugar  Creek  township,  who  in  all  of  his  relations 
of  life  has  ever  as  fearlessly  championed  the  cause  of  right  in  times  of  peace 
as  on  the  battle  fields  of  the  south. 


SA.ML'EL  EARL  I'.RL'SIl. 

The  attractiveness  of  Iowa  as  a  place  of  residence  is  intlicated  by  the  fact 
that  many  of  her  native  sons  have  remained  within  her  borders,  believing  that 
her  advantages  and  o]3portunities  are  e(|ual  if  not  superior  to  those  to  be  secured 
in  other  parts  of  the  country.  Samuel  Earl  Brush  was  born  in  Madison  town- 
ship. Poweshiek  county,  on  the  31st  of  August,  1869,  a  son  of  Thomas  P.  and 
Sarah  (Polley-Wray)  Brush,  Ijoth  natives  of  New  York.  The  father  came  to 
Iowa  with  his  parents  during  his  early  childhood,  the  family  home  being  lo- 
cated on  a  farm  in  the  northeast  part  of  Iowa,  and  there  he  resided  until  1867, 
when  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county.  During  his  active  life  he  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  as  a  vocation,  but  in  1904  retired  from  the  work  of  the 
farm  and  now  makes  his  home  in  Brooklyn.  His  wife  passed  away  in  that 
city  in  1908. 

Samuel  Earl  Brush  is  indebted  to  the  common  school  system  of  Madison 
township  for  the  educational  advantages  which  he  enjoyed  during  the  period  of 
his  boyhood,  and  he  received  a  thorough  practical  training  under  the  direction 
of  his  father,  who  early  assigned  to  him  tasks  about  the  home  farm  which  in- 
creased in  importance  and  numbers  with  the  growing  years  and  strength  of 
the  lad.  He  remained  under  the  jiarental  roof,  giving  his  father  the  benefit  of 
his  assistance,  until  twent\-two  years  of  age,  when  he  was  married  and  started 
out  as  an  independent  farmer,  wisely  choosing  as  a  life  work  the  occupation  to 
which  he  had  been  reared.  For  about  three  years  he  rented  the  old  homestead, 
consisting  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Madison  tow-nship,  and  then 
purchased  his  present  home,  a  tract  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  section 
13,  liear  Creek  townshij).  just  west  of  the  village  of  Brooklyn. 

He  at  once  took  up  his  abode  thereon  and  has  since  continued  to  make  it  the 
scene  of  his  activities.  It  is  one  of  the  well  improved  and  valuable  properties 
of  the  township,  equipped  with  all  modern  conveniences  for  facilitating  farm 
labor,  and  its  neat  appearance  is  a  monument  to  a  life  of  industry,  enter()rise, 
progressiveness  and  thrift  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Brush.  Aside  from  tilling  the 
soil  he  also  engages  to  some  extent  in  stock-raising,  making  a  specialty  of  breed- 
ing good  horses.  He  is  now  the  ow-ner  of  a  fine  Shire  stallion  named  Richard 
Thumper,  and  also  has  a  pair  of  fine  imported  Shire  mares,  one  of  which  won 
first  prize  at  the  Chicago  Horse  Show  in  1908  as  a  two-year  old.  The  excel- 
lence of  his  stock  is  recognized  throughout  Poweshiek  county  and  he  is  num- 
bered among  the  most  prominent  and  substantial  business  men  of  his  section. 


448  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

On  the  28th  of  September,  1892,  Mr.  Brush  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Florence  Tracy,  a  daughter  of  Wallace  and  Alalinda  (Speese)  Tracy.  The 
maternal  grandparents  of  Mrs.  Brush,  Samuel  and  Lydia  (Rank)  Speese,  were 
both  jjorn  in  Union  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  were  of  German  descent.  The 
latter,  an  undertaker  by  trade,  later  took  up  the  occupation  of  farming  and, 
coming  west  in  1866,  located  at  White  Pigeon,  Michigan,  where  he  purchased 
a  tract  of  land.  There  he  and  his  wife  remained  until  their  death,  the  former 
passing  away  in  1904  and  the  latter  in  1901.  Wallace  Tracy,  the  father  of 
Mrs.  Brush,  was  born  in  New  York,  and  was  a  car  repairer  bv  trade.  He  was 
residing  in  Tama,  Tama  county,  Iowa,  when  he  met  death  about  twenty-nine 
years  ago,  being  accidentally  killed  while  repairing  an  engine.  After  his  demise 
his  widow  remained  at  Tama  for  a  time  and  then,  on  the  nth  of  Mav,  1885, 
was  again  married,  her  second  union  being  with  Joseph  \\'ilkinson,  a  well 
known  farmer  of  Madison  township,  where  both  are  now  residing,  making 
their  home  on  a  farm  on  section  3,  where  Mr.  Wilkinson  has  lived  continuously 
since  1865. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brush  are  the  parents  of  three  children,  namely:  Bernice, 
who  resides  at  home  and  attends  the  Brooklyn  high  school ;  Charles,  aged  eleven 
years ;  and  Marian,  eight  years  of  age,  the  two  latter  attending  the  Brooklyn 
public  school.  Mrs.  Brush  and  her  eldest  daughter  are  members  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church  of  Brooklyn,  and  she  also  holds  membership  in  the 
Rebekah  lodge  of   Brooklyn. 

Mr.  Brush's  fraternal  relations  are  wath  Brooklyn  Lodge,  No.  112,  I.  O.  O. 
F.,  while  in  politics  he  votes  for  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party. 
He  has  never  had  time  nor  inclination  to  seek  for  public  office,  preferring  to 
concentrate  his  energies  upon  his  private  interests,  and  he  is  a  careful,  prudent 
business  man  whose  honorable  and  upright  methods  and  well  directed  efforts 
are  meeting  with  merited  success.  He  is  known  throughout  the  district  in  which 
he  lives  as  a  breeder  of  fine  horses  and  is  recognized  as  one  whose  labors  have 
been  effective   forces  in  upholding  the  high  standard  of  stock  in  this  county. 


THOMPSON  MILLER. 


The  success  which  now  enables  Thompson  Miller  to  live  retired  in  Brooklyn 
is  due  entirely  to  his  own  efforts  along  agricultural  lines.  Pie  was  born  in  Rock- 
ingham county,  Virginia,  December  27,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  John  and  Rebecca 
(Shaw)  Miller.  The  parents  were  born,  reared  and  married  in  the  same  county, 
and  the  mother  passed  away  in  the  Old  Dominion  when  sixty-eight  years  of  age. 
Subsequently  the  father  came  to  Poweshiek  county  with  his  son  Thompson,  and 
four  years  later  his  death  occurred,  when  he  was  seventy-five  years  old.  Their 
family  consisted  of  thirteen  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  review  was 
the  youngest,  and  of  this  number  eleven  reached  mature  years. 

No  event  of  especial  importance  came  to  vary  the  routine  of  life  for  Thomp- 
son Miller  during  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  which  was  passed  in  the 
state  of  his  nativity,  where  he  acquired  his  education   in  the  common  schools 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'Xl^'  449 

near  liis  father's  home.  On  attaining  man's  estate,  however,  he  was  attracted 
toward  the  ojiixirtunities  of  the  rajiidly  growing  west,  and  in  1875  he  came  to 
Iowa,  locating  first  on  a  farm  northeast  of  lirooklyn.  Later  he  purchased  a 
farm  northwest  of  Brooklyn,  in  Madison  township,  and  for  a  third  of  a  century 
he  was  busily  engaged  in  the  development  and  cultivation  of  that  property.  He 
engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  and  in  both  branches  success  was 
continuous  and  substantial,  owing  to  the  progressive  methods  which  he  pursued 
and  the  spirit  of  industry,  enterprise  and  perseverance  which  actuated  him  in  the 
conduct  of  his  affairs.  As  the  years  passed  and  he  prospered  he  became  the 
owner  of  three  hundred  and  sixty-eight  acres,  all  in  one  body,  forty  acres  of 
which  are  located  in  Sheridan  township,  the  remainder  lying  on  sections  18  and 
19,  Madison  township,  which  property  is  still  in  his  possession  and  is  a  highly 
improved  place.  The  e.xtent  of  his  success  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  in  1908 
he  was  able  to  withdraw  from  active  life  and  in  that  year  he  took  up  his  resi- 
dence in  Brooklyn,  making  his  home  in  a  modern,  up-to-date  house  which  also 
belongs  to  him. 

Mr.  Miller  was  married,  December  24,  1868,  while  still  a  resident  of  Vir- 
ginia, to  Miss  Sarah  Driver,  who  was  born  in  Rockingham  county,  Virginia, 
December  28,  1845,  and  by  her  marriage  to  Mr.  Miller  became  the  mother  of 
eleven  children,  namely :  Rebecca,  at  home ;  John,  residing  in  Sheridan  township ; 
Samuel,  also  of  Sheridan  township ;  Harvey,  residing  in  Stuart,  Iowa ;  Charles, 
deceased,  who  was  killed  by  lightning  in  November,  1909,  leaving  a  widow  and 
three  children  ;  Mary,  at  home ;  Maggie,  of  Des  IMoines ;  Jesse,  operating  his 
father's  farm  in  Madison  township ;  Earl,  farming  in  partnership  with  Jesse : 
and  Ira  and  Grace,  at  home.  All  of  the  children  with  the  exception  of  the  four 
eldest  were  born  in   Poweshiek  county. 

Mr.  Miller  and  his  family  hold  membership  in  the  Brethren  church  and  are 
well  known  to  a  large  circle  of  warm  friends  in  I^rooklyn  and  its  vicinity.  He 
is  a  republican  in  politics,  deeming  that  the  platform  of  that  party  is  best  con- 
ducive to  good  government,  and  for  six  years  filled  the  office  of  townshi]) 
trustee.  The  success  which  is  his  today  has  been  worthily  won  along  legitimate 
lines  and  in  every  relation  of  life,  whether  private  or  public,  the  principles  which 
have  governed  his  actions  have  commended  him  to  the  respect,  confidence  and 
good  will  of  his  fellowmen. 


FRED  E.  REHBERG. 


A  well  tilled  farm  of  eighty  acres  on  section  28  in  Sheridan  township  pays 
tribute  to  the  agricultural  ability  of  Fred  E.  Rehberg,  who  has  been  engaged  in 
its  cultivation    for  nine   years. 

He  is  a  native  of  this  county,  having  been  born  on  the  old  homestead  in 
Sheridan  township  on  the  loth  of  December,  1862,  a  son  of  John  and  Susan 
(Harmon)  Rehberg.  The  father,  who  was  born  and  reared  in  Germany,  came 
to  the  United  States  in  the  early  '50s,  settling  upon  a  farm  in  Sheridan  township, 
in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  engaged  until  his  demise  in  1891.     Mrs.  Rehberg 


-IDO  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

is  a  native  of  Missouri,  from  which  state  she  migrated  to  Iowa  with  her  parents, 
who  were  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Poweshiek  count)-.  I'oUowing  the 
death  of  her  husband,  Mrs.  Rehberg  continued  to  reside  with  her  children  upon 
the  old  homestead  until  1908,  at  which  time  she  removed  to  Grinnell  to  live 
with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  August  Schroeder. 

The  early  years  of  Fred  E.  Rehberg's  life  were  very  similar  to  those  of  the 
majoritv  of  lads  reared  upon  a  farm.  He  acquired  hi.s  education  in  the  district 
schools  of  this  county,  giving  his  father  such  assistance  as  he  could  in  the  cul- 
tivation of  the  farm  during  vacations  and  when  he  could  be  spared  from  his 
studies.  After  he  had  obtained  such  knowledge  as  he  felt  to  be  essential  in  his 
vocation,  which  he  had  decided  should  be  that  of  an  agriculturist,  he  with- 
drew from  school  and  engaged  in  farming  with  his  father.  Following  the  lat- 
ter's  death  he  remained  with  his  mother,  cultivating  the  homestead  until  his 
marriage,  subsequently  renting  from  her  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on 
section  33,  which  he  operated  in  connection  with  eighty  acres,  just  south  of 
his  present  home  which  he  had  inherited.  After  farming  as  a  renter  for  six 
years  he  purchased  eighty  acres  on  section  28,  u\Mm  which  he  has  lived  con- 
tinuously ever  since. 

On  the  29th  of  April,  1896,  Mr.  Rehberg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
lohanna  Hanssen,  a  daughter  of  P.  J.  and  Wiebke  (  Stoldt )  Hanssen,  who  were 
at  that  time  residents  of  Malconi  township.  Three  children  have  been  born  of 
this  union:  Harry  Edward,  who  was  born  on  the  ist  of  April,  1898;  Nonie 
Wiebke,  born  on  the  7th  of  May,  1901  :  and  Stella  Leona.  born  on  the  6th  of 
November,  1905.  The  two  elder  children  were  born  on  the  old  homestead 
where  the  father's  birth  occurred. 

His  political  support  Mr.  Rehberg  has  always  accorded  the  candidates 
of  the  democratic  party.  He  takes  an  active  interest  in  township  affairs,  and 
for  six  years  has  been  a  member  of  the  board  of  school  directors  of  district  No. 
8,  which  is  the  one  his  children  attend.  Always  having  lived  in  the  immediate 
vicinity  of  his  present  home  he  is  well  known  and  has  many  friends,  among 
the  closest  of  whom  are  included  some  of  the  comrades  of  his  boyhood. 


JOHN  L.  WHELAN. 


.\n  agriculturist  whose  capably  directed  efforts  have  won  him  recognition 
as  one  of  the  affluent  citizens  of  Madison  township  is  John  1..  Whelan,  whose 
I)eautiful  homestead.  "  Four  Flms."  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  ])roperties  of  the 
countv. 

He  was  born  in  Walworth  county,  \\'isconsin,  on  the  2d  of  .March,  1853, 
a  son  of  Joseph  P.  and  Catharine  (  Fuller )  Whelan.  The  father,  who  was  also 
a  farmer,  was  born  in  Oneida  coumy.  New  >'ork,  on  the  jlh  of  November,  1827, 
and  was  a  son  of  Eri  Whelan.  a  native  of  \'ermont  but  of  Irish  extraction. 
When  a  lad  of  ten  vears  Joseph  P.  Whelan  removed  with  his  parents  to  Len- 
away  countv,  Michigan,  where  he  resided  for  seven  years.  At  the  expiration 
of   that  period   he   went   to  Wisconsin   and   there   he   met    the   lady    who   subse- 


r 


Font    KI.M    I'AKM 


JOIIX   L.  WIIEI.AN   AND   FA.MILY 


j  THE  NEW  YOFiK 

■'"■■'■■' LIBRARY 


*STOR,  LENOX 
TILDEN  FOUND' 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  45a 

qiiently  became  his  wife.  Mi>.  Wliclan  was  a  native  of  Vermont,  her  birtii 
occurring  in  Windsor  county  on  the  22(1  of  June,  1831.  but  wlien  a  girl  of 
tiftoen  years  she  removed  with  iier  parents  to  Wisconsin.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whelan 
l)c^an  their  domestic  Hfe  in  Wisconsin,  but  in  1867  they  went  to  Tama,  Tama 
county  Iowa,  and  there  the  father,  who  was  a  laborer,  worked  for  one  year 
then  removed  to  Poweshiek  county.  Upon  his  arrival  here  he  rented  the 
.S])aulding  farm  in  Chester  township,  not  far  from  Grinnell,  continuing  to  cul- 
tivate it  for  ten  years.  In  1878  he  migrated  to  Minnesota,  where  he  bought 
a  farm  which  he  ojjerated  until  his  death  in  1880.  He  was  a  veteran  of  the 
t'ivil  war.  having  enlisted  in  Company  A,  Fourth  Regiment,  Wisconsin  \'ol- 
imtcer  Infantry,  in  June.  1862.  Mr.  Whelan,  who  was  then  living  at  White- 
water, Wi>consin,  >pent  two  years  in  the  service  as  a  member  of  the  army,  be- 
ing at  Xew  Orleans  under  tieneral  Butler.  He  was  discharged  on  account 
of  disability  and  returned  home,  where  he  remained  for  a  year  and  then  went 
to  Xashville.  Tennessee,  for  a  short  time.  After  the  death  of  her  husband 
.Mi's.   Wlielan   returned  to  Iowa  and  is  now  living  in   Schaller,  Sac  county. 

After  the  completion  of  his  education,  which  was  acquired  in  the  district 
schools,  John  L.  \Mielan  remained  at  home  assisting  his  father  in  the  culti- 
vation of  the  farm  until  the  latter's  demise.  Two  years  thereafter  he  returned 
to  Iowa,  locating  in  Ida  county,  where  he  farmed  as  a  renter  for  eleven  years, 
then  bought  a  quarter  section  which  he  operated  for  nine  years.  Disposing 
nf  his  land  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  buying  two 
hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in  Madison  township.  He  has  since  sold  eighty 
acres  of  this  but  still  retains  therr-^wwrnrter  .of  hisrqi'iginal  purchase,  which  is 
located  on  section  26.  Mr.  Wh^l|i^9aJUs '  |ii§- lli^rn'esiead  "Four  Elms"  from 
four  large  elms  which  stand  in  has^  fitiilt  yard!  '  "f  he  idea  of  so  calling  it  oc- 
curred to  him  after  he  had  read 'J.  G.  Holland's  story  of  "Seven  Oaks."  He 
and  his  son  cooperate  in  the  woSk  (j^^'tfie-  farm.  The  latter  also  breeds  and 
raises  registered  Shropshire  sheep,  A^^^il<;tl^e  father  makes  a  specialty  of  feed- 
ing cattle  and  hogs  for  the  market.  His  farm  is  one  of  the  very  valuable  prop- 
erties of  the  township,  the  land  all  being  under  cultivation,  thoroughly  tiled 
and  capably  supervised,  while  the  improvements  are  all  good  and  substantially 
constructed. 

On  the  2gth  of  September.  1886,  Mr.  WHielan  was  united  in  marriage  to 
.Mi>s  Josephine  Emerick,  a  daughter  of  Emanuel  and  Elizabeth  (Bodifield) 
Enierick,  natives  of  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  of  German  descent. 
The  parents  migrated  to  Iowa  in  1857,  locating  at  Carnsforth,  Warren  town- 
ship, this  county,  buying  some  land  on  which  the  village  of  Carnsworth  was 
later  established.  Mr.  Emerick,  who  was  a  blacksmith,  followed  his  trade  at 
various  places  near  Brooklyn,  doing  the  work  of  the  old  stage  drivers,  until 
1886,  when  he  went  to  Ida  county.  He  has  made  his  home  with  Mrs.  Whelan. 
with  whom  he  now  resides  at  the  venerable  age  of  eight-one  years,  ever  since 
iier  marriage.  Mrs.  Emerick  passed  away  in  Brooklyn  on  the  8th  of  September, 
1882.  Mr.  Emerick  belongs  to  a  long-lived  family.  He  had  twelve  brothers 
and  sisters  and  in  1907  ten  of  the  thirteen  members  of  their  family  were  liv- 
mg  at  an  average  age  of  seventy-three  years ;  nine  are  now  surviving  at  an 

average  age  of  seventy-seven  years.    Of  the  four  children  born  unto  :\Ir.  and  Mrs. 
Toi.  n— 2j 


454  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Whelan  but  one.  Ralph  L.,  is  now  surviving.  The  others  were  as  follows :  John 
Eri,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years  and  his  twin  who  died  in  infancy;  and 
Mary,  who  was  born  on  the  13th  of  January.  1899.  and  died  on  the  23d  of 
April,    1906. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Whelan  are  identified  with  the  ^lethodist  Episcopal  church 
of  Brooklyn,  and  fraternally  he  is  affiliated  with  the  Masonic  order,  holding 
membership  in  Brooklyn  Lodge,  No.  174.  A.  I'.  &  A.  M.;  and  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Schaller,  Iowa,  and  also  the  Modern  Woodmen  of 
America  of  Brooklyn,  while  both  Air.  Whelan  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Order 
of  the  Eastern  Star,  with  membership  in  the  lodge  of  Brooklyn. 

His  political  support  Mr.  Whelan  accords  the  republican  party,  his  views 
coinciding  with  the  more  progressive  faction  of  that  body.  He  served  for  four 
terms  as  school  director  and  was  twice  elected  township  trustee  but  never  quali- 
fied for  the  office,  as  he  has  never  aspired  to  public  honors  or  the  emoluments 
of  office.  One  of  the  most  interesting  occurrences  in  the  life  of  Mr.  Whelan 
was  a  visit  to  Nashville,  Tennessee,  with  his  father  and  brother,  Leslie,  when 
a  lad  of  eleven  years.  They  were  in  the  city  at  the  time  General  Hood  at- 
tempted to  drive  General  Thomas  from  his  position  and  were  most  interested 
witnesses  of  the  battle.  Mr.  Whelan  has  ever  worked  earnestly  and  persistently, 
which  fact  has  made  him  one  of  the  successful  agricultural  representatives  of 
Poweshiek  county. 


HENRY  P.  BAUSTIAN. 

The  activities  of  Henry  P.  Baustian  have  always  been  concentrated  upon 
general  farming  and  stock-raising,  in  both  of  which  he  has  met  with  more  than 
average  success. 

He  was  born  in  Joliet,  Illinois,  on  the  29th  of  December,  1863.  a  son  of 
George  and  Elizabeth  ( Schmidt )  Baustian,  natives  of  Germany,  from  which 
country  they  emigrated  to  the  United  States,  locating  upon  a  farm  in  the  vicin- 
ity of  Joliet.  Later  they  migrated  to  Poweshiek  county,  settling  upon  a  farm 
north  of  Grinnell,  from  which  place  they  emigrated  to  .Sheridan  townshij),  where 
Mr.  Baustian  rented  eighty  acres  of  land  from  his  uncle,  Charles  Schultz.  In 
1880  he  bought  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  sections  29  and  t,2. 
Sheridan  township,  later  adding  to  this  another  eighty  acres,  upon  which  his 
son,  Joseph  W.  Baustian,  is  now  residing. 

The  education  of  Henry  P.  Baustian  was  obtained  in  the  district  schools  of 
Illinois  and  Iowa,  which  he  attended  until  he  had  ac(|uired  such  knowledge  as 
he  considered  necessary  to  enable  him  to  assume  the  heavier  responsibilities  of 
life,  at  which  time  he  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  He  remained  a  member 
of  the  paternal  household  until  he  was  twenty-five  years  of  age  and  then  left 
home  in  order  to  begin  his  career.  His  first  independent  venture  was  the  rent- 
ing of  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  acres  of  land  in  Malcom  township,  which 
he  cultivated  for  two  years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  time  he  removed  to  Jas- 
per county,  where  he  farmed  on  shares  for  two  years.    Returning  to  Poweshiek 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'XTV  455 

couniy  ill  iSi;i  he  ])urcliase(l  one  luindrecl  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  section  31, 
Sheridan  township,  upon  which  he  has  ever  since  continued  to  reside.  Although 
he  engages  in  general  farming  his  fields  are  almost  entirely  devoted  to  the  rais- 
ing of  corn  and  oats,  as  he  is  an  extensive  feeder  of  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  mar- 
ket. He  keeps  all  of  his  land,  which  is  thoroughly  drained,  under  cultivation, 
and  is  meeting  with  very  satisfactory  returns  from  his  ventures.  His  home- 
stead is  well  improved  and  thoroughly  cared  for,  everything  about  the  place 
suggesting  a  spirit  of  thrift  and  capable  supervision  of  details  which  bespeaks 
success  in  any  undertaking.  Mr.  Baustian  has  two  brothers,  George  and  Joseph 
\\^,  who  are  also  well  known  farmers  of  Sheridan  township. 

In  i8qo  Mr.  Baustian  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss'  Nettie  May  Rehberg, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Susan  (Harmon)  Rehberg,  residents  of  Sheridan  town- 
ship, where  Mr,  Rehberg  was  a  well  known  farmer  at  that  time.  Three  children 
have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baustian  :  Nora,  who  married  Fred  Lidka,  a 
farmer  of  Sheridan  township ;  Edna,  who  is  nineteen  years  of  ige  and  Sylvia, 
aged  sixteen  years.  The  two  latter  both  resicle  with  their  sister,  Mrs.  Lidka. 
Mrs.  Baustian  passed  away  on  the  19th  of  July,  1897,  after  a  week's  illness  with 
the  measles,  and  on  the  12th  of  'Slay.  1910,  Mr.  Baustian  and  Miss  Avis  How- 
ard were  married.  ^Irs.  Baustian  is  a  daughter  of  John  Henry  and  Nettie 
(Mintle)  Floward,  who  live  on  a  farm  adjoining  that  of  Mr.  Baustian.  Mr. 
Howard  was  born  in  Columbus,  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  on  the  14th  of  May, 
1853,  being  a  son  of  John  H.  and  Nancy  (Baker)  Howard,  natives  of  Holland. 
Nettie  B.  Mintle,  now  Mrs.  Howard,  was  a  daughter  of  P.  J.  and  Susan  (Max- 
well) Mintle,  the  father  a  native  of  Zanesville,  Ohio,  and  the  mother  of  Texas. 

Mr.  Baustian  is  a  member  of  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  358,  L  O.  O.  F.,  and  his 
wife  of  the  Rebekah  lodge  and  also  of  the  Congregational  church  of  Grinnell. 
Politically  Air.  I'.austian  affiliates  with  the  republican  party,  but  not  being  an 
aspirant  to  public  honors  or  the  emoluments  of  ofifice  he  does  not  ])rominently 
jiarticipate  in  civic  affairs.  He  is  well  regarded  in  the  community,  where  the 
greater  portion  of  his  life  has  been  spent,  and  both  he  and  Mrs.  Baustian  have 
hosts  of   friends  to  whom  they  extend   the  hospitalitv  of  their  home. 


ROLAND  O.  HARMAN. 

Roland  O.  Harinan  is  a  progressive  young  farmer  of  Madison  township 
operating  a  tract  of  land  comprising  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres.  He  is  a 
native  of  this  township  and  was  born  June  27.  1883,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Julia 
.\.  (Boyle)  Harman. 

The  father  was  born  in  Montgomery  county,  Illinois,  October  11,  1839,  and 
is  of  German  descent.  In  his  childhood  days  he  accompanied  his  parents  on 
their  removal  from  Illinois  to  Missouri  and  he  was  a  lad  of  fourteen  years 
when  they  removed  from  the  latter  state  to  I'oweshiek  county,  the  family  home 
being  established  on  a  farm  in  Sheridan  township.  He  was  reared  to  the  oc- 
cupation of  farming  and  remained  at  home  until  he  attained  maiuritv.  .\t  the 
time  the  Civil  War  was  inaugurated  he  offered  his  services  to  the  government 


456  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

and  went  to  the  front  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  Fourth  Jowa  Cavalry, 
which  he  joined  at  (irinnell.  He  (hcl  vahant  service  in  behalf  of  his  country  for 
four  years,  or  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  He  then  returned  to  his  home  in 
Poweshiek  county  and  on  the  25th  of  March.  1866.  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Julia  A.  lloyle,  their  weddi.ig  being  celebrated  at  the  home  of  her  father. 
Jonathan  Hoyle.  in  Jefferson  township.  She  was  born  in  Crawfordsville,  In- 
diana, December  14,  1848.  Following  their  marriage,  the  young  couple  took 
up  their  abode  upon  a  farm  which  he  had  previously  purchased,  this  tract  being 
located  on  section  ly,  Madison  township.  He  was  there  engaged  in  farming 
for  quite  a  long  period,  or  until  about  four  years  ago,  when  he  rented  his  land 
to  his  son  Charles,  and  he  is  now  living  retired  in  Brooklyn,  making  his  home 
with  a  daughter,  Mrs.  Bessie  B.  Kibbee.  The  wife  and  mother  departed  this  life 
March  21,   1910,  when  in  her  si.xty-second  year. 

Roland  O.  Harman  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Madison  township  and 
pursued  his  studies  in  district  school  No.  4,  that  township.  He  remained  on 
the  home  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  went  to  Rockford, 
Illinois,  and  for  one  year  was  employed  in  a  sugar  factory.  While  in  that  city 
he  was  married,  April  29,  1903,  to  Miss  Maude  Graham,  a  daughter  of  Merrick 
Graham,  a  well  known  farmer  of  Madison  township,  extended  mention  of  whom 
is  made  on  another  page  in  this  volume. 

Following  their  marriage  Mr.  Harman  worked  for  two  years  for  his  father- 
in-law,  and  then  for  three  years  rented  the  William  Pierson  farm  in  Madison 
township.  For  the  past  three  years,  however,  he  has  rented  the  place  on  which 
he  now  lives,  this  land  belonging  to  Nathaniel  Catherman,  and  comprising  one 
hundred  and  si.xtv  acres  on  section  16,  Aladison  township.  He  carries  on  gen- 
eral farming,  raising  the  various  cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate,  and  he 
also  raises  some  stock,  principally  hogs.  He  is  progressive  in  his  farm  work 
and  as  a  result  of  his  excellent  knowledge  of  the  best  methods  of  agriculture 
he  annually  gathers  good  harvests. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harman  lost  their  only  child  in  infancy,  its  death  occurring 
A])ril  17,  1906.  Mr.  Harman  is  a  re|niblican  in  his  political  views,  while  his 
religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
of  Madison  township.  His  wife  belongs  to  the  Fairview  Christian  church. 
They  are  young  people  of  respectability  and  worth  and  have  a  host  of  warm 
friends  in  their  home  locality. 


FLETCHER   JEREMIAH    .McCORM  ICK. 

There  is  no  record  which  the  American  citizen  holds  in  higher  honor  than  that 
of  the  man  whose  strength  of  character,  determination  of  purpose  and  inde- 
fatigable energy  have  enabled  him  to  work  his  way  upward  from  a  comparatively 
humble  position  to  one  of  affluence,  and  who  throughout  his  business  career  has 
followed  a  straightforward,  honorable  course  that  neither  seeks  nor  requires  dis- 
guise.   Such  has  been  the  history  of  F.  J.  McCorniick.  one  of  the  most  extensive 


fli:-iciii;k  .i.  Mccoumick 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  459 

stockdealcrs  of  ruwcshiek  couniy,  who  look  his  initial  step  in  the  business  world 
when  a  little  lad  of  about  eleven  years. 

He  was  born  in  Montezuma,  Iowa,  on  the  4th  of  November,  1859,  a  son  of 
James  and  iMary  A.  (  Polston )  McCormick.  The  parents  were  natives  of  Wheel- 
ing, West  \irginia.  where  the  father  was  born  on  the  9th  of  January,  1818,  and 
the  mother  on  the  22d  of  April,  1817.  They  came  to  Montezuma  in  1855,  ar- 
riving here  on  the  ist  of  April  with  their  family  of  three  children.  The  father 
engaged  in  various  kinds  of  work  and  was  especially  skillful  in  coal  mining, 
fence  building,  etc.  Through  his  industry,  enterprise  and  perseverance  along 
those  lines  he  finally  became  financially  independent,  owning  at  the  time  of  his 
death  twcj  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  land.  He  was  also  a  money  loaner  in 
later  life.  He  had  never  been  accorded  any  educational  advantages  and  was  in 
the  strictest  sense  of  the  word  a  "self-made  man."  He  and  his  wife  both  passed 
away  in  Montezuma,  Iowa,  the  former  on  the  28th  of  March,  1895,  and  the  latter 
im  the  23(1  of  November,  1884.  In  their  family  were  four  children,  of  whom  our 
subject  was  the  youngest  and  only  one  born  in  Iowa.  The  others  are:  Mary  A., 
the  wife  of  L.  H.  IJoydston,  of  Los  Angeles,  California;  Joseph  D.,  a  successful 
man  engaging  in  the  real-estate,  banking  and  general  merchandising  business  for 
many  years  in  Davenport,  Iowa,  where  his  death  occurred  on  the  3d  of  Septem- 
ber, 1910;  and  W.  H.,  engaged  in  mining  and  prospecting  at  Deadwood,  South 
Dakota. 

S])ending  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  Montezuma,  Fletcher  J. 
.McCormick  remained  with  his  mother  until  .-the  time  of  her  death,  although  for 
many  years  previously  he  had  been  engagtcl  in  farming  and  stock-raising.  In 
fact  his  first  step  in  the  business  world  was  taken  when  but  eleven  years  of  age 
and  he  has  been  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune.  'He'  began  as  a  boy  by  buying 
calves  and  naturally  he  gradually  drifted  into, the  live-stock  business,  expanding 
his  efforts  with  the  passing  years  until  he  is  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  largest 
stock-dealers  in  his  part  of  the  county.  With  the  exception  of  land  valued  at 
twenty-five  hundred  dollars,  which  he  received  from  his  father  after  he  had 
made  his  start  in  business,  all  that  is  his  today  has  been  acquired  through  his 
own  efforts,  and  no  man  more  richly  deserves  the  success  which  has  come  to  him 
than  does  Mr.  McCormick.  He  now  owns  four  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of 
land  in  addition,  to  which  he  operates  an  eighty  acre  tract  belonging  to  his 
brother,  and  also  rents  other  land  for  stock-feeding  purposes.  He  makes  his 
home  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  which  his  father  had  owned  and  which  has  been 
in  the  family  for  about  forty-five  years.  This  property  has  been  very  highly  de- 
\eloped,  all  of  the  modern  improvements  upon  it  being  due  to  the  enterprise  of 
.Mr.  McCormick.  It  is  well  tiled,  the  fields  are  protected  by  good,  heavy  fences 
and  it  is  equipped  with  all  of  the  necessary  buildings  for  the  successful  conduct 
of  an  extensive  stock-raising  enterprise.  .All  are  well  built  and  substantial  and  he 
has  two  of  the  best  hog  houses  in  the  state  of  Iowa,  built  of  concrete  and  cement 
blocks  and  sanitary  in  every  particular.  His  entire  attention  is  given  to  his  live 
stock  interests,  raising,  buying  and  feeding  cattle,  hogs  and  horses.  He  handles 
about  one  thousand  head  of  hogs  annually,  raising  four  or  five  hundred  of  this 
number  and  ])urchasing  the  rest.  In  recent  years  he  has  made  a  specialty  of 
raising  mules  and  horses  and  now  has  on  hand  about  sixty  head  of  mules,  while 


460  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

last  year  he  handled  one  hundred  head  of  horses  and  mules.  He  does  all  of  his 
own  shipping  and  is  thus  able  to  ship  his  stock  direct  to  the  markets  with  the 
minimum  expenditure  of  time  and  money,  for  some  time  ago  he  secured  a  ship- 
ping [joint  on  the  Iowa  Central  Railroad  at  Pratts  Siding.  He  applied  personally 
to  the  railroad  company  who,  in  recognition  of  the  large  amount  of  stock  which 
he  ships  annually,  supplied  him  with  the  side  tracks  which  he  desired. 

On  the  9th  of  February,  1888,  Air.  McCormick  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Ida  Blakely,  who  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  on  the  22d  of  April, 
1865.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Anna  (McRoberts)  Blakely,  with 
whom  she  came  to  Iowa  in  1868,  the  family  home  being  located  in  this  county 
about  four  miles  east  of  Montezuma.  Her  mother  has  passed  away  but  her 
father  survives,  making  his  home  in  Montezuma.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McCormick 
have  one  child.  James  Blakely  McCormick,  who  was  born  on  the  i6th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1890,  and  is  yet  at  home. 

Mr.  McCormick  is  a  loyal  and  substantial  supporter  of  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal church  and  assisted  in  the  building  of  the  church  edifice  at  Ewart,  Iowa. 
He  is  a  republican  in  politics  and  is  active  and  public-spirited  in  his  citizenship, 
his  eiiforts  being  potent  factors  in  community  affairs.  At  this  point  it  would 
be  almost  tautological  to  enter  into  any  series  of  statements  as  showing  Mr.  AIc- 
Cormick  to  be  a  man  of  unfaltering  enterprise,  keen  business  sagacity  and  un- 
questioned integrity,  for  these  have  been  shadowed  forth  between  the  lines  of 
this  review.  It  is  sufficient  to  say  that  he  has  recognized  his  opportunities  and 
has  utilized  them  to  the  best  advantage  so  that  today  he  has  reached  a  position 
of  affluence  in  the  business  world,  while  his  genuine  worth,  broad  mind  and 
public  spirit  have  won  a  foremost  place  for  him  among  the  valued  and  represen- 
tative citizens  of  Poweshiek  county. 


PETER  ALBERT  HANSSEN. 

Among  the  thrifty  and  highly  successful  agriculturists  of  Poweshiek  county 
must  be  numbered  Peter  Albert  Hanssen,  who  is  actively  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  stock-raising  in  Sheridan  township. 

Although  of  German  extraction,  as  his  name  would  indicate,  Mr.  Hanssen 
was  born  in  Davenport,  Iowa,  on  the  20th  of  December,  1867,  a  son  of  Peter 
Jacob  and  W'iebka  (Stoldt)  Hanssen,  natives  of  Schleswig-Holstein.  The 
father,  who  w^as  a  farmer,  emigrated  to  the  L'nited  States  in  1865,  locating  at 
\'alparaiso,  Indiana,  where  he  lived  for  one  year,  when  he  removed  to  Daven- 
port. During  the  first  two  years  of  his  residence  in  the  latter  place  he  was 
employed  in  a  sawmill  and  w-arehouse.  .At  the  expiration  nt  that  period,  how- 
ever, he  rented  eighty  acres  of  land  seven  miles  west  of  Daven])ort,  in  the 
cultivation  of  which  he  engaged  for  sixteen  years.  In  1885  Mr.  Hanssen  came 
to  Poweshiek  county  and  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  a 
mile  and  a  half  northeast  of  the  village  of  Malcom.  Here  he  resided,  engaging 
in  general  farming  for  ten  years.  He  then  retired  to  a  small  place  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  north  of  his  old  homestead,  where  he  and  Mrs.  Hanssen  continue  to 


HISTORY  Ol"   I'OWESHIEK  COUNTY  461 

make  their  home.  They  are  Imih  hale  and  hearty  and  the  income  of  their 
farm  and  the  competence  he  acquired  provides  them  with  the  ease  and  com- 
fort they  were  denied  (hiring  their  hard-working  youth. 

Being  reared  in  the  country  Peter  Albert  Hanssen,  of  this  review,  obtained 
iiis  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native  county,  following  the  com- 
pletion of  which  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  homestead. 
1  Ic  remained  at  home  working  for  his  parents  until  he  had  reached  the  age  of 
tliirty-one  years,  at  which  time  he  started  out  for  himself.  Being  of  a  thrifty 
nature  he  had  always  saved  the  greater  portion  of  his  earnings  and  when  he 
left  the  parental  roof  had  sufficient  cajjital  to  enable  him  to  become  a  ])roperty 
owner,  and  so  purchased  two  hundred  acres  of  laqd  on  section  ^^,  Sheridan 
township,  of  which  he  took  possession  on  the  ist  of  April,  1899.  For  twelve 
years  he  has  continued  to  reside  here,  engaging  in  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising,  besides  which  he  makes  a  specialty  of  feeding  hogs  for  the  market. 
He  has  met  with  most  gratifying  success  in  his  various  undertakings,  and  now 
owns  one  of  the  best  farms  in  the  township,  which  is  well  stocked  and  in  a 
high  state  of  cultivation. 

Mr.  Hanssen  was  married  on  the  15th  of  March,  1899,  to  Miss  Nettie  Dos- 
dall.  a  daughter  of  William  and  Ida  (Plaeger)  Dosdail,  natives  of  Germany, 
who  migrated  to  this  country  in  the  early  '60s.  They  located  upon  a  farm  in 
Sheridan  township,  where  Mrs.  Hanssen  was  born,  residing  there  for  many 
\ears  and  then  retired  to  the  village  of  Malcoin,  where  they  purchased  a  very 
pleasant  and  comfortable  home,  which  they  still  occupy.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hanssen  have  been  born  two  children:  Arthur,  who  was  born  on  the  12th  of 
December.  1899;  and  Walter,  who  was  born  on  the  5th  of  August,  1906.  The 
eldest  son  is  attending  district  No.  8  school  in  Sheridan  township. 

The  family  always  attend  the  services  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  in 
Malcom  township,  of  which  denomination  Mrs.  Hanssen  is  a  very  active  mem- 
ber. Ever  since  acquiring  the  full  rights  of  citizenship  Mr.  Hanssen  has  given 
his  political  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  the  democratic  party.  He 
takes  an  active  interest  in  all  township  matters  and  is  now  acting  as  secretary 
of  the  school  board  of  district  No.  8. 


CHARLES  FORD. 


.\mong  the  foreign  born  residents  of  Malcom  township  whose  eflforts  along 
agricultural  lines  are  meeting  with  substantial  and  well  merited  success  is  num- 
bered Charles  Ford.  A  native  of  Manchester,  England,  he  was  born  on  the 
2ist  of  January,  1864.  a  son  of  William  and  Hannah  (Weaver)  Ford,  who 
were  both  born  in  England,  where  the  father's  entire  life  was  spent.  Through- 
out most  of  his  career  he  was  identified  with  mercantile  interests  as  foreman 
of  a  wholesale  dry  goods  establishment  and  passed  away  in  1883.  His  wife 
now  inakes  her  home  in  Malcom.  Of  their  family  of  eleven  children  two  be- 
sides our  subject  came  to  the  United  States. 


462  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Charles  Ford  spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  his  native 
country  and  is  indebted  to  the  common  school  system  of  England  for  the  edu- 
cational advantages  which  he  enjoyed.  He  was  a  young  man  of  eighteen  years 
when,  in  1882.  he  came  alone  to  the  L'nited  States  seeking  the  opportunities 
which  were  here  open  to  youth  and  ambition.  He  made  his  wav  direct  to  Grin- 
nell  alter  arriving  in  this  country  and  was  identified  with  the  wholesale  dry 
goods  business  most  of  the  time  until  coming  to  Malcom  township.  Here  he 
spent  one  year  working  on  the  farm  (jf  L'ncle  William  Piriggs,  after  which  he 
spent  two  years  in  the  emplo\-  of  C.  A.  Hamor,  who  later  became  his  father- 
in-law.  During  the  following  year  he  worked  at  the  creamerv  at  Grinnell  and 
then,  in  1883.  he  was  married,  after  which  he  was  again  emploved  by  .Mr. 
Hamor  for  one  year. 

By  that  time  through  diligence,  perseverance  and  thrift  he  had  been  able 
to  accumulate  a  goodly  sum,  with  which  he  purchased  a  home  of  his  own.  For 
several  }'ears  he  was  identified  with  railroad  work  in  Grinnell,  at  the  expiration 
of  which  time  he  went  to  the  gulf  region  of  Texas  and  there  invested  in  farm 
land,  liut  after  a  few  months  sold  his  interests  there  and  went  to  Riverside. 
California,  where  he  maintained  his  home  for  two  years.  He  then  returned 
to  I^oweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  for  the  past  three  years  has  owned  and  operated 
a  farm  which  he  purchased  from  his  father-in-law,  com])rising  a  quarter  of 
section  30,  Malconi  townshi]).  This  farm  is  in  a  well  im])roved  condition  with 
substantial  and  commodious  barns  and  outbuildings,  and  in  iqof)  Mr.  Ford 
erected  an  attractive  ten-room  dwelling,  modern  in  every  jiarticular,  which 
greatly  enhances  the  value  of  the  property.  He  carries  on  general  farming, 
practices  rotation  of  crops,  closely  studies  soil  and  climate  conditions  and  is 
progressive  and  business-like  in  the  management  of  his  affairs,  with  the  result 
that  his  efforts  are  meeting  with  a  gratifying  degree  of  prosperity. 

In  July,  1885.  ^Ir.  h'ord  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabeth  Sarah 
11  amor,  who  was  born  on  the  farm  which  is  now  her  home  on  the  17th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1869.  Her  father,  who  was  born  in  Uownington,  Pennsylvania,  on  the 
ifitli  of  Ma}-,  1834,  learned  the  marble  cutter's  tratle  near  Philadelphia,  but 
early  in  life  came  to  Iowa,  arriving  in  Scott  county  in  1858.  He  became  a 
citizen  of  Poweshiek  county  in  1866.  taking  up  his  abode  on  a  farm  near  Mal- 
com,  and  continued  to  engage  in  agricultural  pursuits  here  until  he  was  fifty- 
five  years  of  age,  when  he  practically  retired  from  business  life.  For  a  vear 
following  he  made  his  home  in  California,  after  which  he  returned  to  Iowa 
and  resided  in  Cjrinnell  until  1898,  when  he  removed  lo  his  farm  a  mile  east 
of  the  fair  grounds,  there  remaining  until  his  death.  He  is  said  to  have  been 
descended  from  ancestors  who  came  t^)  .\merica  with  William  Penn.  When 
thirty-one  years  of  age  he  was  married,  in  .Mitilin,  Wisconsin,  to  Miss  Calista 
Goodrich,  who  now  makes  her  home  in  (irinnell  township.  He  is  also  survived 
by  four  of  the  six  children,  namely:  Mrs.  Charles  Ford;  Mrs.  J.  F.  Rivers; 
Mrs.  Win.  Spooner;  and  Jesse  A.  Hamor.  He  was  liighly  respected  by 
all  who  knew  him  for  his  high  quality  of  citizenslii]\  and  of  liim  one  of  the  local 
papers  said  at  the  time  of  his  demise :  "A  c|uiet,  reserved  man.  whose  industry 
was  rewarded  with  competence,  and  whose  integrity  won  the  confidence  of  all 
who  knew  him,  has   fallen  by  the  way.     His  neighbors  and  his  family  have  lost 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  468 

one  whom  tlicy  loved  and  honored — a  good  friend."  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ford  are  the 
parents  of  four  children,  namely:  Francis  A.,  who  married  I'^-dna  (irahn  and  has 
one  child.  Lois  G. :  and  Ruth  May,  Helen  Mary  and  Louis  Hamor,  all  still  at 
home. 

Mr.  iMird  holds  membership  in  the  Episcopal  church  and  also  helcnigs  to 
Lodge  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  at  (irinnell.  He  takes  a  deep  interest  in  politics, 
giving  his  support  at  the  polls  to  the  democratic  party,  and  although  in  no 
sense  a  politician  he  can  always  be  depended  upon  to  do  all  in  his  power  to 
advance  the  welfare  of  his  community. 


C.  F.  PAULSEN. 


Among  Germany's  contribution  to  the  citizenship  of  Iowa  is  numbered  C. 
F.  Paulsen,  who  was  born  in  Holstein.  that  country,  on  the  5th  of  F'ebruary, 
1836,  a  son  of  F'ranz  and  Wiebke  ( Bendtschneider )  Paulsen,  whose  entire  lives 
were  passed  in  the  fatherland,  where  the  father  was  engaged  in  agricultural 
pursuits.  Of  their  family  of  five  children  C.  F.  Paulsen  is  the  youngest  and 
the  only  surviving  member.  A  brother,  John  Christian,  came  to  the  L'nited 
States  in  the  year  following  the  arrival  of  our  subject,  and  served  in  the  Civil 
was  as  a  member  of  a  Minnesota  regiment  for  about  a  year.  His  death  oc- 
ciu'red  in  New  Ulm,  Minnesota. 

In  the  land  of  his  nativity  C.  F.  Paulsen  passed  the  period  of  his  boyhood 
and  youth  and  upon  attaining  his  majority  determined  to  try  his  fortune  in  the 
new  world — the  land  of  opportunity.  Consequently,  in  1857,  he  crossed  the 
Atlantic  and  after  landing  in  the  United  States  made  his  way  direct  to  Min- 
nesota, which  had  not  yet  been  admitted  to  the  Union  as  a  state.  Compar- 
atively pioneer  conditions  existed  in  the  territory  at  the  time  of  the  arrival 
of  Mr.  Paulsen,  there  being  no  railroads  in  Minnesota  at  that  period.  In  fact, 
there  was  but  one  railroad  west  of  the  ^lississippi  river  and  that  was  a  short 
line  in  Iowa,  running  from  Davenport  to  Iowa  City.  He  remained  in  the  ter- 
ritory of  Minnesota  for  about  four  months,  engaging  in  farming  during  that 
time,  and  then  made  his  way  to  Davenport,  Iowa,  where  he  was  employed 
as  a  farm  hand  until  April  26,   1861. 

At  that  time  he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Union  army,  becoming  a  member 
of  Company  G,  First  Iowa  \''olunteer  Infantry,  responding  to  the  first  call  for 
seventy-five  thousand  men.  He  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Wilson  Creek  on  the 
loth  of  August,  1861,  and  on  the  20th  of  that  month  was  discharged.  On  the 
9th  of  August,  1862,  he  reenlisted,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  I,  One  Hun- 
dred and  Twenty-sixth  Illinois  \'olunteer  Infantry,  and  served  with  that  com- 
mand until  honorably  discharged  in  1865.  He  took  part  in  all  of  the  engage- 
ments of  his  regiment  and  was  mustered  out  at  Pine  Bluff,  Arkansas,  on  the 
1 2th  of  July  with  the  rank  of  corporal. 

After  the  cessation  of  hostilities  Mr.  Paulsen  came  to  Poweshiek  county, 
Iowa,  arriving  here  in  1866,  and  located  in  Madison  township  on  a  farm  which 
he  purchased,  about  eight  miles  northwest  of  Brooklyn.     There  he  carried   on 


4t54  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

general  i.'irmiiig  fur  twenty-three  years  and  during  that  period  so  managed  his 
atYairs  that  a  most  gratifying  degree  of  success  awarded  his  eflforts.  In  1889, 
however,  ill  health  compelled  him  to  sell  his  property  there  and  come  to  Brook- 
lyn, where  for  a  time  he  resided  on  a  tract  of  eight  acres.  About  two  years  ago 
he  removed  to  his  ])resent  attractive  home,  where  lie  is  passing  his  days  in  well 
earned  retirement. 

Mr.  Paulsen  was  united  in  marriage  on  the  25th  of  October,  1870,  to  Miss 
Sophia  Fritz,  who  was  born  in  Pomerania,  Germany,  on  the  30th  of  October, 
1845,  and  in  1868  came  to  the  L'nited  States.  Her  father  passed  away  in  the 
fatherland  and  her  mother  married  again  and  came  to  this  country.  No  chil- 
<lren  came  to  bless  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paulsen,  but  they  have  an  adopted 
daughter,  Margaret  P'ram,  who  became  the  wife  of  T.  F.  Buchanan,  of  Brook- 
lyn. 

For  nine  years  Mr.  Paulsen  has  been  a  trustee  of  the  Lutheran  church,  of 
which  he  is  a  member,  and  since  its  organization  has  been  identified  with  the 
Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  A  republican  in  politics  he  has  held  about  all  of 
the  minor  township  and  town  offices,  and  in  every  relation  has  proved  him- 
self a  most  loyal  and  public-spirited  citizen,  doing  all  in  his  power  to  further 
the  best  interests  of  the  community.  He  has  already  passed  the  Psalmist's 
allotted  span  of  three  score  years  and  ten,  but  is  nevertheless  still  deeply  in- 
terested in  the  vital  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  and  is  numbered  among 
Brooklyn's  representative  and  respected  citizens. 


CHARLES  A.  DRAKE. 


The  ranks  of  the  Civil  war  veterans  are  fast  becoming  decimated,  but  there 
still  survive,  here  and  there,  those  who  loyally  went  to  the  front  in  defense  of 
the  Union  in  the  darkest  hour  of  her  history.  This  number  includes  Charles 
.\.  Drake.  A  native  of  Ohio.  Mr.  Drake  was  born  in  Wood  county  on  the 
3d  of  April,  1842,  a  son  of  Isaac  and  Nancy  (Swaney)  Drake.  His  parents 
were  also  born  in  Ohio,  the  father  in  Fairfield  county  on  the  12th  of  January. 
1816,  and  the  mother  in  Richland  county,  April  28,  1818.  They  were  married, 
however,  in  Hancock  county  and  came  to  Iowa  in  1854,  driving  the  entire  dis- 
tance. They  located  first  in  Warren  township,  Poweshiek  county,  the  father 
entering  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  on  sections  30  and  31.  Only 
a  very  few  families  were  living  in  this  district  at  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  Isaac 
Drake,  and  these  for  the  most  part  built  their  homes  in  the  midst  of  heavy 
timber  as  a  protection  against  the  red  men.  Mr.  Drake,  however,  braving  the 
dangers  of  Indian  interference,  sought  a  location  in  the  open  and  established 
his  home  farther  out  upon  the  prairie  than  any  other  family  had  thus  far 
dared  to  venture.  He  became  a  prominent  factor  in  community  life  and  in 
1855  was  appointed  one  of  the  judges  of  election  at  the  time  of  the  organiza- 
tion of  Warren  township.  A  stanch  champion  of  the  cause  of  education,  he 
filled  the  office  of  school  trustee  for  many  years  and  was  trustee  of  the  second 
school  built  in  Warren  township.     This  he  helped  to  erect  out  of  logs  obtained 


MR.   AND   MRS.   C.   A.    DKAKE 


IIISTOKV  UF  rOWESHIEK  COL'XTV  467 

from  his  farm.  Both  he  antl  his  wife  were  faithful  members  of  the  Methodist 
Protestant  churcli  and  in  their  home  many  meetings  of  that  denomination  were 
held.  He  was  clo.sely  identified  with  the  interests  of  Warren  township  until 
1864,  when  he  left  the  farm  and  moved  to  Brooklyn.  He  passed  away  in  Oska- 
loosa.  April  9,  1888,  but  his  wife  survived  until  the  27th  of  IMarch,  1894,  her 
death  occurring  in  that  city. 

They  were  the  parents  of  five  children.  John  T.,  the  eUlest,  enlisted  on  the 
iith  of  August.  1862.  as  a  member  of  Company  H,  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  Vol- 
unteer Infantry,  and  on  the  24th  of  August,  that  year,  was  united  in  marriage 
to  Miss  A.  M.  Cunning.  He  then  accompanied  his  regiment  to  Helena,  Arkansas, 
where  he  passed  away  January  14.  1863.  Prior  to  the  Civil  war  he  had  been  a 
student  at  Iowa  College  and  would  have  graduated  with  the  first  class  had  he 
not  entered  the  army.  John  T.  Drake  Post,  No.  321,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Brooklyn, 
was  named  in  his  honor.  Sarah  Jane  Drake  became  the  wife  of  John  P.  Plum- 
mer.  who  also  became  a  member  of  Company  H,  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  died  at  Champions  Hill,  Mississippi,  June  6,  1863.  Mrs.  Plum- 
mer's  death  occurred  in  Brooklyn  in  May,  1869.  Charles  A.  Drake,  of  this 
review,  is  the  third  in  order  of  birth.  Isaac  N.,  the  fourth,  was  married  in 
]\Iarc]i.  1871,  to  Miss  S.  A.  Thomas,  and  resided  at  Long  Beach,  California, 
but  died  April  i,  191 1.  Cyrus  C.  Drake,  the  youngest,  who  also  made  his 
home  in  Long  Beach,  California,  died  February  26,  191 1.  He  was  married  in 
1872,  to  Miss  C.  ]\Iyers. 

Charles  A.  Drake  spent  the  first  tjivelve  years  of  his  life  in  the  state  of  his 
nativity  and  in  1854  accompanied*  RiS  parents  on  their  removal  to  Poweshiek 
county,  Iowa.  He  continued  to  make  his  home  witlilhem  until  the  period  of  the 
Ci\il  war.  when,  with  his  elder  brother!  Johii  T..  he  became  a  member  of  Com- 
pany H,  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  enlisting  on  the  nth  of  Au- 
gust, 1862.  For  three  years,  or  throughout  the  remainder  of  the  war,  he  served 
with  that  regiment  and  took  part  in  every  engagement  in  which  it  participated 
with  the  excei)ti(in  of  Sabine  Crossroads,  the  battle  of  Champions  Hill  and  the 
siege  of  Vicksburg,  his  absence  therefrom  being  caused  by  a  severe  wound 
received  in  the  head  by  a  minie-ball,  the  injury  causing  his  detention  in  the 
hospital  for  two  months.  He  was  present  at  the  engagement  of  Port  Gibson 
and  took  part  in  three  important  battles  of  the  Shenandoah  valley  campaign, 
and  only  when  victory  at  last  crowned  the  Union  arms  was  he  mustered  out 
with  his   regiment,   returning  home   with   a  most  creditable  military  record. 

In  the  fall  following  the  close  of  the  war  Mr.  Drake  was  married  and  at 
once  began  the  occupation  of  farnfing  on  his  own  account,  operating  his  father's 
farm  in  Warren  township  for  one  year.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  in  Bear 
Creek  township,  north  of  Brooklyn,  which  remained  his  home  for  seven  years, 
after  which  he  sold  ovU  and  invested  in  propertv  in  Madison  township,  five 
miles  north  of  Brooklyn.  This  farm,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  good  land,  is  still  in  his  possession,  under  the  management  of  his  son. 
To  its  cultivation  and  improvement  he  devoted  his  undivided  time  and  atten- 
tion for  a  number  of  years  and  by  careful  supervision  developed  it  into  a  val- 
uable property.  Industry,  energy,  perseverance,  close  application  and  wise  man- 
agement figured  as  potent  forces  in  the  conduct  of  his  affairs  and  in  1900,  as  a 


468  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

result  of  his  well  directed  efforts,  he  was  able  to  withdraw  from  active  busi- 
ness and  removed  to  Brooklyn,  where  he  is  now  living  retired. 

It  was  on  the  23d  of  November,  1865,  that  Mr.  Drake  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Eliza  H.  Cunning,  who  was  born  near  New  Philadelphia.  Ohio. 
March  21,  1846.  and  in  1862  came  to  Iowa  with  her  parents.  Richard  and  Nancv 
(Swagler)  Cunning.  The  father  of  ^Irs.  Drake  was  born  in  Delaware  on  the 
7th  of  October,  1801.  and  the  mother  in  Maryland,  February  19,  1802.  Both 
passed  away  in  Poweshiek  county,  the  former  departing  this  life  December  13, 
1868,  and  the  later  December  9,  1881.  Their  daughter  Eliza  H.  was  the  young- 
est of  ten  children  and  by  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Drake  became  the  mother  of 
six  children  who  are  still  living.  Nettie,  the  eldest,  is  now  the  wife  of  ^^'esley 
Crawford,  of  Madison  township,  .\rthur  Drake  is  mentioned  at  length  below. 
Florence  I.  is  a  graduate  of  Highland  Park  College  and  is  now  engaged  in 
teaching  school  at  Charter  Oak.  Katharine,  who  also  graduated  from  High- 
land Park  College,  is  a  teacher  at  Scranton,  Iowa.  Lili  E.  is  the  wife  of  Homer 
Hall  and  they  make  their  home  at  Huron,  South  Dakota.  Fred  C.  Drake,  who 
completes  the  family,  is  a  railroad  conductor  in  the  employ  of  the  Rock  Island 
system  at  Brooklyn.  He  married  llessie  Bailey.  Vnto  ;\lr.  and  Mrs.  Fred  C. 
Drake  were  born  four  children  who  are  now  deceased :  Eugene  passing  awav  at 
the  age  of  four  and  a  half  years :  Ernest,  at  the  age  of  two  and  a  half  years  :  Guy, 
when  two  vears  of  age  ;  and  Elbert,  who  died  in  infancy.  .Mrs.  Charles  A.  Drake 
attended  the  first  normal  institute  ever  held  in  Brooklyn  and  for  two  years,  1864 
and  1865,  taught  school  in  Jefferson  township,  a- daughter  and  son  having  also 
taught  in  the  same  school. 

Politically  Mr.  Drake  gives  his  support  to  the  principles  of  the  republican 
party  and  has  filled  several  township  offices,  including  that  of  school  director, 
in  which  he  served  for  man\-  years.  Since  their  marriage  he  and  his  wife  have 
been  devoted  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  work  of 
which  they  are  deeply  and  helpfully  interested,  and  Mr.  Drake  maintains  pleas- 
ant relations  with  his  iild  army  comrades  through  his  membership  in  the  Grand 
Armv  of  the  Republic.  Fraternally  he  affiliates  with  the  Independent  Order  of 
Odd  Fellows,  which  body  he  joined  in  1865,  being  now  the  oldest  member  of 
Brooklyn  Lodge,  No.  114.  His  has  ever  been  a  well  spent  life,  governed  by 
honorable  dealings  in  every  relation,  whether  private  or  public,  and  his  upright 
manhood  and  sterling  qualities  have  gained  for  him  the  unqualified  respect, 
confidence  and  good-will  of  all  \\  ith  whom  he  has  come  in  contact. 


JOHN  ARTHUR  DRAKE. 

John  Arthur  Drake,  the  eldest  son  of  Charles  A.  and  Eliza  H.  (Cunning) 
Drake,  was  born  in  Bear  Creek  township,  near  Brooklyn,  on  the  2d  of  Jan- 
uary, 1871,  and  mastered  the  branches  taught  in  the  common  schools  near  his 
father's  home.  Later  he  attended  Highland  Park  College  at  Des  Moines.  On 
the  25th  of  May.  1898,  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Spanish-.American  war,  he  be- 
came a  member  of  the  Fiftv'-second  Iowa  Regiment  band,  with  which  he  served 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  469 

uiuil  he  was  mustered  out  in  October,  1898,  at  Des  Moines.  He  now  lias  the 
distinction  of  being  the  only  Spanish-American  war  veteran  in  Madison  town- 
ship, and  there  is  also  only  one  Civil  war  veteran  in  that  township. 

.\tter  the  close  of  hostilities  Mr.  Drake  at  once  returned  home  and  since 
that  time  has  been  continuously  engaged  in  the  operation  of  his  father's  farm 
in  -Madison  townshi]).  In  his  undertakings  he  has  been  signally  successful  for 
he  lias  brought  to  bear  in  the  conduct  of  his  affairs  a  spirit  of  progress  and  enter- 
l)rise  combined  with  a  capacity  for  hard  work  and  careful  supervision — resultant 
forces  in   the  accomplishment  of   any  undertaking. 

On  the  28th  of  October.  1903,  Mr.  Drake  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
l'".va  M.  l<"ritz.  ami  they  have  become  the  parents  of  three  children,  Margaret, 
Charles  and  Mary.  In  his  fraternal  relations  Mr.  Drake  is  a  Mason,  while  his 
religious  belief  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  After  careful  and 
thoughtful  consideration  of  the  political  situation  he  has  given  his  allegiance  to 
tlie  republican  party,  ileeming  its  platform  and  principles  best  adapted  to  con- 
serve the  public  welfare.  He  has  been  called  to  piiblic  office,  serving  as  town- 
ship assessor  for  four  years,  and  is  now  filling  the  office  of  trustee,  which  he 
has  occupied  for  five  years.  Having  spent  his  entire  life  within  the  borders 
of  Poweshiek  county  he  has  become  well  known  here,  the  circle  of  his  friends 
being  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  his  acquaintance.  His  personal 
traits  of  character  are  those  which  inspire  confidence  in  his  fellowmen  and  speak 
for  upright  manhood  and  desirable  citizenship. 


ASHLEY  H.  READ. 


Success  has  come  to  Ashley  H.  Read  through  industry  and  econoiny  and 
today,  as  the  owner  of  a  valuable  farm  property  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres,  he  occupies  a  prominent  position  among  the  agriculturists  of  Bear  Creek 
township.  Poweshiek  county.  He  was  born  in  Clearfield  county,  Pennsylvania, 
October  30,  1859,  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Jane  Read,  well  known  residents  of 
that  county. 

Ashley  H.  Read  was  reared  and  educated  in  the  Keystone  state,  and  tmtil 
he  attained  his  majority  he  gave  his  father  the  benefit  of  his  services.  At  that 
perifjd  in  his  life  he  continued  to  work  with  his  father,  but  operated  the  land 
on  shares.  He  also  operated  a  threshing  machine  during  the  summer  seasons. 
In  1887,  seeking  the  broader  opportunities  of  the  west,  he  came  to  Iowa  and 
for  two  years  rented  land  in  Tama  county.  He  then  moved  to  Bear  Creek 
township,  Poweshiek  count}',  where  he  rented  land  for  a  similar  period  and 
then  took  up  his  abode  in  Madison  township,  this  county,  where  for  nine  years 
he  operated  rented  land.  He  then  returned  to  Bear  Creek  township  and  pur- 
chased his  present  farm,  comjirising  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  located  on 
section  5.  As  time  passed  and  his  financial  resources  increased  he  atlded  an 
additional  tract  of  eighty  acres,  making  in  all  two  hundred  and  forty  acres. 
This  land  is  all  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  acres  which  are  low  and  flat.     There  are  good  improvements  on  the  place 


470  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUXTY 

and  he  has  three  fine  orchards.  He  carries  on  general  farming  and  raises  hogs 
on  quite  an  extensive  scale,  selling  a  part  of  the  time  to  shippers,  while  some- 
times he  ships  his  stock  to  the  Chicago  markets. 

Mr.  Read  has  been  married  twice.  He  was  first  married,  March  17.  icSSj, 
to  Miss  Dolly  Billick,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Julia  Billick,  both  natives  of 
Illinois.  The  mother  died  January  13,  lyii,  but  the  father  still  survives  and 
now  makes  his  home  in  Brooklyn,  Iowa.  By  his  first  marriage  Mr.  Read  has 
two  sons :  Roy,  who  lives  at  home  but  is  working  for  himself :  and  Glenn,  also 
at  home  and  assisting  his  father  in  his  farm  work.  The  wife  and  mother  died 
at  her  father's  home  in  Brookl\-n,  October  15,  1901.  On  the  27th  of  March, 
1904,  Mr.  Read  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Mrs.  Mary 
Graham,  widow  of  Samuel  Graham,  who  was  engaged  in  farming  in  Poweshiek 
county.  Mrs.  Read  is  a  daughter  of  William  and  Elizabeth  [Sanders)  Shaw, 
both  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  removed  from  the  Keystone  state  to  Mis- 
souri, where  the  birth  of  Mrs.  Read  occurred.  After  a  residence  of  three  years 
in  the  latter  state,  they  removed  to  Tama  county,  Iowa,  but  eventually  moved 
farther  west,  establishing  their  home  in  Kansas,  where  the  mother  passed  away 
twenty  years  ago.  The  father  later  went  to  Nebraska  and  died  near  Lincoln, 
that  state,  in  1904.  By  her  former  marriage  Mrs.  Read  has  three  sons  and  one 
daugliter,  namely:  Alpha  A.,  who  follows  farming  near  Chelsea,  Iowa;  I'.il, 
who  is  a  farmer  of  Malcom  township,  Poweshiek  county ;  Fred,  who  is  engaged 
in  farming  at  Newell,  South  Dakota ;  and  Delia,  who  is  with  her  mother. 

Mr.  Read  formerly  gave  his  support  to  the  democratic  party,  but  for  the 
past  fifteen  years  has  been  a  stanch  advocate  of  republican  principles.  Mrs. 
Read  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church  in  Madison  township.  Mr.  Reail 
follows  practical  and  progressive  methods  in  the  conduct  of  his  farm,  all  fields 
being  platted  and  arranged  so  that  the  best  results  may  be  obtained  from  the 
labor  expended,  and  a  view  of  his  place  is  in  itself  a  lesson  in  thrift,  persever- 
ance and  industrv. 


W.  L.   JOHNSON. 


W.  L.  Johnson,  a  prominent  and  well  known  insurance  agent  of  Brooklyn, 
deserves  special  mention  in  this  volume  as  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war.  He  is 
numbered  among  Ohio's  native  sons,  his  birth  occurring  in  Ashtabula  county 
on  the  24th  of  November,   1845. 

He  is  a  son  of  William  and  Betsy  (Cleveland)  Johnson,  the  former  a  native 
of  Steuben  county.  New  York,  and  the  latter  of  Canada.  The  father,  who  was 
a  blacksmith  and  wagonmaker  by  occupation,  was  engaged  at  his  trade  in  Ohio 
and  also  owned  a  farm  there,  which  was  operated  by  his  sons.  Later  he  came 
to  lon-a  and  here  followed  his  trade  for  a  time,  and  subsequently  went  to  Cal- 
ifornia, his  death  occurring  in  Cottonwood,  that  state,  on  the  20th  of  July, 
1906,  at  the  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  His  wife,  Mrs.  ISetsy  (Cleveland)  John- 
son, passed  away  in  ^larch,  1861,  in  Ohio.  They  were  the  parents  of  six 
children,   as    follows:    F.   N.,  of   Fayctteville,   Arkansas,    who  served    for   three 


HISTORY  OF  POWESllIKK  COUXTY  471 

years  in  the  Union  army  as  a  member  of  Company  E,  Twenty-ninth  Ohio  Vol- 
unteer Infantry:  W.  L.,  of  this  review:  N.  M.,  of  Dakota;  Emma,  the  widow 
of  Ed  Hill,  of  Estherville,  Iowa:  Ernest  M.,  of  I'rimghar,  Iowa;  and  Frank  A., 
of  Chicago.  By  a  second  marriage  William  Johnson  had  two  children:  Albert, 
of  Cottonwood,  California:  and  Addie  Olmstead,  now  deceased. 

\V.  L.  Johnson  spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  early  youth  upon  the 
home  farm  in  Ohio  and  under  his  father's  direction  learned  the  blacksmith 
and  wagonmaker's  trade,  at  which  he  became  (|uite  proficient.  He  was  but 
fifteen  years  of  age  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out  between  the  north  and  the 
south,  ])ut  he  accepted  the  invitation  of  a  lieutenant  of  the  Union  army,  who 
suggested  that  he  join  the  army.  Consequently  he  enlisted  in  September.  1861, 
as  a  soldier  in  Company  A,  Thirty-sixth  New  York  Volunteer  Infantry,  and 
served  for  twenty-two  months.  In  January,  1864,  he  reenlisted  as  a  member  of 
Battery  E,  First  Ohio  Light  Artillery,  for  three  years,  and  at  the  close  of  the 
war  was  honorably  discharged  at  Camp  Dennison.  Ohio.  He  took  [jart  in  seven 
important  battles,  as  well  as  many  minor  engagements,  participating  in  the 
battle  of  Fair  Oaks,  Seven  Pines,  Malvern  Hill,  Fredericksburg,  the  second  battle 
of  Bull  Run,  and  the  battle  of  Nashville.  During  his  service  he  was  taken  ill 
with  smallpo.x,  and  an  uncle  who  visited  him  at  that  time  caught  the  disease  and 
died  from  the  effects  of  it. 

When  the  country  no  longer  needed  his  services  Mr.  Johnson  returned  to 
civil  life  with  a  most  creditable  military  record.  He  joined  his  parents,  who  had 
taken  up  their  abode  in  Fayette  County,  Iowa,  during  his  term  of  service,  and 
on  the  24th  of  January,  1866.  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Persis  E.  East- 
man, who  was  born  in  southern  Illinois,  December  6,  1849,  and  went  to  Fayette 
county,   Iowa,   with  her  parents,  Mr.  and  IMrs.  R.  R.  Eastman. 

-After  his  marriage  Mr.  Johnson  was  associated  with  his  father-in-law  in 
the  wagonmaking  business  for  about  two  years,  and  then  he  removed  to  Fred- 
ericksburg, Iowa,  where  he  was  engaged  at  that  trade  for  about  four  years. 
He  then  went  to  Dixon  county,  Nebraska,  where  he  homesteaded  a  farm,  but 
he  was  obliged  to  give  up  that  place  on  account  of  the  grasshopper  plague,,  and 
he  returned  to  Fredericksburg  and  again  worked  at  his  trade  there.  Later  he 
went  to  Mitchellville,  Polk  county,  Iowa,  where  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of 
Eastman  &  Johnson  he  engaged  in  the  wagon  and  carriage-making  business 
for  four  years,  and  during  that  period  the  partners  marketed  more  new  wagons 
than  any  other  shop  of  its  kind  in  Polk  county.  At  the  end  of  that  time  Mr. 
Johnson  traded  his  interest  in  the  firm  for  a  farm  and  then  entered  the  hard- 
ware business  at  Gowrie,  Webster  county.  After  a  year  there  he  removed  his 
stock  to  Melford,  Dixon  county,  establishing  the  first  hardware  enterprise  at 
that  jilace.  In  the  following  December  he  sold  out  his  store  and  returned  to 
Mitchellville,  where  he  traded  his  farm  for  a  stock  of  hardware  and  located  at 
Baxter,  at  which  place  he  carried  on  business  for  four  years.  The  year  1886 
witnessed  his  arrival  in  Brooklyn  and  here  he  conducted  a  hardware  concern 
for  four  years,  after  which  he  sold  out  to  enter  the  fire  insurance  business.  In 
1898  he  went  on  the  road  as  a  special  agent  for  the  Hawkeye  Insurance  Com- 
pany, whom  he  represented  for  seven  years,  and  was  then  employed  by  tlie 
Iowa  State  Insurance  Company  for  one  year.     The  losses  incurred  through  the 


47-J  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

great  San  Francisco  fire  were  such  that  that  company  was  obhged  to  reinsure 
in  other  firms,  and  Mr.  Johnson  became  connected  with  tlie  German  Insurance 
Company  of  Freeport,  Ilhnois. 

Subsequently  he  accepted  a  position  with  the  Security  Insiu-ance  Company 
of  Davenport,  and  then,  on  the  ist  of  January,  1901;,  he  left  the  road  and  has 
since  conducted  an  agency  in  Brooklyn,  representing  several  well  known  com- 
panies at  this  point.  His  office  is  in  the  new  Brooklyn  Opera  House,  and  he 
handles  a  large  amount  of  insurance,  being  accorded  a  most  excellent  patronage. 
His  eflr'orts  in  the  various  channels  of  business  in  which  he  has  engaged  have 
been  successful,  anil  todav  the  consensus  of  public  opinion  accords  him  a  prom- 
inent place  among  Poweshiek  county's  progressive  and  prosperous  citizens. 
He  has  recently  built  a  residence  in  Brooklyn,  which  is  now  the  home  of  his 
family,  and  he  is  the  owner  of  forty  acres  of  land  adjoining  the  corporation 
limits  of  the  town,  while  in  connection  with  his  son-in-law  he  tiwns  another 
valuable  farm  near  Brooklyn. 

With  the  passing  of  the  years  Mr.  and  Airs.  Johnson  became  the  parents  of 
four  children,  namely:  Mabel  E.,  the  wife  of  \\'.  R.  Pierson,  casiiier  of  the 
Poweshiek  County  Savings  Bank  of  Brooklyn ;  Paul  E.,  who  is  engaged  in  the 
dairy  business  near  Minneapolis,  Minnesota ;  Genevieve,  a  teacher  of  music  at 
San  Fernando,  California ;  and  William  Glenn,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of 
ten  months. 

In  politics  Mr.  Johnson  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party,  while 
fraternally  he  is  a  Master  Mason  and  also  belongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of  the 
Republic.  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  well  developed  man  physically,  giving  the  idea  of 
great  strength  and  reserve  force,  elements  which  have  had  their  expression  in 
a  strenuous  business  life.  His  has  been  a  career  of  constant  activity  along 
various  lines,  in  which  his  well  directed  efforts,  his  keen  sagacity  and  his  un- 
faltering energy  have  been  potent  factors  in  the  accumulation  of  a  degree  of 
])rosperity   which  is  both  creditable  and  honorable. 


N.  J.  WELLS. 


Progress,  enterprise  and  perseverance  have  characterized  the  efforts  of  N.  J. 
Wells  in  the  conduct  of  his  agricultural  pursuits,  and  as  a  logical  and  well  merited 
result  he  is  now  enjoying  a  degree  of  prosperity  that  is  substantial  and  honorable. 
Born  in  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  on  the  4th  of  September,  1854,  he  is  a  son  of 
Cyrus  and  Emeline  (Stewart)  Wells,  natives  of  New  York  and  Illinois  re- 
spectively. The  father  was  a  son  of  Chester  Wells,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire 
state,  who  became  an  early  settler  of  Illinois,  taking  up  his  abode  in  that  state  in 
pioneer  days.  Later  he  removed  to  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  and  there  passed 
away.  He  was  a  w^ell  educated  man  for  his  day  and  was  an  expert  carpenter 
and  cabinet-maker,  and  also  at  one  time  had  a  contract  for  the  building  of  one  of 
the  pioneer  railroads.  He  devoted  much  night-time  to  cabinet-making  and  this 
strain  on  his  eves  later  caused  his  blindness. 


N     J.    WELLS 


AeTOR.  L£NOX  ANB 
TILOEN  FOUNOATlONt. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  475 

Cyrus  Wells,  his  son,  was  but  a  small  boy  at  the  time  of  the  removal  to  Illi- 
nois, and  he  remained  in  that  state  until  about  1850,  when  he  accompanied  his 
parents  to  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  where  he  was  married  shortly  afterward. 
I'rior  to  the  Civil  war  he  took  up  his  abode  on  a  farm  about  three  miles  southeast 
of  Montezuma  and  subsequently,  in  1866,  removed  to  Union  township.  Later  he 
went  to  Pleasant  township  and  there  both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away.  He  was 
a  carpenter  by  trade,  following  that  occupation  in  early  life,  but  later  took  up 
larmintj.  1  le  served  in  the  Mexican  war  as  a  cavalryman  and  became  an  extensive 
landowner,  possessing  five  hundred  acres  of  land  in  Pleasant  township  at  the  time 
of  liis  death.  His  wife  died  on  the  8th  of  March,  1891.  In  their  family  were  ten 
children,  of  which  the  subject  of  this  review  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth, 
the  others  being:  Fidelia,  the  wife  of  S.  R.  Wisner,  of  Nebraska;  H.  W.,  of 
Crinnell ;  C.  M.  also  of  Grinnell ;  W.  A.,  of  Pleasant  township;  Dora,  who  mar- 
riefl  G.  W.  Morrison,  of  Ewart ;  Sarah  Emeline,  the  deceased  wife  of  W.  F. 
Blaine;  Minnie,  who  passed  away  in  early  childhood;  Ida,  of  Nebraska;  and  Fred, 
of  this  township. 

When  a  lad  of  twelve  years  N.  J.  Wells  came  to  Pleasant  township  and 
>ince  that  period  has  resided  continuously  within  its  borders.  He  has  made  agri- 
culture his  life  work,  gaining  thorough  preparation  in  that  branch  of  activity  on 
the  home  farm  under  the  direction  of  his  father,  with  whom  he  remained  until 
his  marriage.  He  then  embarked  independently  in  the  business  world  and  is  now 
the  owner  of  an  e.xcellent  farm,  consisting  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres  located 
on  sections  25  and  26,  eighty  acres  of  which  was  a  part  of  his  father's  estate. 
This  is  a  valuable  property,  all  of  the.  infprovetrieiifs'  found  thereon  having  been 
introduced  by  our  subject.  He  eng^g^^  hi  general  farming  and  stock-raising  and 
makes  a  specialty  of  feeding  shor|horn  cattle.  In  both  branches  of  his  business 
he  has  been  successful,  surrounding  ^ijiyisgilf  vvitl^.  a  most  gratifying  degree  of 
prosperity,  and  as  his  financial  resou«*«s"hiave'  permitted  he  has  purchased  other 
property,  so  that  he  now  owns  in  addition  to  his  home  farm  one  hundred  and 
five  acres  on  section  34  and  forty  acres  on  section  35. 

On  the  i8th  of  i'^ebruary,  1880,  Mr.  Wells  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Margaret  A.  Daly,  who  was  born  in  Montezuma  on  the  2d  of  September,  1856. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  M.  and  Margaret  (Duttus)  Daly,  natives  of  N'ermont  and 
Scotland  respectively.  Mr.  Daly,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  6tli  of  May,  1824. 
was  reared  in  his  New  England  home  and,  belonging  to  a  poor  family,  was  early 
forced  to  provide  for  his  own  livelihood.  As  a  boy  he  worked  along  the  coast  at 
Boston,  taking  oysters  from  the  shells,  and  later  he  learned  the  carpenter's  trade, 
which  he  followed  until  the  time  of  his  marriage.  In  early  manhood  he  came 
west,  first  locating  in  Illinois,  and  about  1853  arrived  in  Iowa,  taking  up  his  abode 
in  Poweshiek  county.  Here  he  engaged  for  a  time  at  his  trade  and  erected  sev- 
eral of  the  first  structures  in  Montezuma.  Later  he  took  up  farming  in  Pleasant 
township  and  then,  in  1878.  entered  land  in  Nebraska  and  was  there  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  for  many  years.  He  became  very  successful  and  at  one  time 
owned  five  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  that  state.  During  his  later  years  he 
lived  retired.  He  was  a  republican  in  early  life  but  subsequently  espoused  the 
cause  of  the  greenback  party  and  was  very  active  in  party  afifairs.  He  was  a 
self-eflucated  man.  being  a  great  reader,  was  fond  of  debate  and  for  some  time 


476  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

was  county  lecturer  for  the  Farmers  Alliance  in  Antelope  county,  Nebraska.  He 
also  assisted  in  establishing  the  first  mutual  fire  company  in  that  county.  In 
1855  he  was  married  to  Miss  Margaret  Duft'us,  who  was  born  in  Scotland  on  the 
1 8th  of  September,  1836,  and  came  to  the  United  States  at  the  age  of  eighteen 
years  with  her  parents.  She  was  a  daughter  of  James  and  Ann  Dufifus,  who,  on 
arriving  in  this  country,  made  their  way  direct  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  where 
the  father  passed  away.  Mrs.  Duffus.  however,  died  at  Storm  Lake,  Iowa.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Daly  both  passed  away  in  Elgin,  Nebraska,  the  former  on  the  14th  of 
December,  1903,  and  the  latter  on  the  7th  of  October,  1891.  In  their  family  were 
ten  children,  as  follows:  Margaret  A.,  who  married  our  subject;  Lucy  J.,  the 
widow  of  J.  B.  Jackman,  of  Chicago;  Carrie  E.,  the  deceased  wife  of  A.  L.  Perry; 
Orlando,  deceased;  C.  F.,  of  Los  Angeles,  California;  Oliver,  residing  in  Ne- 
braska ;  Professor  M.  S.,  was  educated  at  Fremont,  Nebraska,  and  is  now  a  pro- 
fessor in  Alberta,  Canada ;  James  O.,  who  passed  away  at  the  of  age  of  nineteen 
years;  Joseph  Franklin,  a  dentist  of  Wisener,  Nebraska;  and  Lillian,  the  wife  of 
H.  N.  Link,  of  Elgin,  Nebraska. 

The  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wells  has  been  blessed  with  three  children,  namely : 
Charles  Edwin,  operating  a  portion  of  his  father's  estate,  who  married  Miss 
Hattie  Evans;  Alay,  the  wife  of  C.  F.  Ludeman,  of  Scott  township,  by  whom  she 
has  one  child,  Marie  Pauline ;  and  Edith,  attending  the  Montezuma  high  school. 

In  politics  Mr.  Wells  casts  an  independent  ballot,  unhampered  by  party  ties 
or  machine  rule.  He  always  stands  for  the  best  men  and  most  desirable  meas- 
ures and  has  ever  given  his  influence  for  sound  platforms  and  worthy  candidates. 
He  is  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  Pleasant  township  and  cooperates  in  all 
measures  for  its  upbuilding  and  development,  and  his  many  good  qualities  have 
won  for  him  a  place  in  the  respect  and  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens. 


[AMES  W.  FUDGE. 


The  cultivation  of  a  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  engages  the 
time  and  attention  of  James  W.  Fudge,  who  was  born  in  Washington  county, 
Virginia,  on  the  26th  of  April,  1839. 

His  parents  were  Jacob  and  Rebecca  Jane  (Seay)  Fudge,  also  natives  of 
\'irginia.  The  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  migrated  to  Iowa  with  his  family  in 
1846,  locating  in  the  vicinity  of  Monroe,  Jasper  county,  where  he  acquired  a  farm 
which  he  cultivated  for  some  years.  Here  the  mother  passed  away,  but  the 
father  was  living  retired  in  Brownville,  Nebraska,  when  his  demise  occurred 
in  1803.  Mr.  Fudge  was  a  democrat  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  affiliated 
with  the  Christian  church,  in  the  faith  of  which  denomination  they  reared 
their  family.  Five  children  were  born  unto  them  in  the  following  order:  John 
T.,  who  is  a  resident  of  .Arkansas :  James  W.,  our  subject ;  Mary  Elizabeth, 
who  is  deceased;  Ann  Eliza,  the  widow  of  a  Mr.  Stinson,  of  Fort  Custer, 
Montana ;  and  Elvira  Jane,  the  wife  of  Michael  Markey,  of  Greenfield,  Adair 
county,  Iowa. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  477 

It  was  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  state  that  James  W.  Fudge  re- 
ceived his  introduction  to  the  rudiments  of  the  common  branches,  his  education 
being  continued  in  the  district  schools  of  Jasper  county.  When  he  had  acquired 
such  knowledge  of  the  fundamental  branches  as  was  deemed  essential  to  enable 
him  to  pursue  his  vocation,  which  he  had  elected  should  be  that  of  agriculture, 
he  laid  aside  his  text-books  and  devoted  his  time  and  attention  to  the  work  of 
the  homesteail.  From  that  period  until  he  had  attained  his  majority  he  worked 
on  the  farm  under  the  direction  and  supervision  of  his  father.  In  1862  he 
responded  to  his  country's  call  and  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Company  E,  Twenty- 
third  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  where  he  served  for  three  years.  He  saw  much 
active  service  and  jiarticipated  in  many  notable  battles,  among  the  latter  being 
the  siege  of  Vicksburg,  battle  of  Champion's  Hill,  Black  River  Bridge  and  Fort 
Gibson. 

When  he  received  his  discharge  he  returned  to  Monroe,  where  he  worked 
for  a  year  at  the  caq:)enter  trade.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  went  to 
Madison  county,  Iowa,  and  farmed  for  two  years.  In  1868  he  came  to  Pow- 
eshiek county,  locating  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  where  he  bought  one  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  in  the  cultivation  and  improvement  of  which  he  immediately 
engaged.  Here  he  followed  general  farming  with  such  success  that  it  was 
possible  for  him  to  increase  his  holdings  later  by  the  addition  of  another  eighty 
acres.     Mr.   Fudge  is  now  living  retired  on  the  farm. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  1866,  Mr.  Fudge  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ann 
Highlands,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Eleanor  (Slane)  Highlands.  The  father 
was  a  native  of  Cumberland  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother  of  V^irginia. 
In  his  early  manhood  Mr.  Highlands,  who  was  a  farmer,  migrated  to  Coles 
county,  Illinois,  where  he  met  the  lady  who  subsequently  became  his  wife. 
Together  with  his  wife  and  family  he  came  to  Iowa  in  1843,  settling  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  present  site  of  Monroe,  having  the  distinction  of  being  the  first 
settler  in  Jasper  county.  He  filed  on  a  quarter  section  of  land  which  he  im- 
proved and  cultivated  until  his  demise;  his  wife  also  passed  away  on  the  home- 
stead. In  his  political  allegiance  he  was  ever  true  to  the  ])rinciples  of  the 
democracy  and  served  for  seven  years  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  supervisors. 
The  church  connection  of  both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Highlands  was  that  of  the  Pres- 
byterian faith.  Their  family  numbered  six,  five  of  whom  survive,  the  order 
of  birth  being  as  follows:  Thomas  M.,  who  is  deceased;  .\nn,  now  Mrs.  Fudge, 
who  was  born  in  Coles  county,  Illinois,  on  the  31st  of  October,  1839;  Elizabeth, 
the  widow  of  Daniel  Mortimore,  of  Linden,  Adair  county,  low^a ;  James  R.,  of 
Alameda,  California;  Sarah  Jane,  the  wife  of  Carry  Roush,  of  Churdan,  Greene 
county,  Iowa;  and  John  .A.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Grant  county,  Oregon. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fudge  have  two  daughters  and  two  sons,  namely:  \'ista 
Jane,  the  eldest,  and  who  is  the  wife  of  John  P.  P.aker,  a  sketch  of  whom  ap- 
pears elsewhere  in  this  volume ;  John  R.,  a  resident  of  Hand  countv.  South 
Dakota,  who  is  married  and  has  three  children,  Ava,  Elda  and  Gerald;  Lulu 
Eleanor,  who  became  the  wife  of  Fred  Robertson,  of  Havelock,  Nebraska,  and 
who  has  three  children,  Mildred,  Russell  and  \'era ;  and  William  T.,  a  resident 
of  Poweshiek  county,  and  who  is  married  and  has  four  children,  Ora,  .Arthur, 
Glenn  and  Lela. 


478  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COL'XTV 

The  political  views  of  Air.  Fudge  coincide  with  the  princiijles  of  the  demo- 
cratic party,  for  whose  candidates  he  always  casts  his  ballot.  He  has  served 
as  school  director  and  one  term  as  road  supervisor.  Although  he  has  never 
taken  a  prominent  part  in  political  activities,  he  is  public-spirited  in  matters  of 
citizenship  and  invariably  gives  his  indorsement  to  all  movements  anil  measures 
the  adoption  of  whicli  would  promote  the  general  welfare  of  the  community. 


ABEL  DOTY. 


Abel  Doty,  who  is  one  of  the  well  known  stockmen  and  agriculturists 
of  Madison  township,  where  he  owns  a  fine  farm,  was  born  in  Delaware  county, 
Ohio,  on  the  17th  of  October,  1857,  a  son  of  Abner  and  Harriet  (Havens)  Doty. 
The  father  was  born  and  reared  in  Canandaigua.  Xew  York,  and  was  a  son  of 
Ebenezer  Doty,  also  a  native  of  the  Empire  state.  The  family  is  of  English 
descent,  the  ancestors  having  come  over  in  the  Mayflower.  The  Doty  famih 
migrated  to  Ohio  during  the  pioneer  days  and  there  they  were  living  when  gold 
was  discovered  in  California.  In  1849  Ebenezer  Doty  and  four  of  his  sons, 
Edward,  Albert,  Martin  and  Abner  crossed  the  plains  from  Ohio  to  the  Pacific 
coast  in  search  of  the  precious  ore.  The  father  passed  away  in  a  western  mining 
camp  and  after  searching  for  five  years  in  hopes  of  finding  a  rich  vein  of  metal 
Abner  Doty  returned  to  Ohio  to  the  farm,  lie  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
in  the  Buckeye  state  until  1866,  at  which  time  he  removed  to  Io\va,  purchasing 
a  (|uarter  section  of  land  in  Iowa  county,  whicli  he  cultivated  for  seventeen 
years.  Owing  to  the  state  of  Mr.  Doty's  health,  after  the  marriage  of  their 
son  Abel  the  parents  made  their  home  with  him  and  his  wife  during  the  re- 
mainder of  their  lives.  The  father  passed  away  on  the  7th  of  August,  1883, 
at  the  age  of  si.xty-five  years,  but  the  mother  survived  until  the  i6th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1910,  her  demise  occurring  at  the  age  of  ninety-two  years. 

The  elementar}-  education  of  Abel  Doty  was  acquired  in  the  district  schools 
of  Ohio,  but  after  removing  to  Iowa  he  attended  the  public  schools  of  Ladora 
until  he  had  completed  his  preliminary  course,  following  which  he  entered 
Iowa  College  at  Grinnell  where  he  studied  for  three  years.  Professor  Parker 
was  a  member  of  the  facult\-  at  that  time  and  one  of  the  instructors  of  Mr. 
Doty.  After  completing  his  education  Mr.  Doty  returned  to  the  homestead  and 
assisted  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm  until  he  had  attained  his  ma- 
jority. He  left  home  in  1878  to  begin  his  real  life  work  and  for  three  years 
thereafter  farmed  as  a  renter  in  Tama  county,  Iowa.  .\t  the  end  of  that  time 
he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  renting  a  farm  west  of  Grinnell  which  he  cul- 
tivated for  a  similar  period.  In  1884  he  removed  to  Bear  Creek  townsiiip, 
near  Brooklyn,  where  he  resided  for  fifteen  years,  and  in  1901  he  came  to  Mad- 
ison township.  Here  he  purchased  his  present  homestead,  which  consists  of 
one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  upon  which  he  has  ever  since  lived. 

His  land,  which  lies  on  section  25,  is  fertile,  thoroughly  tiled  and  drained 
and  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  with  the  exception  of  two  acres  which  is 
planted  in   fruit  trees.     Mr.  Doty  takes  great  pride  in  his  property  and  keeps 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  479 

it  and  his  iniijrovemcnts.  all  of  which  are  substantially  constructed  and  care- 
fully repaired,  in  good  condition,  and  the  general  appearance  of  the  place 
creates  a  decidedly  favorable  impression.  He  breeds  and  raises  a  high  grade 
of  Shropshire  sheep  and  cattle  and  registered  Poland  China  hogs.  Although 
he  engages  in  general  farming  he  feeds  and  ships  stock  to  the  Chicago  market. 

Mr.  Doty  was  married  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  years,  to  Miss  Laura  Sheets, 
a  daughter  of  John  and  Mary  (Simpson)  Sheets.  The  father,  who  was  a 
farmer,  migrated  from  Ohio  to  Iowa  in  1865,  locating  in  Iowa  county,  Iowa, 
subsequently  settling  in  Sheridan  township,  Poweshiek  county.  In  1891  he 
went  to  Hastings,  Nebraska,  and  both  he  and  Mrs.  Sheets  made  their  home  (lur- 
ing the  latter  part  of  their  lives  with  their  son,  Clement  Sheets,  who  was  a  res- 
ident of  that  town.  Mrs.  Sheets  passed  away  in  .April,  1892,  but  he  survived 
her  until  1909.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Doty  have  been  born  nine  children,  eight  of 
whom  are  living,  as  follows :  Ada,  who  married  RoUin  Smith,  who  was  shot  and 
killed  at  Chelsa,  Iowa,  during  a  bank  robbery.  He  was  marshal  at  that  time  and 
was  shot  by  one  of  the  robbers  while  on  duty,  dying  five  hours  later.  Of  this 
union  there  was  born  one  child,  William,  who  is  living  with  his  mother.  Later 
-Mrs.  Smith  married  Grant  Ostrom,  a  farmer  living  near  Hartwick,  Jefferson 
county,  Iowa,  and  they  have  had  three  children  :  Grace  ;  Percy,  and  Rex,  who  is  de- 
ceased :  Forrest,  a  farmer  of  P.ear  Creek  township,  this  county,  who  married 
Nola  Tinker,  a  daughter  of  Edward  Tinker,  a  resident  of  the  same  township, 
and  who  have  one  child,  Martha:  Gertrude,  the  wife  of  Gordon  Roudebush,  a 
farmer  of  Bear  Creek  township,  and  who  have  one  child,  John ;  Pertha,  Ethel, 
Minnie,  Cora  and  Glenn  are  all  at  home.  Cora  and  Ethel  are  attending  the 
high  school  at  Brooklyn  and  Glenn  goes  to  school  in  district  No.  7,  Madison 
township. 

Mrs.  Doty  and  the  children  are  all  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church  of  Brooklyn,  and  Mr.  Doty  is  a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity  of 
Brooklyn,  while  he  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star 
of  the  same  place.  His  ballot  he  casts  in  support  of  the  candidates  of  the 
republican  party  and  has  served  his  township  as  trustee  for  two  terms  and  as 
school  director  for  many  years.  He  is  one  of  the  energetic  and  capable  agri- 
culturists of  Madison  township  who  well  merits  the  success  which  has  rewarded 
his  efforts. 


WALTER  I.  WOLCOTT. 

One  of  the  citizens  of  Sheridan  townshiis  who  has  been  identified  with  the 
agricultural  development  of  Poweshiek  county  is  Walter  I.  Wolcott,  who  is 
engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  a  two  hundred  and  eighty  acre  farm  on  section 
16. 

Mr.  Wolcott  was  born  upon  the  farm  where  he  continues  to  live  on  the  25th 
of  September,  1876,  his  parents  being  Edwin  and  Angeline  (  Barnum)  Wolcott, 
natives  of   Greene  county.   New   York.     The   father,    whose  natal  day   was  the 


480  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

14th  of  September.  1828,  was  reared  upon  a  farm,  in  the  cultivation  of  which 
he  assisted,  and  he  also  engaged  in  teaming  and  worked  in  a  tannery  when  a 
young  man.  Coming  west  in  185 1,  he  located  in  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  where 
he  resided  for  four  years,  at  the  end  of  which  period  he  removed  to  Whiteside 
county,  where  he  remained  until  1859,  when  he  returned  to  New  York.  In 
1871  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Poweshiek  county  where  he  lived 
continuously  until  his  demise  on  the  2d  of  December,  lyoo.  He  was  twice 
married,  his  first  wife  being  Miss  Jane  Sanford,  a  daughter  of  Vernon  and  Katie 
Sanford,  who  were  farming  people  of  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  where  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Wolcott  were  married  in  1854.  Two  sons  were  born  of  this  marriage: 
Vernon  L.,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years ;  and  Frank  B.,  a  resi- 
dent of  Toledo.  Mrs.  Wolcotf  died  in  1859  and  he  subsequently  returned  to 
New  York,  where  he  later  married  Miss  Angeline  Barnum,  who  passed  away 
in  the  summer  of  1890. 

The  Wolcott  family  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  America,  the  first  representative 
coming  over  in  the  Mayflower.  Oliver  Wolcott,  who  was  one  of  the  signers  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  was  the  great-great-grandfather  of  our  sub- 
ject and  the  father  of  Gideon  Wolcott,  who  was  born  in  1765  and  married  Car- 
oline Becker,  another  representative  of  one  of  the  old  families  of  New  Eng- 
land. Gideon  Wolcott,  who  died  in  1850,  located  in  Greene  county.  New  York, 
where  his  son,  Lawrence,  was  born  in  1804.  He  removed  with  his  wife,  who 
prior  to  her  marriage  was  Miss  Sarah  Stocking,  to  Illinois,  after  the  death  of 
his  father. 

Walter  I.  Wolcott's  boyhood  and  youth  was  always  a  busy  one,  for  while 
still  a  student  in  the  district  school  he  had  to  assume  much  of  the  responsibility 
of  the  farm,  practically  having  entire  charge  of  it  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years. 
After  the  death  of  his  father,  which  occurred  when  he  was  twenty- four  years 
old,  he  bought  two  hundred  acres  of  the  old  farm,  later  adding  to  this  another 
forty  acres  which  he  purchased  from  his  brother,  E.  J.  Wolcott,  and  he  sub- 
sequently acquired  forty  acres  which  adjoined  his  father's  farm  on  the  south, 
thus  making  the  aggregate  of  his  landed  holdings  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres, 
all  of  which  is  in  an  excellent  state  of  cultivation.  He  engages  in  general  farm- 
ing and  stock-raising  and  is  meeting  with  success  in  both  ventures.  His  place 
is  well  improved,  the  buildings  kept  in  good  repair,  while  the  fields  are  given 
that  careful  supervision  which  results  in  abundant  harvests. 

In  1901,  Mr.  Wolcott  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  G.  Rhodes,  a  daughter  of 
H.  I.  and  Kate  (Devinney)  Rhodes,  the  father  being  a  native  of  Licking 
county,  Ohio,  and  the  mother  of  Rock  Island,  Illinois.  About  1850  Mr.  Rhodes 
came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Jackson  county,  removing  from  there  to  Sheridan 
township  in  1871,  where  he  engaged  in  farming  until  about  nine  years  ago, 
when  he  retired  to  Grinnell,  where  he  and  Mrs.  Rhodes  continue  to  reside.  Two 
children  have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolcott:  Cecil  Irving,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  30th  of  March,  1902:  and  Hubert  Edwin,  who  was  born  on  the 
2d  of  January,  1905. 

The  parents  both  affiliate  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Sheridan 
township,  while  fraternally  Mr.  Wolcott  is  identified  with  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  being  a  member  of  Sheridan  Lodge,  No.  654,  and  also 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  481 

with  the    Modern    Woodmen    of    America,    belonging   to    Sheridan    Camp,    No. 
9039,  and  Mrs.  Wolcott  is  atfiliated  with  the  Ivoyal  Neighbors  of  Sheridan. 

An  ardent  rcimbhcan  Mr.  Wcilcolt  always  casts  his  ballot  for  the  candidates 
of  that  part)-,  but  not  being  an  office  seeker  he  never  actively  participates  in 
local  politics,  preferring  to  concentrate  his  entire  attention  upon  his  private 
interests. 


FREDERICK   MURPHY. 

Frederick  Muriihy,  extensively  and  successfully  engaged  in  general  farming 
and  stock-raising  in  Malcom  township,  is  numbered  among  Poweshiek  county's 
native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  on  the  farm,  which  is  still  his  home,  on 
the  15th  of  May,  1872. 

As  the  name  indicates  the  family  is  of  Irish  origin,  the  grandjjarents  of  our 
subject,  Frank  and  Mary  (Ewart)  Murphy,  having  both  been  born  in  County 
Tipperary.  Ireland.  The  grandmother  was  related  to  the  Ewart  family  of  County 
Tipperary,  for  whom  the  town  of  Ewart  was  named.  On  arriving  in  this 
country  they  first  located  in  New  Brunswick  and  later  went  to  Illinois,  whence 
they  removed  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  prior  to  the  inauguration  of  the  Civil 
war.  Here  Mr.  Murphy  entered  several  hundred  acres  of  land,  including  the 
present  homestead  farm,  and  here  both  he  and  his  wife  passed  away.  In  their 
family  w^ere  seven  children,  as  follows :  William,  the  father  of  our  subject : 
Francis,  now  deceased ;  Joseph,  also  deceased ;  John,  of  Grinnell  township , 
James,  of  Colorado;  Sarah,  who  married  a  Mr.  Delehoyd,  of  Nebraska;  and 
Lucy  A.,  who  is  deceased.  William  Murphy,  the  eldest  of  this  number,  was  born 
in  New  Brunswick,  and  was  but  eight  years  of  age  when  brought  by  his  par- 
ents to  Poweshiek  county.  He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  followed  that 
pursuit  in  this  county  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1878,  at  the  early  age  of 
forty-four  years.  His  wife,  Mrs.  Florence  (Cade)  Murphy,  was  a  native  of 
Illinois  and  her  death  occurred  in  Omaha  in  1906,  when  she  was  sixty-three 
years  of  age.  Their  family  consisted  of  three  children,  namely :  Frederick,  of 
this  review;  Robert,  of  Grinnell  township;  and  Stephen,  who  passed  away  at 
the  age  of  twenty-two  years. 

Frederick  Murphy,  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  has  spent  his  entire 
life  upon  the  farm  wdiich  is  now  his  home.  After  the  death  of  his  father, 
which  occurred  when  he  was  a  little  lad  of  six  years,  he  continued  to  reside 
on  the  old  homestead  with  his  uncle,  Joseph  Murphy,  whose  death  occurred  here 
on  the  29th  of  March,  1907.  This  farm  consists  of  four  hundred  acres,  all  in 
one  body,  lying  on  section  32,  Malcom  townshi]),  and  under  the  direction  of 
Mr.  Murphy  and  his  uncle  it  has  become  a  highly  improved  and  valuable  prop- 
erty, containing  two  sets  of  substantial  buildings  and  all  of  the  equipment  nec- 
essary for  the  successful  conduct  of  the  farm  work.  Mr.  Murphy  engages  in 
general  farming  and  stock-raising,  fattening  for  the  market  on  an  average  of  two 
carloads  of  hogs  and  one  carload  of  cattle  annually,  and  in  both  branches  he  has 
been  most  successful,  being  now  numbered  among  the  most  prosperous,  enter- 
prising  and   progressive  agriculturists   of  the   community.      He  also    has   other 


482  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

interests,  being  a  stockholder  in  the  Malcom  Savings  Bank  and  also  a  director 
of  the  Malcom  Garage  Company. 

On  the  20th  of  September,  1904,  Mr.  Murphy  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Lena  Olson,  who  was  born  in  Grinnell  township  on  the  i6th  of  December, 
1879.  Her  parents,  Ole  and  Lena  Olson,  are  both  natives  of  Norway  and  now 
make  their  home  at  Story  City,  Iowa.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  iMurphy  have  been 
born  four  children ;  Ruth  :  Frederick  William ;   Harold :  and  Raymond. 

Mr.  Murphy  is  known  in  fraternal  circles  as  a  member  of  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  lodge  of  Malcom  and  of  the  Elks  lodge  at  Marshalltown.  In  pol- 
itics he  votes  the  republican  ticket  where  national  issues  and  questions  are  in- 
volved, but  at  local  elections  casts  an  independent  ballot,  supporting  the  men 
and  measures  which  he  regards  as  best  adapted  to  conserve  the  welfare  of  the 
community  regardless  of  party  ties.  A  diligent  farmer  and  a  good  citizen,  en- 
joying a  substantial  income  from  his  business  interests,  he  holds  the  respect 
and  good  will  of  his  fellows  through  the  strong  traits  of  honesty  and  integrity 
of  purpose  which  have  ever  characterized  his   intercourse  with  others. 


HANS  H.  FREESE. 


Hans  H.  Freese  is  numbered  among  those  sons  of  the  fatherland  who  sought 
a  home  in  the  new  world  and  here  found  the  opportunities  for  advancement  in 
business  lines  denied  them  in  their  native  land.  He  was  born  in  Holstein,  Ger- 
many, on  the  31st  of  August,  1851,  a  son  of  Hans  D.  and  Anna  (Dohse)  Freese, 
both  of  whom  passed  away  when  he  was  but  a  year  and  a  half  old.  He  was 
sixth  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  seven  children,  who,  after  the  death  of 
their  parents,  were  reared  by  strangers.  Hans  H.  Freese  was  given  the  privilege 
of  attending  school  until  fifteen  years  of  age,  when  he  laid  aside  his  text- 
books to  learn  the  blacksmith's  trade.  He  followed  that  occupation  for  a  short 
time  and  then  engaged  in  farming  until  1881,  when  he  determined  to  seek  his 
fortune  in  the  United  States. 

Mr.  Freese  arrived  in  Montezuma,  Iowa,  on  the  i6th  of  May,  of  that  year 
and  has  since  been  a  resident  of  Poweshiek  county.  He  was  at  first  employed 
as  a  farm  hand  by  the  month,  being  thus  engaged  for  one  year,  after  which 
he  took  up  farming  on  his  own  account  as  a  renter,  being  thus  occupied  for  six 
years.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  removed  to  Bear  Creek  township 
and  here  operated  another  rented  farm  for  a  similar  period.  In  the  mean- 
time his  industry,  enterprise  and  thrift  had  made  it  possible  for  him  to  save 
sufficient  capital  with  which  to  invest  in  a  farm  of  his  own,  and  in  1892  he 
took  up  his  abode  upon  a  farm  which  he  had  purchased  three  years  before. 
The  tract  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  located  on  section  19,  Bear 
Creek  township,  two  and  a  half  miles  east  of  Malcom,  and  upon  that  place  he 
has  since  carried  on  general  agricultural  pursuits.  Aside  from  tilling  the  soil 
he  also  engages  in  stock-raising  and  in  both  branches  has  met  with  success.  He 
cultivates  the  cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and  climate,  practices  rotation  of  crops 
and  handles  a  good  grade  of  stock,  and  close  application  to  business  and  wise 


MR.    AM)    >ri!S     IIA.VS    II.    FREESE 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  485 

management  of  affairs  have  ever  been  salient  elements  and   resultant   forces  in 
his  career. 

Ere  leaving  his  native  country  Mr.  Freese  was  united  in  marriage,  October 
27,  1878,  to  Miss  Catharine  Johanna  Fischer,  who  was  bom  in  Holstein,  Ger- 
many, on  the  nth  of  November,  1858.  Her  parents,  Henry  and  Dorothea 
Fischer,  were  lifelong  residents  of  the  fatherland.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Freese 
were  born  twelve  children,  as  follows:  Henry  John,  of  Alarshalltown,  Iowa, 
who  married  Otillia  Schaefer;  Caroline  Marie,  who  married  A.  C.  Pyle,  of 
Malcom  township;  Charles  Christian,  at  home;  Anna  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of 
Gustavus  l\  Kelm,  of  Malcom  ;  Ida  Dorothea,  who  wedded  George  Eisele,  of 
Malcom  township;  William  F.,  residing  in  Kossuth  county,  Iowa;  Louis  Theo- 
dore, Elizabeth  Minnie,  John  Herman  and  Frank  Walter,  all  at  home :  and  Del- 
mer  August  and  Elmer  Otto,  twins,  the  latter  of  whom  died  at  the  age  of  one 
year. 

Mr.  I'Veese  is  an  interested  and  helpful  member  of  the  German  Lutheran 
church  of  Malcom  township  and  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democratic 
party,  although  the  honors  and  emoluments  of  ofiu-e  have  no  attraction  for  him. 
While  a  resident  of  the  fatherland  Mr.  Freese  served  for  three  years,  from  1871 
until  1874,  in  the  German  army,  as  a  soldier  in  Company  10,  Eighty-fifth  Regi- 
ment. Since  his  arrival  in  this  country  he  has  proven  himself  equally  loyal  to 
American  interests  and  institutions  and  is  today  numbered  among  Poweshiek 
county's  representative  and  respected  citizens. 


]H  >>.'■■    '^ 

JOHN  P..  B,^ER. 

Good  business  sagacity,  tireless  energy  and  the  intelligent  direction  of  his 
affairs  have  enabled  John  P.  I'aker  of  Searsboro  t(3  retire  while  yet  in  his 
prime. 

He  was  born  in  Washington  township,  Poweshiek  county,  on  the  29th  of 
September,  1S62.  a  son  of  George  J.  and  Sarah  (Watson)  Haker,  The  father 
was  a  native  of  the  province  of  Westphalia,  Germany,  while  the  mother  was 
born  in  Indiana  in  1825.  Mr.  Baker  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1854 
and  located  in  Washington  township,  where  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  land. 
Later  he  disposed  of  this  and  bought  eighty  acres  in  Sugar  Creek  township, 
continuing  its  cultivation  until  his  death  in  1865.  The  mother  passed  away  in 
Sugar  Creek  township,  July  i,  191 1.  His  political  support  Mr.  Raker  gave  to 
the  whig  party,  while  in  religion  he  was  a  Catholic.  Mrs.  Baker,  however,  was 
a  member  of  the  Baptist  church.  Unto  them  were  born  a  son  and  a  daughter ; 
the  latter.  .Margaret,  is  still  at  the  old  homestead  in  Sugar  Creek  township. 

John  P.  Baker  was  only  a  child  of  three  years  of  age  when  his  father  died, 
so  that  while  still  quite  young  he  was  compelled  to  assist  with  the  work  about 
the  farm.  His  education  was  acquired  in  the  district  schools  of  Sugar  Creek 
township,  which  he  attended  until  he  had  such  knowledge  as  he  felt  would 
enal)le  him  tn  assume  the  heavier  responsibilities  of  life.     He  then  worked  out 


486  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

for  three  years  as  a  farm  hand,  following  which  he  operated  the  homestead  for 
his  mother  until  he  was  thirty  years  of  age. 

In  1892  he  came  to  Searsboro  and  engaged  in  the  grain  and  lumber  business 
with  George  \V.  Hays.  At  the  end  of  five  years  Mr.  Baker  bought  out  the  in- 
terest of  his  partner  and  conducted  the  business  alone  until  1902,  when  the 
state  of  his  health  necessitated  his  withdrawing  from  business,  so  he  disposed 
of  his  interests.  During  the  ne.xt  four  years  he  superintended  his  farm  in  Sugar 
Creek  township,  containing  six  hundred  and  forty  acres,  which  he  had  bought 
while  engaged  in  business.  Subsequently,  he  again  returned  to  his  former  business 
in  Searsboro,  continuing  to  be  identified  with  this  until  1909,  since  which  time 
he  has  been  living  retired. 

On  the  1st  of  March,  1893,  Mr.  Baker  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Vista  J.  Fudge,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Ann  (Highland)  Fudge,  well  Known 
residents  of  Sugar  Creek  township.  Mrs.  Baker  is  also  a  native  of  Iowa,  having 
been  born  in  Madison  county  on  the  2d  of  April,  1868.  Three  children  have 
been  born  of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baker,  the  order  of  their  birth  being 
as  follows:  Clifford  Otho,  who  was  born  on  the  29th  of  November,  1896;  \'eda 
Aureva,  born  on  the  29th  of  January,  1903 ;  and  Aretha  Adelaide,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  15th  of  January,  1908. 

The  family  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Baker  are  members,  and  in  politics  he  is  a  republican  and  has  served  on  the 
school  board  and  in  the  town  council.  Mr.  Baker  is  one  of  the  highly  regarded 
business  men  of  Searsboro,  as  well  as  one  of  its  affluent  citizens,  and  both  he 
and  his  wife  take  a  prominent  part  in  the  social  life  of  the  town  and  e.xtend 
the  hospitality  of  their  beautiful   home  to  their  many  friends. 


W.  W.  SHANNON. 


Ohio  claims  W.  W.  Shannon  as  one  of  her  native  sons,  although  for  more 
than  a  third  of  a  century  he  has  made  his  home  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa. 
His  birth  occurred  in  Butler  county,  July  20,  1849,  ^  son  of  James  E.  and 
Malinda  (Huston)  Shannon.  The  father  was  born  in  Harrisburg,  Pennsyl- 
vania. May  17,  1817,  and  the  mother  in  Dearborn  county,  Indiana,  in  March, 
1828.  and  shortly  after  their  marriage  they  removed  to  Ohio.  \\'hen  their  son, 
W.  W.  Shannon,  was  about  two  years  of  age  they  located  in  Michigan,  and  there 
the  mother  passed  away  April  11,  1858,  her  death  occurring  in  Morenci.  In 
1864  the  family  removed  to  Henry  county,  lllinnis.  and  there  made  their  home. 
The  father  engaged  in  general  farming  until  he  retired  from  active  labor,  and  on 
the  8th  of  October,  1910,  he  passed  away,  having  survived  his  wife  for  more 
than  a  half  century.  In  their  family  were  two  children,  the  sister  of  our  sub- 
ject being  Mary  I.  wife  of  Edward  A.  Fickling,  of  Yankton.  South  Dakota. 

At  the  usual  age  \V.  ^V.  Shannon  entered  the  public  schools  in  the  ac(|uire- 
nient  of  his  education,  and  later  became  a  pu]3il  in  the  Bryant  &  Stratton  Bus- 
iness College  at  Peoria,  Illinois.  After  his  graduation  therefrom  he  was  engaged 
for  a   year   as    bookkeeper    in   a   bank   in    Illinois,    but    with   the    e.xception    of 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  487 

that  iieriod  his  attention  was  given  to  agricultural  pursuits  throughout  his  bus- 
iness career.  In  1876  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  located  on  a  farm  two 
and  a  half  miles  soutiieast  of  I'.rooklyn,  in  ISear  Creek  township,  and  later  he 
purchased  the  J.  P.  P.artley  farm,  located  also  in  this  township,  about  tw^o  miles 
southeast  of  this  city.  Here  he  made  his  home  for  twenty  years,  a  period 
marked  by  persistent  effort,  unfaltering  energy,  close  application  and  wise  man- 
agement, so  that  at  its  close  he  had  not  only  transformed  his  farm  into  a  val- 
uable property,  but  had  gained  for  himself  a  place  among  the  substantial  and 
successful  agriculturists  of  the  township.  Tn  1903  he  sold  that  place  and  re- 
moved to  Brooklyn,  where  he  has  since  maintained  his  home.  He  now  owns  a 
half  interest  in  a  fine  farm  of  two  hundred  and  eighty-six  acres  southeast  of 
the  town,  which  annually  yields  a  gratifying  revenue. 

