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HISTORY OF
MADISON COUNTY
1 IOWA
AND ITS PEOPLE
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1915
LIDLALY 99244B
1 .1
C & auforth
BIOGRAPHICAL
CHALLEN DANFORTH.
Challen Danforth, a capitalist of Winterset, has been a resident of Madison county from pioneer times and is well known throughout this section of the state as "Chal" Danforth-a term which indicates his approachableness, his friendly spirit and unfeigned cordiality. For an extended period he has been actively identified with the material development and progress of this section and long figured as one of the leading merchants of Winterset, from which line of business activity he has now retired to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, his attention being given only to the supervision of his invested interests.
Mr. Danforth was born in Henderson county, Illinois, on the 30th of Jan- uary, 1844, a son of Cyrus and Mary Ann (Jones) Danforth. The father, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, was a millwright by trade and when a young man removed to the west, settling first in Indiana, where he met and married Miss Jones. He continued to follow his trade in Indiana until the early '40s, when he removed to Illinois and purchased land near Oquawka. His death oc- curred upon his farm there when his son Challen was about three years of age. The father was born in 1802 and passed away on July 20, 1847. The mother was. a native of Virginia, born May 2, 1806, in which state her father operated a tan- nery. He afterward sold his plant, disposed of his slaves and removed to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, that his children might enjoy the better advantages offered by that city. Still later he went to Laporte, Indiana, where he operated a mill and con- ducted a grain business, continuing actively in those lines of trade up to the time of his death. His daughter, Mrs. Danforth, being early left a widow with two. small children, came to Iowa in 1849 with one of her brothers, A. D. Jones, the journey being made with ox teams. Her brother was a surveyor and wished to start in a new country which would provide good opportunities for one in his line of business. At that time Madison county had not been surveyed and Mr. Jones was one of the men who located the town site of Winterset. He and his associates built a double log house, which was used as a courthouse and also for school and church purposes, and Mrs. Danforth conducted school in that building
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
upon the subscription plan. She was the first school-teacher of the city and taught for two years. She afterward taught the Rogers school, on Hoosier prai- rie, and continued her work in educational fields until her sons were old enough to provide for their own support and also care for their mother. Her son William is four years older than Challen Danforth and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Danforth continued to reside in Madison county until called to her final rest, March 3, 1878, when she was about seventy-two years of age. She was one of the honored pioneer women of the county and was closely connected with many early events which have had to do with the substantial development of Winterset. Among her pupils were many who have since made for them- selves a creditable name and place in the business world. Mrs. Danforth made the first ice cream that was ever sold in Winterset, her little boys acting as sales- men, peddling the ice cream from a wheelbarrow. Mrs. Danforth was ever a most devoted mother, counting no personal sacrifice on her part too great if it would promote the welfare and advance the interests of her sons. She was a loyal member of the Methodist Episcopal church and took an active and helpful part in its work.
Challen Danforth was but five years of age when brought by his mother to Madison county in 1849. He can remember when there was no established town at Winterset and when there were but few settlers in this section of the state. He was still quite a small boy when he began working in a grocery store in the employ of a Mr. Snyder. Later he engaged in clerking for E. J. Ayers in a gen- eral store and was thus engaged until he joined the army at the age of twenty years, enlisting on the 16th of May, 1864, as a member of Company E, Forty- seventh Iowa Infantry. He had desired to go when he was a youth of eighteen but his mother objected and accordingly he remained at home. He was mustered in at Davenport, Iowa, and served for five months, being mostly engaged in guard duty at Helena and other points in Arkansas, participating, however, in some skirmishes. He was honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, on the 18th of September, 1864, and upon his return to Winterset engaged in the hardware busi- ness with his brother William, who was a practical tinner and made and repaired tinware, while Challen Danforth acted as salesman in their establishment. They conducted the business for many years and success attended the enterprise from the beginning. They ranked with the leading merchants of the county and they also extended the scope of their activities to the purchase and sale of real estate. Not all of the days in their career were equally bright. At times they confronted serious obstacles and difficulties but altogether the trend of their career was upward, leading to the goal of success. After a number of years William Dan- forth purchased the interest of his brother, who then concentrated his energies upon the operation of his farms, upon loaning money and also upon the cattle business. His operations in those fields were quite successful. He was also one of the organizers of the Madison County Bank and has served as a director thereof from the beginning. He is likewise a stockholder in the Citizens' National Bank. His business affairs have been most carefully managed and intelligently directed and as the years have passed his investments have brought to him a most gratifying income. He is now the owner of a tract of land of two hundred acres, the greater part of which is within the city limits. He likewise owns one hundred and sixty acres, known as the Cedar Stock Farm, and is the owner of
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
the Madison County Bank building and several other valuable busness blocks in Winterset. He has considerable money loaned out at a fair rate of interest and he now concentrates his energies upon the supervision of his investments, which in extent and importance place him among the men of affluence in Madison county.