Tn  1873,  at  Cambridge,  Illinois,  Mr.  Shannon  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Emma  C.  Blanchard,  who  was  born  at  Tiskilwa  on  the  31st  of  August, 
1S55,  a  daughter  of  Russell  and  Lenora  M.  (Wright)  Blanchard.  Her  father, 
who  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  passed  away  in  Davenport,  Iowa,  on  the  20th 
of  March,  1893.  and  the  mother,  a  native  of  England,  died  in  1858.  Two  chil- 
dren have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shannon :  Mabel  C,  the  eldest,  was  born 
September  29,  1878,  and  is  now  the  wife  of  R.  Whitney,  of  Fort  Collins,  Col- 
orado. By  her  marriage  she  has  become  the  mother  of  two  children :  Albert, 
ten  years  of  age:  and  Ruth,  aged  four  years.  Ion  W.,  born  .\pril  15,  1884, 
became  the  wife  of  B.  F.  Torrance,  of  Brooklyn,  and  they  have  one  child, 
Louise  E.,  now  two  years  of  age. 

Mr.  Shannon  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  as  is  also  his 
wife,  while  fraternally  he  is  a  Master  ^lason  and  is  also  identified  with  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  He  is  a  stanch  republican  in  politics  and  has  been  called 
to  fill  various  offices,  including  that  of  trustee  of  Bear  Creek  township,  which 
he  occupied  for  two  or  three  terms.  He  resigned  that  position,  however,  to  ac- 
ce|)t  the  duties  of  county  supervisor,  to  which  office  he  was  elected  in  1897. 
serving  therein  for  two  terms,  or  six  years.  He  also  was  closely  identified  with 
the  work  of  the  office  of  county  commissioner  for  three  subsequent  years,  al- 
though he  w^as  not  at  that  time  a  member  of  the  board.  Although  he  has  already 
passed  the  sixtieth  milestone  on  life's  journey  he  is  still  deeply  interested  in  all 
of  the  vital  questions  and  issues  of  the  day,  and  by  his  fellow  townsmen  he  is 
recognized  as  a  loyal  and  public-spirited  citizen,  who  has  the  welfare  of  the 
community  at  heart. 


JAMES  CALDERWOOD. 

James  Calderwood.  a  retired  agriculturist  living  on  section  i.  Bear  Creek 
township,  has  been  a  resident  of  Iowa  for  more  than  six  decades  and  during 
his  active  business  career  accumulated  seven  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  val- 
uable land.  His  birth  occurred  in  County  Antrim.  Ireland,  on  the  22d  of  June, 
1825,  his  parents  being  Matthew  and  Rosana  (Cameron)  Calderwood,  who 
though  of  Scotch  descent,  were  born  and  reared  in  Ireland.     The  father,  whose 


488  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

natal  year  was  1781.  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  spent  his  entire  life  in 
County  Antrim,  passing  away  in  1866  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years.  His  wife, 
who  .vas  born  in  1790,  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in  1881  when  ninety-one 
years  of  age. 

James  Calderwood  remained  on  the  Emerald  isle  until  he  attained  his  ma- 
jority, assisting  his  father  in  the  operation  of  the  home  farm.  In  1847  '^^ 
crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States,  locating  in  eastern  Massachusetts, 
near  Boston,  where  he  worked  on  garden  farms  for  three  summers.  In  1850 
he  determined  to  establish  his  home  in  the  west  and,  beginning  the  journey, 
made  his  way  from  Boston  to  Philadelphia  by  boat  and  railroad.  From  Phil- 
adelphia he  traveled  by  canal  to  near  Johnstown,  Pennsylvania,  thence  crossing 
the  Alleghany  mountains  by  stage  to  Pittsburg.  Subsequently  he  made  his  way 
down  the  Ohio  river  to  Cairo  and  continued  the  journey  by  boat  up  to  Daven- 
port, Iowa.  He  entered  a  quarter  section  of  land  in  Scott  county,  nine  miles 
north  of  Davenport,  for  which  he  paid  two  dollars  an  acre  and  on  which  he 
took  up  his  abode  five  years  after  it  came  into  his  possession,  .-\fter  a  residence 
of  thirty-one  years  in  Scott  county  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  locating  in 
Bear  Creek  township,  where  he  purchased  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  and  later  another  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  The  township  of 
Bear  Creek  has  remained  his  place  of  abode  to  the  present  time.  During  his 
career  as  an  agriculturist  he  accumulated  seven  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
rich  and  productive  land  and  still  owns  the  home  place  of  four  hundred  acres. 
The  remainder  of  his  property  he  gave  to  two  of  his  sons,  one  receiving  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  and  the  other  of  two  hundred  acres. 

On  the  1 2th  of  December,  1857,  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  Mr.  Calderwood  was 
united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Henrietta  Middlemas,  who  was  born  in  Sullivan 
county,  New  York,  on  the  14th  of  May,  1835,  her  parents  being  Rev.  Jasper  and 
Elizabeth  (Templeton)  IMiddlemas.  the  former  a  native  of  Ro.xburghshire, 
Scotland,  and  the  latter  of  Aberdeen,  Scotland.  Her  father  was  a  minister  of 
the  German  Reformed  church  of  New  York  state,  while  her  maternal  grand- 
father, the  Rev.  Dr.  Templeton,  was  a  well  known  divine  of  Scotland.  Mrs. 
Calderwood,  who  was  a  graduate  of  the  State  Normal  School  of  Albany,  New 
York,  tlied  on  the  old  home  place  on  the  24th  of  June,  1909.  By  her  marriage 
she  became  the  mother  of  ten  children,  nine  of  whom  are  still  living.  Matthew, 
who  is  engaged  in  the  impleinent  business  at  Pipestone,  Minnesota,  wedded 
Miss  Minnie  Whitcomb,  of  Brooklyn,  Iowa.  Lizzie  is  the  wife  of  William 
Copely,  a  farmer  living  near  Marshalltown,  Iowa.  Lizzie  is  the  wife  of  William 
dren:  Glenn;  James:  Ross:  Nellie:  and  Harry  Grant  and  Fred,  who  are  de- 
ceased. Annie  Calderwood  is  at  home  with  her  father,  as  is  also  Emma  Jane. 
Henrietta  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  William  Hughes  of  Cedar  Rapids,  Iowa, 
an  express  agent  of  the  Unitetl  States  Express  Company,  by  whom  she  has 
one  child,  Willard  James.  Caroline  Templeton  is  the  wife  of  Forrest  Wright, 
an  imnlement  dealer  of  Pipestone.  Minnesota,  by  whom  she  has  four  children: 
William  Deacon,  Catharyn  Louise,  Cameron  Worth  and  Dalton  Forrest.  Will- 
iam C,  an  agriculturist  of  Madison  township,  Poweshiek  coimty,  wedded 
Miss  Mary  Erickson  and  has  two  children,  Eloise  Evelyne  and  Andrew  Erick- 
son.    Sarah  is  the  wife  of  B.  E.  Dayton,  a  furniture  dealer  of  Brooklyn,  Iowa, 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  489 

liy  wIkjiii  she  has  une  chiltl,  Ralph  Edson.  Charles  Melanthon  is  a  graduate  of 
Iowa  College  and  the  \'ale  Theological  Seminary  and  has  been  pastor  of  the 
Church  of  the  Pilgrims  at  lirooklyn,  New  York,  for  the  past  three  years.  As 
a  companion  and  heli)niate  on  the  journey  of  life  he  chose  Miss  Edith  Hanscom, 
of  Haverhill.  Massachusetts.  Jasper  Turner  Calderwood  passed  away  on  the 
i4th  of  August,   1865,  when  but  two  years  of  age. 

In  politics  Mr.  Calderwood  is  a  stanch  republican,  having  supported  the  men 
and  measures  of  tliat  ])arty  since  casting  his  ballot  for  John  C.  Fremont,  its 
first  presidential  candidate.  While  living  in  Scott  county  he  held  the  office  of 
township  supervisor  for  several  terms  and  also  served  as  a  member  of  the 
school  board.  For  forty-seven  years  he  has  been  an  elder  in  the  Presbyterian 
church  either  of  Davenport  or  Hrooklyn,  Iowa,  with  which  denomination  his 
children  are  also  connected.  He  has  now  passed  the  eighty-si.xth  milestone  on 
this  earthly  pilgrimage  and  his  life  has  ever  been  such  that  he  can  look  back 
upon  the  past  without  regret  and  forward  to  the  future  without  fear. 


.WiJREW  SHADEL. 


.Andrew  Shadel,  who  owns  an  excellent  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  in  Madison  township,  w-as  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Monmouth,  Illinois,  on 
the  12th  of  May,  1871.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Stacy)  Shadel, 
the  father  a  native  of  Germany  and  the  mother  of  Switzerland.  Mr.  Shadel 
emigrated  to  the  United  States  before  the  Civil  w^ar,  locating  in  Indiana,  where 
he  worked  on  a  farm  for  a  short  time,  and  then  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land 
in  Illinois  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  engaged  for  eight  years.  At  the  ex- 
piration of  that  period  he  disposed  of  his  property  and  came  to  Sheridan  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  land,  to  which  he  later  added  another  quarter  section.  He  continued  to  reside 
in  Sheridan  township  for  fifteen  years,  when  he  retired  and  removed  to  Tama, 
Tama  county.   Iowa,  where  he  and  his  wife  have  ever  since  made  their  home. 

Practically  the  entire  life  of  Andrew  Shadel  has  been  spent  in  Poweshiek 
countv  in  the  district  schools  of  which  he  obtained  his  education.  Upon  the 
completion  of  his  education  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  cultivating 
the  homestead.  When  the  latter  removed  to  Tama  his  son  rented  the  homestead, 
which  he  operated  for  ten  years,  and  then  ])urchased  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  in  Madison  township,  where  he  continues  to  reside.  He  engages  in 
general  farming  and  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  and  feeding  hogs  and  cattle 
for  the  market.  During  the  period  of  his  residence  upon  his  present  farm  he 
has  effected  many  improvements  in  the  property.  He  has  just  completed  a  new- 
residence  and  has  repaired  the  outbuildings,  while  tlie  land,  which  is  now  well 
drained,  is  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation. 

On  the  3d  of  February,  1898,  Mr.  Shadel  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Marv  Miller,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Kate  (Shank)  Miller.  The  parents,  who 
were  born  and  reared  in  Rockingham  county.  \'irginia.  came  to  Poweshiek 
county  many  years  ago.     Upon  their  arrival  here  Mr.  Miller  first  rented  a  farm 


490  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

in  Jefferson  township,  which  he  cuUivated  for  several  years,  following  which 
he  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Warren  township.  He  passed 
away  on  his  homestead  on  the  8th  of  June,  1886,  and  for  six  years  thereafter 
Airs.  Aliller  remained  upon  the  home  farm.  In  1892,  however,  she  was  mar- 
ried to  Phillip  Heishman,  a  wealthy  farmer  and  extensive  landowner  of  Sher- 
idan township,  and  three  of  her  daughters  married  sons  of  Mr.  Heishman,  as 
follows:  Will  and  Ernest,  both  residents  of  Sheridan  township;  and  Gus,  of 
Warren  township.  Mrs.  Heishman  had  one  son,  Benjamin  Franklin  Miller, 
who  died  at  the  age  of  six  years.  Unto  ^Nlr.  and  Mrs.  Shadel  has  been  born 
one  daughter,  Mabel  E.,  who  is  twelve  years  of  age  and  attends  the  Madison 
township  No.  9  district  school. 

Mr.  and  ]\Irs.  Shadel  hold  membership  in  the  Christian  church  of  Madison 
township,  while  his  political  support  Mr.  Shadel  gives  to  the  democratic  party. 
He  served  as  township  trustee  in  Madison  township  for  two  years  and  is  now 
president  of  the  board  of  school  directors  in  district  No.  9.  Ambition,  energy 
and  perseverance  are  prominent  characteristics  of  Mr.  Shadel,  who  is  recog- 
nized as  one  of  the  successful  farmers  of  Madison  township. 


LUTHER  TRIPLETT. 


Well  directed  effort  along  agricultural  lines  was  the  source  of  the  gratify- 
ing competence  which  now  enables  Luther  Triplett  to  live  retired,  enjoying  in 
well  earned  rest  the  fruits  of  former  years  of  labor. 

He  was  born  in  what  is  now  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  on  the  i6th  of  De- 
cember, 1834,  and  the  scene  of  his  nativity  was  one  of  the  picturesque  log 
cabins,  with  stick  and  mud  chimneys  and  puncheon  floors,  so  typical  of  pioneer 
days.  His  parents,  Aquilla  and  Elizabeth  (Wilson)  Triplett,  were  both  born  in 
the  year  181 1,  the  father's  birth  occurring  in  X'irginia  and  the  mother's  in 
Pennsylvania.  They  were  married  in  Ohio  and  removed  to  Illinois  shortly  be- 
fore the  birth  of  their  son,  Luther.  The  district  was  at  that  time  sparsely  set- 
tled and  Aquilla  Triplett  entered  land  from  the  government  in  what  later  be- 
came Bureau  county,  paying  therefor  a  dollar  and  a  quarter  per  acre.  There  he 
developed  a  farm,  which  he  continued  to  cultivate  for  a  number  of  years.  He 
passed  away  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years  while  visiting  his  son,  Luther,  at 
Brooklyn.  His  wife  continued  to  reside  on  the  old  home  place  until  her  demise, 
which  occurred  when  she  was  eighty-four  years  of  age.  Their  family  of  ten 
children  consisted  of  seven  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  Luther  was  the 
second  in  order  of  birth  and  the  eldest  son.  A  brother,  Levi,  served  for  three 
years  as  a  soldier  in  the  Civil  war.  Four  brothers  and  one  sister  of  our  sub- 
ject still  survive. 

The  little  cabin  in  Illinois,  sixteen  by  sixteen  feet,  remained  the  home  of 
Luther  Triplett  throughout  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  he  continued  a  resi- 
dent of  that  state  until  1868,  when  he  followed  the  advice  of  Horace  Greeley— 
"Go  west,  young  man"— and  sought  a  home  and  fortune  on  the  broad  prairies 
west  of  the  Mississippi  river.  He  located  first  in  Brooklyn,  Poweshiek  county, 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  491 

Iowa,  and  then  in  the  spring  of  iS(>ij  he  purchased  a  farm  live  miles  northwest 
of  this  city,  on  section  4,  Bear  Creek  township.  For  thirty-nine  years  he 
labored  unceasingly  in  its  development  and  improvement,  his  efforts  being 
characterized  by  an  energy,  perseverance  and  diligence  that  presaged  the  most 
successful  outcome.  At  the  expiration  of  that  period  results  were  so  sub- 
stantial that  he  was  able  to  withdraw  from  active  labor  and  with  a  most  sat- 
isfactory competence  removed  to  Brooklyn,  where  he  is  now  enjoying  a  well 
merited  rest.  Upon  his  retirement  from  agricultural  pursuits  he  was  the 
owner  of  a  valuable  property  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  all  well  improved 
and  highly  cultivated,  eighty  acres  of  which  he  has  since  sold  to  his  son. 

While  yet  a  resident  of  Illinois  Mr.  Triplett  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1854, 
to  Miss  Celia  Ann  Ball,  who  was  born  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  January  20, 
1835,  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  went  to  Illinois  with  her  parents,  She 
is  a  daughter  of  \'achel  and  Fannie  Ball,  natives  of  [Maryland,  who  also  came 
to  Iowa  in  i8fi8,  locating  in  Brooklyn  at  the  same  time  that  Mr.  Triplett  became 
a  resident  here.  In  their  family  were  four  daughters  and  seven  sons.  As  the 
years  passed  the  home  of  Air.  and  Mrs.  Triplett  was  blessed  with  six  children, 
namely:  Frank,  a  resident  of  Cowrie,  Webster  county,  Iowa;  H.  L.,  of  Grin- 
nell :  Fannie,  the  wife  of  F.  O.  Littlefield,  of  Humboldt,  Kansas;  Monsieur  D., 
a  farmer  residing  five  miles  northwest  of  Brooklyn ;  Aquilla,  making  his  home 
in  Stratford,  Texas ;  and  Dr.  Louis  B.,  practicing  medicine  in  Springfield,  Massa- 
chusetts. 

Although  Mr.  Triplett  gives  stanch  support  to  the  candidates  of  the  demo- 
cratic party,  he  has  never  sought  nor  desired  office  for  himself.  He  is  a  Master 
Mason,  belonging  to  the  lodge  at  Brooklyn,  and  has  won  for  himself  a  large  circle 
of  friends  during  his  long  residence  in  Brooklyn  and  vicinity.  He  has  never 
regretted  his  determination  to  come  to  Iowa,  for  in  the  cultivation  of  ner  rich 
soil  he  found  most  substantial  success. 


GEORGE  WASHINGTON  ROBESON. 

One  of  the  highly  successful  stockmen  of  Poweshiek  county  is  George 
Washington  Robeson,  who  owns  an  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  Madison  township.  He  was  born  in  Davenport,  Scott  county,  Iowa, 
on  the  7th  of  April,  1846,  and  is  a  son  of  Thomas  AI.  and  Sarah  Jane  (Blake) 
Robeson,  the  father 'of  Irish  and  the  mother  of  French  extraction,  but  both  na- 
tives of  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania.  Air.  Robeson,  who  was  a  brick  and 
stonemason  and  also  a  cobbler  by  trade,  came  to  Iowa  in  1844,  locating  in  Scott 
county.  He  continued  to  reside  there  until  about  1893  when,  owing  to  the  state 
of  his  wife's  health,  he  migrated  to  South  Dakota,  settling  in  the  vicinity  of 
Mitchell.  Airs.  Robeson  passed  away  two  years  thereafter  and  her  husband 
returned  to  Iowa,  where  he  died  about  ten  years  ago. 

After  the  acquirement  of  his  education,  which  was  obtained  in  the  district 
schools  of  his  native  state,  George  Washington  Robeson  remained  at  home  and 
assisted  his  parents  with  the  farm  work  until  he  was  twenty-four  years  of  age. 


492  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

He  came  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1878,  locating  in  Brooklyn  on  the  19th  of 
February.  Soon  afterward  he  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  at  a  cost  of  twenty  dollars  per  acre  and  upon  which  he  has  ever  since 
resided.  He  raises  nothing  but  high  grade  stock,  making  a  specialty  of  short- 
horn cattle,  Duroc  Jersey  hogs  and  Plymouth  Rock  chickens  and  bronze  tur- 
keys. 1  le  also  raises  thoroughbred  horses,  which  he  ships  to  the  Chicago  mar- 
ket, and  feeds  cattle  and  hogs,  carrying  on  general  farming  at  the  same  time. 
Flis  farm  is  exceptionally  well  ini|)roved,  well  drained  and  in  a  high  state  of 
cultivation. 

On  the  8th  of  November,  1870,  Mr.  Robeson  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Imogene  Pitchear,  a  daughter  of  Michael  and  Margaret  (Wilson)  Pitchear. 
The  father  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  but  his  wife  was  born  and  reared  in 
Steuben  county,  New  York,  of  southern  extraction,  her  father  being  a  native 
of  \'irginia  and  her  mother  of  Maryland.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pitchear  were  married 
in  the  Keystone  state,  removing  from  there  to  Scott  county,  Iowa,  where  they 
located  in  1853.  He  has  passed  away  but  Mrs.  Pitchear  is  still  living,  hale  and 
hearty  at  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-two  years,  and  makes  her  home  with  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Robeson.  Of  the  three  children  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robeson 
but  two  are  surviving,  the  eldest,  Raymond  Dewitt,  having  passed  away  at  the 
age  of  six  months.  The  others  are  as  follows:  Lee  B.,  who  is  now  residing  in 
Huron,  South  Dakota,  and  w-ho  married  Ellen  Harmon,  a  daughter  of  Henry 
and  Julia  Harmon,  and  wvho'have  one  child,  Bernice,  twelve  years  of  oge,  and 
Harvey  T..  an  electrician;  living  in  Davenport,  Iowa,  being  a  foreman  in  the 
Tri-City  Electric  Light  Company^he  married  Miss  Etta  Gardner,  a  daughter 
of  Mrs.  h'annie  ( iardner;  and- tli6y'  have- two  children:  Louday  I,  who  is  six 
years  of  age;  and  George  Washington,  named  after  his  grandfather  Robeson, 
and  who  is  two  years  old.  Harvey  T.  Robeson  is  a  member  of  the  Eagles  and 
the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America. 

Mr.  Robeson's  political  principles  accord  with  those  of  the  democratic  party, 
for  whose  candidates  he  always  casts  his  ballot.  He  has  served  as  assessor  for 
nine  years  and  townshij)  trustee  for  a  similar  time,  during  a  portion  of  which  he 
was  chairman  of  the  board.  .\  man  of  progressive  ideas  Mr.  Robeson  has  made 
a  success  of  his  vocation  because  he  has  at  all  times  used  discretion  and  sound 
judgment  in  the  direction  of  his  affairs. 


lOHN  A.  BEVER. 


.\ni(ing  the  residents  of  ISear  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  who  are 
now  living  practicallv  retired,  their  jiresent  comfortable  financial  position  being 
the  direct  result  of  former  activity  and  enterprise  along  agricultural  lines,  is  num- 
bered |ohn  .\.  I  lever.  He  was  born  in  Holmes  comity,  Ohio,  June  i,  1845,  a  son 
of  lames  and  ^larx  (Sloniger)  Bever.  The  father's  birth  occurred  in  the  same 
county  on  the  12th  of  p-ehruary,  1810,  while  the  mother  was  born  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, .\i)ril   Kt.   1809.     The  latter  went  with  her  i)arents  to  Ohio  and  was  there 


MKS.   .lolIN   A.   r. i:\KK 


JOHN  A.  r.i;vi:i; 


/src  ,. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  497 

married  in  Holmes  county,  in  1832.  In  1849  she  accompanied  her  parents  to 
Adams  county,  IlHnois,  and  there  she  passed  away  May  4,  1864.  .Mr.  Bever, 
who  was  a  fanner  by  occupation,  subsequently  went  to  Edina,  Missouri,  where 
his  death  occurred  on  the  jotli  of  January,  i88g.  In  their  family  were  five  chil- 
dren, as  follows:  Eftie.  deceased;  .Susan,  also  deceased;  John  A.,  of  this  review; 
\dam,  of  Guernsey,  Iowa  ;  and  Joel,  who  has  likewise  passed  away. 

John  A.  Bever  remained  at  home  with  his  parents  imtil  the  outbreak  of  the 
Civil  war  when,  imbued  with  a  s[)irit  of  patriotism,  he  enlisted  in  i86i  from  Ad- 
ams county,  Illinois,  as  a  member  of  the  Fiftieth  Illinois  Infantry.  He  was  at 
that  time  only  sixteen  years  of  age  and  because  of  his  youth  his  father  secured 
his  release.  In  1862,  however,  he  obtained  his  father's  consent  to  reenlist,  but  on 
account  of  not  having  been  properly  enrolled  he  did  not  officially  enlist  until  Feb- 
ruary 2^,  18(14,  when  he  became  a  soldier  in  the  I-'iftieth  Illinois  Infantry.  He  was 
honorably  discharged  July  13.  1865,  after  having  served  for  nearly  three  years. 
In  the  meantime  he  had  taken  part  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  his  regiment,  in- 
cluding the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Corinth,  Pittsburg  Landing.  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
.\tlanta,  and  Alton  Pass,  Georgia,  as  well  as  many  minor  engagements.  He  went 
with  Sherman  on  his  march  to  the  sea  and  took  part  in  the  fight  at  Bentonville, 
Xorfh  Carolina,  after  the  surrender  of  General  Lee.  Later  he  went  to  Washing- 
ton and  took  part  in  the  grand  review,  the  greatest  military  pageant  ever  witnessed 
in  the  United  States,  and  with  a  splendid  record  for  valor  and  courage  returned 
home.  -    -* 

After  returning  to  private  life  ■^"ft'.;'- Bever  went  to  Kansas  and  hired  out  as 
a  teamster  in  the  employ  of  the  gc^ernment  at  Fgrt  Riley.  He  was  thus  engaged 
for  eight  and  a  half  months  and  it  -was-dliring  this  time  that  the  treaty  was  made 
with  the  Indians  by  Generals  Kearngi;jaad  Sanborn.  In  1866  he  returned  to  Ad- 
ams county.  Illinois,  and  there  carried  on  farming  during  the  years  1867  and  1868. 
In  April  of  the  following  year  he  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  here  he 
located  on  a  farm  three  miles  northeast  of  Brooklyn.  He  first  purchased  eighty 
acres  of  land  at  five  dollars  per  acre,  and  this  formed  the  nucleus  of  what  has 
since  become  extensive  property  holdings.  He  has  continued  to  engage  in  general 
farming  and  has  been  so  successful  in  his  venture  that  he  has  been  able,  with  the 
passing  of  the  years,  to  invest  more  and  more  largely  in  farm  property  until  he  is 
now  the  owner  of  seven  hundred  and  seventy  acres  of  well  improved  land,  which 
constitutes  one  of  the  most  valuable  estates  in  the  county.  This  land,  which  is 
located  in  Warren  and  Bear  Creek  townships,  is  now  rented,  constituting  the 
source  of  a  most  substantial  annual  income.  Mr.  Bever  makes  his  home  at  present 
on  the  River  road,  a  mile  east  of  Brooklyn. 

On  December  31.  1868,  in  .Adams  county,  Illinois,  Mr.  Bever  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Susan  Moore,  who  was  born  in  Kentucky  on  the  31st  of  Decem- 
ber. 1850.  She  was  reared,  however,  in  Illinois,  and  is  a  daughter  of  George  and 
Rhoda  (Berry)  Moore,  and  a  second  cousin  of  Henry  Clay.  By  her  marriage 
with  Mr.  Bever  she  became  the  mother  of  nine  children,  namely :  Cora,  who  is 
now  the  wife  of  Walter  Conklin,  of  Knox.  Indiana:  Frank  Elmer,  who  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  one  year ;  Norman  Ellsworth,  of  Colorado ;  Mary  Edith,  who 
married  Homer  Rinehart,  of  Wyoming;  Charles  D.,  a  resident  of  Brooklyn; 
Sampson  C,  of  Wyoming:  Guy  N..  al.so  of  Wyoming:  Lilv  lola,  the  wife  of  Dr. 


498  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Gauley,  of  Chelsea,  Iowa ;  and  Edna  Elizabeth,  who  died  when  seven  vears  of 
age. 

Mr.  Bever  is  a  loyal  and  consistent  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
and  he  maintains  pleasant  relations  with  his  old  army  comrades  through  his  mem- 
bership with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  His  record  is  one  of  which  he  may 
well  be  proud,  for  his  success  has  been  worthily  won,  representing  the  fit  utiliza- 
tion of  talents  and  opportunities,  while  his  personal  ciualities  have  ever  been  such 
as  to  win  the  high  regard  of  his  fellowmen. 


JOHN  MEYER. 


Among  the  many  worthy  citizens  which  dermany  has  contributed  to  Pow- 
eshiek county  must  be  included  the  late  John  Meyer,  who  for  twenty  years  was 
identified  with  the  agricultural  development  of  Sheridan  township.  He  was  a 
native  of  Weisetibach,  his  birth  occurring  there  on  the  2d  of  December.  i8^^2, 
and  a  son  of  Henry  and  Elizabeth  Meyer,  who  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the 
fatherland,  their  deaths  taking  ])lace  in  the  early  "fxjs.  The  father,  who  was  a 
farmer,   also  engaged   in   wagon-making   with   his  brothers. 

John  Meyer  was  reared  at  home,  acquiring  his  education  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  land  and  giving  his  father  such  assistance  as  he  could  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  farm.  He  remained  a  member  of  the  paternal  household 
until  he  had  attained  the  age  of  twenty-three  years,  when  he  decided  that  better 
opportunities  must  exist  in  America  for  those  with  sufficient  energy  to  avail 
themselves  of  them,  so  he  took  passage  for  the  United  States.  Landing  in  New 
York  he  immediately  made  his  way  westward  to  Wisconsin,  first  locatmg  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  Fond  du  Lac,  where  he  obtained  employment  as  a  farm  hand.  In  the 
earlv  "6o"s  he  removed  to  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  where  he  continued  to  be 
identified  with  the  same  work  until  1871,  at  which  time  he  came  to  Poweshiek 
county,  Iowa,  settling  in  section  34,  Sheridan  township,  where  he  worked  nut 
by  the  day  for  two  years. 

Possessing  all  of  the  thrift  and  energy  which  characterizes  the  Teutonic  race 
he  had  always  saved  a  portion  of  his  meager  salary  and  in  1873  he  purchased  a 
threshing  machine,  which  he  operated  until  he  had  acc|uired  the  capital  to  en- 
able him  to  become  a  property  holder.  He  first  bought  a  <[uarter  section  in 
Sheridan  township,  on  a  portion  of  which  the  old  homestead  now  stands,  later 
selling  eighty  acres  of  it  to  William  Pickhard,  and  in  1882  he  disposed  of 
another  forty  acres.  Sometime  thereafter,  however,  he  purchased  two  hundred 
and  eighty  acres  in  sections  21  and  28  of  this  township.  He  always  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stock-raising,  making  a  most  gratifying  success  of  both 
ventures,  owning  at  the  time  of  his  demise  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of 
land,  all  of  which  is  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  well  improved. 

On  the  30th  of  September,  t88o,  Mr.  Meyer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Angelica  Schmidt,  a  datighter  of  Adam  and  .\nna  Elizabeth  (  Seibel )  Schmidt, 
natives  of  Germany,  where  they  spent  their  entire  lives.  The  father,  who  was 
a  blacksmith,  came  from  Breidenbach,  and  the  mother  from  Breidenstein.     Mr. 


IIISIOKV  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  499 

Scliiniilt  wliu  served  in  the  German  army  having  participated  in  the  war  of  1848, 
passed  away  in  1866,  his  wife  dying  in  March  of  the  same  year.  Mrs.  Meyer, 
who  was  born  in  L'reidenbach,  on  the  23d  of  December,  1855,  continued  to  re- 
side in  Germany  until  she  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  On  the  i6th  of  July, 
1877,  in  conii)any  with  some  relatives,  she  took  passage  for  the  United  States, 
disembarking  in  New  York.  Upon  her  arrival  in  this  country  she  immediately 
came  to  Grinnell,  where  she  was  met  by  her  brother,  Adam  Schmidt,  a  farmer 
of  Sheridan  township,  for  whom  she  kept  house  until  her  marriage.  Six  chil- 
dren were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Meyer,  the  order  of  their  births  being  as 
follows:  Anna  Elizabeth,  who  was  married  on  the  8th  of  March,  1910,  to  Fred 
Deedrick,  by  Professor  L.  C.  Parker;  Mary  Cornelia,  the  wife  of  William 
Ahrens,  to  whom  she  was  married  on  the  4tli  of  .'Xpril,  igo6,  and  who  have 
three  children,  .Mice  Mildred,  Stanley  Raymond,  and  Lucille  II. ,  John,  who  is 
living  on  his  mother's  farm  on  sections  21  and  28,  and  who  married  Delia  Shaw, 
a  daughter  of  Press  Shaw,  a  farmer  of  Chester  township,  on  the  i6tli  of  Sep- 
tember, 1910,  and  who  have  one  child,  Claire  Clifton,  eight  months  old:  llenry 
Edward,  who  is  nineteen  \ears  of  age.  Rose  Miriam,  now  aged  seventeen  years, 
and  lulith  Margaret,  who  is  thirteen  years  of  age,  are  living  at  linnic  with  their 
mother.  The  family  all  hold  nK-nihtT^bip  in  the  Gcrnian  Lutheran  church  of 
Malcom  township. 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Meyer  always  gave  to  the  democratic  parly, 
being  a  strong  advocate  of  the  principles  of  that  body.  Me  took  an  active  and 
helpful  interest  in  township  affairs  and  served  for  some  time  on  the  board  of 
school  directors.  He  was  in  every  sense  of  the  word  a  self-made  man.  Hav- 
ing come  to  the  United  States  without  capital  he  had  by  his  own  unaided  efforts 
ac(|uired  one  of  the  valuable  fanus  of  Poweshiek  county,  being  regarded  as  one 
of  the  substantial  agriculturists  of  .Sheridan  township  at  the  time  of  his  demise 
on  the  2(1  of  July,  1910.  Some  time  prior  to  his  death  he  had  been  compelled  to 
withdraw  from  active  supervision  of  his  i)roperty,  owing  to  the  state  of  his 
heallli.  his  last  illness  covering  a  period  of  about  one  year. 


THOMAS  MANATT. 


With  the  history  of  public  develoijment  and  progress  in  Poweshiek  county 
the  name  of  Manatt  is  closely  identified,  the  family  being  established  in  this  lo- 
cality at  an  early  day,  since  which  time  representatives  of  the  name  have  been 
connected  with  various  pioneer  enterprises  and  also  with  the  subsequent  growth 
of  the  community.  Of  this  number  Thomas  Manatt  has  been  prominent  and  suc- 
cessful, not  only  along  agricultural  lines,  but  also  in  commercial  circles,  and  he 
is  now  living  retired. 

Lie  was  born  in  .Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  July  10,  18.30.  a  son  of  Rob- 
ert and  .Sarah  (  Pedlar)  Manatt.  The  parents  were  born  in  Ireland,  about  four- 
teen miles  from  lielfast,  and  were  there  married.  They  came  to  the  United  States 
about    1S12  with  one  child,  then  about  six  moiUhs  old,  and  took  up  their  abode 


500  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

in  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania.  About  1831  they  removed  to  Holmes  county, 
Ohio,  where  the  mother  passed  away,  and  there  the  father  remained  until  1847, 
when  he  brought  his  family  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  here  cast  in  his 
lot  with  the  pioneer  settlers  of  this  region.  He  drove  the  entire  distance  from 
the  Ohio  home  and  thirty-three  days  were  passed  ere  he  reached  his  destination. 
Upon  arriving  in  this  county  Mr.  Manatt  entered  land  from  the  government,  his 
claim  being  located  on  the  present  site  of  Brooklyn.  This  was  still  a  frontier  dis- 
trict. There  were  only  three  families  in  the  neighborhood  at  the  time  of  his  ar- 
rival and  on  every  hand  were  to  be  found  evidences  of  pioneer  life.  During  the 
first  season  the  family  resided  in  Washington  county,  while  a  clearing  was  made 
and  a  house  erected  on  the  claim  in  Bear  Creek  township.  For  a  number  of 
years  Mr.  Manatt's  attention  was  given  entirely  to  the  development  and  im- 
provement of  his  land  and  throughout  his  whole  life  he  was  actively  connected 
with  agricultural  pursuits.  In  1851  or  1852  he  brought  the  first  threshing  ma- 
chine into  Poweshiek  county  and  later,  in  1853,  introduced  the  first  harvester. 
It  was  the  AlcCormick  reaper,  which  at  that  time  was  becoming  very  popular 
throughout  the  Mississippi  valley,  and  everyone  within  a  radius  of  many  miles 
came  to  see  the  new  invention  working  in  the  fields.  Success  followed  closely 
upon  his  efforts  and  as  the  years  passed  he  invested  extensively  in  property,  en- 
tering or  purchasing  farm  land  for  almost  all  of  his  cliil(hen.  while  he  became 
the  owner  of  about  one  thousand  acres. 

Later  he  platted  a  ])art  of  this  land  and  erected  the  second  hotel  in  Bear 
Creek  to\vnshi[),  which  he  ojierated  in  connection  with  his  agricultural  jnirsuits. 
He  conducted  that  hotel  during  the  last  eight  or  ten  years  of  his  life,  and  there 
entertained  probably  all  of  the  first  settlers  of  this  district.  He  became  one  of 
the  prominent,  substantial  and  influential  residents  of  Poweshiek  county  and 
left  a  most  enviable  record  at  the  time  of  his  demise.  He  passed  away  in  1864, 
when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  seventy-two  years.  By  his  first  wife,  who  passed 
away  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  in  1837.  he  had  ten  children.  Of  this  number  the 
eldest.  Eliza,  became  the  wife  of  William  Scott,  and  at  her  death  left  two  chil- 
dren. Robert,  the  eldest  son.  was  married,  and  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1863 
left  a  widow  and  eight  children,  five  sons  and  three  daughters.  This  lunnber 
included:  Professor  Irving  Manatt,  of  P.rown  University:  Sampson,  who  passed 
away  leaving  a  widow  and  one  child:  Sarah,  the  wife  of  Eugene  Mason,  of  War- 
ren township ;  Mrs.  Ellen  Martin,  a  widow,  living  in  Warren  township ;  Re- 
becca, deceased  :  Albert,  of  ISrooklyn  ;  Robert,  and  John.  John,  the  third  child 
of  Robert  Manatt,  Sr.,  died  leaving  a  widow  and  five  children :  William  has  also 
passed  away,  leaving  a  widow  and  family :  Susan  married  Jesse  Gwin  and  passed 
away,  leaving  three  sons  and  three  daughters ;  James  is  a  resident  of  Brooklyn  : 
Thomas,  of  this  review,  is  the  seventh  in  order  of  birth.  Sarah  Jane,  now  de- 
ceased, married  John  Talhott,  by  whom  she  had  five  children;  Irving  passed 
away,  leaving  a  widow  and  four  daughters ;  and  Scott,  the  youngest,  is  also  de- 
ceased. For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Manatt  chose  Miss  Margaret  Mitchell,  the  cere- 
mony being  performed  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio.  Mrs.  Manatt  was  a  native  of 
Ireland  and  her  death  occurred  in  Brooklyn,  Iowa.  Unto  this  union  were  born 
four  children,  as  follows:  George,  a  resident  of  Grinnell ;  Margaret,  the  widow  of 
John  McBroom,  of  Indiana ;  David,  a  resident  of  Brooklyn ;  and  Alex,  deceased. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  501 

who  met  his  dcatli  wliile  serving  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of  the  Twenty- 
eighth  Iowa  Infantry. 

When  but  six  months  old  Thomas  iManatt,  whose  name  introduces  this  re- 
^fiew,  left  his  native  state  of  Pennsylvania  and  was  taken  by  his  parents  to  Holmes 
county,  Ohio.  There  he  sjient  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  earlv  youth  and 
was  but  a  la<l  of  seventeen  \ears  when  the  long  and  tedious  journey  was  made  to 
the  new  home  on  the  Iowa  jjrairies.  With  the  other  members  of  his  father's 
family  he  aided  in  the  arduous  task  of  clearing  the  land  and  developing  a  new 
farm,  and  he  continued  to  give  his  father  the  benefit  of  his  assistance  until  his 
marriage,  when  he  started  out  independently  on  his  own  account.  His  first  step 
in  the  business  world  was  as  a  farmer,  and  for  twenty-three  years  he  was  en- 
gaged in  agricultural  pursuits  with  constantly  increasing  success.  At  the  ex- 
I)iration  of  that  i)eriod  he  removed  to  lirooklyn.  and  for  a  number  of  years  was 
engaged  in  the  furniture  and  hardware  business.  His  eiTorts  along  that  line  were 
ec|ually  successful  and  when  he  retired  from  business  some  years  ago  it  was 
with  a  competency  which  ranked  him  among  the  substantial  and  well-to-do  resi- 
dents of  Brooklyn.  His  realty  holdings  include  .seven  hundred  acres  of  land, 
located  near  the  town,  and  all  of  this  land  can  lie  seen  from  his  attractive  home 
in  lirooklyn. 

It  was  on  the  12th  of  .\pril,  1855,  that  Mr.  Manatt  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Clarissa  A.  Winchester,  who  was  born  in  New  York  November  3,  1836. 
In  1854  she  came  to  Iowa  with  her  parents,  Cornelius  and  Chloe  G.  Winchester, 
natives  of  New  York,  both  of  whom  passed  away  in  this  county.  Unto  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Manatt  have  been  born  seven  children,  as  follows :  Robert  Francis,  of  Des 
Moines,  Iowa:  Sarah  Chloe,  the  wife  of  William  Sutton,  also  of  that  city;  Ida 
A.,  who  married  F.  P.  Shrader,  a  druggist  of  P>rooklyn  ;  Effie  G.,  the  wife  of 
F.  E.  Stitelew  of  Dixon,  Illinois;  Laura,  residing  in  Des  Moines:  Albertus  E., 
of  California;  and  Thomas  B.,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  three  years. 

Mr.  Manatt  holds  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  his  political 
support  is  given  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  held  all  of  the  township  offices 
and  has  ever  been  a  loyal,  public-spirited  citizen,  to  whom  the  public  welfare  of 
the  community  has  ever  been  of  deep  interest.  He  has  resided  within  the  bord- 
ers of  Poweshiek  county  for  sixty-four  years,  and  during  that  period  has  watched 
its  gradual  growth  and  develc:)pment  and  at  the  same  time  has  done  his  share 
toward  the  work  of  improvement. 

He  readily  remembers  when,  as  a  lad  of  seventeen  years,  he  d.rove  with  his 
father  from  their  home  in  Ohio  to  the  new  home  on  the  Iowa  frontier,  and  re- 
calls n  remark  made  by  his  father  as  they  drove  through  the  timberland  of  this 
district  to  the  effect  that  "There  is  timber  enough  here  for  about  one  hundred 
families,"  believing  that  to  be  about  all  this  section  could  then  support.  They 
could  not  then  foresee  the  time  when  that  timber  should  all  be  cleared  away,  the 
vast  prairies  be  converted  into  fields  of  grain  and  the  commonwealth  of  Iowa 
should  become  one  of  the  richest  and  most  j)roductive  agricultural  states  of  the 
Union. 

.•\t  that  time  mail  was  carried  twice  a  week  on  horseback  from  Iowa  City  to 
Des  Moines,  and  the  nearest  mill  was  located  at  Oskaloosa.  It  required  some 
time  to  drive  to  the  mill  and  when  the  water  was  low  it  often  took  a  week  to 


502  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

make  the  trip.  But  with  the  westward  march  of  civiHzation  pioneer  customs 
have  given  way  to  new  and  more  progressive  methods  and  none  has  taken  a 
greater  interest  and  pride  in  the  growth  of  the  county  and  state  than  has  Thomas 
Manatt,  whose  own  growth  has  heen  simuUaneous  with  that  of  the  community 
and  whose  career  has  exemphfied  the  same  spirit  of  progress.  The  success  which 
has  come  to  him  lias  been  well  merited  and  is  a  matter  of  gratification  because 
of  the  comforts  he  has  been  able  to  provide  for  his  family.  He  has  traveled  to 
some  extent  and  spent  one  winter  in  Europe  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  his  fath- 
er's birthplace.  For  the  past  seven  years  Mr.  Manatt  has  spent  the  winter  sea- 
sons in  southern  California. 


CHARLES  EISELE. 


Among  the  many  men  who  have  kept  pace  with  the  progress  of  Poweshiek 
couiitv  and  whose  substantial  success  is  representative  of  the  prosperity  of  the 
agricultural  community  of  Malcom  township,  is  Charles  Eisele.  One  of  Illinois' 
native  sons,  he  was  born  in  lUireau  county,  near  Princeton,  on  the  27th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1859.  He  is  a  son  of  Andrew  and  Philippina  (Wentzel)  Eisele,  Germans 
by  birth,  who  are  mentioned  at  length  in  connection  with  the  sketch  of  Mr. 
Eisele's  brother,  J.  F.  Eisele.  He  was  nine  years  of  age  when  brought  by  his 
parents  from  Illinois  to  Poweshiek  coiuity,  and  his  education,  which  had  been 
begun  in  his  native  state,  was  completed  in  the  schools  of  Malcom  township. 

Reared  amid  the  busy  activities  of  rural  life  he  early  learned  habits  of  in- 
dustry, perseverance  and  thrift,  and  under  the  wise  guidance  of  his  parents  re- 
ceived that  substantial  training  for  the  practical  affairs  of  life  which  has  made 
possible  his  latter-day  prosperity.  He  remained  at  home  until  the  time  of  his 
marriage,  when  he  entered  the  business  world  on  his  own  accoujit,  purchasing 
his  ])resent  home  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  located  on  section  1 1 , 
Malcom  township,  in  1881.  That  his  knowledge  of  agricultural  pursuits  was 
thorough  and  comprehensive  is  indicated  Ijy  the  fact  that  almost  from  the  be- 
ginning his  success  has  been  continuous  and  substantial,  and  as  he  has  j^rospered 
he  has  wisely  invested  in  other  property  from  time  to  time,  being  nnw  the  owner 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on'  section  13,  this  township,  and  two 
hundred  acres  on  section  34,  Bear  Creek  township.  All  of  this  land  is  well  im- 
proved and  highly  developed,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  home  place,  which 
is  operated  by  Mr.  Eisele,  is  leased  to  other  farmers,  returning  to  the  owner  a 
good  annual  rental.  Although  a  portion  of  his  revenue  is  obtained  through  the 
cultivation  of  his  fields,  he  devotes  most  of  his  attention  to  his  stock-raising  in- 
terests, finding  that  his  operations  in  that  direction  have  been  well  requited.  His 
shipments  average  about  twelve  carloads  of  cattle  and  seven  carloads  of  hogs 
annually,  and  because  of  the  good  grade  of  his  stock  he  receives  excellent  re- 
turns on  the  market.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Poweshiek  Coimtv  Central  Ag- 
ricultural Association  of  Malcom,  and  is  deeply  interested  in  any  movement 
which  is  calculated  to  promote  progress  and  advancement  along  agricultural  and 
kindred  lines. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  505 

On  the  15th  of  -March,  1881,  Mr.  Eisele  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Fran- 
ces Schroder,  who  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  on  the  17th  of  July,  1863, 
and  with  her  widowed  mother  came  to  the  United  States  in  the'  spring  of  1868. 
L  lUo  Mr.  and  Mr.^.  Eisele  have  been  bom  five  children,  as  follows:  Mary,  the 
wife  of  Ernest  Spading,  of  Bear  Creek  township:  George,  of  Malcom,  who  is 
married  and  has  one  son.  Earl  Walter,  who  is  the  first  of  the  fifth  generation 
of  the  Eisele  family  in  America:  Frank  Andrew,  who  passed  away  at  the  age 
of  five  years:  Harry,  who  is  fourteen  years  old  and  is  yet  at  home:  and  Eli,  ten 
years  of  age,  and  also  still  under  the  parental  roof. 

The  entire  family  are  members  of  the  German  Lutheran  church  and  occupy 
a  high  place  in  the  community  in  which  they  reside.  Mr.  Eisele  gives  his  su])port 
to  the  democratic  party,  but  he  is  not  active  politically  nor  is  he  an  aspirant  for 
office.  He  prefers  to  concentrate  his  entire  attention  upon  his  business  interests 
which,  carefully  managed,  are  proving  the  source  of  a  very  substantial  fortune. 
His  private  life  has  ever  been  such  as  to  command  for  him  the  respect  and  esteem 
of  all  who  know  him.  and  he  stands  as  a  splendid  example  of  the  power  and  force 
of  honorable  manhood,  of  earnest  efTort  and  of  high  principle. 


THEODORE  H.  MITHELMANN. 

By  means  of  perseverance  and  well  directed  effort  Theodore  H.  Mithelmann 
ac(|uired  the  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Sheridan  town- 
ship, in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  is  still  engaged.  He  is  a  native  of  the  prov- 
ince of  Mecklenburg,  Germany,  his  natal  day  being  the  24th  of  November,  185 1, 
and  his  parents  John  Henry  and  Sophia  (Strickoff)  Mithelmann,  who  spent  their 
entire  lives  in  the  fatherland  where  the  father  was  a  farmer  and  day  laborer. 

Theodore  H.  Mithelmann  attended  the  common  schools  of  his  native  land 
and  assisted  his  father  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age  at  which  time  he  be- 
gan working  out  by  the  year.  He  ran  away  from  home  when  he  attained  his 
majority  and  came  to  America,  landing  in  New  York,  from  which  city  he  made 
his  way  westward  to  Indiana,  where  he  obtained  employment  with  a  railroad 
construction  gang.  Later  he  went  to  Illinois,  securing  a  position  on  a  farm  near 
Joliet,  where  he  remained  for  five  years  and  then  came  to  Iowa,  first  locating  in 
Kellogg,  Jasper  county,  where  he  again  worked  on  the  railroad.  He  was  ener- 
getic and  thrifty  and  was  striving  to  save  sufficient  money  to  enable  him  to  ac- 
quire some  land,  so  withdrawing  from  his  position  on  the  railroad  he  came  to 
Poweshiek  county,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm  for  a  time  and  then  bought  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  34,  Sheridan  township,  where  he  still  con- 
tinues to  live.  His  property  is  well  improved  and  drained,  the  fields  readily 
yielding  abundant  harvests  which  net  good  financial  returns  in  response  to  the 
labor  and  care  expended  upon  them. 

While  yet  a  resident  of  Illinois  Mr.  Mithelmann  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Vilamania  Topp  on  the  4th  of  December,  1874.  Mrs.  Mithelmann  is  a 
daughter  of  the  late  Joe  Topp,  at  that  time  a  farmer  of  Mokena,  Illinois.  Fol- 
lowing the  marriage  of  their  daughter,  however,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Topp  removed  to 


506  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Kellogg,  where  they  continued  to  reside  until  the  death  of  Mrs.  Topj),  .\pri], 
i8gi.  after  which  he  made  his  home  with  his  daughter.  Mrs.  Mithelmann,  until 
he  passed  away  on  the  21st  of  March.  i8g6.  Ten  children  were  born  unto  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Mithelmann:  William,  who  was  born  in  1875  and  is  a  farmer  in 
North  Dakota;  Herman,  who  was  born  in  1878.  and  is  now  living  on  a 
farm  near  the  old  homestead:  Rosa,  born  in  i8<X2.  now  tiie  wife  of  Jacob  C. 
.Schultz,  a  farmer  of  Sheridan  township:  Fred,  born  in  1884,  also  a  farmer  of 
Sheridan  township:  and  Ehner  and  Cieorge,  who  were  born  in  1890  and  1898 
respectively,  both  of  whom  are  at  home.  Four  are  deceased :  Louis,  who  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  twelve  years:  Lizzie,  who  died  at  the  age  nf  two  weeks:  and 
twins,  who  died  three  days  after  birth  and  before  being  baptized.  The  family  are 
all  affiliated  with  the  German  Lutheran  church  at  Alalcom  township. 

Mr.  Mithelmann's  political  views  coincide  with  those  of  the  republican  party, 
for  whose  candidates  he  always  casts  his  ballot,  and  he  is  at  present  and  has  been 
for  six  years  a  member  of  the  board  of  school  directors  of  district  No.  8,  whicli 
is  the  only  public  office  he  has  ever  held.  He  is  one  of  the  enterprising  as  well 
as  ])rogressive  citizens  of  his  community,  and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  sub- 
stantial agriculturists  of  Sheridan  township. 


FR.\NK  C.  SCHFLTZ. 


Frank  C.  Schultz.  a  well  known  and  successful  agriculturist  of  Sheridan 
township,  makes  his  home  on  section  2"].  The  farm  on  which  he  now  resides 
was  the  place  of  his  birth,  his  natal  day  being  April  11.  1881.  A  sketch  of  his 
parents,  Gust  J.  and  ^larie  (Eisele)  Schultz.  appears  on  another  page  of  this 
volume.  He  was  reared  to  manhood  on  the  home  farm,  attending  the  district 
schools  in  the  winter  seasons  and  assisting  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  fields 
during  the  summer  months.  In  the  year  1902  he  continued  his  studies  in  the 
Malcom  high  school.  He  remained  under  the  parental  roof  until  1904,  when  he 
was  married  and  established  a  home  of  his  own,  renting  from  his  father  a  tract 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  sections  28  and  2},.  where  he  carried  on  gen- 
eral agricultural  pursuits  for  three  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he 
took  up  his  abode  on  the  old  homestead  farm  on  section  2-j.  where  he  has  re- 
sided continuously  since,  renting  and  cultivating  four  hundred  and  ten  acres  of 
land  belonging  to  his  father.  He  raises  the  cereals  best  adaj^ed  to  soil  and  cli- 
mate and  also  devotes  considerable  attention  to  stock,  feeding  both  cattle  and 
hogs  for  the  market. 

On  the  29th  of  March,  I'j04,  Mr.  Schultz  was  united  m  marriage  to  Miss 
Leah  Hinshaw,  a  daughter  of  Tillman  P.  and  Laura  (  Hetherington )  Hinshaw. 
The  father,  a  native  of  Pleasant  Plain,  Jefferson  county,  Iowa,  was  a  railroad 
conductor,  being  employed  by  the  Missouri  Pacific  at  the  time  of  his  demise, 
which  occurred  at  Greenleaf,  Kansas,  in  1886.  Mrs.  Schultz's  mother  passed 
away  at  Maynard,  Fayette  county,  Iowa,  on  the  3d  of  March,  1908.  Mrs.  Schultz 
supplemented  her  preliminary  education,  obtained  in  the  public  schools,  by  study 
in  the  academv  at  Pleasant  Plain,  Iowa,  and  the  Iowa  Wesleyan  University  at 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  .jO? 

-Mount  rieasaiit.  I-'or  two  years  prior  to  her  marriage  she  followed  the  profes- 
sion of  teaching.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schultz  now  have  one  daughter,  Esther  Marie, 
whose  birth  occurred  on  the  13th  of  October,  1906. 

Mr.  Schultz  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democracy  and  is  now  serving 
as  president  and  director  of  the  school  board.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by 
his  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which  his  wife  also  be- 
longs. Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at 
Malcom,  while  his  wife  belongs  to  the  Rebekahs.  Mr.  Schultz  has  remained  a 
resident  of  this- community  from  his  birth  to  the  present  time  and  enjoys  an  en- 
viable reputation  as  an  enterprising  agriculturist  and  representative  citizen. 


JACOB  SOLOMON  EGULF. 

\'ery  nearly  three  years  have  elapsed  since  the  demise  of  Jacob  Solomon 
Egulf,  who  was  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land  on  section  29,  Madison  township. 

He  was  born  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  ist  of  February, 
1862,  and  was  a  son  of  Jacob  and  Elizabeth  (Adams)  Egulf,  natives  of  the 
Keystone  state  but  of  German  extraction.  The  mother  passed  away  on  the 
3d  of  September,  1863,  at  the  age  of  thirty-five  years,  four  months  and  two 
days.  Some  time  thereafter  Mr.  Egulf,  who  was  a  farmer  and  logging  team- 
ster, was  remarried.  The  latter  years  of  his  life  he  passed  in  the  home  of 
his  son,  John  Egulf,  who  resided  in  Bedford  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  there 
his  demise  occurred  in  1906. 

Jacob  Solomon  Egulf,  who  was  little  more  than  one  year  of  age  when  his 
mother  passed  away,  was  reared  by  an  uncle,  Andrew  Hiner,  wdio  was  a  trades- 
man and  farmer  of  that  vicinity.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  state  and  after  completing  his  education  he  went  to  work 
in  a  mill,  where  he  remained  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  In  1882  he 
came  west  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Bear  Creek  township  north  of  Brooklyn,  Pow- 
eshiek county.  There  he  worked  for  a  time  on  the  farm  of  Billy  Kuntz,  fol- 
lowing which  he  entered  the  employ  of  Elliott  Shadbold,  who  is  now  living  in 
Grinnell,  continuing  in  his  employment  for  four  years.  At  the  expiration  of 
that  period  he  accepted  a  position  with  Samuel  Graham,  a  farmer  of  Madison 
township,  in  whose  service  he  also  remained  for  four  years.  He  subsequently 
worked  for  Joshua  Leonard,  a  resident  of  the  same  township,  with  whom  he 
remained  until  1894.  In  the  latter  year  he  rented  a  farm  belonging  to  Xed 
Ackley  of  Madison  towmship,  which  he  cultivated  for  a  year.  At  the  end  of 
that  period  he  removed  to  the  Lang  farm,  which  he  operated  for  three  years 
and  the  farm  of  Melrose  Carpenter  for  one.  Having  finally  acquired  the  nec- 
essary capital  to  enable  him  to  become  a  landowner  he  in  1899  purchased  and 
removed  to  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  acres  of  land  in  Madison  township,  on 
section  24.  He  paid  fifty  dollars  per  acre  for  this  land  and  in  1907  he  added 
to  his  holdings  another  thirty-five  acres. 


50H  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

On  the  6th  of  March.  1S95.  ,Mr.  Egulf  was  married  to  Miss  Ellen  Simpson, 
a  (laughter  of  Samuel  and  Elizaheth  (Mclhvrath)  Simjison.  who  at  that  time 
were  living  in  Antrim  county.  Ireland.  Mr.  .Sim])Son  attended  the  training 
school  at  Dublin  ami  after  his  graduation  was  for  thirty  years  engaged  in 
teaching  in  the  Carninney  National  School  in  Antrim  county.  Ireland.  He  is 
a  man  of  excellent  education  but  is  now  living  retired,  engaging  in  farming 
on  a  small  scale  for  a  pastime.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Simpson  spent  two  months  in  the 
I'nited  States  about  nine  years  ago  visiting  their  daughter,  Mrs.  Egulf.  Three 
children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Egulf.  the  order  of  their  birth  being  as 
follows :  Alice  Irene,  aged  fourteen  years  :  .\rthur,  aged  ten  years  ;  and  Eliza- 
heth, who  has  passed  her  seventh  anniversary.  The  children  all  attend  the  dis- 
trict No.  4  school  in  Madison  township.  Mr.  Egulf  died  on  the  4th  of  De- 
cember, 1908,  after  an  illness  of  three  days  caused  by  inhaling  smoke  from  a 
<lefective  flue.  Ever  since  his  demise  Mrs.  Egulf  has  continued  to  reside  upon 
the  homestead,  where  she  engages  in  general  farming  and  the  raising  and  feed- 
ing of  stock    for   the   market. 

Mr.  Egulf  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Madison 
township,  with  which  his  wife  is  also  afEliated.  A  republican,  he  gave  his 
Ijolitical  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  that  body,  although  he  was  never 
an  office  seeker.  During  the  period  of  his  residence  in  Madison  township  Mr. 
Egulf  had  won  and  retained  the  friendship  of  many  people,  by  whom  he  was 
highly  regarded. 


HENRY  SHERMAN. 


Henry  Sherman,  who  for  more  than  hfty  years  past  has  made  his  home  in 
Chester  township,  is  of  distinguished  colonial  ancestry,  the  list  of  members  of  the 
familv  containing  the  names  of  a  number  of  the  most  noted  men  that  have  been 
known  in  .\merican  history.  He  is  a  native  of  Croydon,  New  Hampshire,  and 
was  born  September  10,  1832,  a  son  of  William,  Jr.,  and  Mahala  (Durkee)  Sher- 
man. The  father  was  born  in  Croydon,  December  25,  1801,  and  was  a  son  of 
\\'illiam  Sherman,  Sr.,  who  was  born  in  Massachusetts.  The  mother  was  a 
granddaughter  of  Phineas  Newton,  an  early  settler  of  New  Hampshire  and  a 
veteran  of  the  Revolutionary  war.  William  Sherman,  Jr..  the  father,  and  his 
faniily  came  to  Hancock  county,  Illinois,  in  1849,  later  spending  four  years  in 
Clinton  county,  Iowa,  and  finally  locating  in  Poweshiek  county.  In  1855  he  pur- 
chased eight  hundred  acres  of  land,  in  Chester  township,  from  Joseph  Cush- 
nian  and  on  this  place  established  his  homestead.  He  died  in  1884,  having  reached 
the  age  of  eighty-three  years.  There  were  five  children  in  his  family:  Jason,  New- 
ton, Wilson,  Henrj',  of  this  review,  and  Cynthia. 

As  indicated  above  the  Sherman  family  has  given  birth  to  many  of  the  lead- 
ing men  of  .America.  In  the  list  may  be  named  Roger  Sherman,  a  signer  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  and  one  of  the  most  distinguished  members  of  the 
colonies :  General  William  Tecumseh  Sherman,  who  gained  his  laurels  as  a  com- 
mander in  the  Civil  war :  Hon.  John  Sherman,  of  Ohio,  late  secretary  of  state, 
■who  was  author  of  the  anti-trust  law ;   lames  Schoolcraft   Sherman,   now  vice 


IIEXRY    SIIEK.MAX 


THE  NEW 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTOR,  LENOX  ANfr 
TILDEN  FOUNDATIONS. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  511 

president  of  the  United  States;  Buren  R.  Slicnnan,  late  governor  of  Iowa;  and 
many  others  who  have  assisted  nobly  in  public  office  or  as  private  citizens  in  build- 
ing the  nation.  The  family  originated  in  Germany,  but  migrated  to  England  sev- 
eral hundred  years  ago.  One  of  the  prominent  English  members,  Thomas  Sher- 
man, was  born  in  Yaxley,  Sufifolk  county,  and  moved  to  Dedhani,  Essex  county. 
He  was  the  father  of  Henry,  who  was  the  father  of  Henry,  Jr.,  and  the  latter  was 
the  father  of  John,  Edmund  and  Samuel,  each  of  whom  is  worthy  of  special  men- 
tion. John  was  the  father  of  Captain  John,  of  Watertown,  Massachusetts.  Ed- 
mund was  the  father  of  Samuel  and  Rev.  John,  the  former  of  whom  became  a 
magistrate  in  Connecticut  and  was  the  ancestor  of  General  Sherman  and  Hon. 
|ohn  Sherman.  Samuel  Sherman  was  the  father  of  Philip,  of  Rhode  Island,  sec- 
retary of  that  colony  and  a  man  of  large  means.  Among  his  descendants  may  be 
named  Rev.  David  H.  Sherman,  the  genealogist,  Hon.  Buren  H.  Sherman,  who 
became  governor  of  Iowa,  and  James  Schoolcraft  Sherman,  vice  president  of  the 
United  States.  Captain  John  Sherman  was  the  ancestor  of  Roger  Sherman, 
Senators  Depew  and  Hoar,  Secretary  Evarts,  Roger  Minot  Sherman  and  Roger 
Sherman  Baldwin  of  Connecticut,  Rev.  Josiah  Sherman  and  (General  Sidney 
Sherman.  Captain  John  was  born  at  Dedham  in  Essex  county,  England,  in  1613 
and  came  to  America  in  1634,  locating  at  Watertown,  Massachusetts.  He  mar- 
ried Martha  Palmer,  a  daughter  of  William  Palmer,  who  was  also  his  stepfather, 
and  received  the  title  of  captain  in  honor  of  services  rendered  in  connection  with 
King  Philip's  war.  He  served  two  terrn^  jn-the.gpneral  assembly  and  was  steward 
of  Harvard  College  from  1652  to  i66i^/.ij«ihh  SheWllifl,  )son  of  Joseph,  was  one 
of  the  ancestors  of  the  subject  of  tliis  review.  He  locat!ed  about  1710  at  Marl- 
boro, Massachusetts,  and  married  i^nnaivBuHeiX'. .  vH-e  was  also  a  member  of  the 
general  assembly,  as  had  been  his  fiyT.^^ntf'gra'n'Ufather ;  and  his  son,  Ephraim, 
and  nephew,  Roger  Sherman,  later  were  elected  to  the  same  body.  Jason,  son 
(if  Samuel  and  great-great-grandson  of  Captain  John,  was  born  at  Marlboro  in 
1745  and  settled  on  land  near  Barre,  Worcester  county,  Massachusetts,  the  place 
still  being  known  as  the  Sherman  farm.  He  was  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution  and 
held  the  rank  of  sergeant.  His  eldest  son,  William,  was  the  grandfather  of  our 
subject.  William  moved  to  Croydon,  New  Hampshire,  in  1799.  when  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  and  became  known  as  an  honored  and  thrifty  farmer. 
He  married  Polly  Stockwell,  a  daughter  of  David  Stockwell,  who  was  a  corporal 
in  the  Revolutionary  war.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  Shermans  throughout 
the  coimtry  are  almost  invariably  descended  from  some  one  of  the  four  cousins 
mentioned  above,  namely :  Captain  John,  Rev.  John,  Samuel  and  Philip. 

Mr.  Sherman,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch,  possessed  advantages  of 
education  in  the  public  schools  of  Illinois  and  in  a  private  school  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. He  engaged  in  teaching  for  a  short  time  in  Clinton  county,  Iowa,  but  as  a 
young  man  was  attracted  to  farming  and  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county  in  search 
of  a  favorable  location  in  the  spring  of  1857.  There  were  few  settlers  in  this 
region  previous  to  the  Civil  war,  as  is  indicated  by  the  election  of  18(10,  when- 
Chester  township  was  organized,  and  the  total  number  of  votes  cast  amounted  tn 
fourteen.  Mr.  Sherman  has  engaged  in  farming  continuously  ever  since  taking 
up  his  residence  in  this  county,  and  applied  himself  with  such  diligence  that  he 
became  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  seventy-foiu"  acres,  upon  which  he  made 


512  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

all  the  improvements.  He  now  owns  eighty  acres,  having  given  a  portion  of  his 
farm  to  his  son.  He  has  devoted  his  attention  to  general  farming,  making  a 
specialty  of  raising  and  feeding  cattle,  and  his  efforts  have  met  with  well  merited 
reward. 

On  .March  24,  1857,  Mr.  Sherman  was  married  tu  .Miss  .\hnira  Dudley,  a 
daughter  of  William  Dudley.  The  ancestry  of  the  Dudley  family  has  been  traced 
back  for  nearly  one  thousand  years  in  England,  the  family  centering  at  Dudley 
castle,  one  of  the  historical  structures  of  the  middle  ages.  Three  children  were 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sherman:  Mrs.  Fannie  H.  Rutherford,  of  Boulder,  Colo- 
rado, whose  husband  engages  in  the  carpenter's  trade  and  is  also  a  farmer ;  Elmer 
H.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  two  years ;  and  Ralph,  who  is  engaged  in  farming  in 
Poweshiek  count\-  and  has  served  as  member  of  the  state  legislature.  The  hus- 
band and  children  were  called  upon  to  mourn  the  death  of  the  beloved  wife  and 
mother  March  7,  1904.  She  was  a  woman  of  many  noble  traits  of  character  and 
was  ^reatly  esteemed  by  those  who  came  within  the  circle  of  her  influence. 

In  politics  ^Ir.  Sherman  has  voted  the  national  republican  ticket  ever  since 
the  organization  of  the  party.  He  has  held  the  offices  of  county  supervisor  and 
township  trustee,  also  for  many  years  serving  as  member  of  the  school  board. 
His  religious  belief  is  indicated  by  membership  in  the  Congregational  church.  He 
was  a  founder  of  the  local  branch  of  the  church  and  is  one  of  its  deacons.  On 
account  of  his  long  residence  in  the  county  and  his  genial  and  ])leasing  character- 
istics he  is  widelv  known  and  few  men  in  this  section  are  more  deeply  respected. 
."Mwavs  loval  to  his  chosen  state  anil  mindful  of  the  l)est  interests  of  the  community 
with  which  he  cast  his  lot.  he  has  ably  performed  his  part  and  is  truly  entitled 
to  a  ])ermanent  place  in  the  record  of  Poweshiek  county. 


DANTD  IIYERS. 


David  I'lNcrs,  now  deceased,  was  numbered  among  Iowa"s  honoretl  \eterans 
of  the  Civil  war  who,  responding  to  his  adopted  country's  call  for  aid  in  the 
darkest  hour  of  her  histt)ry,  served  throughout  almost  the  entire  jieriod  of  hos- 
tilities. 

He  is  one  of  Canada's  donations  to  the  citizen.ship  of  Iowa,  his  birth  having 
occurred  in  Montreal  on  the  18th  of  March,  1840.  His  parents  were  David  and 
Mary  (Dunbar)  Byers,  both  of  whom  were  born  and  reared  in  County  Down 
Ireland.  In  1839  they  came  to  this  country,  locating  at  Montreal,  Canada.  The 
father,  an  agriculturist  by  occupation,  was  engaged  in  the  ojieration  of  a  farm 
at  that  place  until  1843,  when  the  ojjportunities  of  the  L'nited  States  attracted 
his  attention  and,  crossing  the  border  line,  he  made  his  wa\-  to  Rock  Island,  Illi- 
nois. There  he  purchased  a  farm,  upon  which  he  resided  until  1867,  in  which 
year  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  here  located  upon  a  farm  which 
he  bought  about  eight  miles  south  of  Brooklyn.  That  remained  his  home  for 
eighteen  years,  or  until  his  failing  health  caused  his  retirement  from  active  life. 
He  then  took  u]>  his  residence  in  Brooklyn  and  there  remained  until  his  death  in 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  513 

i(St)g,  having  survived  his  wife  for  three  years,  her  death  also  occurring  in  this 
city. 

David  Byers  was  in  his  third  year  when  brought  to  the  United  States  and  he 
remained  with  his  parents  in  the  lUinois  home  until  the  spring  of  1861,  when  the 
outbreak  of  die  Civil  war  awoke  a  spirit  of  patriotism  within  him  that  prompted 
his  enlistment  for  service  in  the  Union  army.  Accordingly  he  enlisted  at  Rock 
Island,  Illinois,  as  a  soldier  in  Company  A,  Thirty-seventh  Regiment,  Illinois 
Volunteer  Infantry,  and  with  that  command  served  for  four  years,  ten  months 
and  twenty-eight  days.  He  took  part  in  the  battle  of  Pea  Ridge  and  many  of  the 
important  engagements  of  the  war,  being  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Perry  Grove, 
Arkansas.  Unlike  many  who  were  quick  to  respond  to  the  country's  call,  he  did 
not  regard  his  duty  over  at  the  close  of  his  first  or  even  his  second  term  of  en- 
listment, but  remained  at  the  front  until  after  all  Confederate  troops  had  laid 
down  their  arms,  receiving  honorable  discharge  on  May  15,  1866,  in  Houston, 
Texas,  after  an  active,  brave  and  efficient  service  on  the  battle  fields  of  the  south. 

After  his  military  services  were  no  longer  needed  he  returned  north  and, 
making  his  way  to  Poweshiek  county,  purchased  a  farm  in  Scott  township  about 
eight  miles  south  of  Brooklyn  and  there  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits.  That 
remained  his  home  for  only  four  years,  however,  for  his  health,  which  had  never 
been  strong  after  his  military  experience,  compelled  him  to  withdraw  from  farm 
labor  and  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Brooklyn,  where  he  passed  away  on  the  13th 
of  January,  1892. 

On  the  i6th  of  February,  1867,  Mr.  Byers  married  Miss  Alaria  Louise  Robb, 
a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Louisa  (  Washington )  Robb.  The  father,  who  was  born 
in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  was  a  son  of  James  Robb.  also  a  native  of  that 
county,  and  came  of  English  lineage.  The  mother  was  born  in  Connellsville, 
Pennsylvania,  about  forty  miles  east  of  Pittsburg,  and  was  of  German  descent. 
Jacob  Robb,  who  followed  the  trades  of  tailor  and  brickmason,  removed  with  his 
family  to  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  in  185 1,  when  his  daughter  Maria  Louise  was  but 
eighteen  months  old,  and  later  located  on  a  farm  in  Mercer  county,  about  sixteen 
miles  southwest  of  Rock  Island.  There  he  continued  his  residence  until  the  fall 
of  1 886, when  he  removed  to  Missouri  and  there  passed  away.  He  had  seen  serv- 
ice in  the  Union  army  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  war,  enlisting  on  the  5th  of  Au- 
gust. 1862,  from  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  in  Company  C,  One  Hundred  and  Sec- 
ond Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  discharged  at  Galveston  in  March  of 
the  following  year,  however,  because  of  disability.  His  death  occurred  in  the 
fall  of  1881.  while  he  was  residing  at  Brashear,  Missouri.  Subsequently  his 
widow  made  her  home  with  her  daughter.  Mrs.  Byers,  at  Brooklyn,  for  thirteen 
years,  after  which  she  returned  to  her  home  in  Missouri  and  there  passed  away 
on  the  22d  of  October,  1904.  The  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Byers  was  blessed 
with  one  daughter,  Mary  Louisa,  who  died  at  the  age  of  four  years. 

With  the  death  of  Mr.  Byers  Poweshiek  county  lost  a  public-spirited  and  rep- 
resentative citizen,  who  had  ever  remained  as  loyal  to  the  interests  of  his  ado]ited 
cdiuUry  during  the  days  of  peace  as  when  following  the  old  flag  on  southern  bat- 
tle fields.  He  was  a  republican  in  pt)litics  and  for  several  years  served  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  school  board  of  Scott  townshi]).  ever  remaining  a  stanch  friend  to  the 
cause  of  education.     He  held  membership  in  John  T.  Drake  Post,  No.  332,  G.  A. 


514  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

R.,  of  Brooklyn,  while  he  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Presbyterian  church,  in 
the  work  of  which  they  were  interested  and  helpful.  Airs.  Byers  now  attends 
the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  of  Brooklyn,  however.  She  is  serving  for  the 
third  year  as  treasurer  of  the  \\'oman's  Relief  Corps  of  John  T.  Drake  Post,  No. 
332,  G.  A.  R.,  and  is  also  a  member  of  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  202,  at  Brooklyn. 
She  now  makes  her  home  in  Brookl\'n,  having  sold  her  farm  a  few  years  subse- 
quent to  her  arrival  here,  and  has  gathered  about  her  a  large  number  of  warm 
friends,  who  hold  her  in  the  highest  respect  and  esteem  for  her  many  excellent 
qualities  of  heart  and  mind. 


WILLI.\M   MANATT. 


Perhaps  few  names  are  better  known  in  this  community  than  that  of  Man- 
att,  and  he  whose  name  introduces  this  review  was  long  recognized  as  one  of 
the  most  prominent,  well-to-do  and  respected  citizens  of  Poweshiek  county. 
He  was  numbered  among  those  of  eastern  birth  who  sought  and  found  on  the 
broad  prairies  of  the  rapidly  growing  west  opportunities  for  advancement  in 
their  chosen  vocation,  and  in  the  wise  utilization  of  those  opportunities  met  with 
a  success  which  was  at  once  substantial  and  honorable.  A  native  of  Washing- 
ton county,  Pennsylvania,  he  was  born  on  the  14th  of  July.  1S23,  a  son  of 
Robert  and  Sarah  ( Peddlar )  Manatt,  both  of  Irish  lineage.  The  father,  who 
was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  carried  on  that  pursuit  in  Poweshiek  county  for  a 
time,  and  in  February,   1864,  passed  away  in   Bear  Creek  township. 

On  the  home  farm  in  the  Keystone  state  William  Manatt  spent  the  period 
of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  there  assisting  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the 
fields,  and  the  experience  thus  obtained  was  both  thorough  and  practical,  lie 
remained  with  his  parents,  until  the  year  1849.  when  he  made  his  way  to  Ohio 
and  later  in  the  same  year  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Bear  Creek  townshi]), 
Poweshiek  county.  This  was  but  a  short  time  after  the  admission  of  Iowa  to 
the  Union  and  vast  stretches  of  her  prairies  were  still  unbroken  and  much  land 
was  still  unclaimed.  Entering  one  of  these  undeveloped  tracts  from  the  gov- 
ernment Mr.  Manatt  at  once  began  its  improvement  and  through  the  succeed- 
ing years  was  actively  and  helpfully  identified  with  the  growth  and  develop- 
ment of  Poweshiek  county  through  his  activities  along  agricultural  lines. 

It  is  not  necessary  here  to  dwell  u]5on  the  sturdy  characteristics  which  car- 
ried him  through  the  difhcult  and  arduous  task  of  converting  his  raw  land  into 
productive  fields  nor  the  methods  which  he  later  pursued  in  its  further  cul- 
tivation and  improvement,  for  these  are  all  shadowed  forth  in  the  excellent 
results  which  ultimately  attended  his  efforts,  making  him  one  of  the  besi  known 
and  most  substantial  agriculturists  of  this  county.  The  old  homestead  upon 
which  he  first  located  now  stands  in  the  very  heart  of  the  growing  city  of 
Brooklyn,  and  about  this  as  a  nucleus  he  established,  by  subsequent  purchases 
as  prosperity  came  to  him,  an  estate  consisting  of  fifteen  hund.-ed  acres  of  as 
valuable  land  as  can  be  found  in  Poweshiek  or  adjoining  counties.  The  prop- 
ertv  is   divided   into  various   farms,  all  highly   im])roved   and   developed,   which 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COfXTY  515 

since  his  demise  have  been  leased  to  other  farmers  although  the  estate  still 
remains  intact. 

In  1863  Mr.  Manatt  was  united  in  marriage,  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  to 
Miss  Roxie  Shrimplian,  who  was  born  on  the  30th  of  November,  1840,  a 
daughter  of  Oliver  and  Sybil  (Chapman)  Shrimplian.  The  father,  a  farmer 
by  occupation,  was  born  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  and  was  of  German  ancestry, 
while  the  mother  came  from  old  Yankee  stock,  her  birth  occurring  in  Con- 
necticut. They  were  married  in  Ohio  and  passed  their  remaining  days  in 
Holmes  county,  that  state,  the  father  passing  away  in  1896  and  the  mother  in 
1874.  After  the  death  of  his  first  wife  Mr.  Shrimplian  was  again  married,  his 
second  union  being  with  Mrs.  Sarah  Reynolds,  of  Holmes  county.  Unto  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Manatt  were  born  six  children,  of  whom  two,  Bertie  and  Orphia, 
passed  away  in  infancy.  The  surviving  members  of  the  family  are:  Lola  Ada, 
the  wife  of  W.  W.  Cardell,  a  well  known  attorney  of  Perry,  Iowa,  who  by  a 
former  marriage  had  one  son,  Walter  Simms  Cardell ;  Nellie,  who  married 
Albert  Sherwood,  now  living  retired  in  Brooklyn ;  Thursia,  who  makes  her 
home  with  her  mother;  and  Coe  H.,  who  married  Miss  Nellie  Jones,  of  Brooklyn, 
where  he  is  now  living  retired,  devoting  his  entire  attention  to  the  management 
of  his  father's  estate. 

Mr.  Manatt  passed  away  on  the  29th  of  January,  1906,  in  the  home  where 
his  widow  and  daughter  now  live  and  which  had  been  his  place  of  residence  for 
forty-two  years.  He  was  a  democrat  in  politics,  taking  a  great  interest  in  the 
welfare  of  the  community  in  which  he  had  resided  for  more  than  a  half  cen- 
tury, and  by  the  consensus  of  public  opinioi>  ranked  among  the  best  known, 
wealthiest  and  most  highly  respected  citizens  of  the  county,  the  family  being 
one  of  the  oldest  and  best  in  this  locality. 

Mrs.  Manatt  belongs  to  the  Christian  church  at  Brooklyn,  in  the  work  of 
which  she  is  deeply  and  helpfully  interested,  and  is  a  lady  of  the  most  estim- 
able character.  She  has  long  been  prominent  in  the  social  circles  of  Brooklyn, 
and  her  home  is  the  center  of  a  large  circle  of  warm  friends. 


HARLAN  MACY. 


The  cultivation  of  his  fine  homestead  of  two  hundred  and  ninety  acres  has 
for  some  years  engaged  the  attention  of  Harlan  Macy,  who  was  born  on  the 
30th  of  January,   1873,  i"  Sugar  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county. 

He  is  a  .son  of  Seth  and  .Abigail  (Cause)  Macy,  both  natives  of  Henry 
county,  Indiana,  the  father  having  been  born  on  the  24th  of  November,  1836, 
and  the  mother  on  the  ist  of  March,  1837.  Mr.  Macy  was  educated  in  the 
schools  of  his  native  state,  where  he  residerl  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age, 
when  he  migrated  with  his  father  to  this  county.  Upon  their  arrival  here  they 
located  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  where  Mr.  Macy  later  purchased  a  farm, 
in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  engaged  until  two  years  before  his  death  which 
occurred  in  1905.  Mrs.  Macy  still  survives  and  now  makes  her  home  with  her 
son  Harlan.     Mr.   Macy  voted  with  the  democratic  party,   to  whose  principles 


516  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

he  was  always  loyal.  Four  children  were  born  of  their  union:  Ella,  the  wife 
of  W.  R.  Allee,  of  Sugar  Creek  township ;  Elgar  B.,  who  is  a  resident  of 
Lynnville.  Iowa ;  Charles  O.,  living  in  the  same  place ;  and  Harlan,  our  subject. 

Harlan  ^lacy  pursued  his  education  in  the  coninicin  schools  of  Lynnville 
and  Oskaloosa,  after  the  completion  of  which  he  became  identified  with  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  thus  qualifying  himself  for  the  vocation  in  which  he  is  meet- 
ing with  such  excellent  success.  When  he  felt  he  was  fully  qualified  to  manage 
and  satisfactorily  and  successfully  supervise  the  operation  of  a  farm  he  pur- 
chased his  present  homestead,  which  contains  two  hundred  and  ninety  acres 
of  land.  He  has  made  quite  extensive  improvements  upon  the  place  since  lo- 
cating here,  and  now  owns  one  of  the  attractive  and  valuable  properties  of  the 
township.  General  farming  and  stock-raising  are  his  main  sources  of  revenue, 
both  yielding  very  satisfactory  returns  under  his  direction. 

On  the  3d  of  March,  1896,  Mr.  Macy  married  Miss  Louolie  Northcutt,  who 
was  born  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  on  the  12th  of 
June,  1876.  Mrs.  Macy  is  a  daughter  of  Frank  and  Elizabeth  (Allee)  North- 
cutt, of  Lynnville,  Iowa,  and  natives  of  Jasper  county.  The  former,  who  has 
always  been  connected  with  agricultural  activities  is  now  a  ditch  contractor 
and  farmer  of  Jasper  county.  Politically  he  votes  for  the  republican  candidates 
and  in  matters  of  religion  he  and  his  wife  affiliate  with  the  Society  of  Friends. 
The  family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Macy  consists  of  four  sons  and  a  daughter,  the 
order  of  birth  being  as  follows:  Wendell  Harlan,  who  was  born  on  the  i6th 
of  January,  1897;  Harold  Franklin,  born  on  the  loth  of  August,  1898;  Grace 
Elizabeth,  born  on  the  6th  of  June,  1901  ;  Seth  Herman,  whose  birth  occurred  on 
Christmas,   1905:  and  Loring  Kenneth,  born  on  the   12th  of  March,   1908. 

In  politics  Mr.  Macy  always  supports  the  democracy,  and  has  served  both  as 
school  director  and  township  clerk  for  several  years.  He  is  practical  in  his 
methods  and  progressive  in  his  ideas,  thus  being  able  to  intelligently  adapt  new 
theories  to  his  requirements,  which  is  the  great  secret  of  success  in  any 
undertaking. 


PHILANDER  D.  BURTON. 

One  of  the  older  settlers  of  Poweshiek  county,  who  for  many  years  was 
actively  and  prominently  identified  not  only  with  the  agricultural  but  commercial 
development  of  the  county  is  Philander  D.  Burton,  who  was  born  at  Piketon, 
Ohio,  on  the  27th  of  September,  1840.  His  parents  were  William  and  Eliza- 
beth (Grant)  Burton,  the  father  a  native  of  Vermont  and  the  mother  of  Con- 
necticut. William  Burton,  who-  was  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth  College,  was  a 
Presbyterian  minister  and  a  man  of  fine  mind  and  more  than  average  power 
in  the  pulpit.  His  voice  having  failed,  it  at  length  became  necessary  for  him 
to  withdraw  from  his  profession,  and  so.  in  1854,  in  company  with  J.  B.  Grin- 
nell  and  others  he  came  west,  purchasing  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land, 
which  he  expected  to  cultivate.  He  returned  to  'Austinburg,  Ohio,  where  hi 
was  living  at  that  time,  to  dispose  of  his  interests,  intending  to  move  his  family 
to  Iowa.     However,  he  encountered  more  difficulty  in  settling  up  his  affairs  than 


1'.    I>.    I'.rUTON 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  519 

lie  liad  anticipated  and  passed  away  before  he  had  succeeded  in  adjusting  mat- 
ters so  that  he  could  move.  Mr.  Burton,  who  was  sixty-eight  years  of  age  at 
the  time  of  his  demise  on  the  I2th  of  March,  1858,  was  a  veteran  of  the  war 
of  1812.  .^ome  time  after  his  death  his  wife  and  family  came  to  Iowa,  locat- 
ing upon  the  farm  near  Grinnell.  and  later  removing  to  that  city,  where  Mrs. 
r.urton  passed  away  on  the  ist  of  April,  1885. 

Philander  D.  Burton,  who  was  one  of  a  family  of  seven  children,  was  a  lad 
of  eight  years  when  his  parents  removed  from  his  native  town  to  Ashtabula, 
Ohio,  in  the  common  schools  of  which  city  he  acquired  his  education.  Having 
attained  manhood  when  the  call  came  for  troops  in  1861,  he  enlisted  in  the 
l-ourteenth  Ohio  Battery  and  went  to  the  front. on  the  20th  of  August,  that 
year.  He  saw  much  active  service  and  participated  in  many  sharp  skirmishes 
and  several  notable  battles,  among  the  latter  being  those  of  Shiloh,  Fort  Donel- 
.>on  and  Corinth.  At  Holly  Spring,  Mississippi,  he  was  captured  by  the  rebels, 
l)Ut  i>aroIed  and  sent  to  Memphis,  Tennessee,  in  November,  1862,  and  from 
there  to  Columbus,  Ohio.  On  the  24th  of  September,  1863,  he  was  mustered 
out.  having  served  a  little  more  than  two  years.  He  then  returned  home, 
where  he  remained  during  the  fall  and  winter,  and  in  the  spring  of  1864  he 
and  his  brother  Edwartl  came  to  Iowa.  They  tlid  not  remain  here,  however, 
Init  went  back  to  Ohio  and  it  was  not  until  1865  that  they  located  permanently 
in  Poweshiek  county,  where  our  subject  and  his  brothers  William  and  Theodore 
engaged  in  farming  in  Malcom  township  until  1869.  William  went  to  Cali- 
fornia in  1875  and  now  lives  in  Nebraska.  In  1869  P.  D.  Burton  purchased 
land  in  Grinnell  township,  two  miles  from  the,  city  of  Grinnell,  and  there  made 
his  home  until  1876,  when  he  removed  to  Montezuma,  having  been  elected  clerk 
of  the  county  court,  in  which  capacity  he  served  for  two  terms.  He  then  em- 
barked in  the  book  and  drug  business  at  Grinnell,  which  he  carried  on  success- 
fully until,  owing  to  ill  health,  he  was  compelled  to  withdraw  from  the  firm 
of  Johnson  &  Burton  in  1884.  He  then  removed  to  Armour,  South  Dakota, 
where  he  made  his  home  for  four  years,  but  as  the  climate  did  not  agree  with 
him  there  and  he  had  frozen  his  feet  he  returned  to  Iowa  in  1889,  purchasing 
land  adjacent  to  Iowa  College,  Grinnell,  where  he  now  lives  retired.  He  en- 
gaged in  the  real-estate  business  in  Grinnell  for  five  years  at  one  time,  and  he 
\\a>  also  vice  president  of  the  Grinnell  Savings  Bank  for  twelve,  while  he  was 
r.ne  of  the  organizers  of  the  Granger  store  as  well  as  one  of  the  directors  and 
a    stockholder. 

In  Madison,  Ohio,  on  the  5th  of  February,  1868,  was  celebrated  the  mar- 
riage of  Mr.  Burton  and  Miss  Ruby  Merriman,  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Andrus 
Merriman,  of  Ohio.  Four  children  were  born  of  this  union:  Frank  M.,  a 
resident  of  Des  Moines;  Arthur  M.,  who  is  married  and  living  in  Grinnell; 
Kate,  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Wiley,  of  Fergus  Falls,  Minnesota ;  and  Grace  M., 
who  graduated  from  Iowa  College  with  the  class  of  1903,  a  teacher  at  Oberlin, 
Ohio.  Mrs.  Burton,  who  was  a  beautiful  character  and  a  woman  of  rare  mental 
(|ualities.  passed  away  on  the  27th  of  May,  1893,  and  on  the  12th  of  September, 
1903,  Mr.  Burton  was  married  in  Des  Moines  to  Miss  Theresa  W.  Wright,  of 
Grinnell.  a  daughter  of  William  Wright,  who  was  a  farmer  and  veteran  of 
the  Civil  war  and  died  in   New  York.     The  family  affiliate  with  the  Congrega- 


520  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

tional  church  and  Mr.  Burton  is  a  member  of  Gordon  Grange  Post,  No.  64, 
G.  A.  R.,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  and  has  been  adjutant  for 
sixteen  years.  He  is  also  entitled  to  membership  in  the  society  of  the  Sons 
of  the  War  of  1812,  in  which  conflict  his  father  participated.  The  martial 
spirit  has  been  prevalent  in  the  family  for  several  generations  as  the  grand- 
father, Asa  Burton,  was  a  member  of  the  English  navy  before  becoming  a  citizen 
of  the  United  States. 

In  his  political  allegiance  Mr.  Burton  has  ever  been  most  loyal  to  the  prin- 
ciples and  policy  of  the  republican  party,  for  whose  candidates  he  always  casts 
his  ballot.  While  he  takes  much  interest  in  public  affairs  he  has  never  actively 
participated  in  politics  since  retiring  from  the  office  of  county  clerk,  to  which 
he  was  elected  over  thirty  years  ago.  During  the  forty-six  years  of  his  residence 
in  Poweshiek  county  he  has  been  much  interested  in  observing  its  progress  along 
various  lines.  Grinnell  has  developed  from  what  was  little  more  than  a  village 
in  1865  to  an  educational  center  of  more  than  local  reputation,  while  agricul- 
turally the  county  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  best  in  the  state. 

A  younger  brother  of  our  subject,  Theodore  E.  Burton,  was  elected  to  the 
United  States  senate  from  Ohio  two  years  ago,  after  having  served  for  six- 
teen years  in  the  house  of  representatives.  Grinnell  has  always  taken  a  warm 
interest  in  the  career  of  Senator  Burton  as  when  a  young  man  he  resided  here 
for  several  years,  assisting  his  brothers  in  the  cultivation  of  the  homestead  dur- 
ing the  summer  and  attending  Iowa  College  in  the  winter.  Later  he  returned  to 
Ohio,  which  was  his  native  state,  and  attended  Oberlin  College,  from  which 
institution  he   was  graduated. 


FRED  B.   MALCOLM. 

Poweshiek  county  numbers  among  its  prominent  and  well  known  citizens 
Fred  B.  Malcolm,  a  prosperous  and  progressive  farmer  of  Deep  River  town- 
ship, within  whose  borders  practically  his  entire  life  has  been  spent.  He  was 
born  in  Cambridge,  Henry  county,  Illinois,  on  the  loth  of  January,  1874,  a  son 
of  Brainard  and  Mary  (Kennedy)  Malcolm,  natives  of  Illinois,  where  the 
former  was  born  in  1850  and  the  latter  in  1852.  The  father  has  now  passed 
away,  his  death  occurring  in  August,  1893,  while  the  mother  still  survives  and 
makes  her  home  in  Montezuma.  Of  their  three  children  the  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  the  first  in  order  of  birth,  the  others  being:  Earl  O.,  of- Keokuk 
county,  Iowa ;  and  William  M.,  of  Deep  River  township. 

Fred  B.  Malcolm  was  but  an  infant  of  six  months  when  his  parents  took  up 
their  abode  in  Deep  River  township,  which  has  since  remained  the  scene  of  his 
activities.  Reared  to  farm  work  he  early  became  familiar  with  the  best  methods 
of  plowing,  planting  and  harvesting,  and  he  remained  at  home,  engaging  with 
his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  home  fields,  until  he  was  twenty-one  years 
of  age,  when  he  took  up  agricultural  pursuits  on  his  own  account.  He  is  the 
owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  located  on  section  17,  which  con- 
stitutes one  of   the  well   improved   and   valuable   properties   of  the  locality,   its 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  521 

present  good  condition  being  due  in  large  measure  to  the  careful  management 
and  unfaltering  industry  of  Mr.  Malcolm.  In  1910  he  erected  a  new  dwelling 
and  a  complete  set  of  outbuildings,  all  substantial  and  commodious,  and  about 
the  place  are  to  be  found  many  other  evidences  of  the  spirit  of  progress  which 
is  one  of  his  salient  characteristics.  In  addition  to  his  general  farming  he 
engages  in  stock-raising  and  feeding,  and  he  is  also  a  stockholder  in  Deep 
River  Cooperative  Creamery  Company.  Sound  judgment  and  good  business 
sense  have  enabled  him  to  conduct  his  affairs  in  such  a  manner  as  to  produce 
excellent  results  and  today  he  is  numbered  among  the  prosperous  and  sub- 
stantial business  men  of  Deep  River  township. 

On  the  1st  of  May,  1895,  Mr.  Malcolm  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Celia  Briggs,  who  was  born  near  Preemption,  Illinois,  on  the  15th  of  November, 
1874.  In  1882  she  came  to  Iowa  with  her  parents,  W.  J.  and  Ann  (Armstrong) 
Briggs,  natives  of  New  York  city  and  Ireland  respectively.  The  father  was 
a  successful  farmer  and  extensive  landowner,  the  family  homestead  consisting 
of  a  half  section  of  land.  In  his  family  were  three  sons  and  three  daughters. 
Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Malcolm  were  born  three  children,  namely:  Harold,  who 
was  born  in  1896  and  passed  away  in  1897,  at  the  age  of  ten  months;  Gladys, 
whose  birth  occurred  in  1898;  and  Leona,  who  was  born  in  1900. 

Mr.  Malcolm  is  active  in  the  various  phases  of  community  life  and  par- 
ticipates in  all  movements  for  the  public  welfare.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Christian  church  and  fraternally  is  connected  with  Golden  Rod  Lodge,  No. 
512,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  and  with  the  Modern  Brotherhood  of  America.  He  is  a" 
republican  in  politics  and  he  has  made  a  close  study  of  all  of  those  questions 
and  issues  which  are  to  the  American  citizen  a  matter  of  deep  interest.  He  is 
now  serving  as  township  assessor  and  is  proving  a  most  capable  and  efficient 
official.  He  is  very  popular  among  his  friends  and  associates,  for  he  possesses 
the  genial   nature   and   kindly  qualities   which  ever   win   warm   friendships. 


ELMER  J.  KORNS. 


Elmer  J.  Korns,  who  is  the  owner  of  a  highly  productive  farm  on  section  34, 
Jefferson  township,  was  born  in  this  township  in  February,  1875,  and  has 
spent  his  entire  life  here.  He  is  a  son  of  Moses  and  Jane  (Sheves)  Korns,  the 
former  of  whom  was  born  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  September  3,  1835,  a  son 
of  William  and  Elizabeth  (Houpman)  Korns,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of 
Pennsylvania. 

Moses  Korns  was  fourth  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  eleven  children. 
He  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  the  Buckeye  state  and  con- 
tinued with  his  father  until  1858  when  he  started  with  a  thresher  for  Cali- 
fornia. He  traveled  part  of  the  way  by  water  and  crossed  the  plains  by  stage 
in  eighteen  days.  He  continued  on  the  Pacific  coast  until  1862  and.  in  1863, 
arrived  in  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  located  upon  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  of  land  and  applied  himself  as  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  He  was  very 
successful  in  his  work  and  became  the  owner  of  six  hundred  and  thirty  acres. 


52'J  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

but  gave  away  a  very  large  portic  n  of  his  land  to  his  children,  so  that  at  pres- 
ent he  retains  only  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  acres.  He  is  now  living  re- 
tired at  Hartwick.  Like  his  father  he  is  a  supporter  of  the  democratic  party,  but 
belongs  to  the  progressive  branch  of  that  organization  and  believes  that  the 
party  should  adapt  itself  to  the  changing  conditions  of  the  country.  He  has 
served  very  acceptably  as  justice  of  the  peace,  trustee  and  school  director  and 
was  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  Ohio. 

Elmer  J.  Korns,  of  this  review,  secured  his  preliminary  education  in  the 
common  schools  and  after  arriving  at  manhood  moved  to  his  present  location 
on  section  34,  Jefiferson  township,  his  farm  including  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
five  acres.  He  has  applied  himself  very  successfully  as  a  general  farmer  and 
stock-raiser  and  also  devotes  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  of  Clydes- 
dale horses.  He  is  very  thorough  and  efficient  in  his  work  and  has  financially 
met  with  deserved  success. 

In  1899  Mr.  Korns  was  married  to  Miss  Lucy  Rowland,  a  daughter  of 
lacob  Rowland,  a  well  known  farmer  of  this  county.  Two  children  were  born 
of  this  union :  Everett,  who  is  attending  the  district  school :  and  Irene,  who  is 
deceased. 

Mr.  Korns  votes  in  support  of  the  republican  party  and  in  religious  faith 
affiliates  with  the  Congregational  church,  of  which  he  is  a  valued  member.  He 
is  a  representative  of  the  new  generation  of  farmers,  and  is  alert,  active  and 
efficient,  always  ready  to  assist  in  promoting  the  advancement  of  the  com- 
munity and  willing  to  bear  his  part  in  discharging  the  responsibilities  of  cit- 
izenship. He  is  now  fairly  launched  upon  his  business  career  which  gives  bril- 
liant promise  for  the  years  to  come. 


GL'ST  L  SCliri.TZ. 


Among  those  residents  of  Malcom  whose  well  directed  efforts  along  agri- 
cultural lines  now  make  it  possible  for  them  to  live  in  honorable  retirement,  is 
numbered  Gust  J.  Schultz.  He  was  born  in  Princeton.  Illinois,  on  the  22d  of 
Inly.  1858,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Maria  Johanna  (  Rehberg)  Schultz,  both  natives 
of  Germany. 

The  father,  whose  birth  occurred  at  Richtenberg.  in  the  province  of  Pom- 
merania.  Prussia,  on  the  lyth  of  March,  1832,  spent  the  period  of  his  boy- 
hood and  youth  in  his  native  country.  In  the  public  schools  of  the  fatherland 
he  acquired  his  education,  and  after  serving  the  re(iuire(l  time  in  the  Prussian 
army  came  to  the  L'nited  States  in  1837.  joining  his  parents  in  Princeton,  Illi- 
nois, where  they  had  located  in  1854.  Shortly  after  his  arrival  in  that  city  he 
was  married,  and  in  1859  came  by  wagon  to  Iowa,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Sher- 
idan townsliip,  six  miles  northwest  of  Malcom.  There  he  carried  on  general 
agricultural  i)ursuits  and  was  so  successful  that,  about  three  years  prior  to  his 
demise,  he  was  able  to  withdraw  from  active  labor  and  he  removed  to  Malcom. 
He  deserved  great  credit  for  what  he  accoinplished,  for  when  he  came  to  this 
country    he   was    without    capital   or   influence,   and    whatever   came   to   him   of 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  523 

prosperity  was  tlie  direct  result  of  his  own  >nergy  and  industry.  At  the  time 
of  his  death  he  was  tlie  ow^ner  of  a  vahiable  tract  of  three  hunch-ed  and  twenty 
acres,  located  in  Sheridan  township,  all  highly  improved.  He  was  a  member  of 
the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  of  Malcom  and  was  a  gentleman  of  most  exemplary 
character.  Early  in  life  he  became  a  member  of  the  Lutheran  church,  and 
throughout  his  career  the  teachings  of  that  denomination  remained  the  guiding 
influences  of  his  life.  He  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Lutheran  church  of 
Malcom  township,  and  was  a  regular  attendant  at  the  services  in  Malcom  when- 
ever his  impaired  health  would  permit.  ■  In  1857  he  married  Maria  Johanna 
Rehberg,  who  was  also  born  in  Richtenberg,  Prussia,  on  the  5th  of  October, 
1836.  She  was  reared  in  the  fatherland  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age  came 
to  the  United  States,  arriving  at  Princeton,  Illinois,  in  1854.  In  that  city  she 
was  married,  in  1857,  to  Henry  Schultz,  and  later  came  with  him  to  Iowa,  where 
she  spent  her  remaining  years.  She  was  familiarly  known  in  the  community 
in  which  she  resided  as  .Aunt  Mary,  a  term  which  indicates  the  warm  place 
which  she  occupied  in  the  affection  of  her  friends  and  neighbors.  At  the  time 
of  her  demise  a  local  paper  spoke  of  her  as  follows:  "She  was  always  a  true 
Christian,  a  loving  wife  and  mother  and  kind  neighbor,  and  always  ready  to 
sacrifice  her  own  comfort  to  make  others  happy,  and  will  be  greatly  missed  by 
all.  She  was  one  of  God's  noblest  creations."  During  her  last  days  she  was  a 
great  sufferer  but  bore  her  pain  uncomplainingly.  Death  came  to  her  on  the 
15th  of  November,  1907,  when  she  was  seventy-one  years  of  age.  For  seven 
vears  she  had  survived  her  husljaiid,  who  passed  away  on  the  30th  of  May, 
1900.  In  their  family  were  the  following  children:  Gust  ]..  of  this  review; 
Katharine,  the  wife  of  Andrew  Erickson.  of  lirooklyn  :  Mary,  who  passed  away 
at  the  age  of  seventeen  months ;  Christ,  of  Grinnell ;  Francis,  who  married 
Joseph  1-".  Eisele,  of  Malcom  township;  Matilda,  the  wife  of  Henry  Baltisber- 
ger ;  John,  of  Marshalltown,  Iowa;  Otto  of  Sheridan  township;  and  Henry, 
also  of  that  townshi]). 

It  was  during  his  early  infancy  that  Gust  J.  Schultz  was  brought  by  his 
I)arents  to  Poweshiek  county,  and  consequently  almost  his  entire  life  has  been 
])assed  within  its  borders.  No  event  of  especial  importance  came  to  vary  the 
routine  of  life  for  him  during  the  ]ieriod  of  his  boyhood  and  youth,  which  was 
passed  on  his  father's  farm  in  .Sheridan  township,  and  upon  attaining  his  majority 
he  wisely  chose  as  his  life  work  the  occupation  to  which  he  had  been  reared, 
engaging  in  agricultural  pursuits  in  that  township  for  a  number  of  years.  He 
was  progressive  in  his  ideas,  utilized  practical  and  modern  methods  in  the 
conduct  of  his  interests,  and  so  managed  his  affairs  that  he  soon  became 
ranked  among  the  substantial  and  progressive  agriculturists  of  the  townshi]). 
He  became  the  owner  of  a  large  farm  of  four  hundred  and  ten  acres  in  Sher- 
idan township,  all  well  improved,  with  two  sets  of  good  buildingS;  and  thereon 
he  engaged  extensively  in  cattle-breeding,  which  branch  of  his  activity  proved 
most  successful.  At  the  time  of  his  retirement  from  active  life,  about  two  years 
ago,  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Malcom  where  he  is  now-  enjoying  the  comforts 
afforded  by  a  goodly  competence. 

Mr.  Schultz  was  united  in  marriage,  in  1880,  to  Miss  Mary  Eisele,  who 
was  born    in    Princeton,    Illinois,   on   the   21st   of    November,    i860,   and    when 


524  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

eight  years  of  age  came  to  Poweshiek  county  with  her  parents.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Phihppina  (Wentzel)  Eisele,  both  natives  of  Germany. 
Her  father,  who  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  on  the  nth  of  October,  1830, 
and  left  the  fatherland  on  the  17th  of  December,  185 1,  arrived  at  Philadel- 
phia on  the  17th  of  February,  1852.  From  that  city  he  made  his  way  to  Bucks 
county,  where  he  resided  until  the  year  1856,  on  the  29th  of  November  of  which 
year  he  was  married.  On  December  25th.  following,  he  left  the  Keystone  state 
and  moved  to  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  where  he  maintained  his  home  until 
November,  1868,  which  date  witnessed  his  arrival  in  Poweshiek  county.  Here 
he  located  on  a  farm  and  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  throughout  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  He  was  industrious  and  enterprising  in  the  conduct  of  his 
business  affairs  and  in  private  life  was  described  as  being  "an  excellent  man, 
loved  and  respected  by  his  neighbors,  friends,  and  all  who  knew  him.  He  was 
honest  and  strong  in  his  convictions,  kind,  lovable  and  charitable.  Kind-hearted 
and  generous,  he  was  never  known  to  turn  his  back  upon  a  person  when  in 
need."  His  death  occurred  in  1896,  when  he  had  reached  the  age  of  sixty-five 
years,  nine  months,  and  his  wife  has  also  passed  away.  In  their  family  were 
seven  children,   four  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  still  living. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schultz  was  born  one  son,  Frank  C.,  who  now  resides 
upon  and  operates  his  father's  farm  in  Sheridan  township.  He  married  Miss 
Leah  Henshaw  and  they  now  have  one  daughter,  Esther.  Mr.  Schultz  and  his 
wife  are  members  of  the  Lutheran  church,  in  which  they  are  interested  and 
helpful  workers,  while  in  politics  Mr.  Schultz  is  a  democrat.  He  has  filled  the 
office  of  township  trustee  for  many  years,  has  acted  as  assessor  for  four  years, 
and  for  twenty  years  has  served  as  school  director.  Public-spirited  in  citizen- 
ship, his  influence  is  ever  upon  the  side  of  progress,  improvement,  reform  and 
advancement,  and  the  principles  which  have  governed  his  entire  career  are  such 
as  make  him  a  most  desirable  and  valuable  citizen — a  worthy  son  of  an  honored 
father. 


SAMUEL  A.  TISH. 


Poweshiek  county  can  claim  many  worthy  citizens  who  have  ably  contributed 
their  share  toward  the  promotion  of  the  permanent  interests  of  this  section  of  the 
state,  but  it  is  doubtful  whether  any  man  now  living  in  the  county  has  more  con- 
scientiously performed  his  work  than  Samuel  A.  Tish.  He  is  a  successful  farmer 
of  Washington  township  and  was  for  many  years  a  school  teacher,  and  won  an 
enviable  reputation  on  account  of  the  interest  he  took  in  his  calling  and  the  ex- 
cellent results  of  his  efforts. 

He  is  a  native  of  Fayette  county.  Illinois,  and  was  born  October  17,  i860,  a 
son  of  Samuel  R.  and  Alice  Catherine  (Shafer)  Tish.  The  father  was  born  in 
Pennsylvania  April  10,  1819,  and  the  mother  in  Williams  county,  Ohio.  June  6, 
1827.  They  were  married  February  2.  185 1,  in  Williams  county,  Ohio.  Mr.  Tish 
learned  the  trade  of  cabinet-maker  but  later  took  up  farming  in  Poweshiek 
county  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  1855.  To  this  he 
afterward  added  ninety-five  acres,  making  his  total  holdings  two  hundred  and 


> 

r; 

K 

r 


TILDEN  FC 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  527 

fifteen  acres,  and  was  for  nearly  fifty  years  actively  connectetl  with  agricultural 
and  stock-raising  interests  in  this  county.  He  retired  several  years  before  his 
death,  which  occurred  April  15,  1905.  The  mother  was  called  away  December 
8,  1897.  j\Ir.  Tish  gave  his  adherence  to  the  democratic  party  but  was  never  an 
aspirant  for  public  office.  His  wife  was  a  consistent  member  of  the  Christian 
church.  In  their  family  were  eight  children,  namely :  Jasper,  who  is  deceased ; 
Emma  C,  the  wife  of  W.  C.  Benson,  of  Searsboro;  Samuel  A.,  of  this  review; 
Mary  Frances,  deceased;  Sarah  E.,  the  wife  of  J.  R.  Rivers,  of  Pleasant  town- 
ship ;  Charles,  of  Washington  township ;  William  P.,  of  Union  township ;  and 
John,  of  Sugar  Creek. 

Samuel  A.  Tish  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  and  acquired  his  early  edu- 
cation in  the  district  schools,  applying  himself  so  creditably  that  he  became  a 
teacher  and  for  twenty-five  terms  devoted  his  attention  to  the  work  of  instruct- 
ing the  young.  He  was  prominently  known  in  this  capacity  at  Sugar  Creek, 
Washington  and  Pleasant  townships,  and  among  his  best  friends  today  are  his 
former  pupils  who,  as  boys  and  girls,  gained  from  him  their  introduction  to  an 
education  which  in  a  number  of  instances  has  led  to  highly  beneficial  results. 
However,  he  never  gave  up  his  interest  in  farming.  He  rented  a  farm  in  Sugar 
Creek  township,  also  renting  one  in  Pleasant  township  for  two  years,  and  in 
1893  purchased  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Washington  township  to  which 
he  added  eighty  acres,  thus  making  it  one  of  the  attractive  properties  of  the 
township.  He  follows  general  farming  and  as  he  thoroughly  understands  the 
business  he  is  highly  successful.  He,  is  a  stockholder  and  was  formerly  a  di- 
rector in  the  butter  factory  at  Jacobs.    ,  • 

On  the  24th  of  July,  1890,  Mr.  Tish  \vas  married  to  Miss  Margaret  F.  Mor- 
gan, a  daughter  of  Milo  and  Susan  G.  (Robertson)  Morgan.  Her  father  was 
born  January  i,  1831,  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  and  the  mother  was  a  native  of 
New  York  but  was  reared  in  Ohio.  The  parents  were  married  in  Lincoln  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  July  31,  1856,  and  became  well  known  residents 
of  this  county  where  the  mother  departed  this  life  February  20,  191 1.  Mrs. 
Tish,  their  daughter,  was  educated  in  the  district  schools  and  in  the  high  school 
at  Grinnell.  She  became  a  successful  teacher,  following  the  profession  for  eight 
terms  before  her  marriage  and  for  one  term  thereafter.  The  home  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Tish  has  been  blessed  with  si.x  children:  Sylva  A.,  who  was  born  |ulv  21, 
1891,  and  after  attending  the  high  school  is  now  a  student  of  the  normal  school, 
preparing  herself  for  the  profession  of  teaching:  Vella  Elona,  who  was  born 
June  II,  1^94,  and  is  now  a  high  school  student;  Cressie  Leone,  bom  May  16, 
1897;  Lela  Margaret,  born  May  14,  1899;  Reuel  Elvin,  born  January  17,  1903; 
and  Hazel  Loree,  born  July  29,  1904. 

Mr.  Tish  is  not  identified  with  either  of  the  leading  political  parties.  Having 
observed  the  sufifering  caused  by  the  saloon,  he  became  a  prohibitionist  and  is  an 
earnest  advocate  of  temperance  principles.  He  has  served  as  township  road 
supervisor  and  most  efficiently  as  a  member  and  secretary  of  the  school  board. 
In  1888  he  was  nominated  for  county  superintendent  of  schools  on  the  demo- 
cratic ticket,  entirely  without  his  solicitation,  and  because  of  the  fact  that  his 
party  is  in  the  minority  in  this  county  he  was  defeated.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tish 
are  consistent  members  of  and  active  workers  in  the  Christian  church  and  also 


528  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

in  the  Sunday  school.  For  seven  years  Mr.  Tish  was  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school  at  district  No.  i,  Washington  township,  and  for  two  years  during 
that  period  acted  as  Sunday  school  superintendent  at  Ewart.  Most  of  this  time 
he  was  also  a  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school.  His  wife  is  now  acting  as  super- 
intendent of  the  local  Sunday  school  and  is  township  president  of  the  County 
Sunday  School  Association,  while  Mr.  Tish  is  township  secretary  of  the  County 
Sunday  School  Association.  In  1887  Mrs.  Tish  visited  California  for  the  winter 
and  was  an  active  teacher  in  the  Sunday  school  there.  Mr.  Tish  was  elected 
elder  of  the  Christian  church  at  Ewart,  which  position  he  filled  during  his  resi- 
dence there.  I'.oth  he  and  his  wife  take  an  active  and  helpful  part  in  every 
movement  tending  to  benefit  the  community  and  ])roduce  a  better  social  and 
moral  atmosphere.  His  entire  life  has  been  characterized  by  an  upward  ten- 
dency and  by  precept  and  example  he  has  been  a  teacher  of  others,  lie  justly 
occupies  a  position  as  one  of  the  honored  residents  of  Poweshiek  county. 


JAMES  C.  REAMS. 


.•\n  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Sheridan  township, 
Poweshiek  county,  pays  tribute  to  the  agricultural  skill  of  James  C.  Reams, 
who  was  actively  engaged  in  its  cultivation  for  over  thirty  years. 

Mr.  Reams  was  born  in  Clearfield  county,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  29th  of  July, 
1839,  being  a  son  of  .-Xbraham  and  Martha  ( Cloyd )  Reams.  The  father,  who 
was  of  German  descent,  was  a  native  of  Center  county,  Pennsylvania,  while 
the  mother,  who  jiassed  away  in  1843,  was  born  in  Clearfiekl  county.  Mr. 
Reams  was  a  farmer,  being  identified  with  agricultural  ]:iursuits  up  to  the  time 
of  his  demise  in   i860. 

James  C.  Reams  acquired  his  education  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native 
state,  remaining  a  member  of  the  paternal  household  until  he  attained  his  ma- 
jority. After  completing  his  education  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  cultivation 
of  the  homestead  until  the  latter's  demise.  When  the  call  came  for  volunteers 
in  1 861  Mr.  Reams  responded  by  enlisting  in  Company  K,  Eighty-fourth  Regi- 
ment, Pennsylvania  \'olunteer  Infantry,  with  which  command  he  served  for 
eighteen  months.  He  saw  much  active  service  and  jjarticipated  in  some  of  the 
most  notable  battles  of  the  war,  among  them  being  those  of  Winchester,  and 
Port  Republic,  and  he  was  with  General  Pope  in  that  disastrous  Campaign  on 
the  Rappahannock  and  in  the  second  battle  of  lUill  Run.  He  received  his 
discharge  at  Alexandria,  Virginia,  on  the  12th  of  February,  1863. 

Returning  to  his  old  home  Mr.  Reams  remained  there  for  a  brief  period, 
then  decided  to  come  west,  first  locating  in  .Scott  county,  Iowa,  where  he  re- 
sided for  a  year.  Going  back  to  Pennsylvania  in  1864  he  engaged  in  the  lum- 
ber business  for  a  year  and  then  returned  to  Iowa,  spending  a  brief  period  in 
Tama  county.  In  1865  he  removed  to  Poweshiek  county,  farming  as  a  renter 
in  Madison  township  for  several  years,  during  which  time  he  bought  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  acres  from  M.  E.  Cutts  in  Sheridan  township  at  four  dollars  per 
acre,  and  on  the  7th  day  of  June,  1867.  he  broke  the  first  land  in  the  north  half 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  629 

of  this  township.  Mr.  Reams  took  up  his  residence  on  this  place  on  the  i8th 
of  March,  1868,  and  has  continuously  resided  there  ever  since.  He  engaged  in 
general  farming  and  stock-raising,  making  a  success  of  both  ventures,  and 
acquired  a  competence  which  enabled  him  to  rent  his  property  eight  years  ago 
and  enjoy  the  ease  and  comfort  rewarded  him  for  his  early  toil.  Although  he 
still  continues  to  reside  upon  his  farm  he  is  no  longer  actively  engaged  in  its 
cultivation. 