On the 24th of July, 1872, Mr. Danforth was united in marriage to Miss Lida Sturman, who was born in Clay county, Missouri, March 19, 1845, a daughter of John B. and Margaret ( Wamsley) Sturman, both of whom were natives of Ohio, where they were reared and married. They went to Missouri about 1843 or 1844 and the father there followed the occupation of farming. In 1848 he brought his family to this county, settling on North river among the pioneer residents of this part of the state. He assisted in laying out the town of Winter- set and was otherwise connected with the important events which have left their impress upon the history of the city and county. About 1863 he left the farm and removed to Winterset, where he engaged in the drug business for two or three years. He then embarked in the hardware trade, in which he continued for several years, after which he retired, having won a substantial measure of success that enabled him to enjoy throughout his remaining days not only the comforts but also many of the luxuries of life. He was born November 17, 1813, and passed away on the 24th of December, 1800. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and guided his life according to its teachings. His wife, who was born March 18, 1825, passed away in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she also had been a most loyal member. In their family were eight children: Lida; Mrs. Cecilia Osborn, of Kansas; James V., living in Cameron, Missouri; Sabina, whose home is in Seattle, Washington; Benjamin N., a resident of Arkansas; Marion, living in Perry, Iowa; Thomas, a resident of Grove City, Kansas ; and Lester, deceased.
Mrs. Danforth was but three years of age when the family made the journey to Madison county with ox teams and here she was reared and educated. To Mr. and Mrs. Danforth were born seven children. Beulah is the widow of Dr. E. W. Foster and now lives in Wyoming. She first married Robert Vance, who died, leaving a son, George C. Harry, the second of the family, died Sep- tember 15, 1882. Fay, born October 30, 1880, passed away September 21, 1882. Fred Eugene is a cattle dealer of Winterset. Alfred D. is engaged in the real- estate business in Winterset. Lucile is the wife of Ray Hake, of Worland, Wyoming. Jay B. is engaged in the grocery business in Winterset.
Mrs. Danforth is a member of the Methodist church and has taken quite an active and helpful interest in its work. Mr. Danforth holds membership in Win- terset Lodge, No. 43, F. & A. M., and he became one of the charter members of Pitzer Post, No. 55, G. A. R. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party. He has passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten but is still a hale and hearty man, possessing much of the vigor and energy of a man of much younger years. He devotes his time to the management of his large interests and he occupies a fine residence in Winterset. His condition is in marked contrast to that of his youth, when his mother was struggling to sup- port her little family. He is truly a self-made man, advancing step by step through his own efforts, depending entirely upon his own resources and winning his prosperity as the direct and merited reward of his labor, perseverance and capa-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
bility. He has a very wide acquaintance throughout the county, where he has lived since pioneer times, and everywhere he is spoken of in terms of high regard and friendship.
CHALMERS O. CLEMENTS.
Chalmers O. Clements has resided in this county since early boyhood, or for nearly a half century, and has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career with excellent success, now owning six hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land on sections 29, 30, 31 and 32, Madison township, and section 32, Jefferson township. His birth occurred in Henderson county, Illinois, on the 7th of November, 1859, his parents being George and Nancy (Milligan) Clements, who were natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively. The father, an agriculturist by occupation, removed to Illinois in a very early day and followed farming in that state until 1865, when he made his way to Jasper county, Iowa, while the following year he took up his abode in Polk county, this state. There he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits until March, 1867, when he came to Madison county, here cultivating rented land until 1873. In that year he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 30 and 31, Madison township, now in possession of our subject, improved the property and continued its operation until 1898, when he purchased and settled on a farm in Jefferson township whereon he remained until his death on the 29th of August, 1900. His demise was the occasion of deep and wide- spread regret, for during the long period of his residence in this county, cover- ing about a third of a century, he had won an extensive circle of warm friends. His wife was called to her final rest in December, 1880.
Chalmers O. Clements, who was in his eighth year when brought to Madison county by his parents, acquired his education here and remained on the home farm until twenty years of age. Subsequently he cultivated rented land until 1887 and then purchased eighty acres on section 31, Madison township, to the further cultivation and improvement of which he has since devoted his attention. As time has passed and his financial resources have increased, owing to his inde- fatigable industry and capable management, he has augmented his holdings by additional purchase until at the present time he owns six hundred and forty acres of land on sections 29, 30, 31 and 32, Madison township, and section 32, Jefferson township. In connection with the cultivation of cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also raises thoroughbred shorthorn cattle, and both branches of his business yield him a gratifying annual income. He is a stock- holder and director in the Bank of Earlham and has long been numbered among the prosperous and enterprising citizens of the community.