On  the  4th  of  December,  1864,  Mr.  Reams  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Lucy  J.  Graham,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Mollie  (Saileth)  Graham,  the 
mother  of  German  and  the  father  of  Scotch  extraction.  Mr.  Graham's  an- 
cestors first  located  in  \'irginia  on  coming  to  the  United  States,  later  re- 
moving to  Pennsylvania,  his  birth  occurring  in  York  county,  that  state,  on  the 
I2th  of  August,  1793.  Airs.  Graham  was  a  native  of  Lancaster  city,  her  natal 
day  being  the  24th  of  January,  1799.  Mr.  Graham  passed  away  on  his  farm  in 
Clearfield  county,  on  the  22d  of  September,  1863,  his  wife  having  died  several 
years  previously.  Ten  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reams:  A.  .\., 
who  is  a  resident  of  Des  Moines ;  Tillie,  the  wife  of  Howard  Wilkinson,  of 
Buhl,  Idaho ;  Vina  M.,  who  married  Carl  Coulson,  of  Chelsea,  Iowa ;  James 
W.,  who  resides  on  a  farm  adjoining  that  of  his  father ;  Grace,  living  at  home ; 
and  Weaver,  who  was  a  law  student  at  State  College  of  Iowa  City,  from  which 
he  was  graduated  in  June,  1911.  Four  of  the  ten  are  deceased:  Sophia  A., 
who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  twenty-seven  years ;  Martha  L.,  aged  tw^o  years ; 
and  twins,  one  of  whom  died  in  infancy  and  the  other,  William  Gurley,  at  the 
age  of  five  years.  The  family  attend  the  services  of  the  Latter  Day  Saints,  of 
which  denomination  the  parents  are  members. 

His  political  support  Mr.  Reams  now  accords  the  democratic  party,  al- 
though his  first  vote  was  cast  for  Abraham  Lincoln.  He  was  a  strong  advocate 
of  the  principles  of  the  republican  platform  until  after  the  election  of  Ruth- 
erford B.  Hayes,  for  whom  he  cast  his  last  republican  ballot.  Following  that 
he  voted  the  greenback  ticket  so  long  as  that  party  was  in  e.xistence  and  has 
lived  to  see  many  of  its  principles  put  into  practice.  He  has  always  taken  an 
active  and  helpful  interest  in  all  local  affairs,  having  served  as  justice  of  the 
peace  for  two  terms,  while  for  many  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  school 
board  of  district  No.  i,  Sheridan  township.  Mr.  Reams  is  one  of  the  highly 
regarded  and  substantial  farmers  of  Sheridan  township  and  is  now  enjoying 
the  fruits  of  his  early  toil.  Four  years  ago,  accompanied  by  Mrs.  Reams  and 
their  daughter  Grace,  he  made  a  tour  of  California,  spending  four  months  on 
the  western  coast. 


ALFRED  BURROUGHS. 

Meeting  all  the  requirements  of  the  successful  lawyer  in  his  comprehensive 
knowledge  of  the  principles  of  jurisprudence,  his  ability  to  accurately  apply  its 
princijjles  and  his  devotion  to  the  interests  of  his  clients,  Alfred  Burroughs  is 
now   well  es'tablished   as  a  member  of  the  firm  of   Norris   &   Burroughs,   con- 


530  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

ducting  a  law  and  loan  office.  He  makes  his  home  in  Grinnell,  where  he  has 
a  wide  and  favorable  acquaintance.  He  was  born  at  Moores  Hill,  Indiana, 
September  i6,  1858,  in  a  little  story  and  a  half  log  house  which  was  built  by  his 
father,  William  Burroughs.  The  latter  was  born  near  Baltimore,  Maryland, 
in  1809,  and  when  a  mere  boy  the  care  and  support  of  his  mother,  brothers  and 
sisters  largely  devolved  upon  him,  owing  to  the  death  of  the  husband  and 
father.  He  became  a  pioneer  settler  both  of  Indiana  and  of  Iowa,  removing 
to  the  latter  state  with  his  family  in  1865.  He  secured  a  homestead  claim  at 
Hickory  Grove,  ten  miles  northwest  of  Grinnell,  and  with  earnest,  persistent 
purpose  began  the  development  of  his  farm,  which  he  converted  into  a  good 
property.  He  married  Priscilla  Breeden,  who  was  born  in  the  Shenandoah 
valley  of  Virginia  in  1829,  and  is  now  living  in  Grinnell.  Although  she  is  now 
eighty-two  years  of  age  she  has  only  fairly  begun  to  turn  gray  and  is  also  well 
preserved  in  other  ways.  Her  life  has  always  been  a  potent  force  for  moral 
and  religious  development  and  her  influence  has  had  marked  effect  upon  the 
lives  of  her  children. 

Alfred  Burroughs  attended  the  public  schools  of  Grinnell  and  also  Iowa 
College.  His  early  years  were  spent  upon  the  home  farm,  passing  many  hours 
in  the  saddle  in  herding  and  rounding  up  the  cattle  and  horses,  which  then 
roamed  over  the  prairies  imchecked  by  fences.  Here  and  there  a  tract  of  land 
had  been  converted  into  fields  for  the  growing  of  crops  and  there  were  just 
enough  of  such  fields  to  make  a  boy's  life  in  keeping  the  cattle  and  horses  away 
from  the  grain  too  strenuous  for  comfort. 

In  1876  Mr.  Burroughs  came  to  Grinnell  to  attend  the  public  schools  and 
later  became  a  student  in  the  academy  of  this  city,  remaining  here  until  the 
time  of  the  memorable  cyclone  in  1882.  He  afterward  spent  two  seasons 
teaching  in  the  country  schools  and  the  remainder  of  the  time  was  devoted  to 
aiding  in  the  care  and  cultivation  of  the  home  farm  in  Hickory  Grove  until 
February,  1889,  when  he  found  opportunity  for  carrying  out  his  wish  to  pre- 
pare for  the  bar.  At  that  time  he  began  work  for  Norris  &  Preston  in  their 
law  and  loan  office  in  Grinnell  as  bookkeeper,  and  has  ever  since  been  connected 
with  this  office.  !Mr.  Preston  withdrew  from  the  partnership  soon  after  Mr. 
Burroughs  entered  the  office  and  the  latter  became  associated  with  David  W. 
Norris,  and  later  with  Norris  &  Norris,  until  the  death  of  the  father  in  May, 
1907.  About  the  ist  of  June  of  that  year  he  formed  a  partnership  with  the  son 
and  the  firm  of  Norris  &  Burroughs  has  since  engaged  in  the  practice  of  law, 
having  high  stan.ding  as  a  representative  firm  at  Grinnell. 

On  the  31st  of  December,  1890,  at  the  home  of  the  bride  on  High  street, 
Mr.  Burroughs  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Mary  Louisa  Hedges,  the 
ceremony  being  performed  by  Professor  S.  A.  Barnes,  of  Iowa  College.  Her 
father.  Dr.  T.  M.  Hedges,  is  one  of  the  pioneer  physicians  of  Grinnell,  having 
located  here  soon  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  war.  During  the  long  term  of 
successful  practice  Dr.  Hedges  has  also  conducted  a  drug  store,  cither  in  a 
partnership  relation  or  as  sole  owner,  so  that  his  business  relations  with  Grin- 
nell were  close  and  constant  until  March,  1909,  when  he  removed  to  California, 
where  two  of  his  daughters  are  engaged  in  the  drug  business.  Mrs.  Bur- 
roughs was  born  and  educated  in  Grinnell  and  spent  much  of  her  time  before 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  531 

her  marriage  in  her  father's  drug  store.     She  has  since  presided  graciously  over 
her  own  home  and  has  made  it  an  attractive  resort  to  their  many   friends. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Burroughs  joined  the  United  Brethren  church,  to  which  his 
people  belonged  and  for  which  they  had  a  liberal  share  in  providing  and  main- 
taining a  house  of  worship  near  the  old  homestead  at  Hickory  Grove.  Alfred 
Burroughs  has  held  a  number  of  offices  in  the  church,  doing  any  service  that 
was  needed.  Following  his  removal  to  Grinnell  he  became  a  member  of  the 
Congregational  church,  to  which  his  wife  and  older  children  also  belong,  and 
at  the  same  time  he  assists  in  the  maintenance  of  worship  at  the  church  of  his 
youth.  He  is  now  serving  as  deacon  in  the  Congregational  church  and  has 
had  much  to  do  with  Sunday  school  work  in  the  township,  city  and  county, 
including  his  labors  in  connection  with  a  mission  school  of  Grinnell  for  three 
years.  Modest  and  unassuming,  free  from  ostentation  and  display,  his  good 
qualities  are  nevertheless  recognized  by  his  fellow  townsmen,  who  appreciate 
his  worth  and  the  ability  that  has  led  him  to  make  steady  advancement  since 
he  started  out  in  business  on  his  own  account. 


BALZER   KRIEGEL. 


Another  of  Poweshiek  county's  agriculturists  who  has  ably  demonstrated 
that  energy  and  perseverance  when  capably  directed  assure  success  in  America 
is  Balzer  Kriegel,  who  owns  three  hundred  and  thirty  acres  of  land  in  Madi- 
son township  which  he  is  cultivating.  Mr.  Kriegel'  was  born  in  Alsace-Lor- 
raine, which  at  that  time  was  a  province  of  France,  on  the  5th  of  March,  1857. 
His  parents,  who  were  Nicholas  and  Mary  { Coling)  Kriegel,  were  also  natives 
of  Alsace,  in  which  country  the  father  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until 
his  demise  in  1891.     The  mother  passed  away  in  1870. 

Balzer  Kriegel  continued  to  reside  in  his  native  country  until  he  was  nearly 
nineteen  years  of  age,  devoting  his  boyhood  and  youth  to  the  acquirement  of 
an  education,  which  he  obtained  in  the  common  schools,  and  the  work  of  the 
farm.  Ever  loyal  to  France,  although  then  a  subject  of  Germany,  he  resented 
the  idea  of  entering  the  army  of  the  latter  government,  and  so  decided  to  join 
his  brother,  who  had  emigrated  to  the  United  States  six  yeai's  previously.  He 
took  passage  for  America  in  1875,  and  upon  his  arrival  in  New  York  imme- 
diately made  his  way  westward  to  join  his  brother  John,  who  at  that  time  was 
living  in  Champaign  county,  Illinois.  With  the  latter's  assistance  he  readily 
found  employment  as  a  farm  hand,  with  which  occupation  he  continued  to  be 
identified  there  for  two  years. 

At  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  again  started  westward,  locating  in 
Madison  township,  Poweshiek  county,  in  1877,  where  he  continued  to  do  farm 
work.  By  means  of  thrift  and  industry  he  had  acquired  sufficient  capital  by 
i8gi  to  enable  him  to  engage  in  business  for  himself,  so  he  purchased  a  livery 
stable  in  Tama,  Iowa.  He  conducted  this  for  ten  years,  then  disposed  of  his 
interest  and,  returning  to  Madison  township  bought  two  hundred  and  ten  acres 
of  land  on  section  14  upon  which  he  settled.     In  1908  he  extended  the  boundary 


532  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

of  his  homestead  by  purchasing  one  hundred  and  twenly  acres  on  section  15, 
which  adjoined  him  on  the  west,  making  the  aggregate  of  his  holdings  three 
hundred  and  thrity  acres.  The  land,  which  is  well  drained  and  thoroughly  cul- 
tivated, is  most  fertile  and  yields  abundant  harvests,  the  greater  portion  of 
which  is  consumed  in  the  feeding  of  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  market.  Mr. 
Kriegel  has  a  fine  orchard,  covering  two  acres,  and  this  year  has  increased  it 
by  planting  one  hundred  and  fifty  more  trees.  The  improvements  upon  his 
place  are  good  and  well  kept  up,  as  are  also  the  grounds,  which  greatly  im- 
proves the  appearance  of  his  property  and  which  is  justly  considered  to  be  one 
of  the  valuable  farms  of  the  township.  In  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  his 
extensive  fields  Mr.  Kriegel  also  raises  cattle  and  hogs,  making  quite  large 
consignments  of  both  to  the  stock  market  annually. 

On  the  I2th  of  June,  1894,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  ^^Ir.  Kriegel  and 
Miss  Mary  Brimmer,  a  daughter  of  George  and  Catherine  (McClelland)  Brim- 
mer. The  father  at  that  time  was  one  of  the  well  known  farmers  of  JetTerson 
township,  but  later  he  and  his  family  removed  to  Madison  township,  where  Mrs. 
Brimmer  and  the  children  still  reside.  Mr.  Brimmer,  however,  spends  the 
greater  portion  (if  his  time  in  Dakota,  where  he  has  extensive  interests.  Unto 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kriegel  have  been  born  eight  children,  as  follows:  Fred,  who  is 
■si.xteen  years  of  age;  Roy,  aged  fifteen  years;  Walter,  eleven,  Marian,  ten; 
Marie,  nine;  Josephine,  seven;  Floyd,  five;  and  Balzer,  three  years  of  age. 
All  save  the  oldest  and  voungest  sons  are  now  attending  school  in  district  No.  6. 

Mr.  Kriegel  is  a  member  of  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  .Vmerica,  being 
affiliated  with  the  camp  at  Tama,  while  his  political  support  he  gives  to  the 
candidates  of  the  democratic  party.  Although  he  is  public-spirited  and  takes 
much  interest  in  township  afl:'airs  he  has  never  been  identified  with  any  official 
position  save  that  of  school  director  in  his  district,  in  which  capacity  he  has 
now  been  serving  for  si.x  years.  The  success  which  has  Ijeen  awarded  the 
capably  directed  efforts  of  Mr.  Kriegel  is  all  the  more  gratifying  in  considera- 
tion of  the  fact  that  it  is  almost  entirely  attributable  to  his  own  independent  ex- 
ertions, and  is  generallv  recognized  among  his  fellow  citizens  to  be  justly  and 
well  merited. 


101 IX  DOUGLASS. 


All  the  strong  cjualities  of  his  sturdy  Scotch  forebears  have  had  a  part  in  mak- 
ing [olm  Douglass  one  of  the  affluent  men  of  Poweshiek  county  and  one  of  the 
farmers  of  unequivocal  success  in  Malcom  township.  He  was  born  in  Glasgow, 
Scotland,  on  the  15th  of  July,  \S^C),  a  son  of  William  and  Ellen  (  Perden )  Doug- 
lass, both  natives  of  Scotland,  who  came  to  the  Uniteil  .States  in  1848,  locating 
first  in  Peacham,  \'ermont.  In  1854  they  took  up  their  aboile  at  Neponset,  Bu- 
reau county,  Illinois,  and  there  the  father  passed  away  at  the  age  of  fifty-eight 
years.  The  mother,  however,  spent  her  remaining  days  in  Poweshiek  county  in 
the  home  of  her  son,  John,  there  passing  away  at  the  rijie  old  age  of  eighty-four 
vears.  They  were  the  parents  of  four  children,  of  whom  John  Douglass,  of  this 
review,  was  the  second  in  order  of  birth.     The  others  are :  William,  who  served 


JOIIX    DOUGLASS 


PUBLIcl 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  535 

for  three  years  as  a  soldier  of  Company  B,  Nineteenth  lUinois  XoUmteer  In- 
fantry, and  is  now  residing  at  the  SokUers'  Home  at  (juincy,  IlHnois ;  Jane,  the 
widow  of  Thomas  Scott,  of  Brooklyn,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  vol- 
ume ;  and  Andrew,  now  residing  in  Mitchell,  Nebraska,  who  served  for  about  a 
vear  as  a  soldier  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-sixth  Illinois  \'olunteer  Infan- 
try. While  all  of  her  brothers  were  fighting  in  behalf  of  the  L'nion  at  the  front 
the  only  daughter  of  the  family  cared  for  her  |)arents  at  home  and  kept  the 
brothers  well  posted  as  to  local  affairs. 

|ohn  Douglass  spent  his  boyhood  days  in  his  native  country  and  at  the  age 
of  twelve  years  left  the  land  of  hills  and  heather  to  accompany  his  parents  on 
their  trip  across  the  .\tlantic,  and  his  education,  which  had  begun  in  Scot- 
land, was  completed  in  the  schools  of  New  England,  For  about  three  years  after 
the  establishment  of  the  family  home  in  Illinois  he  remained  with  his  parents 
and  then,  in  1S57,  went  west,  locating  in  Kansas,  where  for  a  time  he  drove  a 
stage  between  Leavenworth  and  Lawrence.  Later  he  became  a  teamster  in  the 
L'tah  expedition  that  followed  closely  upon  the  settlement  in  that  state  of  the 
Mormons  imder  the  leadership  of  Brigham  Young.  He  also  drove  a  team  for 
the  government  troops  between  Leavenworth  and  Salt  Lake  City,  and  then,  in 
1858,  as  a  member  of  the  Second  Dragoons,  took  part  in  the  Indian  warfare  in 
that  locality.  In  the  winter  of  that  year  he  returned  to  Leavenworth  and  in 
March,  1859,  purchased  a  team  which  he  drove  to  Pike's  Peak  at  the  time  of  the 
gold  excitement  in  that  region.  At  that  time  but  five  rude  shanties  marked  the 
site  of  the  present  beautiful  city  of  Denver  and  pioneer  conditions  existed 
throughout  that  district. 

In  the  latter  year  he  left  his  team  at  D'es- Moines,  w^hence  he  walked  to  Iowa 
City,  a  distance  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  making  the  journey  in  two 
days,  or  fortv-eight  hours.  He  returned  fo_  his  Illinois  home  in  July  and  re- 
mained with  his  parents  until  the  spring  of  i86r,  when  he  enlisted  in  the  state 
troops,  being  mustered  into  the  United  States  service  in  June  of  that  year  as  a 
member  of  Company  "B,  Nineteenth  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  served  with 
that  command  until  July,  1864,  when  he  was  discharged,  reenlisting  in  Company 
K.  Forty-second  Illinois  X'olunteers,  in  September  of  that  year.  He  thus  served 
until  honorably  discharged,  being  mustered  out  in  November,  1865,  at  Victoria, 
Texas.  He  took  part  in  many  of  the  important  engagements  of  the  war,  includ- 
ing the  battles  of  Perryville,  Nashville,  Chickamauga,  Missionary  Ridge,  Spring 
Hill,  F"ranklin,  Resaca,  and  also  participated  in  Sherman's  campaign  through 
Georgia.  He  received  a  slight  wound  at  Franklin.  Tennessee,  and  was  captured 
after  the  battle  of  Chickamauga  by  General  Joseiih  Wheeler  Init  was  paroled  a 
few  days  later.  He  entered  the  service  as  a  private  but  was  promoted  to  a  posi- 
tion on  the  signal  corps  in  recognition  of  his  many  acts  of  bravery  and  his  loyal 
support  at  all  times  of  the  l'nion  cause.  Unlike  many  who  were  quick  to  re- 
spond to  the  country's  call,  he  did  not  regard  his  duty  over  at  the  close  of  his 
first  term  of  enlistment,  but  remained  at  the  front  until  after  all  Confederate 
troops  had  laid  down  their  arms,  receiving  an  honorable  discharge  after  four 
years  of  active,  brave  and  efficient  service  on  the  battlefields  of  the  soutti. 

Mr.  Douglass  returned  home  on  the  13th  of  November,  1863,  and  for  three 
years  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  on  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  in  Illinois. 


536  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

In  1868  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  a  quarter  section  in 
Malcom  township,  all  raw  prairie  land,  for  which  he  paid  twenty  dollars  per 
acre.  In  the  following  year  he  took  up  his  abode  on  that  place  and  it  has  since 
remained  his  home.  In  the  winter  of  1875-76  he  purchased  another  quarter  sec- 
tion adjoining  his  home  farm,  and  he  now  owns  three  hundred  acres,  or  the  west 
half  of  section  33.  This  is  a  valuable  property,  all  of  the  improvements  having 
been  made  by  Mr.  Douglass,  including  two  good  dwellings  and  substantial  barns 
and  outbuildings.  He  carries >  on  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  feeding  all 
of  the  grain  which  he  raises  to  his  stock.  He  has  been  more  than  usually  fortu- 
nate in  the  conduct  of  his  affairs  and  today  is  one  of  the'  highly  successful  and 
wealthy  agriculturists  of  the  county.  He  is  known  in  the  financial  circles  of 
Malcom  as  a  stockholder  in  the  Malcom  Savings  Bank. 

In  1867,  in  Stark  county,  Illinois,  j\Ir.  Douglass  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Sarah  E.  Shaier,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  whose  death  occurred  in  Powe- 
shiek county  on  the  31st  of  July.  1910,  at  the  age  of  sixty-eight  years.  In  their 
family  were  five  children,  namely :  Andrew  D..  of  Pleasant  township ;  William 
F.  and  Charles,  operating  the  home  place  for  their  father;  Edna,  the  wife  of 
Frank  Peters,  of  Pleasant  township ;  and  Thomas  S.,  a  resident  of  Muscatine. 

Mr.  Douglass  has  been  a  lifelong  democrat  and  has  held  a  few  minor  town- 
ship offices,  and  has  maintained  pleasant  relations  with  his  old  army  comrades 
through  his  membership  in  the  Grand  .-Vrmy  of  the  Republic.  His  record  as  a 
soldier  and  as  a  private  citizen  has  been  most  honorable,  for  in  times  of  peace 
he  has  been  as  loyal  to  the  interests  of  his  state  and  nation  as  when  following  the 
old  flag  on  southern  battlefields.  He  has  gained  substantial  success  in  life,  but 
it  has  come  as  the  direct  result  of  earnest  labor,  unfaltering  industry  and  a  sin- 
gleness and  honesty  of  purpose.  None  envy  him  his  prosperity,  so  worthily  has 
it  been  won,  and  he  ranks  today  among  the  respected  and  representative  citizens 
of  Poweshiek  county. 


JAMES  J.  CORROUGH. 

James  J.  Corrough,  member  of  the  board  of  county  commissioners  of  Pow- 
eshiek county,  is  recognized  not  only  as  a  thorough  farmer  but  as  a  business  man 
of  clear  and  sound  judgment  whose  opinions  are  well  worthy  of  consideration. 
He  has  been  eminently  successful  in  the  conduct  of  his  own  affairs  and  the 
county  is  fortunate  in  securing  the  services  of  a  man  of  experienced  and  tried 
capacity  in  one  of  its  most  important  offices. 

Mr.  Corrough  was  born  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  June  6,  1865,  a  son  of  James 
and  Mary  (Conley)  Corrough,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ireland.  In 
1845  the  father  came  to  the  United  States  and  engaged  as  teamster  in  the 
commissary  department  at  the  time  of  the  Mexican  war.  After  the  close  of 
the  war  he  joined  the  forty-niners  and  went  to  California  where  he  spent  two 
years  in  the  gold  fields.  He  then  became  a  passenger  on  a  sailing  vessel  which 
made  the  journey  around  Cape  Horn  and  he  returned  to  his  native  land  where 
he  married  Mary  Conley.    In  1854  he  came  to  the  United  States  with  his  wife, 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  537 

liaving  determined  to  establish  his  permanent  home  under  the  American  flag. 
He  had  three  land  warrants,  one  of  which  had  been  given  him  by  the  govern- 
ment for  his  services  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  the  other  two  he  purchased.  He 
took  up  land  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  with  two  of  these  warrants,  which  he  cul- 
tivated until  1867,  when  he  sold  his  place  and  removed  to  Poweshiek  county, 
establishing  a  permanent  home  near  Malcom.  He  passed  away  December  19, 
1905,  having  then  arrived  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-seven  years.  The 
beloved  wife  and  mother  died  February  4,  1909.  The  homestead  is  still  in 
possession  of  the  family. 

James  J.  Corrough  received  his  preliminary  education  in  the  district  schools 
and  later  pursued  a  business  course  in  the  Davenport  Business  College.  He 
early  showed  a  natural  inclination  for  agricultural  pursuits  and  as  his  father 
was  the  owner  of  about  nine  hundred  acres  of  land  and  was  a  very  busy  man 
the  son  began  to  assume  responsibility  even  in  his  young  boyhood,  the  manage- 
ment of  the  home  farm  largely  falling  upon  his  shoulders.  He  succeeded  so 
admirably  that  in  1900  the  father  gave  him  a  portion  of  the  home  farm.  He 
makes  a  specialty  of  cattle  feeding,  but  also  is  an  extensive  raiser  of  hogs  and 
horses  and  is  acknowledged  as  an  authority  in  this  county  on  subjects  pertain- 
ing to  agriculture  and  stock-raising. 

In  1905  Mr.  Corrough  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anne  Winifred  Evans 
of  Williamsburg,  Iowa,  daughter  of  Evan  J.  Evans,  who  came  to  Williamsburg 
from  Racine,  Wisconsin,  in  1858.  He  was  a  native  of  Wales,  as  was  also 
his  wife,  who  was  Miss  Anne  Davies  before  her  marriage.  The  father  was 
educated  for  the  ministry  and  ordained  as  a  minister  of  the  Congregational 
church,  coming  to  Iowa  as  a  missionary  to  the  Welsh  people  in  this  state.  To 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Corrough  three  children  have  been  born,  two  of  whom  are  now 
living,  namely:  Winifred  Evans  and  James  Vincent. 

Mr.  Corrough  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and  has  served  as 
assessor,  justice  of  the  peace,  and  for  many  years  as  secretary  of  the  school 
board.  In  November,  1910,  he  was  elected  to  the  board  of  county  supervisors, 
which  position  he  now  fills.  Fraternally,  he  is  connected  with  Grinnell  Lodge, 
No.  175,  Knights  of  Pythias.  He  has  many  warm  personal  friends  in  Poweshiek 
county  who  are  greatly  interested  in  his  continued  success.  A  man  of  unques- 
tioned sincerity  he  has  always  been  actuated  by  high  principles  and  has  been 
instrumental  in  an  important  degree  in  advancing  the  permanent  welfare  of 
this  section. 


JACOB  BOWMAN. 


One  of  the  representative  agriculturists  of  Madison  township  is  Jacob  Bow- 
man, who  was  born  in  Rockingham,  Virginia,  on  the  31st  of  March,  1855. 
His  parents  were  Moses  and  Catherine  (Harpine)  Bowman.  The  father,  who 
was  of  German  descent,  was  also  a  native  of  Rockingham,  but  the  mother  was 
born  in  Shenandoah.  Mr.  Bowman  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  until 
his  death,  which  occurred  in    1872,  ten  years  after  the  demise  of  his  wife. 


538  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Jacob  IJownian  was  educatetl  in  his  native  state,  of  which  he  was  a  resi- 
lient until  1880,  when  he  removed  to  the  west,  locating  in  lirooklyn,  Bear 
Creek  township.  He  fanned  as  a  renter  until  1904,  and  then  purchased  one 
hundred  and  eighteen  acres  of  land,  upon  which  he  has  ever  since  resided. 
Under  his  capable  supervision  the  land  has  been  brought  into  a  high  state  of 
cultiv.-ition  and  he  engages  in  general  farming,  in  addition  to  which  he  raises 
hogs,  cattle  and  horses,  and   feeds  hogs   for  the  market. 

While  still  residing  in  \'irginia  Mr.  liowman  was  imited  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Jennie  Hinegardner.  a  daughter  of  Jacob  and  Lydia  (Bowman)  Hinc- 
gar<lner,  natives  of  Rockingham  county.  The  parents  migrated  to  Iowa  in 
1880,  locating  on  a  farm  which  they  rented  four  miles  east  of  Malcom.  After 
residing  thereon  for  eight  years  they  moved  to  Malcom,  where  the  mother 
still  resides,  but  the  father  has  passed  away.  They  were  both  of  German  de- 
scent. I'nto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  liowman  have  been  born  the  following  children; 
Elmer,  a  resident  of  lirooklyn,  who  married  ^liss  Margaret  Johnson  and  who 
have  had  two  children,  twins,  one  of  whom  is  deceased  and  the  other,  Lois,  is 
now  three  years  of  age;  John,  a  farmer  living  one  mile  south  of  Brooklyn,  and 
who  married  Miss  Anna  Johnson ;  and  Nora,  \'era,  and  William,  all  of  whom 
are  at  home.  Charles,  who  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth,  passed  away  in 
1898  at  the  age  of  fifteen  years. 

The  family  attend  the  Presbyterian  church  of  Brooklyn,  of  which  all, 
with  the  exception  of  the  two  sons,  John  and  William,  are  members.  Mr. 
Bowman  is  a  member  of  the.  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  being  afifiliated 
with  the  I!i-ook!yn  lodge;  whilevhi.s  .sons,  John  and  Elmer,  belong  to  the  In- 
depenrlent  Order  of  'Odd'''Pe}ro\vs.'  of,.  Brpokfyn,  and  the  latter  also  to  the 
Knights  of  Pythias.  ,  Their  wives  belong  to  the  Rebekah  lodge  of  Brooklyn 
and  Mrs.  Elmer  Bovvman  is  also  a  Pythian  sister.  Mr.  Bowman  gives  his 
political  support  to  the  democratic  party,  but  has  never  taken  a  particularly 
active  interest  in  township  afifairs,  although  he  served  for  several  terms  as  a 
school  director  in  district  No.  7  of  Madison  township,  and  one  term  as  super- 
visor. A  man  of  energy  and  purpose  Mr.  Bowman  has  met  with  more  than 
average  success  in  his  ventures  and  now  owns  one  of  the  well  improved  and 
valuable  homesteads  of  the  county. 


EMERY  S.  BARTLETT. 

For  tifty-five  years  a  resident  of  (irinnell,  Emery  S.  Bartlett  may  truly  be 
designated  as  a  pioneer.  He  has  been  a  witness  of  a  marvelous  transformation 
in  this  section  of  the  state  and  has  to  the  e.xtent  of  his  ability  assisted  in  the 
accomplishment  of  the  great  work  which  has  made  Poweshiek  county  one  of 
the  most  desirable  places  of  abode  in  the  entire  commonwealth.  He  was  born 
at  Bath,  New  Hampshire,  September  7,  1832,  son  of  Stephen  N.  and  Theo- 
dosia  (Child)  Bartlett.  The  father,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Bath,  was  born 
December  i,  1802,  upon  the  old  homestead  which  he  inherited  from  his  father. 
The  anccstr\-  of  the  family  can  be  traced  back  to  Adam  Bartlett  who  lived  in 


E.  s.  r.Auri.i:TT 


MRS.  E.  S.  BARTLETT 


I  THE  NEW  YORK 

RARY 


A8T0R,  LtNOX   ANB 
TILOEN  FOUN:  ■ 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  543 

luigland  during  the  ninth  century.  The  first  of  the  family  to  come  to  America 
was  John  Bartlett,  who  in  company  with  two  brothers,  Richard  and  Thomas, 
crossed  the  Atlantic  in  1620.  The  old  homestead  of  several  thousand  acres  in 
Sussexshire,  is  still  in  possession  ni  the  family. 

Stephen  N.  Bartlett  came  with  his  family  to  (irinnell  in  1855  and  located 
upon  government  land,  becoming  one  of  the  leading  residents  of  his  part  of  the 
county.  He  and  his  wife  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  September  23,  1874. 
Originally  a  whig  in  politics,  he  became  a  republican  upon  the  organization  of 
that  party  and  so  continued  during  the  remainder  of  his  life.  While  a  resident 
of  New  Hampshire  he  was  a  prominent  factor  in  his  party's  councils,  serving  in 
various  local  ofifices  and  also  as  representative  in  the  state  legislature.  On  com- 
ing to  Poweshiek  county  he  refused  to  take  active  part  in  political  affairs  and 
devoted  his  attention  principally  to  his  business.  He  was  for  many  years  a 
deacon  in  the  Congregational  church  and  lived  a  true  Christian  life.  He  passed 
away  November  15,  1879,  his  faithful  wife  following  him  January  31,  1882. 
They  will  long  be  remembered  as  worthy  representatives  of  the  early  settlers 
of  this  county. 

Emery  S.  Bartlett  was  rearcil  in  .New  Hampshire  and  educated  in  the  public 
schools  of  that  state.  As  he  grew  to  manhood  he  read  with  interest  the  stories 
told  by  travelers  of  the  wonderful  opportunities  in  the  great  west,  and  at  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  he  started  toward  the  setting  sun,  coming  as  far  as  Michigan 
where  he  became  a  student  of  Olivet  College.  In  the  spring  of  1854  he  went 
to  Wisconsin  and  spent  the  summeF-4ti--#he-<w€«tttj^'of-Beaver  Dam.  On  the 
26th   of   September,    1854.    he   arri\fe^J1P^';^rl'i^|}l;-^^  future   metropolis   of 

Poweshiek  county  was  then  a  tovvn '^ffi'''^t'Slfiecf''(3nly.^  :  The  survey  had  been 
made  Init  improvements  e.xisted  onl|  in  the  minds  of  the;  projectors.  Mr.  Bart- 
lett was  greatly  pleased  with  the  l(icatix3g'4|ii(J^o3C^liired  Jand  in  Grinnell  town- 
siii]).  superintending  its  developmenr  whrle  ■  maiHTTg- his-  home  in  Grinnell.  He 
first  lived  in  the  old  Long  home,  just  across  the  street  from  his  present  resi- 
dence. He  conducted  a  meat  market  for  twenty  years  and  for  a  number  of 
years  has  been  living  retired.  He  still  owns  forty-seven  acres  of  land  in  Grin- 
nell township  and  property  in  the  city  but  has  disposed  of  most  of  his  farm  land. 

In  1855  Mr.  Bartlett  returned  to  Bath,  New  Hampshire,  and  on  the  nth  of 
December  of  the  same  year  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Hannah  Stevens, 
ulin  was  born  in  Lyman.  New  Hampshire,  a  daughter  of  Michael  M.  and 
Stella  (Knapp)  Stevens.  They  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  Dtecember  11, 
|()05.  Three  children  were  born  to  them,  namely:  .\rthur  W.,  who  was  grad- 
uated from  Grinnell  College  in  1888  and  is  now  living  in  Oregon;  Stella  T.,  who 
is  at  home  and  is  a  graduate  of  Grinnell  College  of  the  class  of  1891  and  also 
of  Moody  Institute.  Chicago ;  and  Catherine  H.,  also  a  graduate  of  Grinnell 
College  and  now  the  wife  of  Rev.  Truman  O.  Douglas,  who  was  graduated 
from  Harvard  University  and  is  pastor  of  the  North  Park  Congregational  church 
of  Des  Moines.  Mrs.  Bartlett  died  May  4.  1907,  and  was  buried  in  the  cemetery 
at  Grinnell.  She  was  a  woman  of  many  estimable  qualities,  who  in  the  course 
of  a  long  and  useful  career  made  many  friends  in  this  county. 

Mr.  Bartlett  was  one  of  the  charter  members  of  the  Congregational  church 
m  this  city,  being  now  the  only  representative  of  that  group  living  in  Grinnell. 


544  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

He  served  as  chairman  of  the  trustees  and  also  for  several  years  as  deacon  of 
the  church.  PoHtically  he  gives  his  support  to  the  repubhcan  party,  of  which  he 
has  been  an  adherent  ever  since  its  organization.  He  has  never  sought  pubHc 
office  but  as  a  member  of  the  city  council  he  accomplished  much  good  for  the 
permanent  interests  of  the  city.  With  one  exception  he  has  been  a  resident 
of  Grinnell  longer  than  any  other  of  its  citizens.  He  has  been  successful  in  his 
business  afifairs,  his  eiTorts  having  yielded  generous  returns  so  that  in  the 
evening  of  his  life  he  enjoys  the  comforts  which  are  considered  essential  to  tran- 
quility of  mind.  He  also  enjoys  the  friendship  of  the  entire  community  and  the 
good  wishes  of  all  who  know  him. 


CLINTON  W.  FOWLER. 

An  excellent  homestead  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  pays  tribute  to 
the  agricultural  ability  of  Clinton  W.  Fowler,  who  was  born  near  Princeton, 
Bureau  county,  Illinois,  on  the  ist  of  February,  1852,  a  son  of  Williams  and 
Sophia  (Moseley)  Fowler.  The  father,  who  was  of  English  extraction  and  a 
native  of  Massachusetts,  was  a  steamboat  captain  on  the  lower  Mississippi  for 
many  years,  but  later  in  life  engaged  in  farming.  Before  going  on  the  river 
Mr.  Fowler  went  to  Chicago,  which  at  that  time  was  only  a  village,  and  a 
friend  who  had  great  confidence  in  the  development  of  the  western  metropolis 
urged  him  to  invest  in  city  property.  Mr.  Fowler,  however,  scorned  the  sug- 
gestion and  said,  referring  to  some  of  the  land  in  the  very  heart  of  the  business 
district:  "I  wouldn't  have  it  for  a  gift."  In  1866  he  and  his  wife  came  to  Iowa, 
locating  upon  a  farm  in  Madison  township,  Poweshiek  county,  and  there  he 
continued  to  reside  until  his  death  in  the  early  '80s ;  his  wife  had  passed  away 
some  years  previously. 

Clinton  W.  Fowler  was  a  lad  of  fourteen  years  of  age  when  his  parents 
located  in  Poweshiek  county.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  district 
schools,  which  he  attended  whenever  he  could  be  spared  from  the  work  of  the 
farm.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  years  he,  with  his  two  brothers  Fred  W.  and 
Rowland,  the  latter  of  whom  died  two  years  later,  took  entire  charge  of  the 
homestead,  which  contained  four  hundred  acres.  They  continued  its  cultiva- 
tion for  three  years  when  Clinton  and  Fred  Fowler,  who  were  the  sole  remain- 
ing heirs,  divided  the  land,  the  former  continuing  to  cultivate  his  portion,  in 
addition  to  his  present  homestead,  for  five  years  thereafter.  In  187S  he  re- 
moved to  his  farm  in  Madison  township,  where  he  has  ever  since  resided.  He 
now  owns  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section  34  and  35  in 
Madison  township,  and  thirty-seven  acres  of  timber  three  miles  northeast  of 
his  homestead.  His  farm  is  one  of  the  best  improved  and  most  valuable  prop- 
erties in  Madison  township,  and  there  he  engages  in  general  farming  and  feeds 
cattle  and  hogs   for  the  Chicago  market. 

On  the  31st  of  May,  1894,  Mr.  Fowler  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mary  Armstrong,  a  daughter  of  William  and  Jane  (Hall)  Armstrong,  natives 
of  Fermanagh  county,   Ireland.     They  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in   1844 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  545 

and  locatetl  in  the  vicinity  of  Rock  Island,  Illinois,  where  Mrs.  Fowler  was 
born.  When  she  was  five  years  of  age  her  parents  removed  to  Poweshiek  county 
settling  upon  a  farm  seven  miles  south  of  Brooklyn  in  Scott  township,  where 
they  continued  to  reside  until  they  passed  away,  the  father  on  the  21st  of 
March,  1898,  and  the  mother  on  the  25th  of  the  same  month  seven  years  later. 
Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fowler  have  been  born  the  following  children:  William, 
who  is  sixteen  years  of  age ;  Harry  D.,  aged  fourteen  years ;  Clinton  W., 
thirteen  years  of  age ;  and  Frederick  Eugene,  who  has  passed  his  ninth  anni- 
versary. All  but  the  eldest,  who  is  assisting  his  father,  are  attending  district 
No.  7  school.  Mr.  Fowler,  who  for  the  past  eight  years  has  been  township 
treasurer,  gives  his  political  support  to  the  democratic  party.  He  was  also  at 
one  time  elected  assessor  but  never  qualified  for  the  office. 


EDWARD  C.  BOLEN. 


General  farming  and  stock-raising  have  always  claimed  the  attention  of 
Edward  C.  Bolen,  who  is  one  of  the  representative  farmers  of  Sheridan  town- 
ship. He  was  born  in  Madison  township,  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  on  the 
22d  of  October,  1869,  a  son  of  Michael  and  Elizabeth  Ann  (Thompson)  Bolen, 
the  father  a  native  of  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  and  the  mother  of  Canada. 
The  parents  removed  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1869,  locating  in  Madison  town- 
ship, where  they  continued  to  reside  for  a  year,  and  then  purchased  eighty  acres 
of  land  in  Sheridan  township,  where  they  resided  until  1897,  when  they  retired 
to  Tama,  Tama  county,  Iowa.  There  the  father  passed  away  on  the  ist  of 
February,  1907,  but  the  mother  still  survives  and  continues  to  make  her  home 
in  Tama. 

The  early  years  of  Edward  C.  Bolen's  life  were  very  similar  to  those  of  the 
average  lad  who  is  reared  in  the  more  sparsely  settled  communities.  He  at- 
tended the  district  school  during  the  winter  and  in  vacation  and  at  such  other 
times  as  he  was  not  engaged  with  his  studies  assisted  his  father  with  the  cul- 
tivation of  the  farm,  his  duties  and  responsibilities  increasing  as  his  strength 
developed  with  the  passing  years.  When  he  had  acquired  such  educaton  as  he 
deemed  essential  to  enable  him  to  follow  his  vocation,  which  he  had  decided 
should  be  that  of  an  agriculturist,  he  devoted  his  entire  attention  to  the  work 
of  the  farm,  remaining  a  member  of  the  paternal  household  until  he  had  at- 
tained the  age  of  twenty-four  years,  at  which  time  he  was  married. 

-Subsequent  to  this  event  he  invested  his  savings  in  eighty  acres  of  land 
in  Sheridan  township  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  engaged  until  1896,  when 
he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  15  of  the  same  township, 
where  he  is  now  living.  He  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  but 
makes  a  specialty  of  feeding  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  market.  A  judicious  man- 
ager Mr.  Bolen  utilizes  every  acres  of  his  land  to  the  best  advantage  and  as  a 
result  is  meeting  with  most  gratifying  returns  from  his  various  ventures.  In 
addition  to  his  homestead  he  also  owns  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  23.  He 
is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  progressive  young  farmers  in  the  county,  readily 


516  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

adapting  to  his  use  every  new  theory  the  practicabiUty  of  which  appeals  to 
him.  Agriculture  is  to  him  a  science  that  recjuires  study,  thought  and  common 
sense  if  the  returns  are  to  be  commensurate  with  the  labor  expended.  His  land 
is  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  is  well  improved,  the  buildings  are  sub- 
stantially constructed  and  kept  in  repair,  while  everything  about  his  homestead 
suggests  thrift  and  prosperity. 

On  the  loth  of  November,  1893,  Mr.  Bolen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Sarah  Belle  Dotson,  a  daughter  of  Eli  and  Ellen  (Hurst)  Dotson,  residents  of 
Colfax,  Iowa.  Three  children  have  been  born  of  this  union,  two  of  whom  are 
living :  Letha,  who  is  seventeen  years  of  age ;  and  Stella,  aged  eight  years,  both 
of  whom  are  still  at  home.  Bessie,  the  second  in  order  of  birth,  passed  away 
at  the  age  of  two  and  a  half  years. 

The  familv  attend  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  denomination 
Mrs.  Bolen  is  a  member,  while  fraternally  Mr.  Bolen  is  identified  with  the  In- 
dependent Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America, 
holding  membership  in  both  the  Sheridan  and  Marshalltown  lodges,  and  he 
is  also  affiliated  with  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of  Elks.  Mrs.  Bolen 
and  Miss  Letha  are  members  of  the  Royal  Neighbors,  the  ladies  auxiliary  of 
the  Modern  Woodmen.  The  men  and  measures  of  the  republican  party  are 
always  accorded  the  political  support  of  Mr.  Bolen,  whose  only  official  position 
has  been  that  of  school  director  in  district  No.  5,  Sheridan  township.  Prac- 
tically the  entire  life  of  Mr.  Bolen  has  been  spent  in  the  vicinity  where  he  is 
now  residing  and  where  he  has  many  friends,  the  majority  of  whom  are  com- 
rades of  his  boyhood,  which  fact  is  a  lasting  tribute  to  the  character  of  the  man. 


MANUEL  HOLDERNESS. 

Through  well  directed  business  activity  and  enterprise  Manuel  Holderness  is 
gaining  recognition  as  one  of  the  prosperous  farmers  of  Deep  River  township. 
A  native  of  Iowa,  he  was  born  at  Millersburg  on  the  5th  of  October,  1872,  a 
son  of  William  and  Margaret  f Bullion)  Holderness,  natives  of  England  and 
Ireland  respectively.  The  parents  were  married  in  Millersburg  and  there  passed 
away,  the  former  in  1878  at  the  age  of  sixty-two  years,  and  the  latter  in  1892 
at  the  age  of  sixty-four  years.  The  father  gave  his  entire  life  to  agricultural 
pursuits.  In  his  family  were  six  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  review 
was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth.  The  others  are  as  follows :  Anna,  a  resi- 
dent of  Iowa  City;  William,  living  near  Millersburg;  Aaron,  of  Aurelia,  Iowa; 
John,  of  Deep  River  townshi]) ;  and  Ardillus,  of  Keswick,  Iowa. 

After  the  death  of  his  father,  which  occurred  when  he  was  but  six  years  of 
age.  A'lanuel  Holderness  went  to  live  in  the  home  of  George  Mauser,  of  whom 
mention  is  made  on  another  page  of  this  volume.  Under  the  careful  direction 
of  Mr.  Mauser  and  his  sister  the  lad  was  reared  to  manhood,  early  developing 
habits  of  industry,  perseverance  and  integrity  which  have  ever  remained  salient 
elements  in  his  career.  He  continued  with  Mr.  Mauser  until  his  marriage,  after 
which  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account,  purchasing  a  farm  of  one  hundred 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  547 

acres,  located  on  section  17,  adjoining  that  on  which  he  had  been  reared.  This 
property  he  has  brought  under  a  higli  state  of  cultivation  through  the  oractical 
methods  which  he  has  pursued,  and  he  is  also  operating,  in  addition  to  his  home 
jjlace,  the  farm  of  one  hundred  acres  belonging  to  Mr.  Mauser,  who  is  now 
living  retired.  He  is  not  afraiil  to  work,  but  on  the  contrary  has  labored 
earnestly  and  resolutely  to  make  his  farms  yield  the  maximum  quota  per  acre. 
His  efforts  have  not  been  in  vain  for  his  fields  annually  yield  abundant  crops 
m  return  for  the  care  and  labor  which  he  bestows  upon  them,  and  he  is  num- 
bereil  among  Deep  River  township's  progressive  and  enterprising  agriculturists. 

Mr.  Holderness  was  married,  in  1904,  to  Miss  Lulu  Craver.  whose  birth 
occurred  in  this  township  in  the  year  1883.  She  is  a  daughter  of  C.  C.  Craver, 
who  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  work,  and  by  her  marriage  with  Mr.  Hold- 
erness has  become  the  mother  of  one  son,  Charles. 

Mr.  Holderness  is  well  known  in  fraternal  circles  in  Deep  River  township, 
holding  membership  with  the  Masons,  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and 
with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  of  Deep  River.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party.  He 
is  a  man  of  many  sterling  traits  of  character,  reliable  in  business,  progressive 
in  citizenship,   and  at  all   times   trustworthy   and   honorable. 


JAMES  L.  RODGERS. 

James  L.  Rodgers  is  now  living  retired  in  Montezuma  where  he  has  made  his 
home  since  1867.  At  one  time  he  was  connected  with  mercantile  pursuits  here, 
and  later  was  well  known  in  business  circles  as  a  dealer  in  eggs,  butter  and 
poultry.  His  carefully  managed  interests  have  brought  him  success  that  now 
enables  him  to  rest  from  further  labor. 

He  is  a  native  of  Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  born  November  15,  1844.  His 
parents,  John  K.  and  Lavina  H.  (Woodward)  Rodgers,  were  natives  of  Man- 
chester, Pennsylvania.  The  former  was  born  February  20,  1814,  and  the  latter 
.\ugust  6,  1 814.  The  ancestry  on  the  maternal  side  can  be  traced  back  to 
Richard  Woodward  who,  in  1687,  purchased  land  in  Chester  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania. He  was  the  second  owner  of  the  land  after  it  came  into  the  possession 
of  William  I'enn.  Both  parents  of  our  subject  were  reared  in  Manchester, 
Pennsylvania,  and  following  their  marriage  removed  to  Ohio  in  1835,  there 
residing  for  seven  years,  after  which  they  became  residents  of  Jefferson  county, 
Ohio,  where  they  remained  for  twenty  years.  In  1869  they  established  their 
home  in  Montezuma,  where  their  remaining  days  were  passed,  the  father's 
death  occurring  January  4.  1896,  while  his  wife  died  November  23,  1881.  He 
was  a  miller  by  trade  and  followed  that  pursuit  until  old  age  caused  him  to 
put  aside  business  cares.  In  the  family  were  eight  children:  Joseph  W.,  of 
Montezuma ;  Elizabeth,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  in  September,  1838,  and  died 
in  1862:  Meribah.  who  was  born  in  May,  1842.  and  died  in  1862:  J.  L. ; 
Martha,  the  wife  of  George  A.  Webber,  of  Montezuma;  Nancy  M.,  who  was 
born  May  29,  1849,  and  died  October  19,  1862;  John  J.,  living  in  Montezuma; 


548  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

and  Elwood,  who  was  born  October  29,  1854,  and  died  October  10,  1862.  Four 
of  the  children  died  within  a  month  of  diphtheria. 

James  L.  Rodgers  spent  the  days  of  his  childhood  and  youth  in  his  father's 
home  and  worked  with  his  father  in  a  grist  and  sawmill  until  February,  1863, 
when  he  enlisted  from  Jefferson  county,  Ohio,  as  a  member  of  Company  E, 
Fifty-second  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  served  until  fuly,  1865,  and  took 
part  in  the  battles  of  Buzzards  Roost,  Tunnel  Hill,  Resaca,  Kenesaw  Mountain, 
Rome,  Peach  Tree  Creek,  Dalton,  Atlanta,  the  march  to  the  sea  and  the  cam- 
paign northward  through  the  Carolinas  and  Virginia  to  Washington,  where 
he  marched  in  "grand  review"  down  Pennsylvania  avenue  and  passed  the  pres- 
ident's stand.  When  the  war  was  over  he  returned  home  but  soon  afterward 
went  to  Pittsburg,  Pennsylvania,  where  he  attended  the  Iron  City  Commercial 
College.  In  1867  ^^  arrived  in  Montezuma  and  for  one  year  followed  farming. 
Later  he  engaged  in  clerking  in  a  general  store  for  five  years,  after  which  he 
embarked  in  partnership  with  his  brother  Joseph  in  the  conduct  of  a  grocery 
store,  which  they  conducted  under  the  firm  name  of  Rodgers  Brothers  for 
eleven  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  began  dealing  in  butter,  eggs,  poultry 
and  produce  and  met  with  success  in  that  undertaking,  in  which  he  continued 
until  1909,  when  he  sold  out  and  retired. 

On  the  22d  of  December,  1870,  Mr.  Rodgers  was  married  to  Miss  Rebecca 
J.  Amspoker,  who  was  born  in  Harrison  county,  Ohio,  near  Cadiz,  May  2, 
1850,  and  when  twelve  years  of  age  went  to  Jefferson  county  with  her  parents, 
Jonas  and  Ellen  J.  ( Porter)  Amspoker,  who  were  natives  of  the  Buckeye 
state  and  died  in  Jefferson  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rodgers  had  two  children, 
but  the  younger,  Glenn  A.,  born  in  1883,  died  in  1895  ^^  the  age  of  eleven  and 
one-half  years.  The  surviving  son,  Jesse  G.,  is  living  in  Des  Moines,  is  mar- 
ried and  has  one  son,  Russel  G. 

In  his  political  views  Mr.  Rodgers  has  been  a  stalwart  republican  since  age 
conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise.  He  belongs  to  the  Grand  Army  of 
the  Republic  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  He  also  sustained 
an  unassailable  reputation  in  business  affairs,  his  well  known  honesty,  his  en- 
terprise and  untiring  industry  bringing  to  him  a  large  patronage  whereby  he 
gained  substantial  success. 


MATHIAS   WAHNER. 


Mathias  Wahner,  successfully  carrying  on  general  agricultural  pursuits  on 
a  well  improved  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  in  Bear  Creek  township,  is  num- 
bered among  Iowa's  native  sons,  his  birth  occurring  in  Dubuque  county,  eight- 
een miles  west  of  the  city  of  Dubuque,  on  the  22d  of  April,  1861.  He  was 
but  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents  removed  to  Iowa  county,  and  there  re- 
mained until  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age  when,  in  1888,  he  came  to  Pow- 
eshiek county  and  has  since  made  his  home  within  its  boundaries.  Reared  to 
farm  life,  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  home  fields  until  his 
marriage,  when  he  started  out  in  life  on  his  own  account,  working  as  a  farm 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  549 

hand  for  eight  years,  three  months  and  three  weeks.  During  that  entire  time 
he  was  employed  by  only  two  men.  The  first  four  years  he  received  com- 
()ensation  at  the  rate  of  two  hundred  dollars  per  year,  while  during  the  last 
four  years   he   was   paid   twenty-five   dollars   per   month. 

Eventually,  by  carefully  saving  his  earnings,  he  accumulated  a  sum  sufficient 
to  purchase  the  implements  of  his  employer,  whose  farm  he  then  continued  to 
operate  as  a  renter  for  twelve  years,  when  in  October,  1903,  he  purchased  his 
present  farm.  This  tract,  consisting  of  two  hundred  acres  of  good  land,  is 
located  on  section  6,  Bear  Creek  township,  and  here  he  has  since  given  his  at- 
tention to  general  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  is  industrious,  enterprising 
and  progressive,  and  by  careful  methods  and  wise  management  has  brought  his 
place  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  thereby  greatly  enhanced  its  value. 
He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers'  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  of  Brook- 
lyn, and  is  numbered  among  the  prosperous  and  substantial  agriculturists  of 
Bear  Creek  township. 

Mr.  Wahner  was  married,  on  the  25th  of  September,  1883,  to  Miss  Emma 
Tane  Feltwell,  who  was  born  on  the  21st  of  September,  1861,  in  Indiana,  and 
in  early  childhood  came  to  Iowa  with  her  parents.  Porter  and  Eliza  Feltwell. 
Her  father  is  now  deceased  and  her  mother  resides  with  the  Wahner  household. 
Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W^ahner  have  been  born  three  children,  namely:  Alfred, 
at  home;  Annie  E.,  the  wife  of  De  Witt  Robeson,  of  Bear  Creek  township; 
and   Britt,   also   still   at   home. 

Politically  Air.  Wahner  is  a  stanch  democrat,  although  he  has  never  sought 
nor  desired  public  office,  and  fraternally  he  holds  membership  with  the  Knights 
of  Pythias  lodge  at  Brooklyn.  Choosing  agriculture  as  a  life  work,  he  has 
never  sought  to  extend  his  efforts  into  other  fields,  preferring  to  give  his  un- 
divided attention  to  the  occupation  to  which  he  was  reared,  and  his  close  ap- 
plication thereto  has  been  rewarded  by  a  degree  of  prosperity  which  is  alike 
creditable  and  substantial. 


JAMES  L.  SMITH. 


James  L.  Smith,  who  is  now  living  retired  but  was  for  some  years  actively 
engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  his  farm  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  was  born  in 
Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  on  the  20th  of  April,  1827,  and  is  a  son  of  John  S. 
and  Elizabeth  (Outland)  Smith.  The  father  was  born  in  Frederick  county, 
\'irginia,  and  the  mother  in  North  Carolina.  They  first  met  in  Belmont  county, 
Ohio,  where  they  were  later  married.  In  the  early  years  of  their  married  life 
they  located  in  Guernsey  county.  Ohio,  where  Mr.  Smith  owned  a  farm  which 
he  cultivated  until  his  demise  in  1848.  The  mother  came  to  Jasper  county, 
Iowa,  to  make  her  home  with  her  children  in  1855,  and  there  she  passed  away. 
Mr.  .Smith  voted  with  the  w-hig  party,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  in  matters  of 
religion  affiliated  with  the  Society  of  Friends.  Only  two  of  the  six  children 
born  unto  them  now  survive.     According  to  birth  they  were  as  follows ;  Phoebe, 


550  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

who  is  deceased;  James  L.,  our  subject:  Josiah,  Margaret  and  Rebecca,  all  of 
whom  are  deceased :  and  John  S.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Des  ^loines,  Iowa. 

Being  the  eldest  son  James  L.  Smith  early  had  to  assist  with  the  work  of 
the  old  homestead,  at  the  same  time  ac(|uiring  his  education  in  the  common 
schools.  After  completing  his  studies  he  gave  his  entire  time  and  attention  to 
the  work  of  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty  years  of  age.  following  which  he 
engaged  in  teaming  for  a  year,  .\fter  the  death  of  his  father  he  returned  to 
the  homestead,  which  he  operated  for  his  mother  until  1854.  In  the  latter  year 
he  migrated  to  Iowa,  locating  on  a  farm  which  he  purchased  in  Warren  county. 
In  1862  he  enlisted  as  a  corporal  in  Company  D,  Thirty-fourth  Iowa  Volunteer 
Infantry,  and  went  to  the  front,  where  he  served  for  a  year,  being  mustered 
out  at  St.  Louis,  Missouri.  Returning  to  Iowa  he  located  in  Jasper  county  and 
for  a  time  engaged  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Galesburg.  He  withdrew 
from  this  later  and  operated  a  farm  in  the  same  county,  continuing  to  be  iden- 
tified with  this  vocation  there  until  1S82.  In  the  fall  of  the  latter  year  lie  came 
to  Poweshiek  countv,  purchasing  one  hundred  and  si.xty  acres  of  land  in  Sugar 
Creek  township.  He  has  effected  (luite  extensive  improvements  in  this  property 
and  continues  to  reside  there,  although  he  is  not  now  directly  engaged  in  its 
cultivation.  Mr.  Smith  always  followed  general  farming,  in  which  ])ursuit  he 
met  with  very  good  success. 

On  the  22(1  of  Tnne,  1848,  Mr.  Smith  \\;i^  married  to  .Miss  Rosanna  Iirill 
the  ceremony  occurring  in  Guernsey  county,  Ohio.  She  was  a  daughter  oi 
David  and  Elizabeth  (Foraker)  Drill,  and  was  born  in  Guernsey  county  on  the 
22(1  ()f  February,  1824.  Mrs.  Smith  has  now  passed  away,  her  demise  oc- 
curring in  Sugar  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  on  the  nth  of  July,  1903. 

In  his  political  allegiance  ^Ir.  Smith  has  always  been  faithful  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  republican  party,  for  whose  candidates  he  casts  his  ballot.  While 
a  resident  of  Jasper  county  he  served  as  justice  of  the  peace  and  supervisor, 
and  he  has  filled  the  offices  of  trustee  and  clerk  of  the  township  where  he  now 
resides.  He  was  also  postmaster  for  many  years.  Fraternally  he  is  a  ^lason, 
being  identified  with  the  lodge  at  Newton,  Jasper  coimty,  while  his  religious 
connection  is  with  the  Society  of  Friends,  the  ])rinciples  of  both  organizations 
having  been  very  instrumental  in  directing  Mr.  Smith's  relations  in  life,  both 
public  and  private. 


HENRY  REPENN. 


.\Ithough  he  has  retired  from  active  work  Henry  Repenu  continues  to  reside 
on  the  excellent  farm  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  in  Sheridan  township,  in 
the  cultivation  of  which  he  engaged  for  many  years.  Mr.  Repenn  is  a  native  of 
Germany.  He  was  born  on  the  15th  of  September,  1839,  son  of  Claus  and 
Catharine  Repenn,  who  emigrated  to  the  I'nited  States  in  1853,  locating  in  Clin- 
ton county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  prcemjjted  forty  acres  of  land.  In  1871 
they  purchased  one  hundred  and  fifty  acres  of  land  on  section  5,  Sheridan  town- 
ship,  Poweshiek   county,    where    they   continued    to    reside    imtil    they    died,   the 


HEXRV    UKI'KXX 


I      T^. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  553 

father  passing  away  on  the  28th  of  October,  1900,  and  the  mother  on  the  15th 
of  March,  1904.  They  were  both  natives  of  Schleswig-Holstein,  tlie  father's 
natal  day  being  the  12th  of  April,  1816,  and  the  mother's  the  29th  of  September, 
1818. 

Henry  Repenn  was  a  youth  of  fourteen  years  of  age  when  his  parents  came 
to  the  United  States,  so  that  practically  his  entire  education  was  acquired  in 
the  common  schools  of  the  fatherland.  He  remained  under  the  paternal  roof 
assisting  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  homestead,  one  hundred  acres  of 
which  the  latter  deeded  him  in  1877,  until  after  the  death  of  his  parents,  at  which 
time  he  purchased  from  the  heirs  the  remaining  fifty  acres.  His  sister  and 
brother-in-law,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paul  Jochims,  reside  with  him  and  operate  the 
farm. 

Mr.  Repenn  has  always  been  very  loyal  to  the  country  of  his  adoption  and 
when  the  call  came  for  volunteers  in  '61  he  responded,  enlisting  on  the  ist  of 
October,  1861,  at  Lyons,  Clinton  county,  Iowa,  in  Company  A,  Fifteenth  Iowa 
Volunteer  Infantry.  The  regiment  was  organized  at  Keokuk,  where  they  re- 
mained until  the  19th  of  March,  1862,  when  they  were  ordered  to  report  at 
Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  where  they  were  e<|uipped.  From  St.  Louis  they 
were  sent  into  Tennessee,  arriving  just  in  time  to  participate  in  the  battle  of 
Shiloh.  Mr.  Repenn  was  taken  sick  in  June,  being  compelled  to  spend  several 
months  in  the  hospital  at  St.  Louis.  When  released  he  was  sent  to  join  his 
command  in  Mississippi  but  was  taken  prisoner  en  route  by  General  Forrest, 
who  was  then  at  Trenton,  Tennessee,  and  taken  to  Columbus.  Kentucky,  and 
later  to  Benton  Barracks,  St.  Louis,  under  parole.  He  was  retained  in  the  lat- 
ter place  until  September,  1863,  when  lie  was  permitted  to  join  his  regiment  at 
Vicksburg.  Before  the  expiration  of  his  period  of  service  he  took  part  in  a 
number  of  sharp  skirmishes,  being  mustered  out  on  the  i6th  of  November, 
1864,  at  Chattanooga,  Tennessee.  Returning  home  Mr.  Repenn  again  engaged 
in  agricultural  pursuits,  continuing  to  be  identified  with  general  farming  and 
stock-raising  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  career. 

jVIr.  Repenn  has  never  married  and  has  for  several  years  made  his  home 
with  his  sister,  Mrs.  Jochims.  He  has  three  other  sisters :  Mrs.  Anna  Davids, 
of  Osmond,  Nebraska:  Mrs.  A.  W.  Mustapha,  of  Davenport;  and  Mrs.  George 
Haferbier,  of  Jackson  county,  Iowa.  He  has  always  been  very  successful  in 
his  ventures  and  now  owns  one  of  the  excellent  farms  of  the  county,  in  addi- 
tion to  which  he  has  a  very  comfortable  competence. 


WILLIAM  EHRET. 


On  the  list  of  Poweshiek  county's  honored  dead  is  found  the  name  of  Wil- 
liam Ehret,  who  while  still  active  in  the  world's  work  was  numbered  among 
the  prominent  and  well-to-do  agriculturists  of  his  locality.  He  was  born  in 
Erie,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  13th  of  June,  1833,  and  was  a  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Joseph  Ehret.  His  parents  were  both  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  but  were  mar- 
ried in   this  country.     The  mother  passed  away  during  the  early  childhood  of 


554  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

her  son  William,  and  the  father  later  married  again.  The  subject  of  this 
review  was  the  youngest  in  a  family  of  three  children,  the  others  being  Mrs. 
Mary  Depinet,  and  Stephen,  also  now  deceased. 

William  Ehret  spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm  in  the 
Keystone  state,  and  in  a  German  school  acquired  a  good  common  school  educa- 
tion. When  he  attained  the  age  of  sixteen  years  his  father  gave  him  money 
with  which  to  travel  and  see  something  of  the  country,  and  after  traveling 
extensively  through  many  of  the  states  of  the  Union  he  at  last  located  in  Illi- 
nois, near  Springfield,  where  he  embarked  in  the  nursery  business,  being  thus 
employed  in  that  city  and  Bloomington  for  five  years.  The  fall  of  1859  wit- 
nessed his  arrival  in  Iowa,  and  for  a  number  of  years  he  continued  to  reside 
on  a  farm  on  which  he  first  located,  his  attention  throughout  that  period  being 
given  to  general  agricultural  pursuits.  He  was  very  successful  in  that  under- 
taking and  became  the  owner  of  a  fine  farming  property  of  three  hundred  and 
two  acres,  located  on  section  30,  all  well  improved  and  now  in  the  possession 
of  his  sons.  Indeed  his  success  along  farming  lines  was  so  substantial  that  in 
time  he  was  able  to  withdraw  from  active  work  and  he  spent  the  last  ten  years 
of  his  life  in  honorable  retirement,  making  his  home  in  Iowa  City,  where  he 
passed  away  on  the  8th  of  April,  1897. 

Mr.  Ehret  was  married  in  Bloomington,  Illinois,  on  the  226.  of  August,  1859, 
to  Miss  Catharine  C.  Link,  of  New  Rutland,  Illinois.  Her  birth,  however,  oc- 
curred in  Columbia  county,  New  York,  on  the  14th  of  April,  1838,  her  parents 
being  Robert  and  Calinda  (Hover)  Link.  Both  were  natives  of  New  York 
and  there  the  mother  passed  away,  while  the  father's  death  occurred  in  Hardin 
county,  Iowa.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ehret  were  born  nine  children,  as  follows : 
Mary  E.,  who  married  Gordon  Mikesell,  of  Chicago,  Illinois ;  Frank  A.,  of 
Missouri ;  Charles  Herbert,  of  Deep  River ;  Fred  William,  operating  a  part  of 
his  father's  estate ;  George  W.,  of  Jackson  township ;  Edward  Elmer,  a  grad- 
uate of  a  commercial  college  of  Iowa  City  and  also  of  the  law  department  of 
the  Iowa  State  University,  who  for  the  past  ten  years  has  been  engaged  in  the 
railway  mail  service  at  Tama;  Curtis  J.,  who  married  Miss  Mattie  R.  King 
and  makes  his  home  with  his  mother  on  a  portion  of  his  father's  estate :  Emma, 
who  was  born  on  the  20th  of  December,  1874,  and  passed  away  March  22,  1905  ; 
and  Anna  Lillian,  a  graduate  of  the  Iowa  State  University,  who  married 
J.  J.  Sharp,  an  attorney  of  Hampton,  Iowa.  There  are  nineteen  grandchildren 
and  four  great-grandchildren  in  the  family. 

]Mr.  Ehret  was  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  the  teachings 
of  which  formed  the  guiding  influences  of  his  life,  and  in  politics  he  gave  his 
support  to  the  republican  party.  He  was  deeply  interested  in  community 
affairs,  although  he  never  sought  nor  desired  public  ofiice  for  himself,  and  the 
cause  of  education  found  in  him  a  warm  friend.  He  helped  to  erect  the  first 
schoolhouse  in  Deep  River  township  and  likewise  all  others  that  were  built 
up  to  the  year  1880,  and  in  many  other  directions  he  lent  his  cooperation 
toward  the  betterment  and  improvement  of  the  community  in  which  he 
resided.  His  death  occurred  on  the  8th  of  April,  1897,  when  he  was  sixty- 
four  years  of  age,  and  thus  was  closed  a  long,  active  and  useful  life.  His 
widow  survives  and  is  the  owner  of  a  fine  tract  of  forty  acres,  a  part  of  the 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  555 

original  homestead,  upon  which  she  has  since  erected  a  beautiful  residence 
which  is  now  her  home.  She  is  a  laily  of  high  character,  whose  many  excel- 
lent qualities   make  her  popular  among   friends   and,  neighbors. 


CHARLES    A.   WHITE. 

Charles  A.  White,  who  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  in 
Sugar  Creek  township,  was  born  in  Jasper  county,  Iowa,  on  the  3d  of  Sept- 
ember, 1875.  He  is  the  eldest  son  of  Samuel  M.  and  Amanda  (Sparks)  White, 
the  father  a  native  of  Rush  county,  Indiana,  and  the  mother  of  Jasper  county, 
Iowa.  In  his  early  youth  Mr.  White  migrated  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Mahaska 
county  in  the  vicinity  of  Oskaloosa  in  1854,  where  he  obtained  the  greater 
part  of  his  education.  After  leaving  school  he  became  identified  with  agri- 
cultural pursuits  as  a  means  of  livelihood.  Later  he  went  to  Jasper  county, 
where  he  met  and  subsequently  married  Miss  Sparks.  He  engaged  in  farm- 
ing there  for  a  good  many  years  but  he  and  his  wife  are  now  residents  of 
Riceville,  Iowa.  In  politics  Mr.  White  was  always  a  republican  and  in  matters 
of  religious  faith  the  views  of  himself  and  wife  coincide  with  those  of  the 
Society  of  Friends,  with  which  they  affiliate.  Unto  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
White  were  born  the  following  children :  Charles  A.,  our  subject ;  Martha, 
who  is  deceased ;  Cora,  the  wife  of  Jerry  Clark,  of  Laurel,  Iowa  ;  Earl,  who 
is  a  resident  of  Los  Angeles,  California  ;  Elsie,  the  wife  of  John  Rasmussen, 
of  Riceville,  Iowa ;  and  Oliver,  who  is  also  a  resident  of  Riceville. 

The  boyhood  and  youth  of  Charles  A.  White  were  spent  on  the  home- 
stead where  he  was  born,  his* education  being  acquired  in  the  district  schools 
of  the  vicinity  and  the  public  schools  of  Lynnville.  By  assistmg  his  father 
about  the  farm  he  early  became  familiar  with  the  most  practical  and  satis- 
factory method  of  tilling  the  fields  and  caring  for  the  crops.  After  completing 
his  education  he  gave  his  entire  attention  to  the  work  of  the  homestead  until 
he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Leaving  the  parental  roof  at  that  time  he 
rented  a  farm,  which  he  cultivated  for  a  year.  Withdrawing  from  agricultural 
pursuits  at  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  went  into  Lynnville  where  he 
remained  for  two  years.  In  igo6  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  where  he 
rented  for  a  year,  following  which  he  purchased  his  present  homestead  of 
one  hundred  and  seventy  acres.  He  has  ever  since  continued  to  reside  upon 
this  place  and  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising,  from  both  of  which 
he  is  realizing  very  good  financial  returns. 

Mr.  White  was  married  on  the  23d  of  March,  1899,  to  Miss  Rosa  Jane 
Cox,  a  daughter  of  John  and  Amanda  (MacFarlan)  Cox,  well  known  farming 
peojile  of  Union  township,  Poweshiek  county.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  White  have 
been  born  five  children,  the  order  of  their  birth  being  as  follows:  Archie  A, 
who  was  born  on  the  4th  of  May,  1900;  Glenn  W.,  born  on  the  30th  of  April, 
1902:  Oliver  Perry,  born  on  the  21st  of  March,  1904;  Elbert  A.,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the  31st  of  July,  1907;  and  Ruth  A.,  who  was  born  on  the  4th  of 
October,  1910. 


556  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Ever  since  acquiring  the  full  rights  of  citizenship  upon  attaining  his  major- 
ity Mr.  White  has  cast  his  vote  for  the  men  and  measures  of  the  republican 
partv.  He  takes  an  active  and  helpful  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to 
the  welfare  of  the  community  and  has  for  the  past  two  years  been  serving  on 
the  board  of  school  directors.  Energetic  and  enterjirising  in  his  methods 
and  progressive  in  his  ideas  j\Ir.  White  is  meeting  with  success  in  his  under- 
takings and  is  becoming  recognized  as  one  of  the  prosperous  young  agricul- 
turists  of   the   township. 


FRED    O.    CUNNINGHAM. 

Edgewood  Farm  is  the  name  of  the  homestead  of  Fred  O.  Cunningham, 
one  of  the  successful  stockmen  and  agriculturists  of  Madison  township.  He 
was  born  in  Jefferson  township.  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  on  the  6th  of  April, 
1863,  a  son  of  James  R.  and  ^Nlariah  (Noble)  Cunningham.  The  father,  who 
was  born  in  Indiana,  migrated  to  Mercer  county.  Illinois,  with  his  parents  in 
1863,  and  later  they  removed  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Jefferson  township.  They 
crossed  the  Mississippi  river  at  New  Boston  on  a  flatboat.  and  owing  to  the  strong 
current  were  carried  si.\  miles  down  stream  before  they  could  make  a  landing. 
The  trip  from  the  river  to  Jefferson  township  was  made  with  three  yoke  of  oxen, 
one  week  being  consumed  in  the  journey.  Mr.  Cunningham  continued  to  reside 
upon  the  old  homestead  until  1901,  when  he  retired  to  F.elle  Plaine.  Iowa  where 
he  passed  away  the  following  year.  He  had  been  very  successful  in  his  under- 
takings and  had  acquired  four  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land  in  Jeft'erson 
township  and  one  farm  in  Tama  county,  which 'he  sold  just  before  his  death. 
After  the  death  of  her  husband  Mrs.  Cunningham  made  her  home  with  her 
children  and  was  living  with  her  son,  Fred,  at  the  time  of  her  demise  on  the 
17th  of  June.  1910. 

The  first  twenty-six  years  of  Fred  O.  Cunningham's  life  were  spent  on  the 
old  homestead,  his  education  being  obtained  in  the  district  schools  of  his  native 
township.  Afterward  he  assisted  his  father  until  1889,  when  he  removed 
to  his  present  farm  on  sections  23  and  26  of  Madison  township.  Subsequent  to 
his  marriage  he  purchased  a  portion  of  the  farm  and  the  remainder  was  owned 
by  his  wife.  Mr.  Cunningham  has  always  made  a  specialty  of  raising  and  feed- 
ing stock,  in  which  he  has  met  with  most  gratifying  success.  He  keeps  an  ex- 
cellent grade  of  both  cattle  and  hogs,  which  he  ships  to  the  Chicago  market.  In 
1908  he  shipped  one  hundred  head  of  hogs,  averaging  three  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds  each,  and  there  were  only  three  sales  that  day  which  exceeded  his  aver- 
age. Two  years  later  he  shipped  a  carload  of  steers  which  averaged  one  thousand 
and  four  pounds  each.  He  fattens  his  stock  in  the  cornfield  before  husking 
the  grain  and  finishes  with  one  or  two  weeks'  feeding  in  the  yards,  having 
found  this  to  be  a  very  satisfactory  method. 

Mr.  Cunningham  married  Miss  Grace  Searl,  the  youngest  daughter  of 
Peter  H.  and  Sarah  (Isinhour)  Searl.  The  father  was  born  in  Greene  county, 
Ohio,  on  the  7th  of  .-Vugust,   1821,  and  the  mother  at  Tioga.   Pennsylvania,  on 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  557 

tlie  iQtli  of  February,  1827.  Mrs.  Searl  in  the  maternal  line  was  of  New 
England  extraction  while  her  father's  people  came  from  \'irginia ;  her  grand- 
mother, Zilpha  Jackson,  was  a  cousin  of  Andrew  Jackson.  Air.  and  Mrs. 
Searl  were  married  in  1844,  while  residing  in  the  vicinity  of  Princeton,  Bureau 
county,  Illinois,  where  they  had  movetl  with  their  parents  when  children. 
They  resided  there  until  1866  when  they  came  to  Madison  township,  locating 
upon  a  farm,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  the  father  engaged  for  five  years, 
then  removing  to  a  place  a  quarter  of  a  mile  south.  Ten  years  later  they  re- 
turned to  their  former  home  and  there  Mrs.  Searl  passed  away  in  June,  1884. 
Mr.  Searl  was  killed  by  lightning  on  the  9th  of  May,  1889,  while  working 
about  the  barn  of  his  homestead,  which  is  the  place  now  occupied  by  his 
daughter  and  her  husband.  Mr.  Searl  had  become  quite  an  extensive  land- 
owner, having  acquired  six  hundred  acres  in  various  parts  of  the  county, 
and  was  considered  to  be  one  of  the  substantial  farmers  of  his  township.  Unto 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cunningham  have  been  born  two  children:  Gail,  who  is  seven- 
teen years  of  age  and  a  graduate  of  the  lirooklyn  high  school,  class  of  191 1; 
and  Edward,  aged  eight,  who  is  attending  the  school  in  district  \o.  7  of 
Madison  township. 

Mrs.  Cunningham  and  her  daughter  are  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church 
in  Ilrooklyn  an<.l  the  mother  also  belongs  to  the  Rebekahs  of  Brooklyn,  Mr.  Cun- 
ningham being  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  A  republi- 
can in  politics  he  gives  his  support  to  the  candidates  of  that  party  and  is  now- 
serving  as  a  director  in  school  district  No.  6  of  Madison  township.  Mr. 
Cunningham  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  competent  agriculturists  and  capable 
business  men  of  the  county  whose  success  is  the  well  merited  reward  of 
careful  and  intelligent  effort. 


DR.    JOSEPHINE    WETMORE     RUST. 

Dr.  Josephine  Wetmore  Rust,  one  of  the  leading  and  successful  medical 
practitioners  of  Grinnell,  has  made  this  town  the  scene  of  her  professional 
labors  for  the  past  sixteen  years,  specializing  in  the  diseases  of  women  and 
children.  Her  birth  occurred  in  Charles  City,  Iowa,  on  the  20th  of  January, 
1870.  her  parents  being  George  E.  and  Antoinette  ( Miller)  \\'etmore,  who 
were  born,  reared  and  married  in  the  state  of  New  York.  Soon  after  their 
marriage  they  journeyed  westward  to  Omaha,  Nebraska,  w^here  Mr.  Wetmore 
engaged  in  merchandising.  Subsequently  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Charles 
City.  Iowa,  and  there  turned  his  attention  to  the  buying  of  grain  and  stock. 
From  Charles  City  he  made  his  way  to  Clear  Lake,  Iowa,  where  he  continued 
in  the  grain  and  stock  business.  In  1896  he  came  to  Grinnell,  being  here 
successfully  engaged  in  the  hardware  business  until  impaired  health  necess- 
itated his  retirement.  His  demise  occurred  in  July,  1904,  and  was  the  occasion  of 
deep  and  widespread  regret.  Fraternally  he  was  identified  with  the  Masons, 
being  a  worthy  exemplar  of  the  craft  for  many  years.  He  was  a  republican  in 
politics  but  never  sought  office  as  a  reward  for  his  party  fealty. 


558  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Josephine  Wetmore  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  early  in  life  de- 
termined upon  the  practice  of  medicine  as  her  future  work.  For  three  years 
she  read  medicine  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  S.  A.  Campbell,  of  Alalvern,  Iowa, 
teaching  school  a  part  of  the  time.  She  began  teaching  when  but  sixteen  years 
of  age  and  was  only  nineteen  years  of  age  when  she  entered  the  Northwestern 
University  at  Chicago,  being  graduated  from  the  medical  department  of  that 
institution  as  the  youngest  member  of  the  class  of  1891.  Following  her  grad- 
uation she  took  the  position  of  resident  physician  of  the  Industrial  School  for 
Girls  at  Mitchellville,  Iowa,  where  she  remained  for  almost  a  year.  Returning  to 
Chicago,  she  became  resident  physician  of  the  Mary  Thompson  Hospital  for 
women  and  children,  where  she  likewise  remained  for  a  year.  Again  removing  to 
Mitchellville,  Iowa,  she  resumed  her  former  position  in  the  State  Industrial 
School  for  Girls,  continuing  there  for  two  and  a  half  years.  On  the  ist  of  April, 
1895,  she  came  to  Grinnell,  where  she  has  been  successfully  engaged  in  practice 
to  the  present  time,  making  a  specialty  of  the  diseases  of  women  and  children. 
Her  labors  have  been  attended  with  gratifying  results  and  have  won  her  an  en- 
viable reputation  as  a  skilled  physician  and  surgeon.  In  1902  she  pursued  a  post- 
graduate course  of  study  in  the  Chicago  Post  Graduate  School. 

On  the  1st  of  March,  1905,  Dr.  Wetmore  was  united  in  marriage  to  Raymond 
R.  Rust,  a  native  of  Dexter,  Iowa,  who  was  at  that  time  one  of  the  leading  drug- 
gists of  Grinnell.  He  is  at  present  a  commercial  salesman  for  the  IMeyer  Brothers 
Drug  Company  of  St.  Louis.  Dr.  Rust  is  now  the  mother  of  two  children :  Har- 
riet Isabelle  and  Joseph  La  Verne.  She  is  popular  in  professional  and  social  cir- 
cles alike,  her  many  excellent  traits  of  heart  and  mind  having  endeared  her  to  all 
with  whom  she  has  come  in  contact. 


HENRY  F.  CARL. 


The  best  improved  farm  in  Deep  River  township  is  the  property  of  Henry  F. 
Carl,  and  in  its  excellent  appearance  indicates  the  practical  and  progressive  meth- 
ods and  spirit  of  industry,  enterprise  and  thrift  on  the  part  of  its  owner.  He  was 
born  in  Geneseo,  Henry  county.  Illinois,  on  the  19th  of  November,  1871,  a  son  of 
Martin  and  Bertha  Amelia  (Yahnke)  Carl,  both  natives  of  Germany,  and  born  in 
1840  and  1842  respectively.  They  were  married  in  the  fatherland  and  shortly  af- 
terward came  to  the  United  States,  arriving  in  Illinois  in  the  spring  of  1869.  The 
father  there  carried  on  farming  for  a  number  of  years  and  both  passed  away  in 
that  state,  Mr.  Carl  in  1888,  and  his  wife  in  1886.  In  their  family  were  the  fol- 
lowing children,  nine  in  number:  Herman  W.,  of  Geneseo,  Illinois;  Henry  F.,  of 
this  review  ;  Frank,  of  Denison,  Iowa ;  Louis,  of  Erie,  IlHnois ;  Otto  and  John, 
both  residing  in  Geneseo,  Illinois ;  Gustave,  of  Magnolia,  Minnesota ;  David,  of 
Chicago;  and  Amelia,  who  married  William  Conrad,  of  Hillsdale,  Illinois. 

After  the  death  of  the  parents  the  family  was  broken  up  and  the  children  were 
forced  to  seek  employment  whereby  they  might  earn  their  own  livelihood.  Henry 
F.  Carl,  who  was  seventeen  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  father's  demise,  was 
employed  for  thirteen  years  as  a  farm  hand,  working  by  the  month,  and  during 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  ob9 

that  period  he  gained  broad  experience  and  thorough  knowledge  of  the  best  meth- 
ods of  carrying  on  agriculture.  He  was  thus  engaged  until  the  time  of  his  mar- 
riage, after  which  he  rented  a  farm  for  about  a  year.  In  February,  1907,  he  came 
to  Iowa  and  purchased  his  present  home  in  Poweshiek  county,  consisting  of  two 
hundred  and  eighty-three  acres,  located  on  section  19.  on  the  Jackson  township 
line.  This  place  has  been  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  contains  two 
large  barns  antl  sheds,  commodious  corn  cribs,  a  silo,  and  in  fact  every  accessory 
that  goes  to  make  up  a  model  farm,  and  today  it  has  the  distinction  of  being  the 
best  improved  property  in  the  township.  All  these  years  he  has  been  raising,  feed- 
ing and  fattening  stock,  and  prosperity  has  attended  his  efforts  to  the  extent  that 
he  is  accounted  one  of  the  substantial  agriculturists  of  this  section. 

Mr.  Carl  was  married  July  7,  1898,  to  Miss  Anna  Johnson,  who  was  born  in 
Sweden  on  January  10,  1879,  and  came  to  America  in  company  with  her  brother 
Charles.  Unto  this  union  have  been  born  the  following  children :  Alice,  Elmer 
and  Edna,  born  in  Illinois ;  and  Melba  and  Esther,  whose  births  occurred  in  Powe- 
shiek county,  Iowa  ;  Henry,  who  is  deceased,  was  born  in  March,  1900,  and  was 
two  years  and  nine  months  old  at  the  time  of  his  demise. 

Mr.  Carl  holds  membership  in  the  Lutheran  church  and  belongs  to  the  Modern 
Brotherhood  of  America,  at  Deep  River.  He  gives  stalwart  support  to  the  re- 
publican party  but  the  honors  and  emoluments  of  office  have  never  held  attraction 
for  him.  He  prefers  to  concentrate  his  energies  upon  his  private  affairs  and  he  is 
justly  accounted  one  of  the  good  business  men  of  the  community.  He  certainly 
deserves  much  credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished,  as  he  started  out  in  life  at  a 
very  early  age,  with  no  capital  save  his  natural  qualities  of  industry  and  deter- 
mination, and  the  years  have  marked  his  successive  progress  until  he  is  today  one 
of  the  substantial  citizens  of  Poweshiek  county. 


OLIVER  CAUSE. 


A  fine  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Sugar  Creek  township  does 
credit  to  the  agricultural  skill  of  Oliver  Cause,  who  was  born  in  the  village  of 
Spiceland,  Henry  county,  Indiana,  on  the  12th  of  January,  1851.  His  parents 
are  Eli  C.  and  Martha  A.  (Harold)  Cause,  natives  of  Ohio  and  North  Carolina 
respectively.  The  father,  who  is  a  wheelwright,  followed  his  trade  in  connec- 
tion with  that  of  carpentry  in  Spiceland  until  1854.  Together  with  his  wife  and 
family  he  migrated  to  Iowa  in  the  latter  year  purchasing  a  farm  in  Sugar  Creek 
township,  Poweshiek  county,  which  he  cultivated  for  about  eight  years.  Dis- 
posing of  his  property  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  returned  to  Henry  county,  In- 
diana, where  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  until  1868.  He  subsequently 
went  to  North  Carolina,  coming  from  there  to  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business  for  three  years.  Selling  his  interest  he  went  to 
Lynnville  and  entered  the  dry  goods  business,  with  which  he  still  continues  to 
be  identified.  Mr.  Cause  casts  his  vote  for  the  democracy  and  both  he  and  his 
wife  belong  to  the  Society  of  Friends.  Six  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Cause,  in  the   following  order:  John   H.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Lynnville, 


560  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Jasper  county,  Iowa ;  Oliver,  our  subject ;  Albert,  who  is  living  in  Jasper 
county,  Iowa ;  Samuel,  a  resident  of  Oregon ;  Isaac,  who  makes  his  home  in 
Hamilton  county,  Indiana ;  and  Seth,  who  resides  in  Marshalltown,  Iowa. 

In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  Oliver  Cause  attended  the  common 
schools  of  Spiceland,  Indiana,  in  which  town  he  spent  the  greater  Dortion  of  his 
boyhood  and  youth.  Afterward  he  returned  to  Poweshiek  county,  where  he 
farmed  as  a  renter  until  1875,  when  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Sugar 
Creek  township,  which  forms  the  nucleus  of  his  present  homestead.  Having 
met  with  success  in  his  undertakings  he  was  later  able  to  add  another  forty  acres 
to  his  tract,  making  the  aggregate  of  his  holdings  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres. 
In  connection  with  the  cultivation  of  his  fields  Mr.  Cause  raises  cattle  and  hogs, 
in  which  he  has  met  with  very  fair  success. 

C)ii  January  21,  1872,  Mr.  Cause  and  Miss  Mary  Beals  were  united  in  mar- 
riage, she  being  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Elizabeth  (Beals)  Beals,  and  a  na- 
tive of  Tennessee,  where  she  was  born  on  the  13th  of  January,  1832.  The  par- 
ents were  also  natives  of  Tennessee,  in  which  state  they  were  married.  Mr. 
Beals,  who  was  a  farmer,  migrated  to  Iowa  with  his  family,  first  locating  in 
Henry  county,  going  from  there  to  Jasper  county,  where  both  he  and  his  wife 
passed  away.  He  was  a  republican  and  a  member  of  the  Home  Guards,  while 
both  he  and  his  wife  affiliated  with  the  Society  of  Friends.  Five  children  were 
born  of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cause :  Lineus  T.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Lynn- 
ville,  Iowa;  Ora,  the  wife  of  W.  B.  Hathaway,  of  Oskaloosa,  Iowa;  Elmer  O., 
who  is  living  in  Limon,  Colorado;  Coldie,  the  wife  of  A.  B.  Latham,  of  Sears- 
boro,  Iowa;  and  Lester  H.,  who  is  also  a  resident  of  Limon,  Colorado. 

Mr.  Cause  is  a  democrat  and  always  votes  for  the  candidates  of  that  party, 
and  at  the  present  time  he  is  serving  as  township  trustee,  having  been  the  in- 
cumbent of  that  office  for  a  year.  Both  he  and  his  wife  affiliate  with  the  Society 
of  Friends,  in  which  organization  he  is  very  active,  being  both  elder  and  clerk 
of  the  meeting. 


CHARLES  H.  PARSONS. 

The  name  of  Parsons  is  recognized  throughout  Malcom  township  as  a  syno- 
nym for  genuine  and  warm-hearted  hospitality,  and  the  household  of  which 
Charles  H.  Parsons  is  the  head  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  highly  re- 
spected in  this  locality. 

The  family  is  of  good  New  England  stock,  the  parents  of  Mr.  Parsons,  Henry 
and  Louisa  (  Kingsbury)  Parsons,  having  both  been  natives  of  Massachusetts, 
where  the  former  was  born  on  the  12th  of  September,  1812,  and  the  latter  on  the 
4th  of  February,  1810.  They  were  reared  and  married  in  the  the  old  Bay  state 
and  in  1861  left  the  east,  making  their  way  to  Illinois,  where  they  resided  until 
1872,  in  which  year  they  came  to  Iowa.  After  their  arrival  in  this  state  they 
established  their  home  in  Marion  county,  but  in  the  fall  of  1874  came  to  Powe- 
shiek county  and  here  spent  their  remaining  days,  passing  away  on  the  home- 
stead upon  which  their  surviving  children  now  reside.     Mr.  Parsons  engaged  in 


-3T0R,  LENO, 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWESHIEK  COUNTY  563 

farming  during  his  residence  in  low  a,  but  ere  leaving  his  native  state  operated  a 
stage  Hne  and  carried  mail  in  Massachusetts  prior  to  the  advent  of  the  railroad. 
At  one  time  he  owned  four  livery  stables  and  was  engaged  in  that  line  of  activity 
for  many  years,  acquiring  a  goodly  competence.  He  and  his  wife  were  remark- 
able people,  of  exemplary  lives,  who  enjoyed  excellent  health  until  the  very  last. 
'I'hcv  survived  to  see  four  of  their  children  marry  and  return  home  after  losing 
liusbands  and  wife.  They  were  not  long  separated  by  death,  the  mother  passing 
awav  on  the  24tli  of  January,  1900,  while  the  father  followed  her  on  the  25th  of 
(  )ctober,  njo-'.  In  their  family  were  five  children,  as  follows:  Jane  Cornelia, 
who  was  born  on  the  28th  of  May,  1835,  and  is  now  the  widow  of  Anson  F. 
Ilills;  Charles  II.,  of  this  review;  Emma  E.,  born  April  12,  1839,  the  widow  of 
L  harlcs  C.  Merrick  :  Delphina  D.,  born  April  22,  1844.  the  widow  of  Thomas  C. 
Carroll :  and  Isabelle  S.,  who  passed  away  at  the  age  of  tvv-o  years. 

Charles  H.  Parsons,  the  only  son  of  tlie  family,  was  born  in  Ludlow,  Massa- 
chusetts, September  27,  1836,  and  was  therefore  thirty-three  years  of  age  when 
he  came  to  Iowa  in  1869,  first  locating  in  Marion  county,  where  he  was  later 
joined  by  his  parents.  With  them  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1874,  and 
since  that  time  has  continued  to  make  his  home  within  its  borders.  He  and  his 
three  widowed  sisters  reside  together  upon  a  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty 
acres  located  on  section  13,  the  property  of  his  niece,  the  daughter  of  Mrs.  Hills. 
Aside  from  the  operation  of  this  farm  he  also  superintends  the  management  of 
a  tract  of  forty  acres  owned  by  his' sister,  Mrs.  Hills.  Mr.  Parsons  has  a  military 
record  covering  one  year's  service  in  the  Civil  war.  Scarcely  had  the  smoke  of 
I'ort  Sumter's  guns  cleared  away. .when  he  volunteered  for  service  at  the  first 
call  for  troops.  At  that  time  seventy-five  thousand  men  went  to  .Springfield  in 
response  to  the  call,  and  as  there  were  too  many  to  muster  in  at  that  time,  he 
was  among  those  who  were  sent  home.  When  the  call  for  men  to  serve  for  three 
years  came,  he  enlisted,  on  the  15th  of  August,  1861,  becoming  a  member  of 
Company  C,  Ninety-third  Illinois  \  olunteer  Infantry,  under  Captain  Brown. 
After  only  a  year's  service,  however,  he  was  discharged  at  Keokuk,  Iowa,  be- 
cause of  disability,  and  he  returned  to  civil  pursuits. 

Mr.  Parsons  was  marrie<l,  in  jimc,  iSrii.  at  \\yanet,  Illinois,  to  Miss  Eliza 
K.  I'.arry.  who  was  born  in  Wyaiiet  ami  there  passed  away  in  1863,  leaving  a  son, 
Scott  I'l.  Parsons,  who  was  born  on  the  3d  of  June,  1862,  and  passed  away  on  the 
4th  of  March,  1881.  Mr.  Parsons  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican 
jiarty.  and  although  the  honors  and  emoluments  of  office  have  had  no  attraction 
fur  him,  he  nevertheless  is  keenly  alive  to  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  in 
which  he  takes  a  deep  interest,  and  readily  cooperates  in  and  indorses  all  meas- 
ures and  movements  which  tend  to  promote  the  welfare  of  the  communit\-  in 
which  he  resides. 

Jane  Cornelia  Parsons,  the  eldest  daughter  of  the  family,  was  united  in  mar- 
liage,  in  1859,  to  .\nson  F.  Ilills.  who  was  born  in  Connecticut  in  1810.  In  the 
year  of  his  marriage  he  came  west,  locating  first  in  Illinois,  and  later  he  made  his 
way  to  Iowa,  arriving  in  Poweshiek  county  in  1867.  This  remained  his  place  of 
residence  until  his  death,  which  occurred  on  the  20th  of  April,  1874.  Prior  to 
his  marriage  he  traveled  in  the  east  with  Judge  Knox,  of  Bureau  county,  Illinois, 
in  connection  with  the  book  business,  in  which  line  the  latter  amassed  a  goodiy 


564  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

fortune.  After  coming  west,  however,  he  became  a  farmer  and  capitalist,  buy- 
ing and  selhng  many  farms  in  lUinois.  He  owned  the  farm  of  two  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  on  section  13,  now  occupied  by  his  wife  and  her  sisters  and  brother. 
He  purchased  this  property  in  1870,  at  which  time  the  dwelhng  was  being  util- 
ized as  a  hotel,  as  many  as  one  hundred  emigrant  wagons  often  passing  by  it 
each  day  on  their  westward  journey.  He  is  survived  by  his  wife  and  one  daugh- 
ter, Hattie  L.,  the  wife  of  Thomas  A.  Cheshire,  who  was  at  one  time  state  sena- 
tor and  is  now  residing  in  Des  ^loines.  A  son,  Harry,  passed  ,awav  in  March, 
1862.  when  twQ  years  of  age. 

The  second  daughter  in  the  Parsons  family  is  Emma  E.,  who  m  1866  became 
the  wife  of  Charles  C.  Alerrick,  a  native  of  Alunson,  Massachusetts,  where  he 
was  born  on  the  nth  of  April,  1824.  He  w^as  reared  and  educated  in  his  native 
city  and  later  went  south  as  a  school  teacher,  being  connected  w-ith  that  profes- 
sion for  several  years.  Subsecjuently  he  became  a  contractor  and  builder  at 
Memphis,  Tennessee,  in  which  line  of  activity  he  was  most  successful  until  the 
outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  when  he  lost  very  heavily.  He  then  went  to  Chicago, 
where  he  enlisted  as  a  private  of  the  Fifty-first  Illinois  \'ohinteer  Infantry  in 
1861,  under  command  of  Captain  Wentz.  He  served  throughout  the  entire  pe- 
riod of  hostilities  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  captain,  in  which  position  he 
was  serving  when  he  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Chickamauga.  He  was  brev- 
eted major  Alarch  13,  1865.  While  Air.  Merrick  was  at  the  front  his  half- 
brother,  Jacob  B.  Merrick,  an  extensive  cotton  manufacturer,  operating  the  Mer- 
rick Cotton  Mills  of  Thorndike,  ^Massachusetts,  passed  away,  leaving  him  a  hand- 
same  fortune  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars.  After  the  close  of  the 
war  he  went  to  Peru,  Illinois,  where,  in  connection  with  his  brother,  George  Aler- 
rick,  he  purchased  the  Peru  Coal  Company,  of  which  he  became  president.  He 
was  successfully  engaged  in  the  conduct  of  this  business  for  many  years,  but 
shortly  before  his  death  suffered  the  loss  of  his  property.  He,  passed  away  on 
the  23d  of  June,  1893,  in  Malcom  township,  while  on  a  visit  here.  Mrs.  Merrick 
is  an  artist  of  considerable  note,  having  taken  up  the  study  of  water  color  and 
china  painting  in  childhood.  She  was  one  of  the  first  china  painters  in  Chicago, 
and  after  the  loss  of  her  husband's  property  devoted  her  attention  to  art  as  a 
business  proposition,  from  which  she  reaped  substantial  financial  returns.  She 
painted  the  picture  called  the  "Cyclone,"  for  the  Iowa  State  College,  and  has 
many  beautiful  specimens  of  her  skill  in  her  home. 

Etelphina  D.,  the  youngest  living  daughter,  was  married  in  Michigan,  in  1873, 
to  Thomas  C.  Carroll,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Middletown,  Connecticut,  on  the 
loth  of  August,  1847.  Mr.  Carroll  spent  the  first  twenty  years  of  his  life  in  his 
native  city,  after  which  he  went  to  Springfield,  Massachusetts,  and  later  made 
his  way  west,  locating  in  Chicago.  For  a  number  of  years  he  conducted  a  mer- 
chant tailoring  establishment  in  the  western  metropolis,  and  then,  in  1876,  came 
to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  where  he  made  his  home  for  two  years.  In  1878  he 
removed  to  Montezuma,  Iowa,  and  there  engaged  in  the  hotel  business,  at  first 
as  the  proprietor  of  the  old  Montezuma  House,  and  later  as  owner  of  the  Emslie- 
In  1889  he  was  burned  out,  after  which  he  erected  the  present  three-story  brick 
hotel  at  that  city.  His  connnection  with  the  hotel  business  in  Montezuma  cov- 
ered the  period  from  1878  to  1895,  a  period  which  witnessed  a  gradual  but  sub- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  565 

stantial  advancement.     He  passed  away  in  Malcom  township  in  1896,  leaving  a 
widow  and  one  son,  Charles  T.,  now  residing  in  Portage,  Wisconsin. 

Mr.  Parsons  and  his  three  widowed  sisters  are  active,  intelligent  and  refined, 
forming  an  interesting  and  charming  household  group.  They  are  all  fond  of  the 
social  amenities  of  life  and  enjoy  entertaining  their  many  friends,  and  their  home 
is  the  seat  of  a  warm-hearted  and  sincere  hospitality  which  is  cordially  extended 
to  all.  They  are  held  in  the  highest  esteem  and  regard  by  their  friends  and 
neighbors  and,  indeed,  are  spoken  of  in  terms  of  unstinted  praise  by  all  who 
know  them. 


ALEXANDER  WYLIE. 


Iowa  largely  owes  her  progress  and  wealth  to  her  agricultural  interests.  His- 
tory has  ever  given  proof  of  the  fact  that  the  most  prosperous  countries  are  the 
ones  which  ofifer  the  best  opportunities  to  the  agriculturist.  Living  a  life  of  in- 
tense and  well  directed  activity  Alexander  Wylie,  residing  on  section  25,  Bear 
Creek  township,  is  numbered  among  the  active  and  progressive  farmers  and 
stock-breeders  of  that  part  of  the  state.  He  was  born  in  County  Antrim,  Ire- 
land, on  the  I2th  of  December,  1854,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Elizabeth  J.  (Laven- 
der) Wylie.  The  parents  were  born  and  reared  on  the  Emerald  isle,  and 
there  the  mother's  death  occurred.  The  father  later  came  to  America,  about 
twenty-five  years  ago,  and  here  purchased  a  farm  in  Jasper  county,  Iowa,  w'here 
he  lived  until  recently,  when  he  sold  his  property  and  retired,  taking  up  his  abode 
in  the  village  of  Plartwick,  Jefferson  township,  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  is 
now  living. 

Alexander  Wylie  spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  the  land  of 
his  nativity,  and  when  twenty  years  of  age  he  came  to  the  United  States,  land- 
ing in  New  York  in  1874.  He  did  not  tarry  on  the  eastern  coast,  however,  but 
made  his  way  direct  into  the  interior  of  the  country,  locating  in  Scott  county, 
Iowa,  where  he  remained  for  four  years,  being  engaged  as  a  farm  hand.  He 
then  moved  to  Jasper  county  and  with  the  money  which  he  had  been  able  to  save 
purchased  a  farm  of  eighty  acres.  This  he  continued  to  operate  for  ten  years, 
after  which  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  bought  a  farm  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  in  Jefferson  township,  about  two  miles  west  of  Hartwick, 
which  remained  his  home  for  nine  years.  At  the  end  of  that  time  he  sold  that 
propertjf  and  came  to  Bear  Creek  township,  becoming  the  owner  of  his  present 
homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  located  on  section  25.  This  is  a  well 
improved  farm,  being  well  drained  and  watered,  and  under  his  wise  management 
and  supervision  it  has  been  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  raises 
large  quantities  of  hay,  oats,  corn  and  potatoes,  and  makes  a  specialty  of  feeding 
hogs,  which  he  sells  to  shippers.  He  gives  close  attention  to  his  farming  inter- 
ests and  has  everything  on  hand  with  which  to  pursue  agriculture  by  modern 
methods,  while  his  present  degree  of  prosperity  indicates  clearly  the  business 
ability  which  he  has  displayed  in  the  performance  of  same. 


566  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

On  the  29th  ot  Xovember.  1886,  Mr.  Wylie  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Agnes  I'aul,  a  (laughter  of  John  and  Elizabeth  (Elder)  Paul,  both  natives  of 
County  Antrim.  Ireland.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  in  their 
native  country  he  and  his  wife  spent  their  entire  lives.  Their  daughter  Agnes 
was  a  maiden  of  eighteen  summers  when  she  came  alone  to  America  in  July, 
1880,  and  it  was  in  Jasper  county,  Iowa,  that  she  first  met  and  was  later  married 
to  Mr.  Wylie.  She  lost  her  father  in  early  childhood  and  her  mother  passed 
away  in  1890.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wylie  have  been  born  nine  children,  one  of 
whom  passed  away  in  infancy.  The  others  are :  Edith  Jane,  living  at  home : 
Lavina,  the  wife  of  Glen  Beery,  a  farmer  of  Warren  township,  Poweshiek  county  ; 
Margaret  r-"Ila,  who  married  Carl  ISurlingaiiie.  engaged  in  farming  in  Bear  Creek- 
township  ;  and  Leslie,  Ray,  Maude,  Ailaline  and  Everett  Alexander,  all  of  whom 
are  yet  at  home.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wylie  and  the  five  eldest  children  are  members 
of  the  Brooklyn  Presbyterian  church,  and  the  entire  family  are  held  in  high  es- 
teem throughout  the  community  in  which  they  reside. 

-Mr.  Wylie  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  and.  while  he  has  no  de- 
sire for  preferment  along  political  lines,  he  yet  keeps  well  informed  on  the  ques- 
tions and  issues  of  the  day.  He  is  a  man  of  noble  qualities  of  character,  of 
strong  and  resolute  purpose,  industrious  and  enterprising,  and,  well  known 
throughout  the  community  for  his  uprightness  and  honesty,  he  merits  and  enjoys 
the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  neighbors  and  many  friends. 


AARON  MAIN. 


The  homestead  of  Aaron  Main  in  Sugar  Creek  township  is  entirely  devoted 
to  general  farming  in  connection  with  stock-raising,  from  both  of  which  he  is 
realizing  very  satisfactory  returns.  Mr.  Main  was  born  in  Darke  county,  Ohio, 
on  the  24th  of  .Sejjtember,  1834.  and  is  a  son  of  Joshua  A.  and  Nellie  (  Phillips) 
Main,  the  father  a  native  of  Maryland  and  the  mother  of  Darke  county,  Ohio. 
In  his  early  manhood  Joshua  A.  Main  migrated  from  his  native  state  to  Darke 
county,  where  he  met  the  woman  who  subse(|uently  became  his  wife.  There  he 
engaged  in  farming  until  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county.  Upon  his  arrival  here 
he  first  located  in  Union  township  where  he  rented  land  for  a  time,  but  later  he 
])urchased  a  farm  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  which  he  culti^-ated  until  his  death, 
making  a  specialty-  of  raising  cattle.  His  demise  occurred  on  the  iSth  of  Feb- 
ruarv.  icpi.  but  the  mother  is  still  surviving  and  now  makes  her  home  in  Sugar 
Creek  township.  ]\Ir.  Main  was  a  democrat  and  served  as  township  .trustee. 
Unto  him  and  his  wife  were  born  si.x  children  in  the  following  order:  John,  who 
is  deceased:  William  P..  who  is  living  in  Leon.  North  Dakota:  Aaron,  our  sub- 
ject ;  Jacob,  who  resides  in  Sugar  Creek  township :  Jane,  the  wife  of  John 
Fleener,  of  Sugar  Creek  township:  and  Elizabeth,  who  married  (leorge  Ailender, 
of  Kingman  comity.  Kansas. 

Reared  to  manhood  on  the  nld  family  homestead  in  Sugar  Creek  township 
.Aaron  Main  olitained  his  education  in  the  district  schools  in  the  vicinity.  I'.eing 
called  upon  to  assist  with  the  work  of  the  farm  from  his  very  early  boyhood  by 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COIINTV  567 

the  time  he  had  attained  his  maturity  he  was  well  versed  in  the  practical  science 
of  agriculture.  After  leaving  the  parental  roof  he  worked  out  as  a  farm  hand 
until  1878,  when  he  purchased  forty  acres  of  his  present  holdings.  By  means  of 
careful  management  and  rigid  economy  he  was  later  ahle  to  increase  his  holdings 
by  the  addition  of  another  seventy  acres.  He  has  erected  all  of  the  improve- 
ments upon  his  place,  which  he  cleared  and  put  under  cultivation  as  he  was  able, 
and  now  owns  one  of  the  valuable  farms  of  the  township.  His  fields  are  all  in 
a  high  state  of  cultivation,  while  he  kcc])s  a  good  grade  of  cattle,  horses  and 
hogs. 

On  the  2(1  of  June.  1878,  Mr.  Main  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Martha 
F.  Peckham,  who  was  born  in  Appanoose  county,  Iowa,  on  the  iijth  of  August, 
1859,  a  daughter  of  Fred  and  Jane  (Denning)  Peckham,  natives  of  Ohio,  who 
migrated  to  Iowa  during  the  pioneer  days  and  located  in  Appanoose  county, 
where  the  father  engaged  in  farming.  They  affiliated  with  the  Methodist  lipis- 
copal  church,  but  both  are  now  deceased.  L'nto  'Sir.  and  Mrs.  Main  there  were 
born  nine  children :  Charles,  who  is  a  resident  of  Sugar  Creek  townshi]3 ;  Clar- 
ence, living  in  the  same  place;  Stella,  the  wife  of  Elmer  Cause,  of  Limon,  Col- 
orado; Nellie,  the  wife  of  William  Dowd,  of  Grinnell ;  John,  who  is  living  in 
Sugar  Creek  township:  .\da,  the  wife  of  Claude  Naylor,  of  Grinnell;  Cora,  who 
married  Claude  l.ailey,  of  Colorado ;  and  Effie  and  .-Xaron,  both  of  whom  are  at 
home. 

Mr.  Main  votes  with  the  democracy  and  has  served  as  township  trustee  for 
ten  vears.  In  matters  religious  he  affiliates  with  the  Society  of  Friends  and  his 
wife  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  while  fraternally  he  is  connected  with 
the  Masonic  oiiler  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  his  wife  is  a 
member  of  the  Rebekah  lodge.  During  the  thirty-three  years  he  has  been  a 
resident  of  Sugar  Creek  township  ]\lr.  Main  has  won  the  regard  of  many  with 
whom  he  has  come  in  contact,  and  all  concede  that  he  well  deserves  the  success 
which  has  attended  his  efforts. 


G.  W.  STILWELL. 


One  of  the  representative  farmers  and  stockmen  of  Sugar  Creek  township  is 
G.  W.  Stilwell,  who  owns  one  of  the  valuable  homesteads  of  the  district.  A  na- 
tive of  the  township  where  he  is  now  residing,  Mr.  Stilwell's  natal  day  was  the 
4th  of  July,  1861,  his  parents  having  been  Elias  and  Hannah  (Horner)  Stilwell. 

The  father  was  born  in  Warren  county,  Ohio,  on  the  20th  of  September,  1817, 
while  the  birth  of  the  mother,  who  was  also  a  native  of  the  Buckeye  state,  oc- 
curred in  Preble  county.  The  parents  met  in  the  latter  county  and  were  mar- 
ried in  December,  1837.  Mr.  Stilwell  for  a  time  engaged  in  farming  in  Preble 
counts-,  whence  he  migrated  to  Ran<lol])h  county,  Indiana,  where  they  resided  for 
two  years,  following  which  they  removed  to  Wayne  county,  Indiana,  locating  on 
a  farm  in  New  Garden  township,  which  he  cultivated  until  1857.  In  the  spring 
of  the  latter  year,  together  with  his  wife  and  family,  he  came  to  Iowa,  purchasing 


568  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  ten  acres  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  Poweshiek 
county.  He  wrought  many  improvements  upon  this  property  during  the  long 
period  of  his  occupancy,  engaging  in  general  farming  until  about  ten  years  prior 
to  his  demise,  when  he  retired  to  New  Sharon,  Mahaska  county,  Iowa.  There 
he  passed  away  on  the  12th  of  September,  1895,  the  mother  having  died  in  July, 
1877.  while  the  family  were  residing  on  the  homestead  in  Sugar  Creek  township. 
In  politics  Mr.  Stilwell  was  a  democrat.  He  held  membership  in  the  Masonic 
fraternity  and  both  he  and  his  wife  belonged  to  the  Christian  church.  Twelve 
children  were  born  of  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stilwell :  Benjamin  and  Oba- 
diah,  both  of  whom  are  deceased :  William  E.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Sugar  Creek 
township:  and  Mary  Ann,  Helena  Margaret,  Prudence  Adeline;  Sarah  Jane, 
Emmeline  and  Lydia  Ellen,  all  of  whom  are  deceased ;  John  Andrews,  a  resident 
of  South  Dakota ;  G.  W.,  our  subject :  and  James,  who  lives  in  Missouri. 

The  education  of  G.  W.  Stilwell  was  obtained  in  the  district  schools  of  Sugar 
Creek  township.  In  common  with  the  majority  of  lads  who  are  reared  on  a 
farm  he  was  early  trained  in  the  work  of  the  homestead,  his  responsibility  in- 
creasing as  his  strength  and  ability  developed  with  the  passing  years.  After 
completing  his  studies  he  gave  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  the  work  of  the 
farm  until  he  felt  competent  to  begin  for  liimself.  One  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
of  the  land  now  embraced  in  the  homestead  of  Mr.  Stilwell  was  inherited  from 
his  father.  He  has  so  intelligently  and  capably  directed  his  ventures  as  to  have 
met  with  unusual  success  and  he  now  has  five  hundred  and  five  acres  of  land 
under  cultivation.  In  connection  with  the  cultivation  of  his  extensive  fields  he 
also  raises  stock,  making  a  specialty  of  Poland  China  and  Chester  White  hogs. 
All  of  the  improvements  now  standing  upon  his  property  have  been  erected  dur- 
ing the  period  of  his  occupancy,  and  his  is  one  of  the  most  attractive  places  in 
the  township. 

In  Sugar  Creek  township  Mr.  Stilwell  and  Miss  Georgetta  Craver  were 
united  in  marriage  on  the  6th  of  October,  1883.  Mrs.  Stilwell  was  a  daughter 
of  George  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Mackey)  Craver,  well  known  residents  of  Sugar 
Creek  township  at  that  time.  The  father  was  a  native  of  Pennsylvania  and  the 
mother  of  North  Carolina.  Mr.  Craver,  who  was  a  farmer,  migrated  to  Iowa 
during  the  pioneer  days  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  where 
Mrs.  Craver  passed  away.  He  subsequently  removed  to  Arkansas  and  there  he 
died.  His  political  support  he  always  gave  to  the  candidates  of  the  republican 
party,  and  fraternally  he  was  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows. A  Civil  war  veteran,  he  maintained  relations  with  his  comrades  of  the 
field  through  the  medium  of  the  G.  A.  R.,  in  which  organization  he  held  mem- 
bership. 

Unto  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stilwell  there  was  born  one  son,  Lamont  C, 
who  is  living  on  the  homestead.  He  is  a  native  of  Poweshiek  county,  his  birth 
having  occurred  in  Sugar  Creek  township  on  the  1st  of  July,  1885.  Agricul- 
tural pursuits  have  always  engaged  his  attention  and  for  his  wife  he  chose  Miss 
Myrtle  Saunders,  a  daughter  of  John  L.  and  Ellen  (Quaintance)  Saunders,  resi- 
dents of  New  Sharon,  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  their  marriage  being  solemnized 
on  the  23d  of  December,  1906.  They  have  one  child,  Etta  Ruth,  who  was  born 
July  2,  191 1.     Mrs.  G.  W.  Stilwell  passed  away  on  the  14th  of  March,  1910,  her 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  569 

demise  occurring  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  she  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  cemetery 
at  New  Sharon,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Stilvvell  votes  with  tlie  repubhcan  party  but  does  not  prominently  par- 
ticipate in  ])olitical  activities.  A  man  of  unremitting  diligence  and  perseverance 
he  has  met  with  success  in  his  undertakings  and  is  now  rated  as  one  of  the 
aftlucnt  agriculturists  of  Sugar  Creek  township. 