On the 24th of December, 1879. Mr. Clements was united in marriage to Miss Ora Haxton, a daughter of Oliver Perry and Emily (Tracey) Haxton, both of whom were natives of Indiana. The father followed farming in Illinois until 1875. when he came to Madison county, Iowa, and here carried on agri- cultural pursuits until called to his final rest in 1900. His wife passed away on the 9th of January, 1909. To Mr. and Mrs. Clements have been born ten chil-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
dren, as follows: Bertha G., whose demise occurred in 1881 ; William W., an agriculturist of this county ; Julia, who is the wife of Waldo Hadley and resides in Oskaloosa, Iowa; Arthur, who passed away on the 25th of April, 1908; Maude, who gave her hand in marriage to Charles McBride, a farmer of this county ; Laura, who is the wife of G. M. Hayes, also an agriculturist of Madison county ; Hortense, a school teacher of this county ; and Emily, Elma and Lucille, all of whom are attending school.
In politics Mr. Clements is a republican and he is now serving as a trustee, to which position he was elected in the fall of 1914 and in which he had pre- viously served for six years. He has also acted in the capacity of assessor for five years and his record in public office is most commendable. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and he is also a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity. He is highly respected and esteemed in his community and enjoys the confidence and goodwill of a large circle of friends, who have learned to appreciate his worth and his high qualities of mind and character.
WALTER F. CRAIG.
Walter F. Craig, representative from the twenty-eighth district of Iowa in the state legislature, has filled various local offices and has been actively con- nected with educational interests in Madison county. He makes his home in Winterset and has a wide circle of friends, who entertain for him warm regard.
The county numbers Mr. Craig among its native sons, his birth having occurred near Truro in Ohio township, on the 4th of August, 1881, his parents being George H. and Clara (Payne) Craig. The father, a native of Henry county, Illinois, was still quite small when the family removed to Knox county, that state, establishing their home near Yates City, where he was reared and acquired his education in the public schools. He early became familiar with the work of tilling the soil and caring for the crops and when a young man he removed to Warren county, Iowa, where he carried on farming until 1881. In that year he came to Madison county and purchased the farm on which he now resides northeast of Truro in Ohio township. He has never desired office nor taken an active interest in politics. Fraternally he is connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife was a native of Ashtabula county, Ohio, where she was reared and attended school. Her parents removed with their family to Knox county, Illinois, and afterward to Warren county, Iowa, where she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Craig. They came to this county in 1881 and here Mrs. Craig spent her remaining days, her death occurring January 8, 1910. She left two children, the daughter being Myrtle, now the wife of James E. Young, who is living east of St. Charles in Warren county, Iowa.
Walter F. Craig, the younger of the family, spent his boyhood days upon the home farm and after attending the district schools continued his education in the high school of St. Charles, from which he was graduated with the class of 1902. He then pursued a teacher's summer course at Simpson College in Indian- ola, Iowa, after which he entered upon the profession of teaching, which he followed in his home district and in neighboring schools until 1903, when he
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
entered Drake University. After leaving that institution he again taught in a district school and became principal of the Truro schools in the fall of 1904. He resigned on the Ist of January, 1905, to accept the position of deputy clerk of the district court, in which capacity he continued for four years. At the end of that time, or in 1908, he was elected clerk of the court on the republican ticket and made such an excellent record in office that he was reelected in 1910, serving altogether for four years. In 1912 he was made the candidate of the republican party for the office of representative in the state legislature and the election returns showed that he was the successful candidate. He served in the general assembly and gave to each question which came up for settlement his careful considera- tion. He never had opposition in his own party for any of the offices which he has filled and he has always been accorded good majorities at the polls. His business affairs are represented by an interest in the Security Loan & Title Company of Winterset, to which he now devotes most of his time.
On the 3d of January, 1912, Mr. Craig was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Shirk, of Springville, Iowa, a native of Jackson county, and for seven years a teacher in the schools of Winterset. They have one child, Walter F., who was born February 5, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Craig are members of the Presbyterian church and take an active and helpful interest in advancing its work and extend- ing its influence. Mr. Craig belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He has member- ship in Model Lodge, No. 315, A. F. & A. M., of St. Charles, and in Lebanon Chapter, No. 11, R. A. M., of Winterset, of which he was high priest in 1911 and 1912. Both he and his wife are connected with the Order of the Eastern Star and he is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. He has always taken an active interest in the historical society of Madison county, of which he was secretary for several years. He has likewise been president of the Madison County Chautauqua Association for two years and his influence is always on the side of advancement and improvement, while his labors have constituted a potent force for progress at various times.
ANDREW H. BERTHOLF.