C.  C.  CRAVER. 


C.  C.  Craver,  whose  honorable  record  as  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war  entitles 
him  to  favorable  mention  among  the  representative  citizens  of  Poweshiek  county, 
was  born  in  Franklinville,  Gloucester  county,  New  Jersey,  on  the  19th  of  June, 
1841,  and  has  therefore  reached  the  seventieth  milestone  on  life's  journey.  His 
parents.  Samuel  and  Elizabeth  (Nelson)  Craver,  were  natives  of  the  same  county 
who,  in  1852,  came  west  to  Indiana  and  in  the  fall  of  1855  arrived  in  Iowa,  locat- 
ing at  Forest  Home,  where  both  passed  away.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by 
occupation  and  devoted  his  entire  lifetime  to  agricultural  pursuits. 

C.  C.  Craver,  who  was  the  fourth  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  fifteen 
children,  was  but  a  year  and  a  half  old  when  he  was  taken  to  the  home  of  his 
uncle,  Cornelius  Cawman,  by  whom  he  was  reared.  With  his  uncle  he  came  to 
Iowa  about  1856,  locating  near  Forest  Home,  in  Union  township,  Poweshiek 
county,  and  here  he  has  since  engaged  in  general  farming.  For  the  past  thirty- 
five  years  he  has  resided  on  his  present  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres, 
located  on  sections  8  and  17,  Deep  River  township,  a  well  improved  property 
e(|uipped  wath  all  the  accessories  and  conveniences   for  facilitating  farm  labor. 

Mr.  Craver  had  just  attained  his  majority  when,  on  the  nth  of  August,  1862, 
he  enlisted  for  service  in  the  Civil  war,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  C, 
Twenty-eighth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  served  throughout  the  remainder 
of  the  war.  He  took  part  in  the  battles  of  Winchester,  Fisher's  Hill  and  Cedar 
Creek,  and  during  the  battle  at  Winchester  was  slightly  wounded.  He  was  in 
the  hospital  during  the  winter  of  1862-3  and  later  was  detailed  for  service  at 
the  headquarters  of  the  cori:)s  under  General  Ranson  during  the  Red  River 
campaign.  He  continued  as  a  private  throughout  the  period  of  hostilities  and 
was  honorably  discharged  after  a  term  of  service  characterized  by  the  utmost 
loyalty  and  bravery. 

On  the  28th  of  February,  1867,  Mr.  Craver  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Light,  who  was  born  in  Illinois  in  1848,  and  in  infancy  was  brought  to 
Iowa  by  her  parents,  Mathias  and  Martha  (Hightower)  Light.  The  father,  who 
was  born  in  \'irginia,  passed  away  in  Montezuma,  and  the  mother,  a  native  of 
Tennessee,  still  survives  and  makes  her  home  in  that  city.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Craver  have  been  born  seven  children,  as  follows :  J.  W.,  of  St.  Joseph,  Mis- 
souri ;  Charles  G.,  of  lone.  New  Mexico :  Frederick  M.,  of  Norfolk,  Virginia ; 
Mrs.  Mary  J.  Stackhouse  and  Mrs.  Sarah  E.  Henzie,  twins,  the  former  now  de- 
ceased and  the  latter  a  resident  of  California ;  Lulu,  who  married  Manuel  Hold- 
erness.  of  Deep  River  township ;  and  Thomas,  of  this  township. 


570  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Mr.  Craver  is  a  republican  in  politics,  giving  stalwart  support  to  the  party 
which  stood  in  defense  of  the  Union  during  the  dark  days  of  the  Civil  war,  and 
he  maintains  pleasant  relations  with  his  old  army  comrades  through  his  mem- 
bership in  Wisener  Post,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Montezuma.  Fraternally  he  is  identified 
with  the  Masonic  order,  belonging  to  Golden  Rod  Lodge,  Xo.  512,  .\.  F.  &  A.  ]M., 
at  Deep  River.  Although  he  has  now  passed  the  seventieth  milestone  on  life's 
journey  he  is  still  active  in  business  and  is  one  of  the  well  known  and  most 
highly  respected  citizens  of  the  county,  for  in  times  of  peace  he  has  ever  re- 
mained as  true  and  loyal  to  the  welfare  of  his  state  and  country  as  in  the  days 
when  following  the  old  flag  on  southern  battle  fields. 


JOHN  MOLER. 


The  consensus  of  ptiblic  opinion  places  John  Moler  among  the  leading  citi- 
zens of  Montezuma,  not  alone  because  of  his  own  success  in  business  but  also 
because  he  has  ever  manifested  a  helpful  spirit  in  matters  relating  to  the  public 
welfare,  giving  generous  support  to  various  projects  for  the  benefit  and  ujj- 
building  of  this  city.  His  entire  life  has  measured  up  to  the  highest  standards 
of  manhood.  His  quietude  of  deportment,  his  easy  dignity,  his  frankness  and 
cordiality  of  address,  with  a  total  absence  of  anything  sinister  or  anything  to 
conceal,  foretoken  a  man  who  is  ready  to  meet  any  obligation  of  life  with  the 
confidence  and  courage  that  come  of  conscious  personal  ability,  ready  concep- 
tion of  things  and  an  habitual  regard  for  what  is  best  in  the  execution  of  human 
activities. 

A  native  of  Adams  county,  Ohio,  he  was  born  November  17,  1847,  ^  ^on  of 
Rev.  Andrew  Moler,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Highland  county,  Ohio,  June  i,^ 
1824.  His  great-grandfather,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Moler,  emigrated  from  Germany 
with  his  parents  in  1747  and  landed  at  Philadelphia,  and  soon  after  the  family 
home  was  established  at  Georgetown,  where  he  remained  until  the  beginning 
of  hostilities  inaugurating  the  Revolutionary  war.  He  served  as  a  defender 
of  American  interests  and  at  the  close  of  the  war  found  himself  in  Georgia.  He 
afterward  went  to  Kentucky  and  thence  to  Highland  county,  Ohio,  where  he 
died  at  the  venerable  age  of  ninety  years.  The  grandfather  was  the  Rev.  John 
Moler,  who  was  born  in  Nicholas  county,  Kentucky,  April  8,  1796,  and  accom- 
panied his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Highland  county,  Ohio.  In  early  man- 
hood he  became  affiliated  with  the  ministry  of  the  German  Baptist  church  and 
devoted  his  life  to  that  calling.  He  also  conducted  agricultural  pursuits  and 
his  career  was  one  of  wide  usefulness  in  behalf  of  his  fellowmen  and  deep 
regret  was  felt  at  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1857. 

Rev.  Andrew  Moler,  the  father,  also  determined  to  devote  his  life  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  as  had  his  father  and  grandfather,  and  was  ordained  in 
the  German  Baptist  church.  He  labored  for  the  moral  uplift  of  the  citizens  of 
Highland  county,  Ohio,  until  1853,  when  he  removed  to  Jay  county,  Indiana. 
There  he  engaged  in  preaching  the  gospel  until  1861,  at  which  time  he  returned 
to  Ohio,  residing  in  Clermont  countv  until  1864,  when  he  came  to  Keokuk  county. 


.JOHN    MOI.KK 


PL- 


3UN0AT10N8. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  573 

Iowa,  settling  on  a  farm  near  South  English.  There  he  carried  on  general  agri- 
cultural pursuits  and  also  continued  his  ministerial  labors  whenever  opportunity 
favored.  He  married  Martha  A.  Phillips,  who  was  born  in  Ohio,  December  13, 
1827.  and  was  a  daughter  of  Asa  F.  Phillips,  a  native  of  Maryland,  wdio  be- 
came one  of  the  early  settlers  of  the  lUickeye  state,  where  he  followed  farming 
until  185 1,  when  he  removed  to  Indiana.  He  was  a  devoted  and  faithful  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  church  and  passed  away  at  the  venerable  age  of  ninety 
years.  His  daughter,  Martha,  became  the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Andrew  Moler  and 
unto  them  were  born  seven  children,  of  whom  five  children  are  still  living. 

lohn  Moler,  the  eldest  of  the  family,  spent  his  youthful  days  in  the  usual 
manner  of  farm  lads  amid  the  agricultural  environment  of  Ohio  and  Indiana. 
and  in  1864  he  came  with  his  father  to  Iowa,  in  which  state  he  aided  in  the 
development  and  improvement  of  the  home  farm,  giving  to  his  father  the  bene- 
fit of  his  services  until  twenty-two  years  of  age.  He  was  then  married  and 
started  out  in  life  on  his  own  account.  It  was  in  1869  that  he  wedded  Miss 
Nancy  M.  Myers,  a  native  of  Virginia  ami  a  daughter  of  Christian  Myers,  one 
of  the  early  settlers  of  Iowa  county,  Iowa,  where  for  many  years  he  engaged 
in  farming.  Following  his  marriage  Mr.  Moler  took  his  bride  to  a  farm  in  Pilot 
township,  Iowa  county,  where  he  purchased  one  hundred  acres  of  raw  land. 
He  then  devoted  his  time  and  energies  to  the  work  of  breaking  the  sod  and 
tilling  the  fields,  and  each  year  witnessed  a  marked  transformation  in  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  place  as  his  care  and  cultivation  converted  it  into  a  valuable 
propertv.  In  1882  he  left  the  farm  and  removed  to  Kinross,  where  he  estab- 
lished a  lumlicr  business  under  the  firm 'name "of  John  Moler  &  Company.  .A 
year  later,  however,  he  came  to  iMon^tezuma,  vyhere  he  has  since  made  his  home. 
He  was  first  connected  with  th^  busmess  interest-s  of  this  city  as  a  grain  and 
lumber  merchant,  built  lumberyards  and  elevators  and  for  a  time  carried  on  his 
interests  under  the  firm  style  of  Moler  &  Company,  which  w^as  later  changed 
to  ^loler  &  Clark  upon  the  admission  of  M.  J.  Clark  to  a  partnership.  His 
elevators  and  cribs,  with  a  capacity  of  forty  thousand  bushels,  were  situated  on 
the  Burlington,  Cedar  Rapids  &  Northern  Railroad  and  the  firm  made  extensive 
annual  shipments.  They  also  handled  all  kinds  of  lumber  and  building  material, 
and.  extending  the  field  of  liis  operations,  Mr.  Moler  became  a  stockholder  in 
the  Savings  IJank  of  Montezuma,  in  the  electric  light  plant  and  also  became 
connected  with  the  lumber  trade  at  Clarion,  Iowa,  as  a  partner  in  the  firm  of 
James  Sturgeon  &  Company.  He  continued  in  the  grain  and  lumber  business 
at  Montezuma  from  1881  until  1908  and  then  sold  out,  but  after  a  brief  pe- 
riod he  again  became  an  active  factor  in  commercial  circles,  opening  a  cloth- 
ing house  in  1910,  which  he  is  now  conducting.  He  has  no  interest  in  the  lum- 
ber business  at  the  present  time  but  he  and  his  former  partner,  Mr.  Clark,  still 
own  the  lumber  and  grain  plant  which  they  have  leased.  Mr.  Moler  is  like- 
wise the  owner  of  a  good  farm  in  Jackson  township,  Poweshiek  county.  His 
business  and  property  interests  are  the  visible  evidence  of  a  well  spent  life, 
whereby  he  has  attained  a  gratifying  measure  of  prosperity. 

In  1900  Mr.  Moler  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  loss  of  his  wife,  who  died 
in  that  year,  leaving  three  daughters,  all  of  whom  are  graduates  of  Cornell 
College.     Elizabeth,  who   for  some  years  was  successfully  engaged  in  teaching, 


574  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

is  now  engaged  in  church  work,  doing  field  work  in  the  Deaconess  Home  at 
Great  Falls,  Montana.  Cora  C.  is  a  graduate  nurse  of  Wesley  Hospital  of 
Chicago  and  is  following  her  profession  in  that  city.  Jennie  is  the  wife  of 
Thomas  C.  Mclntyre,  of  Halsey,  Nebraska.  In  1904  Mr.  Moler  was  again 
married,  his  second  union  being  with  Mrs.  Abbie  S.  Tribbet,  a  daughter  of  F.  A. 
Kilburn,  a  pioneer  merchant  of  Montezuma. 

In  community  affairs  Mr.  Moler  has  ever  taken  a  deep  and  helpful  interest 
and  gives  his  aid  and  cooperation  to  many  measures  and  projects  for  the  general 
good.  He  is  serving  as  member  of  the  city  council  and  for  seven  years,  from 
1900  until  1907,  filled  the  office  of  county  supervisor.  He  has  always  voted 
the  republican  ticket  and  its  principles  have  found  in  him  a  stalwart  supporter. 
Socially  he  is  connected  with  both  the  subordinate  lodge  and  encampment  of 
the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  also  with  the  Iowa  Legion  of  Honor, 
of  which  he  formerly  served  as  secretary  and  treasurer  for  ten  years.  He  has 
long  been  a  devoted  and  faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  church,  in  which  he 
has  served  as  a  trustee,  and  was  also  a  delegate  to  its  general  conference  in 
1900.  His  life  has  been  active,  busy  and  useful,  crowned  not  only  with  ma- 
terial success  as  the  reward  of  his  industry  but  also  with  the  high  regard  of 
his  fellowmen,  tendered  him  in  recognition  of  sterling  worth. 


WALTER  A.  ERASER. 


Walter  A.  Fraser,  one  of  the  thrifty  and  prosperous  young  agricuUurists  of 
Warren  township,  is  the  owner  of  a  well  improved  farm  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  on  section  30.  His  birth  occurred  in  Bear  Creek  township.  Powe- 
shiek county,  on  the  17th  of  March.  1870,  his  parents  being  Donald  and  Alartha 
J.  (Coulson)  Fraser.  The  mother,  a  lady  of  German  descent,  was  born  near 
Columbus,  Franklin  county,  Ohio,  and  is  now  living  at  Anthon,  Woodbury 
county,  Iowa,  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Edna  Moore.  Donald  Fraser,  known  by 
his  friends  as  "Uncle  Donald,"  was  born  on  the  30th  of  October,  1831,  at  Inver- 
ness-shire, Scotland,  where  he  resided  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  On 
attaining  his  majority  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States,  settling  in 
Illinois.  In  1856  he  came  to  Iowa  and  took  up  his  abode  on  a  farm  near  Brook- 
lyn. Poweshiek  county.  At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  for  service  in 
defense  of  the  Union,  joining  the  Fourth  Iowa  Cavalry  on  the  20th  of  February, 
1864,  and  remaining  with  that  command  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  He  par- 
ticipated in  sixteen  decisive  engagements  and  when  the  war  had  ended  returned 
to  his  farm  in  Bear  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  here  residing  until  Feb- 
ruary, 1893.  At  that  time  he  removed  to  Woodbury  county,  Iowa,  making  his 
home  near  Anthon  until  called  to  his  final  rest  on  the  8th  of  September,  1909. 
He  was  an  honored  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic.  On  the  22d 
of  October,  1858.  at  Brooklyn,  Iowa,  he  had  wedded  Miss  Martha  Jane  Coulson, 
by  whom  he  had  seven  children,  namely :  J.  S.,  who  operates  a  farm  of  one  hun- 
dred and  eighty-five  acres  belonging  to  A.  Braden,  and  who  married  Miss  Georg- 
iana  Adams,  a  daughter  of  Warren  Adams,  an  agriculturist  of  Warren  town- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  575 

ship:  Walter  A.,  of  this  review;  Kufus,  wIk)  follows  farming  in  Woodbury 
county,  Iowa,  and  who  wedded  Miss  Letha  Waldo  of  that  county ;  Catharine, 
the  wife  of  Wilmer  Adams,  an  agriculturist  of  Warren  township,  this  county; 
Edna,  the  widow  of  Henry  Moore,  and  who  resides  in  Woodbury  county,  this 
state ;  Sallie,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen  years ;  and  Harvey,  who  passed 
away  when  a  little  lad  of  three  years  of  age. 

Walter  A.  Fraser  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  fields  until  he  was 
twenty  years  of  age,  when  he  started  out  as  an  agriculturist  on  his  own  account. 
He  devoted  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  rented  land  in  Bear  Creek  and 
Warren  townships  for  nine  years  and  then  purchased  the  tract  of  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  which  has  since  remained  in  his  possession.  By  an  additional 
purchase  of  forty  acres  he  has  since  extended  the  boundaries  of  his  farm  to  in- 
clude a  quarter  section  of  land.  In  addition  to  raising  the  cereals  best  adapted  to 
soil  and  climate  he  also  breeds  registered  Hereford  cattle.  He  feeds  both  cattle 
and  hogs  and  ships  his  stock  to  Chicago.  He  has  won  a  gratifying  measure  of 
success  in  his  undertakings  as  a  farmer  and  stockman  and  is  widely  recognized 
as  one  of  the  substantial  and  representative  citizens  of  the  community. 

On  the  6th  of  March,  1895,  Mr.  Fraser  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Clara 
Willett,  a  daughter  of  Cornelius  and  Eliza  (Adams)  Willett.  Mr.  Willett,  a 
well  known  agriculturist  of  Warren  township,  is  now  living  retired  in  the  home 
of  his  daughter,  Mrs.  Fraser.  His  wife  died  on  the  i8th  of  December,  1904, 
her  demise  occurring  at  the  home  of  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Ira  Baker,  of  Bear 
Creek  township,  this  county.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fraser  have  been  born  five 
children,  namely:  Vergie,  who  is  fifteen  years  old;  Eva,  aged  tv/elve  years; 
Gladys  and  Florence,  who  are  eleven  and  seven  years  of  age  respectively ;  and 
Dorothy,  who  was  born  on  the  18th  of  March,  1909,  and  died  on  the  21st  of  De- 
cember, 1910.  All  of  the  living  children  are  students  in  district  school  No.  9, 
Warren  township. 

Mr.  Fraser  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party,  while  fra- 
ternally he  is  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  at  Brook- 
lyn. His  wife  is  a  faithful  member  of  the  Episcopal  church  at  that  place.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Fraser  enjoy  in  large  measure  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  those  with 
whom  thev  have  come  in  contact,  and  the  hospitality  of  their  pleasant  home  is 
greatly  enjoyed  by  their  many  friends. 


JOHN  D.  BAGENSTOS. 

His  present  homestead  was  the  scene  of  the  birth  of  John  D.  Bagenstos, 
which  occurred  in  a  log  house  on  section  23,  Madison  township,  this  coimty,  on 
the  5th  of  September,  iSfio.  His  parents  were  John  L.  and  Elizabeth  (Hellman) 
Bagenstos,  both  natives  of  Berks  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  of  German  extrac- 
tion. The  father  was  born  on  the  19th  of  March.  1814,  and  the  mother  on  the 
7th  of  November,  1823.  They  were  married  in  1842  and  for  ten  years  there- 
after continued  to  reside  in  the  Keystone  state.    In  1855  they  migrated  to  Iowa, 


576  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

locating  upon  the  farm  where  their  son  John  D.  now  resides,  which  at  that  time 
was  neither  cleared  nor  improved.  Mr.  Bagenstos  felled  the  trees  necessary  for 
the  construction  of  his  cabin,  which  was  the  third  erected  in  Madison  township. 
Forty  trees  were  needed  for  which  he  was  charged  fifty  cents  apiece,  but  not 
having  the  cash  to  spare  he  agreed  to  work  for  them  at  the  rate  of  fifty  cents 
per  day.  The  drawing  knife  which  he  used  in  splitting  and  shaving  the  shingles 
for  the  roof  is  now  one  of  the  valued  possessions  of  his  son.  i\Ir.  Bagenstos, 
who  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  resided  upon  his  homestead  until  1901,  when  he 
retired  from  active  farming  and  now  makes  his  home  with  his  children.  He  is 
now  ninety-seven  years  of  age  but  is  well  and  in  full  possession  of  his  faculties, 
being  able  to  read  without  glasses.  His  wife  passed  away  at  the  home  of  her 
daughter,  Mrs.  Albert  Igou,  in  Laporte  City,  Iowa,  on  the  7th  of  November, 
1897,  which  was  the  seventy-fourth  anniversary  of  her  birth.  They  were  the 
parents  of  the  following  children :  Emma,  the  widow  of  Chester  Fuller  of 
the  state  of  New  York,  who  was  killed  in  the  Civil  war.  and  now  residing  in 
Belle  Plaine,  Iowa :  William  H.,  a  retired  contractor  living  at  Laporte  City,  and 
who  married  Miss  Catharine  Knodle,  of  Illinois;  Jacob  N.,  who  died  at  the  age 
of  three  years  in  llerks  county,  Pennsylvania:  James  W.,  a  farmer  of  Jessup, 
Iowa,  who  married  ^liss  Sarah  Kachel  of  Tama  county,  Iowa;  Catharine,  who 
married  B.  B.  Mogle,  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  John  D.,  our  subject;  and 
Mary,  the  wife  of  Albert  Igou,  of  Laporte  City,  Iowa. 

The  entire  life  of  John  D.  Bagenstos  has  been  spent  on  his  present  homestead, 
his  education  being  acquired  in  the  district  schools  of  Madison  township,  upon 
the  comiiletion  of  which  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  farm  un- 
til the  latter's  retirement  in  18S4.  when  the  son  bought  the  property.  Me  has 
added  to  his  tract  from  time  to  time  until  he  now  owns  one  hundred  and  seven- 
ty-five acres,  eleven  acres  of  which  is  natural  forest.  The  property  is  known  as 
Hickory  Lawn  Farm  and  is  one  of  the  best  known  stock  farms  in  central  Iowa. 
Three  years  ago  Mr.  Bagenstos  disposed  of  all  of  his  graded  stock  and  now 
keeps  nothing  but  registered  thc^rdughbreds.  He  now  owns  thirt\-  head  of  reg- 
istered shorthorns  and  he  has  one  hundred  head  of  large  tyjie,  big-boned  Poland 
China  hogs.  For  the  past  twenty  years  he  has  been  breeding  this  line  of  hogs 
and  he  holds  semi-annual  sales  which  are  attended  bv  breeders  from  all  over  the 
country.  He  also  has  a  fine  flock  of  registered  Shropshire  sheep  which  he 
started  three  years  ago.  Mrs.  Bagenstos  is  her  husband's  partner  and  devotes 
her  attention  to  the  raising  of  barred  Plymouth  Rock  chickens. 

.On  the  14th  of  February,  1882,  Mr.  Bagenstos  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Clara  Kent,  a  daughter  of  Hiram  and  N'iretta  (Eirp)  Kent,  who  at  that 
time  were  residents  of  Adams  county,  Iowa.  Mr.  Kent,  who  was  a  farmer,  was 
born  in  l^utnam  county,  Indiana,  on  the  20th  of  April,  1845,  migrating  to  Iowa 
with  his  people  when  a  lad  of  ten  years  of  age.  Mrs.  Kent,  who  was  born  in 
Mercer  county,  ^Missouri,  on  the  1st  of  January,  1845,  came  to  Iowa  with  her 
parents  when  four  years  of  age.  -Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kent  were  married  in  Monte- 
zuma, this  county,  in  1863,  continuing  to  reside  here  until  1882,  when  they  re- 
moved to  .-Xdams  countw  where  they  lived  for  sixteen  years  and  then  went  to 
Tavlor  county,  where  he  continues  to  reside.  Mrs.  Kent  i)as.sed  away  near 
Clearfield,  Taylor  county,  on  the  30th  of  November,   1910. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  577 

Mr.  Bagenstos  is  a  member  of  Brooklyn  Lodge.  No.  114,  I.  O.  ( ).  [•".,  ICn- 
campment  No.  36  and  Canton  No.  12,  also  of  Brooklyn,  while  he  and  his  wife 
belong  to  Rebekah  Lodge,  No.  202.  Independent  in  politics  lie  always  gives  his 
support  to  the  man  he  considers  to  be  best  qualified  for  the  office,  irrespective 
of  part\  affiliation,  lie  has  never  actively  particii)ated  in  township  affairs,  but 
served  for  four  years  as  school  director  and  was  also  road  supervisor  for  a  time. 
Mr.  I'.ageiistos  is  meeting  with  lucrative  returns  from  his  ventures  and  takes 
great  pride  in  liis  homestead,  which  is  endeared  to  him  by  the  associations  of  a 
lifetime. 


•    ELMER  E.  RAYBURN. 

Rimer  E.  Ka\l)urn,  the  [>opular  and  efficient  jiostmaster  of  Brooklyn,  was 
born  in  i.yiiiuille.  Jasper  county,  Iowa,  on  the  ist  of  October,  1861,  a  son  of  Dr. 
Cyrus  E.  and  X.  Helen  (Conway)  Rayburn.  The  parents  were  both  natives  of 
Ohio  and  were  reared  in  that  state,  but  at  an  early  day  came  to  Iowa,  where  they 
were  married.  The}'  arrived  in  I'oweshiek  county  before  the  inauguration  of 
the  Ci\'il  war  and  immediately  after  the  cessation  of  hostilities  took  up  their 
abode  in  Brooklyji.  where  their  remaining  days  were  spent.  The  father,  who 
devoted  his  entire  life  to  the  medical  profession,  enlisted  at  the  time  of  the  Civil 
war  from  Poweshiek  county  as  assistant  surgeon  of  Company  H,  Fortieth  Regi- 
ment Colored  Infantry,  and  served  in  that  capacity  throughout  almost  the  en- 
tire period  of  the  war.  After  his  arrival  in  Brooklyn  he  built  a  drug  store  here 
and  was  engaged  in  its  operation  for  a  number  of  years.  At  different  times  he 
was  associated  with  a  partner  in  the  drug  business,  and  for  several  years  was 
also  railroad  surgeon  for  the  Rock  Island  system  at  this  point.  He  manifested 
much  ability  in  his  chosen  life  work  and  occupied  a  prominent  position  in  the 
commercial  circles  of  this  community,  where  a  most  substantial  patronage  was 
accorded  him.  Me  was  a  lifelong  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  also  belonged  to  the  Masonic  fraternity,  and  in  the  teachings  and  principles 
of  these  organizations  lay  the  root  of  the  kindly,  humanitarian  spirit  which  ever 
characterized  him.  He  passed  away  in  this  city,  in  1880,  at  the  early  age  of 
fortv-five  years,  and  his  wife's  demise  occurred  in  Grinnell  in  1002,  when  she 
reached  her  sixty-fifth  year.  In  their  family  were  four  children,  of  whom  El- 
mer E..  of  this  review,  was  the  eldest.  The  others  are:  Alda  F..  the  wife  of 
J.  C.  Kibby,  of  ( irinncll  ;  May  I.,  who  married  R.  T.  Arnold,  cashier  of  the  First 
Xational  Bank  <<{  Xewton  :  and  Rose,  now  Mrs.  l'>.  A.  Moore,  of  Tacoma,  Wash- 
ington. 

Elmer  F.  Rayburn  was  a  little  lad  of  four  \ears  of  age  when  brought  to 
Rrooklvn  with  his  parents,  and  he  has  therefore  passed  almost  his  entire  life 
in  this  community.  .\t  the  usual  age  he  was  sent  to  the  jiublic  schools  in  the 
acquirement  of  his  e<lucatii)n.  and  remained  a  pupil  therein  until  the  ileath  of 
his  father  made  it  necessar)-  for  him  to  seek  employment.  Thereupon  he  ac- 
cejiteil  a  position  as  clerk  in  a  grocery  store  and  thus  took  his  initial  stej)  in  the 
business  world.  He  remained  in  that  cajiacity  for  a  number  of  years  but  in  the 
meantime  had  made  it  a  point  to  master  thoronghly  every  detail  of  the  business 


578  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

so  that,  when  his  carefully  saved  earnings  were  sufficient  to  enable  liim  to  enter 
business  on  his  own  account,  he  was  well  equippe<l  by  comprehensive  knowledge 
and  experience  to  meet  the  responsibilities  involved  in  the  conduct  of  an  inde- 
pendent venture.  He  embarked  in  the  grocery  business  and  for  nine  years  was 
most  successfully  connected  with  that  field  of  activity,  his  excellent  business 
ability,  careful  management  and  progressive  and  honorable  methods  insuring 
him  a  substantial  and  ever  increasing  patronage.  In  1902,  however,  he  with- 
drew from  private  business  interests  to  give  his  time  and  attention  wholly  to  the 
duties  of  postmaster,  to  which  position  he  had  been  appointed,  and  for  nine 
years  he  has  been  the  efficient  and  able  incumbent  of  that  office.  He  is  a  most 
popular  official,  for  during  the  forty-six  years  in  which  he  has  resided  in  Brook- 
lyn he  has  become  well  known  to  his  fellow  townsmen,  who  respect  him  for 
his  genial  qualities,  his  high  moral  character  and  his  fine  qualities  of  citizenship. 

In  1897  Mr.  Rayburn  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nellie  R.  Blanchard, 
who  was  born  in  New  England,  August  7,  i860,  a  daughter  of  Elijah  and  Mary 
A.  (Rice)  Blanchard.  Her  parents  brought  their  family  to  Iowa  in  1864  and 
in  Brooklyn  the  father  passed  away.  The  mother,  however,  still  survives  and 
makes  her  home  here  with  her  children.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rayburn  have 
been  born  five  children,  but  the  second  son,  Lawrence,  passed  away  in  infancy. 
The  surviving  members  are:  Alphonso,  Ralph,  Clarence  and  Helen. 

Since  age  bestowed  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  and  he  proudly  cast  his 
first  vote  Mr.  Rayburn  has  never  swerved  in  his  support  of  the  republican  party 
and  has  ever  kept  well  informed  on  the  vital  questions  and  issues  of  the  day, 
although  he  has  never  been  a  politician  in  the  sense  of  office  seeking.  He  finds 
inspiration  for  the  faithful  performance  of  each  day's  duties  through  his  mem- 
bership in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  with  which  he  has  been  afiiliated 
since  a  lad  of  fifteen  years,  and  he  is  now  serving  on  the  official  board  of  the 
church.  Ordering  his  life  according  to  honorable  and  manly  principles  he  is 
proving  himself  a  valuable  citizen  both  in  private  and  public  relations,  and  has 
the  esteem  of  all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact. 


EDWIN  GRANVIL  LINSTED. 

Edwin  Granvil  Linsted,  who  is  engaged  in  the  cultivation  of  the  old  family 
homestead  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  was  born  in  Gardner,  Maine,  on  the  nth 
of  April,  1855.  He  is  a  son  of  the  late  Alfred  P.  and  Mary  (Comstock)  Lin- 
sted, the  father  a  native  of  Boston  and  the  mother  of  Great  Barrington,  Massa- 
chusetts. The  father,  who  was  a  papermaker  by  trade,  worked  in  the  mills  of 
Gardner,  Maine,  until  1857.  The  year  previous  he  had  purchased  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  of  land  from  the  government  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  Powe- 
shiek county,  upon  which  he  and  his  family  settled  in  1857.  He  immediately 
began  improving  his  homestead,  continuing  its  cultivation  until  a  few  years  prior 
to  his  death,  when  he  retired.  The  mother  passed  away  on  the  iSth  of  April, 
1892,  but  the  father  survived  her  until  the  12th  of  August,  1900.  Mr.  Linsted 
always  voted  with  the  democratic  party  and  he  served  his  township  in  the  capac- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  579 

ity  of  trustee  and  justice  of  the  peace.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Grange  and 
Mrs.  Linsted  affiliated  with  the  United  Brethren  church.  To  them  were  born 
six  children  in  the  following  order  of  birth :  John,  who  is  deceased ;  Sylvester,  a 
resident  of  Sugar  Creek  township;  Edwin  Granvil,  our  subject;  Anna  M.,  who 
married  Remain  Northcutt,  of  Jasper  county,  Iowa;  Alfred  H.,  a  resident  of 
Sugar  Creek  township;  and  Harriet,  the  wife  of  William  Lowry,  of  Sugar  Creek 
township. 

As  he  was  only  a  lad  of  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents  settled  in  Sugar 
Creek  township  Edwin  Granvil  Linsted  has  spent  practically  his  entire  life  in  the 
vicinity  where  he  is  now  residing.  His  education  was  obtained  in  the  district 
schools  in  the  vicinity  of  the  homestead,  which  he  attended  until  it  was  considered 
that  he  had  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  common  branches  to  enable  him  to  pursue 
his  vocation.  During  his  school  days  and  after  completing  his  studies  he  assisted  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm,  remaining  a  member  of  the  parental  household 
until  he  was  thirty  years  of  age.  In  1885  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Sugar  Creek 
township  and  began  in  life  for  himself.  Later  he  bought  the  old  family  home- 
stead of  one  hundred  and  forty  acres.  He  has  made  quite  extensive  improve- 
ments in  this  property  during  the  period  of  his  ownership,  having  erected  several 
new  buildings.  He  follows  general  farming  and  is  meeting  with  success,  realiz- 
ing very  satisfactory  returns  from  the  sale  of  his  crops.  He  is  also  a  director  of 
the  Taintor  Savings  Bank,  located  at  Taintor,  Iowa. 

In  national  and  state  elections  Mr.  Linsted  gives  his  support  to  the  men  and 
measures  of  the  democratic  party,  but  in  local  afifairs  he  always  casts  an  inde- 
pendent ballot,  voting  for  the  men  he  deems  best  qualified  for  the  offices.  He 
has  capably  served  his  constituency  in  the  capacity  of  assessor  and  township 
clerk,  while  for  one  term  he  filled  the  office  of  constable  and  acted  as  road  super- 
visor for  eight  or  ten  years.  Fraternally  he  affiliates  with  the  Masonic  order, 
being  a  member  of  Lebanon  Lodge,  No.  227,  Lynnville,  Jasper  county,  Iowa. 
Mr.  Linsted  is  one  of  the  widely  known  and  highly  regarded  men  of  the  town- 
ship, and  counts  among  his  close  friends  many  of  the  comrades  of  his  boyhood, 
which  is  a  most  favorable  tribute  to  his  character. 


JOHN   PATRICK  FORD. 

John  Patrick  Ford  has  always  devoted  his  energies  to  agricultural  pursuits 
since  his  earliest  youth.  He  was  born  in  Washington  township,  Poweshiek  county, 
Iowa,  on  the  14th  of  June,  1866,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Catharine  E.  (Riley) 
Ford.  The  father  emigrated  from  Ireland  to  the  United  States  in  early  man- 
hood and  upon  his  arrival  in  this  country  first  located  at  Joliet,  'Illinois,  becom- 
ing a  resident  of  that  city  in  1853.  ^t  was  there  he  met  and  subsequently  mar- 
ried Miss  Riley,  and  soon  thereafter  they  migrated  to  Iowa,  settling  on  a  farm 
in  W'ashington  township,  Poweshiek  county.  The  cultivation  of  this  engaged 
the  attention  of  Mr.  Ford  until  his  demise  in  1874.  His  wife  survived  him  for 
ten  years,  her  death  occurring  in  1884.  There  were  born  ten  children  in  their 
family,  five  sons  and  five  daughters.     The  majority  were  very  delicate  and  died 


5hO  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

wliik'  >till  quite  young,  but  three  are  .'-till  living,  as  follows:  James  !•"..  jr., 
1  lunie  E.  and  John  Patrick. 

As  he  was  but  eight  years  of  age  when  his  father  died  and  a  member  of  a 
large  family,  John  Patrick  Ford  was  early  compelled  to  assume  his  share  in 
the  cultivation  of  the  farm.  In  the  acquirement  of  his  education  he  attended 
the  district  schools  of  Washington  township  at  such  times  as  his  services  were 
lint  required  at  home.  After  mastering  the  common  branches  he  laid  aside  his 
text-books  and  gave  his  undivided  attention  to  the  operation  of  the  fields  and 
care  of  the  stock.  Being  somewhat  stronger  than  the  majority  of  the  family 
he  was  very  much  needed  at  home,  where  he  remained  so  long  as  his  services 
were  required. 

On  the  22d  of  October,  18.89.  ^^^-  ^'ord  established  a  home  of  his  own  by 
his  marriage  to  Miss  Marie  Marchal.  the  event  occurring  at  Searsboro,  Powe- 
shiek County.  Mrs.  Ford  is  a  native  of  France,  from  which  country  she  emi- 
grated with  her  parents  in  1869.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ford  were  bom  three 
children,  but  one  son  and  the  daughter  dieil  in  infancy,  so  that  the  only  sur- 
viving member  of  their  family  is  William  Henry,  who  is  unmarried. 

Mr.  Ford  is  a  stanch  adherent  of  the  principles  of  the  democratic  party, 
for  whose  candidates  he  always  casts  his  ballot,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are 
communicants  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church,  to  the  teachings  of  which  tl  ey 
have  ever  been  most  loyal,  finding  in  them  the  comfort  and  solace  of  their  spiritual 
needs. 


ei;frh.\rt  i..\rsi'.x. 


Manv  of  the  most  sturdy  traits  of  the  Norwegian  race  have  found  exem- 
plificatiun  in  the  life  of  Eberhart  Larsen,  a  prosperous  farmer  and  stock- 
raiser  of  Malcom  township.  He  was  born  in  the  land  of  the  midnight  sun  on 
the  19th  of  April,  1846,  a  son  of  Louis  and  Hennana  Larsen,  lifelong  residents 
of  Norway,  where  they  engaged  in  farming.  Their  family  consisted  of  four 
children,  as  follows:  Ole.  residing  in  his  native  country;  Eberhart,  of  this  re- 
view: .-\rne,  of  Minnesota:  and  Carrie  who  ]3assed  away  at  the  age  of  fourteen 
years. 

Fortunate  in  spending  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  amid  the 
wholesome  scenes  and  environment  of  rural  life  Eberhart  Larsen  early  learned 
the  tasks  that  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  country  lad.  and  under  the  capable  direc- 
tion of  his  father  mastered  many  of  the  lessons  concerning  the  value  of  in- 
<lustry,  perseverance  and  thrift,  lie  remained  untler  the  parental  roof  until  he 
was  nineteen  years  of  age,  but  the  call  of  the  new  world  finally  became  irre- 
sistible and  he  'decided  to  seek  a  home  and  fortune  in  .\merica.  .Vcconlingly 
he  made  the  journey  across  the  .\tlantic  in  1865,  and  upon  arriving  in  the 
Cnited  States  made  his  way  at  once  to  Chicago.  I'^rom  that  cit\-  he  went  to 
the  timber  lands  (tf  Michigan,  where  he  was  employed  for  three  years,  and  in 
1868  came  tn  Poweshiek  county,  locating  in  Malcom  township.  Here  his  cousin. 
Ole  Paulsiiii,  unnn  coming  from  Chicago,  had  invested  in  all  of  the  land  com- 
prising section  30.  and  of  this  property   Mr.  Larsen  and  his  brother  .\rnc  \n\r- 


MR.   AND   MRS.   KBERHAKT   LARSEX 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  583 

chasc^l  a  quarter  section.  Later  he  bought  out  liis  brother's  interest  and  is  now 
the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  located  on  section  30,  Malcom  town- 
ship. It  was  raw  prairie  haul  when  it  came  into  his  possession,  but  through 
years  of  well  directed  etiorts,  unfaltering  enterprise  and  wise  management 
It  has  been  brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  its  well  tilled  fields  yield- 
ing anmially  abundant  harvests  in  return  for  the  care  and  labor  bestowed 
ui)un  them,  lie  carries  on  general  farming  and  stock-raising  and  in  both  di- 
rections is  meeting  with  well  merited  success.  At  one  time  he  was  the  owner 
of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres,  but  has  since  sold  eighty  acres  to  his  son 
Herman. 

(  )n  the  Jth  of  March,  1873,  Mr.  Larsen  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
L(iui>c  Appleby,  who  was  also  a  native  of  Norway,  her  birth  occurring  there 
on  the  13th  of  July,  1853.  She  was  called  to  her  final  rest  on  the  21st  of 
April,  1884.  and  later  Mr.  Larsen  married  her  sister,  Mrs.  Martha  (Appleby) 
Armstrong,  who  was  born  in  Norway  on  the  4th  of  February,  1856.  lioth  of 
the  sisters  came  to  the  United  States  in  1868  with  their  parents,  Christ  and 
Anna  (Knutensen)  Appleby.  The  parents  are  now  deceased,  the  father  pass- 
ing away  on  his  farm  in  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  while  the  mother  spent  her  last 
days  in  the  home  of  Mr.  Larsen.  In  their  family  were  four  sons  and  four 
ilaughters. 

Unto  the  first  union  of  Mr.  Larsen  were  born  six  children,  as  follows: 
Hannah  Lily,  the  wife  of  Charles  Bell,  of  Osceola  coimty;  Carrie,  a  nurse  of 
Chicago ;  Clara,  who  married  John  Alersen,  of  Poweshiek  county ;  Herman,  of 
Malcom  township:  Emma,  at  home  :•  gnd -Anna,  who  passed  away  in  mfancy. 
Lntu  the  second  union  were  born  five  .c.hitdren, -namely :  Anna,  who  wedded 
Leonard  Halstead,  of  Grinnell  tow^sh'^'?''Manuej,,j  Agnes  and  Rebecca,  all  at 
home :  and  Karl,  who  died  in  infancy. 

The  religious  belief  of  Mr.  Larson  ieM2>4'fWti<i«. Lutheran  church,  the  teach- 
ing>  of  which  have  been  the  guiding~fhtlnei»ce.  of  'his  life.  He  gives  his  sup- 
port to  the  republican  party,  and  although  he  has  never  sought  to  figure  in 
the  public  eye  he  has  nevertheless  ever  been  loyal  and  public-spirited  in  his 
citizenship,  being  numbered  among  the  county's  respected  and  valued  adopted 
sons.  Though  born  across  the  water  he  is  thoroughly  American  in  thought 
and  feeling  antl  is  patriotic  and  sincere  in  his  love  for  the  stars  and  stripes. 


SAMUEL  PRESTON  TISH. 

Iowa  is  constantly  attracting  a  class  of  progressive  citizens  who  recognize 
the  opportunities  here  offered  and  ulitize  them  for  the  advancement  of  their  in- 
dividual prosperity.  Almost  three  decades  have  passed  since  Samuel  Preston 
Tish  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  and  during  the  intervening  period  he  has  gained 
a  prominent  place  among  the  progressive,  enterprising  and  prosperous  farmers 
I  if  this  locality. 

One  of  Ohio's  native  sons  he  was  born  in  Knox  county  on  the  26th  of  Au- 
gust, 1857,  his  parents  being  James  and  Harriett  (Ray)  Tish.  whose  births  also 


584  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

occurred  in  Ohio,  the  former's  in  Knox  county  and  the  latter's  in  Coshocton 
county.  The  father  carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  on  a  farm  near  Frederick- 
town  for  a  number  of  years  prior  to  his  demise  and  served  for  several  terms 
as  constable.  He  was  a  democrat  in  politics  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were 
members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Both  passed  away  in  Kno.x  county, 
Ohio.  In  their  family  were  eight  children,  as  follows:  Jane,  the  wife  of  Henry 
Sells,  of  Mount  \'ernon,  Ohio:  Mary,  deceased:  Samuel  Preston,  of  'his  re- 
view ;  Henry,  a  resident  of  Mount  Vernon,  Ohio ;  V'elaningham,  Edward  and 
Isaac,  all  deceased :  and  John,  of  Mount  Vernon. 

Samuel  Preston  Tish  is  indebted  to  the  district  schools  of  his  native  county 
for  the  educational  privileges  which  he  enjoyed  during  the  period  of  his  boy- 
hood and  youth,  and  the  home  farm  was  the  training  ground  upon  which  he 
received  his  preparation  for  life's  practical  duties.  He  assisted  his  father  in  the 
cultivation  of  the  fields  for  a  time,  and  then  was  employed  by  others  until  he 
was  twenty-six  years  of  age.  In  1882  he  came  to  Iowa,  first  locating  on  a  farm 
near  Searsboro  in  Washington  township,  Poweshiek  county,  which  he  rented  for 
five  years,  after  which  he  spent  a  similar  period  in  Xew  Sharon,  Mahaska  county, 
Iowa.  Returning  to  Poweshiek  county,  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Sugar  Creek  town- 
ship, purchasing  a  farm  of  eighty  acres  which  has  since  remained  the  scene  of  his 
activities.  He  has  greatly  enhanced  the  value  of  the  property  since  it  came  into 
his  possession,  for  he  has  brought  his  fields  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and 
has  introduced  upon  the  place  all  of  the  modern  inventions  in  farm  machinery 
with  which  to  successfully  carry  on  his  occupation.  He  is  engaged  in  general 
farming  and  his  well  directed  efforts  and  close  application  are  meeting  with  sub- 
stantial success,  his  annual  har\'est  enabling  him  to  place  himself  in  comfortable 
circumstances. 

Mr.  Tish  w-as  married,  in  1884,  to  Miss  Annie  Watson,  a  daughter  of  Simon 
and  Susan  Watson,  both  natives  of  Owen  county,  Indiana,  where  the  father's 
birth  occurred  on  the  nth  of  Alarch,  1835,  ^"d  the  mother's  on  the  6th  of  June. 
1845.  The  father,  a  farmer  by  occupation,  came  to  Powe-shiek  county.  Iowa,  in 
1856,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  while  later  he  purchased  the 
place  upon  which  Mr.  Tish  now  resides,  and  upon  which  his  death  occurred  on 
the  4th  of  April,  1908.  The  mother  still  survives,  however,  and  resides  with  her 
children.  Like  her  husband,  she  holds  membership  in  the  Society  of  Friends. 
In  his  political  belief  Mr.  Watson  was  a  democrat.  In  their  family  were 
seven  children,  as  follows :  I\Irs.  Tish,  who  was  born  in  Sugar  Creek  tow'nship 
on  the  9th  of  August,  1863:  Belle,  the  wife  of  Jesse  Rivers,  residing  in  Washing- 
ton township,  Poweshiek  county :  George,  a  resident  of  Marshalltown,  Iowa : 
Walter,  deceased ;  Fred,  of  this  township ;  Winslow,  who  has  also  passed  away : 
and  Elmer,  of  Union  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tish  have  been  blessed  with 
three  children,  as  follows:  Edward  E.,  born  December  11,  1892,  at  Washington 
township :  Martha,  deceased ;  and  Marie,  born  November  29,  1896,  at  New 
Sharon,  Mahaska  county,  Iowa.  They  also  have  one  adopted  son,  Fred,  who 
was  born  on  the  28th  of  March,  1890,  at  Searsboro,  Iowa. 

Mr.  Tish's  religious  belief  is  that  of  the  Christian  church,  while  in  politics  he 
casts  an  independent  ballot,  unhampered  by  party  ties  or  machine  rule.  He  votes 
for  the  best  men  and  most  desirable  measures,  and  his  influence  is  ever  cast  upon 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  585 

the  side  of  those  issues  which  have  for  their  object  the  development  and  im- 
provement of  the  community.  I'pright  character  and  sterling  worth  have  gained 
him  a  favorable  place  in  the  regard  of  many  friends,  and  Sugar  Creek  town- 
ship numbers  him  among  her  valued  and  representative  citizens. 


JOHN  C.  SANDERS. 


John  C.  Sanders  is  living  retired  in  a  pleasant  home  in  Deep  River,  surrounded 
with  friends  and  with  all  the  comforts  that  go  to  make  life  worth  living.  He  was 
born  In  JefYerson  county,  Ohio,  June  2,  1848,  a  son  of  George  E.  and  !VIariah 
(Scott)  Sanders,  the  former  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  born  July  7,  1809,  and 
the  latter  born  in  Maryland,  June  13,  181 3.  The  parents  were  married  in 
1833,  after  which  they  removed  to  Ohio.  The  father  came  to  Poweshiek 
county  in  1854  and  here  entered  a  half  section  of  land,  located  two  miles  north 
of  Deep  River.  He  then  returned  to  his  home  in  Ohio  and  after  ten  years,  in 
1864,  returned  with  his  family  to  Poweshiek  county,  here  establishing  a  per- 
manent home.  He  was  a  millwright  by  trade,  following  that  pursuit  in  his  early 
life,  but  engaged  in  farming  during  his  later  years.  He  was  one  of  two  chil- 
dren, his  elder  brother  being  Benjamin.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sanders  were  born 
ten  children,  namely:  Robert  K.,  who  died  in  1867;  Thomas  S.,  who  served  in 
the  Civil  war  with  an  Ohio  regiment  and  is  now  residing  in  Steubenville,  that 
state:  Nancy  A.,  the  widow  of  George  Frederick,  a  resident  of  Albia,  Iowa; 
Mrs.  Mary  J.  Grier,  deceased  :  Levi  D.,  who  departed  this  life  in  Ohio:  James  E., 
who  served  for  four  years  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of  Company  G.,  Fifty- 
second  Ohio  \'olunteer  Infantry,  and  now  makes  his  home  near  Guernsey, 
Iowa:  George  E.,  who  died  in  Iowa  in  i86g:  John  C,  of  this  review:  Mrs. 
Martha  E.  Saunders,  who  died  in  Iowa :  and  Benjamin  W.,  a  resident  of  Des 
Moines.  The  father  was  a  stanch  republican  in  his  political  views  and  died  in  the 
faith  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church  March  10,  1902,  when  he  had  reached 
the  venerable  age  of  ninety-three  years.  His  wife  preceded  him  to  the  home 
beyond,  her  death  occurring  March  14,  1896,  when  she  was  eighty-three  years 
of  age. 

John  C.  Sanders  was  reared  in  the  state  of  his  nativity  to  the  age  of  six- 
teen years,  when  in  1864,  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Powe- 
shiek county.  He  assisted  his  father  in  the  development  and  operation  of  a  new 
farm  and  continued  farming  until  1881,  when  he  removed  to  Deep  River  and 
opened  a  drug  store,  which  he  conducted  for  eighteen  years.  His  store  was 
then  destroyed  by  fire  and  since  that  time  he  has  lived  retired.  Mrs.  Sanders 
conducted  a  millinery  establishment  in  Deep  River  from  1881  until  1905,  this 
being  the  only  concern  of  the  kind  here,  and  she  built  up  an  extensive  trade. 

On  the  5th  of  October,  1872,  Mr.  Sanders  was  married  to  Miss  Harriet  H. 
Van  Fossen,  who  was  born  in  Morgan  county,  Ohio,  September  19,  1846,  and 
there  resided  until  the  time  of  her  marriage.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Amos  and 
Alargaret  A.  (Burnside)  Van  Fossen,  who  were  natives  of  Maryland  but  died 
in  Ohio.     Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sanders  have  been  born  four  children :  Margaret 


586  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

M.,  the  wife  of  W.  C.  White,  a  resident  of  Des  Moines;  IVIary  E.,  the  wife  of 
E.  C.  Cochran,  of  Fort  ColHns,  Colorado;  Marquis  L.,  who  wedded  Miss  Florence 
Holmes  and  makes  his  home  in  IJenson,  Minnesota;  and  Aquilla  L!.,  who  wedded 
Maude  Cranston,  and  resides  in  I-"ort  Collins,  Colorado. 

Mr.  Sanders  has  always  followed  in  the  political  footsteps  of  his  father, 
giving  stanch  support  to  the  republican  party.  He,  has  served  as  justice  of  the 
peace  for  the  past  ten  years,  his  continuance  in  office  being  proof  of  his  cap- 
ability and  trustworthiness.  He  is  also  a  notary  public.  His  fraternal  relations 
connect  him  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  and  the  Modern  Broth- 
erhood of  America.  He  possesses  all  the  elements  of  what  in  this  country  we 
term  a  "sc|uare"  man — one  in  whom  to  have  confidence,  a  dependable  man  in  any 
relation  and  any  emergency.  His  easy  dignity,  his  frankness  and  cordiality  of 
address,  indicate  a  man  who  is  ready  to  meet  any  obligation  of  life  with  the 
confidence  and  courage  that  come  of  conscious  personal  ability,  a  right  con- 
ception of  things  and  an  habitual  regard  for  what  is  best  in  the  exercise  of  hu- 
man activities. 


GEORGE  WRIDER. 


George  W'rider.  a  well  known  farmer  and  stock-raiser  of  Deep  River  town- 
ship, is  entitled  to  special  mention  in  this  volume  as  an  honored  veteran  of  the 
Civil  war,  being  numbered  among  those  who  early  responded  to  his  country's 
call  in  her  hour  of  need.  He  was  born  at  Canal  Dover,  Tuscarawas  county, 
Ohio,  on  the   12th  of  July,   1844. 

George  Wrider  was  reared  by  his  maternal  grandmother.  Mrs.  Catharine 
Wilson,  remaining  in  the  county  of  his  nativity  until  he  was  eleven  years  of  age. 
He  then  removed  with  her  to  Ashland  county.  Ohio,  locating  on  a  farm  a  mile 
west  of  Ashland,  and  that  remained  his  place  of  residence  until  the  outbreak  of 
the  Civil  war.  Responding  to  his  country's  call  for  troops,  although  but  si.x- 
teen  years  of  age,  Mr.  Wrider  enlisted  for  service  on  the  27th  of  October,  1861, 
as  a  soldier  of  Company  K,  Eighty-second  Ohio  \'olunteer  Infantry,  serving 
throughout  the  entire  remainder  of  the  war.  He  did  valiant  service  in  the  ranks 
until  July  20,  1863,  when  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  sergeant,  and  thus 
continued  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  He  took  part  in  all  of  the  engagements 
of  his  regiment  with  the  exception  of  Wauhatchie  Creek,  at  which  time  he  was 
a  prisoner.  The  list  of  battles  in  which  he  participate<l  included  that  at  Mc- 
Dowell, Virginia ;  Cross  Keys,  in  the  Shenandoah  valley ;  Culpeper  Court  House ; 
the  second  engagement  at  P>ull  Run;  Gettysburg.  Fennsyivania ;  Chattanooga: 
and  Missionary  Ridge,  lie  went  with  .Sherman  on  the  celebrated  march  to  the 
sea,  taking  part  in  all  of  the  engagements  of  that  campaign.  He  was  wounded 
at  Chancellorsville,  \'irginia,  on  the  3d  of  May,  1863,  receiving  a  gunshot  in  the 
right  leg,  and  was  taken  prisoner  at  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  on  the  third  day 
of  the  battle,  but  at  the  end  of  thirty-three  days  was  released  on  parole  at  Rich- 
mond. X^irginia.  He  was  mustered  out  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  and  was  honor- 
ably discharged  on  the  27th  of  July,  1865,  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  after  participat- 
ing in  the  grand   review  heUl  at  Washington,  D.   C.       His  military  record  was 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  587 

long  and  lioncirable,  characterized  by  a  loyalty  to  the  cause  for  which  the  Union 
fought — a  record  of  wiiich  he  might  well  be  proud  and  for  which  the  country 
owes  him  a  debt  which  can  never  be  repaid. 

\Mien  his  serxices  as  a  soldier  were  no  longer  needed,  Mr.  W'rider  returned 
to  .\shland  and  later  made  his  way  to  Zanesville,  whence  he  drove  a  team  to 
r.rooklyn,  biwa,  arriving  in  that  city  on  the  nth  of  October,  1865.  He  has 
since  resided  within  the  borders  of  I'oweshiek  county,  and  for  about  thirty 
years  has  made  iiis  home  on  his  pre.sent  farm,  consisting  of  eighty  acres  on 
section  8.  one  mile  xuith  of  the  town  of  Deep  River.  He  gives  his  attention  to 
general  farming  and  stock-raising  interests,  and  in  both  branches  is  proving 
successful,  for  he  is  i)ractical,  systematic  and  industrious,  and  follows  progres- 
sive methods  in  the  conduct  of  his  affairs. 

In  I'.rooklvn,  Iowa,  on  the  Cith  of  September.  1866,  Mr.  Wrider  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Miss  Hattie  Holland,  who  was  born  in  Louisville,  Kentucky,  on  the 
loth  of  March,  1S41J,  and  as  an  ori)han  came  to  I'oweshiek  county  in  the  fall 
of  1865.  L'nto  .Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wrider  have  lieen  born  the  following  children, 
namelv:  Edward,  of  Wichita,  Kansas;  William,  residing  at  A.shear,  Iowa;  May, 
the  wife  of  Rev.  L.  Howe,  of  Cherokee,  Iowa;  Blanche,  who  married  John 
Kirke,  of  Lincoln  township,  Poweshiek  county  ;  and  Earl,  of  Rensburg,  Cali- 
fornia. .\  son,  Charles,  the  eldest  of  the  family,  passed  away  at  the  age  of  eigh- 
teen months. 

Mr.  Wrider  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party,  although  the 
honors  and  emoluments  of  office  possess  no  attraction  for  him,  and  his  religious 
faith  is  that  of  the  Christian  church.  He  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  body 
as  a  member  of  Golden  Rod  Lodge,  No.  512,  A.  F.  &  A.  AL,  and  maintains 
pleasant  relations  with  his  old  army  comrades  through  his  membership  in  Wise- 
ner  Post,  No.  412,  G.  A.  R.,  at  Montezuma,  Iowa.  He  is  a  man  whose  career 
has  been  inspired  by  laudable  ambition  and  whose  enterprise  and  aggressiveness 
have  .stood  him  well  in  the  battle  of  life,  won  him  the  prosperity  which  he  en- 
joys today,  and  placed  him  in  the  foremost  rank  as  a  representative  citizen  of 
the  community. 


WILLIAM    HALL. 


Aladison  townshi])  has  a  goodly  numl)cr  of  enterprising  and  progressive 
farmers  to  whose  well  directed  efforts  and  business  sagacity  must  be  attributed 
much  of  the  credit  for  the  agricultural  develo])ment  of  Poweshiek  county.  To 
this  class  rightfully  belongs  William  Hall,  who  was  born  in  the  province  of 
Ontario.  Canada,  on  the  25th  of  August,  1838,  a  son  of  Robert  and  Sarah 
(Christopher)  Hall,  the  father  a  native  of  Dumfriesshire.  Scotland,  and  the 
mother  of  Ontario,  Canada.  Mr.  Hall,  who  was  a  farmer,  emigrated  from 
his  native  cf)untr\-  to  Canada  in  1842  and  there  he  passed  away  in  i8(')4.  The 
mother  also   died   in   Canada. 

^^'illiam  Mall,  who  was  but  a  lad  of  six  \ears  of  age  when  his  father  died, 
continued    to   reside    in    Canada,    in   the   common    schools   of    which    countr\-   he 


588  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

acquired  his  education,  until  he  had  attained  his  majority.  He  came  to  the 
United  States  in  1879,  locating  near  Long  Grove,  Scott  county,  Iowa,  where  he 
worked  on  a  farm  for  six  years.  In  1885  he  migrated  to  Poweshiek  county, 
purchasing  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Madison  township,  upon 
which  he  still  resides.  Success  having  attended  his  efforts  he  was  later  able  to 
add  to  his  holdings  another  quarter  section  which  lies  just  south  of  his  homestead- 
He  now  owns  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  good  land,  which  is  tiled  and 
in  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  engages  in  general  farming  and  each  year 
raises  one  hundred  acres  of  com,  all  of  which  he  feeds  to  the  cattle  and  hogs 
which  he  ships  to  the  Chicago  market.  The  improvements  on  his  place  are  all 
in  good  condition,  and  he  keeps  a  high  grade  of  stock,  the  general  appearance 
of  his  farm  being  indicative  of  prosperity. 

On  the  nth  of  March,  1885,  Mr.  Hall  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Janet 
R.  Lang,  their  union  being  solemnized  in  Scott  county.  Mrs.  Hall  is  a  daughter 
of  John  and  Margaret  (Young)  Lang,  well  known  residents  of  Scott  county, 
w'here  for  many  years  the  father  was  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits.  Mr. 
Lang  was  a  native  of  Bothwell,  Scotland,  and  his  wife  of  Linlith.  They  were 
married  in  their  native  country  in  1846,  in  which  year  they  emigrated  to  the 
United  States.  Upon  their  arrival  in  this  country  they  went  to  Pennsyl- 
vania where  they  lived  for  four  years  and  then  came  to  Iowa,  settling  on  a  farm 
in  Scott  county.  They  resided  upon  this  place  for  thirty-five  years,  at  the  ex- 
piration of  which  time  they  retired  to  Davenport,  where  they  were  living  at  the 
time  of  their  decease.  They  both  passed  away  at  the  age  of  eighty-five  years,  the 
father's  demise  occurring  on  the  ist  of  July,  1909,  and  that  of  the  mother  on  the 
22d  of  October,  the  same  year.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hall  have  been  born  the  fol- 
lowing children  :  Alice,  who  married  Jesse  A.  Miller,  a  farmer  residing  a  mile  and 
a  half  north  of  Mr.  Hall  in  Madison  township,  and  who  is  the  mother  of  one 
child,  Esther,  now  in  her  second  year ;  Harry,  Margaret,  Hazel  and  Glenn,  all  of 
whom  are  at  home. 

The  family  hold  membership  in  the  Christian  church  of  Madison  township  and 
his  political  allegiance  Mr.  Hall  gives  to  the  republican  party.  He  has  never  been 
an  ofiice  seeker,  however,  always  having  preferred  to  concentrate  his  attention 
on  the  development  of  his  personal  affairs,  in  which  he  is  meeting  with  an 
enviable  degree  of  success. 


JOHN  HANSON  THOMAS  MAIN. 

John  Hanson  Thomas  Main,  president  of  Grinnell  College  and  for  twenty 
years  past  identified  prominently  with  the  educational  interests  of  the  state, 
is  a  native  of  Ohio.  He  was  born  at  Toledo,  April  2,  1859,  a  son  of  Hezekiah 
Best  and  Margaret  (Costello)  Main.  After  securing  the  rudiments  of  an  edu- 
cation in  the  public  schools  he  matriculated  in  the  literary  department  of  Moores 
Hill  College,  Indiana,  and  was  graduated  in  1880  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.,  re- 
ceiving the  degree  of  A.  M.  from  his  alma  mater  in  1883.  Later  he  pursued 
a  post-graduate  course  at  Johns   Hopkins   University  of   Baltimore,   Maryland, 


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HISTURV  OF  POVVESIUEK  COUNTY  591 

receiving  the  degree  of  Ph.  D.  in  1892.  The  honorary  degree  of  LL.  D.  was 
conferred  upon  him  by  OberHn  College  in  191 1  in  recognition  of  his  distinguished 
services  as  an  educator.. 

Having  decided  early  to  devote  his  life  to  teaching,  Mr.  Main  accepted  the 
position  of  professor  of  ancient  languages  at  Moores  Hill  College  in  1880  and 
continued  with  that  institution  for  nine  years,  during  which  time  he  assisted 
materially  in  adding  to  its  reputation.  From  1890  to  1891  he  served  as  assistant 
in  Greek  and  Latin  at  the  Woman's  College  of  Baltimore,  Maryland,  and  dur- 
ing the  year  following  was  senior  fellow  in  Greek  at  Johns  Hopkins  University. 
His  reputation  as  a  classical  scholar  attracted  the  attention  of  the  authorities  of 
Iowa  College  and  in  1892  he  was  invited  to  fill  the  chair  of  Carter,  professor 
of  Greek  language  and  literature  at  this  college.  Fortunately  for  the  college 
as  events  have  proved  he  accepted  the  ofTer  and  has  ever  since  been  at  the 
head  of  the  Greek  department  at  Iowa  College.  He  also  served  as  acting 
president  from  1900  to  1902  and  as  dean  of  the  faculty  from  1902  to  1906. 
Since  January,  1906,  he  has  filled  the  office  of  president  of  the  college,  dis- 
charging his  duties  with  a  judgment  and  ability  which  have  redounded  greatly 
to   the  credit  of   the    college   and   largely    increased   its  usefulness. 

On  June  18,  1881,  Mr.  Main  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  Myers 
of  Jefifersonville,  Indiana.  Religiously  he  is  identified  with  the  Congregational 
church  and  since  1907  has  been  president  of  tfie  Congregational  Brotherhood 
of  America,  one  of  the  important  growing  organizations  of  the  church.  As  a 
linguist  he  is  widely  known  and  holds  membership  in  the  American  Philological 
Association,  being  also  a  valued  member  of  the  Archaeological  Society  of 
America.  Socially  he  is  connected  with  the  Grant  Club  of  Des  Moines  and 
the  University  Club  of  Chicago,  Illinois.  As  a  writer  he  has  contributed 
articles  of  special  interest  on  educational  subjects  to  various  magazines  of 
America  and  Europe,  and  articles  from  his  pen  are  to  be  found  in  transactions 
of  educational  associations.  He  is  a  fluent  and  instructive  speaker  and  is  much 
in  demand  upon  the  platform,  where  his  services  are  greatly  appreciated.  In 
executive  ability  he  occupies  the  front  rank  among  educators  of  the  west. 
Few  men  are  better  acquainted  with  the  educational  needs  of  Iowa  and  few 
of  his  age  have  contributed  in  a  more  important  degree  toward  the  upbuilding 
of  the  best  interests  of  the  state.  His  courage  and  enthusiasm  have  awakened 
many  young  men  and  women  to  a  realization  of  their  personal  responsibility 
and  started  them  on  the  road  to  achievement. 


CHARLES  T.  CRAVER. 

A  successful  agricultin-ist  and  stockman  of  Sugar  Creek  township  is  Charles 
T.  Craver.  who  owns  three  hundred  and  fifty-nine  acres  of  land,  all  under  cul- 
tivation in  Poweshiek  county.  His  birth  occurred  in  the  township  where  he  is 
now  residing  on  the  i8th  of  August,  1862,  his  parents  being  Joseph  A.  and 
Susan    (Givens)    Craver.     The    father   was   a   native   of    Pennsvlvania   and   the 


592  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

mother  of  Indiana,  their  marriage  being  solemnized  in  the  latter  state.  Mr. 
Graver,  who  was  a  carpenter,  followed  his  trade  in  Indiana  ami  in  Montezuma, 
Iowa,  where  the  family  first  located  upon  their  arrival  here.  He  subsequently 
purchased  a  farm  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  however,  which  he  cultivated  until 
he  retired  to  New  Sharon,  Iowa.  There  he  passed  away  on  the  12th  of  October, 
1893,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years;  the  mother,  however,  survived  until  the 
22d  of  January,  1896,  her  demise  occurring  at  the  age  of  >ixty-five  years.  Mr. 
Craver  was  a  democrat  and  served  as  supervisor  and  school  director,  and  both 
he  and  his  wife  were  members  of  the  Society  of  Friends.  Seven  children  were 
born  of  their  union:  Clara,  who  is  deceased:  jane,  the  wife  of  William  P'isher, 
a  resident  of  Searsboro ;  Joseph  A.,  who  is  living  in  Wichita,  Kansas;  Frances, 
the  wife  of  M.  A.  Miller,  of  New  Sharon,  Mahaska  county,  Iowa;  Linneus  F. 
and  Leonidas  H.,  twins,  the  former  a  resident  of  Taintor.  Iowa,  and  the  latter 
of  Sugar  Creek  township :  and  Charles  T.,  our  subject. 

It  was  in  the  schools  of  New  Sharon  that  Charles  T.  Craver  began  his  edu- 
cation, which  was  later  completed  in  the  schools  of  Sugar  Creek  townshi]).  I!y 
tiiat  time  he  had  a  very  good  knowledge  of  agricultural  methods,  having  been 
accustomed  to  assisting  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm  during  vacations  and 
at  such  times  as  he  was  not  engaged  with  his  studies.  After  leaving  school  he 
gave  his  undivided  attention  to  the  work  of  the  farm  under  the  direction  of  his 
father  until  he  was  twenty-nine  years  of  age.  He  then  began  his  independent 
career  as  an  agriculturist  by  engaging  in  the  cultivation  of  an  eighty  acre  tract. 
After  the  demise  of  his  father  he  inherited  seventy-nine  acres  of  the  old  home- 
stead, since  which  he  has  purchased  an  additional  two  hundred  acres.  In  con- 
nection with  the  cultivation  of  his  extensive  fields  Mr.  Craver  raises  stock,  mak- 
ing a  specialty  of  hogs. 

'Sir.  Craver  was  united  in  marriage  on  the  23d  of  April,  1891.  to  Miss 
Lova  Jane  Knight,  a  daughter  of  Archibald  and  Adeline  Knight,  residents  of 
Sugar  Creek  township  at  that  time.  Her  father  was  born  in  Illinois  on  the  18th 
of  July.  1840,  while  her  mother  was  a  native  of  Indiana,  her  natal  day  being  the 
nth  of  October,  1848.  Mr.  Knight  settled  on  a  farm  in  Sugar  Creek  township 
about  1881,  but  later  moved  to  Missouri:  where  he  passed  away  in  April,  1903. 
Mr.  Knight  engaged  in  farming  and  he  also  preached  a  part  of  the  time,  being  a 
minister  of  the  Christian  Union  church.  He  served  for  four  years  and  three 
months  as  a  private  in  Company  G,  Second  Iowa  \'olunteer  Infantry,  during  the 
Civil  war.  On  the  loth  of  September,  1865,  Mr.  Knight  was  married  to  Miss 
Adeline  Williams,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  four  daughters:  Ida,  the  wife 
of  William  Kirkham,  of  Trenton.  Missouri:  Lova  Jane,  now  ]\Irs.  Craver,  who 
was  born  in  Putnam  county,  Missouri,  on  the  3d  of  <  )ctol)er,  1868;  Maggie,  who 
married  Till  Wilcox,  of  Princeton,  Missouri  :  and  Minnie,  the  wife  of  Homer 
Taylor,  of  St.  Joseph,  ]\Iissouri.  The  mother  still  survives  and  now  makes  her 
home  in  Princeton,  Missouri.  Mr.  Knight  was  a  republican  and  a  member  nf 
the  G.  .\.  R.,  while  both  he  and  his  wife  aftiliated  with  the  Christian  L'nion 
church. 

Unto  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craver 'there  have  been  born  two  children: 
Arno  L..  who  was  born  on  the  26th  of  Xovember,  iS')5;  and  Earl  M.,  whose 
birth  occurred  on   the    1st   of   September,    1899. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  593 

Ever  since  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Graver  lias  given  his  pohtical  support 
to  the  candidates  of  the  democratic  party,  but  he  has  never  been  an  office  seeker. 
Although  he  takes  an  active  interest  in  all  matters  pertaining  to  the  welfare  of 
the  community  his  own  interests  have  always  absorbed  his  attention  to  the  ex- 
clusion of  everything  else. 


ROSS  B.  WORK. 


Commercial  interests  in  Grinnell  find  a  worthy  representative  in  Ross  I!. 
Work,  who  is  now  conducting  a  well  appointed  shoe  store  in  this  city.  He  has 
been  connected  with  the  trade  here  for  sixteen  years,  always  in  his  present  estab- 
lishment, of  which  he  has  been  manager  since  1902. 

He  was  born  in  Indiana  county,  Pennsylvania,  December  2-j ,  1871,  a  son  of 
Alexander  and  Mary  A.  (  Ross)  Work,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  that  county, 
where  they  were  reared  and  married  and  still  reside.  The  father  is  one  of  the 
well  known  and  substantial  farmers  and  stockmen  of  that  section  and  has  been 
extensively  engaged  in  buying  and  selling  fine  horses  and  cattle,  having  on  hand 
at  all  times  some  of  the  best  stock  to  be  found,  not  only  in  his  county,  but  in  that 
part  of  the  state.  He  displays  excellent  business  ability  in  the  cnndiict  of  his  in- 
terests and  has  won  gratifying  success.  In  politics  he  has  been  a  lifelong  repub- 
lican and  while  his  fellow  townsmen  have  elected  him  to  various  local  offices  he 
has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  political  preferment.  In  matters  of  citizenshiji, 
however,  he  is  always  loyal  and  at  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  manifested  his 
allegiance  to  the  Union  by  enlisting  for  three  years'  service  in  the  Sixty-first  Penn- 
sylvania Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  wounded  twice,  once  at  the  battle  of  An- 
tietam  and  again  at  Bull  Run.  He  never  faltered  in  the  performance  of  his  duty 
and  returned  to  his  home  at  the  close  of  the  war  with  a  most  creditable  military 
record.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  active  and  faithful  members  of  the  United 
Presbyterian  church. 

Ross  B.  Work  was  reared  upon  the  home  farm  and  the  common  schools  of 
his  native  county  afforded  him  his  educational  privileges.  When  twenty  years  of 
age  he  left  the  parental  roof  and  sought  a  fortune  in  the  west,  going  to  the  iron 
region  in  the  upper  peninsula  of  Michigan.  There  he  was  first  employed  as  a 
clerk  in  a  general  store  at  Crystal  Falls  and  later  became  its  manager,  remaining 
at  that  place  for  four  years.  He  then  continued  his  westward  journey  to  Iowa, 
arriving  in  Grinnell  in  the  fall  of  1895.  At  that  time  he  secured  a  position  in  the 
shoe  store  of  which  he  is  now  proprietor,  but  which  was  then  owned  by  his  uncle, 
R.  C.  Ross,  in  whose  employ  he  remained  for  seven  years,  when,  in  1902,  he  pur- 
chased an  interest  in  the  business  which  he  has  since  carefully,  systematically  and 
successfully  conducted.  The  store  is  thoroughly  modern  in  its  appointment  and 
equipment  and  the  trade  has  been  largely  increased  under  his  capable  management. 

In  1900  Mr.  Work  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss^  Rachael  Pollock,  of  In- 
diana county,  Pennsylvania,  wdio  was  one  of  his  schoolmates  in  his  youthful  days. 
She  is  also  a  graduate  of  the  State  Normal  College  of  Pennsylvania  and  after 
completing  her  course  there  was  engaged  in  teaching.    Subsequently  she  became  a 


594  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

teacher  in  the  denominational  school  at  Selma,  Alabama,  but  put  aside  the  duties 
of  the  schoolroom  to  take  up  the  affairs  of  her  own  household,  which  she  capably 
managed  until  death  claimed  her  in  July,  1906. 

Mr.  Work  is  a  member  of  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  175,  K.  P.,  and  gives  his  politi- 
cal support  to  the  republican  party.  He  never  desires  office  as  a  reward  for  party 
fealty.  He  holds  membership  in  the  Congregational  church  and  for  some  years 
has  served  as  chief  usher  and  as  superintendent  of  one  of  the  departments  of  the 
Sunday  school.  He  belongs  to  the  Merchants"  Association  of  Grinnell  and  co- 
operates in  its  various  movements  for  the  business  development  of  this  city.  In 
fact  he  is  the  champion  of  material,  intellectual  and  moral  progress,  recognizing 
that  each  has  its  place  in  the  scheme  of  the  world,  and  his  labors  have  been  an 
element  of  growth  along  all  those  lines  during  the  period  of  his  residence  in 
Grinnell. 


GEORGE  BAUSTIAN. 


The  business  and  agricultural  interests  of  Poweshiek  county  find  a  worthy 
representative  in  George  Baustian,  whose  farm  is  one  of  the  attractive  features 
of  the  landscape  in  Sheridan  township.  He  is  a  native  of  Henry  county,  Illi- 
nois, where  he  was  born  in  1862,  a  son  of  George  and  Elizabeth  (Schmidt) 
Baustian.  The  father  was  born  in  Pashinn,  Germany,  October  11,  1830.  He 
came  to  America  and  took  up  his  residence  in  Bucks  county,  Pennsylvania.  He 
was  married  in  1858  to  Elizabeth  Schmidt,  and  later  they  removed  to  Henry 
county,  Illinois.  He  began  his  business  career  by  working  out  by  the  day  and 
after  a  few  years  rented  land,  coming  with  his  family  in  1866  to  Jasper  county, 
Iowa,  where  he  farmed  for  five  years  near  Kellogg.  In  1871  he  arrived  in  Pow- 
eshiek county  and  settled  in  Chester  township.  He  died  in  Sheridan  township, 
however,  in  1907. 

George  Baustian  assisted  his  father  in  farm  work  as  a  boy,  attending  the 
district  schools  in  the  winter.  Later  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account 
and,  in  1893,  he  purchased  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  on  section 
25,  Sheridan  township,  which  is  now  his  home  place.  It  is  one  of  the  highly 
improved  farms  of  the  township  and  the  well  cultivated  fields  and  substantial 
buildings  and  fences  indicate  that  he  gives  to  his  work  his  best  thought.  He 
raises  and  feeds  stock  upon  an  extensive  scale.  He  is  also  the  owner  of  three 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  near  Fillmore,  Canada,  and  six  hundred 
and  ninety-two  acres  in  Faulk  county.  South  Dakota.  Aside  from  his  agri- 
cultural and  stock-raising  interests  he  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  directors  of 
the  Malcom  Savings  Bank,  the  Malcom  Telephone  Company,  and  also  of  the 
Malcom  Agricultural  Society. 

In  1887  Mr.  Baustian  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Philippina  Eisele,  a 
daughter  of  Andrew  and  Philippina  (Wentzel)  Eisele,  who  at  the  time  of  their 
daughter's  marriage  were  living  on  a  farm  three  miles  northwest  of  Malcom. 
The  father  of  Mrs.  Baustian  was  born  in  Germany,  emigrating  to  this  country, 
and  making  his  home  in  Poweshiek  county  from  1868  until  the  time  of  his 
death.    The  mother  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany,  February  10,  1833.     She  came 


EW  YORK 


L4N0K  AND 
-gUNOATIONS. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  597 

to  America  in  1855  and  made  her  home  in  Pliiladelpliia.  In  her  latter  years 
she  lived  vvitli  the  subject  of  this  review  and  was  called  from  earthly  scenes 
March  24,  1906.  Three  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Baustian: 
Elmer,  who  was  born  May  24,  1889;  Stella,  bfirn  December  12,  1892;  and  Ben., 
born  May  13,  1894. 

Mr.  Baustian  is  identified  with  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  and  encampment 
and  the  Rebekahs  at  Malcom,  and  his  wife  anil  daughter  are  also  members  of 
the  Rebekahs.  The  son  Elmer,  who  has  reached  his  majority,  holds  member- 
ship in  the  Odd  Fellows  lodge  and  encampment  and  the  Rebekahs  at  Malcom, 
and  also  in  the  lodge  of  the  Woodmen  of  the  World  at  Sheridan.  The  daughter, 
Stella,  belongs  to  the  Royal  Neighbors  at  Sheridan.  Mr.  Baustian  gives  his 
support  to  the  republican  party  and  is  now  serving  as  school  director  of  Dis- 
trict No.  7,  Sheridan  township,  having  also  filled  the  office  of  township  trustee 
for  seven  years.  He  has  been  unusually  successful  in  business  and  during  his 
residence  in  Sheridan  township  has  been  closely  identified  wtih  its  develop- 
ment. His  prosperity  is  due  to  his  application,  good  judgment  and  perseverance 
and  today  he  enjoys  the  fruits  of  his,  well  directed  endeavors. 


LEONIDAS  HAMILTON  GRAVER. 

One  of  the  practical  and  progressive  '  farmers  of  Sugar  Creek  township  is 
Leonidas  Hamilton  Craver,  who ,  owns  a  fine  homestead  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty  acres  which  he  is  operating.  He  was  born  in  Sugar  Creek  township,  Pow- 
eshiek county,  on  the  30th  of  April,  i860,  a  son  of  "Joseph  A.  and  Susan  (Giv- 
ens)  Craver.  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Indiana  respectively. 

The  father  followed  the  carpenter's  trade  during  the  period  of  his  residence 
in  Indiana,  in  which  state  he  was  married,  and  while  living  in  Montezuma,  Iowa. 
Later  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Sugar  Creek  township  from'  which  time  until  his 
retirement  to  New  Sharon  he  followed  general  farming  and  stock-raising.  He 
passed  away  on  the  12th  of  October,  1893,  at  the  age  of  seventy-one  years,  and 
the  mother  died  on  the  22d  of  January,  1896,  after  having  passed  the  sixty- 
fifth  anniversary  of  her  birth.  Their  family  numbered  seven  children,  the  order 
of  their  birth  being  as  follows:  Clara,  who  is  deceased:  Jane,  the  wife  of  Wil- 
liam Fisher,  of  Searsboro ;  Joseph  A.,  a  resident  of  Wichita,  Kansas ;  Frances, 
who  married  M.  A.  Miller,  of  New  Sharon,  Mahaska  county ;  Linneus  F.  and 
Leonidas  H.,  twins,  the  former  a  resident  of  Taintor,  Iowa,  and  the  latter  our 
subject :  and  Charles  T.,  an  agriculturist  of  Poweshiek  county.  His  political 
support  Mr.  Craver  always  accorded  the  democratic  candidates  and  he  served 
his  township  in  the  capacity  of  school  director  and  supervisor.  In  matters  re- 
ligious the  views  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graver  accorded  with  the  belief  of  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends,  with  which  church  they  were  affiliated.- 

The  early  years  in  the  life  of  Leonidas  Hamilton  Craver  were  spent  in 
Sugar  Creek  township  on  the  old  homestead,  where  he  acquired  his  preliminary 
education.  This  was  later  supplemented  by  the  public  schools  of  New  Sharon, 
which  he  attended    for   a   time.  After   completing  his   studies   he  gave   a   large 


598  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

jjortiiin  (if  his  time  and  atlenticm  tn  llic  work  of  the  hnnicstcad  until  lie  attained 
his  majority.  He  then  rented  a  farm  from  his  father  which  he  operated  for 
four  vears,  during  which  time  he  managed  to  save  the  necessary  capital  to 
enable  him  to  jnirchase  his  present  homestead.  During  the  long  period  of  his 
residence  here  he  has  made  quite  extensive  im[)rovements  in  the  property,  hav- 
ing erected  some  fine  buildings  and  effected  some  minor  changes  which  have 
materiallv  added  to  the  general  appearance  of  the  place.  His  fields  are  well 
fence'l  and  highly  cultivated,  the  grounds  and  buildings  carefully  kept,  and  he 
carries  a  good  grade  of  stock. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  Graver  and  Miss  Lizzie  Tener  was  solemnized  on  the 
1st  of  September,  1889.  Mrs.  Graver  is  a  daughter  of  David  B.  and  Ellen 
( Riggs )  Tener,  natives  of  Ohio.  They  many  years  ago  moved  to  Kansas  where 
Mr.  Tener,  wdio  was  a  farmer,  followed  his  vocation  until  he  passed  away  in 
1903.  The  mother  is  still  surviving  and  continues  to  make  her  home  in  Kansas. 
In  politics  he  was  a  democrat  and  fraternally  a  member  of  the  Masonic  order, 
and  he  was  also  a  veteran  of  the  Givil  war.  Their  religious  views  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tener  demonstrated  by  uniting  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which 
she  is  still  a  member.  Mrs.  Gra\cr  was  born  in  Monroe  county,  Ohio,  on  the 
1 2th  of  May,  1862. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graver  are  the  parents  of  six  children,  as  follows:  Pearl  Susan, 
who  died  on  the  22d  of  March,  1892,  aged  two  years  and  five  months:  Ray,  who 
was  born  on  the  12th  of  January,  1892,  and  died  on  the  27th  of  September,  1892: 
Frances  Maryland,  born  on  the  2d  of  September,  1895  :  l\i-\-.  who  was  born  on  the 
8th  of  October,  1898,  and  died  on  the  4th  of  October,  1899;  Leonidas  H.,  born  on 
the  2r)th  of  July,  1899:  and  Fern  Emmeline,  who  was  born  on  the  i8th  of  January, 
1902. 

In  his  political  allegiance  iMr.  Graver  is  always  true  to  the  principles  of 
democracv,  but  does  not  actively  participate  in  township  affairs.  He  is  one  of 
the  widely  kn(jwn  and  highly  esteemed  citizens  of  Sugar  Greek  townshiji,  where 
many  of  his  stanchest  friends  have  known  him  since  his  boyhood. 


S.    IIL'RGETT. 


There  is  perhaps  no  more  familiar  figure  on  the  streets  of  Deep  River  than 
T.  S.  F.urgett.  and  few  families  in  Poweshiek  county  are  more  honored  than 
that  of  which  he  is  a  rejiresentative.  His  entire  life  has  been  spent  within  the 
borders  of  Deep  River  township,  where  his  birth  occurred  on  a  farm  a  mile 
and  a  half  south  of  the  town  of  Deep  River,  on  the  19th  of  September,  1868. 

Flis  father,  P.  P..  Rurgett.  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  county,  taking 
U]J  his  abode  here  when  Iowa  was  still  a  frontier  district  and  much  of  her  lanil 
unclaimed  and  uncultivated.  He  belonged  to  that  type  of  hardy  pioneers  who 
subdued  the  forests  and  conquered  the  plains,  and  laid  broad  and  strong  the 
foundations  on  which  the  state  and  nation  have  grown  to  greatness.  He  left  an 
impress  on  the  history  of  the  county — for  it  cannot  he  written  without  taking 
into  account  those  sturdy  pioneers  who  con(|uered  its  virgin  soil  and  gave  to  the 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  599 

slate  one  of  its  richest  districts.  He  was  born  in  Carroll  county,  Ohio,  on  the 
22(1  of  May.  1823,  a  son  of  (ieorge  and  Mary  Jane  (Robb)  Burgett,  and  a  grand- 
son of  Phillip  P.urgett,  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812.  His  parents  both  passed 
awav  in  Carroll  county,  Ohio,  where  the  greater  portion  of  their  lives  were 
sjicni.  the  father  being  a  farmer  by  occupation.  V.  1'..  I'.urgett  was  the  second 
in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  eight  sons  and  three  daughters,  of  whom  Owen 
is  the  only  sm-viving  member  and  was  present  at  the  surrender  of  \'icksburg  on 
the  4th  of  July.  1863.  He  now  makes  his  home  in  Carroll  county,  Ohio,  on  the 
(ild  homestead.  Tipton  served  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  squirrel  hunter,  and  died  in 
the  fall  of  1862.  The  eldest  son,  William  F.,  was  one  of  Iowa's  pioneers,  locat- 
ing in  Des  Moines  in  the  early  '50s,  where  he  engaged  in  the  merchandising 
business.  The  youngest  son,  John  W.,  was  drowned  in  Coon  river,  Iowa,  about 
iovty  years  ago,  while  fishing.  The  family  originally  came  from  Burgetts- 
town,  Pennsylvania,  a  town  which  was  laid  out  by  the  great-greatuncle  of  our 
subject. 

P.  15.  lUirgett  spent  the  early  years  of  his  life  in  the  county  of  his  nativity 
and  when  twenty-one  years  of  age  went  with  relatives  on  flatboats  down  the 
Ohio  and  Mississippi  rivers  to  New  Orleans.  Subsequently  he  made  six  or  eight 
similar  trips  to  the  Crescent  city,  the  summer  seasons  being  devoted  to  farm 
work  in  New  Cumberland,  F'ennsylvania.  He  was  married  in  the  fall  of  1856 
and  in  the  spring  of  the  following  year  came  to  Poweshiek  county.  Iowa,  locat- 
ing in  Deep  River  township.  Here  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
school  land  on  section  16.  and  soon  afterward  purchased  another  quarter  section 
and  at  once  began  the  development  and  improvement  of  his  land.  He  was  a 
verv  successful  farmer  and  at  one  time  owned  more  than  six  hundred  acres  of 
valuable  property,  five  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  which  were  in  his  possession 
at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  continued  in  the  cultivation  of  his  farms  until  1895, 
when  he  retired  from  that  line  of  activity  and  removed  to  Deep  River  where  he 
erected  the  present  beautiful  family  home.  After  his  arrival  in  this  town  he 
became  identified  with  financial  interests  here,  being  jjresident  of  the  State  Bank 
of  Deep  River  from  1894  imtil  succeedeil  by  his  son,  John  .S.,  in  1904.  He  was 
married,  on  the  21st  of  October.  1856,  to  Miss  Castara  Queen,  who  was  born 
in  Carroll  county,  Ohio,  on  the  9th  of  July,  1830,  and  remained  in  that  state  until 
her  marriage,  when  she  came  west  to  Iowa.  Her  parents,  Samuel  G.  and  Mary 
(  I  lesser)  Queen,  were  natives  of  Loudoun  county,  \'irgiiiia,  and  were  there  reared 
and  married.  In  the  fall  of  1820  they  removed  to  Ohio  and  there  both  passed 
awav  on  the  farm  on  which  they  first  located,  Mrs.  Queen  surviving  her  hus- 
band for  forty-five  years.  He  was  a  farmer  and  stock-raiser  by  occupation  and 
served  as  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  181 2.  His  father,  Jonah  Queen,  fought  in  the 
Revolutionary  war.  He  was  a  native  of  the  north  of  Ireland  and  passed  away 
in  C<ilumbiana  count}-,  Ohio,  at  the  very  advanced  age  of  ninety-three  years. 

Mrs.  Castara  Burgett  was  one  of  ten  children,  three  sons  and  seven  daugh- 
ters, of  whom  she  and  a  sister,  Mrs.  Cornelia  Norris,  of  Berkeley.  California, 
are  the  only  surviving  members.  A  brother,  Samuel  G.  Queen,  enlisted  in  the 
Civil  wai  for  a  term  of  three  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  titne  he  veter- 
anized and  served  until  the  close  of  hostilities. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  B.  lUirgett  were  born  seven  children,  as  follows;  Bing- 
liani   Hesser,  born  August   1857,   who   was  a  student  at  college  at  the  time  of 


600  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

his  death,  being  killed  in  the  cyclone  at  Grinnell  on  the  i8th  of  June.  1882;  Al- 
cinus  LeRoy,  born  June  29,  i860,  a  banker  at  Albion,  Iowa;  Saniantha  Alary, 
born  December  23,  1862,  now  at  home;  William  Queen,  a  druggist  of  Xewell, 
Iowa,  who  was  born  January  14,  1866;  John  S.,  of  this  review;  Winnifred  F. 
Cornelia,  born  May  28,  1872,  who  married  LeRoy  Tibballs,  of  Baker  City,  Ore- 
gon;  and  Lulu  Wilma,  who  was  born  June  16,  1876,  and  passed  away  on  the  14th 
of  January,  1901.  All  of  these  children  received  excellent  educational  advan- 
tages, attending  the  high  school  at  Deep  River  and  most  of  them  entering  col- 
lege, either  at  Grinnell  or  Cornell,  Iowa. 

P.  B.  Burgett,  the  father  of  this  family,  was  originally  a  whig  in  his  jjolitical 
beliefs,  but  after  the  organization  of  the  republican  party  gave  to  it  his  unfalter- 
ing support  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  passed  away  on  the  17th 
of  February,  1910,  at  the  age  of  eighty-six  years,  and  at  that  time  a  local  paper 
had  the  following  to  say ;  "P.  B.  Burgett  was  one  of  God's  noblemen,  and  while 
he  was  not  active  in  those  walks  of  life  which  some  consider  the  only  paths  to 
greatness,  he  was  an  important  and  effective  force  in  the  real  concerns  of  life 
which  stand  for  the  stability  of  the  community,  the  county,  the  state  and  the 
nation." 

The  mother  still  survives,  making  her  home  in  Deep  Riser,  and  although  she 
has  reached  a  ripe  old  age  she  is  remarkably  bright  and  active.  Her  mind  is 
richly  stored  with  knowledge  concerning  the  early  history  of  the  state  and  events 
which  occurred  while  Poweshiek  county  was  still  in  a  formative  period.  She 
readily  recalls  the  conditions  of  the  pioneer  days,  when  not  a  tree  nor  a  fence 
stood  between  the  villages  of  Montezuma  and  Millersburg,  both  of  which  towns 
she  could  see  from  her  home  on  clear  days,  and  her  memory  forms  a  connect- 
ing link  between  the  days  of  the  primitive  past  and  the  progressive  present,  cov- 
ering a  period  in  which  she  has  witnessed  the  transformation  of  the  vast  uncul- 
tivated prairies  of  Iowa  into  one  of  the  richest  farming  districts  in  the  galaxy  of 
states. 

It  was  on  the  home  presided  over  by  these  worthy  parents  that  J.  S.  Burgett, 
our  subject,  was  reared,  and  under  their  direction  he  early  acquired  habits  of 
industry,  perseverance  and  integrity.  The  early  period  of  his  life  was  spent  on 
the  home  farm,  where  he  remained  until  1894,  when,  thinking  to  find  more  con- 
genial work  in  the  city,  he  came  to  Deep  River  and  entered  the  employ  of  the 
State  Bank  of  this  city  as  assistant  cashier.  He  continued  in  that  position  until 
January,  1903,  when  he  became  cashier,  acting  in  that  ca])acity  until  1904.  when 
he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  president,  to  succeed  his  father.  The  thorough 
experience  which  he  acquired  since  first  becoming  connected  witli  this  institu- 
tion, combined  with  his  natural  business  sagacity  and  sound  judgment,  makes  him 
a  most  capable  official,  and  his  careful  administration  is  proving  a  potent  force 
in  the  conduct  of  the  bank's  interests.  Other  important  enterprises  have  also 
felt  the  stimulus  of  his  advice  and  counsel,  for  he  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of 
the  Deep  River  Brick  &  Tile  Company  and  half  owner  of  the  Deep  River  Rec- 
ord. He  also  carrier  on  a  general  insurance  business  in  connection  with  Hon. 
George  Grier,  who  is  also  his  partner  in  his  newspaper  venture,  and  he  is  ex- 
tensively interested  in  local  real  estate  and  also  in  Canadian  lands. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  601 

Mr.  Burgett  has  never  married,  but  continues  to  make  his  home  with  his 
widowed  mother  in  the  handsome  family  residence  in  Deep  River.  He  is  a  re- 
pubHcan  in  poHtics  but  has  never  sought  nor  held  public  office.  He  prefers  to 
give  his  undivided  attention  to  his  duties  as  e.xecutive  head  of  the  State  Bank 
of  Deep  River  which,  under  his  careful  direction,  is  enjoying  a  period  of  suc- 
cess and  prosperity.  It  is  one  of  the  safe,  substantial  moneyed  institutions  of 
the  county,  having  a  capital  stock  of  twenty-five  thousand  dollars,  with  deposits 
amounting  to  over  three  hundred  thousand  dollars.  Its  other  officers  are  C.  N. 
Cox,  vice  president ;  George  E.  Grier,  cashier ;  with  a  board  of  directors  com- 
posed of  J.  P.  Winders,  C.  N.  Cox,  S.  W.  Scovel,  George  E.  Grier  and  J.  S. 
Burgett.  The  business  affairs  of  Mr.  Burgett  are  capably  conducted.  Tireless 
energy,  keen  perception,  honesty  of  purpose,  a  genius  for  devising  the  right  thing 
at  the  right  time,  joined  to  everyday  common  sense,  are  the  chief  characteristics 
of  the  man.  As  a  result  he  has  gained  wealth,  yet  it  was  not  alone  the  goal  for 
which  he  has  strived,  for  he  belongs  to  that  class  of  representative  American 
citizens  who  promote  the  general  prosperity  while  advancing  individual  interests. 


MELROSE  CARPENTER. 

For  a  period  of  fifty-three  years  the  late  Melrose  Carpenter  had  been  a  resi- 
dent of  Poweshiek  county,  during  which  period  he  had  won  and  held  the  esteem 
and  regard  of  the  majority  of  those  with  whom  he  came  in  contact.  His  birth 
occurred  in  Essex  county.  New  York,  on  the  9th  of  March,  1829,  and  his  parents 
were  Elijah  and  Abigail  (Lewis)  Carpenter.  The  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  was 
of  English  and  the  mother  of  German  extraction.  Both  spent  their  latter  days 
in  the  Empire  state. 

After  the  completion  of  his  education,  which  was  acquired  in  the  common 
schools  of  his  native  state,  Melrose  Carpenter  assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of 
the  farm,  continuing  to  be  identified  with  agricultural  pursuits  until  1854.  De- 
ciding that  better  opportunities  were  afforded  farther  west  he  migrated  to  Iowa, 
at  that  time  locating  in  Le  Claire.  In  1857  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  buying 
two  hundred  and  ninety  acres  of  land  on  section  9,  Madison  township,  in  the  cul- 
tivation of  which  he  engaged  until  the  14th  of  October,  1892,  when  he  retired 
from  active  duties  and  removed  to  Brooklyn.  He  continued  to  reside  there  until 
his  demise  on  the  12th  of  December,  1910,  at  the  age  of  eighty-one  years,  nine 
months  and  three  days. 

He  was  married  at  West  Fort,  New  York,  on  the  30th  of  November,  1853,  to 
Miss  .\chsah  Wood,  who  passed  away  on  the  27th  of  February,  1880.  Of  this 
union  there  were  born  three  children :  Wallace,  Henry  H.  and  Charles  E.  On 
the  26th  of  March,  1882,  Mr.  Wood  was  married  to  Mrs.  L.  Adella  Nourse,  a 
daughter  of  Avery  and  Julia  (Mead)  Robinson.  The  father,  who  was  a  broom- 
maker  by  trade,  was  of  English  extraction.  He  was  born  in  Portage  county, 
New  York,  migrating  from  there  to  Dixon,  Lee  county,  Illinois,  with  his  par- 
ents in  his  very  early  youth.  At  the  opening  of  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany D,  Eighth  Wisconsin  Regiment,  and  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of  service 


B02  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

reenlisted.  He  was  for  a  time  a  steward  in  a  hospital  in  Tennessee.  Death  came 
to  him  during  the  Red  River  ex])edition  at  the  battle  of  Yellow  Bayou,  and  he 
was  laid  to  rest  in  the  National  cemetery  at  Nashville,  Tennessee,  on  the  3d  of 
July.  1864.  Mrs.  Robinson  passed  away  in  Iowa  in  1907  at  the  home  of  her 
daughter.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carpenter  were  born  two  sons:  Orville  C,  an  elec- 
trician living  in  Great  Falls,  Montana,  who  married  ^liss  Lucille  Tuttle  of  Albia, 
luwa  ;  and  Homer  A.,  who  is  cultivating  the  old  homestead. 

In  politics  Mr.  Carpenter  was  a  republican,  while  his  church  affiliation  was 
with  the  Uaptist  denomination  of  Le  Claire.  He  was  a  fine  type  of  Christian 
character,  bearing  with  uncomplaining  fortitude  and  kindly  consideration  for 
others  the  intense  pain  with  which  he  was  afflicted  during  his  last  illness.  Dur- 
ing the  long  period  of  his  residence  in  Madison  township  he  had  become  recog- 
nized as  a  man  of  upright  character  and  incorruptible  integrity,  a  kind  neighbor 
and  loval  friend. 


HOMER  A.  CARPENTER. 

Homer  A.  Carpenter  is  one  of  the  enterprising  and  progressive  agriculturists 
of  Madison  township.  After  attaining  his  majority  he  rented  the  homestead  of 
his  father,  which  contained  two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  on  section  9,  continuing 
its  operation  until  the  death  of  his  parent,  since  which  time  he  has  leased  it  from 
the  other  heirs.  In  addition  to  the  cultivation  of  his  land  he  engages  in  the  breed- 
ing and  raising  of  a  high  grade  of  stock  and  is  an  extensive  feeder  of  cattle  and 
hogs. 

On  the  8th  of  March,  1905,  Mr.  Carpenter  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mabel  Ormiston,  a  daughter  of  S.  S.  Ormiston,  and  they  have  one  child.  Vera, 
who  is  now  three  years  of  age. 

]\Ir.  Carpenter  casts  his  ballot  in  support  of  the  candidates  of  the  republican 
party,  and  both  he  and  his  wife  are  affiliated  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
of  Madison  township.  Mr.  Carpenter  is  meeting  with  unqualified  success  in  his 
undertakings,  and  his  thrift,  energs-  and  progressive  ideas  should  enable  him  to 
make  rapid  advancement  in  the  development  of  the  enterprise  which  he  has  so 
well  established. 


GEORGE  S.  MOUSER. 


Among  the  well  known  and  highly  respected  residents  of  Deep  River  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county,  whose  well  directed  efforts  along  agricultural  lines  now 
makes  it  possible  for  them  to  live  retired,  is  niniibered  (ieorge  S.  Mouser.  Born 
near  Tiffin,  Seneca  county,  Ohio,  on  the  19th  of  August.  1833,  he  is  a  son  of 
Nicholas  and  Rosanna  (Shaul)  Mouser.  The  jjarents  were  both  born  in  \'ir- 
ginia,  of  German  ancestry.  They  were  married  in  Ohio  and  in  1863  came  to 
Iowa,  locating  in  Iowa  county,  where  both  passed  away  in    1873.  the  father  on 


(;i:()K(;io  s.  muuseu 


THE  NEW  YORJ 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTCR,   LENOX  AN 7: 
TILOEN  FOUNLATiONb. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  605 

the  15th  of  September  and  the  mother  on  the  3(1  of  April,  when  about  sixty- 
eight  years  of  age.  Their  family  of  six  children  included  the  following:  (jeorge 
S.,  of  this  review;  Margaret  E.,  the  deceased  wife  of  Frank  Jones;  Ann  C,  who 
has  passed  away;  Rebecca  M.,  residing  with  her  brother  George  S. ;  John  N., 
u  ho  has  also  passed  away ;  and  Mary  K.,  who  married  Isaac  Friez,  of  Iowa 
county. 

George  S.  Mouser  accompanied  the  family  to  Iowa  in  1863,  and  in  1870  he 
arrived  in  Poweshiek  county.  On  the  old  homestead  in  Ohio  he  had  been  reared 
amid  the  wholesome  environment  of  rural  life,  and  his  training  in  the  work  of 
field  and  meadow  was  of  a  most  thorough  character,  for  as  soon  as  old  enough 
to  handle  the  plow  he  began  work  in  the  fields  and  as  his  years  and  experience 
increased  he  assumed  larger  responsibilities  and  more  arduous  tasks.  Upon  at- 
taining man's  estate  he  took  up  agricultural  pursuits  as  his  life  occupation  and 
that  his  choice  was  a  wise  one  is  indicated  by  the  prosperity  which  has  since  at- 
tended his  efiforts  in  that  direction.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  a  finely  developed 
farm  of  one  hundred  acres,  located  on  section  17,  Deep  River  township,  whicii 
in  its  neat  appearance  speaks  of  a  life  of  industry,  energy,  perseverance  and 
thrift  on  the  part  of  the  owner.  He  is  now  living  retired,  however,  leaving  the 
actual  work  of  the  place  to  others,  although  he  still  retains  the  supervision  of 
iiis  affairs.  The  farm  is  now  operated  by  Manuel  Holderness,  a  young  man 
whom  Mr.  Mouser  has  reared  from  boyhood. 

Mr.  Mouser  continues  to  reside  on  his  home  place,  where  he  has  the  com- 
pany of  his  sister  Miss  Rebecca  M.  Mduseir,.the'tiv,p.  having  made  their  home  to- 
gether since  the  death  of  their  parents,  alnWst  fortyyears  ago.  They  attend  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which  they  are  faithful  and  exemplary  members, 
and  both  are  held  in  the  highest  esteem  throiighout  the  community  in  which  they 
have  resided  for  so  many  years,  their  many  excellent  tt-aits  of  character  winning 
for  them  the  good-will  and  esteem  of  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances  and 
neighbors. 

(Since  this  sketch  was  written.  Mr.   Mouser  died  June  26,  1911.) 


W.    E.   COX. 


The  name  Co.x  is  an  old  and  prominent  one  in  Poweshiek  county,  represen- 
tatives of  the  family  having  lived  here  from  1854  to  the  present  time,  and  its 
tnembers  have  been  prominently  identified  with  the  business  interests  of  Deep 
River  throughout  a  long  period.  W.  E.  Cox,  whose  name  introduces  this  re- 
view, was  born  in  Deep  River  township,  February  18,  1861,  a  son  of  Christopher 
and  Mary  Ellen  ( Alorgan )  Cox,  tlic  former  born  in  Harrison  county.  Ohio, 
June  13,  1832,  and  the  latter  in  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  in  1840.  They  accom- 
panied their  respective  parents  to  F'oweshiek  county,  Iowa,  at  an  early  day,  the 
Morgans  coming  here  in  1836.  while  the  Cox  family  had  located  here  two  years 
()reviously  in  1854.  It  was  here  that  the  father  and  mother  formed  an  ac- 
quaintanceship, which  later  culminated  in  their  marriage.  W.  E.  Cox  is  the 
eldest  in  a  family  of  four  children,  the  others  being:  Samuel,  who  died  in  infancy; 


606  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Maggie,  the  wife  of  W.  C.  McKee.  a  resident  of  Montezuma ;  and  Mary,  who 
died  in  infancy.  The  wife  and  mother  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in  1864. 
The  father  was  married  again  and  by  his  second  marriage  there  are  four  sons 
and  four  daughters.  He  has  followed  farming  throughout  his  business  career 
and  has  also  raised  and  dealt  in  live  stock  to  some  extent.  He  made  hi^  home 
in  Poweshiek  county  until  1888,  since  which  time  he  has  resided  in  Gosper 
county,  Nebraska.  He  is  still,  however,  remembered  by  many  of  the  older 
residents  of  this  section  of  Iowa. 

W.  E.  Cox  was  a  little  lad  of  only  three  years  at  the  time  of  his  mother's 
demise.  He  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Poweshiek  county,  assisting  i;is 
father  in  the  work  of  plowing,  planting  and  harvesting  through  the  spring 
and  summer  months,  while  in  the  winter  seasons  he  pursued  his  studies  in 
the  district  schools  near  his  father's  home.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until 
1883,  when  he  came  to  Deep  River,  where  he  has  since  made  his  home.  During 
the  first  four  years  of  his  residence  here,  he  was  employed  by  his  uncle,  George 
Cox,  in  the  grain  and  lumber  business.  He  then  purchased  an  interest  in  tlce 
business  but  after  four  years  bought  his  uncle's  share  and  conducted  the  busi- 
ness alone  for  a  few  years.  He  eventually  retired  from  the  grain  and  lumber 
trade  and  has  since  given  his  time  to  the  seed  business.  He  is  also  interested 
in  land  in  Canada  and  from  this  derives  a  good  annual  income. 

Mr.  Cox  was  married  on  the  2Sth  of  September,  1887,  the  lady  of  his  choice 
being  Miss  Mattie  A.  Light,  who  was  born  in  Deep  River  township,  June  7, 
1863,  a  daughter  of  Joseph  W.  and  Elizabeth  (Hightower)  Light,  who  were 
natives  of  Kentucky  but  were  married  in  Virginia.  They  came  to  Iowa  in  the 
'50s  but  for  a  time  had  resided  in  Illinois  prior  to  their  removal  to  Poweshiek 
county,  and  their  son  George  was  the  first  white  child  born  in  Deep  River  town- 
ship. Both  parents  passed  away  here.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cox  have  a  daughter 
and  son,  Glenn  L.  and  Mary  E. 

Mr.  Cox  gives  his  political  support  to  the  republican  party  and  belongs  to 
the  Presbyterian  church,  of  which  he  is  acting  as  treasurer.  He  is  a  Mason,  be- 
longing to  Golden  Rod  Lodge,  No.  512,  at  Deep  River.  Perhaps  the  highest 
tribute  that  can  be  paid  Mr.  Cox  is  that  he  has  met  with  success  in  all  his  under- 
takings and  that  he  has  so  discharged  his  duties  as  a  citizen  and  as  a  business 
man  as  to  merit  the  confidence  of  those  who  know  him  best. 


ELAM    I.   HADLEY. 


Elam  I.  Hadley,  a  prominent  and  leading  resident  of  Grinnell,  has  con- 
tributed in  large  measure  to  the  substantial  upbuilding  and  development  of 
the  city  as  a  promoter  and  builder,  having  laid  out  three  subdivisions.  He  was 
born  of  Quaker  parentage,  in  Richland,  Iowa,  his  grandfather,  Riley  Hadley, 
having  come  to  Iowa  while  it  was  still  a  territor\'.  His  birth  occurred  on  the 
5th  of  December,  1870,  his  parents  being  Irvee  S.  and  Julia  (Jessup)  Hadley. 
the  former  a  native  of  Keokuk  county,  Iowa,  and  the  latter  of  North  Carolina. 
Mrs.  Hadley  was   three  years  of  age  when  taken  by  her  parents   to   Marshall 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  607 

county,  Iowa,  in  185 1.  Irvee  S.  Hadley  attended  Iowa  College  during  the  years 
1864,  1865  and  1866  and  remained  in  Keokuk  county,  Iowa,  until  1873,  when  he 
removed  to  Hardin  county,  where  he  purchased  a  farm,  continuing  to  reside 
thereon  for  about  twenty  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  pericxl  he  removed 
to  Nebraska  and  subsequently  took  up  his  abode  in  Whittier,  California.  In 
the  spring  of  1904  he  returned  to  Iowa,  undecided  as  to  whether  he  would 
remain  here  or  go  back  to  California,  as  his  health  was  greatly  impaired.  It 
was  soon  after  his  arrival  here  that  he  passed  away,  having  survived  his  wife 
for  about  two  years. 

Elam  J.  Hadley  was  the  eldest  of  five  children.  He  was  reared  under  the 
parental  roof  and  in  the  acquirement  of  an  education  attended  the  common 
schools  and  the  Friends  Academy  at  Legrand,  Iowa,  while  subsequently  he  pur- 
sued a  commercial  course  in  Eastman's  Business 'College  at  Poughkeepsie.  New 
York.  After  putting  aside  his  text-books  he  began  farming  in  Redwillow  county, 
Nebraska,  where  his  parents  were  then  living,  following  general  agricultural 
pursuits  in  that  state  for  two  years  or  until  he  removed  to  Oilman,  Iowa,  in 
1896.  His  wife  owned  a  farm  across  the  county  line  in  Tama  county  and 
thereon  they  took  up  their  abode.  In  the  spring  of  1901  Mr.  Hadley  took  a 
trip  to  California,  where  his  parents  were  living,  for  the  purpose  of  looking  up 
a  location  for  a  home.  He  spent  the  summer  in  different  parts  of  the  west  but 
on  his  return  to  Iowa  in  the  fall  decided  to  remain  here.  He  brought  his  family 
to  Grinnell  and  this  town  has  remained  his  place  of  residence  continuously 
since.  On  his  arrival  here  he  purchased  the  Hobart  tract  of  eightv  acres,  forty 
acres  of  which  lay  within  the  corporate  limits  of  Grinnell.  while  the  following 
winter  he  bought  the  Stewart  tract  of  forty  acres,  adjoining  the  Hobart  tract. 
In  the  spring  of  1902  he  laid  out  the  first  Hadley  subdivision,  comprising  twenty- 
three  acres,  which  sold  rapidly  and  which  he  improved  with  good  buildings.  In 
the  fall  of  1902  he  laid  out  the  second  subdivision,  comprising  forty  acres,  and 
in  1904  the  third  subdivision,  embracing  seventeen  acres,  was  laid  out.  His 
undertakings  in  this  connection  have  been  very  successful,  for  his  addi- 
tions are  in  the  most  desirable  residence  section,  being  in  the  highest 
part  of  the  town  as  regards  altitude.  Mr.  Hadley  has  also  built  up  a  great  part 
of  the  section,  erecting  and  selling  the  homes.  He  is  likewise  the  owner  of 
two  farms  in  Jasper  county  and  has  another  farm  on  the  county  line,  lying 
partly  in  Poweshiek  and  partly  in  Jasper  county. 

In  1893  Mr.  Hadley  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Minnie  Boyd,  a  daughter 
of  Douglas  Boyd.  Her  mother  died  when  she  was  small  and  she  was  reared 
by  her  grandfather,  Jacob  Korns,  a  well  known  and  wealthy  agriculturist  of 
Tama  county.  Unto  our  subject  and  his  wife  have  been  born  seven  children, 
namely:  Edmund  E.,  Gladys  E..  Grace  A.,  Donald  B.,  Dwight  E.,  Dorothy  J. 
and  Harold. 

In  politics  Mr.  Hadley  is  a  stanch  republican,  while  fraternally  he  is  iden- 
tified with  the  Knights  of  Pythias,  belonging  to  Grinnell  Lodge,  No.  175.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  are  consistent  and  devoted  members  of  the  Congregational  church. 
Though  still  a  comparatively  young  man  and  a  resident  of  Grinnell  for  but 
nine  years,  he  has  done  much  toward  the  upbuilding  and  extension  of  the  city 
and  has  erected  buildings  which  will  be  a   credit  to  a  greater  Grinnell.     He  is 


608  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

alert  and  enterprising,  possessing  the  progressive  spirit  of  the  times  and  accom- 
plishing what  he  undertakes,  while  his  geniality  and  deference  for  the  opinions 
of  others  have  made  his  circle  of  friends  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle 
of  his  acquaintances. 


THOMAS  JAMES  P.RAY. 

Not  the  boundaries  of  Grinnell  or  even  the  confines  of  the  state  mark  the 
limits  of  Thomas  James  Bray's  reputation  as  a  pleader  before  the  bar.  In 
this  connection  he  has  become  widely  known  as  an  able  and  distinguished 
lawyer,  having  gained  an  eminent  position  as  a  member  of  the  legal  profession. 

He  was  born  in  Xorth  Danville,  \'ermont,  August  31,  1877,  and  is  the  eld- 
est of  the  nine  children  of  Thomas  E..and  .Xora  (  Farrell )  Bray,  who  were 
natives  of  \'ermont.  their  parents  having  removed  from  Canada  to  the  Green 
Mountain  state.  In  1890  the  father  came  with  his  family  to  Iowa,  settling  in 
Grinnell,  where  he  was  engaged  in  the  live-stock  business  up  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  on  the  30th  of  December,  1908.  The  mother  is  still 
living  and  makes  her  home  with  her  son  Thomas. 

In  the  state  of  his  nativity  Thomas  J.  Bray  spent  the  first  thirteen  years  of 
his  life  and  then  left  .Xew  England  for  the  middle  west  in  company  with  his 
parents.  His  early  education,  acquired  in  the  public  school  of  \'ermont,  was 
supplemented  by  studv  in  the  Grinnell  high  school,  from  which  he  was  grad- 
uated with  the  class  of  1895.  He  afterward  pursued  a  course  in  shorthand 
and  for  three  years  was  employed  as  a  stenographer  in  a  Grinnell  lumber  yard, 
after  which  he  was  made  official  shorthand  reporter  for  the  sixth  judicial  dis- 
trict, in  which  capacity  he  served  for  six  years.  During  that  time  his  interest 
in  the  law  was  aroused  and  he  began  reading  in  preparation  for  the  bar,  to 
which  he  was  admitted  on  the  3d  of  June,   1904. 

He  then  located  for  practice  in  Grinnell  on  the  1st  of  January.  1905,  as  a 
member  of  the  law  firm  of  Boyd  &  Bray,  this  partnership  continuing  until 
September  i,  1910.  when  the  ]M-esent  firm  of  Bray  &  Shiftlett  was  formed.  He 
is  faithful  to  his  clients,  fair  to  his  adversaries  and  candid  to  the  court.  In 
many  cases  he  has  exhibitetl  the  possession  of  every  faculty  of  which  a  lawyer 
mav  be  proud — skill  in  presentation  of  his  own  exidence,  extraordinary  ability 
in  cross-examination,  persuasiveness  before  the  jury,  strong  grasp  of  every 
feature  of  a  case,  ability  to  secure  favorable  rulings  from  the  judge,  unusual 
familiarity  with  human  nature  and  untiring  industry. 

On  the  18th  of  June,  1907,  -Mr.  Bray  was  married  to  Miss  Myma  E.  Ryan, 
of  Des  ?\Ioines,  who  died  on  the  14th  of  May  of  the  following  year.  His 
political  support  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and  he  has  been  a  prominent 
figure  in  Iowa  politics  for  a  number  of  years.  He  was  one  of  the  originators 
of  the  progressive  movement  in  the  party  in  this  state  and  was  one  of  the  man- 
agers of  Senator  Cummins'  campaigns.  In  1901  he  made  the  first  public  speech 
against  the  political  railroad  pass  in  Iowa  and  has  lived  to  see  the  course  which 
he  advocated   become  a   law.      He   was   a  member   of   the   interstate  commerce 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  609 

convention  held  in  Chicago  in  October,  np.S,  and  was  one  of  the  originators  of 
the  pledge  re(|uiriiig  all  the  delegates  to  sign  an  agreement  to  support  Roose- 
velt's rate  bill  before  accepting  their  credentials,  which  resulted  in  the  Kunip 
convention  and  was  the  means  of  creating  a  public  sentiment  which  forceil  the 
bill  through  congress.  Mr.  Bray,  however,  has  never  sought  nor  held  public 
office  himself,  yet  has  served  as  chairman  of  the  republican  county  central  com- 
mittee, and  is  untiring  in  his  efforts  to  secure  the  adoption  of  the  political  prin- 
ciples in  which  he  so  firmly  believes. 

He  is  also  deeply  interested  in  agriculture  and  development  along  that  line 
and  he  owns  a  large  tract  of  land  east  of  Grinnell.  where  he  carries  on  farm- 
ing pursuits  on  a  scientific  basis.  He  belongs  to  Marshalltown  Lodge,  No.  312, 
B.  P.  O.  E..  of  Marshalltown.  Iowa,  is  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church  and 
of  the  Knights  of  Ct)lumbus.  From  a  poor  boy  he  has  worked  his  way  up- 
ward, largely  providing  for  his  own  education  and  winning  in  life  that  suc- 
cess which  is  the  result  of  earnest,  persistent  effort,  intelligently  directed.  While 
various  interests  claim  his  attention  and  have  been  promoted  through  his  activity, 
liis  attention  is  chiefly  given  to  his  profession  and  his  practice  is  a  very  exten- 
sive one,  extending  from  New  York  to  California.  He  is  a  most  eloquent, 
earnest  and  able  pleader  and  his  work  is  largely  given  to  pleading  his  cases 
before  the  courts.  He  has  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  law,  eloquence 
expressed  in  well  modulated  tones,  and  the  sympathetic  quality  of  his  voice  com- 
bined with  wide  understanding  of  legal  principles  enables  him  to  not  only  sway 
but  to  convince  auditors  and  the  court. 


GODFREY  CRIDER. 


Godfrey  Crider,  wdio  is  engaged  in  breeding  and  raising  Chester  White 
hogs  and  shorthorn  cattle  as  well  as  feeding  hogs  for  the  market  on  his  home- 
stead in  Lincoln  township,  Poweshiek  county,  was  born  in  Tuscarawas  county, 
Ohio,  on  the  23d  of  February,  1847.  He  is  of  Swiss  extraction,  his  p.irents 
Nicholas  and  Maria  ( Stober )  Crider,  having  been  natives  of  the  land  of  the 
.•Mps,  and  there  they  were  reared  and  married.  Nicholas  Crider.  who  was  a 
weaver  by  trade,  emigrated  to  the  United  States  with  his  wife  in  1845.  They 
located  in  Ohio,  where  the  father  cleared  forty  acres  of  land,  erected  a  log 
house  and  out-buildings,  and  there  they  resided  for  ten  years.  At  the  end  of 
that  period  they  removed  to  Iowa,  locating  upon  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
government  land  which  Mr.  Crider  purchased  in  Poweshiek  county  in  1856. 
Upon  this  property  he  erected  the  same  primitive  structures  of  logs  as  were  to 
be  found  on  the  majority  of  the  homesteads  of  that  period,  placing  his  land 
under  cultivation  gradually  as  he  cleared  it.  Here  he  continued  to  reside  until 
his  demise  at  the  age  of  seventy-seven  years.  He  was  a  democrat  in  politics, 
considering  the  principles  of  that  party  to  more  closely  resemble  the  govern- 
mental policy  of  his  native  land.  In  Switzerland  and  Ohio  he  affiliated  with 
the  Lutheran  denomination  but  after  coming  to  Iowa  he  united  \vith  the  Morav- 
ian church,  in  the  faith  of  which  he  passed  away. 


610  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Godfrey  Crider  was  nine  years  of  age  when  his  parents  settled  in  Pov.'eshiek 
county,  so  that  his  education  was  acquired  in  the  district  school.-  of  Ohio  and 
Iowa.  After  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  engaged  with  his  father  in  ihe 
cultivation  of  the  homestead,  where  he  has  ever  since  continued  to  live.  He 
now  owns  seventy-two  and  one-half  acres  of  this  land,  which  is  well  improved 
and  under  a  good  state  of  cultivation.  Although  Mr.  Crider  engages  in  gen- 
eral farming  the  greater  part  of  his  attention  is  directed  to  his  stock-raising,  in 
which  he  has  met  with  a  very  fair  degree  of  success.  For  the  past  twelve  years 
he  has  been  engaged  in  the  real-estate  and  insurance  business  and  is  a  member 
of  the  executive  committee  of  the  Poweshiek  County  Mutual  Fire  Insurance 
Company. 

In  this  county  on  the  6th  of  January,  1871,  occurred  the  n;arriage  (f  Mr. 
Crider  and  Miss  Mary  F.  Conley,  a  daughter  of  Evan  D.  and  Lucy  Conley, 
natives  of  the  state  of  New  York,  from  which  they  removed  to  Ohio.  Later 
they  came  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Poweshiek  county,  whee  the  father  was  identified 
with  general  farming,  but  the  latter  years  of  his  life  were  spent  in  Kansas, 
where  he  passed  away.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Crider  were  born  the  following 
children :  Alfred  L.,  an  engineer  on  the  railroad  with  headquarters  at  Mason 
City,  is  married  and  has  four  children,  Lester,  Mabel,  Verne  and  a  baby  not 
named.  Charles  O.,  who  is  married  and  has  one  child,  Thearal,  lives  at  Brook- 
lyn, Iowa.  William  D.,  who  is  a  farmer  in  Lincoln  township,  is  also  married 
and  has  two  children,  Gladys  and  George  W.  Eva  M.  married  John  Armstrong, 
of  Brooklyn,  Iowa,  and  has  two  children,  Ross  O.  and  Louis.  Fred,  who  is 
living  on  a  farm  northwest  of  Brooklyn,  is  married  and  has  two  children.  Anna 
and  Edna  May.  Guy  E.,  who  is  a  blacksmith,  lives  on  the  homestead  with  liis 
parents.  Robert  E.  is  a  resident  of  Brooklyn.  Elsie  married  William  Kilmer, 
a  farmer  of  Lincoln  township.  Louis  is  connected  with  a  grocery  store  at 
Brooklyn.     Clair,  who   is  unmarried,  lives  at  home. 

The  church  relationship  of  the  family  is  with  the  Moravian  denomination, 
and  the  political  views  of  Mr.  Crider  coincide  with  the  principles  of  the  demo- 
cratic party,  but  he  was  elected  assessor,  which  office  he  held  for  three  terms, 
by  the  republicans.  He  was  for  many  years  a  trustee  and  school  director  in 
Lincoln  township  and  for  nineteen  years  he  was  treasurer  of  the  board  of  school 
directors.  Mr.  Crider  has  always  been  recognized  as  one  of  the  enterprising 
and  public-spirited  citizens  of  Lincoln  township,  where  he  and  his  family  are 
well  regarded. 


THOMAS  S.  GRAVER. 


Thomas  S.  Graver,  who  for  eighteen  years  has  been  engaged  in  the  cultiva- 
tion of  his  home  farm  in  Sugar  Grove  township,  was  born  in  the  state  of  New 
Jersey  on  the  21st  of  April,  1848.  He  is  a  son  of  the  late  Samuel  P.  and  Eliza- 
beth (Nelson)  Graver,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  New  Jersey,  where  the 
father  engaged  in  farming  until  about  1852.  In  that  year,  accompanied  by  his 
wife  and  children,  he  removed  westward,  settling  on  a  farm  in  Franklin  county. 


HISTORY  OF  roWESlllKK  COUNTY  611 

Indiana,  which  he  cultivated  for  three  years.  In  1855  he  became  a  resident 
of  Iowa,  taking  up  his  abode  upon  a  farm  which  he  purchased  in  Union  town- 
ship, Poweshiek  county.  The  cultivation  and  improvement  of  that  property 
engaged  his  attention  until  he  passed  away  in  1894.  He  had  long  survived  his 
wife,  whose  demise  had  occurred  in  August,  1872.  Mr.  Graver  ever  manifested 
a  loyal  and  patriotic  spirit  and  when  the  Civil  war  broke  out  he  sent  six  sons 
to  the  defense  of  their  country,  five  returning  at  the  close  of  the  war  with  honor- 
able discharges,  while  one  was  left  to  rest  in  a  grave  in  the  sunny  south.  Both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Craver  were  active  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church 
and  theirs  was  a  Christian  home,  their  children  being  surrounded  by  such  in- 
fluences and  teachings  as  developed  high  principles  and  honorable  manhood 
and  womanhood. 

Their  sons  and  daughters  in  order  of  birth  were  as  follows:  George  W., 
now  deceased ;  Henry,  a  resident  of  Marshalltown,  Iowa ;  John  W.,  who  has 
also  passed  away ;  Cornelius  C,  who  resides  on  his  farm  in  Deep  River  town- 
ship;  Joseph  A.,  living  on  a  fine  farm  in  Sugar  Grove  township;  Mary,  now  de- 
ceased :  Theophilus,  who  owns  an  extensive  sheep  and  cattle  ranch  near  Red 
Rock,  Montana;  Thomas  S.,  Jervis,  living  in  Sioux  City,  Iowa;  Jacob  N.,  a 
resident  of  Centerville,  Iowa;  Rachel  J.,  the  wife  of  Mitchell  Thomas,  a  wealthy 
retired  farmer  of  Grinnell,  Iowa;  Jesse  and  Frank,  who  are  deceased;  and 
Delia,  who  lives  in  New  Hampshire. 

Reared  on  the  homestead  in  Union  township,  Thomas  S.  Craver  acquired 
Iiis  preliminary  education  in  the  schools  of  that  locality  and  supplemented  this 
hy  a  three  years'  course  in  Iowa  College  at  Grinnell.  After  teaching  in  rural 
schools  for  several  terms  he  then  pursued  a  commercial  course  in  Eastman's 
Business  College  at  Poughkeepsie,  New  York,  from  which  he  was  graduated 
with  the  class  of  1875.  He  then  returned  to  Grinnell,  where  he  engaged  in 
clerking  for  three  and  a  half  years,  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  period  be 
■entered  the  employ  of  Goss  &  Carney  Brothers,  lumber  dealers,  with  rthom 
he  continued  for  thirteen  years.  In  1893  he  decided  to  sever  hi-  connection 
uith  commercial  interests  and  devote  his  time  to  agricultural  pursuits,  in  con- 
•-equence  of  which  he  removed  to  his  present  farm  upon  which  the  faniil)'  io"k 
up  their- abode  two  years  later.  He  has  an  excellent  homestead  of  five  hundred 
and  eighty  acres  which  is  well  improved,  and  his  attention  is  now  given  to 
general    farming  in   connection   with    stockraising   and    feeding. 

Mr.  Craver  has  been  married  twice,  his  first  union  being  with  Miss  Edna 
\'erbeck,  whom  he  wedded  in  May,  1879.  She  was  a  daughter  of  Luther  Ver- 
beck,  of  Grinnell,  Iowa,  and  died  in  Poweshiek  county  on  the  5th  of  December, 
1898.  There  were  three  sons  and  three  daughters  of  that  marriage.  Luther  T., 
a  resident  of  Des  Moines,  and  now  editor  and  manager  of  the  Underwriters 
Revicv,- :  Merrill  H.,  who  is  living  on  his  farm  near  Forest  Home;  Lucy  E..  who 
became  the  wife  of  Lee  Inman,  of  Grinnell ;  Mary  E..  the  wife  of  Omer  Good- 
ner,  of  Mahaska  county,  Iowa;  Grace,  the  wife  of  F.  E.  Rodgers,  of  Omaha, 
Nebraska ;  and  S.  Grant,  who  is  living  at  home.  For  bis  second  wife  Mr. 
Craver  chose  Miss  Cassie  Irene  Frye,  who  is  a  daughter  of  the  late  Dr.  J.  H. 
Frye,  of  Mahaska  county,  and  was  formerly  a  teacher  in  the  public  schools  of 
Des  Moines,  Iowa. 


612  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

His  political  support  Mr.  Craver  accords  to  the  candidates  of  the  republican 
party.  He  is  an  honorable,  upright  citizen,  whose  character  is  above  reproach. 
His  ideas  are  practical  and  intelligent,  his  methods  progressive  and  he  is  meet- 
ing with  substantial  success  in  his  pursuits,  being  recognized  as  one  of  the  pros- 
perous farmers  of  the  community.  His  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist 
church,  having  been  an  active  worker  in  church  societies  until  the  removal  of 
the  family  to  the  farm  in  1906. 


JOHN  D.  WICHM.WX. 

John  D.  Wichmann.  a  prominent  farmer  of  ^Nlalcom  township  and  a  veteran 
of  the  Civil  war,  was  born  in  the  grand  duchy  of  Oldenburg,  Germany,  on  the  12th 
of  January,  1836.  His  parents,  John  and  Margaret  (  Kohler)  Wichmann,  were 
lifelong  residents  of  Germany,  carrying  on  agricultural  pursuits  on  a  small  rented 
farm  there.  In  their  family  were  four  children,  as  follows  :  Henry,  who  passed 
awav  in  the  fatherland  ;  Margaret,  who  married  Henry  Litte,  of  Adair  county, 
Iowa  :  John  D.,  of  this  review  :  and  John  Frederick,  of  Iowa  county,  Iowa. 

John  D.  W'ichmann  continued  a  resident  of  his  native  country  until  iS^i,  in 
which  year  he  came  to  the  United  States  and  at  once  made  his  w-ay  to  Iowa,  locat- 
ing in  Iowa  countv,  where  he  remained  for  one  year.  He  then  came  to  Poweshiek 
county  in  the  spring  of  1862.  and  on  the  12th  of  August  of  that  year  enlisted  from 
this  county  as  a  soldier  of  Company  H,  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  \'olunteer  Infantry. 
He  remained  a  member  of  that  regiment  throughout  the  remainder  of  the  war  and 
in  the  meantime  participated  in  all  engagements  in  which  it  took  part.  On  the 
31st  of  July,  1865,  he  was  mustered  out  at  Savannah,  Georgia,  after  having  given 
brave  and  loyal  service  to  his  adopted  country  during  her  hour  of  need.  After 
the  close  of  the  war  he  again  went  to  Iowa  county,  Iowa,  and  there  worked  for 
one  year  at  what  was  known  as  Dutch  Colony.  In  the  fall  of  1866  he  returned  to 
Germany  to  see  his  parents,  spending  six  months  in,  the  fatherland,  and  during 
that  visit,  in  April,  1867,  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Anna  Kate  Haase,  who 
was  also  born  in  the  grand  duchy  of  Oldenburg,  on  the  31st  of  August,  1841. 

Returning  to  Iowa  with  his  bride  he  began  farming  on  his  own  account  in  Iowa 
county,  there  renting  a  farm  for  four  years,  after  which  he  purchased  a  tract  of 
eighty  acres  which  he  continued  to  operate  for  five  years.  At  the  expiration  of 
that  period  he  sold  the  farm  to  his  brother,  John  Frederick  Wichmann,  who  still 
resides  thereon,  and  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  adjoining  that  tract. 
There  he  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits  until  1882,  when  he  leased  his 
farm  for  six  years,  after  which  he  sold  it.  In  the  spring  of  1883  he  came  to  his 
present  home,  a  well  improved  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  located  on 
sections  13,  14  and  11,  Malcom  township,  Poweshiek  county.  He  is  a  progressive 
farmer,  has  erected  substantial  barns  and  outbuildings  on  the  place,  and  is  con- 
ducting his  affairs  according  to  the  most  modern  and  practical  methods.  The  suc- 
cess which  has  come  to  him  as  the  result  of  his  well  directed  efforts  and  earnest 
labors  is  creditable  and  gratifying  and  he  is  numbered  among  the  prosperous  agri- 
culturists of  Malcom  township.     He  also  owns  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 


MR.    AND    .Mi;s.    .lul|\    1  p.    WHIIMA.NN 


THE 

PUB  I 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  015 

acres  located  on  the  state  road  in  section  24,  this  township,  whicli  is  the  source  of 
a  good  annual  income. 

The  home  of  Mr,  and  Mrs.  W'ichniann  has  been  blessed  with  seven  children, 
as  follows :  Matilda,  now  the  wife  of  T.  Cady,  of  Lyon  county.  Minnesota ;  Clause, 
a  farmer  residing  near  Malcom ;  Lizzie,  who  married  Charles  Bostin,  of  Malcom 
townshii);  Molly  Augusta,  the  wife  of  Gust  Shiler,  of  Scott  township,  Poweshiek 
county:  Diedrich,  of  Sheridan  township:  Louis,  at  home:  and  Henry,  who  makes 
his  home  in  Malcom  township. 

The  parents  attend  the  German  Lutheran  church  and  are  held  in  high  esteem 
throughout  the  community  in  which  they  reside.  Mr.  Wichmann  maintains  pleas- 
ant relations  with  his  old  army  comrades  through  his  membership  in  John  Drake 
Post,  G.  A.  R.,  of  Brooklyn.  He  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the  democracy 
until  i8g6,  since  which  time  he  has  been  a  stanch  republican,  giving  hearty  sup- 
])ort  to  that  party,  although  not  desirous  of  public  office  for  himself.  The  only 
offices  which  he  has  filled  have  been  those  connected  with  school  and  road  alTairs, 
for  he  has  ever  had  the  best  interests  of  the  community  at  heart,  doing  all  in  his 
power  to  further  the  material,  intellectual  and  moral  growth  of  his  section.  He 
has  manv  excellent  traits  of  character  which  commend  him  to  the  regard  of  his 
fellowmen,  exemplifying  in  his  life  many  of  the  stalwart  (jualities  which  are  rec- 
ognized as  the  birthright  of  the  German  race,  and  all  who  know  him  hold  him  in 
high  esteem. 


■/G./.N;  COJC. 


Few  men  possess  the  activity,  the  alertness  and  the  enterprise  of  C.  X.  Cox, 
whose  name  is  a  synonym  for  all  thatvis  standard  and  all  that  is  progressive  in 
mercantile  life  in  Deep  River.  Success  has  come  to  him  as  the  gradual  develop- 
ment and  unfolding  of  his  powers,  the  wise  use  of  opportunities  and  the  execu- 
tion of  carefully  formed  plans,  until  today  he  stands  at  the  head  of  the  well 
known  firm  of  C.  N.  Cox  &  Company,  conducting  the  largest  enterprise  of  its 
kind  in  Deep  River  and  one  of  the  largest  in  Poweshiek  county.  He  is  a  native 
son  of  Deep  River  township,  born  on  a  farm  a  half  mile  east  of  the  town  of 
Deep  River,  his  natal  day  being  December  26,  1868.  He  is  a  son  of  George 
and  Catharine  (Funk)  Cox,  of  whom  extended  mention  is  made  elsewdiere  in 
this   work. 

C.  N.  Cox  is  the  eldest  in  a  family  of  four  children,  and  his  boyhood  and 
youth  were  spent  on  the  home  farm  in  Deep  River  township.  His  early  education 
was  acquired  in  the  public  schools  of  Poweshiek  county,  his  studies  thee  being 
supplemented  by  a  three  years'  course  in  Cornell  College  at  Mount  Vernon. 
Iowa.  At  the  age  of  nineteen  he  entered  the  store  of  his  father  in  Deep  River, 
first  working  as  a  clerk.  He  was  thus  employed  for  six  or  seven  years, 
during  which  period  he  gained  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  business.  At  ihe 
end  of  that  time  he  was  given  an  interest  in  the  business,  the  other  membc-rs 
of  the  firm  being  his  father,  George  Cox,  and  E.  C.  Cochran,  business  being 
conducted   under   the   name   of   Cox   &  Cochran.      In    i8g8   the   father  and   son 


bit)  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

purchased  Mr.  Cochran's  interest  and  the  name  of  the  firm  was  changed  to  C. 
N.  Cox  &  Company,  but  the  son  has  complete  management  of  the  concern,  the 
father  having  only  a  financial  interest.  In  1900  the  business  had  grown  to  such 
proportions  that  it  was  found  necessary  to  enlarge  its  quarters  and  the  fatner 
at  that  time  erected  a  modern  two-story  brick  building  with  basement,  the  main 
room  being  fifty  by  eighty  feet,  with  warehouse  twenty- four  by  forty  feet  in 
dimensions.  The  basement,  first  floor  and  a  portion  of  the  second  story  are 
used  for  the  stock  of  goods,  while  the  remaining  portion  on  the  secoiid  floor  is 
devoted  to  office  purposes.  The  firm  carries  a  complete  line  of  general  mer- 
chandise and  seven  clerks  are  employed  in  the  conduct  of  the  enterprise.  Mr. 
Cox  is  ever  watchful  of  the  needs  of  his  patrons  and  his  modern  methods,  push 
and  square  dealing  have  been  the  elements  in  building  up  a  trade  that  new- 
makes  this  firm  the  largest  of  its  kind  in  Deep  River  and  one  of  the  largest 
mercantile  concerns  in  Poweshiek  county.  Mr.  Cox  is  a  principal  stockholder 
in  the  State  Bank  at  Deep  River  and  for  the  past  five  years  has  served  as  vice 
president  of  that  institution.  He  also  owns  stock  in  the  Deep  River  Brick  & 
Tile  Company. 

Mr.  Cox  was  married  in  1893  to  Miss  Margaret  Crowder,  of  Oskaloosa, 
a  daughter  of  Dr.  Crowder  of  that  city.  They  have  a  daughter  and  son.  Kath- 
ryn  and  Howard.  Mr.  Cox  is  a  prominent  Mason,  belonging  to  Golden  Rod 
Lodge.  No.  512,  at  Deep  River;  to  the  chapter  at  What  Cheer;  and  to  the  con- 
sistory and  to  El  Kahir  Temple  of  the  Mystic  Shrine  at  Cedar  Rapids.  He  is 
quick,  positive,  exacting  and  comprehensive  of  every  detail  of  affairs  that  comes 
within  the  scope  of  his  action.  He  is  a  modest,  unassuming  man,  whose  tinu 
has  been  devoted  to  the  welfare  of  his  family  and  his  business.  He  is.  how- 
ever, an  interesting  man  personally  and  one  who  has  learned  well  life's  lessons 
and  put  them  to  practical  account.  His  store  is  the  expression  of  himself,  his 
ideals,  his  character  and  his  quiet,  persistent  industry  and  ability. 


M.  J.  CAIN. 


Probably  few  men  are  better  known  throughout  Poweshiek  countv  in  con- 
nection with  the  union  labor  cause  than  is  M.  J.  Cain,  now  living  retired  in  Brook- 
lyn. He  was  bom  near  Morristown,  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  on  the  15th  of 
January,  1835,  a  son  of  Daniel  Cain,  who  was  a  soldier  of  the  war  of  1812. 
and  a  grandson  of  Richard  Cain,  who  served  for  four  years  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war.  Our  subject's  mother,  who  bore  the  maiden  name  of  Elizabeth 
McClain  was  a  daughter  of  William  McClain.  also  a  Revolutionary  hero,  having 
for  eight  long  years  aided  the  colonies  in  their  struggle  for  independence. 

M.  J.  Cain  remained  on  the  home  farm  in  his  native  county  until  twelve 
years  of  age.  when  he  became  an  apprentice  to  the  tailor's  trade.  After  thor- 
oughly mastering  that  occupation  he  followed  it  until  he  had  saved  sufficient 
money  to  enable  him  to  complete  a  dental  course,  after  which  he  was  engaged 
in  the  practice  of  dentistry  for  eight  years.  That  profession,  however,  proved 
detrimental  to  his  health   and   in    1855  he  abandoned  it  and   started   for  Iowa. 


HISTURV  UF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  617 

reaching  Burlington  on  the  13th  of  February.  From  that  place  he  went  to 
Jefferson  county  and  there  followed  the  tailor's  trade  until  i860,  when  he  made 
his  way  to  Missouri.  He  soon  returned  to  Iowa,  however,  locating  at  Leon, 
Decatur  county.  He  was  residing  at  the  latter  place  at  the  time  of  the  Civil 
war,  and  in  1862  he  organized  a  company  of  Union  soldiers  which  became 
known  as  Company  K,  Thirty-ninth  Iowa  Infantry.  In  August  of  that  year  he 
was  mustered  into  service  as  first  lieutenant  of  his  company  and  continued  in 
that  capacity  throughout  the  remainder  of  the  war.  He  took  part  in  all  of  the 
engagements  of  his  regiment,  went  with  Sherman  to  the  sea  and  during  that 
great  march  was  engaged  in  fighting  for  four  days  without  any  sleep  or  rest 
whatever,  a  strain  which  permanently  affected  his  health. 

After  the  cessation  of  hostilities  Mr.  Cain  came  to  Brooklyn  and  was  here 
successfully  engaged  in  the  grocery  business  until  1873.  in  which  year  he  sold 
out  and  purchased  a  farm  about  two  miles  east  of  town,  upon  which  he  resided 
until  October,  1894,  when  he  again  took  up  his  abode  in  Brooklyn  and  has 
since  lived  retired.  However,  he  did  not  sell  his  farm,  which  consisted  of  two 
hundred  acres  of  valuable  land,  until  1906.  Prior  to  his  withdrawal  from  active 
life  his  career  had  been  one  of  continuous  activity  in  the  various  channels  into 
which  he  had  directed  his  efforts  and  was  characterized  at  all  times  by  a  close 
application,  keen  business  ability  and  sound  judgment  which  proved  potent 
forces  in  the  accumulation  of  a  competency  which  ranks  him  among  the  sub- 
stantial and  prosperous  citizens  of   Brooklyn. 

It  is  probably  through  his  activity  along  political  lines,  however,  that  Mr. 
Cain  has  become  best  known  to  the  residents  of  Poweshiek  county.  At  an  early 
day  he  became  interested  in  the  labor  question  and  has  ever  remained  a  stal- 
wart anti-monopolist.  For  a  long  period  he  was  president  of  the  Farmers 
Alliance  and  early  became  a  member  of  the  Knights  of  Labor,  while  for  some 
time  he  served  as  master  workman  of  his  assembly.  He  was  a  delegate  from 
his  county  to  the  union  labor  convention  held  in  Cincinnati,  and  at  that  time 
was  chosen  to  organize  the  district  in  Iowa,  in  which  task  he  was  most  success- 
ful. He  made  a  thorough  study  of  and  became  well  posted  on  the  needs  of 
farmers  and  laborers  and  became  intensely  interested  in  the  cause  of  union 
labor.  Possessing  much  ability  as  an  orator,  he  carried  on  an  extensive  cam- 
paign throughout  this  and  adjoining  states  and  in  1887  was  the  candidate  of  the 
union  labor  party  for  governor  of  Iowa.  Something  of  his  popularity  among 
the  laboring  classes  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  at  that  time  he  was  supported 
by  fourteen  thousand,  five  hundred  votes,  the  largest  vote  received  by  any  union 
labor  or  greenback  candidate  for  governor  or  for  any  other  ofifice  in  Iowa  since 
the  time  of  General  Weaver.  In  more  recent  years,  however,  Mr.  Cain  has 
withdrawn  from  active  politics,  and  since  1890  has  been  identified  with  the 
re[)ublican   party. 

Mr.  Cain  was  united  in  marriage  in  Libertyville,  Jefferson  county,  Iowa,  on 
the  30th  of  July,  1857,  to  Miss  Nancy  Elizabeth  Morey,  who  was  born  in  .\thens, 
Athens  county,  Ohio,  on  the  i6th  of  February,  1840.  She  is  a  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Cyrus  and  Elizabeth  (Martin)  Morey,  natives  of  New  York  and  Ohio 
respectively.  Her  father  began  his  ministerial  work  in  connection  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church   in  West  \'irginia  in    185 1.     In    1835  he  became  a 


618  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

member  of  the  Iowa  conference,  his  first  appointment  being  Troy,  this  state. 
For  one  year  during  the  war  he  preached  at  the  Brooklyn  church  and  continued 
his  connection  with  the  Iowa  conference  until  the  time  of  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred on  the  27th  of  March,  1890.  He  was  a  man  of  most  excellent  traits  and 
was  loved  and  respected  by  all  who  came  under  his  influence.  Joseph  K.  Morev, 
a  brother  of  Mrs.  Cain,  entered  the  Union  army  during  the  Civil  war  as  a 
member  of  the  Sixth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  was  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Shiloh  and  was  afterward  transferred  to  the  Eighteenth  Iowa  Volunteer 
Infantry,  being  mustered  out  as  lieutenant  colonel  of  his  regiment.  He  was 
a  lawyer  by  profession  but  died  only  one  year  after  his  return  from  the  war. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Cain  were  born  eleven  children,  as  follows :  Flora  Mav, 
the  wife  of  L.  W.  Perham.  of  Wichita  Falls.  Texas ;  Charles  Clifford,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  nineteen  months  and  was  buried  at  Corinth,  Mississippi,  while  his 
mother  was  visiting  her  husband  in  the  army;  Carrie,  the  deceased  wife  of 
Homer  D.  Lee ;  Edward  Lowell,  general  transportation  clerk  of  mails  for 
the  United  States,  stationed  at  Omaha,  Nebraska ;  L\  S.,  a  farmer  of  Bear 
Creek  township,  who  formerly  engaged  in  teaching:  Artliur  Cyrus,  conducting 
a  restaurant  at  Kansas  City.  ^Missouri ;  Ira  M.,  a  traveling  man  with  headquar- 
ters at  Kansas  City ;  Eva  Frances,  the  wife  of  Grant  II.  Miller,  who  resides 
on  a  ranch  near  lola,  Kansas;  Charles  C,  engaged  in  the  drug  business  in 
Deep  River,  Iowa ;  Edyth  Myrtle,  who  married  Dr.  John  Ringena,  of  Deep 
River ;  and  Dr.  Raymond  W.,  practicing  medicine  in  Denver,  Colorado. 

The  family  occupy  a  most  attractive  home  in  Brooklyn  and  are  well  known 
in  the  social  circles  of  the  town.  They  hold  membership  in  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  ^Ir.  Cain  belongs  to  the  Grand  .Army  of  the  Republic, 
having  assisted  in  the  organization  of  John  T.  Drake  Post,  No.  321,  of  Brook- 
lyn. He  is  a  man  of  fine  physical  appearance  and  of  very  pleasing  personality, 
and  during  the  years  of  his  residence  in  this  locality  has  won  a  circle  of  warm 
friends  which  is  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  his  acquaintance. 


WILLIAM   H.  SANDERS. 

William  H.  Sanders,  who  is  now  living  retired  in  a  comfortable  home  in 
Deep  River,  is  one  of  the  few  remaining  veterans  of  the  Civil  war  and  is  a 
man  highly  respected  by  all  who  know  him.  He  was  born  in  Trumbull  county, 
Ohio,  February  12,  1841,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Hetta  (Smith)  Sanders,  who 
were  natives  of  Pennsylvania,  where  they  were  reared  and  married.  Thev  re- 
moved from  the  Keystone  state  to  Ohio,  and  in  1854  they  continued  their 
journey  farther  west,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  four  miles 
north  of  Montezuma.  In  i860  the  father  removed  with  his  family  to  Dallas, 
Texas,  and  his  death  occurred  there  in  the  fall  of  that  year.  The  mother 
afterward  returned  to  Iowa  and  here  her  remaining  vears  were  spent.  Their 
family  numbered  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  namely :  Harrison,  a  resident 
of  Montezuma ;  Franklin,  deceased,  who  served  three  years  in  the  Civil  war  as 
a  member  of  the  Tenth  Iowa  Infantry;  William  TL,  of  this  review;  Mrs.  Mary 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  619 

Ann  Stonehocker,  a  resident  of  New  Sharon,  Iowa;  Eliza,  the  wife  of  I'ctcr 
Smith,  a  resident  of  Searsboro,  Iowa;  Daniel  Monroe,  who  served  ninety  days 
in  the  Civil  war,  as  a  member  of  the  l'"orty-sixth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  now  re- 
sides in  Allegany  county,  Xew  York;  Charles,  who  makes  his  home  in  Pleasant 
township:  Mrs.  Rose  Ann  Mullellaii,  deceased;  and  Rachel  Kistler,  a  resident 
of  Ohio. 

William  H.  Sanders  spent  the  i)eriod  of  his  early  boyhootl  and  yi)iith  in 
(  )hio  and  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Iowa  in  1854.  lie  re- 
mained under  the  parental  roof  until  he  had  reached  the  age  of  sixteen  years, 
when,  in  1858,  he  went  to  La  Plata,  Missouri,  where  he  remained  until  the  fall 
of  i8bo,  at  which  time  his  father  died  in  Texas,  leaving  the  mother  in  destitute 
circumstances.  The  son  then  went  south,  covering  much  of  the  distance  on 
foot.  In  the  spring  of  1861  he  antl  his  mother  started  on  the  overland  journey 
for  the  north,  driving  an  old  ox  team.  They  had  a  long,  arduous  and  dangerous 
trip,  owing  to  the  war  and  the  murders  being  committed  as  the  people  from  the 
south  were  making  their  way  to  the  northern  states.  They  arrived  in  Powe- 
shiek county  late  in  the  fall  of  1861,  and  here  Mr.  Sanders  remained  until  the 
time  of  his  enlistment.  It  was  on  the  4th  of  January,  1863,  that  he  became 
a  member  of  Company  E.  Fourth  Iowa  Cavalry,  and  it  was  through  his  and 
the  efforts  of  A.  L,  Morgan,  Sebastian  Boyd,  Barney  Xeall  and  Ed.  McVay, 
who  also  enlisted,  that  Deep  River  tonwship  was  saved  from  being  drafted.  He 
took  part  with  his  regiment  in  the  battles  of  Guntown,  Big  Blue,  Osage,  Selma, 
Alabama;  Montgomery,  Augusta  and  Columbus,  Georgia,  which  was  the  last 
battle  of  the  war.  Both  he  and  his  two  brothers  were  fortunate  in  escaping 
without  serious  injury,  the  only  accident  being  a  slight  gimshot  wound  in  the 
hand  and  wrist  of  Franklin  Sanders.  William  H.  Sanders  was  honorably  dis- 
charged in   1865. 

.\fter  the  close  of  hostilities  Mr.  Sanders  returned  to  his  home  in  Poweshiek 
county  and  once  more  resumed  the  occupation  of  farming.  He  eventually  be- 
came the  owner  of  one  hundred  fifty-three  and  a  half  acres  adjoining  the  cor- 
poration limits  of  Deep  River  and  located  on  section  4,  Deep  River  township. 
Thrnughnut  a  long  period  he  was  actively  identified  with  agricultural  pursuits 
but  in  ]<"ebruary,  1904,  having  accumulated  a  property  that  supplies  him  with 
the  comforts  of  life,  he  retired  and  is  now  living  in  a  nice  home  which  he 
built  in  the  town.  He  still  retains  possession  of  his  farm  land  and  from  this 
derives  a  good  income  each  year. 

Mr.  Sanders  was  married  August  10,  1861,  in  Deep  River  township,  to 
Miss  Hilpa  A.  Rundle.  who  was  born  in  Coshocton  coimty.  Ohio,  April  28,  1837. 
Her  parents,  Oliver  B.  and  Ann  (  Sargood )  Rundle,  were  natives  of  the  east, 
the  former  born  in  Xew  Jersey,  and  the  latter  in  Allegheny  cottnty,  Pennsyl- 
vania. They  were  married,  however,  in  ( )hio,  and  there  made  their  home  until 
1849,  when  the}'  removed  to  Poweshiek  county,  the  father  entering  the  farm 
which  is  now  owned  by  Mr.  Sanders.  Thev  made  the  overland  journey  from 
Ohio  to  Poweshiek  county  with  wagons  and  two  teams,  leaving  their  home  in 
the  former  state  on  the  4th  of  May,  1849,  ^"'1  arriving  here  on  the  5th  of  June 
following.  Mr.  Rundle  died  on  the  home  farm  when  in  his  eighty-eighth  year, 
and  Mrs.  Rundle  passed  away  at  the  age  of  eighty-two.     Their  family  numbered 


620  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

three  daughters  and  one  son :  Mrs.  Emily  Morgan,  who  died  in  Hardin  county, 
Iowa;  Elizabeth  J.,  the  widow  of  Stephen  N.  Glandon,  a  resident  of  South 
Enghsh,  Iowa;  John  S.,  who  was  killed  by  a  train  in  1892;  and  Mrs.  Sanders, 
who  is  now  the  oldest  resident  in  Deep  River  township. 

The  marriage  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sanders  has  been  blessed  with  five  children: 
Clara,  who  became  the  wife  of  Charles  Jenkins  and  died  leaving  one  daughter, 
Mabel ;  Alvah  B.,  who  is  engaged  in  the  real-estate  business  in  Deep  River ; 
Amsdon,  who  is  a  merchant  of  Wellnian,  Iowa;  Minnie,  of  Denver.  Colorado; 
and  Edward,  who  operates  the  home  farm.  Mrs.  Sanders  has  proved  a  faith- 
ful helpmate  to  her  husband,  for  soon  after  their  marriage  he  enlisted  for 
service  in  the  Civil  war  and  the  care  of  the  farm  devolved  upon  her,  but  she 
proved  herself  equal  to  the  arduous  task  and  from  that  time  to  the  present 
has  been  loyal  to  him  in  years  of  adversity  as  well  as  in  years  of  prosperity. 
They  have  lived  together  for  half  a  century  and  on  the  loth  of  .Augvist,  191 1, 
celebrated  the  fiftieth  anniversary  of  their  marriage. 

Mr.  Sanders  has  been  a  lifelong  republican  and  his  fellow  townsmen  have 
called  upon  him  to  fill  various  public  offices  of  trust  and  responsibility.  He  is 
identified  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  is  a  member  of  the  Grand 
Army  post  at  Deep  River.  He  has  ever  been  found  ready  to  lend  his  aid  and 
influence  in  the  cause  of  every  good  movement,  heartily  promoting  the  progress 
and  advancement  of  his  community.  He  has  led  a  busy,  useful  and  active  life, 
and  now  he  and  his  estimable  wife  are  enjoying  in  retirement  the  accumulations 
of  profitable,  successful  and  honorable  careers. 


ROBERT  AIARK  McWILLIAMS. 

.An  excellent  farm  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  acres  in  Lincoln  township  is 
the  reward  of  the  capably  directed  efiforts  of  Robert  Mark  McW'illiams,  whose 
success  in  life  is  due  to  his  own  endeavors.  He  was  born  in  Scotland  in  March, 
1825.  and  there  he  was  reared  and  educated  and  continued  to  reside  until  he 
had  attained  his  twenty-third  year.  His  parents,  who  were  John  and  Eugenie 
(Barron)  McWilliams,  spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  land  where  they  were 
born  and  where  the  father  engaged  in  fanning. 

Reared  in  the  parental  home  in  Scotland,  Robert  Mark  Mc\\'illiams  acquired 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  village.  In  1848  he  decided 
to  become  a  citizen  of  the  United  .States,  believing  that  if  the  wonderful  stories 
he  heard  regarding  the  opportunities  here  aiiforded  ambitious  young  men  were 
but  partially  true,  they  were  much  better  than  in  his  own  country.  Upon  his 
arrival  in  the  United  States  he  first  located  in  Ohio,  where  he  resided  for  three 
years  at  the  end  of  which  period  he  removed  to  Iowa.  He  first  settled  in  Cedar 
county,  where  he  remained  until  1854,  when  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  ob- 
taining employment  on  a  farm  in  Lincoln  township,  then  Deep  River,  this 
being  before  the  subdivision  of  the  latter  township.  Being  an  ambitious  and 
thrifty  young  man,  he  managed  to  save  enough  from  his  meager  wages  to 
enable  him  to  buy  a  portion  of  his  present  homestead  in  1859,  but  he  continued 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  621 

to  work  by  the  month  until  1864.  In  the  latter  year  he  enlisted  in  Company  E, 
Eleventh  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  went  to  the  front,  where  he  served  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  He  participated  in  some  of  the  notable  conflicts  which 
were  waged  during  the  latter  part  of  the  war  and  went  with  Shemian's  army 
on  their  famous  march  to  the  sea.  After  receiving  his  discharge  Mr.  McWill- 
iams  returned  to  Iowa  and  located  upon  his  hoinestead,  where  he  engaged  in 
general  farming  until  his  retirement.  Although  he  continues  to  reside  upon 
his  farm  it  is  now  operated  by  one  of  his  sons. 

Air.  McWilliams  was  married  in  1857  to  Miss  Margaret  Beveridge,  also  a 
native  of  Scotland  and  a  daughter  of  James  and  Sherer  Copeland  Beveridge, 
who  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  the  '50s.  Her  father,  who  was  a  car- 
penter by  trade,  purchased  a  farm  in  Ohio,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life,  passing  away  at  a  ripe  old  age.  Nine  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McWilliams:  Barbara,  who  is  a  resident  of  the  village  of  Deep  River; 
James,  who  lives  near  Cedar  Rapids ;  Joseph,  operating  the  old  homestead,  who 
is  married  and  has  five  children ;  John,  engaged  in  farming  in  Nebraska ;  Sarah, 
the  wife  of  Thomas  Olgevie,  who  is  a  railroad  conductor  and  li\es  in  Belle 
Plaine,  Iowa ;  William,  who  is  living  in  Guernsey,  where  he  follows  the  car- 
penter's trade;  Alex,  living  on  a  farm  in  Lincoln  township,  who  is  mar- 
ried antl  has  five  children;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Samuel  Gilmore,  who  is  a 
farmer  in  Hardin  county ;  and  Charles,  who  cultivates  a  farm  which  he  rents 
south  of  his  father's  homestead  in  Lincoln  township.  He  is  married  and  has 
five  children. 

Mr.  McWilliams  cast  his  first  presidential  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln  and 
has  ever  since  given  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party.  He  served 
as  school  director,  trustee  and  road  supervisor  in  his  township  at  various  times. 
He  has  passed  the  eighty-sixth  milestone  on  life's  journey,  fifty-seven  years 
of  which  time  have  been  spent  in  Poweshiek  county,  toward  the  development 
of  which  he  has  contributed  his  quota. 


FRED   A.   STILWELL. 


One  of  the  representative  stockmen  of  L'nion  township  is  Fred  A.  Stilwell, 
who  was  born  in  that  township  on  the  2nd  of  September,  1877,  his  parents  being 
Obadiah  and  Martha  (Steele)  Stilwell.  The  parents  were  both  natives  of 
Indiana,  the  father  having  been  born  in  Wayne  county  on  the  29th  of  January, 
1840,  while  the  mother's  natal  day  was  the  24th  of  July,  1843.  The  education  of 
Obadiah  Stilwell  was  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  Indiana,  in  which  ?tate 
he  spent  the  first  sixteen  years  of  his  life.  In  1856,  together  with  his  father. 
Elias  Stilwell,  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  locating  in  Sugar  Creek 
township  on  the  present  site  of  the  Stilwell  postofifice.  Here  the  father  secured 
a  tract  of  government  land,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  his  son  assisted  him 
until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age.  Obadiah  subsequently  bought  a  farm  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  same  tow^nship,  which  he  improved,  btit  later  he  dis- 
posed of   this   and   bought   a   place    in    Union    township.     He   cleared    and   im- 


622  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

proved  this  property,  which  contained  four  hundred  and  thirty-one  acres,  and 
engaged  in  stock- farming,  making  a  speciaUy  of  the  breeding  and  raising  of 
cattle  and  hogs.  Mr.  Stilwell  and  Miss  Steele  were  married  in  Union  township 
in  February,  1866,  and  to  them  were  born  five  children,  but  the  three  eldest, 
Elizabeth,  Frank  and  an  infant,  have  passed  away.  Those  surviving  are:  P'red 
A.,  our  subject;  and  Ida,  the  wife  of  William  Terbell.  of  Xew  Sharon,  Mahaska 
county,  Iowa.  The  father  died  on  the  i8th  of  January,  1910,  but  the  mother 
still  survives  and  makes  her  home  with  her  daughter  in  N'ew  Sharon.  They 
were  both  members  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  and  Mr.  Stilwell  w'as  a  democrat, 
though  formerly  he  had  cast  his  ballot  for  the  republican  party.  He  always 
took  an  active  interest  in  township  politics  and  served  for  some  time  as  super- 
visor while  living  in   Sugar  Creek   township. 

I'red  A.  Stilwell  was  reared  on  the  farm  where  he  is  now  living  and  in 
the  acquirement  of  his  education  attended  the  district  schools  in  the  locality. 
He  worked  for  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age  and  then  oper- 
ated the  homestead  on  shares  until  1907.  For  the  following  three  years  he 
rented  the  farm,  which  upon  the  death  of  his  father  he  inherited.  In  addition 
to  the  cultivation  of  his  fields  Mr.  Stilwell  engages  in  raising  horses  and  cattle, 
but  makes  a  specialty  of  the  breeding  of  Poland  China  hogs.  His  farm  is 
drained  and  substantially  fenced,  while  all  of  the  improvements  are  kept  in  the 
best  condition.  The  stock  is  well  housed,  the  grounds  kept  in  good  condition 
and  everything  about  the  place  has  an  air  of  thrift  and  careful  regard  for  details 
wdiich  attests  capable  supervision.  It  is  one  of  the  attractive  and  valuable 
properties  of  the  township  and  is  greatly  endeared  to  Mr.  Stilwell  because  of 
the  associations  of  a  life  time. 

On  the  15th  of  December,  1898,  was  solemnized  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Stil- 
well and  Miss  Lulu  M.  Boyd,  a  daughter  of  William  Jasper  and  Emily 
(Samuels)  Boyd,  of  New  Sharon.  Both  Air.  anil  Mrs.  Stilwell  hold  member- 
ship in  the  Church  of  Christ  and  he  is  also  affiliated  with  the  Knights  of 
Pythias,  being  identified  with  the  Montezuma  Lodge.  His  views  in  politics 
coincide  with  those  of  the  progressive  faction  of  the  republican  party,  for  whose 
candidates  he  casts  his  ballot.  He  is  one  of  the  progressive  and  enterpriiing 
agriculturists  and  stockmen  of  the  county  and  is  secretary  of  the  Corn  Belt 
Meat  Association,  through  the  medium  of  which  he  maintains  relation'!  with 
farmers  throughout  the  state. 


lOHX  F.  HAN X AY. 


C'lniing  of  good  old  Scotch  ancestry.  John  I'.  Hannay.  now  living  retired  on 
his  farm  in  Poweshiek  county,  has  in  his  life  shown  many  of  the  sturdv  char- 
acteristics of  a  race  that  is  celebrated  the  world  over  for  the  thriftiness,  fear- 
lessness and  reliability.  He  was  born  in  Dumfriesshire,  Scotland,  June  i,^.  1835, 
and  is  a  son  of  Robert  and  Martha  (  Finlay  )  Hannay,  both  of  whom  passed  their 
entire  lives  in  the  old  country.  The  father  was  a  highly  educated  man  and 
engaged  for  manv  years  in  teaching  school,  but  devoted  his  attention  to  faniiins; 


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HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  625 

in  early  life.  He  passed  away  at  the  age  of  eighty-three  years,  having  acquired 
a  reputation  of  which  his  family  and  friends  might  well  be  proud. 

John  F.  Hannay  received  his  early  training  in  the  common  schools  and  later 
had  the  advantages  of  a  course  of  instruction  in  the  Normal  College  at  Glas- 
gow, from  which  he  obtained  a  certificate  as  teacher.  He  received  great  assist- 
ance from  his  father,  who  was  a  teacher  of  marked  ability  and  who  directed  the 
studies  of  his  son  along  channels  that  have  proven  of  practical  benefit.  He  was 
a  teacher  in  a  parish  school  in  Scotlanil  for  a  time  and  also  devoted  some  at- 
tention to  farming.  Having  decided  to  devote  his  life  to  agricultural  pursuits 
in  preference  to  that  of  teaching  he  came  to  America  in  1883,  having  first  dis- 
posed of  land  which  he  owned  in  Scotland  and  for  which  he  received  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  pounds  or  seven  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  per  acre.  On  arriving 
in  this  country  he  located  in  Davenport,  where  he  rented  land  for  three  years. 
In  the  spring  of  1887  he  removed  to  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  continued  rent- 
ing for  three  years  longer.  In  1890  he  purchased  a  farm  in  Grinnell  township 
and  now  owns  si.x  hundred  and  twenty-seven  acres  of  good  land  which  under 
hi>  direction  has  been  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  He  has  devoted 
his  time  especially  to  the  feeding  of  hogs  and  cattle.  He  has  always  been  a  good 
judge  of  stock  and  has  generally  succeeded  in  securing  very  satisfactory  prices 
for  what  he  had  to  oflfer. 

On  the  17th  of  January,  1862,  Mr.  Hannay  was  united  in  marriage  in  Scot- 
land to  Miss  Margaret  Rankine,  a  daughter  of  James  and  Janet  (Brown)  Ran- 
kine.  The  father  was  a  farmer.  e^.'5pptland  and,  he  and  his  wife  continued  in 
their  native  land  rluring  their  entj-re -lives^ .  Si-x  children  came  to  bless  the  union 
lit  Mr.  anil  Mrs.  Hannay,  namely :  ~7^*sie"B;;  Martha  F.,  Robert,  James  R., 
M.  Louise  and  John  G.  W. .         _, 

A  man  of  fine  education  and  broad  mii/d,  Mr.  Hannay  has  never  lost  touch 
with  the  worlil  ami  has  always  kept  tborOiighly  informed  on  live  topics.  He  is 
of  a  genial  disposition  and  has  a  kind  word  for  everylxidy  he  meets.  His  friends, 
therefore,  are  numbered  by  the  legion.  Religiously  he  adheres  to  the  Congre- 
gational church  and  politically  is  identified  with  the  republican  party  but  often 
votes  independently  as  he  is  not  strictly  bound  by  party  lines.  In  all  the  relations 
of  life  he  has  acquitted  himself  most  honorably  as  behooves  a  man  who  seeks 
to  be  guided  by  principles  of  justice  and  truth. 


C.  W.  PIERCE. 


C.  W.  Pierce,  who  has  been  engaged  in  the  livery,  feed  and  sale  business  in 
Deep  River  since  1884,  is  numbered  among  the  energetic  and  prosperous  busi- 
ness men  of  this  locality.  He  was  born  in  Stephenson  county,  Illinois,  September 
to.  1866,  a  son  of  James  M.  and  Charlotte  (Phelps)  Pierce,  the  former  born 
in  New  Hampshire  and  the  latter  in  Illinois.  They  were  married  in  the  latter 
state  and  removed  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1881.  The  mother  died  here  in 
i8q8,  but  the  father  is  still  living  and  still  makes  his  home  in  Poweshiek  county. 
They  became  the  parents   of   five   children,  namely:    Hattie,   the   wife  of   Fred 


626  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Keller,  a  resident  of  Deep  River ;  C.  \V.,  whose  name  introduces  this  review ; 
H.  E. ;  J.  C,  a  resident  of  Deep  River;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

C.  W.  Pierce  at  the  usual  age  began  his  education  in  the  public  schools  of 
Illinois  and  in  that  state  was  reared  to  the  age  of  fifteen  years,  when,  in  1881, 
he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  When 
the  town  of  Deep  River  was  laid  out  in  1884,  Mr.  Pierce  started  a  livery  busi- 
ness, which  he  has  conducted  with  success  to  the  present  time.  He  has  the 
best  equipped  sale  stable  in  the  county,  his  bam  being  fifty  by  one  hundred  and 
twelve  feet  in  dimensions  with  basement  thirty  by  one  hundred  feet.  His  build- 
ing which  shelters  his  carriages  is  twenty-four  by  seventy  feet  and  he  has  a 
blacksmith  shop  twenty  by  sixty  feet.  He  keeps  twenty  fine  head  of  horses 
for  public  hire,  and  he  buys  and  sells  from  five  hunilred  to  six  hundred  head 
of  horses  annually.  His  long  experience  in  this  line  has  made  him  an  excellent 
judge  of  horses  and  he  is  therefore  able  to  conduct  his  business  on  a  profitable 
basis.  He  also  has  a  contract  for  dragging  the  roads  in  the  north  half  of 
Deep  River  township  and  his  work  in  this  connection  gives  satisfaction. 

Mr.  Pierce  was  married  in  1890,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  Miss  Minnie 
Sargent,  who  was  boni  in  Poweshiek  county,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  D.  K. 
Sargent.  He  is  methodical  and  accurate  in  the  conduct  of  his  business  affairs, 
and  the  splendid  appearance  of  his  horses  and  carriages  as  well  as  the  treatment 
he  gives  to  his  patrons  has  been  the  means  of  building  up  for  him  an  excellent 
trade. 


MARK  GRIER. 


One  of  the  progressive  and  highly  successful  young  agriculturists  of  Powe- 
shiek county  is  ^lark  Grier,  who  resides  in  Lincoln  township,  on  the  farm  where 
he  was  born  on  the  nth  of  May,  1878.  He  is  a  son  of  Benton  and  Mary 
Jane  (Sanders)  Grier,  natives  of  Ohio,  the  father  having  been  born  in  Guernsey 
county  on  the  14th  of  July,  1842.  His  paternal  ancestors  were  originally  from 
Ireland,  emigrating  from  there  to  .\merica  and  locating  in  Pennsylvania  in 
pioneer  days.  The  great-grandfather  removed  from  the  Keystone  state  to 
Ohio,  where  the  grandfather,  Thomas  Grier,  was  born  on  the  20th  of  Xovember. 
1810,  in  Belmont  county.  On  the  6th  of  December.  1832,  he  was  united  in 
marriage  to  Charity  Benton,  and  they  continued  to  live  in  the  Buckeye  state 
until  the  fall  of  1864,  when  they  removed  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Poweshiek  county. 
where  the  father,  who  became  an  extensive  landowner,  passed  away  on  the  15th 
of  December,  1866.  Thomas  Grier  willed  to  each  of  his  sons,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  Benton,  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  and  to  his  daughters  eighty. 
Benton  Grier  was  born  in  Guernsey  county.  Ohio,  on  the  14th  of  July,  1842, 
but  was  reared  and  educated  in  Coshocton  county.  He  was  twenty-one  years 
of  age  when  his  father  removed  to  Iowa  and  for  two  years  thereafter  he  con- 
tinued to  remain  at  home  assisting  in  the  operation  of  the  farm  in  Lincoln 
township.  In  1865  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  33  from  his 
brother  Reuben,  the  papers  being  signed  on  the  loth  of  January.  For  his  wife 
and  helpmate  he  chose  Miss  Mary  Jane  Sanders,  who  was  a  native  of  Morgan 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  627 

county.  Ohio,  and  tliey  became  the  parents  of  seven  chihh-eii.  the  son  Mark 
being  the  sixth  in  order  of  birth.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grier  manifested  their  rchgious 
faith  through  their  affiliation  with  the  United  Presbyterian  church. 

Reared  on  the  old  homestead  wliere  he  is  now  living,  Mark  Grier  acquired 
his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native  township,  and  assisted  his 
father,  at  such  times  as  he  was  not  engaged  with  his  studies,  in  the  work  of  the 
farm,  .\fter  laying  aside  his  school  books  he  assumed  the  management  of 
the  homestead,  which  he  now  owns  in  addition  to  two  hundred  and  forty  acres 
of  land  whicii  he  rents.  He  makes  a  specialty  of  raising  shorthorn  cattle  and 
feeds  cattle  and  hogs  for  the  market,  in  both  of  which  lines  he  is  meeting  with 
lucrative  returns.  The  house  now  occupied  by  him  and  his  wife  is  the  one 
which  his  father  erected  on  the  place  when  he  first  located  there  and  in  which 
Mark  Grier  was  born. 

On  the  4th  of  May,  1904,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mark  (irier  and  Sarah 
E.  P>owden,  a  daughter  of  Hugh  and  Margaret  ( Hamilton )  Bowden,  both 
natives  of  Ireland.  Her  parents  emigrated  from  the  Emerald  isle  to  the  United 
States  in  the  early  '60s,  locating  upon  a  farm  in  Lincoln  township,  Poweshiek 
county,  Iowa,  which  the  father  has  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  Three 
children  have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grier:  Louise,  Zelma  and  Paul  R. 

The  political  views  of  Mr.  Grier  conform  with  the  principles  of  the  repub- 
lican party,  for  whose  candidates  he  always  casts  his  ballot.  A  man  of  broad 
general  intelligence,  he  is  a  representative  of  the  progressive  -type  of  agricul- 
turist who  readily  avails  himself  of  the  opportunities  afforded  by  modern  methods 
in  the  pursuit  of  his  vocation. 


MARTIX   ROHRER. 


Martin  Rohrer,  who  passed  away  in  Victor  on  the  6th  of  February,  1905,  at 
the  venerable  age  of  eighty-two,  was  long  and  successfully  identified  with  the 
agricultural  interests  of  Poweshiek  county,  owning  an  excellent  farm  of  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Jefferson  township.  His  birth  occurred  in  Berkeley 
county.  West  Virginia,  on  the  4th  of  November,  1822,  his  parents  being  Jacob 
and  Mary  (Funk)  Rohrer,  who  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland 
respectively.  Both  came  of  sturdy  old  German  stock  and  passed  away  in  the 
state  of  West  \'irginia. 

Martin  Rohrer  attenfled  the  common  schools  in  the  acquirement  of  an 
education  and  when  still  quite  young  learned  the  trade  of  a  millwright,  follow- 
ing that  occupation  for  several  years.  He  erected  the  mills  at  Georgetown 
and  also  the  noted  Eacle  Mills  in  Maryland.  On  the  3d  of  October,  1855.  he 
wedded  Miss  Catherine  Elizabeth  Newcomber,  by  whom  he  had  the  following 
children:  John  Henry,  who  was  born  on  the  4th  of  July,  1856.  and  passed 
away  on  the  25th  of  September.  1864;  .\nnie  Elizabeth,  born  April  30,  1858, 
who  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  James  McCarty,  of  Hartwick,  Poweshiek 
county,  Iowa;  Solon,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  8th  of  January,  i860,  and 
who  passed  away  on  the  8th  of  March,  1862;  and  Alma,  who  was  born  on  the 


628  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

25th  of  September,  1863,  and  is  the  wife  of  W.  O.  Stefifa  of  California.  The 
niutlier  of  these  children  was  called  to  her   final  rest  in   1867. 

After  his  marriage  Mr.  Rohrer  had  left  his  native  state  and  taken  up  his 
abode  in  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  where  he  followed  farming  until  1865,  when  he 
disposed  of  his  property  and  came  to  Victor,  Iowa,  here  becoming  identified 
with  general  mercantile  pursuits.  Three  years  after  the  death  of  his  wife 
he  retired  from  business  and  returned  to  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  there  residing 
for  two  years.  He  patented  a  tongue  used  in  wagons,  cultivators,  etc.,  and 
placed  it  on  the  market.  On  the  5th  of  March,  1872,  he  was  again  married,  his 
second  union  being  with  Miss  Ellen  C.  Gray,  who  was  born  in  Washington 
county,  Maryland,  on  the  i8th  of  November,  1829,  her  parents  being  John  and 
Mary  (Clomb)  Gray,  who  passed  away  in  that  state.  John  Gray,  a  farmer  by 
occupation,  served  in  the  Continental  army  at  Baltimore,  Maryland,  during  the 
Revolutionary  war. 

After  his  second  marriage  Mr.  Rohrer  returned  to  Iowa  and  purchased  a 
farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  three  miles  north  of  \'ictor,  in  Jefferson 
township,  Poweshiek  county.  The  further  cultivation  and  improvement  of 
that  property  claimed  his  attention  until  1892,  when  he  put  aside  the  active 
work  of  the  fields  and  took  up  his  abode  in  Victor,  there  spending  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life  in  honorable  retirement.  His  widow  disposed  of  the  farm 
after  his  demise  and  still  makes  her  home  in  \'ictor. 

Martin  Rohr.er  was  a  God-fearing  man  who  lived  a  life  in  consistent  harmony 
with  the  teachings  of  the  Dunkard  church,  which  he  joined  in  1877  and  of 
which  his  widow  is  also  a  member.  His  funeral  took  ])lace  on  the  8th  of 
February,  1905,  the  services  being  conducted  by  the  Rev.  John  Zook,  of  the 
Clarence  Dunkard  church,  with  the  assistance  of  Rev.  C.  E.  Cushman  of  the 
Victor  Congregational  church.  The  body  was  tenderly  laid  to  rest  in  the  Odd 
Fellows  cemetery  at  \'ictor.  Mr.  Rohrer  was  a  man  of  quiet,  gentle  disposi- 
tion and  domestic  tastes,  a  good  citizen,  a  loving  husband  and  an  indulgent  father. 
His  memory  is  yet  cherished  by  all  who  knew  him  and  most  of  all  by  her  with 
whom  he  traveled  life's  journey  so  happily  for  many  years. 


HARRY  W.  DEE. 


.•\  well  known  citizen  of  Sheridan  township  is  Harry  W.  Dee,  who  is  actively 
and  successfully  engaged  in  cultivating  a  four  hundred  acre  farm  on  sections  9 
and  10.  He  was  born  in  Princeton,  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  on  the  19th  of 
November,  1870,  his  parents  being  James  E.  and  Mary  (McElvania)  Dee.  The 
father  was  a  native  of  \'ermont,  his  birth  occurring  on  the  7th  of  April,  1843, 
and  the  mother  of  Ireland,  her  natal  day  being  the  ist  of  May,  1845.  When  a 
lad  of  about  twelve  years  James  E.  Dee  removed  with  his  parents  from  his 
native  state  to  Ohio,  locating  in  Columbus  about  1855,  and  two  years  later  settled 
in  Bureau  county,  Illinois.  Upon  attaining  his  maturity  I\Ir.  Dee  decided  to 
adopt  for  his  life  vocation  farming,  the  pursuit  for  which  he  was  best  fitted  by 
nature  and  experience.     He  was  identified  with  agricultural  pursuits  in  Illinois 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COU^^^■  629 

until  1880,  at  which  time  he  came  to  iovva,  locating  in  Sheridan  town>hip, 
Poweshiek  county,  where  a  year  previously  he  had  purchased  eighty  acres  of 
land,  which  he  had  rented  until  he  settled  upon  it  in  1880.  He  and  his  wife 
are  now  residing  upon  a  farm  adjoining  the  one  owned  by  their  son,  Harry  W. 
He  was  one  of  the  defenders  of  the  Union  for  a  year  and  a  half  during  the 
Civil  war,  having  enlisted  April  7,  18(12,  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-ninth 
Illinois  \'olunteer   Infantry. 

Being  reared  at  home  Harry  W.  Dee  acquired  his  early  education  in  the 
district  schools  of  Illinois  and  Iowa,  this  being  later  supplemented  by  a  coiu'se 
in  the  academic  and  commercial  departments  of  Iowa  College  at  Grinnell,  where 
he  remained  for  two  years.  During  his  vacations  and  at  such  other  periods  as 
he  could  be  spared  from  his  text-books,  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  cultivation 
of  the  farm.  After  the  completion  of  his  education  in  1891  he  returned  home 
and  rented  his  father's  farm,  which  he  operated  for  nine  years.  Two  years 
later  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on  section  9,  Sheridan  township,  which 
he  also  cultivated,  and  in  1897  he  bought  forty  acres  adjoining  the  home  place 
on  the  southwest.  .\t  the  e.xpiration  of  another  two  years  he  purchased  eighty 
acres  from  his  father  adjoining  the  original  farm  on  the  north,  while  in  1899 
he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  on  section  10,  same  township,  to  which 
he  added  another  forty  adjoining  it  on  the  south,  making  the  aggregate  of  his 
land  holdings  four  hundred  acres,  in  addition  to  his  large  farms  near  Mount 
\'ernon  in  Linn  county,  Iowa,  and  South  Dakota.  His  homestead  is  under  a 
tine  state  of  cultivation,  and  the  land,  which  is  tiled  and  thoroughly  drained,  is 
given  the  careful  supervision  which  results  in  abundant  harvests,  while  all  the 
improvements  are  kept  in  repair  and  excellent  condition,  everything  about  the 
place  bespeaking  thrift  and  prosperity. 

In  the  fall  of  1893  ^'''-  ^-'^^  established  a  home  of  his  own  by  his  marriage 
to  -Miss  Evalyn  W'olcott,  who  was  educated  at  Grinnell  .Academy.  She  is  a 
daughter  of  Edwin  and  Angeline  (  ISarnum)  Wolcott,  at  that  time  well  known 
and  prominent  citizens  of  Sheridan  township.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wolcott  were 
both  natives  of  New  York  state,  removing  from  there  to  Whiteside  county. 
Illinois,  and  later  to  Poweshiek  county.  Iowa,  and  settling  u]3on  a  farm,  in 
the  cultivation  of  which  he  engaged  until  he  passed  away  .on  die  ist  of  Decem- 
ber. 1901,  at  the  home  of  our  subject.  Mrs.  Wolcott  had  died  five  years  before, 
her  demi.se  occurring  on  the  5th  of  July,  1896.  Five  sons  have  been  born  to 
Air.  and  Mrs.  Dee:  Glen  H.,  who  is  sixteen  years  of  age,  a  student  in  the  en- 
gineering department  of  Cornell  College  at  Mount  Vernon,  Iowa;  Harold  M., 
thirteen  years  of  age;  Harry  Paul,  who  is  nine;  Ralph  V.,  now  five;  and  James 
E.,  aged  three. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dee  and  the  three  older  boys  are  luembers  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  at  Sheridan,  while  he  is  also  affiliated  with  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  both  of  Sheridan, 
and  Mrs.  Dee  is  a  member  of  the  Royal  Keighbors.  the  lathes  auxiliary  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen,  at    Sheridan. 

Ever  since  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Dee  has  given  his  political  sup[)ort 
to  the  candidates  of  the  republican  party.  He  always  takes  an  active  and  helpful 
interest  in  local  affairs  and  was  for  seven  years  township  clerk,  while  at  present 


630  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

he  is  serving  as  secretary  of  the  board  of  school  directors  of  district  No.  i, 
Sheridan  township.  He  is  one  of  the  progressive  and  successful  citizens  of  the 
community,  who  is  well  regarded  and  highly  esteemed,  his  prosperity  being 
directly  and  justly  attributed  to  his  own  well  directed  effort. 


HON.  GEORGE  E.  GRIER. 

Hon.  George  E.  Grier,  the  present  efficient  bank  examiner  of  the  state  of 
Iowa,  has  throughout  his  business  career  been  identified  with  banking  and  edu- 
cational interests  and  his  experience  in  the  former  connection  led  to  his  ap- 
pointment to  the  position  he  now  holds.  Air.  Grier  has  always  resided  in  and 
near  Deep  River,  for  his  birth  occurred  on  a  farm  in  Lincoln  township,  two 
and  a  half  miles  north  of  the  town,  on  the  i8th  of  March,   1876. 

His  paternal  grandparents,  Thomas  and  Charlotte  Grier,  were  natives  of 
Pennsylvania,  whence  they  removed  to  Ohio  and  later  came  to  Poweshiek 
county  in  an  early  day  but  only  lived  about  three  years  after  taking  up  their 
abode  in  this  district.  They  had  a  family  of  eleven  children  children,  eight  sons 
and  three  daughters,  including  Benton  Grier,  who  became  the  father  of  him 
whose  name  introduces  this  review. 

The  father  was  born  in  Coshocton  county,  Ohio,  July  14,  1842,  and  was 
there  reared  and  educated.  He  was  a  young  man  of  twenty-two  years  when, 
in  1864,  he  accompanied  his  parents  on  their  removal  to  Poweshiek  county,  the 
family  home  being  established  on  a  farm  in  Lincoln  township,  where  he  en- 
gaged in  farming  throughout  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  became  a  succes.s- 
ful  man,  owning  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  rich  farming  land.  He 
became  very  prominent  in  public  affairs  and  on  the  democratic  ticket  was  called 
to  fill  many  positions  of  trust  and  responsibility,  serving  continuously  as  town- 
ship assessor,  township  tnistee,  school  director  and  in  various  other  positions. 
He  was  an  active  worker  in  the  United  Presbyterian  church,  rearing  his  eight 
children  in  that  faith,  and  family  worship  was  daily  observed  in  his  household, 
his  life  being  lived  in  harmony  with  his  professions. 

Benton  Grier  was  married  to  Miss  Mary  J.  Sanders,  who  was  born  in  Jeffer- 
son county,  Ohio,  August  5,  1840.  She  was  there  reared  and  in  the  fall  of  1864 
came  to  Poweshiek  county  with  her  parents,  George  E.  and  Maria  Sanders,  the 
family  home  being  established  on  a  farm  in  Lincoln  township.  She  was  mar- 
ried on  that  farm  and  her  remaining  years  were  spent  within  a  mile  of  where 
her  father  had  located.  She  died  August  28,  1905,  but  Mr.  Grier  had  pre- 
ceded her  to  the  grave  many  years  before,  his  death  occurring  February  13, 
1 89 1,  when  he  was  forty-nine  years  of  age,  while  at  the  time  of  her  demise  she 
was  sixty-five  years  of  age.  Their  family  numbered  eight  children,  Qiarles, 
the  eldest,  who  was  born  May  19,  1868,  was  killed  in  an  automobile  accident, 
December  28,  1910,  leaving  a  widow  and  four  children.  He  was  a  farmer  re- 
siding on  the  old  Grier  homestead  where  his  grandfather  had  first  located.  He 
was  prominent  in  Masonic  circles,  having  served  as  master  of  his  lodge  for 
three  years.     Ross,   the  next  member  of   the   family,   is   now    serving  as   post- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  631 

master  of  Deep  River.  Park  also  makes  his  home  in  tliat  village.  Martha 
Maria  i>  the  wife  of  W.  E.  Atherton,  a  resident  of  Lincoln  township.  George 
E.  is  the  ne.xt  in  order  of  birth.  Mark  operates  the  old  homestead  in  Lincoln 
township.  Morris  also  lives  in  that  township.  Benjamin  W.  is  acting  as  cashier 
of   the  Savings  Bank  at  Hartwick. 

George  E.  Grier,  the  fourth  son  and  fifth  child  in  his  father's  family,  was 
reared  in  much  the  usual  manner  of  farm  lads,  assisting  his  father  in  the  work 
of  the  farm  through  the  spring  and  summer  seasons,  while  during  the  winter 
months  he  pursued  his  studies  in  the  district  schools.  He  later  spent  two 
\ears  in  the  high  school  at  Deep  River,  graduating  in  May,  1895,  after  which 
he  spent  five  years  in  study  in  Iowa  College  at  Grinnell,  graduating  from  that 
institution  in  June,  1900.  For  two  years  thereafter  he  was  principal  of  the 
high  school  at  Deep  River,  but  in  June,  1902,  he  entered  the  employ  of  the 
State  Bank  at  Deep  River.  A  year  later,  in  June,  1903,  having  proved  his 
ca[)ability  and  trustworthiness,  he  was  made  cashier  of  the  bank,  which  position 
he  held  until  February,  191 1,  when  he  was  appointed  by  the  state  auditor  to 
the  position  of  bank  examiner  of  the  state  of  Iowa.  He  is  now  devoting  his 
entire  time  to  this  work,  his  service  ever  being  characterized  by  integrity,  ac- 
curacy, promptness  and  courteous  treatment  of  his  patrons.  He  is  likewise 
linancially  interested  in  the  brick  and  tile  company  at  Deep  River,  this  being  one 
of  the  largest  industrial  concerns  in  this  section  of  the  state. 

Mr.  Grier  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  affiliations  and  in  1896 
was  elected  on  that  ticket  as  representative  to  the  legislature  from  Poweshiek 
county.  He  was  reelected  in  1898,  serving  in  the  thirty-second  and  thirty- 
third  general  assemblies  during  his  two  terms.  He  is  a  prominent  and  popular 
member  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Deep  River  and  also  belongs  to  Golden 
Rod  Lodge  of  Masons,  No.  512. 

It  was  in  1904  that  Mr.  Grier  wedded  Miss  Margaret  Alma  Cox,  who  was 
born  November  10,  1874.  a  daughter  of  George  Cox,  a  w-ell-to-do  resident  of 
Deep  River,  whose  sketch  appears  elsewhere  in  this  work.  Four  children,  two 
little  sons  and  two  daughters,  have  come  to  bless  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
( irier,  these  being  Hamlin  Cox,  Mary  Catharine,  Elizabeth  and  George  Edward. 
The  family  occupy  a  beautiful  and  modern  home,  the  finest  in  Deep  River, 
which  Mr.  Grier  erected  in  the  year  1908.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  popular 
in  the  social  circles  of  their  locality,  and  their  attractive  and  hospitable  home 
is  a  favorite  resort   for  their  manv   friends. 


WILLIAM  PUTNAM. 


William  Putnam  is  numbered  among  the  younger  representatives  of  farming 
interests  in  Deep  River  township  and  Poweshiek  county.  He  carries  on  business 
on  quite  an  extensive  scale  and  is  the  owner  of  excellent  farming  land  here.  He 
was  Ixirn  on  a  farm  in  Deep  River  township,  June  16,  1872,  a  son  of  Harvey 
C.  and  Sarah  A.  (Stewart)  Putnam.  The  father  was  born  in  Windsor  county, 
\'ermont.  October    19,    1825,  and   when  a   lad  of   eight  years   accompanied    his 


632  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

parents  on  their  removal  to  Chautauqua  county,  Xew  York,  where  he  was  reared 
to  mature  years.  On  the  ist  of  January,  1850,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Sarah 
A.  Stewart,  w'ho  was  born  in  Chautauqua  county,  Xew  York,  September  13, 
1829.  In  the  spring  of  1856  they  removed  to  a  farm  near  Brooklyn  in  Powe- 
shiek county,  Iowa,  where  they  resided  for  ten  years,  when  thev  removed  to 
Deep  River  township,  and  there  the  father  engaged  in  farming  throughout  a 
long  period.  They  had  a  family  of  nine  children,  six  sons  and  three  daughters, 
namely:  Francis  and  Daniel,  w-ho  died  in  early  manhood:  Merton  A.,  who  resides 
near  Tiibson,  Iowa;  Helen,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  McKeag  and  departed 
this  life  on  the  5th  of  January,  1904;  one  who  died  in  infancy;  Hartley  S.,  who 
resides  in  Gibson;  Katie,  the  wife  of  B.  H.  Ringle  and  resident  of  Brookings, 
South  Dakota :  Charles,  who  makes  his  home  in  Montezuma ;  and  William,  of 
this  review.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Putnam  were  consistent  Christian  people,  living 
in  harmony  with  their  professions  as  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church, 
with  which  they  had  long  been  identified.  The  father  departed  this  life  [une 
17,  1909,  when  he  was  eighty-three  years  of  age.  while  the  mother,  surviving 
for  only  a  short  time,  passed  away  February  5,  191 1.  when  eighty-one  years  of 
age. 

William  Putnam  was  reared  on  the  home  farm  in  Deep  River  township 
and  witli  the  exception  of  one  year  spent  in  Deep  River  in  the  stock  business,  he 
has  followed  farming  throughout  his  life.  He  is  now  the  owner  of  two  hundred 
and  twenty  acres,  located  on  section  18.  Deep  River  township,  and  in  connec- 
tion with  his  brother  Charles  owns  three  hundred  and  seventy-three  acres  on 
section  7  of  the  same  township.  He  operates  both  tracts  and  is  carrying  on 
business  on  quite  an  e.xtensive  scale.  He  has  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  best 
methods  of  agriculture  and  his  work  is  bringing  him  success.  His  farm  is  im- 
proved with  good  buildings  and  everything  about  the  place  is  kept  in  good  con- 
dition, indicating  to  the  passer-by  his  progressive  and  enterprising  methods. 

Mr.  Putnam  was  married  March  22.  1899,  the  lady  of  his  choice  being  INliss 
Myrtle  E.  Cranston,  who  was  born  in  Deep  River  township.  June  18,  1875.  a 
daughter  of  R.  B.  Cranston,  who  is  well  known  here.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Putnam 
have  two  children:  Cecil  Donovan,  born  September  6,  1901  ;  and  Ida  Opal,  born 
October  20,  1904. 

Mr.  Putnam  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  affiliations  and  is  a 
member  of  the  Masonic  order.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are  well  known  in  their 
section  of  the  county,  where  their  entire  lives  have  been  passed,  and  their  ster- 
ling worth  has  won  for  them  warm  and  lasting  friendships. 


JOSEPH  F.  EISELE. 


Probably  few  men  are  better  known  in  the  business  circles  of  Malcom  and  its 
vicinitv  than  Joseph  F.  Eisele.  farmer,  stock-man  and  capitalist.  He  was  born  in 
Bureau  county,  Illinois,  about  five  miles  north  of  Princeton,  on  the  19th  of  .-\ugust. 
1857.  a  son  of  .Andrew  and  Philippina  ( Wentzel)  Eisele.  His  parents  were  both 
natives  of  Germanv.  the  father's  birth  occ'rrirg  in  I'.aden.  Germany,  on  the  iith 


J.    F.    EISKLE    AM>    FAMILY 


,  ^  ..EW  YORK 

3LIC  LIBRARY 


TILDEN  FOUNOATlONS. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  635 

of  October.  1830.  On  the  17th  of  Ueccmber,  1851,  he  left  liis  native  land  and, 
after  a  long  journey  covering  two  months,  arrived  in  Philadelphia  on  the  17th  of 
February,  1852.  For  about  four  years  thereafter  he  resided  in  Ilucks  county, 
Pennsylvania,  where  he  was  married,  in  1856,  and  on  the  25th  of  December,  of 
that  year,  made  his  way  westward  to  Illinois,  locating  in  Bureau  county,  near 
Princeton.  In  October,  1868,  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  settling  on  a  farm  in 
Malcom  township  about  a  mile  north  of  the  farm  upon  which  his  son,  J.  F.  Eisele, 
now  resides.  He  was  a  man  of  the  highest  Christian  character,  loved  and  re- 
spected by  all  who  came  in  contact  with  him.  He  was  ever  honest  and  upright, 
strong  in  his  convictions,  loyal  in  friendshi])  and  kind-hearted,  generous  and  char- 
itable almost  to  a  fault.  He  belonged  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows 
and  in  his  daily  life  ever  exemplitied  the  principles  upon  which  that  order  is 
founded, — friendship,  love  and  truth.  He  was  also  a  meiuber  of  Lily  Lodge,  No. 
254,  A.  F.  &  .A..  M. :  and  Hysop  Chapter,  No.  52,  R.  A.  M.  At  the  time  of  his 
demise,  which  occurred  on  the  31st  of  July,  1896,  Malcom  township  lost  one  of  its 
most  highly  honored  and  valued  citizens.  Mr.  Eisele  had  been  married,  on  the 
29th  of  November,  1856,  in  Pennsylvania,  to  Miss  Philippina  VVentzel,  who  was 
born  in  Ifersdorf,  in  the  kingdom  of  Bavaria.  Germany,  on  the  loth  of  F"ebruary, 
1833.  She  grew  to  young  womanhood  in  the  fatherland  and  in  the  spring  of  1855 
came  to  America.  After  the  death  of  her  husband  she  made  her  home  with  her 
daughter,  Mrs.  George  Baustian,  of  Sheridan  township,  where  she  passed  away 
on  the  24th  of  March,  1906,  at  the  age  of  seventy-three  years.  She  was  a  woman 
of  broad  Christianity  and  great  nobility  of  character,  and  one  of  the  most  loyal 
and  faithful  workers  in  the  Lutherafiichiirch.  here.  She  was  a  loving  and  devoted 
mother  and  wife  and  an  excellent  neighbor  and  friend.  In  the  family  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Andrew  Eisele  were  seven  children,  as  follows:  Joseph  F.,  of  this  review: 
Charles,  of  Malcom  township,  who  is  mentioned. on  another  page  of  this  volume: 
Mary,  the  wife  of  Gust  Schultz.  of  Malcom  township,  who  is  also  mentioned  else- 
where in  this  work :  Ida,  who  married  Fred  Schultz,  whose  sketch  is  found  in  an- 
other part  of  this  volume ;  Philippina,  who  married  George  Baustian,  of  Sheridan 
township:  William  J.,  of  Madison  county,  Iowa;  and  John  P.,  of  Malcom  town- 
ship. All  of  these  children  were  born  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  near  Princeton, 
with  the  exception  of  the  last  named,  whose  birth  occurred  in  Poweshiek  county- 
Fortunate  in  having  the  lines  of  his  life  cast  amid  the  wholesome  scenes  and 
environment  of  the  country,  Joseph  F.  Eisele  spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and 
youth  upon  his  father's  farm,  first  in  his  native  state,  and  later  in  Poweshiek 
county,  Iowa,  and  there  became  familiar  with  the  tasks  that  usually  fall  to  the 
lot  of  the  country  lad.  He  early  manifested  the  spirit  of  progress  and  enterprise 
which  later  proved  a  resultant  force  in  his  successful  business  career,  and  he  re- 
mained with  his  parents  until  he  was  twenty-six  years  of  age,  when  he  took  np 
agricultural  pursuits  on  his  own  account.  For  one  year  he  farmed  the  home  place 
independently  and  then  removed  to  the  P.  R.  Raymond  farm,  which  he  operated 
as  a  renter  for  twenty-three  years.  About  nine  years  ago,  however,  he  purchased 
his  home  place,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  Malcom  township, 
adjoining  the  Raymond  farm,  and  about  five  years  ago  he  also  acquired  the  latter 
by  purchase,  that  place  consisting  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres.  Both  farms 
are  well  improved,  with  two  sets  of  good  buildings,  while  the  fields  have  been 


636  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

brought  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  This  entire  property,  consisting  of  four 
hunch/ed  and  eighty  acres,  has  for  the  past  twenty-eight  years  been  operated  as  a 
stock  farm,  Mr.  Eisele  being  recognized  as  one  of  the  largest  and  best  known 
stock-raisers  and  shippers  in  Poweshiek  county.  He  deals  entirely  with  the  Chi- 
cago market,  shipping  from  eight  hundred  to  one  thousand  head  of  cattle  and 
from  three  hundred  to  four  hundred  hogs  per  year.  He  is  also  one  of  the  ex- 
tensive landowners  of  this  locality,  possessing  another  farm  of  three  hundred 
and  twenty  acres  at  Earlham,  Iowa.  He  is  also  interested  in  land  in  Saskatche- 
wan, Canada,  in  South  Dakota  and  in  Fulton  and  Dunn  counties,  Wisconsin. 

Although  the  successful  conduct  of  his  farming  interests  requires  much  of 
his  time  and  attention  Mr.  Eisele  has  also  become  widely  known  in  financial 
circles  in  this  locality  as  president  of  the  Malcom  Savings  Bank,  which  position 
he  has  filled  since  its  reorganization  from  a  private  bank  on  the  1st  of  July,  1906. 
He  is  deeply  interested  in  the  affairs  of  the  institution  of  which  he  is  the  execu- 
tive head,  has  instituted  a  safe,  conservative  policy  which  has  won  the  confidence 
of  the  general  public,  and  gives  to  its  interests  the  same  close  attention,  sound 
judgment  and  keen  discrimination  that  he  does  to  his  more  personal  enterprises. 
He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Malcom  Garage  Company,  the  Malcom  Lighting  Plant 
and  the  Poweshiek  County  Central  Agricultural  Society,  and  also  of  the  Mal- 
com Auditorium  Company,  all  of  which  indicate  the  scope  of  his  interests. 

Mr.  Eisele  was  married,  on  the  22d  of  May,  1883,  to  Aliss  Francis  F.  Schultz, 
who  was  born  in  Sheridan  township,  Poweshiek  county,  on  the  3rd  of  March, 
1865.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Mary  Johanna  (  Rehberg)  Schultz,  ex- 
tended mention  of  whom  is  given  under  the  caption  of  Gust  G  Schultz,  their 
son.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eisele  have  become  the  parents  of  three  children,  namely : 
\'iola  May,  who  was  born  on  the  13th  of  May,  1884,  now  the  wife  of  E.  E. 
Lamb,  of  Malcom,  and  who  have  one  son,  Earl  F. :  Grover  Franklin,  born  July 
I,  1887,  now  residing  in  Malcom,  who  is  married  and  has  one  son,  Joseph  Boyd; 
and  Josephine  Francis,  who  was  born  January  3,   1005. 

Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  Mr.  Eisele  has  been  a 
stalwart  democrat  and  for  twelve  years  served  as  township  trustee  and  as  as- 
sessor for  three  terms  or  six  years.  In  1904  he  was  his  party's  candidate  for 
representative  from  his  district  to  the  lower  house,  but  was  defeated,  owing  to 
the  well  known  republican  majority  in  Poweshiek  county.  Something  of  his 
popularity,  however,  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  he  ran  seven  hundred  votes 
ahead  of  his  party  ticket,  running  ahead  of  the  ticket  in  every  precinct  in  the 
county.  He  was  reared  in  the  faith  of  the  Baptist  church,  of  which  he  is  now 
a  faithful  member,  and  in  fraternal  circles  is  an  exemplary  Mason.  He  holds 
membership  in  Lily  Lodge,  No.  254,  A.  F.  &  A.  M. ;  Hysop  Chapter,  No.  52, 
R.  A.  M.,  both  of  Malcom,  and  was  one  of  the  first  members  of  St.  Andrew's 
Commandery,  K.  T.,  also  of  this  city. 

He  has  every  reason  to  be  proud  of  the  prominent  position  which  he  has 
won  for  himself  in  the  business  circles  of  Poweshiek  county,  for  it  has  come 
to  him  as  a  result  entirely  of  his  own  well  directed  efforts  and  industry.  He 
stalled  out  independently  in  the  business  world  at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years, 
his  entire  stock  in  trade  consisting  of  a  thorough   knowledge  of  the  principles  . 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  637 

of  agriculture,  a  span  of  mules  and  a  few  farm  implements.  However,  in  youth 
ambition  tokl  to  him  the  story  of  what  might  be  accomplished  and  his  persis- 
tency of  purpose  never  faltered  until  the  goal  was  reached.  He  proved  that 
success  and  an  honored  name  may  be  won  simultaneously,  and  yet  success  has 
not  been  the  whole  end  and  aim  of  his  life,  for  his  associates  find  in  him  a  faith- 
ful friend,  his  family  a  most  loyal  and  loving  husband  and  father,  and  the  com- 
munity a  valuetl  citizen.  He  feels,  however,  that  much  credit  should  be  given 
to  his  wife,  who  has  indeed  proved  herself  a  true  helpmate  and  companion  on 
life's  journey.  She  has  thoroughly  mastered  every  detail  of  her  husband's  busi- 
ness and  ably  and  successfully  carries  on  his  interests  during  his  absence,  and 
much  of  his  success  in  later  years  has  been  due  to  her  interest,  help  and  in- 
spiration. 


CHARLES  GRIER. 


One  of  the  most  attractive  as  well  as  most  valuable  farms  in  the  eastern 
part  of  Poweshiek  county  is  the  homestead  of  the  late  Charles  Grier,  who  was 
regarded  as  one  of  the  most  substantial  agriculturists  of  Lincoln  township.  Mr. 
Grier,  who  was  killed  by  an  auto  accident  near  his  residence  on  the  28th  of 
December,  1910,  was  born  in  Lincoln  township  on  the  19th  of  May,  1869.  being 
a  son  of  Benton  and  Mary  Jane  (Sanders)  Grier.  In  the  paternal  line  he  is  of 
Irish  extraction,  his  great-great-grandfather  having  emigrated  to  the  United 
States  from  the  Emerald  isle,  locating  in  Pennsylvania.  The  great-grandfather 
removed  to  Ohio,  where  the  grandfather,  Thomas  Grier,  was  born  on  the  20th 
of  November,  1810,  in  Belmont  county.  At  the  age  of  twenty-two  years  he 
was  married  to  Miss  Charity  Benton,  their  union  being  solemnized  on  the  6th 
of  December.  1832.  The  first  thirty-two  years  of  their  domestic  life  were 
spent  in  the  Buckeye  state,  but  at  the  expiration  of  that  time,  however,  they 
removed  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Poweshiek  county,  where  the  father,  who  became 
an  extensive  landowner,  passed  away  on  the  15th  of  December,  1866.  Thomas 
Grier  willed  to  each  of  his  sons,  except  Benton,  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of 
land,  and  to  his  daughters  eighty.  Benton  Grier,  who  spent  the  first  twenty- 
three  years  of  his  life  under  the  paternal  roof,  was  born  in  Guernsey  county, 
Ohio,  on  the  14th  of  July.  1842,  but  was  reared  and  educated  in  Coshocton 
county.  For  one  year  after  locating  in  Iowa  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  culti- 
vation of  the  home  farm,  but  in  1865  he  purchased  eighty  acres  of  land  on 
section  33,  Lincoln  tow^nship.  from  his  brother  Reuben,  which  is  now  the  home- 
stead of  his  son  Mark.  Benton  Grier  married  Miss  Mary  Jane  Sanders,  a  native 
of  Morgan  county,  Ohio,  and  they  became  the  parents  of  seven  children.  They 
attended  the  L^nited   Presbyterian  church,  of  which  thev  were  members. 

The  entire  life  of  Charles  Grier  was  spent  in  the  township  where  he  was 
born  and  in  the  district  schools  of  which  he  acquired  his  education.  .After  laving 
aside  his  text-books  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm 
until  1895,  at  which  time  he  purchased  a  farm  of  three  hundred  and  forty  acres 
on    section   33,   Lincoln    township,    where   his    widow    and    children   continue   to 


638  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

reside.  This  is  one  of  the  most  vahiable  properties  in  the  county,  having  been 
well  improved  and  brought  to  a  high  state  of  cultivation  by  Mr.  ( jrier.  The 
residence,  which  is  a  large  comfortable  house  equipped  with  all  modern  con- 
veniences, is  situated  upon  a  hill  which  commands  a  fine  view  of  all  of  the 
surrounding  country.  The  barns  and  outbuildings  are  substantially  constructed 
and  thoroughly  repaired :  the  grounds,  orchard  and  groves  are  well  cared  for ; 
and  the  place  is  stocked  with  a  fine  grade  of  cattle  and  horses,  all  of  which  are 
m  e.xcellent  condition,  Mr,  Grier  took  much  pride  in  his  place  and  being  a 
progressive  agriculturist  was  always  ready  to  adopt  every  new  theory  which  to 
him  appeared  to  be  practical  in  the  operation  of  his  land. 

Mr,  Grier  was  married  on  the  6th  of  March,  1895.  to  Miss  Eliza  J.  Johnston, 
a  daughter  of  Joseph  C.  and  Margaret  O.  (Johnston)  Johnston.  Mer  parents, 
who  were  natives  of  Ireland,  emigrated  to  the  United  States  and  located  in  Powe- 
shiek county  in  pioneer  days.  The  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  was  engaged  in 
agricultural  pursuits  until  he  retired  to  Deep  River,  where  he  passed  away. 
iMve  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  (h'ier,  in  order  of  birth  as 
follows:  Martha  L,.  who  is  attending  the  high  school  at  Deep  River;  Joseph 
Benton ;  Harlan,  who  died  in  infancy ;  Margaret  O, ;  and  Florence.  The  chil- 
dren are  all  in  school  with  the  exception  of  the  youngest  daughter,  who  is  not 
yet  old  enough. 

A  republican,  Mr.  Grier  gave  his  support  to  the  men  and  measures  of  that 
pa.rty  and  served  as  a  trustee  and  school  director  in  his  t(3wnship.  Both  he  and 
his  wife  held  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Deep  River, 
where  the  family  still  worship.  Mis  demise  was  a  great  blow  not  only  to  his 
family  but  the  entire  community  in  which  he  resided  and  where  he  was  highly 
regarded.  Mr.  Grier  was  a  man  of  excellent  business  judgment,  good  princii-)les 
and  with  a  rare  sense  of  civic  responsibilities  which  qualities  would  have  made 
him  an  acquisition  to  any  community. 


MFT.MT.T.E  .\.  LATiI.\M. 

Melville  .\.  Latham,  who  is  engaged  in  the  cultivation  nf  hi>  farm  although 
residing  in  Searsboro,  was  born  in  Hartford  county,  Connecticut,  on  the  27th 
of  December.  1846.  He  is  a  son  of  .\mos  B.  and  Caroline  (Loomis)  Latham, 
also  natives  of  Hartford  county,  the  birth  of  the  mother  having  occurred  in 
Westchester,  She  held  membership  in  the  Congregational  church.  The  parents 
spent  their  entire  lives  in  the  state  of  their  nativity,  where  the  father  followed 
the  carpenter's  trade  until  he  ])assed  away.  He  was  twice  married  and  had  eight 
children,  six  by  his  first  marriage  and  two  by  the  second,  namely:  Jane,  the 
widow  of  Stanley  S.  Wadsworth.  of  East  Hartford,  Connecticut ;  Betsy  M..  the 
deceased  wife  of  William  Burland.  of  Marshall,  Michigan :  Imogene  C.  the 
widow  of  Hawley  Skinner,  of  Fast  Hampton  Connecticut;  William  E,.  of  New 
Eritian.  Connecticut ;  Joel  E,.  a  resident  of  Rogers,  .Arkansas ;  Melville  A.,  our 
subject;  and  Charles  and  Ernest  B.,  both  residents  of  New  ^■ork  city. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  639 

The  early  years  of  Melville  A.  Latham  were  spent  on  the  New  England  home 
where  he  was  born,  his  education  being  acquired  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
district.  After  laying  aside  his  text-books  he  remained  at  home  and  worked 
(in  the  farm  until  he  came  west.  He  first  located  in  Marshall,  Michigan,  where 
for  two  years  he  followed  blacksmithing.  .\t  the  expiration  of  that  time  he 
came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  locating  in  Searsboro  in  187 1.  Here  he  en- 
gaged in  the  mercantile  business  with  his  brother  Joel  E.  for  three  years,  and 
then,  disposing  of  his  interest,  he  again  became  identified  with  the  blacksmith's 
tratlc.  which  he  followed  for  sixteen  years.  In  1890  he  withdrew  from  that 
occupation  and  bought  a  farm,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  has  ever  since  been 
continuously  engaged. 

Mr.  Latham  was  united  in  marriage  on  the  26th  of  October,  1873,  to  Miss 
Margaret  E.  Williams,  a  daughter  of  John  W.  and  Elizabeth  Dumbille  Williams, 
of  (Irinnell,  Iowa.  Her  mother,  who  was  a  native  of  England,  came  to  America 
when  a  little  girl  and  died  in  this  county  in  August,  1904.  Mr.  Williams  was 
born  in  Indiana  and  at  the  age  of  seven  years  removed  to  Illinois,  where  he  was 
reared  and  married,  later  coming  to  Iowa.  During  the  Civil  war  he  enlisted  in 
the  Eleventh  Iowa  \^ilunteer  Infantry  but  gave  out  while  on  the  march  with 
Sherman  to  the  sea  and  died  by  the  roadside,  four  miles  from  Savannah,  (Geor- 
gia. In  his  family  were  six  children :  Sarah  A.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  twelve 
years;  Logan  P..  who  died  at  the  age  of  live  years;  Margaret  E.,  now  Mrs. 
Latham;  Martha  J.,  wife  of  L.  W.  Morgan,  of  Lincoln,  Nebraska;  George  T., 
of  Grinnell,  Iowa;  and  Mary  E.,  wife  of  Zenas  M.  Chapman,  of  Rock  Rapids, 
Iowa.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Latham  were  born  two  sons  and  a  daughter:  Arnold 
R.,  who  is  living  in  Searsboro;  Hawley  R.,  who  is  a  resident  of  Sugar  Creek 
township ;  and  Maude  Adel,  deceased. 

The  family  always  attend  the  services  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in 
which  Mrs.  Latham  holds  membership,  while  fraternally  Mr.  Latham  is  iden- 
tified with  the  Masonic  order  and  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  at  the 
present  time  serving  as  treasurer  of  the  latter  organization.  In  political  matters 
his  views  coincide  with  those  of  the  republican  party,  for  whose  candidates  he 
casts  his  ballot,  and  he  has  held  the  office  of  constable  in  his  township.  Perse- 
verance and  hard  work  have  brought  a  fair  degree  of  success  to  Mr.  Latham,  who 
is  recognized  as  one  of  the  worthy  and  upright  citizens  of  his  community. 


FRANK  E.  MINTLE. 


Poweshiek  county  numbers  among  its  citizens  many  enterprising  and  success- 
ful agriculturists  but  none  have  made  more  notable  progress  in  the  pursuit  of 
their  vocation  than  Frank  E.  Mintle,  who  at  the  age  of  forty  is  recognized  as 
one  of  the  substantial  farmers  and  stockmen  of  the  county.  He  was  born  in 
Woodhull,  Illinois ;  on  the  nth  of  August,  1870,  and  is  a  son  of  Philip  and  Susan 
f  Maxwell)  Mintle,  the  former  a  native  of  Ohio  and  the  latter  of  Texas.  The 
father's  birth  occurred  in  the  vicinity  of  Dayton  on  the  12th  of  August,  1837. 
In   his  early  manhood  he  removed  to  Illinois,  locating  in   Woodhull,  where  he 


640  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

engaged  in  the  grocery  business  and  he  also  owned  a  livery  stable.  He  con- 
tinued to  reside  there  for  eight  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  period  he  and 
his  family  removed  to  Iowa,  settling  upon  a  farm  in  Malcom  township,  Powe- 
shiek county,  in  1871.  He  rented  land  during  the  first  four  years  of  his  resi- 
dence here  but  at  the  end  of  that  time  he  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres 
in  the  same  township,  continuing  to  lease  a  similar  amount,  however.  Later  he 
traded  his  quarter  section  for  eighty  acres  located  elsewhere  in  the  township. 
After  operating  this  for  several  years  he  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres. 
He  disposed  of  his  interests  in  1896  and  retired  to  Grinnell,  where  he  and  hi-- 
wife  continue  to  reside. 

Frank  E.  Mintle  was  only  a  babe  of  eight  months  when  his  parents  settled 
in  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  was  reared,  acquiring  his  education  in  the  district 
schools.  He  remained  a  member  of  the  parental  home  until  he  had  attained  his 
majority,  devoting  his  entire  attention,  after  laying  aside  his  school  books,  to 
agricultural  pursuits,  having  decided  upon  that  for  his  life  vocation.  The  first 
year  he  worked  for  himself  he  farmed  as  a  renter,  during  which  time  he  ac- 
quired the  means  to  enable  him  to  become  a  property  holder,  purchasing  forty 
acres  of  land  in  Malcom  township  in  1892.  The  year  afterward  he  added  another 
forty  to  his  tract  and  having  cultivated  this  for  a  year  he  disposed  of  his  eighty 
acres  and  rented  a  farm  of  four  hundred  and  twenty-seven  acres  in  Sheridan 
township  on  equal  shares  with  John  Plum.  He  operated  this  for  three  vears 
and  then  bought  another  eighty  in  Malcom  township,  upon  which  lie  resided  for 
six  years.  He  sold  this  in  1900,  and  purchased  two  hundred  and  eighty-five 
acres  elsewhere  in  Malcom  township,  upon  which  he  located  the  year  following. 
After  cultivating  it  for  eight  years  he  sold  and  bought  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  in  Malcom  township,  and  eighty  acres  south  of  Grinnell,  making  his  entire 
acreage  two  hundred  and  forty.  In  1909  he  removed  to  Grinnell,  where  he  is 
now  residing  but  continues  to  cultivate  his  farm.  He  is  one  of  the  extensive 
stockmen  and  heavy  shippers  of  the  county,  feeding  from  nine  to  ten  carloads 
of  cattle  and  hogs  annually,  for  which  purpose  he  raises  the  most  of  the  grain. 
Mr.  Mintle's  Malcom  township  land  is  well  improved,  thoroughly  drained  and 
highly  cultivated,  being  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  valuable  properties  in  the 
township. 

In  1892  Mr.  Mintle  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Laura  Smith,  a  daughter 
of  Charles  and  Ellen  (Maxwell)  Smith,  both  of  whom  were  born  and  reared 
in  Henry  county,  Illinois.  Her  father,  who  was  a  general  merchant,  died  twenty 
years  ago,  but  her  mother  is  still  living  and  continues  to  make  her  home  in 
Henry  county.  Mrs.  Mintle,  who  is  also  a  native  of  Henry  county,  came  to  Iowa 
in  1891.  She  has  become  the  mother  of  five  children  as  follows:  Harley,  who 
is  eighteen  years  of  age;  Thomas,  sixteen;  Earl,  fourteen ;  Hazel,  twelve;  and 
Loring,  who  has  passed  his  tenth  year. 

Mr,  Mintle  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  being 
identified  with  the  lodge  at  Grinnell,  and  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order  of 
Elks,  his  membership  in  the  latter  organization  being  in  Lodge  No.  312  at  Mar- 
shalltown,  Iowa,  Independent  in  politics,  he  casts  his  ballot  for  the  candidates 
he  feels  are  best  qualified  for  the  position  regardless  of  party  affiliation.  Not 
being  an  aspirant  to  public  honors  he  has   never  actively  participated   in  gov- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  641 

ernmental  affairs.  At  one  time  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  constable  while 
residing  in  Alalcom  township  but  refused  to  qualify  for  the  ofifice.  Possessed 
of  an  abundance  of  energy  and  business  sagacity,  Mr.  Alintle  has  met  with  more 
than  average  success  in  his  ventures  and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  competent 
business  men  as  well  as  capable  agriculturists  of  Poweshiek  county. 


ALEXANDER  CHARLES  LESTER. 

Farming  claims  the  time  and  attention  of  Alexander  Charles  Lester,  who  now 
owns  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  in  Deep  River  township,  a  part  of  which 
constitutes  the  old  homestead.  This  farm  is  the  place  of  his  birth,  his  natal  day 
being  March  15,  1863.  He  is  the  youngest  in  a  family  of  five  children  whose 
parents  were  Alexander  and  Ann  Jane  (Graham)  Lester.  The  father  was  born 
near  Belfast  in  County  Down,  Ireland,  in  1816.  In  1848  he  emigrated  to  the 
new  world  and  for  a  few  years  worked  as  a  carpet  weaver  in  Philadelphia,  Penn- 
sylvania. In  1850  he  went  to  Detroit,  Michigan,  and  for  a  few  years  followed 
farming  about  sixteen  miles  north  of  the  city.  It  was  while  residing  at  the  lat- 
ter place  that  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  /\nn  Jane  (Graham)  Dodds.  w^ho  was  like- 
wise a  native  of  County  Down,  Ireland,  born  May  27,  1828.  'She  was  married 
there  to  Alexander  Dodds,  who  died  on  shipboard  in  1850.  when  they  were  en- 
route  for  the  United  States.  The  widow  with  her  one  son,  William  John  Dodds, 
who  now  lives  in  Michigan,  proceeded  alone  to  Detroit,  and  she  was  married 
shortly  afterward  to  Mr.  Lester.  In  1855  they  removed  to  Mahaska  county, 
Iowa,  and  five  years  later,  in  i860,  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  settling  on  the 
farm  in  Deep  River  township,  which  is  now  the  home  of  their  son  Alexander. 
In  connection  with  his  farming  interests  Mr.  Lester  also  operated  a  threshing 
machine  for  many  years  and  became  a  prosperous  and  influential  resident  of  his 
section  of  the  county. 

His  family  numbered  five  children:  David,  who  was  born  in  1853  and  died 
in  1897,  leaving  a  widow  and  five  children ;  Jennie  Eliza,  who  was  born  October 
24,  1854,  and  became  the  wife  of  Samuel  Conn,  passing  away  on  the  i6th  of 
June,  1907,  leaving  four  daughters  and  two  sons;  Martha,  the  wife  of  M.  F. 
Babb,  of  Montezuma,  who  is  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume ;  Maggie,  the 
wife  of  Charles  Sanders,  of  D'eep  River  township ;  and  Alexander  C,  of  this 
review.  The  father  passed  away  on  the  home  farm,  October  18,  1900,  when  he 
had  reached  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-four  years.  He  had  long  been  a  mem- 
ber of  the  United  Presbyterian  church.  The  mother  is  still  living  with  her  si^n 
Ale.xander  C. 

Alexander  Charles  Lester  was  reared  in  the  usual  manner  of  farm  lads,  as- 
sisting in  the  work  of  plowing,  planting  and  harvesting  through  the  spring  and 
summer  seasons,  while  in  the  winter  months  he  attended  the  district  schools. 
He  is  today  the  owner  of  the  old  homestead  farm,  to  which  he  has  added  a  forty 
acre  tract,  now  possessing  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres,  situated  on  sections 
29  and  30.  Deep  River  township.  His  fields  are  under  a  high  state  of  cultiva- 
tion and  each  year  he  gathers  good  crops. 


642  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

It  was  on  the  3d  of  March,  1903,  that  Mr.  Lester  was  married  to  Mrs.  Nora 
Sanders,  the  widow  of  Horace  Wade  Sanders  and  a  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George  Wolf.  She  was  born  in  Deep  River  township,  March  14,  1878,  and  by 
her  first  marriage  has  two  children,  Ernest  E.  and  Lilly  ^lay.  By  her  union 
with  Air.  Lester  she  has  become  the  mother  of  three  children:  Bertha  Viola, 
born  January  31.  1904;  Hester,  born  February  22,  1906;  and  Harry  Elsworth, 
born  May  7,  1908. 

In  politics  Mr.  Lester  is  a  republican.  He  is  a  man  of  sterling  worth  and 
integrity,  who  conducts  his  business  afifairs  along  the  most  honorable  methods, 
and  his  success  is  well  merited. 


WILLIAM  RALPH  RUTHERFORD. 

For  many  years  the  name  of  Rutherford  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  agricultural  development  of  Poweshiek  county,  the  family  continuing  to  be 
most  capably  represented  in  the  person  of  William  Ralph  Rutherford,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  general  farming  in  Grinnell  township.  He  is  a  native  of  this  county, 
having  been  born  in  Chester  township  in  July,  1885,  and  is  a  son  of  George  and 
Elvina  (Harpster)  Rutherford,  the  father  a  native  of  New  York  and  the  mother 
of  Pennsylvania.  George  Rutherford,  the  father,  was  born  in  Madrid,  St.  Law- 
rence county,  New  York,  on  the  14th  of  September,  1837,  his  family  having  mi- 
grated from  Scotland  a  few  years  previously.  He  was  reared  and  educated  in  his 
native  state.  After  attaining  manhood  he  went  to  Boston,  where  he  remained  a 
year,  going  from  there  to  Jacksonville,  Illinois,  where  he  spent  three  years,  and 
thence  to  Missouri  for  a  year.  Coming  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1870  he  felt  that 
he  would  be  content  to  make  this  his  home,  and  so  bought  a  farm  in  Chester  town- 
ship, where  he  continued  to  reside  for  many  years.  In  1884  Mr.  Rutherford 
was  married  to  Miss  Elvina  Harpster,  who  passed  away  on  the  7th  of  June,  1896. 
Two  children  were  born  of  this  marriage:  William  Ralph  and  Mary  Helen.  The 
family  attended  the  Congregational  church,  with  which  Mr.  Rutherford  united 
by  letter  when  he  first  located  here,  which  was  during  the  pastorate  of  Professor 
S.  J.  Buck.  In  1899  Mr.  Rutherford  moved  to  Grinnell,  where  he  continued  to 
reside  until  September,  1907,  when,  accompanied  by  his  daughter,  he  went  to 
Pasadena,  California,  hoping  to  find  relief  from  an  ailment  of  the  heart  which  had 
developed  in  the  previous  June,  but  he  contracted  pneumonia  and  passed  away 
on  the  15th  of  November,  1907,  being  at  the  time,  aged  seventy  years  and  two 
months.  His  remains  were  brought  back  to  his  old  home  and  laid  beside  those 
of  his  wife.  During  the  long  period  of  his  residence  here  Mr.  Rutherford  had 
made  many  friends.  He  possessed  a  rare  personality  which  attracted  people, 
and  by  means  of  his  fine  mental  qualities  and  kindly  nature  he  retained  their 
regard.  An  earnest,  consistent  and  conscientious  Christian,  he  endeavored  by 
his  every  act  to  exemplify  Him  whom  he  elected  to  follow.  Success  crowned 
his  efforts,  and  he  acquired  considerable  property  and  a  comfortable  competence, 
which  was  the  result  of  honest  eiifort  and  never  entailed  the  sacrifice  of  personal 
integrity  or  another's  interests. 


•  iKOUClK    KlTIIKUFOUl) 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  645 

William  Ralph  Rutherford  was  reared  upon  the  old  homestead  amid  the  re- 
fining influences  of  a  pleasant  environment,  acquiring  his  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools.  Early  having  decided  to  follow  the  \ocation  of  farming,  upon  the 
completion  of  his  education  he  assisted  his  father,  later  locating  upon  his  home- 
stead, which  contains  one  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  fertile  land  adjacent  to 
Grinnell.  Here  he  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising  and  is  meeting 
with  gratifying  returns  from  both  sources.  His  is  one  of  the  attractive  places  of 
the  vicinity,  the  general  appearance  of  the  property  being  given  most  careful  at- 
tention, while  the  residence  is  one  of  the  best  in  the  county.  Mr.  Rutherford  is 
an  energetic  young  man,  who  concentrates  his  entire  time  and  attention  upon  the 
development  of  his  interests,  realizing  that  success  in  any  vocation  is  the  result 
only  of  persistent  and  well  directed  effort. 

In  February,  1907,  Mr.  Rutherford  was  united  in  marriage  10  Miss  Minnie 
M.  Nichols,  a  daughter  of  Robert  Nichols  a  well  known  and  prosperous  farmer 
of  Jasper  county,  and  who,  although  he  is  well  along  in  years,  is  still  hale  and 
hearty.  Two  children  have  been  born  of  this  union  :  Donald  George  and  Elvina 
Jewel.  The  family  aftiliate  with  the  F'resbyterian  church  and  Mr.  Rutherford 
accords  his  political  supi)ort  to  the  candidates  of  the  reinib'ican  party.  During 
the  brief  period  of  his  active  career  he  has  given  strong  evidence  of  possessing 
his  father's  excellent  principles,  as  well  as  his  business  sagacity,  and  gauging  his 
future  by  his  past  it  would  seem  to  be  most  promising. 


ANDREW  LOUIS  COON. 

On  the  list  of  Poweshiek  county's"  honored  dead  appears  the  name  of  Andrew- 
Louis  Coon,  who  for  many  years  was  actively  connected  with  business  and  agri- 
cultural interests  here,  his  success  therein  enabling  him  to  spend  his  last  vears 
in  well  merited  retirement.  He  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  born  in  Bellefontaine, 
Logan  county,  on  the  ist  of  April,  1836.  His  parents,  Jacob  and  Malinda  (Wall) 
Coon,  were  born  near  Fincastle.  \'irginia,  and  were  there  married.  Later  thev 
removed  to  Ohio  and  thence  to  Indiana,  where  they  passed  away  in  Grant  county. 
He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  was  a  soldier  in  the  war  of  1812,  serving 
umler  Commodore  Perry,  in  whose  honor  he  named  his  first  grandson,  Oliver 
I'erry  Coon,  the  eldest  son  of  Andrew  Louis  Coon.  He  was  a  very  extensive 
reader,  was  especially  well  posted  on  the  political  questions  and  issues  of  the 
day  and  was  an  unusually  bright  and  well  informed  man   for  his  period. 

Andrew  Louis  Coon,  who  was  one  of  a  family  of  ten  children,  passed  the 
first  ten  years  of  his  life  in  the  place  of  his  nativity  and  then,  about  1846,  re- 
moved with  his  parents  to  Grant  county,  Indiana.  He  resided  on  a  farm  with  his 
parents  until  T853,  when  he  went  to  Lagro,  Indiana,  and  there  learned  the  trade 
of  saddle  and  harnessmaker.  He  followed  that  occupation  in  Indiana  for  a  num- 
lier  of  years  and  was  there  married.  In  1861  he  brought  his  wife  and  two  chil- 
flren  to  Brooklyn,  making  the  entire  journey  with  a  team  and  wagon.  L'^pon  his 
arrival  here  he  established  a  harness  shop  and  continued  successfully  in  business 
until  1868,  devoting  tlic  entire  period  to  working  at  iiis  trade  with  the  exception 


646  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

of  one  year,  wlien  he  was  engaged  in  the  operation  of  a  hotel  which  lie  had 
purchased.  In  1868,  however,  he  sold  the  hotel  and  purchased  a  farm  one  mile 
north  of  Brooklyn,  consisting  of  one  hundred  acres,  and  thereupon  he  took  up 
his  abode.  For  forty  years  he  gave  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  the  improve- 
ment of  that  tract,  cultivating  the  cereals  best  adapted  to  the  soil  and  climate. 
He  practiced  rotation  of  crops,  employed  progressive  methods  in  the  conduct  of  his 
affairs  and  by  wise  and  judicious  management  brought  his  fields  to  a  high  state 
of  development.  As  the  years  passed  he  prospered  and  his  well  directed  efforts 
were  potent  forces  in  the  acquirement  of  a  competency  which  made  it  possible, 
in  1908,  for  him  to  retire  from  the  farm.  In  that  year  he  reiuoved  to  Brooklyn 
and  purchased  the  comfortable  dwelling  which  is  still  the  family  home.  He  was 
not  long  permitted,  however,  to  enjoy  the  rest  which  he  had  so  well  merited, 
for  two  years  later  he  was  called  from  this  life,  his  death  occurring  on  the  1st 
of  December,  1910. 