Although thirty-seven years have come and gone since Andrew H. Bertholf was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many of the older residents of Madison county as one of its prosperous agriculturists and esteemed citizens, having made his home in Lincoln township for more than a quarter of a century and owning eighteen hundred acres of rich and productive land. He passed away on the 15th of July, 1878, when seventy-four years of age, his birth having occurred in New York City on the 3d of March, 1804. When a youth of twelve years he was taken by his parents to Gallia county, Ohio, and on the 17th of June, 1832, there wedded Miss Electa Macumber, who was born in that county, January 5, 1816. Making his way to Indiana, he purchased a farm in that state and then returned to the Buckeye state for his family. He and his wife rode horseback from Ohio to St. Joseph county, Indiana, and each carried a small child. In 1842 they removed to Lee county, Illinois, and in 1851 came to Madi- son county, Iowa, settling on section 20, Lincoln township.
ANDREW H. BERTHOLF
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A. TILL P
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Mr. Bertholf here devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits with excellent results throughout the remainder of his life, becoming the owner of eighteen hundred acres of valuable and productive land, from which he derived a gratifying annual income. He was also a well known stockman in the early days. He assisted all of his sons in making a start and was long numbered among the most prosperous agriculturists and respected citizens of the community.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bertholf were born thirteen children, as follows: Alex- ander M., whose birth occurred April 2, 1833, and who is deceased ; George, born December 19, 1834, who died in early life; Zachariah, born March 12, 1837, who is also deceased; James, born February 8, 1839, who is a prominent agri- culturist of Lincoln township, this county ; Letecia, who was born July 12, 1840, and died in infancy ; William H., who was born February 2, 1842, and passed away in Des Moines; Esther Jane, born January 1, 1844, who is the deceased wife of L. H. Demar; John M., whose birth occurred June 29, 1846, and who is a resident of Bonanza, Oregon; Rebecca, born Angust 16, 1849, who is the wife of S. J. Kiggins, of Baker City, Oregon; Lovica, who was born July 8, 1850, and died in childhood; Thomas, born January 27, 1853, who is deceased ; L. M., who was born in 1855 and is a well known agriculturist of Lincoln town- ship, this county; and Benjamin Franklin, born September 7, 1858, who died in infancy. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 15th of June, 1883, and her passing was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
Andrew H. Bertholf was a democrat in politics and a Baptist in religions faith. His life was upright and honorable in all relations and he enjoyed the warm regard and friendship of those with whom he came in contact in both business and social connections.
ROBERT H. COOPER.
Robert H. Cooper is aid-de-camp of the National organization of the Grand Army of the Republic, having been appointed to that position in November, 1914. He is widely known in military circles and in Madison county has figured prom- inently in connection with the grain trade and the banking business at Winterset. Throughout his business career carefully formulated plans have always been carried forward to successful completion through the exercise of indefatigable industry and determination.
Mr. Cooper is a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred near Sheffield on the 11th of January, 1844. His father, Robert Cooper, also a native of that county, was a son of Daniel and Prudence ( Hamilton) Cooper, both of whom were born in the north of Ireland, whence they emigrated to the United States, establishing their home in Pennsylvania. Daniel Cooper was a farmer, devoting his entire life to that occupation. He and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian church and in Pennsylvania they resided until called to their final rest. Robert Cooper, Sr., was reared and educated in the Keystone state, where he spent his entire life as a farmer and also worked in a shipyard on the Ohio river when a young man. The major portion of his time and attention, however, was given to agricultural pursuits. He, too, held
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
membership in the United Presbyterian church and guided his life by its teach- ings. He died in 1893, at the age of seventy-seven years, having long survived his wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza Orr. She, too, was a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Hugh and Jane ( McConnell) Orr. Her father was born in the north of Ireland and was of Scotch extraction, while her mother was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Hugh Orr was a tailor by trade. He lived to the age of seventy-two years, while his wife reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Their daughter, Mrs. Cooper, died at the birth of her son, Robert H., leaving two children, of whoni the elder, William J., died in Pennsylvania in 1906.
Robert H. Cooper spent his boyhood days upon the home farm and attended the public schools until he reached the age of fifteen years, when he began clerk- ing in a general store. He was thus employed until June, 1862, when he put aside all business and personal considerations and at the age of eighteen years enlisted for service as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Fortieth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. His brother enlisted in the same company at the same time. They served in the Army of the Potomac, being on duty in Virginia and Maryland, taking part in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run and numerous other engagements and skirmishes. Mr. Cooper was two full days in line on Cemetery Ridge in the hotly contested battle of Gettysburg. Both he and his brother, however, escaped without being wounded or taken prisoner. After serving for three years Robert H. Cooper was honor- ably discharged on the 8th of June, 1865, following the close of the war. His record was ever a creditable one, for he was always loyal to his duty and never faltered, whether stationed on the firing line or the lonely picket line.
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