On  the  9th  of  April,  1857,  in  Indiana,  Mr.  Coon  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Mary  C.  Parke,  who  was  born  in  Washington,  Warren  county,  Xew  Jer- 
sey, on  the  i8th  of  December,  1838.  She  was  there  reared  and  later  removed  to 
Indiana  with  her  widowed  mother  and  brother  and  sister.  Her  parents  were 
E.  M.  and  Rachel  (Hunter)  Parke,  natives  of  Xew  Jersey,  where  the  father's 
death  occurred.  Elizabeth  W.  Parke,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  Coon,  was  also  married 
in  Indiana,  becoming  the  wife  of  William  Forbes,  and  came  to  Brooklyn  in 
1857.  Mrs.  Parke,  with  her  son  John  Parke,  arrived  in  Brooklyn  in  1861  in 
company  with  her  daughter  Mrs.  Coon,  in  whose  home  the  mother  passed  away. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrew  Louis  Coon  celebrated  their  golden  wedding  in  1907. 
They  were  the  parents  of  ten  children,  all  of  whom  were  born  in  Brooklyn 
with  the  exception  of  the  two  eldest,  whose  births  occurred  in  Indiana.  The 
children  are  as  follows :  Oliver  Perry  is  a  clothing  merchant  of  Audubon,  Iowa. 
George  is  a  contractor  and  carpenter  of  Brooklyn.  John  F.  is  engaged  in  fence 
building  in  this  city.  Louis  G.  is  an  inventor  of  St.  Louis.  Mary  Elizabeth 
is  at  home.  Charles  E.  purchased  and  is  now  operating  the  old  homestead. 
Estelle  is  mentioned  below.  Dr.  Fred  Forest,  engaged  in  the  practice  of  osteo- 
pathy in  Niles,  Michigan,  served  in  the  Fifty-second  Regiment  band  during  the 
Spanish-American  war,  leaving  his  high-school  position  to  enlist.  He  was  re- 
elected to  the  same  position  after  returning  home  and  taught  for  several  years. 
Albert  Deacon,  a  former  highschool  teacher,  is  now  practicing  osteopathy  in 
South  Bend,  Indiana.  Roy  E.  is  studying  at  the  Iowa  State  University  prep- 
aratory to  becoming  a  Presbyterian  minister.  Miss  Estelle  Coon,  to  whom  we 
are  indebted  for  the  history  of  her  father,  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  foremost 
figures  in  educational  circles  of  Poweshiek  county,  within  whose  borders  her  en- 
tire life  has  been  spent.  Her  education  was  received  in  the  pulbic  schools  of 
Brooklyn,  graduating  from  the  high  school  in  1891,  and  for  seven  years  there- 
after she  was  engaged  in  teaching  in  District  No.  i.  Bear  Creek  township.  For 
a  year  and  a  half  she  was  the  teacher  of  District  No.  7,  this  township,  after 
which  she  taught  for  six  years  in  the  Brooklyn  graded  school.  She  resigned 
from  that  position,  however,  upon  her  election  on  the  democratic  ticket  to  the 
office  of  county  superintendent  of  schools  in  November,  1906.  She  served  in 
that  capacity  for  two  terms,  or  until  January  i.  191 1,  when  she  was  the  demo- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  647 

cratic  candidate  for  a  third  term  but  was  defeated  by  only  forty-nine  votes. 
She  was  the  only  democratic  candidate  who  ever  held  the  office  of  county  super- 
intendent of  Poweshiek  county,  where  the  republican  party  has  a  majority  of 
thirteen  hundred,  a  fact  which  speaks  in  strong  terms  for  her  ability  and  the 
position  which  she  occupies  in  the  regard  and  esteem  of  her  fellow  citizens. 

Mr.  Coon  was  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  to  which  his 
family  also  belonged,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Legion  of  Honor  and  the  Iowa 
Workmen.  He  was  a  democrat  in  politics,  giving  stanch  allegiance  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  that  party  and  doing  all  in  his  power  to  further  its  interests  in  the 
community,  although  he  never  sought  nor  desired  public  office  as  a  reward  for 
party  fealty.  He  was  a  man  whose  personality  commanded  the  good-will  and 
confidence  of  his  fellowman,  and  at  his  death  the  community  lost  one  of  its 
valued  and  respected  citizens. 


JACOB  R.  GWIN. 


Nature  has  been  lavish  in  her  gifts  to  many  sections  of  this  great  country. 
In  some  districts  she  has  provided  great  forests,  permitting  of  the  successful 
conduct  of  extensive  lumber  industries.  In  other  regions  her  mining  resources 
are  extensive  and  valuable,  while  in  still  other  sections  splendid  opportunity  is 
offered  to  the  farmer  and  stock-raiser.  Statistics  show  that  Iowa  is  one  of  the 
greatest  agricultural  states  of  the  Union,  and  among  those  who  are  actively 
engaged  in  farming  is  Jacob  R.  Gwin,  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  of  rich  and  productive  land  on  section  24,  Warren  township,  Poweshiek 
county. 

His  birth  occurred  in  that  township  on  the  13th  of  August,  1854,  his  parents 
being  Arnold  and  Martha  (Wilhite)  Gwin,  who  were  natives  of  Holmes  county, 
Ohio,  and  Fountain  county,  Indiana,  respectively,  the  former  born  on  the  22d 
of  .A.ugust,  1822.  and  the  latter  on  the  loth  of  September,  1837.  Arnold  Gwin, 
a  gentleman  of  German  and  Welsh  descent,  followed  farming  throughout  his 
active  business  career.  He  came  to  Iowa  in  1848,  locating  near  Dubuque,  where 
for  two  years  he  was  employed  by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand.  Returning  to 
Ohio,  he  there  remained  for  a  year  and  then  located  in  Washington  county, 
Iowa,  where  he  was  married  in  October,  1853.  Subsequently  he  took  up  his 
abode  in  Warren  township,  Poweshiek  county,  here  devoting  his  attention  to  the 
operation  of  his  farm,  having  purchased  eighty  acres  of  timber  land  on  section 
27.  On  selling  that  place  in  1855,  'i^  purchased  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  on  section 
25,  Warren  township,  but  disposed  of  the  property  at  the  end  of  two  years  and 
bought  the  farm  of  eighty  acres  on  section  24  which  is  now  in  possession  of  our 
subject.  Thereon  he  made  his  home  until  called  to  his  final  rest  on  the  12th  of 
January,  1895.  When  fifty  years  of  age  he  suffered  a  paralytic  stroke  which  dis- 
abled him  for  further  active  labor.  The  demise  of  his  wife  occurred  on  the  i8th 
of  February,  1900.  In  their  family  were  six  children,  namely:  Jacob  R..  Louisa 
J.,  James  M.,  Phoebe  A.,  Samuel  D.  and  Levina  F. 


648  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Jacob  R.  Gwin  obtained  his  early  education  in  an  old  schoolhouse  which 
stood  on  the  state  road  in  section  25  and  which  was  removed  thirty  years  ago. 
He  was  reared  to  the  work  of  the  farm  and  after  his  father's  demise  took  charge 
of  the  homestead  property.  When  his  mother  passed  away  he  purchased  the 
interest  of  the  other  heirs  in  the  home  farm  and  has  since  retained  possession 
thereof.  In  1896  he  extended  its  boundaries  by  an  additional  purchase  of  forty 
acres,  his  holdings  now  aggregating  one  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  as  good 
farm  land  as  can  be  fountl  in  the  county.  In  connection  with  the  tilling  of  the 
soil  he  devotes  considerable  attention  to  the  raising  and  feeding  of  cattle  and 
hogs,  selling  his  stock  to  shippers.  His  excellent  orchard  of  three  and  a  half 
acres  contains  over  three  hundred  bearing  apple  trees. 

On  the  3d  of  November,  1903,  Mr.  Gwin  was  joined  in  wedlock  to  Mrs.  Mary 
M.  Fry,  a  daughter  of  Peter  and  Barbara  (Xisvvander)  Breniman.  She  lost 
her  father  prior  to  her  marriage  to  our  subject,  Mr.  I'.reniman  meeting  his  death 
on  the  Northwestern  Railway.  Mrs.  Breniman  now  resides  in  Carnforth,  Warren 
township,  with  her  two  sons,  Oscar  and  Frank,  both  of  whom  are  railroad  em- 
ployes. Mary  M.  Breniman  first  gave  her  hand  in  marriage  to  William  Fry,  an 
agriculturist  of  Warren  township,  who  died  of  heart  trouble  in  1901,  falling 
from  his  wagon.  There  were  two  children  by  that  union,  Paul  R.  and  Esther 
M.  Fry,  who  reside  with  their  mother  and  stepfather  and  attend  the  high  school 
at  Victor.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gwin  have  also  been  born  two  children,  namely: 
Clarence  E.,  whose  natal  day  was  August  2,  1904;  and  Arnold,  whose  birth 
occurred  on  the   19th  of  March,   1906. 

In  politics  Mr.  Gwin  is  a  democrat  and  his  fellow  townsmen,  recognizing 
his  worth  and  ability,  have  called  him  to  several  positions  of  public  trust.  He 
has  served  as  assessor  of  Warren  township  for  ten  years,  acted  as  township  road 
supervisor  for  sixteen  years  and  is  now  serving  in  the  capacity  of  townsliip 
trustee,  which  position  he  has  held  for  six  years.  His  wife  is  a  devoted  and  con- 
sistent member  of  the  Congregational  church  at  Carnforth,  Iowa.  Well  known 
in  the  county  where  he  has  resided  from  his  birth  to  the  present  time,  he  has  a 
wide  acquaintance  here  and  has  won  uniform  trust  and  good  will  by  reason  of  a 
life  which  in  all  of  its  places  has  been  straightforward  and  honorable. 


CORYDON  BARKER. 


A  resident  of  Poweshiek  county  for  fifty-seven  years,  Corydon  Barker  lias 
had  ample  opportunity  to  note  the  wonderful  progress  and  development  it  has 
made  since  he  first  located  here  in  1854.  Mr.  Barker  was  born  in  Grant  county. 
Kentucky,  on  the  26th  of  October,  1833,  and  is  a  son  of  James  and  Sarah  (Mur- 
ray) Barker.  The  father  was  a  native  of  New  Hampshire,  as  was  the  grand- 
father, Ephraim  Barker,  but  the  mother  was  of  Irish  extraction,  her  father  hav- 
ing emigrated  from  the  Emerald  isle  to  America.  James  Barker,  who  was  a 
carpenter  by  trade,  removed  from  Kentucky  to  Ohio,  locating  upon  a  farm  which 
he  cultivated  while  following  his  trade.  He  continued  to  reside  in  that  state 
until   October.    1854.   when  he  came   to  Iowa,  settling  upon   one   hundred   and 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUxXTY  649 

thirty- four  acres  of  government  land  which  he  purchased  in  Deep  River  and  Lin- 
coln townships.  Poweshiek  county.  This  he  cleared  and  placed  under  cultivation 
gradually  while  engaging  in  carpenter  work,  having  built  many  of  the  school- 
houses  as  well  as  residences  in  this  county.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barker  were  the 
parents  of  seven  children,  four  boys  and  three  girls. 

The  elementary  education  of  Corydon  Barker  was  obtainetl  in  the  common 
schools  of  Ohio,  after  which  he  was  sent  to  a  private  school  in  Virginia.  When 
he  laid  aside  his  school  books  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  in  Virginia  for 
a  time  anil  then  returned  to  Ohio,  where  he  lived  upon  his  father's  farm  until 
1854,  when  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county.  Iowa.  The  trip  from  McCallsville, 
Morgan  county,  Ohio,  was  made  with  horses  and  wagon,  several  weeks  having 
been  consumed  in  the  journey.  Oftentimes  the  roads  were  little  more  than 
wagon  tracks  across  the  prairie.  He  bought  eighty  acres  of  land  in  Lincoln 
township  upon  his  arrival  in  this  county,  where  he  has  ever  since  continued  to 
reside.  In  1863  Mr.  Barker  responded  to  the  call  for  troops  and  enlisted  in 
Company  E,  Eleventh  Iowa  Infantry,  with  which  he  went  to  the  front.  He  spent 
considerable  time  in  South  Carolina,  where  he  participated  in  some  sharp  skir- 
mishes, later  being  sent  to  Fort  McAllister,  where  he  was  taken  ill.  He  joined 
his  company  again  at  Charleston,  where  they  charged  the  fort.  Later  he  was 
with  Sherman's  army  on  their  famous  march  and  was  mustered  out  at  Daven- 
port on  the  lOth  of  May,  1864.  He  was  in  Keokuk  on  the  day  Lincoln  was  as- 
sassinated. At  the  close  of  hostilities  Mr.  Barker  returned  to  his  farm,  where 
he  is  now  living  retired,  his  son  having  relieved  him  of  the  responsibilities  con- 
nected with  the  cultivation  of  his  property.  He  always  engaged  in  general 
farming  but  made  a  specialty  of  the  breeding  and  raising  of  Chester  White  and 
Poland  China  hogs  and  shorthorn  Durham  cattle.  For  tifty-five  years  and  more 
Mr.  Barker  practiced  in  veterinary  surgery,  which  he  studied  in  New  York  city, 
during  a  large  portion  of  that  time  being  the  only  practitioner  in  his  community. 

On  the  loth  of  March,  1856,  Mr.  Barker  was  married  to  Miss  Jane  Grier, 
a  daughter  of  James  and  Jemina  (Brown)  Grier.  The  father  was  a  native  of 
North  Ireland  and  the  mother  of  Pennsylvania,  although  of  Irish  extraction,  her 
father  liaving  been  born  on  the  Emerald  isle.  Mrs.  Brown,  Mrs.  Barker's 
mother,  had  the  distinction  of  being  a  cousin  of  Robert  Fulton,  the  inventor  of 
the  steamboat.  Four  children,  three  daughters  and  a  son,  were  born  unto  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Barker:  Lucy  D.  is  the  wife  of  Rean  Criswell,  of  Deep  River,  where 
he  engages  in  mercantile  pursuits  and  they  have  one  son,  Truesdale,  who  is  mar- 
ried and  has  a  daughter,  Doris,  who  is  three  years  of  age.  Emma  Jeannette  mar- 
ried George  Woodford,  of  Deep  River,  who  has  been  a  very  successful  farmer, 
and  they  have  two  children.  Rtliel.  and  Picrt.  Cora  D.  married  James  Athey,  a 
farmer  in  Lincoln  township.  James  William,  who  is  operating  the  old  home- 
stead, married  Charity  Newton,  of  Morgan  county,  Ohio. 

Ever  since  attaining  his  majority  Mr.  Barker  has  cast  his  vote  for  the  can- 
didates of  the  republican  party.  He  has  sei"ved  as  trustee,  school  director  and 
constable  in  Lincoln  township,  and  his  father  was  for  manv  years  a  member  of 
the  board  of  supervisors  of  Poweshiek  county.  Mr.  Barker  remembers  well  that 
when  Lincoln  ran  for  president  the  first  time  there  were  but  twenty-two  votes 
cast  in  the  township  which  bears  the  name  of  the  Great  Emancipator.     While 


650  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

living  in  Virginia  he  joined  the  Masonic  fraternity,  with  which  he  continues  to 
be  identified  through  his  membership  in  Golden  Rod  Lodge,  No.  128,  and  he 
keeps  in  close  relationship  with  his  comrades  of  the  war  through  the  medium 
of  the  Deep  River  Post,  No.  142,  G.  A.  R.  The  methods  of  living  have  changed 
most  wonderfully  since  Mr.  Barker  first  became  a  resident  of  Iowa,  the  pioneer 
conditions  which  then  existed  having  gfiven  way  before  the  onward  march  of 
civilization,  which  has  brought  this  county  to  the  fore  both  as  an  agricultural 
community  and  educational  center. 


MAYNARD  E.  SEARS. 

More  than  fifty  years  have  passed  since  Maynard  E.  Sears,  whose  name  stands 
at  the  head  of  this  review,  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  during  a 
large  part  of  that  time  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming.  He  has  also  been  iden- 
tified with  other  lines  of  business,  but  it  is  to  agriculture  and  stock-raising  that 
he  mainly  owes  his  prosperity.  He  is  a  native  of  Oneida  county,  New  York, 
and  was  born  December  i,  1852,  being  a  son  of  Elijah  and  Ruth  (Wetmore) 
Sears.  The  father  was  born  in  Connecticut  and  the  mother  in  New  York.  The 
former  was  taken  to  New  York  state  at  the  age  of  two  years,  and  after  attaining 
his  majority  was  married  to  Miss  Ruth  Wetmore.  He  learned  the  trades  of 
plasterer  and  mason  and,  having  heard  of  the  possibilities  of  the  great  west,  ar- 
ranged to  come  to  Iowa  with  J.  B.  Grinnell,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of 
Poweshiek  county.  However,  this  plan  was  interfered  with  by  the  death  of 
Mrs.  Sears,  when  the  subject  of  this  review  was  six  years  of  age,  and  Mr.  Sears 
did  not  arrive  in  this  county  until  May  10,  i860.  He  worked  at  Grinnell  for  many 
years  and  later  engaged  in  farming. 

Maynard  E.  Sears  was  the  seventh  in  a  family  of  nine  children.  He  received 
his  preliminary  education  in  the  schools  of  Grinnell  and  the  district  schools  of  the 
county.  He  took  up  his  residence  on  section  10,  Chester  township,  in  1868,  and 
in  1875  bought  an  interest  in  a  threshing  machine,  which  he  assisted  in  operating 
for  a  number  of  years,  disposing  of  his  interest  in  1886.  He  then  devoted  his 
attention  to  farming,  but  in  December,  1896,  started  a  store  at  Chester  Center, 
which  he  managed  for  several  years,  at  the  same  time,  however,  being  identified 
with  farming  and  stock-raising.  He  owns  a  beautiful  place  of  two  hundred  and 
eighty  acres  and  engages  in  general  farming,  applying  up-to-date  methods,  which 
produce  gratifying  annual  returns. 

On  September  16.  1883,  Mr.  Sears  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  .Alice  M. 
Koester.  a  daughter  of  Martin  Koester,  who  was  born  in  Denmark.  The  father 
was  a  carpenter  by  trade.  .-Xfter  taking  up  his  residence  in  the  United  States  he 
enlisted  in  the  Civil  war.  serving  valiantly  in  an  Iowa  regiment.  He  died  March 
19.  1004.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sears:  Lloyd  C,  who  is 
living  on  a  farm  near  his  father's  place :  Homer  .\..  who  is  a  graduate  of  Grin- 
nell .Academy,  and  is  now  a  student  of  Grinnell  College:  Lois  E.,  also  a  student 
of  Grinnell  College:  and  Mary  E.,  who  is  attending  the  district  school. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  653 

In  politics  Mr.  Sears  adheres  to  the  democratic  party  and  is  an  ardent  sup- 
porter of  the  principles  enunciated  by  William  J.  liryan.  He  was  a  member 
of  the  Congregational  church  at  Chester  Center  until  1903,  since  which  time 
he  has  been  connected  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Sonora.  He  takes 
great  interest  in  education,  as  is  shown  by  the  excellent  facilities  possessed  by 
his  children.  Mrs.  Sears  is  also  a  sincere  advocate  of  education,  having  been  for 
several  years  a  successful  teacher  prior  to  her  marriage.  Their  home  is  a  wel- 
come gathering  place  for  friends  and  acquaintances,  and  their  genuine  worth  is 
recognized  by  the  entire  community.  The  business  record  of  Mr.  Sears  is  most 
creditable  and  his  success  may  be  attributed  to  an  enterprising  and  hopeful  spirit, 
which  is  one  of  his  prominent  characteristics. 


EDWIN   H.  TALBOTT. 


Edwin  H.  Talbott,  assistant  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Brooklyn, 
is  a  representative  of  a  family  whose  name  has  been  identified  with  Poweshiek 
county  since  the  very  beginning  of  its  history,  the  family  being  the  first  to  locate 
within  its  borders  with  the  exception  of  a  few  in  the  southern  part  of  the  county. 
His  grandparents,  John  J.  and  Mary  (Maxwell)  Talbott,  came  to  Iowa  in  the 
fall  of  1845,  first  settling  in  JefTerson  county,  but  on  the  7th  of  April,  1846.  they 
came  to  this  locality,  two  years  before  Poweshiek  county  was  formed.  Mr.  Tal- 
bott located  on  section  13,  in  the  eastern  part  of  what  later  became  Bear  Creek 
township,  and  here  erected  a  log  house,  which  he  conducted  as  the  Talbott  Tav- 
ern. It  was  one  mile  east  of  the  present  site  of  Brooklyn  and  was  the  first 
stage  stop  west  of  Marengo.  This  district  at  that  time  was  all  a  barren  waste, 
covered  with  native  grasses  and  inhabited  only  by  Indians  and  buffaloes,  and 
the  claim  of  Mr.  Talbott  was  staked  out  before  the  land  had  been  surveyed  by 
the  government.  The  first  postofiice  was  established  at  his  tavern  in  1849,  a"fl 
his  eldest  son,  Joshua  C,  was  appointed  the  first  postmaster.  His  death  was 
the  first  in  the  township,  occurring  on  the  20th  of  February,  1849,  a"cl  'ic  was 
survived  by  his  wife  and  fourteen  children. 

Bazil  Maxwell  Talbott,  son  of  John  T.  Talbott  and  father  of  our  subject, 
was  born  in  Holmes  county,  Ohio,  on  the  23d  of  October,  1843,  ^"d  was  there- 
fore but  a  little  lad  of  two  years  when  he  came  with  his  parents  to  Iowa.  Here 
he  was  reared,  and  he  had  not  yet  reached  his  twentieth  year  when,  on  the  14th 
of  August,  1862.  he  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  aid  and  enlisted  for  ser- 
vice in  the  Civil  war.  On  the  loth  of  October  following  he  was  mustered  into 
Company  H,  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry — known  as  "Brooklyn 
Sharpshooters" — with  the  rank  of  eighth  corporal,  and  on  November  i  was 
transported  to  Helena,  Arkansas.  From  there  his  company  marched  to  Oak- 
land, Mississippi,  under  General  Harvey,  to  reinforce  General  Grant,  and  in 
January,  1863,  he  participated  in  the  White  River  expedition.  On  the  29th  of 
March  of  that  year  his  company  began  the  march  toward  Vicksburg,  arriving  at 
Port  Gibson  on  the  30th  of  April.  On  the  following  day.  May  i.  occurred  the 
battle  of  Port  Gibson  at  Thompson  Hill,  in  which  Mr.  Talbott  participated,  and 


654  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

he  was  also  present  at  the  engagement  at  Edward's  Station  on  the  13th  of  Mav. 
He  took  part  in  tlie  battle  of  Champion's  Hill  on  the  i6th,  after  which  he 
marched  with  his  company  to  the  Big  Black  river  and  thence  to  the  rear  of 
Vicksburg.  At  the  siege  of  that  city  his  company  was  a  part  of  General  Mc- 
Clernand's  corps,  which  led  the  van  of  Grant's  army,  and  during  the  siege  oc- 
cupied a  position  in  the  center  of  the  left  wing  of  the  army.  On  the  15th  of 
June,  1863,  during  the  engagement  at  Vicksburg,  he  was  wounded  in  the  left 
breast  and  arm,  and  being  thus  incapacitated  for  further  duty  at  the  front,  served 
as  guard  at  the  Rock  Island  arsenal  and  prison  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  re- 
ceived his  honorable  discharge  on  the  "th  of  .Xovember,  1864,  and  returned  home 
with  the  most  creditable  military  record.  After  returning  to  civil  pursuits  he  es- 
tablished a  land  office  in  1866,  engaged  in  surveying  and  also  served  as  notary 
public.  In  1869  he  entered  into  a  business  partnership  with  D.  R.  Sterling,  which 
relation  continued  until  the  death  of  Mr.  Sterling  in  1910.  and  during  that  period 
they  engaged,  at  different  times,  in  the  land,  drug,  book,  lumber  and  banking 
business.  In  April  1873,  they  established  lumber  yards  and  in  1872  organized 
the  Sterling  &  Talbott  Private  Bank,  which,  in  1885,  became  the  First  National 
Bank.  Of  this  concern  Mr.  Talbott  is  now  president  and  under  his  careful 
management  and  wise  control  it  has  continued  to  grow  until  today  it  ranks 
among  the  safe  and  substantial  moneyed  institutions  of  the  comity.  It  has  a 
capital  of  fifty  thousand  dollars  and  a  surplus  of  thirty-five  thousand  dollars. 
Coming  to  this  district  ere  Poweshiek  county  had  been  organized,  Bazil  M.  Tal- 
bott has  watched  the  vast  stretches  of  wild  prairie  land  converted  into  one  of  the 
finest  regions  of  the  great  commonwealth  of  Iowa,  has  seen  its  cities  spring  up 
and  has  witnessed  each  step  made  in  the  onward  march  of  civilization  here, 
and  in  this  work  of  transformation  and  improvement  he  has  borne  his  share. 
He  was  postmaster  of  Brooklyn  from  1870  until  1873,  and  in  1874  was  elected 
to  the  office  of  mayor  of  the  city.  He  belongs  to  the  Methodist  church  and  fra- 
ternally is  connected  with  the  }*Iasons  and  the  Odd  Fellows. 

Bazil  M.  Talbott  was  married,  at  Brooklyn,  on  the  12th  of  May.  1866.  to 
Miss  Sarah  J.  Ashton,  and  unto  them  have  been  born  nine  children,  namely: 
Albert  B..  vice  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Brooklyn ;  Charles  D., 
of  Los  Angeles,  California ;  Edwin  H. ;  Efifie  E.,  the  wife  of  Dr.  F.  F.  Coon,  of 
Niles,  Michigan;  Lena  E.,  who  married  Dr.  C.  E.  ShifHett,  of  Los  Angeles:  and 
Ada,  Frederick,  Jennie  and  William,  all  four  of  whom  passed  away  in  infancy. 
Since  1876  the  family  have  had  a  comfortable  and  attractive  home  in  Brooklyn, 
and  since  1883  Mr.  Talbott  and  his  wife  have  spent  the  winter  seasons  in  Los 
Angeles.  California,  where,  in  igoQ.  he  built  a  new  home  and  intends  making 
that  his  future  residence. 

Edwin  H.  Talbott.  whose  name  introduces  this  review,  was  born  in  Brook- 
lyn on  the  I2th  of  May.  1871.  and  has  made  his  home  here  continuously.  Hfe 
acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  this  city.  He  was  then  employed,  for 
about  two  years,  in  a  jewelry  store  here,  after  which  he  went  to  Chicago,  where 
he  pursued  a  six  months'  course  in  a  trade  school.  Returning  to  his  native 
city,  he  here  entered  trade  circles  on  his  own  account,  establishing  a  jewelry 
business  in  1893,  which  he  conducted  continuously  for  thirteen  years.  In  1807 
he  extended  his  efforts  to  include  the  drug  business  and  in  both  lines  was  ac- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  655 

corded  a  patronage  which,  constantly  expanchng.  established  his  position  among 
the  leading  and  well  known  merchants  of  this  city.  Since  March,  1904,  he  has 
been  employed  by  the  First  National  Bank,  of  which  his  father  was  one  of  the 
organizers.  The  other  officers  are:  B.  M.  Talbott,  president;  A.  B.  Talbott.  vice 
president;  and  X.  H.  Wright,  cashier.  Mr.  Talbott  is  deeply  interested  in  the 
affairs  of  the  institution  with  which  he  is  identified,  and  in  the  performance  <ii 
his  duties  in  connection  therewith  is  exhibiting  the  same  sound  judgment,  keen 
discriminaton  and  close  application  that  has  characterized  his  efforts  in  the  mn- 
duct  of  his  mercantile  enterprise. 

Edwin  H.  Talbott  was  married  on  the  29th  of  November,  1893,  '"  Miss 
Florence  Snyder,  who  was  born  near  Brooklyn  on  the  20th  of  January,  1S74. 
She  is  a  daughter  of  J.  M.  and  Armentia  (Cain)  .Snyder,  who  resides  in  Brook- 
lyn.    Mr.  and  Mrs.  Talbott  have  one  daughter,   I'aith  Gretchen. 

The  political  allegiance  of  Air.  Talbott  is  given  to  the  republican  partv,  and 
for  one  year  he  served  as  city  clerk.  Aside  from  this,  however,  he  has  never 
held  nor  desired  public  office.  For  the  past  twenty-five  years  he  has  lieen  a 
faithful  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  and  he  also  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  body,  the  teachings  and  principles  of  these  organizations  proving  the 
guiding  influences  in  a  life  which  has  ever  been  characterized  by  high  ideals  and 
noble  purposes.  In  the  latter  he  is  identified  with  Corinthian  Lodge.  No.  174, 
A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Brooklyn;  Hysop  Chapter.  No.  50,  R.  A.  M.,  of  Malcom ; 
Alpha  Council,  No.  i,  R.  &  S.  M.,  of  Des  Moines;  and  Oriental  Commandery, 
No.  26,  K.  T.,  of  Newton,  Iowa.  He  has  proven  himself  a  worthy  representa- 
tive of  an  honored  pioneer  family  and  in  whatever  relation  of  life  we  find  him, 
whether  in  public,  business  or  social  alTairs,  he  is  always  the  same  honorable 
and  honered  gentleman,  who  well  merits  the  high  regard  which  is  uniformlv 
given  him. 


ELI  HORN. 


Eli  Horn  operates  a  well  improved  farm  of  tw-o  hundred  and  eightv  acres, 
which  is  a  part  of  the  old  homestead  farm,  and  he  is  also  serving  as  president  of 
the  What  Cheer  Savings  Bank.  He  was  born  on  his  present  farm  in  Deep 
River  township,  March  31,  1870,  a  son  of  Henry  and  Harriet  (Wildasin)  Horn, 
the  former  born  in  Germany  and  the  latter  in  Pennsylvania  in  1830.  The  father 
was  left  an  orphan  at  an  early  age  and  was  thus  compelled  to  make  his  own 
way  in  the  world.  He  was  married  in  Pennsylvania  to  Miss  Wildasin,  and  iu' 
1869  they  made  their  way  to  the  middle  west,  locating  first  in  Wilton  Junction. 
Iowa.  In  the  spring  of  1870  they  removed  to  a  farm  in  Deep  River  township 
and  the  father  at  once  began  to  improve  and  cultivate  his  land  and  as  time 
passed  he  added  to  his  original  holdings  until  he  became  the  owner  of  four 
hundred  acres  in  Poweshiek  county.  He  w-as  also  one  of  the  original  directors 
of  the  What  Cheer  Savings  Bank  and  was  a  man  w'ho  always  bore  a  high  repu- 
tation among  his  neighbors  and  friends.  He  died  in  the  faith  of  the  Grace  Re- 
formed church,  in   1898,  at  the  age  of  sixty  years.     His  wife  survived  him   for 


656  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

a  few  years  and  was  called  to  her  final  rest  in  June,  1910,  when  she  had  reached 
an  advanced  age.  Their  family  numbered  four  sons  and  one  daughter,  as  fol- 
lows:  Albert,  a  wholesale  grocer  of  Des  Moines,  Iowa;  William  H.,  who  lives 
on  a  part  of  the  homestead  farm ;  Eli,  of  this  review  ;  Mary,  the  wife  of  John 
Jennings,  who  resides  near  Tilton,  Iowa ;  and  Charles,  who  is  manager  of  the 
U.  P.  Tea  Store  at  Council  Bluffs. 

Eli  Horn  was  reared  on  the  farm  which  has  always  been  his  home  and  he 
began  his  early  education  in  the  district  schools  near  his  father's  home,  later 
pursuing  a  business  course  in  the  Oskaloosa  Business  College,  while  two  years 
were  spent  in  study  at  the  academy  in  Wilton  Junction.  After  completing  his 
education  he  engaged  in  teaching  in  the  district  schools  for  four  years  but  chose 
as  his  life  work  the  occupation  to  which  he  had  been  reared.  He  new  operates 
two  hundred  and  eighty  acres  of  his  father's  estate,  this  land  being  located  on 
section  33,  Deep  River  township.  He  makes  a  close  study  of  the  soil  and  crops, 
adheres  to  a  systematic  rule  of  crop  rotation,  and  his  labors  have  resulted  in 
success.  Mr.  Horn  is  a  prominent  man  in  many  ways.  He  has  always  been  a 
hard  worker  but  has  found  time  to  fill  the  office  of  president  of  the  What  Cheer 
Savings  Bank  for  the  past  ten  years.  He  manifests  a  lively  interest  in  this  in- 
stitution and  is  ever  ready  to  do  what  he  can  to  advance  its  interests  and  pro- 
vide for  its  needs. 

Mr.  Horn  was  married  in  1907  to  Miss  Sadie  Moore,  a  native  of  Keokuk 
county,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  James  and  Sarah  Moore.  Their  home  has  been 
blessed  with  an  interesting  son  and  daughter,  Raymond  E.  and  Lelah. 

Mr.  Horn  is  a  stanch  supporter  of  the  principles  of  the  republican  party  but 
has  never  taken  a  politician's  interest,  as  his  time  and  attention  are  fully  occupied 
with  his  personal  affairs.  He  is  a  man  well  known  in  various  sections  of  the 
county  and  is  fully  sustaining  the  reputation  that  was  always  borne  by  his  hon- 
ored father. 


GEORGE  M.  HOLLINGSWORTH. 

It  is  a  difficult  task  to  offer  a  fitting  memorial  to  the  life  and  accomplish- 
ments of  such  a  man  as  George  M.  Hollingsworth.  Remarkable  in  the  breadth 
of  his  wisdom  and  in  his  indomitable  perseverance  and  his  strong  individuality, 
he  was  yet  one  whose  entire  life  had  not  one  esoteric  phase,  being  an  open 
scroll,  inviting  the  closest  scrutiny.  A  residence  of  forty-seven  years  in  the 
county  made  him  well  and  favorably  known  and  his  death,  which  occurred  on 
the  8th  of  iMarch,  1910,  was  therefore  the  occasion  of  deep  sorrow  to  his 
many  friends.  He  was  born  in  Morrow  county,  Ohio,  March  20,  1840,  a  son  of 
Abner  and  Nancy  (Coleman)  Hollingsworth.  who  were  natives  of  Pennsyl- 
vania and  of  German  descent.  They  became  residents  of  Ohio  and  reared  to 
maturity  four  sons  and  three  daughters.  The  mother  died  in  the  Buckeye 
state  and  the  father  passed  away  while  on  a  visit  to  Iowa.  They  were  prosper- 
ous farming  people  of  Ohio. 


MU.  AM)  MRS.  (;i;()K(;k  m.  iiolmxcswokiii 


THE  NEW  YORK 

I  PU-BLIC  LIBRARY 


MTOR,  T-CNOX  AND 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  659 

George  M.  Hollingsworth  was  reared  in  the  state  of  his  nativity  and  there 
acquired  his  eckication  in  the  common  schools.  He  remained  uncier  the  parental 
roof  until  he  attained  his  majority  and  soon  afterward,  the  Civil  war  having 
been  inaugurated,  he  enlisted  on  the  2d  of  October,  1862,  as  a  member  of  Com- 
pany F,  Forty-third  Ohio  Volunteer  Infantry.  He  served  at  the  front  until 
August,  1863,  when  he  was  honorably  discharged.  He  came  to  Iowa  in  the 
same  year  and  here  engaged  in  farming.  However,  he  returned  to  Ohio  for 
the  winter  but  in  the  following  spring  (1864)  came  again  to  Poweshiek  county, 
making  the  overland  journey.  He  purchased  forty  acres  of  land  in  Deep  River 
township,  located  one  mile  west  of  Deep  River.  A  few  years  later  he  added 
to  his  original  purchase  an  eighty  acre  tract,  and  later  on  another  tract  of 
forty  acres,  while  by  another  purchase  he  added  forty  acres  more,  which 
then  made  him  the  possessor  of  two  hundred  acres.  He  improved  his  farm 
with  good  buildings  and  placed  the  fields  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation 
and  on  this  farm  property  he  spent  many  useful  and  prosperous  years.  In 
the  later  years  of  his  life,  however,  he  was  in  poor  health  and  this  led  him 
to  spend  fifteen  years  in  retirement  in  a  pleasant  home  in  Deep  River.  He 
retained  possession  of  his  farm,  however,  until  just  prior  to  his  demise,  when 
he  disposed  of  the  land. 

Mr.  Hollingsworth  was  married,  April  27,  1867,  to  Miss  Fannie  Correll,  who 
was  born  in  Connellsville,  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  March  25,  1840,  a 
daughter  of  William  W.  and  Rosanna  (Gearhart)  Correll,  who  were  likewise 
natives  of  the  Keystone  state.  In  1844,  when  the  daughter  was  but  four  years 
of  age,  the  parents  came  to  Iowa,  making  the  journey  to  Burlington  by  boat. 
During  the  voyage  the  boat  on  which  they  were  passengers,  was  sunk  but  Mr. 
Correll  and  his  family  escaped.  -He  was.,  a  mason  by  trade  and  during  the 
winter  of  1844  worked  in  and  around.  Burlington  at  this  occupation.  His  wife 
died  in  Louisa  county,  leaving  three  children.  In  1851  the  family  came  to 
Poweshiek  county  and  the  father  bought  a  claim  in  Deep  River  township,  which 
he  improved  and  cultivated  for.  matiir  N'ears.''  "He  was  married  a  second  time 
and  by  that  marriage  there  were  six  children.  He  spent  his  last  years  with 
his  daughters,  Mrs.  Icinbice  and  Mrs.  Hollingsworth,  and  died  .'Kugust  22, 
1900,  at  the  home  of  the  latter  in  Deep  River. 

Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hollingsworth  were  born  seven  children:  Mary  E.,  the 
wife  of  Edwin  A.  Flint,  a  resident  of  Deep  River  township ;  William  Abner, 
who  owns  a  claim  near  Haswell,  Colorado,  and  is  engaged  in  teaching  school ; 
Etta  L.,  the  wife  of  Rev.  G.  H.  Hanawalt,  who  is  a  Methodist  Episcopal  minis- 
ter now  located  in  New  Sharon,  Iowa;  Lloyd,  a  resident  of  Deep  River  town- 
ship; George  Roy  and  Rolla  Francis,  twins,  the  former  an  electrician  of  Chi- 
cago, and  the  latter  residing  on  a  fruit  ranch  in  Montana  and  also  installing 
electrical  plants,  being  an  electrician ;  and  James,  who  owns  a  small  farm  in 
Deep  River  township  and  is  also  a  carrier  on  the   rural   delivery   route. 

Mrs.  Hollingsworth  engaged  in  teaching  for  several  years  prior  to  her  mar- 
riage, receiving  her  first  certificate  from  Professor  L.  F.  Parker,  who  is  editor 
of  the  historical  volume  of  this  work.  She  began  earning  her  livelihood  when 
only  eleven  years  of  age  and  later  became  one  of  the  successful  teachers  of 
the   county.      She    is    better   known   today    throughout    the    county    as    "Fannie 


660  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Correll"  than  she  is  by  her  married  name.     She   is  now  one  of  the  oldest  set- 
tlers of  Deep  River,  having  lived  here  for  sixty  years. 

Mr.  HoUingsworth  in  early  life  voted  the  democratic  ticket  but  in  his  later 
years  supported  the  men  and  meastires  of  the  prohibition  party.  The  onlv 
public  positions  he  ever  filled  were  school  and  road  offices.  His  religious  faith 
was  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Presbyterian  church  and  for  twenty- 
six  years  he  was  an  elder  in  the  church.  In  the  last  years  of  his  life,  owing  to 
ill  health,  he  was  obliged  to  largely  withdraw  from  activity  in  church  and 
business  affairs  but  he  ever  lived  in  harmony  with  his  professions  and  one 
who  knew  him  well  said  of  him  "he  was  an  exemplary  Christian."  He  enjoyed 
the  companionship  of  his  old  comrades  in  the  Civil  war  through  his  member- 
ship in  the  Grand  Army  post  at  Deep  River.  Quiet  and  unassuming  in  man- 
ner, he  found  his  greatest  social  enjoyment  at  his  ow^n  fireside  in  the  companion- 
ship of  his  family  and  friends  and  it  is  there  that  his  loss  is  most  deeply   felt. 


LOUIS  D.  KEALMERER. 

Louis  D.  Kemmerer,  the  mayor  of  Grinnell,  conducts  an  extensive  business 
as  a  dealer  in  vehicles,  marketing  his  buggies  all  over  the  United  States.  His 
birth  occurred  in  Ackley,  Iowa,  on  the  2d  of  July,  1872,  his  parents  being 
Edward  and  Amanda  (Cramer)  Kemmerer,  who  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania 
and  Canada  respectively.  Their  marriage  was  celebrated  in  Parkersburg.  Iowa, 
to  which  place  they  had  removed  with  their  respective  parents,  both  the  Kem- 
merer and  Cramer  families  settling  in  Butler  county  on  coming  to  this  state  about 
1850.  Edward  Kemmerer  became  associated  with  railroad  work  early  in  life 
and  for  twenty-three  years  prior  to  his  demise  acted  as  agent  for  the  Iowa  Cen- 
tral Railway  at  Grinnell.  His  death  occurred  here  on  the  24th  of  June,  1904. 
when  he  had  attained  the  age  of  sixty  years.  His  widow  still  survives  and 
makes  her  home   with  our  subject. 

Louis  D.  Kemmerer  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  pursued  the  pre- 
scribed course  of  study  in  the  Grinnell  high  school,  while  subsequently  he  spent 
three  years  as  a  student  at  Grinnell  College.  He  next  entered  the  Iowa  .^tate 
University  at  Iowa  City  and  in  1892  was  graduated  from  that  institution  with 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  Following  his  graduation  he  accepted  the  posi- 
tion of  collector  for  the  Spaulding  Manufacturing  Company,  his  work  taking 
him  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  coast.  He  acted  in  that  capacity  for  nlxiut 
ten  years  and  on  the  expiration  of  that  period  embarked  in  business  on  his  own 
account  as  a  retail  dealer  in  vehicles,  having  conducted  an  enterprise  of  this  char- 
acter continuously  since.  He  markets  his  buggies  all  over  the  United  States,  his 
salesmen  covering  the  country  from  coast  to  coast. 

In  1902  Mr.  Kemmerer  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ora  Warnock,  of 
Magnolia,  Arkansas.  His  political  allegiance  is  given  to  the  republican  party  and 
his  fellow  townsmen  have  honored  him  with  positions  of  public  trust  and  respon- 
sibility. For  one  year  he  was  a  member  of  the  town  council  and  in  1909  was 
elected  mayor  of   Grinnell,  in   which  capacity  he  is  now  serving.     His  adminis- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  661 

tration  has  been  characterized  by  many  measures  of  reform  and  improvement 
and  has  won  uniform  approval.  Fraternally  he  is  identified  with  the  Masons, 
belonging  to  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.;  Palestine  Chapter,  No. 
101,  R.  A.  M. ;  and  Oriental  Commandery,  No.  22,  K.  T.^  of  Newton,  Iowa.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  Grinnell  Lodge,  Xo.  175,  K.  P.,  and  Hardy  Camp  of  the 
Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  while  his  wife  is  a  devoted  and  consistent  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Mr.  Kemmerer  stands  foremost  in  his 
community  as  one  of  its  leading  and  influential  citizens  and  is  a  man  honored  and 
esteemed  wherever  known. 


LEWIS  CAPEHART. 


Lewis  Capehart  may  be  classed  among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Deep  River 
township,  for  he  has  made  his  home  here  since  1855.  He  owns  a  fine  tract  of 
eighty-three  acres  adjoining  the  village  of  Tilton  and  here  conducts  a  general 
store  and  is  also  postmaster.  He  was  born  in  Belmont  county,  Ohio,  March  22, 
1849,  3  son  of  Andrew  and  Letitia  (Briggs)  Capehart,  who  were  both  natives 
of  Pennsylvania.  They  were  married  in  the  Keystone  state,  after  which  they 
removed  to  Ohio  and  there  spent  a  few  years  prior  to  their  removal  to  Powe- 
shiek county  in  1855.  They  located  on  a  farm  one  mile  north  of  where  the 
town  of  Tilton  now  stands  and  here  the  father  engaged  in  farming  throughout 
the  remainder  of  his  life,  his  death  occurring  in  1894,  when  he  had  reached  the 
venerable  age  of  eighty  years.  His  wife  survived  for  only  a  year  and  departed 
this  life  in  1893  at  the  age  of  eighty  years.  Their  children,  five  in  number,  are: 
Mary,  the  widow  of  David  Evans,  a  resident  of  Thornburg;  George,  who  makes 
his  home  in  Guthrie  Center,  Iowa ;  John,  who  served  in  the  Civil  war  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Company  C.  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  died  at  the  Soldiers' 
Home  in  Marshalltown,  August  24,  1910;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Israel  James, 
of  Thornburg,  Iowa;  and  Lewis,  of  this  review. 

Lewis  Capehart  was  a  little  lad  of  six  years  when  he  accompanied  his  parents 
on  their  removal  from  Ohio  to  Poweshiek  county.  He  acquired  his  education  in 
the  district  schools  near  his  father's  home  and  assisted  in  the  work  of  the  farm 
through  the  periods  of  vacation.  He  remained  at  home  until  1884,  when  the 
Northwestern  Railroad  was  built  through  that  section  of  the  county  and  the 
town  of  Tilton  was  laid  out,  when  he  undertook  the  management  of  a  mer- 
chandise and  grain  business  for  Co.x  &  Cochran  of  Deep  River.  His  time  was 
thus  employed  for  two  years,  after  which  he  spent  a  similar  period  with  Ed 
Flint  in  the  management  and  conduct  of  a  general  store.  He  then  entered  the 
employ  of  Smith  &  Emmons,  proprietors  of  a  hardware,  grain  and  lumber  busi- 
ness at  Tilton.  In  1899,  under  the  administration  of  President  McKinley,  Mr. 
Capehart  was  appointed  postmaster  of  Tilton,  and  at  that  time  he  also  opened  a 
general  mercantile  establishment,  which  he  has  conducted  to  the  present  time. 
He  has  built  up  an  excellent  trafle  in  this  line,  his  patrons  coming  from  many 
mile*  around,  while  in  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties  he  is  giving  the  utmost 
satisfaction.     He  owns  a  good  tract  of  land  comprising  eight\--three  acres  on  sec- 


662  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

tion  34,  Deep  River  township,  on  which  stands  a  comfortable  residence  and  good 
outbuildings,  his  place  adjoining  the  town  limits  of  Tilton. 

Air.  Capehart  was  married  December  24.  1868,  to  Aliss  Alary  E.  AIcBurney, 
who  was  born  July  17,  1850,  in  Lee  county,  Illinois,  and  was  brought  to  Powe- 
shiek county  during  her  childhood  days  Ly  her  parents,  Thomas  and  Catharine 
AIcBurney,  who  were  natives  of  Pennsylvania.  They  are  now  both  deceased, 
having  passed  away  in  Poweshiek  county.  The  marriage  of  Air.  and  Airs.  Cape- 
hart  has  been  blessed  with  six  daughters  and  two  sons,  namely:  Viola,  the  wife 
of  a  Air.  Regon,  of  Aberdeen,  South  Dakota ;  Arthur,  a  resident  of  Ringgold 
county,  Iowa;  Alary  Ella,  the  wife  of  John  Shull,  of  Wisconsin:  Amanda,  the 
wife  of  Charles  Clarahan,  who  is  postofifice  inspector  in  Boston,  Alassachusetts ; 
Maude,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Harris,  a  resident  of  Aliller,  South  Dakota ;  Inez, 
the  wife  of  Clark  Alinor,  who  lives  in  Keokuk  county,  three  miles  east  of  Til- 
ton  ;  Harland,  a  resident  of  Alontana ;  and  Catharine,  the  wife  of  John  AIcCul- 
ley,  of  Keokuk  county,  Iowa. 

Air.  Caphart  is  a  democrat  in  his  political  affiliations,  while  his  religious 
faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Alethodist  Episcopal  church,  of  which 
he  is  now  serving  as  a  trustee.  He  is  a  Alason  of  high  rank,  having  attained 
the  thirty-second  degree.  He  belongs  to  Perfect  Union  Lodge,  Xo.  277,  at 
Thornburg;  to  the  chapter  at  What  Cheer;  the  commandery  at  Oskaloosa;  and 
to  the  consistory  and  Alystic  Shrine  at  Davenport.  He  was  made  a  Alason  twenty- 
eight  years  ago  and  is  a  prominent  member  of  the  craft.  He  also  holds  mem- 
bership relations  with  the  Eastern  Star  lodge  at  Thornburg.  When  Mr.  Cape- 
hart  came  here  in  his  childhood  days,  the  nearest  neighbor  of  the  family  was  five 
miles  distant.  He  has  lived  to  see  the  village  of  Tilton  laid  out  and  has  seen  it 
flourish,  while  the  country  round  about  has  become  thickly  settled  with  a  con- 
tented and  prosperous  people.  He  is  well  known  as  a  pioneer  of  this  section 
arud  as  a  most  industrious  and  useful  man,  whose  probity  is  an  unquestioned 
element  in  his  career.  His  time  has  often  been  at  the  service  of  his  community 
and  he  has  gained  the  love  and  respect  of  all  among  whom  he  has  lived  and 
labored. 


CHRISTIAN  D.  BRENIAIAN. 

The  name  of  Breniman  is  well  known  to  the  residents  of  Brooklyn  and 
Poweshiek  county,  the  family  having  been  established  in  this  locality  as  early 
as  1855,  since  which  time  representatives  of  the  name  have  borne  an  important 
part  in  the  development  of  the  district  along  agricultural  lines.  The  family  is 
of  Swiss  origin.  Christian  D.  Breniman  having  been  born  in  Switzerland,  about 
four  miles  from  the  city  of  Berne,  on  the  29th  of  August,  1836.  His  parents 
were  Christian  and  Barbara  ( Durig)  Breniman.  also  natives  of  Switzerland, 
who  brought  their  family  to  the  United  States  in  1852,  locating  first  in  Tus- 
carawas county,  Ohio,  and  three  years  later,  in  the  spring  of  1855,  they  ar- 
rived in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  The  family  home  was  established  about  fonr 
miles  southeast  of  Brooklyn,  and  there  the  father  engaged  in  general  farming 
for  a  number  of  years.     He  passed  away  on  the  old  homestead  in  1874,  at  the 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  m'6 

age  of  sixty-two  years,  and  his  wife  survived  until   1897,  her  death  occurring 
when  she  was  eighty-two  years  old. 

Their  family  of  ten  children  included  the  following:  Christian  D.,  of  this 
review ;  Fred,  who  enlisted  from  Poweshiek  county  and  served  throughout 
the  last  three  years  of  the  Civil  war  as  a  member  of  Company  H,  Twenty- 
eighth  Iowa  Infantry,  and  who  is  now  deceased,  his  death  occurring  in  Grin- 
nell  in  1908;  Rudolph,  of  Fort  Collins,  Colorado,  who  also  enlisted  in  Com- 
pany H,  Twenty-eighth  Iowa  Infantry,  serving  as  drummer  boy ;  Rosina,  who 
wedded  Myron  Whitney  and  passed  away  in  1905;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Ed- 
ward Mc\'eigh,  a  resident  of  Nebraska,  who  enlisted  from  Poweshiek  county 
as  a  soldier  of  the  Fourth  Iowa  Cavalry;  Mary,  the  wife  of  Charles  Wootters, 
of  Cleveland,  Ohio,  who  likewise  enlisted  from  this  county  in  the  Tenth  Iowa 
Infantry;  Gottlieb,  of  Brooklyn,  mentioned  elsewhere  in  this  volume;  Eliza, 
who  married  Chris  Mohr,  of  Brooklyn;  Arnold,  of  California;  and  John,  a 
resident  of  Fort  Collins.  All  of  this  number,  with  the  exception  of  the  last 
named,  were  born  in  Switzerland,  and  all  lived  to  rear  families  of  their  own. 
At  one  time  they  were  all  located  on  farms  south  of  Brooklyn,  where  the  sons 
owned  about  twenty-five  hundred  acres  all  in  one  body,  and  the  locality  became 
known   throughout  the  district  as  the  Breniman  settlement. 

Christian  D.  Breniman  acquired  his  education  in  the  schools  of  the  father- 
land and  was  a  lad  of  sixteen  years  when  he  crossed  the  Atlantic  with  his  pa- 
rents. Since  his  arrival  in  Poweshiek  county  in  1855  he  has  never  been  out- 
side its  limits  for  any  length  of  time  except  once  in  1863,  when  he  went  abroad 
for  the  purpose  of  visiting  his  old  home  in  Switzerland.  When  old  enough 
to  enter  business  on  his  own  account  he  wisely  chose  the  occupation  of  farm- 
ing as  his  life  work,  and  for  many  years  was  considered  one  of  the  most  sub- 
stantial and  prosperous  agriculturists  of  Lincoln  township.  He  and  his  brothers 
all  became  very  well-to-do,  for  in  the  conduct  of  their  affairs  they  not  only 
exhibited  the  sturdy  traits  of  industry,  perseverance  and  thrift  so  characteristic 
of  the  German  race  but  also  the  spirit  of  progress  and  enterprise  which  has 
come  to  be  recognized  as  the  dominant  American  force.  They  followed  the 
most  practical  and  up-to-date  methods  in  the  cultivation  of  their  fields,  erected 
fine  large  buildings  and  introduced  all  of  the  modern  equipment  for  facilitating 
farm  labor,  and  with  the  passing  of  the  years  the  section  known  as  Breni- 
man's  settlement  became  one  of  the  most  valuable  and  desirable  properties  in 
the  county.  Christian  D.  Breniman  became  the  owner  of  over  three  hundred 
acres  of  finely  developed  farm  land,  and  he  continued  in  the  successful  opera- 
tion of  his  fields  until  about  five  years  ago,  when  he  retired  from  business 
with   a  handsome   fortune  and  took  up  his  residence  in   Brooklyn. 

It  was  in  1867  that  Mr.  Breniman  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  J.  Annah 
Pierce,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  born  on  the  21st  of  May,  1845.  Her  parents 
were  H.  F.  and  Julia  (Wilson)  Pierce,  also  natives  of  Connecticut,  who  came 
west  in  1854,  locating  first  in  Illinois,  while  ten  years  later,  in  1864,  they  ar- 
rived in  Iowa.  Mr.  Pierce  was  a  master  of  the  Grange  here  and  became  very 
well  known  throughout  Poweshiek  county.  He  and  his  wife  both  passed  away 
in  Kansas  two  years  ago  when  about  ninety  years  of  age.  In  their  family  were 
four   children,  as    follows :     Annah,   who   became   Mrs.    Breniman ;    Frank,   the 


664  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

county  clerk  of  Kearney  county,  Kansas,  residing  in  Lakin,  who  was  also  at 
one  time  county  auditor  of  Poweshiek  county  and  was  a  student  of  Iowa  Col- 
lege; William,  a  resident  physician  of  Clayton,  Kansas,  who  was  also  a  student 
of  Iowa  College;  and  Minnie,  the  deceased  wife  of  Rudolph  Breniman,  a 
brother  of  Christian  D.  Breniman.  her  death  occurring  in   1896. 

Unto  Mr.  and  ^Irs.  Breniman  were  born  seven  children,  namely :  Bertha, 
a  graduate  of  Iowa  College  at  Grinnell,  now  engaged  in  teaching  in  South  Da- 
kota;  Irene,  who  was  also  engaged  in  teaching  for  about  twenty  years  in  Iowa 
and  Nebraska  prior  to  her  marriage  to  Ira  McMullen,  of  Brooklyn;  Elbridge. 
a  physician  of  Ackley.  Iowa,  and  a  graduate  of  Rush  Medical  College;  Fan- 
nie, who  was  graduated  from  Iowa  College  at  Grinnell  and  engaged  in  teach- 
ing for  the  past  eighteen  years  but  passed  away  on  the  25th  of  May,  191 1. 
]\Iarie,  who  was  a  nurse  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Hospital  at  Des  Moines  for 
a  year  and  a  half,  and  is  a  graduate  of  the  Deaconess  Training  School  of  Chi- 
cago; Edward,  who  was  educated  at  the  State  Normal  School  at  Cedar  Falls 
and  is  now  operating  his  father's  farm;  and  Virginia;  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Breniman  owns  an  attractive  home  on  Des  Moines  street,  Brooklyn, 
and  the  hospitality  of  his  home  is  enjoyec.  by  a  large  circle  of  friends.  He  be- 
longs to  the  Moravian  church,  which  the  Breniman  family  was  instrumental 
in  establishing  here,  being  the  largest  contributors  to  its  building  fund.  This 
church  was  built  by  the  family  in  Warren  township  and  was  the  first  country 
church  built  in  the  county,  being  erected  in  1869.  In  politics  he  voted  with  the 
republican  party  until  the  election  of  Grover  Cleveland,  since  which  time  he 
has  given  his  support  to  the  democracy.  He  held  all  of  the  offices  in  Lincoln 
township  and  during  his  residence  there  was  recognized  as  one  of  its  most  promi- 
nent and  influential  citizens.  Since  coming  to  Brooklyn,  however,  he  has  led 
a  quiet  life,  content  to  leave  to  others  the  active  duties  of  citizenship,  and  now, 
having  reached  the  seventy-fifth  milestone  on  life's  journey,  he  is  enjoying  the 
fruits  of  a  success  that  is  most  substantial  and  well  merited.. 


HARRISON   I.  DAVIS. 

Shortly  after  the  Civil  war  Harrison  I.  Davis  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county 
and  for  nearly  forty-five  years  he  has  been  connected  with  the  development 
of  the  county.  He  was  a  valiant  soldier  for  the  Union  when  the  life  of  the 
republic  was  assailed  and  he  has  been  a  patriotic,  energetic  and  progressive 
citizen.  A  successful  business  man.  he  now  enjoys  in  peace  and  comfort  the 
rewards  of  many  years  of  application. 

He  was  born  in  Chenango  county.  New  York,  February  19,  1840,  and  is 
a  son  of  Isaac  and  Phebe  (Gray)  Davis.  The  father  was  a  native  of  New 
York  state,  while  the  mother's  family  were  from  Massachusetts.  Isaac  Davis 
was  a  mechanic  but  turned  his  attention  to  farming  and  in  1852  took  up  his 
residence  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois.  In  1866  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county. 
Iowa,  and  settled  on  a  farm  in  section  25.  Sheridan  township,  where  he  con- 
tinued until  his  death,  which  occurred  July  2,  1878.     Politically  he  was  originally 


THE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


ASTCR,  LINOX  AND 
TILOEN  FOUNDATION*. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  667 

an  old  line  whig  but  after  the  organization  of  the  republican  party  gave  to  it 
his  support.  The  mother  died  at  Grinnell,  May  25,  1898,  on  the  ninety-second 
anniversary  of  her  birth. 

Harrison  I.  Davis  received  his  early  education  in  the  common  schools  of 
Xew  York  and  Illinois  and  began  his  business  career  by  working  upon  an 
Illinois  farm.  Just  as  he  was  fairly  started,  the  country  was  overshadowed 
b\-  the  great  rebellion,  and,  like  thousands  of  patriotic  young  men,  he  offered 
iiis  services  in  support  of  the  stars  and  stripes.  He  became  a  member  of  Com- 
pany K,  Ninety-third  Illinois  \'olunteer  Infantry,  enlisting  at  Princeton,  Bureau 
county,  Illinois.  The  regiment  served  under  General  Grant  in  the  Mississippi 
campaign  and  also  at  \'icksburg,  and  after  the  fall  of  that  city  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  I'ifteenth  Army  Corps  under  General  Sherman.  Air.  Davis  en- 
listed as  a  private  but  was  made  lieutenant,  serving  in  that  capacity  until  hos- 
tilities ceased.  He  participated  in  Sherman's  march  to  the  sea  and  also  in  the 
grand  review  at  Washington,  serving  in  all  for  two  years  and  eleven  months. 
He  took  part  in  the  \'icksburg  campaign  and  the  battles  of  Chattanooga  and 
Champion's  Hill,  his  company  losing  fifty  per  cent  of  its  number  and  his  regiment 
one-third.  The  official  record  of  the  regiment  shows  that  Lieutenant  Davis  was 
kept  busily  employed.  He  was  in  commaiul  of  the  company  from  May  16,  1863. 
to  July  4,  1863,  during  the  battles  and  siege  of  Vicksburg.  On  November  i,  1863. 
he  was  assigned  to  command  Company  I,  serving  in  this  capacity  until  Novem- 
ber 21,  and  on  November  25  he  was  assigned  to  Company  F  in  the  battle  of 
.Missionary  Ridge.  In  this  engagement  Adjutant  H.  G.  Hicks  was  severely 
wounded  and  Lieutenant  Davis  was.  assigned  to  duty-, as  acting  adjutant  of  the 
regiment,  serving  in  this  capacity  •iirttir  Api4I  'i^,'i864,  when  he  was  assigned 
to  command  Company  H,  guarding  a 'railroad  bridge  at  Lime  Stone  Creek,  be- 
tween Huntsville  and  Decatur,  Alabama.  At  Savannah,  Georgia,  December 
29,  1864,  he  was  detailed  to  commarid^  tlie  Division'  Escort  Company  at  the 
headquarters  of  the  Third  Division,-  Fifteenth  Army  Corps.  He  was  in  com- 
mand of  his  company  through  the  Carolina  campaign  until  April  26,  1864,  and 
at  Raleigh,  North  Carolina,  April  28,  1864,  was  detailed  to  act  as  regimental 
quartermaster,  serving  in  this  capacity  on  the  march  to  Richmond,  Virginia, 
and  Washington,  D,  C.  When  the  Ninety-third  Illinois  Regiment  was  mustered 
out  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  June  23,  1865,  the  books  and  records  of  the  regiment 
were  placed  in  charge  of  Lieutenant  Davis  and  he  delivered  them  to  the  chief 
mustering  officer  at  Chicago,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Nick  C.  Boswell  of  the  Ninety- 
third  Illinois  Regiment  concludes  a  notation  of  Lieutenant  Davis  with  the 
following  highly  commendatory  words :  "In  all  the  many  responsible  posi- 
tions Lieutenant  Harrison  I.  Davis  was  called  upon  to  fill  during  his  service 
in  the  army  he  everywhere  and  at  all  times  proved  himself  to  be  an  officer 
of  marked  ability.  In  battle  prompt  and  brave;  on  the  march  active  and  at- 
tentixe  to  duty :  at  all  times  a  cheerful,  pleasant  gentleman,  who  did  not  fail  to 
win  the  esteem  of  all  associates." 

.\fter  laying  aside  the  uniform  and  accoutrements  of  war,  Mr.  Davis  ap- 
plied himself  to  farming  in  Poweshiek  coimty,  Iowa,  until  1894,  He  removed 
to  Grinnell  in  1884  and  has  ever  since  made  his  home  in  this  city.  In  addi- 
tion to  his  farming  interests  he  associated  with   H.   E.  Roberts  in  the  conduct 


668  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

of  a  grain  elevator  and  lumberyard  at  Ripley,  Iowa,  from  1896  to  1909,  the 
business  proving  highly  profitable. 

On  the  20th  of  December,  1866,  Air.  Davis  was  united  in  marriage  to  Aliss 
Emily  E.  Trimble,  of  Princeton,  Illinois,  a  daughter  of  Mathew  and  Lydia 
(Thatcher)  Trimble,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Clinton  county,  Ohio. 
Eight  children  were  born  to  Mr.  and  Airs.  Davis,  namely:  Dwight  E.,  who  is 
now  deceased ;  Harry  L.,  who  is  married  and  is  now  engaged  in  the  grocery 
business  at  Oskaloosa ;  Darline,  who  attended  the  Conservatory  of  Alusic  at 
Grinnell  and  married  \'.  G.  Preston,  now  engaged  in  the  clothing  business  at 
Grinnell ;  Alark  G.,  deceased ;  Glen  T.,  now  engaged  in  farming  at  Butte,  Ne- 
braska ;  Edith,  who  married  William  Alores,  who  is  engaged  in  the  clothing 
business  at  Alanhatten,  Montana;  Buren  T.,  deceased;  and  Wilbur  C.,  a  grad- 
uate of  Grinnell  College,  who  is  now  at  Butte.  Alontana. 

Mr.  Davis  is  a  valued  member  of  Gordan  Granger  Post,  Xo.  64.  G.  A.  R., 
and  his  wife  is  a  member  of  the  Christian  church.  Politically,  he  is  an  earnest 
adherent  of  the  republican  party,  being  known  as  a  "stand  pat"  republican 
and  he  has  always  taken  great  interest  in  politics.  He  was  the  tirst  tow^nship 
clerk  of  Sheridan  township,  being  elected  in  1867,  also  served  as  trustee  and 
member  of  the  county  board  of  supervisors,  and  was  a  member  of  the  city  coun- 
cil of  Grinnell  for  three  terms.  He  has  through  life  represented  advanced 
lines  of  thought  and  effort  and  has  generally  been  found  in  the  thick  of  the 
battle.  He  has  never  shirked  responsibility  and  having  once  entered  upon  any 
undertaking  he  has  almost  invariably  carried  it  through  to  a  successful  con- 
clusion. He  belongs  to  that  class  of  men  who  are  natural  leaders,  and  of 
him  it  may  truly  be  said  that  in  the  course  of  a  long  and  useful  life  he  has  al- 
ways attempted  to  perform  his  duty. 


JOHN  AIcMILLAN. 


Nature  seems  to  have  intended  that  man  should  enjoy  a  period  of  rest  in 
the  evening  of  life.  In  youth  one  is  filled  with  hoyie  and  enthusiasm,  in  mature 
years  his  energy  and  determination  are  tempered  by  sound  judgment  and  ex- 
perience and  therefore,  if  he  is  persistent  in  his  labors,  success  will  attend  him 
and  then  when  the  evening  shadows  fall  he  will  find  it  possible  to  enjoy  a  jjeriod 
of  rest  from  labor.  Such  has  been  the  history  of  John  AIcAIillan,  who,  although 
now  living  retired,  was  for  a  number  of  years  one  of  the  active  and  energetic 
farmers  of  Poweshiek  county. 

He  was  born  in  Vermont,  September  27,  1838,  and  has  back  of  him  an 
ancestry  honorable  and  distinguished.  His  parents  were  Andrew  and  Enn'ly 
U.  (Dana)  McMillan,  the  former  born  in  Alaine  and  the  latter  in  \'ermont. 
The  mother  is  descended  from  the  well  known  Dana  family  of  the  east  and 
traced  her  ancestry  back  to  King  Louis  XI\'.  of  France.  In  the  line  of  descent 
also  appears  the  name  of  Israel  Putnam,  the  noted  general  of  the  Revolution- 
ary war. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  669 

The  entire  life  of  Andrew  McMillan  was  spent  in  the  east.  He  attended 
West  Point  Military  Academy,  being  graduated  from  that  institution  with  the 
class  of  which  Major  Anderson,  the  defender  of  Fort  Sumter,  was  also  a 
member.  For  a  time  he  conducted  a  general  store  and  later  became  interested 
in  farm  lands.  He  served  as  county  surveyor  for  forty  years  up  to  the  time 
of  his  death  and  was  also  called  upon  by  his  fellowmen  to  represent  his  district 
in  the  state  senate.  He  became  a  well  known  engineer  in  the  east  and  was 
appointed  chairman  of  the  engineering  corps  that  drew  the  boundary  line  be- 
tween Maine  and  Xew  lirunswick.  In  1853  he  received  an  offer  to  come  west 
with  J.  B.  Grinnell  to  assist  in  building  the  city  of  Grinnell,  Iowa,  but  declined, 
preferring  to  remain  in  the  east.  He  passed  away  in  1875,  honored,  respected 
and  loved  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  a  good  father,  a  loving  husband,  a 
faithful  friend  and  an  exemplary  citizen.  To  Andrew  and  Emma  McMillan 
were  born  four  children,  namely :  Putnam  D.,  a  business  man  of  Minneapolis, 
^Minnesota ;  Sarah  D.,  who  married  the  Rev.  E.  G.  Parsons,  of  Londonderry, 
New  Hampshire,  and  was  actively  engaged  with  him  in  school  work  at  Pinker- 
ton  Academy  of  Londonderry  and  in  other  places  until  her  death ;  John,  of 
this   review ;  and  Julia,  deceased. 

John  AIcMillan  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  schools  and  academy 
of  his  native  village,  where  he  was  fitted  for  college,  and  remained  in  New  Eng- 
land until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  when,  prompted  by  a  spirit  of  pa- 
triotism, he  responded  to  his  country's  call  for  troops  and  enlisted,  in  1861,  as 
a  soldier  in  Company  H,  Fourth  Vermont  Infantry.  He  was  first  stationed  at 
Camp  Griffin,  near  W^ashington,  and  later  received  a  wound  which  caused  the 
loss  of  one  limb.  This  occasioned  his  discharge  from  the  army,  but  later,  in 
1863,  he  reenlisted  as  a  member  of  the  invalid  corps  but  was  not  again  sent  to 
the  front. 

After  the  close  of  the  war,  in  1866,  Mr.  McMillan  left  his  home  in  the  Green 
Mountain  state  and  sought  the  opportunities  of  the  rapidly  growing  middle  west. 
He  made  his  way  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Poweshiek  county,  and  liere  he  was  em- 
ployed at  farm  work  by  the  month  for  about  seven  years.  He  then  started 
to  improve  the  land  which  he  had  previously  purchased  on  section  3,  Chester 
township,  upon  which  he  continued  to  reside  until  191 1.  During  the  intervening 
years  he  devoted  his  attention  to  the  cultivation  of  his  land,  although  handi- 
capped by  poor  health  and  a  disabled  limb.  He  converted  the  place  into  a  val- 
uable and  productive  farm,  supplied  with  all  modern  accessories  and  conven- 
iences. In  its  appointments  it  is  neat  and  well  ordered  and  since  the  retire- 
ment of  Mr.  McMillan  has  been  operated  by  his  son.  He  now  makes  his  home 
near  Chester  Center,  where  he  is  living  in  happy  contentment  after  nianv 
years  of  well  directed  effort. 

On  the  29th  of  October,  1878,  Mr.  McMillan  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Carrie  Augusta  Hetherington,  a  daughter  of  Christmas  and  Margaret  AI.  CDial) 
Hetherington.  Her  mother  passed  away  in  November,  1883,  and  her  father 
died  ten  years  later.  The  Hetherington  family  is  of  English  origin,  the  father 
of  Christmas  Hetherington  being  an  astronomer  and  teacher  in  England.  His 
mother,  however,  was  of  French  lineage  and  came  to  America  in  early  colonial 
days.     For  some  years  he  followed  contracting  and  building  at  Oskaloosa,  Iowa, 


670  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

and  was  also  an  extensive  land  dealer  in  that  locality.  His  son  James  E.  Heth- 
erington,  now  deceased,  held  the  position  of  revenue  officer  in  the  south  for 
twenty  years  and  was  a  resident  of  Atlanta,  Georgia.  By  a  former  marriage 
Mrs.  McMillan  had  one  son,  George  F.  Waggoner,  who  is  a  traveling  man,  re- 
siding in  Dickinson,  Xorth  Dakota.  He  is  married  and  has  a  son,  Dana  L.  Wag- 
goner. Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  McMillan  has  been  born  one  son,  Putnam  Dana, 
who  was  married,  in  August,  1910,  to  Miss  Ella  .A.hrens,  of  Grinnell,  Iowa,  and 
who  now  resides  on  the  old  homestead  farm  in  Chester  township,  where  he  is 
engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits. 

Mr.  McMillan  attends  the  services  of  the  Alethodist  church  of  Sonora,  of 
which  he  is  a  member.  Recognizing  the  fact  that  the  liquor  traffic  is  one  of 
the  worst  evils  against  which  the  country  has  to  contend,  he  gives  stalwart  sup- 
port to  the  prohibition  party,  and  his  influence  is  ever  on  the  side  of  all  meas- 
ures and  movements  which  have  for  their  object  the  betterment  and  upbuilding 
of  the  community  at  large.  He  is  a  stockholder  in  the  Chester  &  Grinnell  Tele- 
phone Company  and  has  ever  been  a  strong  advocate  of  all  public  utilities.  He 
is  a  gentleman  of  broad  mind  and  takes  a  calm  survey  of  life,  recognizes  its 
purposes  and  meets  its  obligations.  He  is  held  in  high  regard  throughout  the 
county  and  has  a  circle  of  friends  almost  coextensive  with  the  circle  of  his 
acquaintances. 


WILLIAM  N.  MORGAN. 

For  fifty-eight  years  the  Morgan  family  have  been  represented  in  Powe- 
shiek county.  William  X.  Morgan  is  the  son  of  John  C.  and  Rebecca  D.  (Bar- 
ker) Morgan  and  was  born  in  Lincoln  township,  Pow-eshiek  county,  on  the 
23(1  of  August,  1865.  His  grandfather,  John  Morgan,  was  a  native  of  Ohio, 
from  which  state  he  removed  to  Illinois,  where  his  son  John  C.  was  born  on 
the  14th  of  August,  1842.  In  1853  he  brought  his  family  to  Iowa,  driving  from 
Sangamon  county.  Illinois,  to  Poweshiek  county.  On  arriving  here,  the  grand- 
father purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  government  land  on  what 
is  called  the  state  road,  in  the  improvement  and  cultivation  of  which  both  he 
and  his  son  engaged.  Mrs.  Rebecca  Morgan,  who  was  a  native  of  Ohio,  passed 
away  in  April,  1899,  but  her  husband  survived  until  the  2d  of  July,  1906,  his 
demise  occurring  at  the  residence  of  his  son. 

The  education  of  William  N.  Morgan  was  acquired  in  the  district  schools 
of  his  native  county.  After  laying  aside  his  school  books  he  engaged  in  agri- 
cultural pursuits,  assisting  his  father  until  he  had  attained  his  majority,  at  which 
time  he  began  working  for  himself.  For  one  year  thereafter  he  hired  out 
by  the  month  as  a  farm  hand,  following  which  he  located  in  Deep  River  town- 
ship for  two  years,  and  then  removed  to  his  present  homestead.  This  is  a  one 
hundred  and  sixty  acre  tract,  formerly  the  home  of  his  father,  and  has  been  in 
possession  of  the  family  for  about  fifty  years.  Mr.  Morgan  raises  Berkshire 
hogs  and  shorthorn  cattle  and  also  engages  in  general  farming.  He  is  meeting 
with  success  in  his  undertakings  and  is  constantly   improving  his   farm. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  671 

On  the  25th  of  September,  1889,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Mor- 
gan and  Miss  Cora  Crisvvell,  a  daughter  of  Wilham  and  Mary  (Bromley) 
Criswell.  Her  father  is  a  native  of  Indiana  and  her  mother  of  New  York. 
They  lived  in  Illinois  for  a  time  and  from  there  removed  to  Poweshiek  county, 
where  they  have  ever  since  continued  to  reside,  their  present  home  being  in 
Deep  River  township.  Three  children  have  been  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mor- 
gan: Orrion  L.,  who  was  born  April  14,  1891,  and  is  still  at  home;  Rebecca 
Dorothy,  born  November  5,  1897;  '^"^1  William  Harold  Carman,  born  December 
22,  1899. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Morgan  is  a  member  of  Golden  Rod  Lodge,  No.  512,  .\.  F. 
&  A.  M.,  of  Deep  River;  Modern  Woodmen  of  America,  Deep  River  Lodge, 
No.  297;  and  Modern  Brotherhood  of  America,  Deep  River  Lodge,  No.  146. 
His  political  support  he  accords  to  the  candidates  of  the  republican  party,  his 
views  coinciding  with  the  progressive  faction  of  that  body.  He  takes  an  inter- 
est in  civic  aiifairs  and  is  now  serving  both  as  a  school  director  and  township 
trustee.  Perseverance  and  earnest  endeavor  have  enabled  Mr.  Morgan  to  make 
a  success  of  his  vocation,  and  he  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  successful  agricul- 
turists of  Lincoln  township. 


ANDREW  SCOTT   GRAHAM. 

One  of  the  most  successful  young  agriculturists  and  stockmen  of  Powe- 
shiek county  is  Andrew  Scott  Graham,  who  was  born  on  the  farm  where  he 
now  resides  in  Madison  township  on  the  4th  of  July,  1878.  His  parents  are 
Archie  and  Christiana  (Brownlie)  Graham,  the  father  a  native  of  Smith  Falls, 
Canada,  and  the  mother  of  Iowa.  Archie  Graham  came  to  the  United  States 
in  the  early  '60s,  locating  in  Scott  county,  Iowa,  where  he  resided  for  several 
years,  and  then  removed  to  Poweshiek  county,  settling  upon  a  farm  in  Madi- 
son townshi]).  He  met  with  success  in  his  agricultural  pursuits  and  added 
to  his  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  lie  had  acc[uired  four  hundred  acres  of 
land,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  engaged  until  the  ist  of  March,  1904,  when 
he  retired  and  removed  to  Brooklyn,  where  he  and  his  wife  continue  to  reside. 

The  education  of  Andrew  Scott  Graham  was  obtained  in  the  district  schools 
of  his  native  township,  and  in  the  Capital  City  Commercial  College,  following 
which  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  homestead  until  the  latter's 
retirement,  at  which  time  he  assumed  the  entire  management.  In  1910  he  bought 
two  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land,  which  he  also  operates  in  addition  to  the 
160  contained  in  his  father's  farm.  He  engages  in  general  farming  and  stock- 
raising  and  is  meeting  with  more  than  a  fair  degree  of  success  in  both  under- 
takings. Each  year  he  feeds  one  carload  of  cattle  and  two  of  hogs  for  the 
market.  He  has  an  excellent  farm,  which  is  well  improved  and  highly  culti- 
vated, everything  about  the  place  giving  evidence  of  the  capable  supervision 
and  regard  for  details  which  bespeaks  success  in  any  vocation. 

On  the  8th  of  February,  1904,  was  solemnized  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Graham 
and  Miss  Bertha  Graham,  a  daughter  of  Thomas  and  Jennie   (Lang)  Graham, 


672  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COLuXTY 

who  were  at  one  time  well  known  residents  of  Madison  township.  Thomas 
Graham  originally  came  from  Smith  Falls,  Canada,  hut  the  mother  is  a  native 
of  Scott  county,  Iowa.  When  Mrs.  Bertha  Graham  was  a  child  of  five  years 
the  family  removed  to  Minnesota,  where  the  father  engaged  in  farming  for 
fifteen  years.  In  1899  the  family  returned  to  Iowa,  settling  in  Brooklyn,  where 
Thomas  Graham  has  ever  since  lived  retired.  Two  children  have  been  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Andrew  Graham:  Blanch  Elizabeth,  who  was  born  on  the  27th 
of  July,  1906;  and  Robert  Edward,  whose  birth  occurred  on  the  26th  of  Jan- 
uary,  191 1. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Graham  hold  membership  in  the  Christian  church,  and  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  being  affiliated  with  Corinthian  Lodge, 
No.  174,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Brooklyn.  His  political  allegiance  he  gives  to  the  re- 
publican party,  and  for  more  than  five  years  he  has  been  the  choice  of  the  people 
for  the  office  of  township  clerk,  which  office  he  continues  to  hold.  Mr.  Graham 
is  one  of  the  progressive  and  energetic  young  farmers  of  Madison  township, 
and  judging  by  the  measure  of  success  awarded  his  efiforts  thus  far  his  future 
appears  most  promising. 


JOSEPH  McKEE. 


Joseph  McKee  who  owns  and  operates  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  in  Deep  River  township,  has  made  his  home  on  this  place  for  the  past 
twenty-eight  years  and  is  today  classed  among  the  well  known  and  prominent 
farmers  of  Poweshiek  county.  He  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Maryland, 
April  16,  1843,  ^  son  of  Samuel  and  Susan  (Parks)  McKee,  the  former  a 
native  of  Ireland.  Their  family  numbered  five  sons  and  four  daughters,  of 
whom  our  subject  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth.  The  father  died  when  the 
latter  was  a  small  boy  but  the  mother  survived  for  many  years  and  died  at 
the  home  of  her  son  Joseph  in  1880. 

Joseph  McKee  pursued  his  studies  in  the  common  schools  of  his  native 
state  and  was  there  reared  to  maturity.  He  then  went  alone  to  Ogle  county, 
Illinois,  and  for  three  years  worked  as  a  farm  hand  by  the  month.  He  was 
then  joined  in  that  county  by  his  brother  John  and  together  they  operated  a 
farm  for  two  years,  after  which  they  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  and  here  con- 
tinued farming  together  for  fourteen  years.  Mr.  McKee  was  then  married 
and  engaged  in  farming  on  his  own  account,  renting  the  place  on  which  he  now 
lives  for  a  period  of  three  years.  During  this  time  he  prospered  in  his  under- 
takings so  that  he  was  able  to  purchase  the  land.  He  has  here  one  hundred 
and  twenty  acres,  on  section  15,  Deep  River  township,  which  is  as  rich  farming 
land  as  is  to  be  found  in  the  entire  county.  Since  becoming  owner  of  this  place, 
Mr.  McKee  has  made  many  improvements  in  the  way  of  good  and  substantial 
buildings,  for  when  he  took  possession  there  was  only  a  small  house  and  a  little 
stable  on  the  farm,  but  he  has  built  a  good  country  residence  and  substantial 
barn  and  today  has  a  valuable  property. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  673 

Air.  McKee  was  married  in  Iowa  county,  November  21,  1882,  to  Miss  Laura 
Jane  Cole,  who  was  born  in  Madison  county,  Indiana,  February  25,  1852.  Her 
parents,  Crossman  Jacob  and  Catherine  (Eaton)  Cole,  were  both  natives  of 
New  York,  the  former  born  April  7,  1827,  and  the  latter  October  24.  1828. 
They  were  married  in  Madison  county,  Indiana,  in  185 1,  and  in  1856  removed 
to  Keokuk  county,  Iowa,  where  they  resided  until  the  death  of  the  mother. 
The  father  followed  farming  and  harness-making  throughout  his  business  career 
and  died  while  on  a  visit  to  Indiana,  June  23,  1886,  when  fifty-nine  years  of 
age,  while  the  mother  died  in  Keokuk  county,  Iowa,  February  28,  1870,  at  the 
comparatively  early  age  of  forty-two  years.  In  their  family  were  six  children, 
of  whom  Mrs.  McKee  is  the  eldest,  the  others  being:  Cynthia  Ann.  deceased; 
Martha  Ellen,  the  wife  of  John  Sigler.  of  Virginia;  William  T.  A.,  a  resident 
of  Montezuma;  Ida  \'iola,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  Garber  but  is  now 
deceased ;  and  Lucy  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Carney  Henderson,  a  resident  of 
Oxford,  Iowa. 

Mrs.  McKee  accompanied  her  parents  on  their  removal  to  Iowa  and  attended 
the  schools  of  the  school  district  near  which  they  resided,  but  she  received  the 
major  part  of  her  education  at  Sigourney,  Keokuk  county.  She  eventually  en- 
gaged in  teaching,  and  before  and  after  her  marriage  taught  forty-eight  terms 
in  the  district  schools.  She  holds  a  life  certificate  to  teach  in  the  state  of  Iowa. 
For  the  past  few  years  she  has  devoted  her  time  to  the  raising  of  fancy  poultry, 
making  a  close  study  of  this  line  of  work.  From  the  time  of  its  organization 
to  the  present  she  has  acted  as  superintendent  of  the  poultry  department  of 
the  Poweshiek  County  Farmers  Institute  and  ever  takes  an  active  interest  in 
its  development  and  work.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  I\IcKee  have  no  children  of  their 
tiwn  but  have  reared  a  nephew,  Charles  Joseph  Garber,  who  is  now  engaged 
in   farming  in  Deep  River  township. 

Mr.  McKee  is  a  republican  in  his  political  views  and  his  wife  is  a  member 
of  the  Methodist  Protestant  church,  in  the  work  of  which  she  takes  an  active  part. 
They  are  both  well  known  in  Deep  River  township  as  well  as  other  sections 
of  Poweshiek  county  and  Mr.  McKee  has  a  reputation  for  fair  and  honorable 
dealing  which  is  surpassed  by  no  man  in  his  locality. 


WILLIAM  JAMES  McLAIN. 

William  James  McLain  has  followed  farming  on  his  present  property  of 
three  hundred  and  sixty-seven  acres,  located  on  section  5,  Lincoln  township, 
since  1897.  He  was  born  in  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois,  January  21,  1866, 
a  son  of  John  and  Sarah  (  Middleham)  McLain,  the  former  a  native  of  Ireland 
and  the  latter  of  England.  In  1848  the  father  emigrated  to  the  L'nited  States 
and  followed  farming  in  Pennsylvania  until  about  1850,  when  he  continued  his 
journey  westward,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Rock  Island  county,  Illinois.  About 
1867  or  1868.  he  removed  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  purchasing  land  in  .Scott 
township,  which  he  cultivated  until  the  time  of  his  death  in  1896  at  the  age 
of  seventy  years.     He   was  a  republican  in  his  iiolitical   faith  and   was  a  mem- 


674  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

ber  of  the  United  Presbyterian  church,  in  which  he  filled  various  offices,  and  he 
also  assisted  in  building  several  churches.  The  mother  of  our  subject  still  sur- 
vives and  makes  her  home  on  the  farm  in  Scott  township. 

William  James  McLain  was  but  an  infant  when  brought  to  Poweshiek  county 
by  his  parents,  and  in  the  schools  of  his  home  district  he  acquired  his  early 
education  but  later  attended  Grinnell  Academy.  During  the  periods  of  vacation 
he  was  trained  in  the  work  of  the  home  farm  and  after  completing  his  educa- 
tion he  returned  to  the  farm  and  there  remained  for  some  time.  Eventually, 
however,  he  went  to  Colorado,  where  he  remained  for  six  months,  but  in  1897 
returned  once  more  to  Poweshiek  county  and  since  that  time  has  lived  on  his 
present  place,  consisting  of  three  hundred  and  sixty-seven  acres  on  section  5, 
Lincoln  township.  He  has  here  a  valuable  property,  his  fields  having  been 
placed  under  a  high  state  of  cultivation,  and  in  addition  to  general  farming 
he  raises  Chester  White  hogs  and  shorthorn  cattle  on  quite  an  extensive  scale, 
making  his  shipments  to  the  Chicago  market.  In  addition  to  this  property 
he  is  also  interested  in  farm  lands  in  Dakota  and  Montana.  He  has  made  Vvise 
use  of  his  capital,  investing  it  where  it  has  brought  substantial  returns,  an  1 
today  he  is  classed  with  the  well-to-do  citizens  of  his  section  of  the  county. 

Mr.  McLain  was  married  on  the  24th  of  December,  1896.  in  Fort  Collins, 
Colorado,  to  Miss  Minnie  L.  Breniman,  a  daughter  of  Reuben  and  Minnie 
(Pierce)  Breniman.  The  former,  of  Swiss  descent,  is  a  farmer  by  occupation, 
while  the  mother  is  of  English  descent.  The  father  formerly  owned  the  farm 
on  which  our  subject  now  resides.  Unto  Mr.  and  Airs.  McLain  have  been 
born  three  daughters  and  two  sons,  Mildred,  Margery,  Miriam,  Marvin  and 
Maynard. 

In  politics  Mr.  McLain  is  a  republican  and  for  two  terms  served  as  town- 
ship trustee.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  Harmony 
Methodist  Episcopal  church.  His  genial,  cordial  nature  has  enileared  him  to 
all  with  whom  he  comes  in  contact,  and  no  man  in  the  community  has  a  wider 
circle  of  warm   friends. 


C.   F.   SCHULTZ. 


A  well  spent  youth,  coupled  with  thrift  and  energy,  enabled  C.  F.  Schultz  to 
acquire  a  competence  which  makes  it  possible  for  him  to  spend  his  latter  days 
in  the  ease  and  comfort  which  is  ever  considered  to  be  the  just  reward  of 
well  directed  effort. 

He  was  born  in  Prussia,  Germany,  on  the  28th  of  August,  1842,  a  son  of 
Christopher  and  Mary  (Rabach-Schroeder)  Schultz,  who  were  also  natives  of 
the  fatherland,  in  which  country  the  mother  passed  awav.  The  father,  who 
was  a  carpenter  by  trade,  engaged  in  ship  building,  preparing  the  heavy  timbers 
in  the  woods  for  the  vessels.  Six  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
.Schultz:  Charles;  Louis:  Henry:  Hugh:  C.  F..  mir  subject:  and  Augusta,  the 
only  daughter.     In   1850  the   father  emigrated  to  America  on  a  sailing  vessel. 


f  T !  t  ~  N'  E  W  YO^K  ' 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  677 

it  requiring  ninety  days  to  make  the  trip.  Upon  liis  arrival  here  he  made  his 
way  westward  to  Princeton,  lUireaii  county,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  at  his 
trade  and  with  his  brothers  Joe,  Charley,  Henry,  Gus  and  Fritz,  took  up  a  farm 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  some  of  the  brothers 
engaged  while  the  remainder  worked  out.  Later  Mr.  Schultz  removed  to  Iowa, 
locating  in  Sheridan  township,  Poweshiek  county,  following  which  he  settled 
upon  a  farm  in  Malcom  township,  where  he  continued  to  live  until  he  passed 
away  m  May,  1894.  For  his  seconil  wife  Mr.  Schultz  chose  Mrs.  Schroeder,  the 
widow  of  .\ugust  Schroeder,  a  plasterer  of  Prussia,  Germany,  where  he  died. 
Following  his  death  Mrs.  Schroeder  and  the  children  came  to  the  United  States, 
where  she  met  Mr.  Schultz,  their  marriage  being  solemnized  at  Montezuma, 
Poweshiek  county.  She  survived  her  husband  five  years,  making  her  home 
(luring  that  period  with  her  daughter,  Mrs.  Charles  Eisele,  at  whose  residence 
she  passed  away  in  the  spring  of   1899. 

The  first  twenty-one  years  of  his  life  C.  F.  Schultz  spent  in  the  land  of 
his  nativity,  in  the  common  schools  of  which  he  acquired  his  education.  He 
then  worked  out  by  the  year,  making  his  home  with  his  grandmother.  In 
1866  he  came  to  America,  coming  direct  to  Poweshiek  county  where  he  joined 
his  father,  who  was  then  residing  in  Malcom  township.  During  the  first 
years  of  his  life  in  the  United  States  he  worked  for  his  father.  At  the  e.\])ira- 
tion  of  that  period,  however,  he  was  married  and  subse<|uently  rented  eighty 
acres  in  section  33,  Sheridan  township,  from  his  father  for  one  year.  He  was 
energetic  and  thrifty  and  at  th^  end  of  that  time  decided  to  purchase  the  land, 
which  was  valued  at  sixteen  hunclred  dollars.  By  means  of  constant  applica- 
tion and  by  practicing  the  mo.st  rigid  economy  he  was  able  to  pav  for  the  prop- 
erty in  six  years,  and  in  1887  he  added  another  eighty  acres  in  section  32  of  the 
same  township.  In  1901  he  added  to  hjs  h6jdi,ngs  a  c|uarter  section,  also  in  sec- 
tion ;^2.  which  he  purchased  from  George"Baustian,  making  his  aggregate  hold- 
ings three  hundred  an<l  twenty  acres.  Mr.  Schultz  has  not  been  actively  en- 
gaged in  the  cultivation  of  his  land  for  several  years,  having  rented  it  to  his 
sons,  although  he  and  his  wife  continue  to  reside  upon  their  homestead.  His 
land  is  all  in  a  high  state  of  cultivation  and  his  is  considered  to  be  one  of  the 
most  valuable  properties  in  the  township. 

In  1872  Air.  Schultz  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Elizabetli  Wentzel,  a 
daughter  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Wentzel,  the  latter  having  passed  away  in  185 1, 
when  the  daughter  was  but  one  hour  of  age.  Mr.  Wentzel  was  a  shoemaker, 
having  followed  his  trade  in  southern  Germany,  until  he  and  his  daughter  mi- 
grated to  the  United  States.  They  first  located  in  Princeton,  Illinois,  only 
remaining  there  a  few  months  and  then  removed  to  Poweshiek  county,  set- 
tling upon  a  farm  in  Malcom  township,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  the  father 
engaged  for  several  years.  His  death  occurred  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Schultz 
in  1882.  Seven  children  were  born  unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Schultz,  six  of  whom 
are  living,  Ludwig,  the  eldest,  having  passed  away  on  the  9th  of  October,  1895, 
at  the  age  of  twenty-three  years.  Those  surviving  are  as  follows:  Phillie,  the 
wife  of  Joseph  Raustian,  of  Sheridan  township:  Joseph,  of  Grinnell  township: 
Andrew,  of  Malcom  township ;  Edward  and  George  Otto,  of  Sheridan  town- 
ship:  and  Ida  Anna,  of  Adel,  Iowa.     The  four  sons  are  all  engaged  in  agricul- 


67ri  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

tural  pursuits.     The  family  always  attend  the  services  of  the  Lutheran  denom- 
ination, the  parents  holding  membership  in  the  church  of  Alalcom  township. 

E\er  since  acquiring  the  right  of  franchise,  through  naturalization.  Air. 
Schultz  has  given  his  i.iolitical  support  to  the  candidates  of  the  democratic 
party,  although  he  has  never  been  an  office  seeker  anil  so  does  not  actively 
participate  in  township  affairs.  He  is  one  of  the  highly  respected  citizens  of 
the  community  and  takes  great  pride  in  being  able  to  say  that  he  has  never 
been  drawn  into  court  in  any  capacity  whatsoever.  He  has  met  with  most 
gratifying  success  in  his  ventures,  but  it  is  generally  recognized  as  the  well 
merited  reward   of  perseverance  and   determination. 


AARON  W.  ARMSTRONG. 

Aaron  W.  Armstrong  is  one  of  the  well-to-do  farmers  of  Deep  River  town- 
ship, his  possessions  here  comprising  eight  hundred  acres,  divided  into  four 
farms,  his  home  place  being  located  on  section  26.  He  was  born  five  miles 
east  of  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  March  20,  1835,  and  comes  of  Scotch  ancestry 
in  the  paternal  line.  His  great-grandfather,  Robert  Armstrong,  was  the  pro- 
genitor of  the  family  in  America,  and  his  son,  Robert,  the  grandfather  of  our 
subject,  entered  land  in  East  Tennessee,  making  his  home  in  Knox  county. 
He  was  a  farmer  by  occupation  and  died  in  that  state.  His  family  included 
Aaron  .\rmstrong,  who  became  the  father  of  our  subject.  The  latter  was  born 
in  the  upper  part  of  East  Tennessee,  August  3,  1787,  and  his  entire  life  was 
spent  in  Knox  county  as  a  farmer.  He  wedded  Miss  Betsy  Boimds,  and  they 
reared  a  family  of  fifteen  children,  one  son  and  one  daughter  still  residing  in 
Tennessee,  while  one  son,  James,  resides  on  the  farm  which  was  entered  by  the 
grandfather  and  later  became  the  home  of  the  father.  The  latter  served  in 
the  war  of  1812  and  his  death  occurred  in  the  fall  of  i860. 

Aaron  W.  Armstrong,  whose  name  introduces  this  record,  was  reared  on 
the  home  farm  in  the  state  of  his  nativity  and  after  the  death  of  the  father, 
he  assisted  his  mother  in  the  management  of  the  farm,  remaining  with  her 
until  he  had  reached  the  age  of  twenty-six  years.  He  enlisted  for  service  in  the 
Civil  war,  becoming  a  member  of  Company  G,  Sixth  Tennessee  Infantry,  which 
he  joined  at  Columbus,  Kentucky,  April  10,  1862.  He  was  rapidly  promoted 
first  becoming  corporal,  afterward  sergeant  and  still  later  sergeant  major.  After 
serving  w-ith  that  command  for  eight  months  he  was  transferred  to  the  Ninth 
Tennessee  Cavalry,  being  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant  and  later  captain. 
He  participated  in  a  number  of  skirmishes  and  did  valiant  duty  for  his  country 
while  at  the  front. 

Following  the  close  of  hostilities.  Mr.  Armstrong  returned  to  the  old  home- 
stead in  Tennessee  and  in  the  winter  of  1865-6  made  his  way  to  Iowa,  spending 
six  weeks  at  Victor.  He  afterward  spent  seven  months  in  Omaha,  Nebraska, 
while  for  a  brief  period  he  was  in  Phelps  county,  Missouri.  In  March,  1867, 
he  returned  to  Iowa,  purchasing  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Deep 
River  township,  for  which  he  paid  twelve  dollars  per  acre  and  which  constitutes 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  679 

a  part  of  his  present  holdings.  He  at  once  began  to  develop  and  improve  his 
land  and  as  time  passed  and  he  prospered  in  his  work  he  added  to  his  holdings 
from  time  to  time  until  his  possessions  now  embrace  eight  lumdred  acres  all  in 
Deep  River  township.  This  is  divided  into  four  farms.  On  his  home  place 
stands  a  good  country  residence  and  substantial  outbuildings,  all  of  which 
have  been  erected  by  Mr.  Armstrong.  He  formerly  owned  and  conducted  a 
store  in  Tilton  and  also  engaged  in  buying  and  shipping  stock  for  a  short  time 
but  now  gives  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  his  farming  and  stock-raising 
interests,  the  principal  feature  of  his  work  being  the  raising  of  horses,  cattle  and 
hogs,  which  he  usually  ships  to  the  city  markets.  He  certainly  deserves  great 
credit  for  what  he  has  accomplished,  for  when  he  first  located  in  Poweshiek 
county  he  found  largely  a  wild  and  undeveloped  region,  but  improving  the  ad- 
vantages which  a  new  country  offers,  he  has  added  to  his  possessions  until  he 
is  today  numbered  among  the  wealthy  citizens  of  his  section  of  the  state. 

Mr.  Armstrong  was  married  in  Monmouth,  Warren  county,  Illinois.  April 
28,  1874,  to  Miss  Emma  Eiffert,  who  was  born  in  Henderson  county,  Illinois, 
November  25,  1849.  To  them  were  born  nine  children,  namely:  Cora  E.,  the 
wife  of  Frank  Kruse,  a  resident  of  Tilton;  Ada  J.,  the  wife  of  L.  W.  Jones,  a 
railroad  man  residing  in  Long  Beach,  California,  and  prior  to  her  marriage  a 
teacher  in  Colorado  for  eight  years;  Laura  I.,  at  home;  Harry  E.,  who  follows 
farming  in  Deep  River  township ;  Margaret,  the  wife  of  Henry  Fish,  of  Deep 
River :  Maude,  who  died  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years ;  Luther,  still  under  the 
parental  roof ;  Edna,  the  wife  of  Judson  Cleland,  of  Gibson,  Iowa ;  and  one  who 
(lied  in  infancy. 

Mr.  Armstrong  is  a  democrat  in  his  political  views  and  on  his  party  ticket 
was  twice  a  candidate  for  office  but  was  defeated  as  the  party  is  not  a  strong 
one  in  this  section  of  the  state.  He  is  a  Mason,  belonging  to  Golden  Rod  Lodge, 
No.  512,  at  Deep  River.  Inheriting  the  sterling  characteristics  of  a  long  line 
of  sturdy  Scotch  ancestry  and  endowed  by  nature  with  a  good  constitution. 
he  early  developed  all  the  attributes  which  make  the  successful  man.  He  has 
ever  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  progress  and  advancement  of  his  home  localitv, 
feeling  a  just  pride  in  what  has  been  accomplished  in  the  way  of  placing  this 
section  on  a  par  with  the  older  sections  of  the  east. 


H.^RVEY   P.  JO'^NSON. 

While  a  resident  of  Montezuma  Harvey  P.  Johnson  is  nevertheless  actively 
interested  in  farming  and  stock-raising,  being  extensively  engaged  in  the  live- 
stock business  since  1882.  He  was  born  in  Greene  county,  Ohio,  April  22,  1849. 
and  was  only  six  months  old  when  brought  to  Poweshiek  county  by  his  parents. 
\'irgil  H.  and  Mary  V.  (Wilson)  Johnson,  who  were  also  natives  of  the 
Buckeye  state.  The  father,  who  was  born  in  Highland  county,  September 
16.  181,^.  died  on  the  5th  of  April,  1893,  spending  his  last  days  upon  the 
farm  in  L'nion  township  where  he  located  upon  his  arrival  in  this 
countv.     He  was  the  owner  of  one  hundred  and  sixtv  acres  of  land,  a  half  of 


680  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

which  he  entered  from  the  government,  while  the  remaining  eighty  acvo  he 
purchased.  It  came  into  his  possession  a  wild  and  uncultivated  tract  but  he  left 
it  well  improved,  its  excellent  condition  and  attractive  appearance  indicating 
his  useful  and  well  spent  life.  Both  he  and  his  wife  were  faithful  Christian 
people,  holding  membership  in  the  Baptist  church.  Airs.  Johnson,  w-ho  was 
born  in  1816,  passed  away  in  Union  township  in  1898.  Their  family  consisted 
of  six  children,  namely :  Lorenzo  D.,  of  Union  township ;  Carrie,  who  passed 
away  at  the  age  of  two  years;  Harvey  P.,  of  this  review;  Joseph  A.,  of  Mary- 
land; William  P.,  also  residing  in  Union  township;  and  Angeline,  the  widow  of 
Oscar  McNeil  and  a  resident  of  Union  township,  making  her  home  on  her 
father's   farm. 

Upon  the  old  homestead  in  Union  township  Harvey  P.  Johnson  was  rearetl 
and  from  an  early  age  assisted  in  the  development  and  improvement  of  the 
farm.  The  public  schools  afforded  him  his  educational  privileges  and  his  time 
was  divided  between  the  duties  of  the  schoolroom,  the  pleasures  of  the  play- 
ground antl  the  work  of  the  fields.  He  continued  to  assist  his  father  in  tiie 
cultivation  of  the  farm  until  thirty  years  of  age,  when  he  started  for  Kansas, 
traveling  over  that  state  and  Colorado  in  search  of  a  favorable  location.  How- 
ever, he  became  convinced  that  there  was  no  better  farming  country  any  [ilacQ 
than  in  Iowa,  and  in  December,  1879,  he  took  up  his  abode  upon  a  farm  in 
Union  township.  For  a  time  he  lived  in  the  timber  regions,  chopping  and  haul- 
ing timber,  and  in  this  way  he  saved  the  capital  that  enabled  him  to  purchase 
a  small  tract  of  timber  land.  This  he  cleared  and  placed  under  cultivation  and 
in  time  it  brought  to  him  profitable  returns.  As  the  years  have  passed  on  he 
has  kept  adding  to  his  place  until  he  is  today  one  of  the  most  extensive  land- 
owners of  the  comity,  having  about  nineteen  hundred  acres  in  Union,  Jackson 
and  Pleasant  townships.  In  addition  he  has  made  judicious  investment  in  town 
property,  owning  in  Montezuma  a  good  business  block  and  three  dwellings  in 
addition  to  his  own  home.  He  was  busily  engaged  in  farming  until  he  took 
up  his  abode  in  Montezuma  nine  years  ago.  Even  now  he  gives  considerable 
time  and  attention  to  the  operation  of  his  farm  near  the  city,  having,  however, 
a  man  employed  to  carry  on  the  work  of  the  place.  He  is  the  owner  of  seventy- 
five  head  of  draft  horses,  and  when  on  the  farm  he  fed  about  three  hundred 
head  of  cattle  each  year.  He  has  been  extensively  engaged  in  the  live-stock 
business  since  1882,  and  his  splendid  success  indicates  his  superior  business  abil- 
ity, his  sound  judgment  and  his  unfaltering  enterprise.  He  has  a  beautiful 
residence  on  West  Main  street  near  the  business  section  of  the  city,  and  his 
success  enables  him  to  enjov  all  of  the  comforts  and  many  oi  the  lu.xuries  of 
life. 

In  December,  1879,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Johnson  and  .Martha  E. 
Blaine,'  a  native  of  Illinois,  where  her  birth  occurred  in  1864.  In  early  life 
she  was  brought  to  Poweshiek  county  by  her  parents,  Josiah  and  Martha  C. 
Blaine,  both  of  whom  are  now  deceased.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnson  have 
been  born  four  children:  Charles  C,  who  was  born  February  24.  1881,  and  on 
the  22d  of  April,  1900,  was  killed  by  a  horse ;  Ray,  who  married  Gussie  Stevens. 
by  whom  he  has  a  son.  Cannon,  and  now  resides  on  one  of  his  father's  farms 
north  of  Montezuma ;  Cliff,  who  also  operates  one  of  his  father's  farms  north 


HISTORY  OF  rOWESHIEK  COUNTY  681 

of  the  city,  and  who  married  Maggie  McCkire,  by  whom  he  has  three  chil- 
dren. Fred,  X'^irgil  and  Grace;  and  X'erna.  who  resides  at  home  ami  is  now  at- 
tending school. 

Mr.  Johnson  belongs  to  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  I'ellows.  and  bi)th 
he  and  his  wife  are  connected  with  the  Rebekah  degree.  Me  has  every  reason 
to  be  i^roud  of  what  he  has  accomplished.  He  had  no  financial  aid  or  assistance 
when  he  started  out  in  life  for  himself.  He  realized,  however,  that  industry 
and  determination  are  a  substantial  basis  for  success,  and  he  pinned  his  faith 
to  those  elements.  He  was  careful  in  making  investments  and  his  sound  judg- 
ment found  its  proof  in  the  increasing  value  of  the  property  which  came  into 
his  [lossession.  He  is  honored  and  respected  by  all  for  what  he  has  accom- 
plished and  also  for  the  straightforward  and  creditable  business  principles  which 
he  has  always  utilized  in  the  attainment  of  his  prosperity. 


EZRA  FAHRXEY. 


Ezra  Fahrney  may  truly  be  termed  a  pioneer  of  Deep  River  township  and 
Poweshiek  county,  and  he  is  still  residing  on  the  land  which  he  entered  from 
the  government — the  only  man  in  the  township  who  can  lay  claim  to  that  distinc- 
tion. His  farm  today,  however,  bears  little  resemblance  to  the  tract  on  which 
he  located  fifty-eight  years  ago,  for  at  that  time  the  land  was  still  in  its  wild 
state  and  few  settlers  had  ventured  into  this  district  to  take  up  their  abode. 
Now  this  region  is  thickly  settled,  while  in  its  midst  towns  and  villages  have 
sprung  up  and  the  entire  countryside  gives  evidence  of  the  thrift  and  industry 
of  the  people. 

Mr.  Fahrney  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Maryland,  April  24.  183 1,  and 
in  the  paternal  line  comes  of  German  ancestry.  His  grandfather.  Dr.  Peter 
Fahrney,  was  a  native  of  Germany,  whence  he  emigrated  with  two  brothers 
to  the  United  States,  the  brothers  locating  in  Pennsylvania,  while  he  settled  in 
Washington  county.  Maryland.  He  was  a  tanner  by  trade  and  conducted  a 
tannery  on  his  farm,  but  later  practiced  medicine  for  many  years.  A  grand- 
son, who  bears  his  name,  is  practicing  medicine  in  Chicago.  In  his  family  were 
four  sons  and  six  daughters  and  it  was  his  son  Samuel  who  became  the  father 
of  our  subject.  Samuel  Fahrney  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Maryland, 
and  was  reared  on  his  father's  farm  in  that  state.  After  reaching  mature  yeais 
he  wedded  Miss  Barbara  Gantz,  who  was  likewise  a  native  of  Washington 
county,  their  entire  lives  being  spent  on  a  farm  there.  They  had  a  family  num- 
bering fourteen  children,  eleven  sons  and  three  daughters,  all  of  whom  lived 
to  be  more  than  twenty-one  years  of  age. 

Ezra  Fahrney.  the  tenth  in  order  of  birth,  was  reared  on  the  home  farm 
to  the  age  of  nineteen  years,  at  which  time  he  made  his  way  to  the  north, 
locating  in  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  on  a  farm  for  three  years, 
while  for  a  similar  period  he  worked  in  a  machine  shop.  In  the  fall  of  1853 
he  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  entered  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  cf  land 
on  section    14.  Deep  River  township,  where  he  still  resides.     He  then  returned 


682  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

to  Illinois  and  in  the  spring  of  1856  came  to  Iowa  once  more,  bringing  with  him 
his  family.  The  following  winter  was  one  of  hardships  and  privation.  Durini,' 
the  first  summer  in  Iowa  he  worked  at  the  carpenter's  trade  and  also  succeeded 
in  getting  twenty  acres  of  his  land  broken  and  his  first  crop  planted.  The  crop, 
however,  was  destroyed  by  the  heavy  rains,  which  left  him  with  little  or  no 
money.  The  nearest  trading  point  at  that  time  was  Montezuma  and  many  other 
inconveniences  had  to  be  borne  in  establishing  his  home  on  the  frontier.  Mr. 
Fahrney  was  a  hard  worker,  however,  and  in  course  of  time  broke  all  his  land 
and  eventually  raised  good  crops.  He  also  made  all  the  improvements  on  his 
farm,  for  to  some  extent  he  understood  the  carpenter's  trade,  and  he  is  a 
natural  mechanic,  inheriting  this  tendency  from  his  father,  who  possessed  con- 
siderable mechanical  genius  and  secured  a  number  of  patents  on  his  inventions. 
Mr.  Fahrney  has  also  made  several  inventions  and  has  secured  five  patents,  one 
of  his  inventions  being  the  reel  on  a  reaper,  which  was  later  patented  by  Mc- 
Cormick.  His  genius  in  this  direction  proved  of  value  to  him  in  his  early  life 
when  making  improvements  on  his  farm  and  also  in  building  machinery  with 
which  to  prosecute  his  labors.  As  time  passed  and  he  prospered  in  his  work, 
Mr.  Fahrney  added  to  his  land  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  his  possessions 
now  embrace  two  hundred  and  ninety-one  acres  on  section  15,  Deep  River  town- 
ship. He  has  two  complete  sets  of  buildings  and  everything  about  the  place  is 
kept  in  excellent  condition.  He  is  still  actively  engaged  in  work  about  the 
farm,  having  always  enjoyed  the  best  of  health,  and  having  never  required  the 
services  of  a  physician  but  twice  in  his  life. 

Mr.  Fahrney  has  been  married  twice.  In  Ogle  county,  Illinois,  in  1855,  he 
wedded  Aliss  Catharine  Hopwood,  who  was  born  in  Washington  county,  Mary- 
land. She  died  in  1873  ^^  the  early  age  of  thirty-five  years,  leaving  eight  chil- 
dren :  Ella,  now  the  widow  of  George  Fisher  and  a  resident  of  Idaho ;  Emma, 
the  wife  of  Montaville  Cook,  residing  in  Kansas ;  Eva,  the  wife  of  Noah  Myerly, 
living  near  Burr  Oak,  Kansas ;  Theodore,  a  resident  of  Deep  River  township ; 
California,  who  is  an  attorney  of  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin;  Ada.  the  wife  of 
Salem  Icenbice;  and  Almetta  and  Julia,  who  died  in  infancy.  In  1875  Mr. 
Fahrney  was  again  married,  his  second  union  being  with  Elizabeth  Decker,  who 
was  born  in  Hancock  county,  Ohio,  January  30,  1855.  and  came  to  Poweshiek 
county  in  the  fall  of  that  year,  with  her  parents,  Elisha  and  Mary  Decker.  F>y 
the  second  union  there  are  nine  children:  May,  the  wife  of  Archie  Inman,  a 
resident  of  Missouri;  Ed,  who  makes  his  home  in  Deep  River  township;  Ida, 
the  wife  of  Charles  ^liddlekauflf,  of  Iowa  county,  Iowa;  William,  a  resident  of 
Deep  River  township ;  Bessie,  the  wife  of  Harry  Armstrong,  of  Deep  River 
township;  Clinton,  at  home;  Earl,  also  of  Deep  River  township;  and  Bemice  and 
Cloyd,   still  under  the  parental  roof. 

The  Fahrneys  have  always  been  whigs  and  republicans  and  Mr.  Fahrney  of 
this  review  has  followed  in  the  political  footsteps  of  his  forefathers.  He  has 
never  been  active,  however,  in  political  affairs,  for  his  time  has  always  been 
fully  occupied  with  his  private  business  affairs.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Ger- 
man Baptist  Brethren  church.  He  is  today  a  well  informed  man  but  is  prac- 
tically self-educated,  for  he  never  attended  school  but  four  months  in  his  youth, 
and   the  knowledge  that   he   has   acquired  has  been   through  private   study   and 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  683 

reading.  It  was  a  long  strenuous  task  which  presented  itself  to  the  pioneers 
of  those  earliest  times  but  they  met  it  with  a  steady,  unwavering  resolution. 
They  did  not  see  in  advance  the  full  dimensions  and  importance  of  the  work 
there  were  accomplishing.  From  a  wilderness  traversed  by  only  the  deeply 
beaten  path  of  the  savage  they  converted  these  broad  plains  into  gardens.  They 
adorned  them  not  only  with  the  beauty  of  waving  fields  of  grain  but  with  com- 
modious and  pleasant  homes,  surrounded  with  many  evidences  of  taste  and  re- 
finement, with  schoolhouses  where  their  children  were  trained  and  taught  for 
future  honor  and  usefulness,  with  churches  where  they  might  be  trained  in  the 
higher,  holier  ways  of  living.  By  their  patience  and  energy,  by  their  wise  fore- 
sight, they  organized  and  built  up  a  community  here  which  in  its  general  pros- 
perity, in  its  orderly  society,  in  the  pleasantness  of  its  homes,  in  the  intelligence 
and  moral  tone  of  its  people,  in  all  that  goes  to  make  up  a  desirable  civilization 
is  nowhere  excelled.  In  all  this  work  I\Ir.  Fahrney  has  taken  an  active  and 
helpful  part  and  no  more  desirable  place  for  a  quiet  home  can  be  found  than 
here  in  this  community  which  he  helped  to  establish.  He  has  now  passed  the 
eightieth  milestone  on  the  journey  of  life  and  on  the  24th  of  April,  191 1,  cele- 
brated that  anniversary  of  his  birth  by  inviting  fifty  of  his  friends  to  dinner. 
He  is  still  hale  and  hearty  an<l  his  friends  wish  for  him  many  more  years  of 
usefulness  and  activity  among  them. 


GOTTLIEB  BRENIMAN. 

Gottlieb  Breniman,  now  living  retired  in  Brooklyn,  is  a  representative  of 
the  well  known  family  of  that  name  which  was  established  in  Poweshiek  county 
at  an  early  day.  Switzerland  claims  him  among  her  native  sons,  his  birth 
occurring  near  the  city  of  Berne,  February  25,  1846.  He  is  a  son  of  Christian 
and  Barbara  ( Durig)  Breniman,  natives  of  Switzerland,  and  was  a  little  lad 
of  six  years  when  brought  by  them  to  the  United  States.  They  first  located  in 
Ohio  and  later,  in  1855,  took  up  their  abode  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  witliin 
whose  borders  the  son  has  since  continued  to  make  his  home.  He  was  the 
sixth  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  ten  children  and  is  a  brother  of  Christian 
D.  Breniman,  mention  of  whom  is  made  on  another  page  of  this  volume. 

On  a  farm  in  Warren  township,  about  four  miles  southeast  of  Brooklyn, 
Gottlieb  Breniman  spent  the  period  between  the  years  1855  and  1863,  and  in 
the  latter  year,  during  the  Civil  war,  removal  was  made  to  Lincoln  township, 
where  he  continued  to  make  his  home  with  his  parents  until  his  marriage.  He 
then  started  out  independently  and  for  almost  thirty  years  was  engaged  in 
the  operation  of  a  farm  in  Lincoln  township.  His  efforts  along  agricultural 
lines  were  unusually  successful  and  it  was  not  long  before  he  became  recognized 
as  one  of  the  most  progressive  and  prosperous  farmers  of  his  district.  The 
success  which  came  to  him  made  it  possible  for  him,  in  1899,  to  withdraw  from 
active  labor  and  seek  the  comforts  of  city  life.  Accordingly  he  sold  his  farm, 
which,  consisting  of  over  four  hundred  acres,  constituted  one  of  the  finest  and 
most  valuable  properties  in  that  section  of  Poweshiek  county,  and  came  to  Brook- 


684  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

lyn.  where  he  owns  and  occupies  a  most  comfortable  and  attractive  residence. 
He  also  possesses  three  other  g(j0(l  dweUings  in  this  city  and  also  three-quarters 
of  a  section  of  land  in  the  Panhandle  of  Texas. 

It  was  on  the  ist  of  September,  1870,  that  Mr.  Breniman  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Barbara  Strasser,  who  was  born  in  Kenton,  Ohio,  May  22,  1850, 
and  when  about  two  years  of  age  was  brought  by  her  parents  to  Iowa,  locating 
in  Keokuk  county.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Barbara  (Craybill)  Strass- 
er, natives  of  Ohio  and  Switzerland  respectively.  They  were  numbered  among 
the  early  settlers  of  Keokuk  county,  entering  land  there  from  the  government 
when  wild  game  was  still  very  plentiful,  and  there  the  father  passed  his  re- 
maining days,  his  demise  occurring  in  1873.  His  wife,  however,  still  survives 
and  now  makes  her  home  in  Thornburg,  Iowa,  at  the  age  of  ninety-three  years. 
With  the  passing  years  seven  children  were  born  to  Air.  and  Mrs.  Breniman, 
namely :  George  Francis,  of  Fort  Collins,  Colorado ;  Florence  E.,  the  wife  of 
Charles  Connell,  of  Nara  Visa,  New  Mexico ;  Alice,  who  passed  away  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  years ;  Clara  T.,  a  student  at  Capital  City  Commercial  College, 
Des  Moines:  Ernest  C.  a  successful  farmer,  who  married  Frances  Gaumer  and 
resides  three  miles  southeast  of  Brooklyn ;  Mabel,  who  died  when  two  years 
of  age;  and  Ethel,  also  a  student  at  Capital  City  Commercial  College,  Des 
Moines. 

The  religious  faith  of  Mr.  Breniman  is  that  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church,  of  which  he  is  a  member,  and  fraternally  he  belongs  to  the  Knights  of 
Pythias.  In  politics  he  supports  the  democratic  party  and  on  that  ticket  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  assessor  of  Lincoln  township,  in  which  he  served  for 
five  years.  Mr.  Breniman's  success  in  life  has  been  most  substantial  and  his 
income  has  been  very  wisely  used.  He  has  traveled  considerably  in  the  old 
world,  visiting  Switzerland  in  1900  and  also  attending  the  Paris  Exposition. 
He  made  a  thorough  tour  of  the  British  islands  and  also  has  seen  much  of  his 
adopted  country,  while  for  one  winter  he  resided  in  California.  Thus  he  has 
gained  that  broad  experience  which  comes  from  travel  and  contact  with  many 
men.  which  lends  color  and  interest  to  the  more  or  less  uneventful  course  of 
evervdav  life. 


FRANCIS    M.   COOPER,   M.   D. 

The  prosperity  of  Iowa  and  its  commercial  wealth  as  compared  with  that 
of  other  states  of  the  Union  are  largely  due  to  the  wisely  directed  efforts  of 
early  settlers  from  the  East  and  their  descendants.  This  is  true  as  applied 
to  agricultural  and  business  interests  and  also  to  the  professions.  Dr.  Francis 
M.  Cooper,  of  Grinnell,  a  native  of  Pennsylvania,  came  to  Iowa  when  thirteen 
years  of  age  and  has  ever  since  made  his  home  in  this  state.  He  was  born 
in  Washington  county,  Pennsylvania,  January  27,  185 1,  a  son  of  John  Y.  and 
Sarah  (Van  Kirk)  Cooper,  also  natives  of  the  Keystone  state.  They  were 
married  there  and  removed  to  Ohio  in  1852,  making  their  home  in  Licking  county 
for  twelve  years.     In    1864   the    family   came  to  Iowa,   locating  on   a    farm   in 


DR.   F.   M.  COOPER 


THE  NEW  Y'- 
i'uL-LlCLlBR 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  687 

|as|)cr  county,  where  the  mother  died  the  year  following.  The  father  .sur- 
vi\e(l  her  for  forty-hve  year.s  and  passed  away  March  i,  1910.  Had  he  lived 
four  days  longer  he  would  have  reached  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-two  years. 

h'rancis  M.  Cooper  grew  to  manhood  under  the  parental  roof,  and  accjuired 
his  ])reliminary  education  at  the  district  schools,  later  attending  Hazel  Dell 
.\cademy  at  Newton,  and  graduating  at  the  Eastern  Iowa  Normal  School.  He 
also  became  a  student  at  Drake  University  and  pursued  a  medical  course  in 
the  Iowa  State  University.  He  taught  school  at  various  times  while  securing 
his  education,  being  for  about  five  years  successfully  engaged  in  that  vocation. 
After  completing  his  medical  education  he  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his 
chosen  profession.  For  twenty  years  he  was  a  resident  of  Searsboro,  where 
he  built  up  an  extensive  practice,  becoming  known  as  one  of  the  leading 
practitioners  of  that  part  of  the  state.  For  twelve  years  he  was  a  member  of 
the  school  board  of  the  independent  district  of  Searsboro,  being  president  of  the 
same  for  nine  years,  and  he  devoted  considerable  attention  to  the  advance- 
ment of  educational  affairs.  His  health  became  greatly  impaired  owing  to  his 
large  country  practice,  and  in  1905,  much  against  the  will  of  the  citizens  of 
Searsboro  he  removed  to  Grinnell,  and  so  far  as  his  health  will  permit  he  has 
since  engaged  in  active  practice  here.  He  is  identified  with  the  Poweshiek 
County  Medical  and  the  Iowa  State  Medical  Societies.  He  has  been  quite 
successful  financially,  and  owns  a  valuable  farm  in  Sugar  Creek  and  Union 
townships,  this  county. 

In  1888  Dr.  Cooper  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ella  D.  Scarbrough, 
a  native  of  Jasper  county,  lowai-and  tp  thern  have  been  born  two  children: 
Nellie  M.,  who  is  now  attendin'jfJiQmihell  College,  and  Clara  B.,  who  died  in 
1900.  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  They  have  also  reared  Mabel  Scarbrough, 
a  niece  of  Mrs.  Cooper,  who  has  since  .be«n,f,egarded  as  a  member  of  the  family 
and  is  now  the  wife  of  Charlet_Beflily,  of  N^x^a'ygo,  Michigan. 

Dr.  Cooper  and  his  wife  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Church,  and  are 
held  in  the  highest  esteem  by  all  who  know  them.  Politically  he  is  identified 
with  the  Republican  party.  It  is  through  persistent  application,  extending  over 
a  long  period  of  years,  that  he  has  attained  the  high  standing  which  is  accorded 
liim  in  his  profession.  He  is  a  close  student  and  observer  and  his  well  selected 
library  contains  many  of  the  best  books  and  reviews  pertaining  to  the  practice 
of  inedicine  and  surgery. 


B.  S.  HANAWALT. 


r..  S.  llanawalt  is  numbered  among  the  progressive  farmers  and  Inismess 
luen  of  Deep  River  township,  for  here  he  is  cultivating  two  hundred  and  twelve 
acres  of  rich  and  arable  land  on  section  4,  and  he  is  also  acting  as  president  of 
the  Deep  River  Cooperative  Creamery  Company.  Mr.  Hanawalt  was  born  m 
Wisconsin,  October  15,  1855,  a  son  of  William  B.  and  Sarah  (Colville)  Hana- 
walt, the  former  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1825.  and  the  latter  in  Ohio  in  1835. 
They  were  married  in  the  latter  state  and  in  Iowa  the  father  passed  away 
at  the  age  of  seventy-four  years.  The  mother  still  survives  and  now  makes  her 
borne  with  our  subject.     Unto  Mr.  and   Mrs.  Hanawalt   were  born  three  sons 


688  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

and  two  daughters,  as  follows :  William,  who  died  when  only  two  years  of  age ; 
B.  S.,  of  this  review;  George  Howey,  a  resident  of  Xew  Sharon,  Iowa;  Clara, 
the  wife  of  O.  E.  Wasser,  of  Ames,  Iowa;  and  Anna  M.,  the  widow  of  J.  C. 
Scovel,  and  a  resident  of  Ames. 

B.  S.  Hanawalt  was  but  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents  left  his  native 
state  and  removed  to  the  southern  part  of  Illinois.  He  was  there  reared  to  the 
age  of  fourteen,  when  they  removed  to  the  eastern  part  of  Iowa,  while  in  1878 
they  made  a  location  in  Deep  River  township,  Poweshiek  county,  and  here  ;\Ir. 
Hanawalt  has  lived  to  the  present  time.  He  has  made  farming  his  life  work 
and  today  owns  a  valuable  tract  of  two  hundred  and  twelve  acres,  located  oi\ 
section  4,  Deep  River  township.  He  has  erected  all  of  the  buildings  on  the 
place,  including  a  good  country  residence  and  substantial  outbuildings  which  fur- 
nish ample  shelter  for  grain  and  stock.  He  has  been  identified  with  the  Deep 
River  Cooperative  Creamery  Company  since  its  organization  and  is  now  acting 
as  its  president,  while  he  is  likewise  a  stockholder  in  the  Farmers  Independent 
Harvester  Company  of  Piano,  Illinois.  Although  his  farming  interests  occupy 
much  of  his  time  and  attention,  he  yet  finds  time  for  cooperation  in  public  move- 
ments which  he  deems  of  benefit  to  the  locality. 

Mr.  Hanawalt  was  married  in  1883  to  Miss  Josie  E.  Sargent,  who  was 
born  in  Deep  River  township,  August  16,  1859,  ^  daughter  of  D.  K.  and  Clara 
G.  Sargent,  the  former  deceased  and  the  latter  a  resident  of  Poweshiek  county. 
Unto  I\Ir.  and  Mrs.  Hanawalt  have  been  born  four  children:  Iva  L.,  Eola  A., 
Blanche  C.  and  B.  S.,  Jr. 

Mr.  Hanawalt  is  a  democrat  in  his  political  views  and  for  nine  years  has 
served  as  school  director.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership 
in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Deep  River,  while  his  fraternal  relations 
connect  him  with  Golden  Rod  Lodge,  No.  512,  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  May  Flower 
Lodge,  No.  244,  Order  of  the  Eastern  Star,  and  with  the  Modern  Woodmen 
of  America  and  the  Modern  Brotherhood  of  America,  all  of  Deep  River.  The 
confidence  and  trust  which  his  fellow  townsmen  place  in  Mr.  Hanawalt  is  evi- 
denced by  the  many  public  positions  he  has  been  called  upon  to  fill.  He  is  a 
man  of  exemplary  habits  and  strict  integrity,  and  the  success  which  he  today 
enjoys  is  well  merited  for  it  has  come  to  him  through  his  persistent  efforts  and 
his   sound   business   judgment. 


CHARLES   R.   CLARK. 

Successful  in  the  educational  field  as  well  as  in  the  practice  of  law.  the  life 
work  of  Charles  R.  Clark  has  been  of  signal  usefulness  to  his  fellowmen  and 
Montezuma  honors  him  as  one  of  her  progressive  and  valued  citizens.  He  was 
born  in  Plymouth,  New  Hampshire,  and  is  descended  from  one  of  the  old  New 
England  families,  his  ancestry  being  distinctively  American  in  both  its  lineal 
and  collateral  lines  through  many  generations.  In  colonial  days  the  family 
was  founded  in  Massachusetts,  whence  the  great-grandfather  of  Charles  R. 
Clark  removed  to  New  Hampshire,  settling  in  Windham.  It  was  there  that 
Robert  Clark,   the  grandfather,    was   born    and   reared   and   later  he   became   a 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  689 

leading  factor  in  business  circles  in  the  town  of  Acworth,  New  Hampshire, 
w  liere  he  managed  a  saw  and  gristmill  and  also  conihicted  a  store.  Subse- 
quently he  turned  his  attention  to  manufacturing  interests  and  continued 
a  resident  of  Acworth  until  his  life's  labors  were  ended  in  death.  Amos  Clark, 
the  father  of  Charles  R.  Clark,  was  born  in  Acworth,  where  he  acquired  his 
education  and  spent  his  childhood  days.  After  leaving  school  he  assisted  his 
father  in  the  conduct  and  management  of  various  business  interests  but  event- 
ually removed  to  Plymouth,  New  Hampshire,  where  he  made  his  home  through- 
out his  remaining  days.  In  the  early  times,  when  military  training  was  a 
feature  in  the  life  of  almost  every  citizen,  he  became  a  captain  in  the  New 
Hampshire  state  militia.  He  married  Laura  Hall,  who  was  born  in  Windham 
county,  Vermont,  and  was  a  daughter  of  Justus  Hall,  a  farmer  and  cabinet- 
maker of  that  county.  Mr.  Clark  died  at  the  age  of  seventy-nine  years,  while 
his  wife  passed  away  at  the  age  of  sixty-nine,  survived  by  three  of  their  five 
children. 

Under  the  parental  roof  Charles  R.  Clark  spent  his  youthful  days,  devoting 
his  time  largely  to  farm  work  until  about  seventeen  years  of  age,  when  he 
became  a  student  in  the  academy  at  New  Hampton  and  by  a  thorough  course  of 
study  there  supplemented  the  early  educational  privileges  which  he  had  enjoyed. 
Later  he  became  a  student  in  the  Kimball  Union  Academy  at  Meriden,  New 
Hampshire,  and  was  graduated  from  that  institution  with  the  class  of  1863. 
After  teaching  for  several  terms  in  tlie  old  ( iranite  state  and  in  Massachusetts, 
he  came  west,  settling  at  Janesville,  Wisconsin,  and  on  the  1st  of  January, 
1866,  he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  principal  of  a  school  in  Le  Claire,  Scott 
county,  Iowa.  In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  came  to  Montezuma  and  edu- 
cational interests  of  this  city  were  greatly  promoted  through  his  practical  efforts 
to  embody  the  high  ideals  which  he  cherished  in  relation  to  school  work.  Dur- 
ing twelve  years  he  remained  at  the  head  of  the  school  system  of  this  city  and 
under  his  guidance  the  system  of  public  education  was  thoroughly  organized  and 
improved  and  the  schools  raised  to  a  high  standard.  He  resigned  to  enter  upon 
the  practice  of  law,  having  in  the  meantime  prepared  himself  for  admission  to 
the  bar  by  reading  and  studying  during  his  leisure  hours. 

In  April,  1878,  Mr.  Clark  was  admitted  to  practice  in  the  state  courts  and 
at  once  entered  into  partnership  with  Judge  W.  R.  Lewis,  a  relation  that  was 
maintained  until  1881,  when  his  partner  was  elected  to  the  bench.  Mr.  Clark 
then  became  associated  in  practice  with  Thomas  A.  Cheshire,  this  firm  being 
dissolved  in  1887  upon  Mr.  Cheshire's  removal  to  Des  Moines.  Mr.  Clark  has 
since  been  alone  and  has  made  the  conduct  of  real-estate  operations  a  feature 
of  his  work.  He  has  also  a  large  law  practice  and  is  regarded  as  a  strong 
and  able  advocate  before  the  court  and  as  a  wise  counsellor.  The  records  show 
that  he  has  been  connected  with  the  defense  or  prosecution  of  many  of  the 
leading  cases  tried  in  the  courts  of  this  district.  Commercial  and  industrial 
interests  have  also  felt  the  stimulus  of  his  cooperation  and  have  profited  by  his 
sound  and  discriminating  judgment.  In  September,  1888,  he  assisted  in  organiz- 
ing the  electric  light  company,  capitalized  for  six  thousand  dollars.  He  re- 
mained as  secretary  for  a  number  of  years  and  during  that  period  the  plant  was 
enlarged    from  time  to   time  to  meet   the  demands   of  the  growing  patronage. 


690  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

He  is  known  in  financial  circles  as  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  this 
city.  He  is  also  a  stockholder  in  the  Grinnell  and  Montezuma  Railroad  which 
was  opened  in  1876. 

In  1869,  in  Davenport,  Iowa,  occurred  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Clark  and  Miss 
A.  E.  Townsley,  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  who  was  reared  and  educated  in 
that  state.  Their  only  child,  Charles  W.,  after  pursuing  a  course  in  Iowa 
College  became  his  father's  associate  in  the  practice  of  law  under  the  firm 
style  of  Clark  &  Clark. 

Mr.  Clark  is  widely  known  in  fraternal  circles.  In  the  Iowa  Legion  of 
Honor  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  executive  or  finance  committee  since  1881. 
His  political  allegiance  has  always  been  given  to  the  republican  party  but  he 
has  ever  preferred  that  his  public  service  should  be  done  as  a  private  citizen 
rather  than  as  an  official.  His  religious  faith  is  evidenced  in  his  active  member- 
ship in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  he  is  completing  his  fourth 
year  as  Sunday-school  superintendent,  while  in  other  branches  of  the  church 
work  he  has  also  taken  a  helpful  interest. 


JOHN   FRANK   TALBOTT. 

The  record  of  John  Frank  Talbott,  judge  of  the  sixth  judicial  district  of 
Iowa,  is  in  contradistinction  to  the  old  adage  that  "A  prophet  is  never  without 
honor  save  in  his  own  country,"  for  he  was  born  and  reared  near  Brooklyn  and 
has  been  accorded  a  foremost  place  in  the  legal  profession  of  Poweshiek  county. 
His  birth  occurred  on  the  9th  of  October,  1855.  a  son  of  Robert  and  Hannah 
( Butterworth )  Talbott.  The  father,  who  was  born  in  Holmes  county.  Ohio, 
in  1824.  accompanied  his  parents,  John  J.  and  Mary  (  Maxwell)  Talbott,  on  their 
removal  to  Washington  county,  Iowa,  in  1845,  and  in  1846  the  family  home 
was  established  in  Poweshiek  county,  on  a  farm  in  Bear  Creek  township. 
Robert  Talbott  was  a  carpenter  by  trade  and  followed  that  occupation  through- 
out his  active  career.  He  was  married  in  Ohio,  in  1850,  to  Miss  Hannah  Butter- 
worth,  a  native  of  England,  who  came  with  an  uncle  to  the  United  States  when 
thirteen  years  of  age,  the  journey  across  the  .'\tlantic.  which  was  made  in  a 
sailing  vessel,  requiring  thirteen  weeks.  She  continued  to  make  her  home  with 
her  uncle  in  Ohio  until  her  marriage  in  1850.  In  1886  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert 
Talbott  removed  to  California,  and  there  the  latter  passed  away  in  1906.  Her 
husband  survived  her  for  only  three  weeks,  both  having  reached  a  ripe  old  age. 
In  their  families  were  six  children,  namely.  Mary,  residing  in  Santa  Ana,  Cali- 
fornia, who  was  formerly  a  school  teacher  of  Iowa,  having  taught  for  twenty- 
■seven  consecutive  years  in  one  room  at  Dexter;  .\dah,  who  married  Charles  H. 
Starkweather  and  died  in  California  in  1892:  John  Frank,  of  this  review: 
Josephine,  who  became  the  wife  of  F.  1!.  Smith,  a  jeweler,  of  Santa  .Ana, 
California;  Zetilla,  residing  with  her  sister  Mary  in  Santa  Ana,  California;  and 
Joseph  G..  a  wholesale  jeweler  of  I.os  .\ngeles.  California. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  691 

No  event  of  special  importance  occurred  to  vary  the  routine  of  life  for 
John  Frank  Talbott  during  the  period  of  his  early  boyhood  and  youth,  which 
was  passed  on  the  home  farm  near  Brooklyn.  His  education  was  acquired 
in  the  public  schools,  continuing  a  pupil  therein  until  his  graduation  from  the 
Brooklyn  high  school.  He  was  only  a  lad  of  eleven  years  when  the  responsibility 
of  carrying  on  his  father's  farm  devolved  upon  him,  and  he  continued  in  its 
operation  until  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  the  meantime,  however,  desirous  of 
becoming  a  member  of  the  legal  profession,  he  read  law  with  -the  late  Judge 
John  T.  Scott  and  was  one  of  four  to  study  under  the  direction  of  that  gentle- 
man who  were  destined  to  fill  the  office  of  district  judge.  During  that  period 
Air.  Talbott  was  also  engaged  in  teaching  school  for  one  year,  1874-5. 

In  1877  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  immediately  afterward  was  elected 
justice  of  the  peace,  serving  in  that  capacity  for  one  term.  In  the  fall  of  1877 
he  opened  an  office  for  practice  in  Brooklyn,  continuing  here  for  ten  years,  and 
from  almost  the  very  first  met  with  gratifying  success.  From  1880  until  1885 
he  was  a  member  of  the  law  firm  of  Talbott  &  Gaynor,  the  junior  partner 
being  Frank  R.  Gaynor,  w'ho  for  the  past  si.xteen  years  has  served  as  judge 
of  the  fourth  judicial  district  and  has  recently  been  reelected  for  another  term 
of  four  years.  In  1887  Mr.  Talbott  went  to  Santa  Ana,  California,  and  there 
resided  for  three  years,  after  which,  in  1890,  he  removed  to  Omaha,  Nebraska, 
and  was  there  employed  as  attorney  for  the  Home  Fire  Insurance  Companv  of 
Omaha,  having  charge  of  their  legal  work  for  a  number  of  years. 

In  1895  he  returned  to  Brooklyn  and  again  opened  an  office  for  the  private 
practice  of  his  profession  in  this  city.  He  thus  continued  until  his  election, 
in  1900.  to  the  office  of  county  attorney,  which  he  capably  filled  for  two  terms, 
III  two  vears  each,  and  in  n^io,  he  was  chosen  judge  of  the  sixth  judicial 
district,  comprising  Poweshiek,  Jasper,  Mahaska,  Keokuk  and  Washington 
counties.  \\'hile  he  was  well  grounded  in  the  principles  of  common  law  when 
admitted  to  the  bar,  he  has  continued  through  the  whole  of  his  professional  life 
a  diligent  student  of  those  elementary  principles  that  constitute  the  basis  of 
legal  science.  His  mind  is  naturally  analytical,  logical  and  inductive,  and  with 
a  comprehensive  knowledge  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  law  he  combines 
a  familiarity  with  statutory  law  and  a  sober,  clear  judgment  which  makes 
him  a  formidable  adversary  and  a  capable  jurist.  Aside  from  his  professional 
activity  Judge  Talbott  has  also  had  extensive  farming  interests,  although  he 
has  since  w'ithdrawn   from  that  connection. 

In  1879  Judge  Talbott  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nellie  H.  Brown, 
who  was  born  in  Ohio,  in  1855.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Judge  George  F.  Brown, 
who  at  one  time  was  judge  of  the  supreme  court  of  Mississippi.  He  passed 
away  in  Omaha  in  1893.  Cnto  this  union  have  been  bom  four  children. 
Frank  R.  Talbott,  the  eldest,  was  born  in  1880,  was  a  pupil  in  the  common  and 
high  schools  and  read  law  in  the  office  of  his  father.  He  w-as  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1904  and  practiced  his  profession  in  partnership  with  his  father  luitil 
the  latter's  election  to  the  bench  since  which  time  he  has  practiced  in  connection 
with  his  brother.  He  is  active  in  politics  and  is  secretary  and  treasurer  of  the 
county  central  committee.  He  was  married,  on  December  16,  1903,  to  Miss 
Lelia  Mansur,  of  Santa  Ana,  California,  and  thev  have  two  children:  Mary  E. 


692  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

and  Robert  C.  Mabel,  the  eldest  daughter  of  Judge  Talbott,  was  born  in  1882 
and  is  now  the' wife  of  Dr.  F.  E.  Simeral,  of  Brooklyn.  John  E.  Talbott,  an 
attorney,  was  born  in  1887  and  in  1910  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Nellie 
Mathews,  of  Cherokee,  Iowa.  After  his  graduation  from  high  school  he  attended 
the  college  at  Grinnell  for  two  years  and  in  1910  graduated  from  the  law- 
department  of  the  Iowa  State  University.  He  was  admitted  to  the  bar  and  on 
January  i,  191 1,  entered  into  a  partnership  with  his  brother,  Frank  R.  Talbott, 
under  the  firm  style  of  Talbott  &  Talbott.  Jennie,  who  completes  the  family, 
was  born  on  the  9th  of  October,  1888,  on  the  thirty-third  anniversary  of  her 
father's  birth.  She  is  now  the  wife  of  F.  W.  Schmitz.  an  attorney  of  Townsend, 
Montana. 

Judge  Talbott  is  an  earnest  and  devoted  member  of  the  Episcopal  church, 
while  fraternally  he  is  a  Master  Mason  and  also  belongs  to  the  Independent 
Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  His  professional  relations  are  with  the  Iowa  State 
Bar  Association.  Politically  he  is  a  republican  and  has  served  his  party  as 
delegate  to  various  state  conventions  and  also  as  chairman  and  secretary  of 
the  county  central  committee.  In  1896  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  school 
board  and  served  in  that  capacity  for  twelve  years.  The  cause  of  education 
has  ever  found  in  him  a  stalwart  champion  and  he  has  also  been  deeply  interested 
in  other  matters  of  public  moment,  readily  advocating  any  project  or  measure 
which  tends  towards  the  material,  political,  moral  and  intellectual  development 
of  the  community.  In  his  professional  capacity  he  has  ever  upheld  the  dignity 
of  his  position  and  has  won  the  approval  of  both  the  bench  and  bar  as  an 
earnest,  capable  minister  in  the  temple  of  justice. 


H.    W.    HATTER. 


The  list  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Deep  River  contains  no  more  promment 
name  than  that  of  H.  W.  Hatter,  one  of  the  representative  and  well  known 
citizens  of  Poweshiek  county.  In  business,  financial  and  public  circles  he  has 
played  a  most  important  part,  and  in  every  instance  his  course  has  been  such 
as  to  command  the  confidence  and  good  will  of  all  with  whom  he  has  been 
brought  in  contact.  One  of  Iowa's  native  sons  he  was  born  in  Keokuk  county 
on  the  i8th  of  October,  1852,  a  son  of  Mathias  and  Malinda  (Adams)  Hatter. 
The  parents,  natives  of  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  respectively,  were  married  in 
the  latter  state  and  came  to  Iowa  in  1844.  locating  in  Keokuk  county,  where 
the  father  carried  on  farming  and  shoemaking  in  the  pursuit  of  a  livelihood. 
Both  passed  away  during  the  early  childhood  of  our  subject,  who  was  but  two 
years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his  father's  demise  and  but  nine  years  old  when 
his  mother  passed  away. 

The  youngest  of  ten  children,  four  sons  and  six  daughters,  H.  W.  Hatter 
was  reared  by  an  elder  brother,  John  V.,  and  when  eighteen  years  of  age 
entered  business  on  his  own  account,  in  a  small  way,  as  a  general  merchant, 
also  acting  as  postmaster  for  his  brother  at  Millersburg.     He  remained  in  that 


U     \V.    IIATTIOU 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  695 

city  from  1866  to  1882,  with  the  exception  of  a  year  and  a  half  spent  at 
Malcom,  Poweshiek  county,  during  which  time  he  was  engaged  in  the  drug 
business.  In  the  latter  year  he  went  to  Keswick,  where  he  conducted  a  general 
store  for  three  years,  and  in  1885  arrived  in  Deep  River,  here  establishing  a  gen- 
eral mercantile  business  in  connection  with  his  father-in-law  under  the  firm 
style  of  Hatter  &  Wilson.  Shortly  afterward  the  firm  became  Hatter,  Wilson 
&  Company,  thus  continuing  for  two  or  three  years,  when  Mr.  Hatter  and 
Horace  Phelps  bought  out  the  interests  of  Mr.  Wilson  and  the  other  partner  and 
operated  the  enterprise  for  a  number  of  years  as  Hatter  &  Phelps.  Subse- 
quently another  change  in  partnership  was  made  when  they  purchased  a  creamery 
here,  which  they  at  once  rebuilt.  Shortly  afterward  they  gave  up  the  mer- 
chandising business  to  devote  their  entire  attention  to  their  creamery  interests, 
conducting  a  branch  at  Brooklyn  and  at  Guernsey. 

In  1906  the  Deep  River  Creamery  Company  was  organized  and  Mr.  Hatter, 
retaining  his  stock  in  the  enterprise,  became  treasurer  and  manager.  Previous 
to  this  he  had  become  identified  with  the  financial  circles  of  Deep  River  as 
cashier  of  the  State  Bank  of  this  city,  accepting  that  position  in  1895  ^"^  re- 
maining the  incumbent  until  1903.  In  the  latter  year  he  assisted  in  the  or- 
ganization of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Deep  River  and  has  been  cashier 
of  that  institution  since  that  time,  his  connection  with  financial  interests  ex- 
tending over  a  period  of  sixteen  years.  He  is  the  owner  of  the  Deep  River 
Opera  House  and  his  successfuF  conduct  of  his  various  interests  has  brought 
him  to  a  position  of  prominetice  among  the  leading  business  men  of  Deep 
River  township. 

Mr.  Hatter  was  married,  in  1877,  to  Miss  Florence  W.  Wilson,  who  was 
born  in  Iowa  county,  near  Mill'ersburg,  on  the  14th  of  October,  1858,  a  daughter 
of  William  M.  and  Margaret  A.  "(Morrison)  Wilson.  Unto  this  union  have 
been  born  five  children,  as  follows :  Maude  A.,  now  deceased ;  Ralph  E.,  who 
passed  away  in  infancy;  Eva  M.,  assistant  cashier  of  the  First  National  Bank; 
Letha,  the  wife  of  James  W.  Light,  of  Deep  River;  and  Russell  E.,  a  clerk 
m  the  First  National  Bank.  The  two  eldest  daughters  were  graduates  of  the 
Deep  River  high  school,  while  the  youngest  son  entered  Grmnell  College,  being 
re<|uired  to  give  up  his  studies  there,  however,  in  his  junior  year  because  of  poor 
health.     He  is  now  a  student  of  law  at  State  University. 

Few  men  have  been  more  prominent  and  active  in  the  public  life  of  the 
community  than  Mr.  Hatter.  Since  age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of 
franchise  he  has  been  a  stalwart  supporter  of  republican  principles,  doing  all 
in  his  power  to  further  the  interests  of  the  party,  and  as  a  result  of  his  public- 
spirited  citizenship  his  fellowmen  have  called  him  to  various  offices  of  trust  and 
importance.  He  was  postmaster  of  Deep  River  for  ten  years,  being  appointed 
to  that  office  in  1897  and  serving  under  Presidents  McKinley  and  Roosevelt. 
His  daughter,  Maude  E.,  served  as  deputy  during  his  incumbency.  For  two 
years  he  also  acted  as  justice  of  the  peace.  He  has  served  as  school  director 
and  notary  public  since  the  administration  of  Governor  Kirkwood,  was  city  re- 
corder for  two  years,  while  for  about  sixteen  years  he  acted  as  treasurer  of 
the  town  and  also  as  school  treasurer  for  six  years.  His  fellow  citizens  also 
conferred    upon   him   the   highest   gift   in   their   power  by   electing  him    to  the 


696  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

office  of  mayor,  which  he  filled  for  two  terms,  his  service  m  that  office  proving 
that  their  choice  had  been  well  made  and  their  trust  well  placed. 

Indeed,  in  every  official  relation  his  capability  and  efficiency  \.rere  recognized 
and  throughout  the  long  period  in  which  he  was  closely  identified  with  public 
afifairs  his  career  was  ever  such  as  to  inspire  confidence  and  trust  in  his  fellow- 
men,  and  today  he  ranks  among  the  most  prominent  and  representative  cit- 
izens of  Deep  River  township.  In  fraternal  circles  he  belongs  to  the  Masonic 
body,  being  a  charter  member  of  Golden  Rod  Lodge,  No.  512,  A.  F.  &  A.  M., 
and  also  a  member  of  Excelsior  Chapter  No.  109,  R.  A.  M.,  at  What  Cheer. 
We  likewise  belongs  to  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America  camp  at  Deep  River. 


ARTHUR  L.  CHILD. 


Arthur  L.  Child,  a  successful  and  esteemed  resident  of  Grinnell,  has  tlevotcd 
his  attention  to  photography  throughout  his  entire  business  career  and  now 
owns  one  of  the  most  up-to-date  studios  of  the  west.  His  birth  occurred 
in  Bath,  New  Hampshire,  on  the  8th  of  November.  1854,  his  parents  being 
Jonathan  and  INIartha  (Walker)  Child,  who  were  likewise  natives  of  that 
place.  Benjamin  Child,  the  first  representative  of  the  family  to  emigrate 
to  America,  came  from  Great  Britain  in  1630.  The  family  was  prominently 
represented  in  the  Revoluntionary  war  and  also  m  the  conflict  between  the 
North  and  the  South.  Benjamin  Child  was  patriarchal  in  the  best  sense. 
having  been  earnest  in  character  and  in  the  promotion  of  that  Puritan  stamp 
of  piety  for  which  the  Massachusetts  settlers  were  especially  distinguished. 
Legal  manuscripts  carefully  preserved  at  the  present  time  attest  his  familiarity 
with  public  afifairs  and  his  prominence  in  the  community. 

Jonathan  Child,  the  father  of  Arthur  L.  Child,  was  an  agriculturist  by 
occupation  and  was  likewise  interested  in  the  starch  factory  at  Bath,  New- 
Hampshire.  In  1868  he  brought  his  family  to  Grinnell.  Iowa,  where  he  resided 
for  twenty-five  years,  being  engaged  in  the  livery  business  and  other  pursuits 
and  acting  as  a  director  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  Grinnell.  Professor 
Parker  said  of  him:  "In  his  days  of  active  business  he  oppressed  no  man  and 
as  bank  director  he  never  desired  to  have  a  creditor  needlessly  embarrassed. 
He  was  glad  to  help  an  honest  man  in  need  to  get  on  his  feet  and  walk  more 
firmly."  When  he  passed  away  in  1905  the  community  mourned  the  loss  of  one 
of  its  most  substantial  and  respected  citizens.  His  wife  was  called  to  her  final 
rest  in  1900. 

Arthur  L.  Child  supplemented  his  preliminary  education,  obtained  in  the 
common  schools,  by  a  course  of  study  in  Grinnell  College.  After  putting  aside 
his  text-books  he  began  working  as  an  assistant  to  his  uncle,  C.  L.  Walker, 
who  at  that  time  owned  the  business  which  is  now  in  possession  of  our  sub- 
ject. In  1881  he  bought  the  studio  of  Mr.  Walker  and  the  following  year  pur- 
chased the  location  which  he  now  occupies.  In  1884  he  rebuilt  his  studio 
and  occupied  the  second  floor  until  1900,  when  he  established  himself  in  his 
present  quarters  on  the  ground  floor.     Subsequently  the  scope  of  his  activities 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  697 

were  enlarged  by  adding  an  art  and  photo  supply  department.  In  1907  his 
^tock  and  fixtures  were  largely  destroyed  by  fire  but  he  immediately  repaired 
the  damage  and  now  has  one  of  the  most  modern  studios  of  the  west.  .\ 
skillful  artist,  Mr.  Child  closely  observes  the  efifects  of  light  and  shade  in 
bringing  out  the  characteristics  which  every  conscientious  photographer  attempts 
to  [lortrav  in  transferring  to  paper  the  living  likeness  of  his  patrons.  He  is 
one  of  the  directors  of  the  People's  Gas  Company  and  is  a  prosperous  and 
representative  resident  of  the  community. 

()n  the  13111  of  October,  1885,  Mv.  Child  was  united  in  marriage  to  .Miss 
Ella  Stone  Worsham,  a  native  of  Muscatine,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  William 
Green  Worsham,  who  was  one  of  the  old  settlers  of  eastern  Iowa  and  estab- 
lished the  stage  line  between  Keokuk  and  Dubuque.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Child  have 
two  children.  Maud  was  married  in  1907  to  O.  B.  Mathews,  whom  she  met 
while  they  were  students  in  Grinnell  College.  Mr.  Mathews  installed  the  gas 
plant  in  Grinnell  and  is  the  manager  of  the  People's  Light  &  Heat  Company 
and  a  heavy  stockholder  of  the  concern.  Arthur  Leon  Child,  Jr.,  is  now  attend- 
ing school.  The  family  attend  the  Congregational  church  of  Grinnell.  Those 
who  have  regard  for  the  true  worth  and  value  of  character  give  to  .Arthur 
L.  Child  their  entire  respect  and  accord  him  a  position  of  prominence  in  public 
regard   in    Grinnell. 


J.  H.  SKEELS. 


J.  H.  Skeels,  who  is  a  leading  farrier  of  Poweshiek  county  and  for  sixteen 
years  past  has  been  proprietor  of  a  well  known  blacksmith  shop  at  Grinnell, 
was  born  in  this  county,  March  20,  1863,  a  son  of  L.  W.  and  Jane  E.  (Cole) 
Skeels,  who  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county  shortly  after  J.  B.  Grinnell  founded 
the  town  of  Grinnell.  The  father  entered  government  land  and  began  farming 
but  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  war  went  to  California,  where  he  spent  two 
years.  He  then  returned  to  Poweshiek  county  and  removed  his  family  to  Kan- 
sas, living  in  that  state  about  twelve  years.  Once  more  he  took  up  his  residence 
in  this  county  and  here  he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  died  in  1909 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety-one  years.  He  was  a  republican  in  politics,  and 
he  and  his  wife  were  both  consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  church  and  were 
greatly  esteemed  by  their  neighbors  and  friends. 

J.  H.  Skeels  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  schools.  He  early  showed 
that  he  possessed  mechanical  ability  of  an  unusual  order  and  before  he  reached 
his  seventeenth  vear  he  apprenticed  himself  to  the  blacksmith's  trade  under 
Barnes  Brothers  in  Grinnell.  After  finishing  his  apprenticeship  he  worked  for 
the  firm  as  journeyman  for  three  years  and  then  went  to  Lynnville,  Iowa,  where 
he  conducted  a  shop  on  his  own  account  for  a  year.  He  next  came  to  Grinnell 
and  worked  for  seven  years  for  N.  Vanderveer,  acquiring  sufficient  capital  so 
that  in  May,  1895,  he  purchased  the  business  from  his  employer  and  has  ever 
since  conducted  the  shop  in  his  own  name.  He  is  today  one  of  the  best  known 
and  most  prosperous  blacksmiths  in  Poweshiek  county.     He  makes  a  specialty 


698  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

of  horseshoeing  and  general  jobbing  and  as  he  has  studied  horseshoeing  scien- 
tifically and  in  every  detail,  he  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  expert  work- 
men in  that  line  in  this  part  of  the  state. 

In  1880  Mr.  Skeels  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Ida  May  Case,  of  Grin- 
nell,  and  four  children  were  born  to  them,  three  of  whom  survive,  namely :  Will- 
iam R.,  who  is  now  wire  chief  of  the  Postal  Telegraph  Company,  of  Chicago, 
Illinois;  Ethel  May,  the  wife  of  W.  L.  Cooley,  of  What  Cheer,  Iowa;  and  Pearl 
J.,  who  is  living  at  home. 

Mr.  Skeels  is  in  politics  a  progressive  republican.  He  takes  a  great  interest 
in  public  affairs  and  has  served  as  a  member  of  the  city  council  from  the  second 
ward  and  also  as  a  member  of  the  board  of  education.  He  is  an  active  worker 
in  the  Masonic  order  and  holds  membership  in  Herman  Lodge,  No.  273,  A.  F. 
&  A.  M.,  and  Palestine  Chapter,  No.  lOi,  R.  A.  M.,  both  of  Grinnell.  From  his 
boyhood  he  has  been  ambitious,  energetic,  industrious  and  highly  efficient  in 
his  work,  and  he  now  enjoys  the  reward  of  his  uninterrupted  labors.  He  is 
esteemed  by  his  friends  and  neighbors  and  has  acquired  a  competency  which  he 
earned  through  honest  labor. 


CHARLES   E.    BOSSLER. 

Much  credit  is  due  Charles  E.  Bossier  for  attaining  the  position  he  holds 
in  the  agricultural  community  of  Poweshiek  county,  as  he  has  been  entirely  de- 
pendent upon  his  own  resources  since  he  was  a  mere  lad.  He  was  born  in  the 
vicinity  of  Davenport  on  the  8th  of  July,  1865,  is  a  son  of  Samuel  K.  and 
Mary  (Barnacle)  Bossier,  the  father  of  German  and  the  mother  of  German 
and  Irish  descent.  The  parents  were  born  and  reared  in  the  vicinity  of  Pitts- 
burg, Pennsylvania,  and  they  were  also  married  in  the  Keystone  state.  They 
came  to  Iowa  at  an  early  day,  locating  in  Scott  county,  nine  miles  north  of 
Davenport,  where  the  father  purchased  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  of  land. 
They  resided  there  until  1867,  in  which  year  they  removed  to  the  farm  of  Mr. 
Bossier's  sister  Sarah,  southeast  of  Malcom.  After  cultivating  this  for  ten 
years  they  decided  to  try  life  still  farther  west  and  so  removed  to  Nebraska, 
where  they  filed  upon  a  homestead.  Disposing  of  this  in  1887  they  migrated 
to  southeastern  Kansas,  settling  in  the  vicinity  of  Oswego,  where  Mr.  Bossier 
passed  away.     His  wife  died  in  the  western  part  of  the  state. 

Charles  E.  Bossier  was  a  child  of  two  years  of  age  when  his  parents  came 
to  Poweshiek  county,  whose  district  schools  he  attended  in  the  acquirement  of 
his  education  at  such  times  as  he  could  be  spared  from  the  work  of  the  farm. 
He  remained  a  member  of  the  paternal  household  until  he  was  eleven  years  of 
age  when  he  left  home  to  work  for  strangers.  From  that  time  until  his  mar- 
riage, at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand.  In  1890 
he  rented  a  farm  in  Malcom  township  for  one  year,  at  the  exipration  of  which 
time  he  settled  upon  his  pre.sent  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in 
Sheridan  township.  Here  he  engages  in  general  farming  but  makes  a  specialty 
of  feeding  sheep,  having  a  flock  each  year  of  from  five  to  nineteen  hundred,  and 


RK 


P^fiWCLIBR^Ry 


T'LOEN  FOUND*- 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  701 

several  winters  he  has  fed  a  thousand.  He  always  buys  western  sheep  and 
sends  them  to  the  Chicago  market.  Besides  his  sheep  Mr.  Bossier  also  raises  a 
few  cattle  and  hogs  while  his  rields  are  given  over  to  the  cultivation  of  such 
grains  as  he  deems  best  adapted  for  the  feeding  of  his  stock.  He  owns  one  of 
the  e.xcellent  farms  of  the  vicinity,  the  general  appearance  of  which  bespeaks 
the  capable  supervision  of  a  competent  and  progressive  agriculturist.  The  land, 
all  of  which  is  under  cultivation,  is  tiled  and  well  fenced,  while  his  improve- 
ments   are   superior   to  those   to   be    found   on   the   average    farm. 

Mr.  Bossier  was  married  on  the  24th  of  July,  1890,  to  Mrs.  Emma  L.  Searl, 
a  daughter  of  Eli  P.  and  Sarah  (Rearick)  Judd.  Mr.  Judd  was  born  near  Rut- 
ledge,  \'ermont,  but  Mrs.  Judd  is  a  native  of  the  state  of  New  York,  having  been 
born  and  reared  in  the  vicinity  of  Mill  Grove,  Cattaraugus  county.  They  were 
married  on  the  31st  of  October,  1837,  in  Erie  county,  New  York,  Mr.  Judd, 
who  was  a  farmer,  had  removed  to  Illinois  the  previous  year.  Their  domestic 
life  began  o'n  a  farm  near  Princeton,  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  where  Mrs.  Boss- 
ier was  born  on  the  2d  of  November,  1847.  In  1869  they  migrated  to  Iowa, 
settling  on  a  farm  north  of  Brooklyn,  in  the  cultivation  of  which  Mr.  Judd  en- 
gaged until  he  retired  to  Malcom,  where  they  were  living  when  Mrs.  Searl  and 
Mr.  Bossier  were  married.  Mr.  Judd  passed  away  in  Chicago  on  the  9th  of 
May,  1894,  on  his  way  home  from  Florida,  where  he  had  been  spending  the 
winter.  His  wife,  who  passed  her  ninety-second  anniversary  on  the  5th  of 
June,  191 1,  has  very  good  health  for  one  of  her  years  and  makes  her  home  with 
her  daughter,  Mrs.  Jacob  Teraberry  of  Malcom.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bossier  had  one 
child,  which  died  in  infancy. 

His  political  allegiance  Mr.  Bossier'  "accords  the  democratic  party  and  has 
served  on  the  district  school  board  for  twelve  jears.  Both  he  and  his  wife  are 
members  of  the  Presbyterian  chiirch'  of  Malcom  and  are  well  and  favorably 
known  in  the  community  where  they  have  spent  a  large  portion  of  their  lives. 


WILLIAM  JARVIS  JOHNSON. 

William  Jarvis  Johnson,  a  retired  business  man,  of  Malcom,  was  born  in 
Baltimore,  Maryland,  March  15,  1840,  a  son  of  William  H.  and  Sarah  (Couter) 
Johnson,  natives  of  Maryland.  That  state  was  also  the  birthplace  of  Mr. 
Johnson's  maternal  grandparents  and  likewise  of  his  paternal  grandmother. 
The  paternal  grandfather,  James  Johnson,  was  a  native  of  Philadelphia  and 
^er\eil  as  a  scililier  of  the  War  of  1812.  The  father.  William  H.  Johnson,  was  a 
hatter  by  trade,  and  he  and  his  wife  both  passed  away  in  Baltimore  during  the 
childhood  of  the  subject.  In  their  family  were  six  children,  of  whom  William 
Jarvis  Johnson  was  the  eldest.  The  others  were  as  follows :  Laura,  deceased ; 
Edwin,  of  Baltimore;  Samuel;  Emma,  who  married  George  Thayer,  of  Balti- 
more ;  and  Washington,  also  deceased. 

When  a  little  lad  of  seven  years  William  Jarvis  Johnson  went  to  Wheeling, 
West  \'irginia,  and  there  took  up  his  abode  with  his  paternal  grandmother,  with 
whom  he  continued  to  reside  for  ten  years.     Upon  her  death  in  1857  he  came 


702  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

with  an  uncle  to  Iowa,  locating  first  in  Davenport,  and  in  the  fallowing  year 
began  working  at  the  carpenter's  trade,  which  he  followed  until  1862.  In  that 
year  he  responded  to  the  country's  call  for  troops,  enlisting  from  Davenport, 
on  the  13th  of  August,  as  a  soldier  of  Company  E,  Twentieth  Iowa  \olunteer 
Infantry.  He  served  until  honorably  discharged  at  Clinton,  Iowa,  on  the  31st 
of  August.  1865,  and  during  this  period  took  part  in  all  of  the  engagements 
of  his  regiment. 

He  returned  to  Davenport  and  then  in  June,-  1866,  went  to  Brooklyn,  where 
he  engaged  in  merchandising  until  August  of  that  year,  when  he  sold  out  and 
came  to  Malcom,  here  erecting  the  first  house  in  the  town.  He  also  opened  the 
first  store  here  on  the  15th  of  September,  1866,  and  was  made  the  first  post- 
master. Two  years  later,  however,  in  1868,  he  sold  his  business  and  resigned 
the  office  of  postmaster  to  accept  the  position  of  agent  for  the  Rock  Island 
Railroad  Company  at  Alalcom.  He  was  the  second  agent  here  and  continued 
in  that  capacity  until  January  i.  1882,  when  he  was  elected  treasurer  of 
Poweshiek  county,  thus  serving  for  three  terms  or  si.x  years.  In  1892  he  re- 
turned to  Malcom  and  in  the  following  year,  in  connection  with  O.  F.  Dorrance 
and  O.  H.  Leonard,  of  Brooklyn,  purchased  the  ]\Ialcom  Bank.  This  relation- 
ship continued  for  five  years,  during  which  period  Mr.  Johnson  acted  as  cashier. 
owning  a  half  or  controlling  interest  in  the  business.  In  1898  he  purchased 
the  interest  of  his  partners  and  remained  the  sole  owner  of  the  bank  until 
August  7,   1905,  when  he  sold  out  to  the  Malcom  Savings  Bank. 

He  was  deeply  interested  in  the  afifairs  of  the  institution  of  which  he  was  the 
proprietor  and  inaugurated  a  system  and  policy  which  at  all  times  commanded 
the  confidence  and  patronage  of  the  general  public.  At  the  same  time  he  re- 
garded the  demands  of  every  individual  depositor  as  something  to  which  he 
should  give  his  attention  and  his  opinions  were  frequently  sought  by  patrons 
of  the  bank.  On  selling  the  bank  he  withdrew  from  active  business  and  is  now 
living  retired.  For  a  time,  however,  he  served  as  a  director  of  the  Malcom 
Savings  Bank,  but  his  present  connection  therewith  is  merely  that  of  a  stock- 
holder. He  is  the  owner  of  a  quarter  section  of  land  south  of  the  town,  and 
as  a  result  of  his  well  directed  efforts  of  former  years  he  is  now  ranked  among 
the  men   of    affluence  of   Poweshiek  county. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  united  in  marriage,  on  the  31st  of  Augu>t.  1862,  to  Miss 
Ann  Elizabeth  Bentley.  who  was  born  in  Fishkill.  New  ^'ork.  June  2.  1840, 
and  in  1856  came  west  with  her  parents.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Bentley.  L'nto 
this  union  have  been  born  si.x  children,  namely:  Ella  K..  a  graduate  nurse 
of  Johnstown.  Pennsylvania;  Clifton  1..,  who  was  killed  l>y  a  horse  in  Monte- 
zuma on  the  18th  of  December.  1882;  May  Elizabeth,  a  graduate  of  the  niiis.cal 
department  of  Grinnell  College,  who  pa5sed  away  July  18.  1895,  when  twenty- 
three  years  of  age;  Grace  Ethel,  whose  death  occurred  in  1874;  Edith  Estella, 
who  died  in  1886  when  nine  years  and  seven  months  old;  and  George  Sterling, 
a  twin  brother  of  Edith  Estella,  who  is  now  advertising  manager  for  the  Des 
Moines  Capital. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Johnson  is  a  Mason,  holding  membership  in  Lily  Lodge, 
No.  254.  A.  F.  &  A.  M.,  of  Malcom;  Hyssop  Chapter.  No.  50,  R.  A.  M.,  of 
Malcom:  and  Oriental  Commanderv.  No.  22,  K.  T..  of  Newton.  Iowa.     He  is 


HISTORY  OF  POWICSMIEK  COL' NT Y  703 

also  a  member  of  Wisner  Post,  No.  127.  G.  A,  R.,  of  Montezuma,  Iowa.  Polit- 
ically he  is  a  stanch  republican  and  aside  from  the  ])osition  of  count)-  treasurer 
has  held  many  town  and  school  offices,  serving  as  jjresident,  treasurer  or  direc- 
tor of  the  school  board  for  many  years.  Ever  public-s|3irited  in  his  citizenship, 
he  may  truly  be  numbered  among  the  community's  builders,  for  he  has  been 
identified  with  the  history  of  Malcom  from  the  beginning,  and  while  his  efforts 
have  been  rewardetl  by  a  most  substantial  intlividual  success,  they  have  at  the 
same  time  been  potent  factors  in  the  development  of  the  community  at  large 
and  he  is  today  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  substantial  and  representative 
citizens  of  Malcom. 


ULYSSES  MERTON  REED. 

I'lysses  INIerton  Reed,  the  present  attorney  for  Poweshiek  county,  is  thus 
actively  connected  with  a  profession  which  has  an  important  bearing  upon  the 
progress  and  stable  prosperity  of  any  section  or  community,  and  one  which  has 
long  been  considered  as  conserving  the  public  welfare  by  furthering  the  ends 
of    justice   and    maintaining   individual    rights. 

He  is  a  native  son  of  Indiana,  his  birth  occurring  in  Delaware  county  on  the 
iith  of  November,  1874.  His  parents  were  H.  H.  and  Emma  (Heath)  Reed, 
the  former  born  in  Henry  county,  Indiana,  January  13.  1853,  and  the  latter  in 
Delaware  county  on  the  23d  of  October,  1856.  They  brought  their  family  to 
Brooklyn  in  March,  1882,  and  located  on  a  farm  about  four  and  half  miles  north 
of  the  town,  where  they  resided  until  1898,  when  they  went  to  Pipestone, 
Minnesota,  where  the  mother  passed  away  a  year  later.  Mr.  Reed  still  survives 
and  makes  his  home  in  Minneapolis.  For  a  number  of  years  he  was  engaged 
in  farming  and  merchandising.  He  served  as  postmaster  of  Brooklyn  for  four 
years  during  the  administration  of  President  Harrison,  but  the  past  fifteen 
vears  have  been  devoted  to  the  real-estate  business,  in  which  he  has  met  with 
most  substantial  success.  His  family  consisted  of  nine  children,  of  whom  the 
subject  of  this  review  was  the  eldest. 

Coming  with  his  parents  to  Brooklyn  when  a  lad  of  eight  years  Ulysses 
Merton  Reed  has  since  made  this  his  place  of  residence.  His  education,  which 
had  been  begun  in  Indiana,  was  continued  in  the  schools  of  this  town,  and  in 
1892  he  graduated  from  the  Brooklyn  high  school.  He  was  a  student  at  Grinnell 
College  for  one  year,  and  for  a  similar  period  attended  De  Pauw  University 
at  Greencastle,  Indiana.  His  legal  knowledge  was  received  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Judge  John  T.  Scott,  in  whose  office  Mr.  Reed  read  law,  and  he  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  May,  1899,  six  months  after  his  preceptor  was  elected  to 
the  bench.  He  at  once  opened  an  office  in  Brooklyn  anrl  it  was  not  long  before 
he  was  accorded  a  most  gratifying  patronage,  his  clientage  continuously  increas- 
ing as  his  ability  to  successfully  handle  important  legal  questions  became  recog- 
nized. He  was  thus  engaged  in  general  practice  until  his  election,  in  1910,  to 
the  office  of  county  attorney,  since  wdiich  time  he  has  given  his  attention  to  tlie 
duties  of  that  office. 


704  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Along  with  those  qualities  indispensable  to  the  lawyer — a  keen,  rapid,  logical 
mind  plus  the  business  sense — he  combines  a  ready  capacity  for  hard  work 
and  a  thorough  grasp  of  the  law  and  the  ability  to  correctly  apply  its  prin- 
ciples. His  preparation  of  his  case  is  thorough,  for  at  no  time  has  his  reading 
ever  been  confined  to  the  limitation  of  the  questions  at  issue.  It  has  gone  be- 
yond and  compassed  every  contingency  and  provided  not  alone  for  the  ex- 
pected but  for  the  unexpected,  which  happens  in  the  courts  quite  as  frequently 
as  out  of  them. 

Mr.  Reed  was  married,  in  April,  1898,  to  Miss  Bernice  A.  W'hitcomb,  a 
native  of  Poweshiek  county  and  a  daughter  of  Horace  and  Rosetta  W'hitcomb. 
They  are  the  parents  of  three  children:  Harold,  Helen  and  Frances.  Fraternally 
Mr.  Reed  is  a  Master  Mason,  while  his  professional  relations  are  with  the  Iowa 
State  Bar  Association.  He  is  an  active  and  helpful  member  of  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  church  and  his  political  belief  is  that  of  the  republican  party.  Al- 
though numbered  among  the  younger  members  of  the  bar  he  has  nevertheless 
won  for  himself  favorable  criticism  from  the  bench  and  bar  for  the  careful  and 
systematic  methods  which  he  has  followed,  and  is  ranked  among  the  most 
successful  attorneys  of  Poweshiek  county. 


WILLIAM   BOLEN. 


One  of  the  representative  stockmen  and  public-spirited  citizens  of  Madison 
township  is  William  Bolen,  who  is  a  native  of  Poweshiek  county,  his  birth  hav- 
ing occurred  in  Sheridan  township  on  the  12th  day  of  January,  1874,  his 
parents  being  Michael  and  Elizabeth  Ann  (Thompson)  Bolen.  The  father  was 
born  and  reared  in  Fayette  county,  Pennsylvania,  but  was  of  Irish  extraction, 
while  the  mother  was  a  native  of  Quebec,  Canada,  and  of  Scotch  descent.  They 
came  to  Iowa  in  1869,  first  locating  upon  a  farm  in  Madison  township,  which 
thev  cultivated  for  a  year,  and  then  removed  to  Sheridan  township,  settling  upon 
a  place  a  mile  east  of  the  present  homestead  of  their  son  Edward.  They  con- 
tinued to  reside  there  for  twenty-seven  years,  at  the  expiration  of  which  period 
they  retired  to  Tama,  Tama  county,  Iowa,  where  the  father  passed  away  on  the 
1st  of  February,  1907.  The  mother,  however,  is  still  living  and  makes  her 
home  in  Tama.  Mr.  Bolen  was  a  veteran  of  the  Civil  war,  having  enlisted  in 
Company  K,  Sixty-third  Illinois  Volunteer  Infantry,  with  which  he  went  to  the 
front,  and  he  remained  in  the  service  for  three  years  and  six  months,  during 
which  time  he  participated  in  twenty-six  of  the  most  severe  battles  of  the  war. 
Upon  receiving  his  discharge  at  the  expiration  of  his  period  of  enlistment 
he  immediately  reenlisted  and  served  until  the  close  of  hostilities. 

William  Bolen  was  reared  upon  the  homestead  where  he  was  born,  obtaining 
his  education  in  the  district  school,  and  afterward  he  as.sisted  his  father  in  the 
cultivation  of  the  farm  until  he  was  twenty-three  years  of  age.  He  then  left 
the  parental  roof  to  begin  working  for  himself.  He  bought  eighty  acres  of  land 
in  Sheridan  township  which  he  disposed  of  three  months  later,  purchasing  one 
hundred  and  twenty  acres  elsewhere  in  the   same  township.     After  cultivating 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  705 

this  place  for  six  years  he  decided  to  become  a  citizen  of  Madison  township, 
thereupon  purchasing  his  present  homestead,  which  consists  of  one  hundred  and 
sixty  acres  of  land.  In  addition  to  the  latter  place  he  also  owns  one  hundred  and 
twenty  acres  in  Sheridan  township.  Air.  Bolen  is  one  of  the  largest  and  best 
known  feeders  and  shippers  of  Madison  township,  as  he  sells  annually  from 
eight  to  ten  carloads  of  stock  in  the  Chicago  market.  He  engages  in  general 
farming,  all  of  his  land  being  under  cultivation,  and  keeps  a  good  line  of  graded 
stock. 

Mr.  Bolen  married  Miss  Sylvia  Lamb  on  the  22d  of  February,  1898.  Her 
parents,  Tobias  and  Rachel  (Humes)  Lamb,  were  natives  of  Ohio  and  Indiana 
respectively.  After  their  marriage,  which  occurred  in  Indiana,  they  removed 
to  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  locating  upon  a  farm  in  the  vicinity  of  Princeton. 
They  subsequently  came  to  Iowa,  living  in  Keokuk  county  until  1883,  when 
they  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  located  upon  a  farm  in  Majcom  township. 
There  Mr.  Lamb  passed  away  in  1901  and  for  nine  years  following  Mrs. 
Lamb  continued  to  reside  on  the  homstead,  but  in  the  spring  of  1910  she  re- 
moved to  Brooklyn,  where  she  is  now  living.  Mr.  Lamb  was  a  soldier  of  the 
Civil  war.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bolen  have  been  born  five  children  as  follows : 
Michael,  who  is  twelve  years  of  age;  Verner,  aged  ten  years;  Ephraim,  aged 
eight  years ;  Gerald,  aged  six  years ;  and  Gladys,  who  has  passed  the  fourth 
anniversary  of  her  birth.  The  four  older  children  are  all  attending  school 
in  district  No.  9,  Madison  township. 

Fraternally  Air.  Bolen  is  a  member  of  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fel- 
lows, his  local  identification  being  with  Brooklyn  Lodge,  No.  114,  I.  O.  O.  F., 
while  he  and  his  wife  belong  to  the  Rebekah  lodge,  of  Alalcom.  He  has  always 
supported  the  candidates  of  the  republican  party  and  takes  an  active  and  help- 
ful interest  in  local  politics,  having  served  for  a  number  of  years  as  a  school 
director  in  district  No.  9,  Aladison  township,  and  at  the  present  time  he  is  also 
acting  as  assessor  and  trustee  and  was  at  one  time  township  clerk.  A  man  of 
sound  judgment  and  practical  ideas  in  addition  to  the  capable  discharge  of  his 
private  affairs  he  finds  time  to  assist  in  the  management  of  the  township,  where 
he  is  highly  regarded  as  a  citizen  and  business  man. 


EDWARD  BRAINERD  BRANDE. 

Edward  Brainerd  Brande,  well  known  in  business  circles  of  Grinnell  in  con-" 
nection  with  the  wholesale  lumber  trade,  has  been  associated  with  the  firm  of 
B.  T-  Carney  &  Company  since  1907,  and  previous  to  that  time  was  identified 
with  the  predecessors  of  the  present  firm.  He  is  a  man  of  enterprising  spirit 
and  his  progress  in  commercial  circles  has  been  the  legitimate  sequence  of  close 
application  and  untiring  industry. 

Air.  Brande  was  born  in  Elkhorn,  Wisconsin,  August  24.  1866,  a  son  of 
Thomas  and  Isabella  Brande.  The  removal  of  the  family  to  Iowa  enabled  the 
son  to  continue  his  education  in  the  Grinnell  high  school,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  on  the   14th  of  June,    1881.      He  afterward   spent   three  years   as   a 


706  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

student  in  Grinnell  College  and  two  years  in  the  State  University  of  Iowa, 
thus  being  well  equipped  by  a  thorough  educational  training  for  the  practical 
and   responsible  duties  of  life. 

His  early  business  connection  was  with  John  Moore  &  Company,  manufac- 
turers, of  Chicago,  Illinois,  with  whom  he  was  associated  for  five  years,  or  from 
1888  until  1893.  In  the  latter  year  he  became  bookkeeper  for  Carney  Brothers, 
lumber  dealers  of  Grinnell,  and  following  a  change  in  the  ow^nership  of  the 
business,  leading  to  the  assumption  of  the  firm  name  of  Carney,  Brande  &  Clark, 
he  became  one  of  the  executive  heads  of  the  business,  which  was  carried  on 
under  that  style  until  1907.  A  reorganization  led  to  the  adoption  of  the  firm 
name  of  B.  J.  Carney  &  Company.  For  eighteen  years  Mr.  Brande  has  been 
associated  with  this  business,  which  is  one  of  the  important  wholesale  lumber 
enterprises  of  central  Iowa.  Its  trade  connections  now  cover  a  wide  territory 
and  the  business  has  constantly  increased  under  the  able  direction  of  Mr.  Brande 
and  his  associates.  Actuated  by  that  laudable  ambition  which  is  ever  the  stimulus 
of  endeavor  in  business,  he  has  gradually  worked  his  way  upward  and  now 
occupies  a  prominent  place  among  the  prosperous  citizens  of  Grinnell,  where 
he   is   also  financially   connected   with   the   gas    company. 

On  the  25th  of  September,  1889,  in  Chicago,  Mr.  Brande  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Miss  Juanita  A.  Perley.  and  they  have  one  son,  Dawson,  born  Septem- 
ber 3,  1890.  In  politics  Mr.  Brande  is  a  republican,  and  though  not  an  aspirant 
for  office,  keeps  well  informed  on  the  questions  and  issues  of  the  day  and  is 
ever  mindful  of  the  duties  and  obligations  of  citizenship.  He  belongs  to  the 
Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Benevolent  and  Protective  Order 
of  Elks,  and  also  holds  membership  with  the  Poweshieks,  the  Grant  Club  and 
the  Hyperion  Field  and  Motor  Club,  the  last  two  being  Des  Moines  organiza- 
tions. His  business  connections  have  made  him  prominently  known  in  Grinnell 
and  in  other  sections  of  the  state  and  his  .social  qualities  have  constantly  pro- 
moted his  popularity.  , 


JOEL  G.  HAMBLETON. 

.-X  well  known  resident  of  Searsboro,  who  for  many  years  was  identified  with 
the  agricultural  and  commercial  interests  of  Poweshiek  county,  is  Joel  G.  Ham- 
bleton,  now  living  retired.  He  was  born  in  Columbiana  county,  Ohio,  on  the 
i6th  of  September,  1824,  and  is  a  son  of  Benjamin  and  Ann  (Hanna)  Hamble- 
ton.  The  father  was  born  in  Chester  county.  Pennsylvania,  on  the  farm  where 
the  battle  of  Brandywine  was  fought,  on  the  t5th  of  March.  1789,  while  the 
birth  of  the  mother  occurred  in  Campbell  county,  \'irginia,  on  the  30th  of  July. 
1797.  Mr.  Hambleton  was  a  miller  by  trade  and  in  his  early  manhood  he  mi- 
grated to  Ohio,  where  he  met  and  married  Miss  Hanna,  their  union  being 
solemnized  in  1815.  They  continued  to  reside  in  the  Buckeye  state  until  1864. 
when  they  came  to  Poweshiek  county.  Iowa,  locating  in  Sugar  Creek  township, 
two  miles  east  of  Searsboro.  There  the  father  died  on  the  22d  of  .\pril.  i8fi;^. 
hut  the  mother  survived  until  the  TOth  of  Maicli.  1867.     Mr.  Hambleton  alwavs 


JOEL  G.    HA.MKLETON 


LIBRARY 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  709 

voted  with  tiic  vvhigs  until  that  party  was  merged  into  the  republican,  after  which 
he  affiliated  with  the  latter  organization.  In  matters  religious  he  always  re- 
mained true  to  the  faith  in  which  he  had  been  reared,  which  was  that  of  the  So- 
ciety of  Friends. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hambletoii  were  the  parents  of  ten  children:  Rachel,  who 
was  born  on  the  14th  of  October,  1816,  and  died  in  January,  1864,  was  the 
wife  of  Elisha  Dutton,  to  whom  she  was  marrie<l  in  1853;  Osborn,  who  was 
born  on  the  13th  of  June,  1818,  died  on  the  25th  of  November,  1882;  Levi, 
born  on  the  4th  of  August,  1820,  died  on  the  2nd  of  April,  1899;  Catherine,  is 
deceaseil ;  Joel  G.,  is  the  next  of  the  family ;  Thomas  is  also  deceased ;  Martha 
is  the  wife  of  Henry  Craver,  of  Marshalltown,  Iowa;  Esther  and  Sarah  are 
both  deceased ;  and  one  died  in  infancy. 

Joel  G.  Hambleton  was  educated  in  the  schools  of  Butler  townshij),  Colum- 
biana county,  Ohio,  following  which  he  worked  in  his  father's  mill  and  assistefl 
in  the  work  of  the  homestead  until  he  was  twenty-one  years  of  age.  He  and  his 
brother  Osborn  then  rented  the  mill,  which  they  operated  until  1852.  He  next 
went  to  Lorain  county.  Ohio,  where  he  ran  a  sawmill  for  five  years.  At  the 
expiration  of  that  time  he  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  locating  in  Sugar 
Creek  township  in  the  spring  of  1857.  He  lived  on  his  brother  Levi's  farm 
there  for  six  years,  and  then  bought  a  farm,  which  he  cultivated  until  the  Iowa 
Central  Railroad  was  built.  Withdrawing  from  agricultural  pursuits  at  that 
time,  he  engaged  in  the  lumber  business  at  Searsboro  with  his  brother  Levi  but 
still  resided  on  the  farm.  Later  they  e.-itended  tlte  .scope  of  their  business  to 
include  the  grain  trade.  In  1874,  however,  Levi  Hanibleton  sold  his  interest 
to  Messrs.  Craver  and  Steele,  the  firm'  then  being  reorganized  under  the  name 
of  J.  G.  Hambleton  &  Company,  so  continuing  until  1876,  when  the  partner- 
ship was  dissolved.  Joel  G.  Hambleton,  however,  contifiued  to  deal  in  grain  and 
coal  until  1879.  In  that  year  he  sold  his  elevator  and  through  the  two  subse- 
quent years  bought  grain  for  Morse  &  Whitney.  He  then  removed  to  Sears- 
boro and  for  three  years  filled  the  position  of  postmaster  at  that  place.  He 
next  gave  his  attention  to  his  farms  until  the  last  one  was  sold  three  years  ago. 
He  is  now  living  retired,  receiving  a  sufficient  income  from  his  property  and 
investments  to  enable  him  to  live  in  comfort  and  free  from  care  or  responsibility. 

On  the  30th  of  March,  1851,  Mr.  Hambleton  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Phoebe  Cooper,  a  daughter  of  Whitson  and  Rachel  (Erskine)  Cooper,  of  Clear- 
field county,  Pennsylvania.  Her  father  was  born  in  Chester  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  her  mother  in  Clearfield  county.  Mr.  Cooper  died  when  his  daughter 
Phoebe  was  a  child  of  ten  years.  An  active,  public-spirited  man,  he  always  took 
an  interest  in  all  political  affairs.  To  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hambleton  were  born  three 
sons :  Orlando,  w-ho  is  deceased ;  Linden,  who  is  living  in  Ottumwa.  Iowa ;  and 
Thomas  F.,  who  died  at  the  age  of  three  years.  On  the  30th  of  March,  191 1, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hambleton  celebrated  the  sixtieth  anniversary  of  their  marriage. 

In  matters  politic  Mr.  Hambleton  has  ever  given  his  support  to  the  men  and 
measures  of  the  republican  party.  He  has  always  met  the  responsil)ilities  of 
citizenship  by  assuming  his  share  of  the  governmental  duties.  While  living  in 
Sugar  Creek  township  he  served  for  twenty-five  years  as  treasurer  of  the  school 
board,  three  terms   as  township  trustee  and  one   as  clerk.     He   also  served  as 


710  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

mayor  of  Searsboro  for  six  years  and  for  one  term  he  was  a  member  of  the 
board  of  county  supervisors,  and  for  three  years  acted  as  postmaster  under 
President  Arthur.  During  his  younger  days  he  took  an  active  interest  in  the 
work  of  the  Good  Templars,  thus  expressing  his  views  on  temperance,  and  he 
also  belonged  to  the  Grange.  In  matters  of  religion  he  has  always  clung  to 
the  faith  of  his  forefathers  and  is  a  birthright  member  of  the  Hicksite  branch  of 
the  Society  of  Friends.  He  possesses  many  of  the  fine  characteristics  of  his 
Scotch  ancestors  and  has  striven  to  maintain  in  all  of  his  relations  of  life,  both 
public  and  private,  the  fine  principles  which  have  won  him  the  high  regard  of 
all  with   whom  he  has  had  transactions. 


GERSHOM  HYDE  HILL,  A.  M.,  M.  D. 

Gershom  Hyde  Hill  needs  little  introduction  to  the  readers  of  this  volume, 
for  he  became  widely  known  in  the  state  as  assistant  superintendent  and  super- 
intendent of  the  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane  at  Independence  and  is  prom- 
inent now  as  a  private  practitioner  and  as  one  of  the  proprietors  of  The  Re- 
treat, a  private  hospital  for  the  treatment  of  nervous  and  mild  mental  disorders 
in  Des  Moines.  His  accomplishments  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  have 
been  of  signal  service  to  humanity  and  his  investigations  and  researches  have 
constituted  valuable  contributions  to  scientific  knowledge.  But  while  he  re- 
gards the  practice  of  his  profession  as  his  chief  life  work,  it  does  not  exclude 
his  active  assistance  along  lines  of  public  progress  for  municipal  reform  or  in 
support  of  temperance,  educational  and  church  movements. 

Iowa  numbers  Dr.  Hill  among  her  native  sons,  his  birth  having  occurred  at 
Gamavillo,  Qayton  county.  May  8,  1846.  His  parents  were  Rev.  James  Jere- 
miah and  Sarah  Elizabeth  (Hyde)  Hill.  The  ancestral  history  of  the  family 
is  traced  back  to  the  year  in  which  America  was  discovered.  The  lord  mayor 
of  London  in  1492  was  Sir  Roland  Hill,  who  was  the  first  Protestant  to  attain 
that  position.  Three  hundred  years  later  another  Sir  Roland  was  the  originator 
of  the  penny  postal  system  in  England.  In  early  colonial  history  the  name  of 
Hill  is  often  found.  William,  called  one  of  the  founders  of  New  England,  came 
over  in  the  ship  William  and  Francis.  The  founder  of  the  Maine  branch  of 
the  Hill  family  was  Peter,  who  came  from  the  west  of  England  to  Biddeford 
in  1653.  Four  generations  later  Mark  Langdon  Hill  figured  in  the  activities  of 
Phippsburg.  "He  was  a  successful  shipbuilder,  owner  and  merchant,  at  one  time 
judge  of  the  court  of  sessions,  postmaster,  chairman  of  the  board  of  selectmen 
for  many  years,  held  other  town  offices,  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Con- 
gregational church.  He  was  always  a  conspicuous  man,  was  a  trustee  of  Bow- 
doin  College,  served  in  the  general  court  of  Massachusetts  and  in  the  United 
States  house  of  representatives.  He  was  notably  condescending,  affable  and 
courteous,  which  were  natural  traits  in  his  character." 

On  his  father's  side  Dr.  Hill  descended  from  James  McCobb,  who  was  cap- 
tain of  a  company  of  the  militia  of  Massachusetts  during  the  Revolutionary  war 
and  also  a  chairman  of  the  committee  of  safety,  inspection  and  correspondence 


PIISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  711 

for  the  town  of  Georgetown,  Massachusetts  (now  Maine),  and  a  recognized 
patriot,  taking  an  active  part  in  providing  means  of  defense  and  forwarding  de- 
tails of  soldiers  to  the  armies  in  the  field. 

On  his  mother's  side  he  is  descended  from  Elijah  Hyde,  who  was  in  Novem- 
ber, 1776,  appointed  major  of  the  Second  Regiment  of  Connecticut  Light  Horse. 
;\Iajor  Elijah  Hyde's  regiment  of  light  horse  reported  at  Stillwater,  New 
Jersey,  October  2,  1777.  The  following  paper  is  recorded,  signed  by  him:  "A 
return  of  men  detached  from  the  Second  Regiment  Light  Horse,  in  the  state 
of  Connecticut,  to  serve  in  the  Continental  army  until  the  15th  of  January  next 
agreeable  to  order  from  Colonel  Seymour,  commandant.  Dated,  Lebanon,  Con- 
necticut, October  5,  1779.     Elijah  Hyde,  major." 

Our  subject's  father,  James  Jeremiah  Hill,  the  youngest  son  of  Judge  Mark 
Langdon  Hill,  was  born  in  Phippsburg,  Maine,  in  1815,  and  after  mastering  the 
branches  of  learning  taught  in  the  village  schools  pursued  a  preparatory  course 
at  Bridgton  Academy  and  then  entered  Bowdoin  College,  from  which  he  was 
graduated  with  honors  in  the  class  of  1838.  He  prepared  for  his  ministry  as  a 
student  in  the  Andover  Theological  Seminary  and  is  numbered  among  its  alumni 
of  1843.  In  the  following  spring  he  married  Miss  Sarah  Elizabeth  Hyde,  who 
was  a  daughter  of  one  of  the  deacons  of  the  Old  South  church,  a  merchant 
and  an  eminent  citizen.  The  wedding  journey  of  the  young  couple  was  the 
long  and  arduous  trip  to  the  far  west.  They  floated  down  the  Ohio  river  to  St. 
Louis,  then  proceeded  up  the  Mississippi  river  to  Dubuque,  from  which  point 
they  rode  across  the  prairies  to  Garnavillo  in  Clayton  county,  a  village  which 
had  been  founded  by  pioneers  from  New  England.  Their  home  was  among  the 
Indians,  who  up  to  that  time  had  remained  in  exclusive  possession  of  this  hunt- 
ing ground.  Wolves  frequently  made  the  night  hideous  with  their  howling 
and  other  wild  animals  were  seen.  Game  of  all  kinds,  including  venison,  wild 
turkeys,  partridges,  prairie  chickens,  quails,  pigeons,  rabbits  and  squirrels,  was 
to  be  had  in  abundance.  .\  feature  of  interest  in  the  new  home  was  the  advent 
of  a  little  son,  Gershom  Hyde,  so  called  in  honor  of  his  maternal  grandfather. 
This  was  in  1846.  Two  years  later  a  second  son.  named  James  Langdon  Hill 
for  his  paternal  grandfather,  arrived.  In  1849  the  Rev.  Hill  left  Iowa  and  with 
his  family  went  to  Albany,  Illinois.  There  the  birth  of  a  third  son  occurred 
May  29,  1852,  and  he  w'as  named  for  an  uncle,  Edmond  .Mden.  The  mother 
died  the  same  day.  In  September,  1853,  the  Rev.  Hill  was  married  to  Sarah 
Wells  Harriman  at  Great  Falls,  New  Hampshire.  She  was  a  graduate  of  Mount 
Holyoke  Seminary  and  by  her  marriage  she  became  the  mother  of  two  sons 
and  four  daughters.  She  proved  an  acceptable  and  efficient  pastor's  wife,  was 
a  kind  and  faithful  stepmother  and  following  her  husband's  death  most  care- 
fully cared  for  her  fatherless  children.  She  passed  away  in  Dfes  Moines  in 
1896. 

Continuing  his  ministerial  labors,  the  Rev.  James  J.  Hill  was  pastor  of 
the  Congregational  church  in  Savanna,  Illinois,  in  Wapello,  Louisa  county,  Iowa, 
at  Glencoe,  Minnesota,  and  in  i860  removed  with  his  family  to  Grinnell,  Iowa, 
for  the  purpose  of  giving  his  children  a  college  education,  preaching  in  the 
meantime  in  the  near-by  churches  at  Montour,  Green  Mountain,  Marietta.  Albion 
and  Genoa  Bluffs.     In  1865  he  became  the  founder  of  the  Congregational  church 


712  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

at  Fayette,  Iowa,  to  which  place  the  family  removed.  After  acting  as  pastor  of 
the  Fayette  church  for  three  years  Mr.  Hill  accepted  an  agency  for  the  Amer- 
ican Missionary  Association,  in  which  work  he  continued  to  the  time  of  his 
death,  which  occurred  at  Fayette.  October  29.  1870,  his  remains  being  interred 
in  Hazelwood  cemetery  at  Grinnell,  where  were  made  the  graves  of  his  two 
wives  and  an  infant  son.  He  was  a  zealous  and  thoroughly  consecrated  Chris- 
tian minister  and  an  evangelistic  disposition  prompted  him  to  plant  churches  and 
nurture  them  to  the  end  of  his  days.  The  mother  of  Dr.  Hill  was  born  in 
Bath,  Maine,  in  1823.  She  had  no  brothers  but  two  sisters,  one  of  whom  be- 
came the  wife  of  the  Rev.  Edmond  K.  Alden,  D.  D.,  of  Boston,  and  the  other 
the  first  wife  of  Rev.  Dr.  George  F.  Magoun,  the  first  president  of  Grinnell 
College.  In  disposition  Mrs.  Sarah  Hill  was  e.xceedingly  active,  enthusiastic, 
philanthropic  and  self-sacrificing.  She  was  devoted  to  her  husband,  her  chil- 
dren and  the  work  of  the  church. 

Dr.  Gershom  H.  Hill,  educated  in  Iowa  College  (now  Grinnell  College),  re- 
ceived the  degree  of  A.  B.  in  1871  and  that  of  A.  AI.  in  1881.  In  1910  he  was 
elected  a  member  of  Chapter  Beta  of  Iowa  of  the  Phi  Beta  Kappa  at  Grinnell 
College.  He  completed  his  preparation  for  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Rush 
Medical  College  of  Chicago,  from  which  he  received  his  professional  degree 
on  graduation  in  the  class  of  1874.  In  1878  he  pursued  post-graduate  work 
in  Bellevue  Hospital  Medical  College  of  Xew  York  and  in  1890  at  the  Harvard 
Medical  School  in  Boston. 

The  Hill  family  came  to  Grinnell  in  the  spring  of  i860.  Carriages  brought 
the  parents  and  children  from  the  end  of  the  Mississippi  &  Missouri  Railroad 
at  Iowa  City.  For  a  night  or  two  they  were  entertained  in  the  new  and  hos- 
pitable home  of  Levi,  Mary  and  Martha  Grinnell,  cousins  of  J.  B.  Grinnell.  It 
is  opposite  the  president's  house  and  now  owned  by  the  Hill  brothers.  For 
two  years  the  family  lived  on  West  street,  afterward  on  High  street. 

The  first  two  summers  Gershom  Hill  lived  in  Grinnell  he  raised  corn  and 
did  other  farm  work  on  ground  north  of  town  and  owned  by  Levi  Grinnell. 
The  ne.xt  two  seasons  he  worked  by  the  month  for  Rodney  Clark  on  a  farm 
and  in  a  sawmill  southwest  of  town.  During  the  summer  of  1864  he  was  down 
in  Tennessee  with  Professor  Parker,  with  students  and  other  boys  in  Company 
B,  Forty-sixth  Iowa  Volunteers.  The  following  summers,  until  he  graduated. 
he  was  found  in  the  harvest  fields  of  the  Shermans,  the  Fishers,  Thomas  Fuller 
and  Mr.  Rutherford,  in  Chester  township.  In  the  winters  of  i860,  1861  and 
1862  he  attended  the  high  school,  where  Parker.  Beaton  and  Ken  worthy  were 
among  the  teachers.  In  the  winter  of  1863,  before  Gershom  was  eighteen  years 
of  age.  he  taught  a  district  school  near  Green  Mountain.  In  the  wmter  of  1864 
he  drove  a  team  for  and  boarded  with  Dr.  Sears  in  the  house  lately  bought  by 
the  Hill  brothers  as  a  site  for  a  new  college  building.  When  the  Hill  family 
moved  to  Fayette  in  1865  Gershom  and  James  remained  in  Grinnell  to  go  through 
college  and  on  this  condition  were  "given  their  time."  Previously  their  earn- 
ings had  gone  toward  the  support  of  the  family  while  living  in  Grinnell. 

In  the  meantime  there  had  come  into  his  life  many  interesting  experiences 
which  left  their  impress  upon  his  character.  He  was  but  fifteen  years  of  age 
when,  in  1861,  he  one  night  drove  a  wagonload  of  slaves  forty  miles  to  Marengo. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  713 

where  he  secretly  put  them  in  a  hox  car  hilled  to  Canada.  They  were  traveling 
on  the  "underground  railroad,  "  on  which  there  were  no  stations  hetween  the 
state  of  Missouri  and  the  home  of  J.  B.  Grinnell.  While  making  preparations 
for,  and  in  college,  he  taught  three  winter  terms  in  Marshall  county  and  twO' 
winters  in  Poweshiek  county.  On  the  completion  of  his  literary  and  profes- 
sional education  he  took  up  the  practice  of  medicine  in  Aloline,  Illinois,  where  he 
remained  for  nine  months,  and  on  the  ist  of  December,  1874,  became  assistant 
superintendent  of  the  State  Hospital  for  the  insane  at  Independence,  in  which 
l)Osition  he  remained  until  the  ist  of  November,  1881. 

Tile  following  is  an  extract  from  a  Grinnell  newspaper.  "Dr.  Gershom  11. 
Hill,  for  seven  years  assistant  superintendent,  has  been  promoted  to  the  super- 
mtendency  of  the  insane  asylum  at  Independence.  He  graduated  from  Iowa 
College  in  the  class  of  1871.  In  the  best  sense  he  is  a  self-matle  man,  having 
secured  his  education  and  paid  for  it  by  his  industry,  "working  his  way  through 
college'  and  through  all  obstacles  to  his  present  enviable  but  worthily  earned 
position.  He  was  'an  excellent  hand'  and  very  seldom  out  of  a  job  when  em- 
[)loyers  had  tested  his  quality.  Many  of  his  college  friends  and  the  people  of 
the  town  will  remember  him  in  those  days  and  Iiave  a  thrill  of  generous,  grate- 
ful pride  as  they  learn  of  his  recent  promotion.  It  was  not  natural  brilliancy 
or  dash  but  a  good  sound  mind  and  trustworthy  judgment,  with  a  determined 
purpose  anil  industry  equal  to  his  needs,  that  carried  him  steadily  forward.  l'\'w 
men  can  give  a  better  account  of  their  talents,  time  and  opportunities  or  fur- 
nisli  an  example  more  worthy.  We  congratulate  the  trustees,  and  ourselves  as 
a  part  of  the  general  ])ublic,  that  so  excellent  a  Christian  gentleman  and  so  com- 
petent a  physician  has  been  found  and  charged  with  the  care  of  the  unfortunate 
insane  at  Independence."  In  1902  the  hospital  contained  eleven  hundred 
patients,  had  two  hundred  names  on  its  pay  roll  and  possessed  twelve  hun<lred 
acres  of  good  farm  land,  and  as  superintendent  Dr.  Hill  was  in  charge  of  the 
various  interests  connected  with  its  management,  control  and  treatment  there 
given  to  patients.  The  following  is  an  extract  taken  from  the  American  Jour- 
nal of  Insanity :  "Dr.  Gershom  H.  Hill,  Medical  Superintendent  Iowa  State  Hos- 
pital for  the  Insane  at  Independence,  Iowa,  after  t\<'enty-eight  years'  service  at 
this  hospital,  has  sent  to  the  board  of  control  of  the  state  institutions  his  resig- 
nation to  take  effect  Jtily  i,  1902.  Dr.  Hill  proposes  to  enter  into  private  prac- 
tice at  Des  Moines,  Iowa,  confining  himself  to  neurology  and  psychiatry.  Dr. 
Hill  has  been  one  of  the  most  earnest  and  active  workers  in  the  American  Med- 
ico-I'sychological  Association  and  has,  in  his  work  among  the  insane  in  Iowa, 
done  much  to  elevate  the  standard  of  care  and  the  excellence  of  the  work  done 
in  the  institutions  of  that  state.  He  has  been  at  all  times  an  ardent  advocate 
of  scientific  work  in  the  wards  of  the  hospitals  and  in  the  laboratories  and.  al- 
though one  of  the  older  superintendents,  has  been  as  energetic  and  enthusiastic 
in  this  direction  as  have  been  many  of  the  younger  men  in  the  Association.  It 
is  gratifying  to  learn  that  Dr.  Hill,  in  severing  his  relations  with  institutional 
work,  will  still  continue  his  relations  with  the  Associaton." 

Below  are  the  resolutions  of  the  Ministerial  Association  of  Independence, 
Iowa. 


714  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

"Whereas,  Dr.  Gershom  H.  Hill,  superintendent,  and  family  have  concluded 
that  their  physical  well-being  demands  that  they  should  have  a  change  in 
service,  hence  the  resignation  of  the  Doctor  from  the  superintendency  of  the 
hospital  for  the  insane  of  the  northeastern  section  of  the  state  of  Iowa,  a  posi- 
iton  that  he  has  tilled  with  distinguished  credit  and  uninterrupted  success  for 
twenty-one  years,  having  been  the  first  assistant  the  seven  years  preceding: 

And  whereas,  in  the  midst  of  the  many  pressing  duties  of  this  important 
position,  he  has  in  an  unstinted  way  freely  invested  of  his  means,  time  and 
influence  for  the  promotion  of  the  interests  of  the  kingdom  of  our  Lord,  as 
represented  by  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  the  several  churches 
of  this  city: 

And  whereas,  in  the  everyday  living  of  the  Doctor  and  his  excellent  family 
there  is  a  continued  expression  of  truth  and  tact,  courage  and  patience,  love  and 
helpfulness,  and  believing  that  they  have  always  been  actuated  by  the  priceless 
gifts  of  kindness  and  gentleness,  since  they  have  always  been  observed  as  serving 
faithfully  in  the  foremost  rank  of  every  good  movement;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  first.  That  we,  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  and  the 
Ministerial  Association  of  Independence,  Iowa,  tender  to  Dr.  Hill  and  family  at 
least  a  feeble  expression  of  our  appreciation  of  their  inestimable  services  as  Chris- 
tian citizens.  Believing  that  our  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  might  have 
disbanded  but  for  the  faith  and  courage  of  Dr.  Hill  and  because  of  his  gener- 
osity and  that  which  his  deeds  have  inspired  in  others,  therefore  today  we  have 
abundant  reasons  to  thank  God  that  our  association  is  located  in  their  own  build- 
ing free  of  debt.  We  are  therefore  placed  under  profound  obligations  to  our 
heavenly  Father  for  the  exalted  privilege  of  knowing  and  cooperating  with 
this  Godly  family. 

Resolved,  second.  That  we  will  cherish  in  our  lives  a  sacred  memory  of 
their  earnest  devotion  to  and  faithful  service  for  the  right  and  will  seek  a  holy 
inspiration  therefrom. 

Resolved,  third.  That  we  most  sincerely  commend  them  to  the  fellowship  of 
the  Christian  forces  of  the  city  of  Des  Moines,  forecasting  for  them  a  brilliant 
and  an  illustrious  career.  We  believe  them  to  be  worthy  of  the  fraternal  con- 
sideration of  all,  and  pray  that  grace,  mercy  and  peace  may  continue  with  them 
as  they  go  from  us. 

H.   C.    Rosenberger,    president. 
C.  J.   Shutt,   secretary. 

Endorsed  by  F.  M.  Devendorf,  secretary  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  As- 
sociation. 

Independence,  June  30,   1902." 

On  resigning  his  position  Dr.  Hill  removed  to  Des  Moines,  where  he  has 
since  continued  the  practice  of  medicine  as  an  alienist.  In  conjunction  with 
Dr.  J.  C.  Doolittle,  on  the  ist  of  July,  1905,  he  opened  a  private  hospital  in  the 
homestead  of  James  Callanan,  Sr.,  comprising  forty  acres  of  natural  timber 
used  as  a  park,  and  for  hospital  purposes  he  utilized  all  the  buildings  erected  by 
Mr.  Callanan  for  a  rural  home.  The  patronage  of  this  retreat  for  nervous  and 
mental  invalids  has  steadily  increased  and  the  institution  has  become  popular 
and  prosperous.     While  residing  in  Des  Moines,  Dr.  Hill  has  also  maintained 


HISTORY  OF  r'OWESHIEK  COL'XTY  715 

an  office  in  tlie  E(juitable  building,  has  conducted  a  consultation  practice  in  the 
city  and  state  and  has  also  served  as  an  expert  witness  in  cases  where  mental 
conditions  need  to  be  determined.  The  Retreat,  as  its  name  implies,  is  a  quiet 
and  secluded  place  for  tired  and  discouraged  people  to  rest.  Everything  tb.ere 
is  made  attractive,  cheerful  and  homeirke,  and  physicians,  business  men  and 
others  who  have  visited  the  place  unanimously  declare  it  to  be  itleal  for  its 
present  use.  Indoors  the  life  is  like  that  of  a  large,  orderly,  agreeable  family. 
Outdoor  life  is  indulged  in  as  much  as  possible.  There  is  every  equipment  for 
the  care  and  treatment  of  patients  according  to  the  most  modern  scientific  meth- 
ods and  many  cures  have  been  effected  under  the  influences  and  through  tlie 
treatment  that  is  here  accorded. 

For  many  years  Dr.  Hill  was  president  of  the  Buchanan  County  Medical 
Society  and  later  held  the  same  office  in  the  Austin-Flint  Medical  Society.  He 
is  a  member  of  the  Polk  County,  of  the  Des  Moines  Pathological  and  of  the 
Iowa  State  Medical  Societies,  also  of  the  Congress  of  American  Physicians  and 
Surgeons,  of  the  .American  Medical  Association,  the  American  Academy  of  Medi- 
cine and  the  American  Medico-Psychological  Association.  He  is  likewise  a  mem- 
ber of  the  staff  of  physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  Iowa  Methodist  Hospital.  He 
has  done  excellent  work  as  an  educator,  serving  for  sixteen  years  as  lecturer  on 
mental  diseases  in  the  State  University  of  Iowa.  The  president  of  that  insti- 
tution under  date  of  September  28,  igofi,  wrote  him  as  follows:  "It  gives  me, 
personally  and  officially,  sincere  regret  not  to  have  you  continue  on  our  staff.  I 
know  that  many  members  of  the  regents  and  faculty  feel  in  the  same  way.  We 
understand  that  we  are  indebted  to  you  for  practically  free  service  for  manv 
years.  For  some  time  there  has  been  a  regulation  that  one  upon  our  staff 
in  the  College  of  Medicine  should  not  also  be  upon  the  staff  of  another  college. 
We  have  winked  at  the  enforcement  of  this  regulation  since  you  became  a  mem- 
ber of  the  staff  at  Drake.  Of  course  we  have  nothing  but  kindly  feelings  toward 
Drake,  but  the  general  principle  is  one  that  in  the  long  run  it  is  probably  just 
as  we  should  have.  The  board  of  control  has  been  good  enough  to  favor  the 
beginning  of  co-ordination  between  their  institutions  and  the  educational  institu- 
tions. It  was  thought,  therefore,  that  it  would  be  helpful  to  have  one  of  their 
superintendents  serve  us,  and  so  the  regents  have  offered  a  lectureship  for  the 
ensuing  year  to  Dr.  Witte.  Hoping  that  the  relinquishment  of  your  active  lec- 
tureship may  not  mean  that  we  shall  not  see  you  from  time  to  time  and  have 
some  word  of  cheer  and  e.xpert  counsel,  believe  me. 

Your   sincere   friend, 

George  E.   MacLean." 

Since  1903  Dr.  Hill  has  been  professor  of  mental  diseases  in  the  College  of 
Medicine  of  Drake  University.  He  is  also  president  of  the  Des  Moines  Asso- 
ciation of  the  Alumni  of  Grinnell  College  and  a  member  of  the  Des  Moines 
Association  of  Alumni  of  Chicago  University. 

On  the  Qth  of  January,  1879,  Dr.  Hill  was  married,  in  Lynn,  Massachusetts, 
to  Louisa  Bliss  Ford,  a  daughter  of  Richard  Ford,  a  retired  merchant.  Her 
only  living  brother  is  also  a  merchant  in  Maiden,  Massachusetts.  Mrs.  Hill 
completed  her  education  in  the  Massachusetts  Normal  School  at  Salem  and  for 
seven    years    taught   in    the    graded    schools   of   Lynn.     Their   only   child.    Julia 


716  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUATY 

Ford  Hill,  born  in  the  State  Hospital  at  Independence,  in  1886,  is  a  graduate 
of  the  West  Des  Moines  high  school  and  of  Grinnell  College  and  became  a 
student  in  the  medical  college  of  Drake  University  in  1909. 

Dr.  Hill  is  entitled  to  wear  the  Grand  Army  button,  inasmuch  as  he  served 
as  a  private  in  Company  B,  Forty-sixth  Iowa  Infantry,  in  the  Civil  war.  He 
enlisted  in  May,  1864,  and  served  as  a  hundred-day  man  at  Collier ville,  Ten- 
nessee, under  command  of  David  B.  Henderson  of  Dubuque.  In  1902  he  be- 
came a  member  of  Crocker  Post,  No.  12,  G.  A.  R.,  and  served  as  its  commander 
in  1910.  Few  men  with  such  active  and  important  professional  interests  as 
claim  the  attention  of  Dr.  Hill  find  time  for  the  helpful  cooperation  in  public 
affairs  which  he  displays.  In  many  ways,  however,  he  has  aided  in  general 
progress  and  improvement.  He  has  been  a  trustee  of  Grinnell  College  since 
1888,  was  president  of  the  board  of  directors  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  As- 
sociation at  Independence,  Iowa,  for  several  years  prior  to  1903,  and  since  that 
time  has  been  a  member  of  the  executive  council  of  the  Associated  Charities 
of  the  City  of  Des  Moines,  of  which  organization  he  is  the  chief  executive 
officer.  This  indicates  his  benevolent  and  humanitarian  spirit,  which  finds  ex- 
pression in  many  individual  ways  of  helpfulness  outside  of  organized  systems  of 
benevolence.  Through  home  training  and  by  preference  he  is  a  Congregation- 
alist,  although  while  living  in  Independence  he  was  a  member  of  and  elder  in 
the  Presbyterian  church.  He  is  now  serving  as  a  deacon  in  the  Plymouth  Con- 
gregational church  of  Des  Moines  and  is  the  leader  of  the  Business  Men's 
Class  in  the  Plymouth  Sunday  school.  His  club  and  society  relationships  are 
with  the  University,  the  Congregational,  the  Commercial  and  the  Prairie  Clubs 
and  with  the  Ben  Franklin  Chapter  of  the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution. 
He  likewise  belongs  to  the  Des  Moines  City  Club,  which  undertakes  to  secure 
the  nomination  of  the  best  men  available,  also  honest  voting  and  correct  returns 
every  two  years  when  the  city  council  is  elected.  He  is  a  progressive  republican 
and  a  member  of  the  Grant  Club.  A  total  abstainer  from  the  use  of  toliacco 
and  liquor,  he  at  all  times  advocates  temperance,  reform  and  improvement  and 
is  in  favor  of  municipal  ownershiji  of  i)ublic  utilities.  He  is  well  known  as  the 
president  of  the  State  Anti-Saloon  League  of  Iowa.  He  is  a  believer  in  Des 
Moines  and  her  future  and  never  fails  to  speak  a  good  word  for  the  city  at  a 
timely  hour.  His  life  work  in  all  of  its  phases  has  been  characterized  by  ad- 
vancement and  by  far-reaching  helpfulness  and  influence.  Frankness,  faitli ful- 
ness, honestv  and  stability  are  marked  characteristics. 


JOHN  A.  MAXWELL. 


The  family  of  which  J.  A.  Maxwell  is  a  representative  derived  its  name  from 
the  precinct  of  Maxwellton,  Dumfriesshire,  Scotland,  whose  "bonnie  braes'" 
are  famed  in  song  as  the  setting  for  the  beautiful  old  Scotch  ballad:  ".\nnie 
Laurie."  The  old  Maxwellton  House,  the  birthplace  of  Annie  Laurie,  is  now 
owned  by  the  Laurie  family.  .\11  of  the  clan  residing  within  the  precinct  of 
Maxwellton  took  the  name  of  Maxwell,  and  representatives  of  the   family  are 


YORK 

-RARY 


A8TOR,  LSNOX  AND 

TILDEN  rO'J'0«T'OXS. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  719 

often  recognized  by  the  tall,  angular,  muscular  physit|ue  and  sandy  complexion 
which  are  strongly  marked  and  distinguishing  features  of  that  clan.  The  first 
])rogcnitor  of  the  family  in  America  was  John  Maxwell,  who  with  his  brother, 
lames,  came  to  this  country  in  colonial  days,  landing  at  Jamestown,  X'irginia. 
Thev  both  served  in  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  later  John  Maxwell  took  up  his 
al)ode  in  Kentucky,  locating  at  Lexington,  where  the  John  Maxwell  springs  were 
nametl  in  his  honor.  Thomas  Ma.xwell,  the  son  of  John  Ma.xwell,  was  born  in 
the  lUue  Grass  state,  served  as  a  private  in  the  latter  jjart  of  the  war  of  1812 
and  in  earlv  life  made  his  way  to  Indiana  and  subse(|uently  to  Illinois.  His  son, 
Thomas  Maxwell,  Jr.,  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  Kentucky  on  the 
Sth  of  March,  1815,  and  was  a  little  lad  when  his  parents  went  to  Indiana.  In 
1824  the  family  home  was  established  in  Sangamon  county,  Illinois,  and  five 
years  later  a  removal  was  made  to  Knox  county,  that  state.  He  was  marrieil 
in  the  latter  county,  on  the  6th  of  March,  1836,  to  Miss  Rhoda  Hodges,  who 
was  born  in  Tennessee  on  the  5th  of  September,  1850.  In  the  following  year 
thev  went  to  Missouri  where  they  spent  one  summer,  and  while  there  their 
first  child  was  born,  its  birth  occurring  in  Polk  county.  They  returned  to  Knox 
county,  Illinois,  in  1838,  and  in  1841  went  to  Texas,  which  at  that  time  had  not 
yet  been  admitted  to  the  Union.  In  the  winter  of  1843  they  again  went  to  Knox 
county,  and  in  1844  made  their  way  to  Henry  county,  Illinois,  where  they 
resided  until  1867.  Another  summer  was  then  spent  in  j\Iissouri,  after  which 
they  returned  to  Knox  county  to  establish  a  permanent  home,  there  remaining 
until  their  decease.  The  father  was  a  farmer  by  occupation,  engaging  very 
extensively  in  agricultural  pursuits,  aiid  wa's  the  owner  of  a  half  section  of 
valuable  land.  He  was  a  democrat,  in  politics  and  held  several  township  offices, 
mcluding  that  of  trustee,  assessor  ^and  justice  of  the  peace,  and  he  also  held 
a  county  office.  He  was  reared  in"  the..Univer5alist  faith,  although  he  was  not 
affiliated  with  any  church  organization,  and-  his  wife  was  a  Freewill  Baptist. 
Following  the  example  set  by  his  father  and  grandfather  before  him  he  re- 
sponded readily  to  the  call  of  his  country  for  assistance  when  in  need  of  mil- 
tary  aid,  taking  part  in  the  Black  Hawk  war,  and  he  also  served  throughout  the 
Mexican  war.  He  was  killed  accidentally  while  crossing  some  railroad  tracks 
on  the  Sth  of  May,  1890,  being  survived  for  a  number  of  years  by  his  wife,  who 
passed  away  on  the  ist  of  September,  ic)o8.  Their  family  consisted  of  eleven 
children,  as  follows :  Lucinda,  who  married  T.  Murphy  antl  passed  away  in  De- 
cember, 1910.  in  Henry  county,  Illinois;  Reuben,  of  Adams  county,  Illinois: 
Susan  T..  who  married  P.  J.  Mintell,  of  Grinnell ;  Ellen,  the  widow  of  Charles 
Smith,  of  Henry  coimty.  Illinois;  W.  H.,  of  Ree  Heights,  South  Dakota;  John 
-A.,  of  this  review;  Harriett  E.,  the  wife  of  George  Reed,  of  Hugo,  Colorado; 
Amanda,  who  married  John  Maxwell  and  passed  away  in  1879;  Charles  E.,  of 
Park,  Texas;  James,  who  passed  away  in  1856;  and  Robert  E.,  whose  death  oc- 
curred in  1861. 

John  A.  Maxwell,  whose  name  introduces  this  sketch,  was  born  in  Henrv 
county.  Illinois,  on  the  9th  of  January,  1848,  and  there  the  first  twenty  years  of 
his  life  were  passed.  He  spent  the  winter  of  1867  in  Missouri,  and  again  in 
1872  went  to  that  state.  In  September,  1875,  he  arrived  in  Malcom  township, 
Poweshiek  countv,  within  whose  borders  he  has  since  made  his  home.     Reared 


720  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

to  rural  life,  he  early  chose  as,  his  life's  vocation  that  occupation  which  George 
Washington  once  designated  as  the  "most  useful  as  well  as  the  most  honorable" 
work  a  man  could  do.  and  for  more  than  a^  half  century,  or  for  fifty- four  con- 
secutive years,  he  has  engaged  in  general  agricultural  pursuits,  during  which 
period  he  has  taken  a  place  among  the  most  progressive,  substantial  and  pros- 
perous farmers  of  the  county.  Upon  entering  business  circles  on  his  own  ac- 
count he  rented  large  tracts  of  land,  which  he  continued  to  operate  in  that 
capacitv  until  about  three  years  ago,  when  he  purchased  his  present  home,  con- 
sisting of  seventy  acres  adjoining  the  town  of  Malcom.  This  place,  which  is 
highly  improved,  its  value  being  greatly  enhanced  by  the  fine  buildings  which 
stand  within  the  corporation  limits  of  the  town,  is  one  of  the  desirable  properties 
of  the  community.  Aside  from  the  care  which  he  bestows  upon  his  fields  he 
gives  a  great  share  of  his  time  and  attention  to  his  stock-raising  interests,  sell- 
ing over  a  thousand  dollars'  worth  of  hogs  each  year,  x^ll  of  the  grain  raised 
upon  his  farm  is  fed  to  his  stock  and  he  has  never  had  occasion  to  buy  corn  or 
other  produce.  He  has  always  handled  a  high  grade  of  stock,  which  has  com- 
manded for  him  ready  sales  and  good  prices  upon  the  market,  and  his  care- 
fully managed  business  interests  have  proved  a  source  of  most  substantial  and 
gratifying  annual   revenue. 

Although  his  private  affairs  have  demanded  a  large  portion  of  his  attention, 
he  has  nevertheless  found  time  to  participate  in  the  public  life  of  the  com- 
munitv  and  has  ever  taken  a  deep  and  heliiful  interest  in  its  welfare  and  growth. 
He  gives  stalwart  allegiance  to  the  democratic  party  and  has  been  called  upon 
at  times  to  fill  various  public  offices.  For  three  terms  he  served  as  justice  of 
the  peace.  He  has  been  assessor  for  a  number  of  terms  and  has  held  school 
oftices  throughout  almost  the  entire  period  of  his  residence  in  Poweshiek  county. 
His  fellow  citizens  in  recognition  of  his  high  personal  worth  and  his  public- 
Spirited  citizenship,  have  bestowed  upon  him  the  highest  honor  in  their  power  to 
give,  electing  him  to  the  office  of  mayor  of  the  town  in  .A.pril,  1910.  In  the 
capacity  of  chief  executive  he  is  giving  the  community  a  business-like,  pro- 
gressive and  beneficial  administration,  in  which  he  has  inaugurated  many  needed 
reforms  and  im]irovements,  and  he  has  performed  the  duties  of  his  office  with 
an  efficiency  which  indicates  that  the  choice  for  the  position  was  weil  made. 
Malcom  is  fortunate  in  having  for  its  mayor  a  progressive,  liberal-minded  man 
whose  life,  whether  in  political,  business  or  private  relations,  has  ever  been 
actuated  bv  high  ]5rinciples  and  noble  purposes. 

On  the  loth  of  January,  1869,  Mr.  Maxwell  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Louise  Bick,  who  was  born  in  Ohio  on  the  27th  of  January,  1850,  and 
when  but  three  years  of  age  went  to  Illinois  with  her  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Ellis  Bick.  I'nto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maxwell  have  been  born  five  children,  as  fol- 
lows: Catherine,  the  wife  of  George  Pierce,  of  Washington  township;  Charles 
M.,  of  Grinnell :  Jennie  J.,  the  wife  of  Verner  Brown,  of  Walla  Walla,  Wash- 
ington :  .-\thelia.  who  married  Andrew  Schultz,  of  Malcom  township ;  and  Cora 
L.,  the  wife  of  Forest  Rector,  of  Perry,  Iowa.  They  have  also  reared  an 
adopted  son,  W.  W.  Luellen,  now  residing  with  them. 

In  fraternal  circles  Mr.  Maxwell  is  identified  with  the  Masonic  order  at 
Grinnell  and  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  lodge  at  Malcom.     He  and  his  wife 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  721 

are  very   popular  in   the  social   circles   of   Malconi   and  their   attracti\e  home   is 
the  center  of  a  large  circle  of  congenial  friends. 


AMOS  L.  FALKIKBURG. 

Amos  L.  Falkinburg,  now  living  retired  in  Malcom,  is  one  of  Poweshiek 
county's  native  sons,  his  entire  life  being  spent  within  its  boundaries.  His 
birth  occurred  about  three  miles  southwest  of  Malcom,  in  Pleasant  township, 
on  the  igth  of  January.  1868,  a  son  of  James  and  Isabelle  (Smalley)  Falkin- 
burg. 

The  father,  who  was  born  in  Germany  on  the  26th  of  April,  1823,  came  to 
the  United  States  with  his  parents  when  eight  years  of  age,  the  family  home 
being  established  in  Kentucky.  Later  he  removed  to  Ohio  and  was  there  mar- 
ried, in  Brown  county,  to  Miss  Isabelle  Smalley,  who  was  born  in  Virginia  in 
1827.  In  1859  they  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  here  the  father  was 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits  for  a  number  of  years,  being  the  owner  of 
a  good  farm  of  two  hundred  acres  located  in  Pleasant  township.  In  the  fall  of 
1906  he  removed  to  Nebraska,  and  there  he  passed  away  in  April  of  the  fol- 
lowing year.  His  wife's  death  occurred  in  this  county  in  August,  1893.  I" 
their  family  were  five  children,  namely :  Harry,  of  Clay  Center,  Nebraska ; 
Delia,  the  wife  of  L.  H.  Nutting,  of  Davenport,  Iowa;  Eugene,  who  passed  away 
in  March,  1887,  at  the  age  of  thirty-one  years,  leaving  a  widow  and  one  child; 
J.  W.,  of  Lebanon,  Kansas;  and  Amos  L.,  of  this  review. 

Spending  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  amid  the  scenes  and  environ- 
ment of  rural  life,  the  last  named  early  became  familiar  with  the  tasks  that 
usually  fall  to  the  lot  of  the  country  lad,  learning  the  best  methods  of  plowing, 
planting  and  harvesting.  Upon  attaining  his  majority  he  wisely  chose  as  his 
life  work  the  occupation  to  which  he  had  been  reared,  and  he  followed  farming 
in  his  native  township  until  1896,  in  the  spring  of  which  year  he  took  up  his 
abode  in  Bear  Creek  township,  on  a  farm  northeast  of  Malcom.  There  he 
carried  on  agricultural  pursuits  for  twelve  years,  during  which  time  his  success 
was  continuous  and  substantial.  He  was  an  extensive  stock-breeder,  making 
a  specialty  of  thoroughbred  hogs,  and  raised  as  high  as  six  hundred  head  of 
hogs  per  year.  This  branch  of  his  interests  proved  remunerative  and  he  became 
widely  known  throughout  this  and  adjoining  counties  as  a  raiser  of  high  grade 
stock.  Subsequently  the  degree  of  prosperity  which  he  had  attained  made  it 
possible  for  him  to  withdraw  from  the  arduous  work  of  the  farm  and  since 
February  17,  1908.  he  has  made  his  home  in  Malcom,  enjoying  in  well  earned 
rest  the  fruits  of  his  former  years  of  toil.  He  still  retains  the  ownership  of  his 
farm,  however,  and  in  connection  with  his  wife  owns  four  hundred  and  eighty- 
six  acres  of  well  improved  land,  the  rental  from  which  proves  a  gratifying 
source  of  revenue. 

In  1895  ^^^-  Falkinburg  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Emma  Francis,  a  na- 
tive of  Bear  Creek  township,  where  her  birth  occurred  on  the  19th  of  October. 
1872.     Her  parents  were  James  L.  and  Margaret   (Cochran)    Francis,  both   of 


722  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

whom  were  born  in  Adams  county,  Ohio,  the  former  on  the  13th  of  August, 
1826,  and  the  latter  on  the  26th  of  July,  1829.  Both  removed  to  Illinois  with 
their  parents  in  early  life,  and  in  La  Salle  county,  that  state,  were  united  in 
marriage.  In  February,  1867,  they  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  where 
their  home  was  maintained  throughout  their  remaining  years.  Mr.  Francis 
followed  the  occupation  of  tanner  in  early  life,  but  during  his  later  years  gave 
his  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits,  owning  at  one  time  the  farm  which  is  now 
the  property  of  our  subject.  He  was  killed  by  a  runaway  horse  while  on  a 
visit  to  California,  his  death  occurring  on  the  4th  of  April.  1903,  he  having  for 
a  number  of  years  survived  his  wife,  who  passed  away  in  Poweshiek  county 
January  19,  1894.  Their  family  numbered  nine  children,  as  follows:  John  W., 
of  \ictor;  Thomas  M.,  of  St.  Joseph,  Missouri;  Moses  C,  of  Bear  Creek  town- 
ship; Edward  D.,  deceased;  Mrs.  Dellah  M.  Coleman,  also  deceased;  Mrs. 
Keturah  E.  Tinker,  also  residing  in  Bear  Creek  township ;  Sam  S.,  of  Xewell ; 
Mrs.  Dora  A.  Roby,  of  Malcom  township;  and  Mrs.  Falkinburg. 

In  politics  Mr.  Falkinburg  is  identified  with  the  independent  movement  which 
refuses  to  be  bound  by  any  party  ties  or  governed  by  machine  rule,  and  since 
age  conferred  upon  him  the  right  of  franchise  he  has  never  voted  a  straight 
ticket,  casting  his  influence  ever  on  the  side  of  the  best  men  and  most  desirable 
measures.  He  is  now  serving  as  a  memljer  of  the  city  council  of  IMalcom  and  in 
this  capacity  is  laboring  earnestly  for  the  public  welfare,  being  actuated  at  all 
times  by  public-spirited  and  helpful  motives.  Fraternally  he  belongs  to  the 
Masonic  body,  being  identified  with  the  blue  lodge  and  the  Royal  .\rch  Masons, 
and  he  also  holds  membership  with  the  Knights  of  Pythias  and  also  the  Pythian 
Sisters.  Having  passed  his  entire  life  within  the  borders  of  Poweshiek  county, 
he  has  acquired  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  acquaintances,  and  that  many  who 
have  known  him  the  longest  are  numbered  among  his  stanchest  friends  is 
indicative  of  the  fact  that  his  life  has  ever  been  governed  by  honorable  and 
upright  principles. 


THOMAS  HARRIS. 


Among  the  pioneer  settlers  of  Poweshiek  county  none  occupied  a  more 
prominent  place  in  the  estimation  of  the  people  than  Thomas  Harris,  now  de- 
ceased. A  man  of  marked  business  ability  and  sterling  personal  worth  he  as- 
sisted materially  in  upbuilding  the  county  and  left  the  world  better  for  his 
having  lived  in  it. 

He  was  born  at  Barnstable,  Massachusetts,  October  14.  1832.  His  father 
was  Thomas  Plarris,  a  sea  captain,  and  after  the  son  reached  manhood  he  fol- 
lowed sea  life  for  several  years.  He  yielded  to  the  excitement  aroused  by  the 
California  gold  discovery  and  visited  the  Pacific  coast,  going  via  Cape  Horn. 
After  spending  two  years  in  the  gold  fields  he  returned  home  and  was  married 
and  in  1856  landed  in  Iowa  City,  Iowa,  and  for  almost  fifty  years  from  that 
time  was  a  citizen  of  this  state.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  he  came  on  foot 
to  what  was  then  known  as  Dresden,  in  Poweshiek  county,  and  later  bought  one 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  723 

liuiiclred  and  sixty  acres  of  land  in  Deep  River  township  on  which  he  estab- 
Hshed  his  home.  He  broke  the  prairie  with  the  aid  of  an  ox  team  and  disposed 
of  his  produce  in  the  early  days  at  the  nearest  market  point,  which  was  Iowa 
City.  He  was  a  man  of  industrious  habits  and  good  judgment  and  he  was  soon 
acknowledged  as  a  leader  in  the  community,  becoming  one  of  its  most  prosperous 
members.  In  1876,  while  still  living  on  his  farm,  he  and  his  brother  Charles 
entered  the  grain  and  lumber  business  as  T.  Harris  &  Company,  with  which 
he  was  prominently  identified  during  the  remainder  of  his  life,  also  being  ex- 
tensively interested  in  farms  and  ranches  in  various  parts  of  the  west.  From 
188 1  he  lived  in  Montezuma.  He  was  president  of  the  First  National  Bank  of 
Montezuma  and  in  all  the  relations  of  life  discharged  his  responsibilities  in  a 
manner  that  indicated  a  constant  desire  to  perform  his  duties  in  accordance 
with  the  principles  of  truth  and  justice. 

On  October  15,  1854,  Mr.  Harris  was  united  in  marriage  at  Hampden, 
Maine,  to  Miss  ^laria  S.  Mayo,  and  to  this  union  three  children  were  born : 
Samuel,  who  died  in  infancy;  N.  M.,  whose  record  appears  elsewhere  in  this 
work;  and  Sarah  E.,  who  became  the  wife  of  John  McDonald.  The  mother 
of  these  children  having  passed  away  March  2,  1867,  Mr.  Harris  was  again 
married  November  5,  1868,  to  Miss  Sarah  Dodds,  of  Washington.  Iowa.  Six 
children  were  born  of  this  union,  all  of  whom  are  now  living  except  Wilber. 
who  (lied   February  28,   1885. 

I'olitically  Mr.  Harris  was  identified  with  the  republican  party  and  for  many 
years  was  a  prominent  factor  in  its  local  councils.  He  served  in  various  town- 
ship offices  and  also  for  two  terms  as  county  supervisor.  In  1902  he  was  elected 
as  a  member  of  the  state  legislature  and  soon  acquired  a  high  standing  in  that 
body  as  a  man  of  ability  and  honor.  In  religious  belief  he  affiliated  with  the 
Methodist  church,  of  which  he  became  a  member  in  1857.  ^^  served  for  many 
years  as  trustee  of  the  church  and  was  always  a  liberal  contributor  toward  its 
support.     He  was  a  conscientious  and  consistent  follower  of  the  great   Master. 

.After  a  lingering  illness  from  cancer  of  the  stomach  Mr.  Harris  was  called 
from  earthly  scenes  October  5,  1904,  having  then  arrived  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
one  years,  eleven  months  and  twenty-one  days.  He  died  as  a  Christian,  with 
an  undimmed  faith  in  immortality,  one  of  his  last  expressions  being:  ".\11  is 
well  and  I  am  resigned  to  the  will  of  my  Father." 

A  newspaper  of  Poweshiek  county  in  commenting  upon  the  life  and  character 
of  .Mr.  Harris  said:  "Were  we  called  upon  to  pronounce  a  eulogy  upon  the  life 
and  character  of  Thomas  Harris  we  would  say  that  he  was  a  man  of  such  push, 
perseverance,  and  indomitable  will,  as  to  overcome  obstacles  and  to  remove  ol> 
structions  to  progress.  He  was  a  man  who  had  the  courage  to  sail  round  Cape 
Horn  nearly  one-half  a  century  before  the  Oregon  made  her  famous  trip.  He 
had  the  courage  to  dare  the  wilds  of  the  frontier  in  '56,  and  build  for  himself 
a  home  on  the  outposts  of  civilization.  He  conquered  the  prairie  sod  and  laid 
low  the  native  timber  from  which  the  joists  and  other  dimension  stuff  of  the  old 
portion  of  our  courthouse  was  constructed.  His  thrift  and  industry  was  seen  in 
everything  he  touched.  In  his  maturer  years,  having  conquered  want  and  won 
a  competency,  he  became  interested  in  various  industries.  He  was  a  man  of 
quick  perception  and  clear  discernment  and  his  interests  broadened  until  he  was 


724  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

doing  a  large  and  diversified  volume  of  business.  His  elevators  in  Iowa  and 
Nebraska  were  busy.  His  stock  ranches  in  Nebraska,  Kansas  and  Texas  were 
carefully  managed  and  yielded  him  rich  returns.  His  lumber  business  in  Mon- 
tezuma and  elsewhere  was  safely  handled,  while  his  large  banking  interests  were 
well  looked  after.  With  all  these  cares,  he  was  ever  a  willing  and  attentive 
listener  when  the  most  humble  of  his  friends  had  anything  to  say.  He  was  an 
ardent  Methodist,  a  trustee  for  years,  a  liberal  giver,  but  never  a  complainer. 
His  daily  walk  and  conversation  stamped  him  as  a  man.  At  the  time  of  his 
death  he  was  a  member  of  the  thirtieth  general  assembly  and  always  represented 
the  better  element  in  society.  He  was  a  standing  exponent  of  reform.  Well  has 
he  done  his  life  work,  and  well  for  us  if  we  follow  his  example.  Space  forbids 
us  to  say  more  and  we  could  not  have  said  less,  concerning  this  public  man  "who 
lived  above  the  fog  in  public  duty  and  in  private  thinking.'  " 


GEORGE  W.  BINEGAR. 

Poweshiek  county  has  been  signally  favored  in  the  class  of  men  who  have 
filled  her  public  offices,  for  on  the  whole  they  are  those  to  whom  the  word  citi- 
zenship is  no  mere  idle  term.  They  have  been  faithful  to  the  duties  and  obliga- 
tions devolving  upon  them  and  of  this  class  George  W.  Binegar  is  a  representa- 
tive, faithfully  and  fearlessly  discharging  the  duties  of  the  office  of  sheriff'. 

He  was  born  in  Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  June  20,  1844,  and  is  a  son  of  James 
and  Elizabeth  (Farmer)  Binegar,  both  of  whom  were  natives  of  Ohio,  where 
they  resided  until  they  came  to  Iowa  in  1849,  driving  across  the  country  in 
wagons  drawn  by  three  teams.  They  settled  at  Forest  Home,  Union  township, 
Poweshiek  county,  where  the  father  entered  land,  but  died  of  fever  here  in  the 
first  summer  after  his  arrival,  and  one  of  the  sons  of  the  family  passed  away 
about  the  same  time.  The  mother  long  survived  and  departed  this  life  in  Scott 
township  in  1895,  when  eighty-five  years  of  age.  They  were  the  parents  of 
eleven  children,  of  whom  seven  reached  adult  age,  while  four  are  yet  living. 

George  W.  Binegar  may  well  be  numbered  among  the  pioneers  of  Powe- 
shiek county,  for  he  has  resided  within  its  borders  continuously  since  1849,  or 
for  sixty-two  years.  In  the  early  days  he  shared  with  the  family  in  all  of  the 
hardships  and  privations  \^hich  come  to  those  who  establish  homes  on  the  fron- 
tier. He  aided  in  the  arduous  task  of  developing  and  cultivating  new  land  and 
continued  to  follow  farming  until  September,  1861,  when,  in  response  to  the 
country's  call  for  troops,  he  joined  Company  I,  of  the  Thirteenth  Iowa  Volun- 
teer Infantry.  After  serving  for  a  year  he  was  honorably  discharged  but  enlisted 
again  in  l-'ebruary,  1863,  when  he  became  a  member  of  Company  C,  Twenty- 
eighth  Iowa  Volunteer  Infantry,  continuing  with  that  regiment  until  October 
19,  1864,  when  he  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  Virginia,  a 
minie  ball  piercing  his  left  shoulder.  Two  or  three  months  later  he  was  sent 
home.  He  had  participated  in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Cedar  Creek,  Winchester, 
Fisher's  Hill  and  the  Red  River  campaign,  besides  others  of  minor  importance. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  725 

When  the  war  was  over  Mr.  Binegar  resumed  active  connection  with  farm- 
ing interests  and  made  his  home  most  of  the  time  in  Sugar  Creek  township  until 
his  removal  to  Scott  township.  There  he  followed  farming  for  six  years,  after 
which  he  came  to  Montezuma,  following  his  election  to  the  office  of  sheriff  in 
1897.  He  filled  the  position  for  nine  years,  including  four  regular  terms  and  one 
extra  year,  owing  to  a  change  in  the  law.  He  also  served  for  four  years  as 
deputy  under  his  son,  George  Edward  Binegar,  whose  second  term  expired  on 
the  1st  of  January,  191 1.  The  father  has  filled  other  offices,  including  that  of 
constable  and  township  trustee.  His  political  allegiance  has  always  been  given 
to  the  republican  party  and  he  has  served  as  one  of  its  local  committeemen. 

In  1865  Mr.  Binegar  was  married  to  Miss  Hulda  Sheley,  who  was  born  in 
Guernsey  county,  Ohio,  in  1850,  and  when  but  a  few  years  old  came  to  Iowa 
with  her  parents,  Samuel  and  Margaret  (Cessler)  Sheley,  who  were  natives  of 
the  Buckeye  state  and  became  early  residents  of  Poweshiek  county,  where  they 
continued  to  reside  until  called  to  their  final  rest.  Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Binegar 
were  born  eleven  children:  Charles  Irwin,  now  living  in  Montezuma;  Jennie, 
the  wife  of  Frank  Dunlap,  of  Knoxville,  Iowa ;  Maggie,  who  died  at  the  age  of 
sixteen  years ;  George  Edward,  who  was  sheriiT  of  the  county ;  James,  who  died 
at  the  age  of  twenty-six  years ;  Russia,  the  wife  of  Jacob  Xeely.  of  Des  Moines ; 
Louise,  the  wife  of  Joseph  Adams,  of  Oskaloosa,  Iowa;  Viola,  of  Minneapolis; 
Matthew,  a  resident  of  Des  Moines ;  Eva,  who  also  makes  her  home  in  Min- 
neapolis ;  and  Addie  Gertrude,  who  died  at  the  age  of  fourteen  months. 

The  parents  are  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  which  faith 
they  reared  their  family,  and  Mr.  Binegar  belongs  to  the  Grand  .Army  of  the 
Republic.  He  has  made  a  creditable  record  in  business  and  in  office  and  is  as 
true  and  loyal  to  his  country  today  as  when  he  followed  the  nation's  starry 
banner  upon   the  battlefields  of  the   south. 


ALEXANDER   McBLAIN. 

From  the  beautiful  hills  and  vales  of  Scotland  have  come  many  of  the  most 
respected  citizens  of  Iowa  and  in  this  number  should  be  named  .Alexander  Mc- 
Blain,  who  established  his  home  in  Grinnell  thirty  years  ago.  Ever  since  his  ar- 
rival in  Iowa  he  has  been  closely  identified  with  the  advancement  of  the  inter- 
ests of  the  state  and  he  is  now  serving  with  general  acceptance  as  a  member  of 
the  city  council.  He  was  born  December  17,  1838,  and  is  the  son  of  David  and 
Mary  McBlain,  both  of  whom  passed  their  entire  lives  in  Scotland. 

-Alexander  McBlain  received  his  education  in  the  common  schools  of  his 
native  land  and  at  the  age  of  thirteen  years  and  six  months  was  apprenticed  to 
the  carpenter  and  joiner's  trade.  He  completed  his  apprenticeship  in  four  years 
and  then  began  working  as  a  journeyman.  In  1881,  believing  that  more  favor- 
able opportunities  were  presented  in  America,  he  came  to  the  United  States  and 
located  at  Grinnell,  Iowa,  where  he  followed  his  trade  for  nearly  ten  vears. 
About  1890  he  turned  his  attention  to  vegetable  and  fruit-raising,  but  having 
acquired  a  competency,  has  not  been  active  in  business  for  the  past  five  years. 


726  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

In  March,  1859,  Mr.  McBlain  was  united  in  marriage  in  Scotland  to  Miss 
Elizabeth  Murphy,  who  was  born  in  Ireland  but  removed  to  Scotland  with  her 
mother  during  the  '50s.  Twelve  children  came  to  bless  the  union  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  McBlain,  nine  of  whom  are  now  living,  namely :  Hugh,  who  makes  his 
home  in  Scotland ;  David,  now  an  engineer  in  the  waterworks  at  Grinnell ;  Mary, 
who  married  Herman  Heesch,  of  Davenport,  Iowa;  Elizabeth,  the  wife  of  Cor- 
nelius Powell,  of  Grinnell;  Alexander,  Jr.,  who  is  now  a  minister  of  the  Meth- 
odist Episcopal  church  at  Birmingham,  Iowa;  Nellie,  the  wife  of  George  Moss, 
of  Young,  Saskatchewan,  Canada ;  Agnes,  who  married  Robert  Bass,  of  Ute, 
Iowa;  Jean,  now  the  wife  of  Joseph  Punnell,  of  Madison,  Wisconsin;  and  John, 
of  Grinnell. 

Mr.  McBlain  has  reached  the  seventy-second  milestone  on  life's  journey  and 
looks  back  on  many  years  of  activity  and  usefulness.  He  and  his  estimable  wife 
have  reared  a  large  and  interesting  family  and  they  are  valued  members  of  the 
community.  Politically  he  gives  his  support  to  the  republican  party  but  is  liberal 
in  his  views,  often  voting  for  the  man  irrespective  of  party  lines.  In  the  spring 
of  1909  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  city  council  and  now  occupies  that  posi- 
tion. In  public  and  private  affairs  he  has  shown  a  capacity  and  a  fidelity  to  a 
sense  of  duty  which  are  the  characteristics  of  a  high-minded  gentleman.  He  is 
greatly  respected,  not  only  by  his  associates,  but  by  all  with,  whom  he  comes 
into  contact. 


JOSEPH  BABB. 


foseph  Babb,  who  passed  away  in  Montezuma  on  the  8th  of  January,  1910. 
had  there  lived  in  honorable  retirement  for  a  number  of  years  prior  to  his 
demise,  having  accumulated  a  handsome  competence  as  an  agriculturist.  His 
birth  occurred  in  St.  Clairsville,  Ohio,  on  the  9th  of  November,  1826,  his 
parents  being  Jacob  and  Ann  (Rogers)  Babb.  who  were  natives  of  Virginia  and 
Maryland  respectively.  The  father,  who  was  an  agriculturist  by  occupation, 
came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  about  1870,  locating  on  a  farm  in  Deep  River, 
where  he  s]ient  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  gave  his  political  allegiance  to  the 
rcpiihlican  jiarty  and  was  a  Baptist  in  religious  faith.  Unto  him  and  his  wife 
were  horn  ten  children,  of  whom  our  subject  was  the  third  in  order  of  birth. 

[oseph  I'.abb  obtained  his  education  in  the  schools  of  Ohio  and  Illinois  and 
worked  with  his  father  until  he  became  of  age.  On  attaining  his  majority  he 
went  to  California,  where  he  spent  fifteen  months  as  a  gold  miner.  Subse- 
quently he  located  on  a  farm  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  but  after  disposing  of 
the  property  removed  to  Henry  county,  that  state,  wiiere  he  remained  for  three 
years.  On  the  expiration  of  that  period  he  removed  to  Xorthfield,  Minnesota, 
where  he  made  his  home  for  ten  years  before  returning  to  Henry  County,  Illi- 
nois, in  Jime,  1866.  In  i86g  he  came  to  Montezuma,  Iowa,  purchasing  and  locat- 
ing on  a  farm  of  four  hundred  acres  in  Jackson  township,  Poweshiek  county, 
in  the  cultivation  of  which  he  was  actively  and  successfully  engaged  for  twenty 
years.     He  then  put  aside  the  active  work  of  the  fields  and  took  up  his  abode 


MR.    AXn    MKS.    JOSKI'II    HAP.B 


THc:  NL 

puuliclib: 


ASTOR,  LENOX   - 
TILOEN  FOUNO*TiON4. 


lllSTOin'  OI"   I'OWESIIIEK  L■()l•^■T^■  7-2\\ 

in  Alontezunia,  where  he  lived  retired  until  called  to  his  linal  rest  on  the  8th 
of  January,  1910.  At  the  time  of  the  Civil  war  he  joined  the  army  in  defense 
of  the  Union,  enlisting  in  the  Fourth  Minnesota  X'olunteer  Infantry,  but  at 
the  end  of  ten  months  was  honorably  discharged  at  the  close  of  the  war.  Sub- 
sequently he  became  identified  with  the  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  at 
Montezuma. 

On  the  i6th  of  June.  US53,  Mr.  Cabb  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
N'ancy  Jane  Marple.  a  daughter  of  Franklin  and  Jane  (Ayers)  Marple,  of 
I'eoria,  Illinois,  who  were  natives  of  Virginia  and  Ohio  respectively.  Franklin 
Marple  removed  westward  to  Illinois,  where  he  was  married  and  followed 
farming  as  a  means  of  livelihood.  His  demise  occurred  in  Minnesota  in  1873, 
while  his  wife  passed  away  in  Illinois  in  1844.  Air.  JMarple  gave  his  political 
allegiance  to  the  republican  party  and  both  he  and  his  wife  were  devoted  and 
consistent  members  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church.  Their  children  were 
seven  in  number,  as  follows :  Richard,  Ezekiel  and  Mary,  all  of  whom  are 
deceased;  Mrs.  Babb,  who  was  born  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  on  the  29th 
of  May,  1835  ;  Abigail,  who  is  the  widow  of  Samuel  Madison  and  resides  in 
Xorthfield,  Minnesota;  Sarah,  who  is  the  widow  of  a  Mr.  Tripp  and  makes 
her  home  in   St.  Paul,  Minnesota:  and  Caroline,   who  is  deceased. 

L'nto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Llabb  were  born  eight  children,  namely:  Milford,  who 
is  a  resident  of  Jackson  township,  Poweshiek  county ;- Mary,  the  wife  of  Samuel 
lacobs.  of  Galesburg,  Illinois;  XVjIIis^"  wrio  .has,  passed  away;  George,  living 
in  [ackson  township;  Harvey,  of  SKahnin  City,  Towa ;  Fred,  who  is  deceased; 
Delia,  the  wife  of  Alva  Ellison'  and  Cynthia,  the  wife  of  Fred  C.  Liideman. 
of  Chicago,  Illinois.  Joseph  Babb  xyas.a"^ .stanch  republican  in  politics,  while  his 
religious  faith  was  indicated  by  his  membersl-rip  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
church.  He  was  upright  and  honorable  in  all  the  relations  of  life  and  when 
he  passed  away  the  comniunitv  mourned  the  loss  of  one  of  its  most  substantial 
and  esteemed  citizens. 


CHARLES  E.  SOWERWTXE. 

Charles  E.  Sowerwine  is  a  wide-awake  and  enterprising  agriculturist,  own- 
ing and  operating  a  tract  of  land  of  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  section 
II,  Warren  township,  constituting  one  of  the  best  improved  farms  in  the  town- 
•~hip.  His  birth  occurred  on  a  farm  three  and  a  half  miles  north  of  Brooklyn, 
in  Bear  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  on  the  i8th  of  November,  1868,  his 
I)arents  being  John  and  Fannie  (Searle)  Sowerwine.  both  of  whom  were  of  Ger- 
man descent.  Christian  Sowerwine,  the  paternal  grandfather,  served  in  the 
Continental  army  during  the  Revolutionary  war. 

John  Sowerwine.  the  father  of  our  subject,  was  born  in  \'irginia  and  learned 
the  trade  of  a  blacksmith  and  wagon  maker.  In  the  spring  of  1846  he  came  west, 
locating  in  Bear  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  two  miles  northeast 
of  Brooklyn,  where  his  father.  Christian  Sowerwine,  purchased  two  hundrefl 
acres  of  land.    John  Sowerwine  resided  on  that  farm  until   1850.  when  he  went 


730  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

to  California,  remaining  in  that  state  for  eight  years.  On  the  expiration  of  that 
period  he  returned  to  Iowa  and  purchased  a  farm  of  one  hundred  and  sixty 
acres  in  Bear  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  making  his  home  thereon  until 
the  spring  of  1888.  At  that  time  he  took  up  his  abode  in  Grinnell,  where  he 
worked  as  a  blacksmith  and  wagon  maker  for  three  years  and  then  removed  to 
Brooklyn,  Iowa.  In  1903  he  left  that  town  and  went  to  Xewton,  Iowa,  where 
he  has  resided  continuously  since.  His  wife  passed  away  in  1871,  her  demise  oc- 
curring on  the  farm  north  of  Brooklyn.  John  Sowerwine  worked  at  his  trade 
until  1907  but  has  enjoyed  honorable  retirement  for  the  past  four  years.  At  the 
time  of  the  Civil  war,  with  five  of  his  brothers,  he  offered  his  services  to  the 
Union.  Four  of  them  were  accepted  and  enlisted  but  John  Sowerwine  proved 
disqualified  because  of  a  crippled  arm.  Nevertheless  he  served  as  a  guard  in 
the  San  Francisco  harbor  during  the  period  of  hostilities. 

Charles  E.  Sowerwine  spent  the  first  seventeen  years  of  his  life  under  the 
parental  roof,  working  for  his  father.  Subsequently  he  was  employed  by  the 
month  as  a  farm  hand  for  three  years.  In  the  acquirement  of  an  education  he 
had  attended  the  district  school  and  also  studied  for  one  year  in  the  academy  at 
Grinnell.  Iowa,  .\fter  attaining  his  majority  he  devoted  his  attention  to  the 
operation  of  a  rented  farm  in  Madison  township  for  three  years  and  also  cul- 
tivated some  land  which  had  come  into  his  possession  as  a  part  of  his  grand- 
father's estate.  In  1892  he  was  married  and  sold  his  interest  in  the  home  farm, 
cultivating  rented  land  in  Warren  township  for  the  following  three  years.  On 
the  expiration  of  that  period  he  bought  a  tract  of  eighty  acres  in  Warren  town- 
ship, carrying  on  his  agricultural  interests  thereon  until  1902,  when  he  disposed 
of  the  property  and  purchased  his  present  farm  of  two  hundred  and  forty  acres. 
In  1909  he  extended  its  boundaries  by  an  additional  purchase  of  eighty  acres, 
now  owning  a  highly  improved  and  valuable  farm  of  three  hundred  and  twenty 
acres  on  section  11,  Warren  township.  In  addition  to  raising  the  cereals  best 
adapted  to  soil  and  climate  he  feeds  cattle,  hogs,  sheep  and  horses  on  an  exten- 
sive scale,  having  a  fine  herd  of  registered  .\ngus  cattle  and  also  a  number  of 
recorded  Jersey  Red  hogs.  He  ships  his  stock  to  the  Chicago  market.  His 
undertakings  as  an  agriculturist  have  been  attended  with  a  gratifying  measure 
of  success  and  he  well  merits  recognition  among  the  substantial  and  representa- 
tive citizens  of  the  community. 

On  the  2d  of  December,  1892,  Mr.  Sowerwine  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Ellen  Grant,  a  daughter  of  Henry  and  Ellen  ( .A.gerty )  Grant.  The  father. 
a  farmer  by  occupation,  was  born  and  reared  in  Scotland  and  emigrated  to 
America  in  1849,  locating  at  Buffalo,  New  York.  The  mother,  a  native  of  Ire- 
land, crossed  the  Atlantic  to  the  United  States  in  1844.  In  September,  1854, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Grant  came  to  Iowa,  locating  one  mile  north  of  \'ictor,  in  Iowa 
countv.  They  made  the  journey  from  Davenport  to  Koszta,  Iowa  county,  on  the 
same  stage  which  carried  J.  B.  Grinnell,  who  was  at  that  time  laying  out  the  col- 
lege grounds  at  Grinnell.  Iowa,  and  who  tried  to  induce  them  to  locate  in  Grin- 
nell instead  of  in  Iowa  county.  In  the  year  i860  they  took  up  their  abode  near 
Carnforth,  in  Warren  township,  Poweshiek  county,  while  subsequently  they  re- 
moved to  the  old  homestead  on  section  15,  Warren  township,  where  Mr.  Grant 
resided  until  called  to  his  final  rest  on  the  3d  of  May,   1899.     His  widow  then 


HISTORY  OI-   POWESHIEK  COUNTY  731 

tuok  up  her  abode  in  Victor,  Iowa,  wliere  she  passed  away  on  the  4th  of  August, 
1909. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sowerwine  have  three  children,  namely:  John,  Grace  and 
.Mary,  all  at  home.  The  two  last  named  attend  district  school  Xo.  6  in  Warren 
township.  Mr.  Sowerwine  gives  his  political  allegiance  to  the  republican  party 
and  served  for  ten  years  as  a  member  of  the  school  boards  of  districts  i  and  6 
in  Warren  township.  At  the  present  time  he  is  a  member  of  the  board  of  dis- 
trict No.  6.  His  religious  faith  is  indicated  by  his  membership  in  the  Congre- 
gational church  at  Hartwick,  Iowa,  to  which  his  wife  also  belongs.  Fraternally 
he  is  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Modern 
Woodmen  of  America  at  Victor.  He  has  resided  within  the  borders  of  Powe- 
shiek county  from  his  birth  to  the  present  time  and  the  record  of  his  life  cannot 
fail  to  be  of  interest  to  many  of  our  readers. 


NATHANIEL  CATHERMAN. 

Among  Poweshiek  county's  self-made  men  who  deserve  much  credit  for  what 
they  have  accomplished  is  numbered  Nathaniel  Catherman,  a  retired  farmer  now 
making  his  home  in  Brooklyn.  A  native  of  Pennsylvania,  his  birth  occurred  in 
L'nion  county  on  the  27th  of  April.  1839,  h's  parents  being  William  and  Chris- 
tina (Heise)  Catherman.  The  father  was  descended  from  English  ancestry 
and  was  a  laborer  by  occupation,  and  also  engaged  to  a  limited  extent  in  gar- 
dening, being  the  owner  of  a  few  acres  of  land.  The  mother  was  of  German 
lineage  and  was  a  daughter  of  Martin  Heise,  who  passed  away  when  he  was  one 
hundred  and  seven  years  old.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Catherman  were  na- 
tives of  the  Keystone  state  and  there  spent  their  entire  lives.  In  their  family 
were  ten  children,  five  sons  and  five  daughters. 

Nathaniel  Catherman.  of  this  review,  who  was  the  fifth  in  order  of  birth, 
remained  with  his  parents  until  seventeen  years  of  age,  and  then  began  working 
in  the  pine  woods  of  Clearfield  county,  in  which  connection  he  was  engaged  at 
the  time  of  the  Civil  war.  Putting  aside  all  personal  interests  he  enlisted  in  the 
Union  army  in  1865,  becoming  a  member  of  the  Twenty-ninth  Pennsylvania 
Infantry,  and  with  that  command  served  for  more  than  six  months.  He  was 
then  taken  sick  and  was  sent  to  Carver  Hospital  at  Washington,  D.   C. 

.At  the  close  of  hostilities  he  was  sent  home  but  did  not  recover  rapidl}-,  and 
during  a  long  period  of  convalescence  was  not  able  to  resume  his  work  in  the 
lumber  regions.  Finally,  in  1871,  when  again  permitted  to  join  the  ranks  of 
the  laboring  men,  he  came  to  Iowa  and  on  the  ist  of  June  of  that  year  arrived 
in  Brooklyn.  He  purchased  a  farm  eight  miles  north  of  the  town,  in  Madison 
township,  upon  which  he  at  once  took  up  his  abode,  and  for  more  than  thirtv 
years  thereafter  gave  to  the  cultivation  of  that  property  his  undivided  atten- 
tion. The  methods  which  he  pursued  were  practical  and  resultant  and  during 
the  intervening  years  his  land  was  brought  under  a  high  state  of  development, 
making  it  one  of  the  valuable  and  well  improved   farms  in  that  township. 


732  HISTORY  OF  i'OWESHIEK  COL'XTY 

In  1902,  feeling  that  the  degree  of  prosperity  which  had  come  to  him  would 
permit  of  such  a  course,  he  withdrew  from  active  work  and  came  to  Brooklyn, 
where  he  is  now  living  in  well  earned  retirement.  He  retains  possession  of  his 
farm,  however,  which  consists  of  a  quarter  section  of  land,  and  is  the  source 
of  a  gratifying   annual   income. 

In  the  year  1866  Mr.  Catherman  laid  the  foundation  for  a  happy  home  life 
by  his  marriage  to  Miss  Sophia  Smith,  a  native  of  Fairfield  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, where  she  was  born  on  the  25th  of  November,  1844.  Her  parents,  George 
and  Minerva  (Graham)  Smith,  were  lifelong  residents  of  that  state.  Unto  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Catherman  have  been  born  five  children,  as  follows :  Hiram  Addison, 
who  resides  in  North  Dakota  and  has  five  children;  Emily  Cordelia,  the  wife  of 
Albert  Lawrence,  of  Madison  township,  by  whom  she  has  one  child ;  Mary  El- 
mira,  who  married  William  Coolidge,  of  Tama  county,  and  who  is  the  mother 
of  three  children:  Joanna,  the  wife  of  Charles  McGrew,  of  Tama  county,  and 
the  mother  of  three  children ;  and  Nora  Blanche,  who  wedded  George  Secoy, 
of  Sidney,  Ohio.     There  are  twelve  grandchildren  in  the  family. 

Politically  Mr.  Catherman  is  a  republican,  having  cast  his  first  vote  for  J.^in- 
coln  in  i860.  Since  that  time  he  has  supported  that  party  in  all  presidential  elec- 
tions. For  forty  years  he  has  been  a  resident  of  Poweshiek  county  and  during 
that  time  has  gained  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  has  had 
dealings.  Few  men  start  out  in  life  under  more  inauspicious  circumstances 
than  did  Mr.  Catherman,  and  he  therefore  has  every  reason  to  be  proud  of  the 
position  of  financial  independence  which  he  has  attained.  Without  any  educa- 
tional advantages  whatever,  for  he  was  deprived  even  of  the  opportunity  of 
learning  to  read  and  write,  he  has  nevertheless  utilized  such  opportunities  as 
have  come  to  him  for  advancement,  and  that  his  efforts  were  not  without  their 
reward  is  indicated  by  the  degree  of  prosperity  which  is  today  his. 


JAMES  WAYNE  COPELAND. 

Agricultural  pursuits  have  always  engaged  the  attention  of  James  Wayne 
Copeland,  who  has  a  fine  homestead  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  and  a 
half  acres  in  Sugar  Creek  township.  He  was  born  in  Henry  county,  Indiana, 
on  the  19th  of  November,  1858,  and  is  a  son  of  William  and  Jane  (Rose)  Cope- 
land,  the  father  a  native  of  North  Carolina  and  the  mother  of  Henry  county, 
Indiana.  When  a  lad  Mr.  Copeland  migrated  to  Henry  county,  Indiana,  from 
his  native  state  with  his  father,  Isam  Copeland,  and  there  pursued  his  education. 
For  his  vocation  he  chose  farming  which  he  followed  in  Indiana  until  1864 
when  with  his  wife  and  family  he  came  to  Iowa.  He  purchased  a  farm  in 
Sugar  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  which  he  cultivated  for  about  twenty 
years  and  then  removed  to  Union  township  where  he  resided  for  seven  years. 
Disposing  of  his  interests  he  and  his  wife  went  to  Lynnville,  Jasper  county, 
where  they  are  now  living  retired.  He  votes  with  the  republican  party  and 
the  church  affiliation  of  himself  and  wife  is  with  the  Society  of  Friends.     Unto 


HISTORY  OF  I'OWESIIIEK  COUNTY  733 

them  were  born  three  children:  James  Wayne;  Oscar  P.,  who  is  Hving  in  Des 
Moines,  Iowa;  and  Ruth  Emma,  the  wife  of  Alvin  James,  of  Lynnville,  Iowa. 

After  the  completion  of  the  common  school  course  of  Poweshiek  county 
James  Wayne  Copeland  attended  the  Lynnville  Academy  for  a  few  terms.  His 
vacations  and  such  times  as  he  was  not  engaged  in  school  work  were  very  largely 
given  to  assisting  with  the  duties  of  the  homestead.  After  laying  aside  his  books 
he  gave  his  entire  time  and  attention  to  agricultural  pursuits  under  the  direction 
of  his  father  until  he  was  twenty-two.  He  then  left  the  parental  roof  in  order 
to  begin  working  for  himself.  Three  years  thereafter  he  rented  some  land  in 
Sugar  Creek  township  which  lie  cultivated  for  two  years.  In  1894  he  purchased 
his  present  farm  upon  which  he  has  wrought  many  improvements  during  the 
period  of  his  occui)ancy.  In  connection  with  the  tilling  of  his  fields  he  also 
raises  stock,  making  a  specialty  of  Duroc  Jersey  hogs  and  graded  shorthorn 
cattle. 

On  the  loth  of  February,  1884,  was  celebrated  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Cope- 
land  and  Miss  Clara  Jane  McCalla.  a  daughter  of  Josiah  and  Mary  (Watkins) 
McCalla,  of  Union  township.  The  parents  were  both  natives  of  Ohio,  the 
mother  having  been  born  in  the  vicinity  of  Jamestown.  In  the  early  years  of 
their  married  life  .they  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  settling  in  Union  township 
before  the  war.  The  father  enlisted  as  a  private  during  the  Civil  war  and  was 
killed  in  battle.  The  mother  passed  away  in  Union  township  on  the  9th  of  Mav. 
1888.  Mr.  McCalla  was  a  republican  in  politics  and  both  he  and  his  wife  held 
membership  in  the  Christian  church.  Two  children  were  born  of  their  union  : 
James,  who  is  a  resident  of  Sugar  Creek  township ;  and  Clara  Jane,  now  Mrs. 
Copeland,  who  was  born  in  Union  township  on  the  13th  of  November.  1861. 

Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Copeland  are  identified  with  the  Society  of  Friends,  and 
he  votes  with  the  republicans.  He  is  one  of  the  widely  known  citizens  of  the 
township  and  by  his  honorable  business  transactions  well  merits  the  esteem  and 
confidence  reposed  in  him  by  his  acquaintances. 


ANDREW  C.  RINEFORT. 

The  name  of  Rinefort  has  been  well  known  in  Poweshiek  county  for  more 
than  forty  years  and  Andrew  C.  Rinefort  is  one  of  the  energetic  and  progressive 
members  of  the  family.  He  was  born  on  the  homestead  in  Chester  township, 
this  county,  November  7,  1871.  a  son  of  Christian  and  Lucinda  (Stromer)  Rine- 
fort, the  former  of  whom  was  born  near  Frankfort-on-the-Main,  Germany,  and 
the  latter  at  Amsterdam.  Holland.  The  father  and  mother  both  came  to  this 
country  with  their  parents,  the  Rinefort  family  settling  on  a  farm  in  Indiana 
near  the  Michigan  line,  while  the  Stromer  family  stopped  for  a  while  in  New 
York  city,  later  removing  to  Alichigan  City,  Indiana.  Christian  Rinefort  after 
reaching  manhood  came  to  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa,  and  purchased  two  hun- 
dred acres  of  land  in  Chester  township,  his  brother.  Andrew  E.  Rinefort.  com- 
ing with  him  and  buying  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  in  the  same  township.  In 
1869  the  former  brought  his  bride  to  this  county  and  settled  upon  the  farm,  and, 


734  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

as  the  years  passed,  he  became  one  of  the  most  prominent  men  in  this  section. 
When  he  first  arrived  in  Poweshiek  county  his  sole  possessions  consisted  of 
three  hundred  dollars  and  a  team  of  horses.  He  became  the  owner,  through 
his  industry  and  good  manageinent,  of  five  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land 
in  Poweshiek  and  Jasper  counties. 

Fraternally  Mr.  Rinefort  was  identified  with  the  Masonic  order.  He  was  a 
man  of  warm  heart  and  genial  disposition  and  had  a  kindly  greeting  for  every- 
body. His  death  occurred  in  1882,  the  result  of  injuries  sustained  from  being 
thrown  from  a  mowing  machine.  The  mother  removed  to  Grinnell  in  1883  and 
passed  from  earthly  scenes  in  August,  1904.  There  were  three  children  in  the 
family  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rinefort:  Andrew  C,  the  subject  of  this  review;  Fred- 
erick L..  who  is  an  electrician  and  lives  in  Grinnell;  and  Louis  H.,  who  is  en- 
gaged in  the  clothing  business  at  Grinnell.  All  the  farm  lands  and  real  estate 
owned  by  the  father  are  now  owned  jointly  by  the  three  sons. 

Andrew  C.  Rinefort  was  reared  under  the  parental  roof  and  acquired  his 
education  in  the  district  schools  and  the  Grinnell  high  school.  At  the  age  of 
seventeen  he  began  as  a  clerk  in  the  employ  of  the  Adams  China  Company  at 
Grinnell,  and  later  was  with  the  Grinnell  Mercantile  Company  for  about  a  year, 
when  he  resigned  to  pursue  a  course  in  the  Elliott  Business  College  at  Burling- 
ton, Iowa.  After  completing  a  course  at  the  college  he  returned  to  Grinnell  and 
became  identified  with  F.  O.  Proctor,  the  leading  grocer  of  the  city.  About 
three  years  later,  on  account  of  the  failing  health  of  Mr.  Proctor,  Mr.  Rine- 
fort was  given  the  complete  management  of  the  business,  which  he  conducted 
with  most  gratifying  results.  In  igoo  he  resigned  and  purchased  a  half  interest 
in  the  hardware  business  of  I.  S.  Bailey  Jr.,  the  title  of  the  firm  becoming 
Bailey  6t  Rinefort.  In  connection  with  their  hardware  business  they  estab- 
lished a  grocery  and  the  two  were  handled  conjointly.  In  1905  Mr.  Rinefort 
purchased  the  interest  of  his  partner  and  conducted  the  business  independently 
until  the  spring  of  1908  when  he  sold  out.  On  February  I,  1909.  the  firm  of 
Rinefort  &  Wesco  was  organizetl  and  purchased  the  grocery  business  of  Holmes 
&  Gove.  Mr.  Rinefort  continued  with  the  new  concern  until  February  i,  191 1, 
when  he  sold  out  his  interest  to  W.  S.  Roby,  and  since  then  he  has  not  been  ac- 
tively connected  with  any  commercial  enterprise. 

On  the  18th  day  of  February,  1900,  Mr.  Rinefort  was  united  in  marriage  to 
Miss  Daisy  McAttee,  of  Bloomfield,  Iowa,  a  daughter  of  Robert  and  Jennie 
C.  (Baird)  McAttee.  The  father  was  a  prominent  citizen  of  Davis  county, 
Iowa,  and  served  as  county  auditor  and  in  other  offices  of  responsibility.  Two 
children  have  blessed  the  union  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rinefort:  Foster  Christian 
and   Helen  Catherine. 

Mr.  Rinefort  and  his  wife  are  both  members  of  the  Congregational  church 
and  sincere  believers  in  its  teachuigs.  Politically  he  gives  his  adherence  to  the 
republican  party  and  although  he  has  frequently  been  urged  to  do  so  he  has 
never  consented  to  become  a  candidate  for  public  office,  preferring  to  give  his 
entire  attention  to  his  business  affairs.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Grin- 
nell Lodge,  No.  175,  K.  P.  He  is  a  valued  member  of  the  Commercial  Club 
of  Grinnell  and  is  always  among  the  foremost  in  any  movement  tending  to  pro- 
mote the  advancement  of  the  city's  welfare.     A  resident  of  the  county  during 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  735 

his  entire  life  he  is  intimately  identified  with  its  interests  and  is  known  as  one 
of  the  intelligent  and  wide-awake  men  of  the  community — a  man  of  hroad  and 
comprehensive  views,  who  lives  not  entirely  for  the  present  but  recognizes  in 
his  life  and  work  the  claims  of  the  future. 


WILLIAM  B.  CRAWFORD. 

The  lifetime  of  William  ]].  Crawford  covered  the  Psalmist's  allotted  span  of 
three  score  years  and  ten,  and  during  that  period  he  made  wise  use  of  his  time 
and  efl^orts,  being  numbered  among  Poweshiek  county's  substantial  and  respected 
citizens.  He  was  born  in  Ohio,  near  Gallion.  Morrow  county,  on  the  22d  of 
February.  1834.  and  his  death  occurred  in  Brooklyn,  Iowa,  May  24,  1905.  His 
parents.  John  and  Margaret  (Braden)  Crawford,  were  also  natives  of  Ohio, 
and  there  passed  their  entire  lives  on  the  old  farm  in  Morrow  county.  Their 
family  consisted  of  six  children,  of  whom  the  subject  of  this  review  was  the 
second  in  order  of  birth. 

William  B.  Crawford  spent  the  period  of  his  boyhood  and  youth  in  Ohio  and 
there  acquired  his  education.  He  remained  upon  the  old  home  farm  until 
twenty-five  years  of  age.  and  then,  aroused  by  the  spirit  of  adventure,  went  to 
Colorado  at  the  time  of  the  gold  excitement  at  Pike's  Peak,  remaining  in  that 
region  for  about  a  year.  He  then  came  to  Iowa,  residing  on  a  farm  in  Iowa 
county  for  a  time,  after  which  he  made  his  way  to  Poweshiek  county,  where 
he  located  on  a  farm  about  two  miles  north  of  Brooklyn.  Later  he  purchased 
a  place  seven  miles  north  of  town  and  there  gave  his  attention  to  general  farm- 
ing for  a  number  of  years. 

He  proved  very  successful  in  this  line  of  activity  and  became  a  very  exten- 
sive farmer,  adding  to  his  property  holdings  as  he  prospered  until  he  was  the 
owner  of  five  farms  of  eighty  acres  each,  or  four  hundred  acres  of  finely  im- 
proved and  valuable  land.  Two  of  these  farms  are  now  in  the  possession  of 
his  widow,  while  the  remaining  four  farms  were  divided  among  his  children  at 
the  time  of  his  demise.  He  continued  in  the  cultivation  of  his  property  until 
about  eight  years  ago,  when  the  success  which  had  come  to  him  as  the  logical 
result  of  industry,  close  application  and  wise  management  of  his  aiTairs,  enabled 
him  to  withdraw  from  active  labor  and  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Brooklyn. 
He  was  not  long  permitted  to  enjoy  the  rest  which  he  had  so  well  merited,  how- 
ever, for  two  years  after  his  retirement  he  passed  away,  his  death  occurring  on 
the  24th  of   May.    1905.  when  seventy-one  years  of   age. 

Mr.  Crawford  was  well  known  in  the  locality  in  which  he  had  so  long  made 
his  home,  and  the  high  principles  of  manhood  and  citizenship  which  governed 
his  life  made  him  respected  and  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him.  He  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  in  the  work  of  which  he  was  deeply, 
actively  and  helpfully  interested,  and  fraternally  held  membership  with  the  Inde- 
pendent Order  of  Odd  Fellows.  In  politics  he  was  a  republican  and  held  sev- 
eral township  offices,  the  duties  of  which  he  performed  in  a  capable  and  public- 
spirited    manner.      He   was    entitled    to   wear   the   Grand    Army   button    for   he 


736  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

served  in  the  Civil  war  for  three  years,  enlisting  from  Iowa  county  and  taking 
part  in  every  engagement  in  which  his  regiment  participated.  He  served  imtil 
the  close  of  hostilities  and  was  honorably  discharged  with  a  most  creditable  mili- 
tary record. 

Mr.  Crawford  was  twice  married.  In  1858,  in  Iowa  county,  Iowa,  he  wedded 
Mary  Ann  Davidson,  whose  death  occurred  on  the  farm  north  of  Brooklyn.  She 
was  the  mother  of  five  children,  namely :  Ella  Rogers,  whose  death  occurred  in 
Nebraska;  John,  residing  eight  miles  north  of  Grinnell,  in  Poweshiek  county; 
Mary,  the  wife  of  James  Montgomery,  a  farmer  located  three  miles  north  of 
Brooklyn ;  Wesley,  whose  home  is  nine  miles  north  of  this  city ;  and  Olive 
Kinsinger,  who  passed  away  in  Tama  county. 

In  1884,  after  the  death  of  his  iirst  wife,  Air.  Crawford  was  united  in  mar- 
riage to  Mrs.  Gertrude  (Happy)  Ferguson,  who  was  born  in  Columbia  county. 
New  York,  on  the  beautiful  Hudson  river,  June  16,  1837,  a  daughter  of  Jacob 
and  Elizabeth  (Plan)  Happy,  whose  entire  lives  were  passed  in  the  Empire 
state.  iWhen  fourteen  years  of  age  she  removed  with  her  parents  to  Ulster 
county,  New  York,  and  there  was  married  to  Alanson  B.  Ferguson,  with  whom 
she  later  came  to  Iowa,  arriving  at  Davenport  on  the  day  on  which  President 
Lincoln  was  assassinated.  In  1870  Mr.  Ferguson  died,  and  the  two  chiklren 
of  that  marriage,  Eugene  and  Adelaide,  are  also  deceased,  the  former  passing 
away  at  the  age  of  six  years  and  the  latter  at  the  age  of  five. 

Mrs.  Crawford  continues  her  residence  in  Brooklyn,  where  she  is  well  known, 
for  she  has  gained  for  herself  a  wide  circle  of  warm  friends  in  this  community 
by  reason  of  her  many  excellent  qualities  of  heart  and  mind. 


MOSES  Rnr.BINS. 


There  are  few  men  in  Iowa  who  have  a  more  intimate  knowledge  of  stock 
raising  and  feeding  than  Moses  Robbins,  who  makes  his  home  at  Grinnell.  His 
farm,  known  as  the  Lake  \'iew  Stock  Farm,  is  one  of  the  noted  places  of  the 
kind  in  the  state  and  from  it  each  year  large  shipments  of  cattle  are  made  to 
the  market.  He  has  devoted  his  life  since  boyhood  mainly  to  agriculture  and 
stock-feeding  and  has  attained  an  unusual  degree  of  success.  He  comes  of 
Revolutionary  ancestry,  for  his  great-grandfather,  who  was  the  grandfather 
of  both  his  father  and  mother,  they  being  second  cousins,  served  as  a  colonel  in 
the  Revolutionary  war. 

The  subject  of  this  review  was  born  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  January  16. 
1858,  a  son  of  Gilmore  and  Lucinda  (Robbins)  Robbins.  The  father  was  a  na- 
tive of  Pennsylvania  and  the  mother  of  Michigan.  After  their  marriage  they 
located  on  a  farm  in  Mercer  county,  Illinois,  where  the  father  lived  until  1884. 
The  mother  passed  away  in  1862,  and  Mr.  Robbins  has  never  married  again.  He 
acquired  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  of  land  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa, 
and  in  1884  took  up  his  residence  in  this  county,  where  he  has  since  remained.  He 
is  an  extensive  landholder,  owning  land  in  South  Dakota,  Nebraska,  Indian  Ter- 
ritorv  and  Missouri.     Politicallv  he  is  identified  with  the  republican  party  but 


MOSES   BOBBINS 


;  HE  NEW  YORK 

PUBLIC  LIBRARY 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  739 

he  has  never  been  an  aspirant  for  public  office,  his  business  affairs  being  very  ex- 
tensive and  occupying  his  entire  attention. 

Moses  Robbins  was  reared  in  his  native  state  and  received  his  earh-  educa- 
tion in  the  district  schools.  It  was  his  intention  to  attend  college  but  one  day  his 
father  asked  him  what  he  intended  to  make  of  himself,  lie  replietl  thai  he  ex- 
pected to  devote  his  attention  to  farming,  and  the  father  advised  in  view  of  this 
fact,  that  he  should  come  to  Iowa  and  educate  himself  by  practical  application  to 
the  pursuit  that  he  had  voluntarily  chosen.  .Accordingly  at  the  age  of  nineteen, 
in  1877,  Mr.  Robbins  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and  for  four  years  rented  his 
father's  farm.  In  the  meantime  he  purchased  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres 
of  George  Tallman  in  Jasper  county  and  entered  seriously  upon  his  life  work. 
Subsequently  he  bought  three  hundred  and  twenty  acres  on  Rock  Creek  in  this 
county  and  he  operated  both  farms  until  the  spring  of  191 1.  He  has  rented  the 
home  farm  but  will  continue  in  Charge  of  his  other  place. 

In  March,  1908,  he  removed  to  Grinnell,  where  he  has  built  a  handsome  resi- 
dence, in  which  he  has  permanently  established  his  home.  For  many  years  he 
has  been  one  of  the  large  cattle  feeders  of  the  county,  handling  as  many  as  four 
hundred  and  fifty  to  five  hundred  head  a  year,  and  as  he  uses  good  judgment  he 
generally  receives  a  high  price  for  stock  which  he  sends  to  the  market. 

On  the  6th  of  January,  1898.  Mr.  Robbins  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
.Angeline  Dee,  of  Sheridan  township,  Poweshiek  county,  and  by  this  union  five 
children  were  born,  namely:  Gilmore;  William  McKinley  and  Charles  Madison, 
both  of  whom  are  deceased;  Harry^'CTaire'fand  Wilma  Angeline. 

It  is  nearly  thirty-five  years  since  Mr.  Robbips  came  to  Poweshiek  county  and 
entered  a  business  in  which  he  showed  an  adaptability  which  soon  began  to  pro- 
duce gratifying  results.  Even  as  a  y.omg  man  he  was  an  excellent  judge  of  stock 
and  his  reputation  is  practically  state  wide.-  ■  He  has  witnessed  great  advance- 
ment in  stock  interests  and  has  assisted  very  materially  in  the  encouragement  of 
the  production  of  better  grades  of  stock  and  in  the  application  of  modern  meth- 
ods of  feeding  and  handling  cattle.  His  business  has  always  been  conducted  on 
a  thoroughly  honorable  basis  and  no  man  ranks  higher  in  commercial  integrity. 
He  is  not  a  member  of  any  religious  denomination  but  politically,  gives  his  ad- 
herence to  the  republican  party  as  the  one  which,  in  his  opinion,  is  the  best  adapted 
to  guide  the  ship  of  state  along  channels  of  permanent  prosperity. 


DENNIS  BRYAN. 


The  most  superficial  observer  as  well  as  earnest  and  discriminating  student 
quickly  learns  that  the  Bryan  family  has  long  figured  conspicuously,  promi- 
nently and  honorably  in  connection  with  the  annals  of  Poweshiek  county  and 
it  is,  therefore,  meet  that  mention  of  Dennis  Bryan  be  made  upon  the  pages  of 
this  volume.  He  was  born  near  Jamestown,  Ohio,  on  the  23d  of  June,  1832,  a 
son  of  Alanson  and  Esther  (Mendenhall)  Bryan,  who  were  also  natives  of  that 
county,  the  former  having  been  born  February  4,  1808,  and  the  latter  January 
12,  1809.     They  were  married  November  14,  1827,  and  on  the  12th  of  October, 


740  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

1849,  they  arrived  at  Oskaloosa,  Iowa,  having  traveled  across  the  country  with 
teams  from  Ohio,  leaving  their  home  in  that  state  on  the  loth  of  September. 

Extended  mention  of  the  parents  is  made  in  connection  with  the  sketch  of 
Bedy  Bryan  on  another  page  of  this  volume.  About  1868  they  removed  to  Ham- 
ilton county,  Iowa,  where  the  mother  died  in  1874,  after  which  the  father  came 
to  Poweshiek  county  to  live  with  his  children.  In  1849  ^^^  made  a  trip  to  Oska- 
loosa where  he  purchased  two  hundred  acres  of  land  lying  in  Poweshiek  county. 
Upon  this  farm  he  established  his  family  and  remained  the  owner  of  the  land 
until  he  went  to  Hamilton  county.  From  time  to  time  he  entered  other  tracts 
until  he  became  the  owner  of  nearly  fifteen  hundred  acres  in  Jackson.  Scott  and 
Pleasant  townships,  of  which  he  gave  to  each  of  his  living  children  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres. 

There  were  eleven  children  in  the  family :  Morrison  G.,  who  died  in  Ohio 
in  the  winter  of  1848;  John  M.,  of  California;  Rachel,  who  became  the  wife  of 
Joseph  Boni  and  died  in  Washington ;  Dennis ;  Bedy,  now  living  retired  in  Mon- 
tezuma;  William  A.,  of  California;  Rhoda,  who  died  in  Ohio;  Neri  E..  of  Cali- 
fornia ;  Mrs.  Talitha  Harner.  of  Montezuma ;  Andrew  A.,  of  Montezuma ;  and 
James  J.,  who  died  in  childhood.  Andrew  was  a  soldier  in  the  Tenth  Iowa  In- 
fantry during  the  Civil  war,  while  Neri  was  a  member  of  the  Eighth  Iowa 
Regiment. 

Dennis  Bryan  was  a  youth  of  seventeen  when  he  accompanied  his  parents 
to  Iowa  and  remained  upon  the  home  farm  until  1852  when  he  was  married  near 
Oskaloosa.  He  then  began  farming  upon  his  own  account  and  in  1855  he  re- 
moved from  Mahaska  to  Poweshiek  county  and  settled  upon  a  tract  of  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  acres  given  him  by  his  father,  its  location  being  about  a  mile 
north  of  Montezuma,  in  Scott  township.  He  added  to  that,  becoming  the  owner 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  upon  which  he  placed  substantial  improvements. 
Year  by  year  he  carefully  tilled  the  soil  and  made  the  property  a  very  productive 
and  valuable  one.  For  forty-seven  years  he  lived  upon  the  place  and  then  re- 
tired from  business  life,  taking  up  his  abode  in  Montezuma  in  November. 
1902. 

In  1852  Dennis  Bryan  was  married  to  Miss  Sitnah  A.  Pierson,  who  was 
born  in  Logan  county,  Ohio,  May  12,  1833  ^^'^  '"  1850  accompanied  her  parents 
to  Oskaloosa,  Iowa.  She  died  upon  the  home  farm  in  Scott  township  Novem- 
ber 18,  1868.  The  children  of  that  marriage  were:  Rosalie  Araminta.  who  was 
born  March  11.  1854.  and  died  February  11,  i860;  Lydia  E.,  the  wife  of  E.  P. 
Michener,  of  Lee  county,  Iowa;  Alice  May,  who  was  born  May  24,  1858,  and 
married  Edwin  Michener,  her  death  occurring  some  years  later  in  California; 
Francis  H..  of  Pasadena.  California,  who  married  Nettie  Sanders  and  has  three 
children  :  Minnie  Isadora,  who  was  born  November  18.  1862.  and  is  now  de- 
ceased;  and  Lindler  N.,  who  was  born  February  2,  1865,  and  who  married 
Mary  R.  Evanston,  of  Minnesota,  and  has  four  children.  Having  lost  his  first 
wife,  Dennis  Bryan  was  married  on  the  23d  of  November.  1870.  to  Mrs.  Cedella 
Martin,  who  was  born  in  Tippecanoe  coimty,  Indiana,  in  1835.  and  was  reared 
in  Illinois  and  came  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1868.  She  is  a  daughter  of  Levi 
Shaw  and  widow  of  John  H.  Martin,  by  whom  she  had  one  daughter,  now 
Mrs.  Laura  M.  Hatch,  of  Los  Angeles.  California. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  741 

Mr.  Bryan  united  with  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  in  1866  and  has  since 
guided  his  hfe  by  its  teachings,  being  an  upright,  honorable  Christian  man 
whose  sterling  worth  and  good  deeds  have  commended  him  to  the  confidence, 
respect  and  good  will  of  all  who  know  him. 


W.  G.  BAIR. 


The  prosperity  of  any  community,  town  or  city  depends  upon  its  commercial 
activity,  its  industrial  interests  and  its  trade  relations,  and  therefore  among  the 
builders  of  a  town  are  those  who  stand  at  the  head  of  business  enterprises. 
Prominent  in  that  class  in  Malcom  is  numbered  W.  G.  Bair,  proprietor  of  the 
W.  G.  Bair  Lumber  Company,  one  of  the  most  extensive  concerns  of  its  kind 
in  Poweshiek  county.  Iowa  claims  him  as  her  native  son,  his  birth  occurring 
in  Ladora,  Iowa  county,  on  the  23d  of  March,  1876.  His  parents,  George  W. 
and  Phoebe  Ann  (Close)  Bair,  were  natives  of  Ohio  although  of  Pennsylvania 
parentage,  and  as  children  came  to  Iowa  with  their  parents,  the  family  homes 
being  established  in  Iowa  county  in  the  "508.  The  father  engaged  in  farming 
until  his  retirement  from  active  life,  and  at  one  time  also  conducted  a  hotel  at 
Ladora.     He  and  his   wife  now   make   their  home  at  Washington. 

W.  G.  Bair  spent  his  boyhood  on  his  father's  farm,  near  Ladora  and  at- 
tended the  country  schools  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  his  parents 
took  up  their  abode  in  the  town  and  there  he  graduated  from  the  high  school 
with  the  class  of  1896.  In  1897  he  completed  a  commercial  course  in  the  Iowa 
City  Business  College,  and  at  once  accepted  a  position  as  bookkeeper  for  A.  L. 
King,  conducting  a  lumber,  furniture  and  undertaking  establishment  at  Ladora. 
He  was  employed  in  that  capacity  until  1902,  at  which  time  the  money  which 
he  had  carefully  saved  enabled  him,  in  connection  with  E.  B.  Cook,  to  purchase 
the  business,  which  was  then  conducted  under  the  firm  style  of  Bair  &  Cook 
for  one  year.  He  next  entered  into  a  partnership  with  E.  W.  McKnight,  under 
the  name  of  p.air  &  McKnight,  which  association  was  continued  for  two  years, 
at  the  end  of  which  time  Mr.  Bair  sold  his  interest  to  Mr.  King  and  came  to 
Malcom,  arriving  in  this  city  on  the  26th  of  September,  1905.  Here  he  pur- 
chased the  grain,  lumber  and  coal  business  of  F.  P.  Hubbard  &  Son  which  he 
at  once  reorganized  as  the  W.  G.  Bair  Lumber  Company,  Mr.  Bair  being  the 
sole  owner  and  manager,  although  his  wife  and  two  sons  are  interested  in  the 
business. 

From  a  small  beginning  the  business  has  grown  with  a  rapidity  that  is  almost 
surprising,  its  trade  being  built  up  along  progressive  and  substantial  lines  until 
today  it  ranks  among  the  foremost  enterprises  of  Malcom.  It  carries  a  heavier 
stock  than  any  other  concern  of  its  kind  in  Poweshiek  county  and  its  banking 
for  one  year  amounts  to  over  two  hundred  thousand  dollars,  while  it  employs 
from  eight  to  twenty  men.  The  prosperous  condition  of  the  business  is  due 
entirely  to  the  well  directed  efTorts  of  Mr.  Bair,  who  in  the  conduct  of  his 
aflFairs  has  strongly  manifested  keen  discrimination,  sound  judgment,  executive 
ability  and  excellent  management,  supplemented  by  an  unbending  integrity,  un- 


742  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

abating  energy  and  industry  that  never  flags.  In  1910  he  established  a  stone 
business  at  Ewart,  which  is  operated  in  connection  with  the  business  at  Mal- 
com,  and  he  also  engages  in  the  manufacture  of  cement  blocks,  in  which  direc- 
tion his  efforts  have  likewise  met  with  substantial  results.  He  is  interested, 
too,  in  farm  lands  in  Canada  and  Minnesota. 

The  year  1899  witnessed  the  marriage  of  Mr.  Bair  to  Miss  Maude  Wing, 
a  native  of  Iowa  county,  Iowa,  and  a  daughter  of  L.  E.  Wing,  and  unto  this 
union  have  been  born  two  sons:     Harold  and  Ronald. 

Mr.  Bair  holds  membership  in  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church  and  is  well 
known  in  fraternal  circles  in  this  community,  being  a  Royal  Arch  Mason,  while 
he  is  also  identified  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows  and  the  Knights 
of  Pythias.  In  his  life  he  has  exemplified  the  term  progress  and  in  his  intelli- 
gent appreciation  for  and  utilization  of  opportunities  is  found  the  secret  of  his 
success.  He  has  become  widely  known  through  the  extent  of  his  business  in- 
terests and  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  prominent  business  men  of  this 
community. 


MILFORD  F.  BABB. 


Among  those  who  have  chosen  as  their  life  vocation  that  occupation  which 
Washington  once  described  as  the  "most  useful  as  well  as  the  most  honorable"  a 
man  could  follow,  is  numbered  Milford  F.  Babb.  He  was  born  in  Henry  county. 
Illinois,  on  the  26th  of  September,  1854,  and  is  a  representative  of  a  family 
which  had  its  origin  in  Germany.  His  grandparents  were  natives  of  Mrginia. 
who  in  early  life  removed  to  Ohio  and  subsequently  to  Illinois,  while  both  passed 
away  in  Poweshiek  county,  Iowa.  Their  son,  Joseph  Babb,  the  father  of  our 
subject,  was  born  in  Ohio  on  the  9th  of  November,  1826,  and  throughout  his 
active  life  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  although  during  his  last  years  he 
lived  retired.  He  came  to  Poweshiek  county  in  1869  and  purchased  four  hun- 
dred acres  in  Jackson  township,  which  he  brought  under  a  good  state  of  cul- 
tivation. He  passed  away  on  January  8,  1910,  and  is  yet  survived  by  his  wife. 
Mrs.  Nancy  J.  (Marple)  Babb,  who  was  born  in  Bureau  county,  Illinois,  May 
29,  1835.  In  their  family  were  the  following  children:  Milford  F.,  of  this  re- 
view; Mary,  who  married  S.  E.  Jacobs,  of  Galesburg,  Illinois;  George,  a  resi- 
dent of  Jackson  township;  Harvey  E.,  of  Union  county;  Delia,  the  wife  of  Alvin 
Ellison,  of  Montezuma;  Cynthia,  who  married  Fred  Ludeman,  of  Chicago,  Illi- 
nois ;  and  two  who  passed  away  in  infancy.  The  father  of  this  family  was  a 
soldier  of  the  Civil  war,  enlisting  in  September,  1864,  as  a  member  of  the  Fourth 
Minnesota  Volunteer  Infantry,  and  serving  until  the  close  of  hostilities.  In 
June,  1866,  he  returned  to  Illinois  and  there  made  his  home  until  February, 
1869,  when  he  came  to  Iowa.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Grand  Army  Post  at 
Montezuma  and  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  to  which  his  widow  also 
belongs.     In  politics  he  was  a  republican. 

In  1869,  when  fifteen  years  of  age,  Milford  F.  Babb  came  to  Poweshiek 
county,  and   in  Jackson  township  he  has   since  continued  his   residence   except 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  743 

for  three  years  when  he  liv'ed  in  Montezuma,  lie  has  continueil  to  live  for  the 
past  twenty-five  years  on  his  present  farm,  which  consists  of  one  hundred  and 
seven  acres,  located  on  section  i8,  Jackson  township,  and  here  he  has  engaged 
continuously  in  general  farming  and  stock-raising.  The  substantial  degree  of 
success  which  is  today  his  indicates  the  close  application  and  unfaltering  in- 
dustry which  have  characterized  his  efforts  in  this  direction,  for  he  has  made  a 
close  study  of  agriculture,  has  cultivated  the  cereals  best  adapted  to  soil  and 
climate,  has  practiced  rotation  of  crops  and  has  employed  in  the  management  of 
his  affairs  the  most  practical  and  progressive  methods. 

On  the  14th  of  October,  1875,  Mr.  Babb  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss 
Mattie  E.  Lester,  who  was  born  in  Mahaska  county,  Iowa,  on  the  25th  of  Janu- 
ary, 1857,  a  daughter  of  Alexander  and  Ellen  Jane  (Graham)  Lester.  Her 
father  is  now  deceased  and  her  widowed  mother  makes  her  home  in  Deep  River 
township  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Babb  have  no  children 
of  their  own  but  have  in  their  home  a  young  man,  Emmett  Havens,  whom  they 
have  reared  since  he  was  a  little  lad  of  three  years. 

They  are  earnest  Christian  people,  holding  membership  in  the  Methodist 
EiMscopal  church  of  Alontezuma,  and  occupy  a  high  place  in  the  regard  and 
esteem  of  all  who  know  them.  Mr.  Babb  has  fraternal  relations  with  the  Masons 
and  with  the  Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows,  and  in  the  latter  organization 
belongs  to  the  subordinate  encampment  and  Rebekah  lodges.  He  gives  his 
jjolitical  support  to  the  republican  party  but  has  never  sought  nor  desired  public 
office.  His  has  been  a  life  of  continuous  activity,  in  which  has  been  accorded 
due  recognition  of  earnest  labor,  and  today  is  one  of  the  substantial  and  valued 
citizens  of  Jackson  township. 


N.   M.   HARRIS. 


N.  M.  Harris  who  for  many  years  has  been  known  as  one  of  the  prominent 
business  men  of  Poweshiek  county  but  is  now  living  practically  retired  at  Grin- 
nell.  is  a  native  of  this  county,  and  was  born  in  Deep  River  township  November 
24,  1859.  He  is  a  son  of  Thomas  and  Maria  (Mayo)  Harris,  record  of  whom 
appears  elsewhere  in   this  work. 

Reared  upon  his  father's  farm,  he  acquired  his  early  education  in  the  dis- 
trict schools  and  at  the  age  of  seventeen  entered  Iowa  College  which  he  attended 
for  three  years.  After  leaving  college  he  became  a  partner  in  the  grain  and 
lumber  business  of  T.  Harris  &  Company,  of  which  his  father  was  the  head. 
For  about  two  years  he  managed  a  branch  concern  at  \'andalia,  Missouri,  and 
then  returned  to  Montezuma  and  assumed  charge  of  the  business  at  that  point, 
continuing  in  this  position  for  twenty-nine  years  and  being  assisted  in  the  dis- 
charge of  his  responsibilities  by  John  McDonald,  his  brother-in-law.  In  1910 
he  severed  his  connection  with  the  grain  and  lumber  business,  closing  out  his  in- 
terests to  O.  C.  King  &  Company,  of  Quill  Lake,  Canada,  but  retaining  the 
business  which  had  been  established  at  Barnes  City  and  Clarendon,  Iowa.     He 


744  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

is  president  of  the  Thornburg  Bank  of  Thornburg.  Keokuk  county.  Iowa,  and 
is  also  an  extensive  landowner  of  Minnesota  and  Texas. 

In  1881  Mr.  Harris  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Effie  Daniel,  of  Mexico, 
Missouri,  a  daughter  of  Andrew  B.  and  Matilda  (Greenwade)  Daniel,  both  of 
whom  were  born  in  Kentucky.  Four  children  came  to  bless  the  union  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Harris,  namely :  Harry  Mayo,  who  graduated  from  Iowa  College  in 
1908  with  the  degree  of  A.  B.  and  is  now  assistant  cashier  of  the  Citizens  Nat- 
ional Bank  of  Grinnell ;  Bessie  B.,  who  is  living  at  home;  Pearl  M.,  who  is  now 
a  student  in  the  sophomore  class  of  Iowa  College;  and  Effie  Olga,  now  attend- 
ing the  public  schools. 

In  politics  Mr.  Harris  is  in  full  sympathy  with  the  progressive  element  of 
the  republican  party.  He  has  never  sought  political  honors  but  he  has  served 
most  acceptably  as  city  clerk  of  Montezuma  and  as  deputy  county  auditor.  He 
has  filled  the  office  of  chairman  of  the  republican  county  committee  and  has 
often  been  selected  as  a  delegate  to  county  and  state  conventions.  His  voice 
is  always  in  behalf  of  honest  government.  No  man  represents  more  clearly 
and  ably  the  advanced  ideas  as  to  the  application  of  business  methods  in  the 
affairs  of  county,  state  and  nation.  Fraternally  he  is  connected  with  Monte- 
zuma Lodge,  Xo.  238,  K.  P.,  and  he  and  his  estimable  wife  are  sincere  mem- 
bers of  the  Methodist  church.  Since  1902  he  has  made  his  home  in  Grinnell. 
A  member  of  one  of  the  most  respected  families  of  the  county,  he  worthily  rep- 
resents the  name,  and  now  in  the  prime  of  life,  financially  independent  and 
happy  in  his  family  and  friends,  he  is  accorded  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all 
who  know  him. 


WILLIAM  E.  CHEDESTER. 

By  the  practice  of  self-denial  in  his  early  manhood  and  by  the  application 
of  good  business  principles  William  E.  Chedester  acquired  sufficient  capital  to 
purchase  one  hundred  and  ninety-four  acres  in  Washington  township.  This 
land  he  has  developed  into  an  attractive  farm  which  is  a  pleasing  evidence 
of  his  industry  and  perseverance.  He  is  a  native  of  Monroe  county,  Iowa,  born 
April  10,  1873,  a  son  of  Benjamin  F.  and  Mary  (Gleeson)  Chedester,  the  former 
born  in  West  Virginia  and  the  latter  at  Quincy,  Illinois.  The  father  came  to 
Peoria,  Illinois,  and  engaged  in  work  on  a  farm,  later  moving  to  Quincy, 
where  he  was  married.  Soon  afterwards  he  took  up  his  residence  at  Daven- 
port, Iowa,  where  he  worked  in  a  meat  market  for  several  years.  Subse- 
quently he  purchased  a  farm  and  devoted  his  attention  to  agriculture  and 
stock-raising  until  his  death  which  occurred  in  April,  iqo6,  his  wife  having 
been  called  away  twenty-six  years  previously.  Politically  he  gave  his  support 
to  the  republican  party  and  religiously  he  was  identified  with  the  Methodist 
church.  At  the  time  of  the  war  he  served  in  an  Illinois  regiment  in  behalf 
of  the  LTnion  and  was  for  many  vears  a  valued  member  of  the  Grand  Army  of 
the   Republic. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  747 

The  fifth  in  order  of  birth  in  a  family  of  eight  children,  William  E.  Chedester 
grew  up  in  the  paternal  home  and  received  his  education  in  the  public  schools. 
He  worked  on  his  father's  farm  until  1892  and  then  came  to  Grinnell  where  he 
was  employed  by  the  month  until  1901  when  he  began  farming  upon  his  own 
account  upon  the  place  where  he  now  lives.  He  has  prospered  in  his  labors 
as  is  indicated  by  the  well  kept  appearance  of  his  farm  and  the  modern 
appliances  which  he  uses  in  his  work.  His  home  is  thoroughly  comfortable  and 
the  barns  and  outbuildings  are  substantial  and  furnish  ample  shelter  for  stock 
and  grain. 

On  the  23d  of  February,  1898,  Mr.  Chedester  was  united  in  marriage  to  Aliss 
Allie  B.  Kingdon,  a  daughter  of  Charles  and  Carrie  (Legg)  Kingdon,  of 
Grinnell.  Four  children  have  been  born  to  this  union :  Edith,  Brainard,  Gurdeon 
and  Lois,  all  of  whom  are  at  home.  In  his  political  views  Mr.  Chedester  is 
independent.  He  votes  according  to  the  demands  and  exigencies  of  the 
times,  being  governed  in  the  selection  of  candidates  by  their  character  and 
ability  rather  than  by  the  political  party  they  represent.  Fraternally  he  is 
identified  with  the  Modern  Woodmen  of  America.  From  his  boyhood  a  dil'gent 
and  capable  worker,  Mr.  Chedester  has  never  found  pleasure  in  idleness  and 
at  all  times  has  willingly  assumed  a  responsibility  when  by  so  doing  he  could 
advance  his  own  interests  and  the  interests  of  those  about  him.  He  rightfully 
belongs  among  the  representative  and  progressive  citizens  of  Washington 
township. 


THE  SANDERS  FAMILY. 

For  the  last  fifty  years  one  of  the  best  known  of  the  substantial  families  of 
Poweshiek  county  has  been  that  of  Nathan  Sanders.  Of  this  family  there  are 
two  sons,  Joseph  Howard  and  David  Albert,  still  living  in  Grinnell.  while  a 
third,  George  Lucius,  has  in  recent  years  removed  to  California.  A  personal 
history  of  the  members  of  this  family  merges  itself  in  greater  part  into  the 
history  of  their  common  enterprise — a  large  stock  and  dairy  farm  near  Grinnell, 
in  which  the  brothers,  together  with  their  sister  Elmira,  were  associated  for 
many  years  with  the  utmost  harmony,  having  a  common  treasury  from  which 
each  drew  for  his  own  needs  at  will. 

The  parents,  Nathan  and  Betsey  ( Shedd )  Sanders,  were  born  respectively 
in  the  years  1800  and  1805,  in  the  town  of  Mason,  Hillsboro  county.  New 
Hampshire.  Nathan  Sanders  was  a  woodworker  and  millwright  bv  trade.  For 
a  few  years  previous  to  1836  he  owned  and  operated  a  farm  at  Alstead,  New 
Hampshire.  In  1836  he  removed  to  New  Ipswich,  New  Hampshire,  where,  in 
company  with  his  brother  George,  he  engaged  in  the  manufacture  and  sale  of 
tinware  under  the  firm  name  of  N.  &  G.  Sanders.  A  few  years  later  a  branch 
business  was  established  at  Concord,  New  Hampshire.  The  business  at  Concord 
became  the  main  branch  of  the  firm  and  the  New  Ipswich  establishment  was 
discontinued.      In   the   early   '60s   the    business    was   sold.     The   home   in    New 


748  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

Ipswich  was  also  sold.  After  a  few  years'  residence  with  a  married  daughter, 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Jewett,  at  Fitchburg,  Massachusetts,  they  removed  to  Grinnell 
in  1867  and  here  lived  until  they  passed  away  in  1887.  Five  children— Caroline 
Elmira,  Silas  Luman,  Joseph  Howard,  George  Lucius  and  David  Albert — also 
came  to  Grinnell. 

Nathan  Sanders  was  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  New  Ipswich.  For  many 
years  he  was  one  of  the  select  men  of  the  town  and  during  most  of  the  time 
was  sealer  of  weights  and  measures.  When  a  young  man  he  became  a 
strong  temperance  advocate  and  during  the  years  of  slavery  agitation  was  an 
abolitionist. 

The  family  first  became  represented  in  Grinnell  in  the  fall  of  1863,  when 
two  of  the  sons  of  Nathan  Sanders  came  to  what  was  then  the  terminus  of  the 
Rock  Island  Railroad,  looking  for  a  good  business  location.  These  brothers, 
Silas  Luman  and  George  Lucius,  liked  the  prospects  and  decided  to  remain. 
Not  finding  any  other  residence  available  for  their  purpose,  they  bought  the 
hotel  then  known  as  the  Reed  House.  In  March,  1864,  another  brother,  Joseph 
Howard,  came,  followed  in  April  of  the  same  year  by  a  sister  and  brother, 
Caroline  Elmira  and  David  Albert.  In  1867  the  father  and  mother,  Nathan  and 
Betsey  Sanders,  came  to  live  with  the  sons  and  daughter  already  located  in 
Grinnell.  The  hotel,  known  under  the  new  management  as  the  Sanders  House, 
was  run  but  a  few  years,  being  sold  in  the  early  '70s,  for  the  Sanders  brothers, 
foreseeing  the  rapid  and  continuous  settlement  of  the  rich  prairie  lands  of  tne 
county,  appreciated  that  the  large  business  opportunities  were  in  agricultural 
lines.  From  that  time  on  until  1902,  when  the  business  was  sold,  the  interests 
of  the  family  were  identified  with  the  pioneer  development  of  the  nation's  richest 
agricultural  state.  They  owned  and  operated  eleven  hundred  acres  three  miles 
from  Grinnell,  the  most  of  which  was  bought  in  1866  for  five  dollars  and  a 
half  an  acre.  The  main  lines  of  business  were  dairying  and  cattle  feeding. 
It  was  the  largest  dairy  farm  in  the  history  of  the  county.  The  improvements 
and  equipments  were  as  complete  and  adequate  as  were  anywhere  to  be  found, 
and  no  visitor  at  Grinnell  had  seen  all  the  town's  interesting  features  unless  he 
had  inspected  this  farm.  As  a  live  stock  farm  it  had  few  equals  either  in  the 
amount  of  business  done  or  the  efficiency  of  its  operation.  The  feed  yards 
accommodated  a  hundred  head  of  steers.  The  dairy  barn  stabled  upwards  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  head  of  stock  and  held  two  hundred  and  fifty  tons  of 
hay.  From  eighty  to  one  hundred  cows  were  milked.  The  output  of  butter 
rose  as  high  as  five  hundred  pounds  a  week  and  was  marketed  in  the  mining 
camps  of  Colorado  at  remunerative  prices.  Of  all  kinds— cattle,  hogs,  horses, 
etc.— from  four  to  five  hundred  head  of  stock  were  kept,  for  which  there  was 
ample  stable  room.  To  the  stable  room,  the  addition  of  cribs  and  granaries, 
with  feed-grinding  outfits  and  the  latest  improved  farm  machinery,  made  the 
establishment  a  model  farm.  Sanders  Brothers  sold  the  home  place  in  1002 
but  still  own  property  near  Grinnell. 

The  following  are  some  of  the  main  facts  concerning  the  personnel  of  the 
Sanders  familv.  Silas  Luman  Sanders  died  in  1869,  soon  after  moving  to  Iowa, 
and  his  wife  died  a  few  years  later.  He  had  been  married  in  1864  to  Miss 
Jane  Taylor,  of  Denmark,  Iowa.     Two  children  were  born  to  them:  the  elder. 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  749 

Elizabeth,  married  S.  Clay  Gilbert  of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota;  and  the  younger, 
George  Luman,  died  in  1901  aged  twenty-two  years. 

Joseph  Howard  Sanders  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Betsie  Azuba 
Taylor,  of  Manchester,  Vermont,  August  13,  1866.  He,  together  with  his  brother 
Albert,  was  in  active  management  of  the  farm  until  it  was  sold  in  1902.  Since 
then  he  has  lived  practically  retired  in  Grinnell.  The  two  children  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Howard  Sanders  are  .\nnie  Josephine  and  Nathan  Edwin  Sanders. 

George  Lucius  Sanders  was  a  resident  of  Grinnell  from  1863  until  1908, 
when  he  removed  to  Modesto,  California.  Together  with  other  duties  he  did 
the  buying  and  selling  for  the  firm.  He  was  a  member  of  the  school  board,  a 
director  of  the  First  National  Bank  and  deacon  in  the  Congregational  church. 
He  was  married  December  12,  1871.  to  Miss  Mary  Steele,  of  Grinnell,  who 
died  at  Modesto,  California,  in  11,08.  Their  two  children  are:  William  Steele 
Sanders,  of  Grinnell;  and  Charles  Lucius  Sanders,  of  Modesto,  California. 

David  Albert  Sanders  still  lives  at  Grinnell.  In  1880  he  married  Miss 
Hester  Byden  Clififord,  of  Oneida.  Illinois.  In  1891  he  gave  up  active  participa- 
tion in  the  farm  management,  which  had  been  shared  jointly  with  his  brother 
Howard.  His  poor  health  necessitating  a  change  of  climate,  he  went  to  Benton- 
ville,  Arkansas,  but  returned  to  Grinnell  in  1893.  Mrs.  Sanders  died  in  1908, 
TI>e  three  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert  Sanders  are:  Hester  Elmira,  Fannie 
Ellen  and   Mary  Clififord   Sanders. 

The  sister,  Caroline  Elmira  Sanders,  was  associated  with  the  brothers  in 
the  development  and  operation  of  their  enterprise.  During  the  jjioneer  days 
and  as  late  as  1887  she  had  charge  of  the  domestic  arrangements  of  the  hotel 
until  it  was  sold  and  later  of  the  farm.  During  these  earlier  years  she  had 
supervision  of  the  butter  and  cheese  making.  By  her  tireless  industry  and  un- 
usual executive  talent  and  business  ability  she  contributed  in  no  small  measure 
to  the  success  of  the  joint  enterprise.  Her  death  in  1908  left  a  vacancy  never 
to  be  filled  in  the  life  of  the  Sanders  family  and  of  the  community. 

The  solidarity  of  the  family  was  evidenced  not  alone  by  the  remarkable  con- 
cord with  which  they  conducted  their  enterprises  but  was  shown  as  well  by  the 
similarity  of  taste,  ambition,  temperament  and  standards  of  living  and  of 
morals  among  its  members.  These  standards  were  the  standards  of  the  men 
and  women,  typical  Yankees,  who.  leaving  the  sterner  conditions  of  living  in 
New  England,  have  developed  under  the  more  hospitable  conditions  of  these 
prairies  a  commonwealth  and  a  civilization  without  exception  in  many  respects 
second  to  none  in  history.  Their  industry,  frugality  and  careful  business  sagacity 
merited  the  reward  of  material  prosperity  attained.  Honest  and  honorable  in 
all  dealings,  rendering  full  value  for  value  received,  they  have  always  been 
accorded  the  highest  regard  of  their  business  associates.  Clean  of  life  and 
speech,  affectionate  and  generous  in  their  domestic  relations,  actively  sympathetic 
with  all  things  uplifting,  their  virility  has  indelibly  stamped  on  future  institu- 
tions, religious,  domestic,  political,  social  and  industrial,  a  large  measure  of 
their  own  high  standards.  It  is  the  character  and  work  of  such  men  and  women, 
built  into  the  foundations  of  our  institutions,  that  have  made  possible  the  rearing 
of  this  commonwealth,  unsurpassed  in  attainment.  But  the  efficiency  with 
which  they  wrought  is   the   promise  of   a    future   state   and   nation    which   shall 


750  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

be  a  realization  of  the  hopes  of  those  pioneers  who  from  generation  to  genera- 
tion have  left  that  which  was  good,  the  old.  and  gone  on  to  the  new  and 
untried — the  better. 


REV.  THOMAS  BRANDE. 

In  the  rush  and  hurry  of  everyday  life  it  often  seems  that  people  are  rated 
by  what  they  have  accomplished  in  a  material  way,  and  yet  when  death  claims 
any  individual  we  know  that  it  is  character  which  has  counted  and  which  gives 
to  the  individual  his  place  in  the  regard  and  in  the  memory  of  his  friends  and 
associates.  A  life  devoted  to  gospel  service  and  an  example  that  remains  as  a 
beneficent  influence  in  the  lives  of  many  with  whom  he  came  in  contact  entitles 
the  Rev.  Thomas  Brande  to  prominent  mention  in  the  history  of  Poweshiek 
county. 

He  was  born  July  i,  1810,  and  passed  away  ]\Iay  26.  1898,  having  attained 
the  venerable  age  of  eighty-eight  years.  He  was  a  native  of  Leicestershire, 
England,  and  a  son  of  the  Rev.  William  and  Sarah  (Yates)  Brande.  His  father 
was  a  minister  of  the  Baptist  church  and  was  educated  in  England,  where  much 
of  his  religious  work  was  done,  but  in  later  years  he  came  to  the  United  States 
and  for  a  time  preached  the  gospel  in  Pennsylvania,  subsequently  removing 
westward  to  Kenosha  county,  Wisconsin,  where  the  family  settled  upon  a  farm, 
although  the  father  for  some  years  still  continued  his  ministerial  labors.  Both 
he  and  his  wife  passed  away  in  that  county  and  were  there  laid  to  rest. 

When  about  thirteen  years  of  age  Thomas  Brande  left  his  home  in  Eng- 
land and  came  to  America  to  live  with  an  uncle,  John  Yates,  a  jeweler  of  Lan- 
singburg.  New  York.  There  he  was  apprenticed  to  the  jeweler's  trade,  com- 
pleting a  seven  years'  term  of  indenture,  but  during  those  years  he  was  also 
pi'eparing  himself  for  the  ministry  by  reading  and  study.  In  later  years  he  was 
frequently  asked  at  what  theological  institution  he  was  educated  and  he  would 
reply :  "At  the  work  bench."  With  his  tools  in  his  hand,  while  busy  w'ith  some 
mechanical  pursuits,  his  mind  would  reach  out  to  the  problems  of  life  and  con- 
sideration of  the  path  or  course  which  the  individual  should  follow  for  the  best 
development  of  the  moral  nature. 

He  determined  to  become  a  preacher  of  the  gospel  and  at  twenty-three  years 
of  age  entered  the  active  work  of  the  ministry,  his  first  pastorate  being  at  Water- 
ford,  New  York.  Later  he  occupied  pulpits  at  Whitehall,  Ticonderoga  and  at 
Westport  in  northern  New  York,  and  in  1868  came  to  Grinnell,  Iowa.  Ten 
years  before  he  had  spent  the  summer  in  this  place.  It  was  in  that  same  year 
that  the  Baptist  church  of  Grinnell  was  organized  and  he  preached  for  the  little 
congregation  at  that  time,  thus  becoming  the  first  Baptist  minister  of  this  city. 
On  his  return  to  Grinnell  in  1868  he  took  charge  of  the  congregation  here,  over 
which  he  presided  for  twelve  years,  devoting  his  energies  untiringly  toward 
the  upbuilding  of  tlie  church,  his  teachings  and  his  influence  being  of  far-reach- 
ing effect  in  the  lives  of  those  who  came  under  his  ministration.  At  length  as 
age  came  upon  him  he  deemed  it  best  to   retire   from   the   active   work  of   the 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  751 

ministry,  but  after  resigning  his  pastorate  at  Grinnell  acted  as  supply  in  various 
pulpits,  preaching  for  a  year  for  the  congregation  at  Toledo,  Iowa,  and  for  one 
year  at  Kilklulif.  He  retained  his  residence,  however,  in  Grinnell,  throughout 
that  period. 

He  lived  to  a  ripe  old  age  and  a  long  and  useful  life  of  eighty-eight  years 
was  closed  when  he  was  called  to  his  final  rest.  He  was  an  able  exponent  of 
the  truths  of  the  gospel,  a  clear  and  logical  thinker  and  an  earnest  and  often 
eloquent  speaker.  Not  only  in  the  pulpit,  however,  did  he  seek  to  lead  the 
people  to  accept  the  gospel  message,  but  also  by  a  blameless  life  gave  to  them 
an  example  which  has  been  a  stimulus  and  inspiration  in  the  lives  of  many 
who  knew  him. 

Rev.  Brande  was  married  twice.  He  first  wedded  Miss  Pearl  Brewster,  of 
New  York,  by  whom  he  had  a  daughter,  who  died  in  Wisconsin.  Mrs.  Brande 
passed  away  while  they  were  yet  residents  of  Westport,  New  York,  and  on  the 
20th  of  April,  1857,  Mr.  Brande  was  united  in  marriage  in  Kenosha.  Wisconsin, 
to  Miss  Isabella  Brainerd,  whose  parents  died  in  her  childhood  so  that  she  was 
reared  by  an  aunt,  Mrs.  Klove,  of  Racine  county.  Wisconsin.  There  was  one 
son  of  this  marriage,  Edward  Brainerd  Brande,  of  whom  mention  is  made 
elsewhere  in  this  volume.  Mrs.  Brande  is  a  member  of  the  Baptist  church 
and  while  now  in  her  seventy-fourth  year  appears  much  younger,  being  re- 
markably well  preserved,  both  mentally   and  physically. 


ROBERT  ANDREW  MOORE. 

Robert  Andrew  Moore  engaged  in  general  farming  in  Bear  Creek  township, 
was  born  in  Augusta  county,  Virginia,  on  the  8th  of  September,  1856,  and  is  a 
son  of  Jeremiah  and  Sarah  (Robeson)  Moore,  also  natives  of  the  Old  Dominion. 
The  father,  who  was  a  farmer,  passed  away  in  his  native  state  in  1870,  but  the 
mother,  who  survived  until  i8qi,  removed  to  Brooklyn,  Poweshiek  county,  in 
1883   and   there  she   died  seven  years  later. 

Robert  Andrew  Moore  acquired  his  education  in  the  common  schools  which 
he  attended  until  he  was  fourteen  years  of  age,  during  which  time  he  also 
assisted  his  father  in  the  work  of  the  farm.  Laying  aside  his  text-books  in 
1870  he  was  employed  as  a  farm  hand  for  several  years  in  the  vicinity  of  his 
home.  In  March,  1878,  he  came  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Malcom  township.  Powe- 
shiek county,  where  he  spent  a  year  and  then  removed  to  Madison  township 
where  he  remained  until  1891.  He  subsequently  went  to  Brooklyn,  where  he 
worked  out  during  the  summer,  and  then  rented  a  farm  north  of  the  Madi- 
son township  church  which  he  cultivated  for  a  year.  After  the  expiration  of  that 
period  he  was  in  the  employ  of  others  for  three  years,  following  which  he  rented 
another  place  in  Madison  township  which  he  cultivated  for  eight  years.  He  then 
removed  to  Brooklyn  where  he  lived  with  his  brother  for  a  year,  during  which 
time  his  mother,  who  had  kept  house  for  him  ever  since  the  death  of  his  father, 
passed  away.  In  the  spring  of  1892  he  purchased  his  present  homestead, 
which  consists  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres,  in  Bear  Creek  township.     Three 


752  HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

years  later  lie  bought  eighty  acres  lying  just  north  of  his  farm  in  Madison 
township.  He  has  continued  to  add  to  his  holdings  from  time  to  time  until  he 
has  acquired  six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  excellent  farm  land  in  Bear  Creek 
and   Madison  townships. 

In  1894  Mr.  Moore  was  united  in  marriage  to  Miss  Helen  I.  Scott,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Thomas  P.  and  Jane  (Douglass)  Scott.  The  father,  who  was  then  a 
well  known  farmer  in  Bear  Creek  township,  was  born  and  reared  in  Scotland. 
He  emigrated  to  the  United  States  when  a  youth  of  seventeen  years,  locating 
near  Kewanee,  Illinois,  where  he  worked  as  a  farm  hand.  In  1869  he  came 
to  Bear  Creek  township,  Poweshiek  county,  where  he  bought  a  farm  and  after 
placing  upon  it  the  necessary  improvements  returned  to  Illinois  for  his  bride. 
Mr.  Scott  passed  away  in  Brooklyn,  in  February,  1901,  but  his  wife  is  still  sur- 
viving and  continues  to  reside  in  Brooklyn.  Mrs.  Scott  was  a  native  of  Glas- 
gow, Scotland,  but  when  a  child  of  ten  years  came  to  the  United  States  with 
her  people,  w'ho  first  located  in  Vermont  but  later  removed  to  Illinois  where  she 
met  and  subsequently  married  Mr.  Scott.  Four  children  have  been  born  unto 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Moore  as  follows :  Jean,  thirteen  years  of  age,  who  is  attending 
the  Bear  Creek  township  school  No.  3 ;  Catharine,  aged  eleven,  who  goes  to  the 
home  school ;  Roberta,  who  is  one  year  of  age ;  and  one  who  died  in  infancy. 

The  family  attend  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Brooklyn  of  which  Mrs.  Moore 
is  a  member.  In  state  and  national  elections  Mr.  Moore  votes  the  straight  demo- 
cratic ticket  but  in  local  affairs  gives  his  support  to  the  men  he  deems  best  fitted 
for  the  office.  He  has  never  been  an  office  seeker  but  for  two  terms  he  served 
as  a  school  director  in  district  No.  3,  Bear  Creek  township.  His  entire  atten- 
tion is  devoted  to  the  direction  of  his  personal  affairs  in  which  he  is  meeting 
with  most  gratifying  returns.  He  rents  all  of  his  land,  with  the  exception  of 
the  one  hundred  and  sixty  acres  contained  in  his  homeplace,  where  he  engages 
in  general  farming  and  the  raising  and  feeding  of  stock  for  the  market.  A  man 
of  energy  and  ability  Mr.  Moore  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  most  competent 
agriculturists  in  the  community.  His  land  is  thoroughly  tiled  and  drained,  the 
fields  are  well  cultivated  and  the  improvements  are  exceptionally  good.  Such 
success  as  has  attended  his  efforts  is  entirely  due  to  his  perseverence  and  tire- 
less energy. 


JAMES  MAX.\TT. 


James  Manatt,  deceased,  was  one  of  the  enterprising  and  successful  agricul- 
turists of  Poweshiek  county,  of  which  he  had  been  a  resident  for  about  fifty 
years.  He  was  born  in  Somerset  county,  Pennsylvania,  in  February,  1827,  and 
was  a  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  Manatt,  both  of  Irish  descent.  The  father, 
who  was  a  native  of  County  Down,  emigrated  to  the  United  States  in  1812,  lo- 
cating in  Pennsylvania.  Some  years  thereafter  he  and  his  family  removed  to 
Holmes  county,  Ohio,  where  the  mother  passed  away,  Mr.  Manatt  and  the 
children  subsequently  migrating  to  Iowa.     Upon  their  arrival  in  this  state  they 


HISTORY  OF  POWKSIIIEK  COUNTY  753 

lirst    located    in    Washington    county,    but    later    came    to    Brooklyn,    Poweshiek 
county,  where  in  1863  the  father  died. 

James  Manatt  obtained  his  education  in  the  ilistrict  schools  of  Ohio  and  lovva, 
following  which  he  assisted  his  father  in  the  cultivation  of  the  home  farm  until 
he  had  attained  the  age  of  twenty  years,  when  he  was  married.  He  subsequently 
acquired  a  farm  in  Carnsforth,  this  county,  which  he  cultivated  for  many 
years,  during  which  time  he  added  to  his  holdings  until  he  owned  three  hundred 
and  ninety  acres.  From  time  to  time  he  bought  other  property  until  he  became 
one  of  the  most  extensive  landowners  in  the  county.  In  1880  he  removed  to  the 
village  of  Brooklyn  where  he  continued  to  reside  until  his  demise  on  the  13th 
of  February,  191 1.  He  had  not  been  actively  engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits 
for  many  years  prior  to  his  death,  having  rented  his  land. 

Mr.  Manatt  was  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  who  is  now  deceased,  was 
Miss  Livina  Snook  of  Warren  township.  Six  children  were  born  of  this  union, 
in  order  of  birth  as  follows :  John  W.,  a  stockman  of  Chelsea,  Iowa ;  Eliza, 
who  died  on  the  1st  of  October,  1908,  the  wife  of  Henry  Strasser,  of  Thornburg, 
this  state ;  Mrs.  Lewis  Gorsuch,  of  Brooklyn ;  Ella  M.,  the  widow  of  Edward 
Kraft,  who  passed  away  on  the  12th  of  December,  1888;  and  Alice  L.  and  Emily, 
both  of  whom  reside  in  Grinnell.  For  his  second  wife  Mr.  Manatt  chose  Miss 
Cornelia  Squires,  a  daughter  of  Sumner  L.  and  Parizade  ( Payne V  Squires. 
The  mother,  who  was  a  descendant  of  Sir  Simon  Fiske,  belonged  to  one  of  the 
oldest  and  best  known  families  of  \'ermont,  whose  members  were  people  of 
education  and  culture.  She  was  a  native  of  the  Green  Mountain  state,  her  birth 
having  occurred  in  Highgate.  Prior  to  her  marriage  she  was  a  teacher  and  was 
regarded  as  a  highly  educatetl  woman  for  that  period.  Mr.  Squires,  who  was 
also  a  teacher  during  his  early  manhood,  was  born  on  an  island  in  Lake  Cham- 
plain  and  was  a  son  of  John  Squires.  He  and  his  wife  migrated  from  their 
native  state  to  Iowa,  locating  in  Poweshiek  county  in  1855.  The  father,  who 
for  many  years  was  engaged  in  general  farming  and  stock-rasing  on  a  farm 
in  lefiferson  township,  drove  a  large  herd  of  cattle  from  Aurora,  Illinois,  to  his 
farm,  many  of  them  dying  from  cold  and  starvation  as  the  winter  was  one 
of  the  most  severe  ever  experienced  in  this  section  of  the  state.  They  resided 
upon  their  homestead  for  thirty  years,  but  in  1885  removed  to  Brooklyn,  where 
the  father  passed  away  in  February,  1892,  and  the  mother  in  .April,  1904. 
Unto  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Manatt  were  born  four  children :  Earl  L.,  who  was  lx)rn 
in  1877  and  died  in  April,  1907,  was  a  physician  of  New  Castle,  Indiana.  He 
married  Amelia  Bond  of  Kirksville,  Missouri,  in  which  town  he  passed  away, 
and  they  had  one  son  who  is  now  five  years  of  age.  Ernest  S.,  who  is  also  a 
physician  and  a  resident  of  Hampton,  Iowa,  married  Maude  Krabochill  of  that 
city  and  they  have  one  son,  Earle  K.,  who  is  one  year  of  age.  Rex  Irving,  who 
is  the  third  son,  still  continues  to  make  his  home  with  his  mother  in  Brooklyn. 
Horace  J.  F.,  who  was  accidentally  killefl  in  1898  while  playing  with  his  com- 
panions, had  attained  his  seventh  year.  Mrs.  Alanatt  is  still  surviving  and  makes 
her    home   at   Brooklyn. 

A  republican  in  politics,  Mr.  Manatt  always  gave  his  support  to  that  party. 
He  alwavs  took  a  helpful  interest  in  all  local  governmental  afifairs  and  was  for 
many  years  president  and  treasurer  of  the  school  board  of  Warren  township. 


754  .   HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 

He  was  also  county  trustee  for  three  terms ;  assessor  for  a  long  period ;  and 
justice  of  the  peace  for  years.  He  affiliated  with  the  Presbyterian  church  in  the 
faith  of  which  denomination  he  had  been  reared,  his  father  having  been  one  of 
the  charter  members  of  the  Brooklyn  church.  Mrs.  Manatt  was  also  identified 
with  that  church  until  1908  at  which  time  she  withdrew  in  order  to  unite  with 
the  Church  of  Christ.  She  is  also  a  member  of  the  Columbian  Club  of  Brook- 
lyn, being  a  woman  of  progressive  ideas  and  scholarly  instincts.  Mr.  Manatt 
had  attained  the  venerable  age  of  eighty-four  years  at  the  time  of  his  demise, 
which  occurred  after  about  a  year's  illness.  During  the  greater  portion  of  his 
life  he  had  resided  in  Poweshiek  county.  He  had  seen  the  prairie  transformed 
into  beautiful  orchards  and  well  cultivated  fields  and  villages  develop  into  thriv- 
ing towns  and  cities,  and  had  contributed  his  share  in  forwarding  the  march  of 
civilization. 


INDEX 


Abel.    F.    L 348 

Allen.   B.   A 282 

Alley.    W.    II I?.-") 

Applegate.    T.    S 28t; 

Armstrong:.   A.   W 678 

Babb,  Joseph    T2(; 

Babb.  M.    F T42 

Bagenstos.    .T.    1) 57-") 

Baile.v.  I.   S..    .Ir 302 

Bailey.  J.   F lOi! 

Bair.  W.  G 741 

Baker.  John    ''< 

Baker.  J.  P 48.") 

Barker.  Cuiydon    648 

Bartlett.    K.    S 538 

I'.astiaii.  F.  K 145 

Baustlan.  Fred    41 

Banstiaii.  H.   I> 454 

Baustlan.  Georire 594 

Beeler.  F.  V 314 

Beeler,  J.  .S 132 

Benson.  W.  C 151 

Benton,  E.  J 41(i 

Bt'i-nard.  F.  S l!>t 

Bever,   J.   A 492 

Billick.   \V.   W 42.-. 

Binesar.  (i.  W 724 

Blatherwick.  J.  II l'>:! 

Bolen.  E.    C 545 

Bolen,  William    704 

Booknau.  II.   K 227 

Bossier.  V.  E •■'08 

Bowers.  CO i»7 

Bowman.  Jacob 5:^7 

Boyaek.  J.  D 268 

Bradley.  John 117 

Brainard.   D.   W 2:^5 

Brande.  E.    B 705 

Brande.  Thomas   7.50 

Bray.  T.   J 60S 

Breniman.  C.    D 662 

Bveiiiman.  Gottlieb    6.8:^, 


Brownell.   B.    F 214 

Brush,    S.    E 447 

Bryan.  Alansou   343 

Bryan,  Bedy    186 

Brjan.  Dennis   739 

Buck,  S.  J 176 

Burnett.  J.  .S .'598 

Burrouirhs,   Alf rwl    529 

Burton.   I'.  D 516 

Butt.  John 440 

Byers.  David   512 

Cain,  M.  J 616 

Cain.  R.  M 417 

Calderwood.   James    487 

Capehart,  Lewis 661 

Carl,  II.  F .5.58 

Carney.  B.  J 108 

Carpenter.  H.   A 602 

Car|>enter.  J.  D 81 

Cariienter.  Melrose 601 

Carr.  J.  W 122 

Catherman.    Nathaniel    721 

Caudle.  John    91 

Cessna.  J.  T 288 

Ces.sna.  \.  W 160 

Chafee.    Miles    166 

Chamberlain,  J.   M 327 

Chedester.  W.  E 744 

Child.    A.    L 696 

Clark.  C.  U.   688 

Clark.  E.   W 306 

Clark.  E.   W..    Jr 32 

Clarke.  R.  A 138 

Cleland.  William  174 

Cochran.  J.  W 3.33 

Coiiswell.  J.  W 172 

Coon.   .\.   1 645 

Cooper.   F.   M 684 

Copeland.   J.  W 7.32 

Corrousli.  .T.  J 536 

Ctoutts.  R.  (J 304 

Co.x.  C.   X 615 


755 


756 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 


Cox,  (Jeorge    154 

Cox.  W.    K (iOo 

Cox.  \V.  J 2(« 

Cravath,  S.  A 2tJl 

Cniver.  C.  C -Jiil) 

Craver.  C.   T 591 

Craver,  L.   H 597 

Craver,  T.    S f>l() 

Crawford,  W.  B To5 

Crider.  Godfre.v '5*^1) 

Cummings,  W.  W 22.'5 

Cunningliam.  F.  0 5.")(i 

Cuuniiisliam,  .7.   W 2:U 

Dare.   Edwin    -*(i."i 

Davis.  H.  I ti'l-t 

Davis,  J.  R 421 

Dee,  H.  W "128 

Dempster.  J.  E 12 

Devereiix.  J.  S 10 '. 

Doran.    JoUu    424 

Dotj%   Abel    478 

Douglass,  Jolin    5.'i2 

Drake,  C.  A 4iU 

Drake,  J.   A 4(18 

Dryden,  J.  F 253 

Egulf.  J.  S 507 

Eliret.  William 553 

Eicliliorn,  .Tohn   406 

Eirp,   John    1 52 

Eisele,  Cliarles 502 

Eisele,  J.  F '''■'- 

Elwood.  W.  J '-'i 

Esler.  Paul   30:! 

Evans.  E.    S 140 

Evans,  J.   A l-'" 

Ewoldt.  Herman    38(> 

Ewart.  A.J 105 

Fahrney.    Ezra    fi^l 

Falkinliurg.   A.   L "21 

Fellows,  J.  L 144 

Figland.  Ole 377 

Fisher.  E.   W SOO 

Fisher.  J.  W 57 

Fisher.  W.  II 225 

Flock,    J.    A 444 

Ford.  Charles 4rpl 

Ford,  J.  P 570 

Forrhand.  E.  D 1 1'! 

Foster,  A.  A 2'.:! 

Fowler,  C.  W 544 

Fowler,  J.  W 3S8 

Fraser.  W.  A 5~-l 

Freese.   H.  H '»S2 


Friend.  J.  H 100 

Fii/.zi'll.  J.  W 411 

Fudge.  .7.  \V. 476 

Gariug.  K.  1 305 

Garrett.  William  364 

Gause.  Oliver .550 

(ioodrirli.  J.  C 280 

(iorsucli,  I ).    I I(i4 

(iorsnch.  1 ).  'I' 237 

(Jorsucli.  J.  7! 136 

(Jorsuth.  J.   J 206 

(Jrahani.  A.  S 671 

(Jraham.  .M.   II 162 

Graham.  Sanun^l   365 

(ira.v.  .^.  W 25 

(iregsnii.   JI.   .M 341 

(;rier.  K.  W 427 

(irier.  Charles    637 

I  ;rier.  G.  E 630 

Grier.  Mark    *>:lfi 

Griffith,  P..   P, 337 

Gwin.   .7.   i; 647 

Gwiiiii.  W.   W 25.-, 

Iladli'.v.  E.  J <106 

Ilaiues.  15.   M 308 

IlaUeni.in.  W.  E 413 

Hall.   C.   77 77 

Hall.   K.  7. 65 

Hall.   O.  D 3<.l 

Hall.  Willi.im  587 

Il.ill.   William   . 232 

Ilanililcton.  .1.  G 706 

Hamlin.   (J.    11 04 

Hammiind,  W.  V 171 

liana  wait.  I',.   S 687 

Hanna.N.  .1.   F 622 

Han.ssen.  II.    II 245 

Hanssen.  P.  A 46<i 

Harris.  E.  E 82 

77arris.  Edgar  J 131 

77arris.  Ernest  J "2 

Harris.  X.  M 743 

Harris.  T.  A 267 

Harris.  Tlinmas T22 

Ilarman.  C.    0 430 

Harman.  R.  O -155 

77arner.  Talitha 3.3!) 

Ilarriman.   A.   C 273 

Hartzell.  C.  W 3,28 

Ilasle.v.   Jacob    352 

Hatchor.   J.    F 00 

77atter.  H.  W 002 

Hays.  D.  F 2.85 

7Iea(Ofk.  A.  W 88 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY  757 

Ilcisliiii.iii.   I'liilip !t2       .McDcjii.ilil.  .)(iliii •■JS2 

llilibcls,  V.  M 2:i]        McDowell.    William    182 

Ili-iloii.  L.  K -5-       M.Iiiliie.  .1.  !■: 248 

Hill.  c;.  II 710      .M.liiidsli.  .Viulrcw •"'■•il 

Hill.    Honry ''"S      McKre.   .Tosoiih   ^''- 

llill.   .1.   1 1-il       M.K,.,..   .1.  s ;5")1 

HiiiU,  .1.  II..  Sr 170      MiL,iiii.    \V.   .1 <'>7;'. 

Holdeii.   O.   (■ ;i74       McMillMii.    .Toliii    IH>8 

lloUlei-iiess.  MauiU'l "iJO       Mr.Mmra,\ .    C.     H ~'^> 

lldllinirsworth.  (i.  M <>■''•«      MiXeal.    ( ).    .\1 •">-! 

1  loni.    ICli    <n"j      .MfWilliaiiis.    It.   .M 020 

Hunt.  ('.  (• <'4       Macy.     Hailaii     ■"'•IS 

Hyde.  (J.  F •".02       .Ma(<;u^'iii.    Kstlier    H 19 

.Main.   .\ai-iMi     "lOO 

lllian.  Henry   54      .Main.   .1.   II.  T -"iSS 

Iversim.  Julm   22.S       .M.-ilccilni.   Klhel    .M 2(i4 

.Malrdliu.    F.     I! 520 

J.ukson.  .1.  W l''i>      Manatt,  James     7.">2 

James.   E.  L ^-O       Manatt.  Thomas    -lOO 

JoUnson.  H.  P 07O      Manatt.  William     514 

Johnson.  W.  J 701       .Manly.  J.  (' I>7 

Jolinsdii.   W.   1 470       Mai-sh.   J.   X ■i~'', 

Jrihnscni.  W.  I' :'.40      .Mai'tin.    I!.   li 1-'* 

Johnston.  F.  W IS      Maxwell.    J.    .V 710 

Johnston.  W.  I! 208      Merrill,  (i.  W --0 

.[ones.  J.  F 4S3      Meyer.    John    40,S 

Miles.    (;.    I -*>-i 

Kelni.   Frank    20!)       Miller.  .Vhsalom     '^'*~ 

Keaimerer.  I,.  I) tiOO      Miller.  Thomiison    448 

Killiiirn.  F.  .V 40.S      Jlineer.    J.    J •'-<• 

KinK.  E.  A 407       .Mintle.    F.    K ...<i:V.I 

Korns.  E.  J 521       Mithelmaini.   T.    II 505 

Krie.wl.  Balzer 5:!1       Moler.  John    570 

Krie};el.  John  414       Moore.  It.  .\ 751 

Moriian.    W.    \ 070 

Lanili.  E.  E :W):i       Morris.    Joseph     -'^-l 

Lai!|ihere.  II.  F 50      Morrison.  I).  S 7 

Laros,  D.  A 358      Morrison.  Fi-ederii-    •'7'' 

Larsen.   Eberhart    580      .Morrison.  F.  W -'< 

Latham.  M.  A 038      Morthind.  R.    A.    ., S5 

Lee,  F.  F 3.50      Mortland.  R.   T t!*? 

Lester,  A.  (' 041       .Morton.    H.    F 258 

Lewis.  W.  H 238      Mouser.  (i.  S •'■'l-' 

Lincoln.  E.  E 84       Mnrjihy.    Frederick    ^S' 

Lineweaver.  (".  B 120 

Linsted.  E.  G 578      Neely.    J.    E 52 

Livezey,  Albert 272      Neville,  William   -*24 

Lonsrley.  L.  .\ 53      Niswander.   J.  B -322 

Lord.  CO 105      Norris,  A.  C 185 

Luttman.   Ileiny.    Sr 230      Xorris.  P.  0 110 

Lyman.  J.  P US 

Ohland.   J.    H "■S'-t 

Mc'Blain.  Alexander   725       Ohniart.  F.  M ^''11 

MoClure.  Hutch    3!r,      Onthank.  f.  II 28 

McClure.  William   78      Orcutt.  J.   B 100 

McCormick.  F.  J 4.50      Ormiston.  .S.  S 42 


758 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 


Oslioni.  Kiedei-R-k    -^'j'! 

Osboni.  Samuel  -^l'* 

Ostroiii.  (Jeorge   L "US 

Ostrom.  (iiiint  L 19^ 

riihiier.   ^V.   A -1-*^ 

r.iulseii.   ('.    F ■^'^•^ 

rarlv.   ().   \V 274 

I'arsons,    C.    H 5'50 

I'attoii,  J.  H '^^ 

Pearce,  C.  W -- 

I'eai-ce,  G.  G 215 

I'edei'sen.  Omiuuud -' ' 

I'eirce,  L.  G.  C ^8 

I'liillips.   George    '^ 

IMerce,  C.  W •'-^ 

I'orter.  J.  H •^'^' 

I'owell,  J.   M -t-t-"' 

Powell.  W.  L ■51'* 

Prosser.   William    210 

I'uls.    Louis    295 

Putnam.   William    ^S^l 

Ramsey.    Grant    -^ '  2 

Randall,  C.  F.   .  •. l-j-J 

Rayburn,  E.  E 5'^" 

Kayburn.  V.  C l-''* 

Ravi.    A.    D 1^'' 

Raymoml.   L.  P '-^•'' 

Read.  A.    H -^^'^ 

Read.  A.    W 222 

Reams.    J.    r ^2S 

Reed.    U.    M ""•'• 

ReUberg.  F.   E ^^ 

Rebberg.  J.    C -12'; 

Repenn.   Henry    ••5** 

Rice.    Robert    127 

Rinefort.  A.   C "•^•* 

Rinefort.  L.  H •^•'■" 

Robbins.  Moses   "•''' 

Robeson,  G.  W 4^1 

Rodgers.  J.    J ■5"' 

Rodgers,  .T.  I ■"'-'" 

Rodgers.  J.  W ■''■'"' 

Rnbr.   C.   F 32!l 

Robrer.    Martin     'j2i 

Rollins,  .T.  S 271 

Ro,se.  J.  W 212 

Roudabusb.  .1.  T.    "5:!4 

Royce,   G.    W 425 

Rust,  Josephine  W 55 1 

Rutherford.  AA'.  R 642 

Sampson,    (ienrge    -''' 

Sanders.  ('.  .1 202 

Sanders.  .T.  (' 585 

Sanders    Family    "47 


Sanders.  W.    II 61S 

Sanders,  W.   S.    3G 

Saunders.  I.  II 312 

Saunders.  E.   F 2m 

Saunders.  R.   A 2ti;{ 

Sawyer.  J.  W 210 

Sibniidt.  H.    ,J 101 

Silimi<lt.  Peter    129 

S.-hmidt.  W.    F 31 

Schniitz.  John   200 

SebneeUlotb.  Peter   3,S7 

Sebultz,  C.  F 074 

Sfbultz.  Frank  C 500 

Scbultz.  Fred    C 443 

.'^(■bultz.  G.   J 522 

Scbultz.  Jacob   14 

Scott.   T.   P 435 

Sears.  M.    A 257 

Sears.  M.   E 050 

Sbadel.  Andrew 489 

Shannon.  AA'.  AA' 4S(; 

Sherman.  Henry   508 

Showalter.   W.   II 3:Hi 

Skeels,  J.  II 097 

Smith.  A.   II 211 

Smith.   II.    T 173 

Smith.  J.    L 549 

Smith.  R.  J 121 

Snider.   S.  J "3 

Snow,    Erastus    S 

.Somers.  H.  W 209 

Sowerwine.    V.   E 729 

Spanlding.  E.  H 100 

Spanlding.  F.    E 87 

Spanlding.   H.  AA' 5 

Stanley.  J.  H 80 

Stecher.  AV.   E 43S 

Stilwell.  F.  A 621 

Stilwell.  (i.  AA' so- 
Stone.  J.  II 102 

Storm.  II.  B 355 

Swecker.   Charles    76 

Talbott.   E.    H 653 

Talbott.   J.   F 690 

Taylor.  AA'.  A "'5 

Taylor,  AA'.  H 58 

Teralierry,  Jacob 278 

Terrell,  F.  E ^^ 

Thompson.  Harry   349 

Tinker,  G.  E •^''•■" 

Tish.  S.  A 524 

Tish.  S.    P 58;^ 

Triplett.   Luther    490 

Tuttle,  L.  D 244 

Tvsnn.  Xewtou •'I ' 


HISTORY  OF  POWESHIEK  COUNTY 


759 


\;iu    EveiM.    J.    K 

\'(i.!;el.  W.  F 

\(>st.    W.    F 

Waliuer.  Mathias 
Ward,  S.  D.  . . 
Watson.  F.  C. 
Watson.  F.  S. 
Wells,  X.  J.  . . 
Whelan.  J.  L. 
White.  C.  A.    . 


.:;.s:',     White.  L.  k 2.")i; 

.107       Wichiiiaiiii,  .T.   D 012 

.    Vi      Wilcox.    V.   S 21 

Will.xoii.    .T.    W 2!)l) 

.-AS      Wiltse,  G.  W 183 

.   (5::      Wolcott.   W.    1 479 

.40.-.     WcKKis,  h.  L :'.:!S 

.247       WoiU,  11.  B 593 

.472      Wridei-.    CJeorge    58(; 

.450      Wylie.  Alexander   5t>5 

.555      Wvlie.  Knhert.  .Tr 437 

3 


U£u  1  1  1955