USA > Iowa > Story County > History of Story County, Iowa; a record of organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 1
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HISTORY OF
STORY COUNTY
IOWA
A RECORD OF SETTLEMENT, ORGANIZATION, PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENT
By W. O. PAYNE
Local history is the ultimate substance of national history-Wilson
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II
CHICAGO: THE S. J. CLARKE, PUBLISHING CO.
1911 5
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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ABTOA LENOX AND T LOEN FOUNDATIONS. R
1912 L
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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Petice Shugart 7
BIOGRAPHICAL
PETE E. SHUGART.
A country has but one ruler. be he king. emperor or president; there is but one man at the head in military and political circles. but the field of business is limitless and its opportunities many. There are so many ave- nues of activity and such demand for efficient service that any individual may steadily work his way upward if he has energy and determination and counts honesty among his salient qualities. Pete E. Shugart is numbered among those who have not feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way. Proving his worth in the business world. prosperity has crowned his efforts. and he is today one of the extensive railroad coz- tractors of Iowa. He makes his home in Nevada but was born on che east side of the Mississippi, his birth having occurred in Princeton, Illinois. January 8, 1865. His parents were D :. G. W. and Catherine Hufman Shugart, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively. Their las: days, however, were spent in Nevada, where the father died in 190;, after devoting his life to the practice of veterinary surgery. The family came to this city in 1872 from Princeton, Illinois.
Pete E. Shugart is the sixth in order of birth in a family of eight chil- dren. the record being as follows: John A., a resident of Ammes: Frances. the wife of John Prior. of Nevada : Philip, also living in Ames : Libbie, che wife of Douglas Brunson. of Des Moines: Pete E .; Charles, who was killed on the railroad at the age of twenty-one pears: Mollie, who became the wife of Robert Corcilions and died in Central City. Nebraska: and William, of Sturgis. South Dakota.
Pete E. Shugart was a lad of seven years at the time of the removal to Iowa. residing with His father upon a farm five miles southwest of Nevada until eighteen years of age. during which period be acquired His education in the country schools. He then took up his abode at the county seat and gave his attention to railroading in the summer months and to teaming in the winter seasons. He worked as a day laborer on the raft- road at first but gradually won promotion and eventually became a railroad contractor, to which business he has devoted his energies for about eighteen
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
years. His time has been principally given to railroad grading, yet he has de ne seme bridge work and during the past five years he has been awarded many extensive and important contracts. Ile built over two hundred and fifty miles of railroad in 19to in the Dakotas and had railroad contracts throughout the middle west. His first contract was in grading for the motor line from Ames. He built eighty-five miles of the coast line of the Milwaukee railroad west of the Missouri river in the summer of 1907 and had over twelve hundred teams, of which he owned one hundred and twenty-five, while about fifteen hundred men were employed at that time. In the same summer he built forty miles of the South Dakota Central Railroad between Arlington and Watertown. Four years ago he con- structed an electric line between Ames and Des Moines, and in 1909 and 1010 be built over three hundred and fifty miles of railroad, while during the past four years he has built altogether six hundred miles. He is the largest team contractor in the state of lowa. Team work is his specialty but he also does some shovel work.
As he has prospered in his undertakings and has seen opportunity for judicious investments, Mr. Shugart has made extensive purchases of land until he is now the owner of three thousand, two hundred and eighty acres in Story county, his holdings exceeding that of any other landed property in the county. Ile also has four hundred and fifty acres in Palo Alto county, Iowa, and is extensively engaged in feeding hogs and cattle and every winter ships about a thousand head of horses. He also feeds about five hundred head of cattle cach winter and his sale of hogs in 1909 amounted to over twenty thousand dollars. He is the largest cattle feeder in the county and upon his different farms he has erected a number of large barn- especially built for feeding. He can feed one hundred and sixty-five head of horses in his two barns in Nevada. He also built the Savery livery in Des Moines. This is the largest livery barn in the state anl was erected at a cost of over twenty thousand dollars. He owned it for a time, then sold it. He did all of the grading for the armory post at Des Moines and built all of the macadam roads there. He is one of the largest stockholders in the First National Bank of Nevada and although he started out empty-handed, with no special training for his work, he is today one of the most successful men of this part of the state and his labors have been of a character that have contributed much to general progress and improvement as well as to individual success. At this writ- ing Mr Shugar is carrying on his contracting business as the senior part- per of the firm of Shugart & Barnes Brothers, the partnership having been formed in the summer of 1010. He is also associated with Bert B. Welty In I Judge lee, of Ames, lowa, in platting a tract of land of thirty acres adjoining Nevada en the southeast. They purchased this and are now grading all of the streets. They have sold many of the lots and Mr. Shu- ant hin -e enth erected there four good cottages. The district is known Allen Parl addition.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
On the 4th of July, 1889, Mr. Shugart was married to Miss Edith Banks, who was born in Rockford county, Illinois, January 9, 1870, and was brought to Story county in infancy by her parents, A. K. and Sarah (Rice ) Banks. Her father was for twelve years sheriff of Story county and a prominent and influential citizen here but is now a resident of Des Moines. He was born September 21, 1845, and his wife was born Feb- ruary 25, 1851. Their marriage was celebrated December 31, 1868. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shugart have been born three children: Eva L., born May 9, 1890, is a student in the Northwestern University at Chicago, doing special work in elocution and physical culture. Charles A., born May 4, 1893, died on the 7th of October of that year. Thelma Lois, born October 12, 1899, is at home.
The Shugart residence is one of the finest homes in Nevada and was erected by Mr. Shugart in 1900. No record in this volume perhaps indi- cates more clearly the value and force of close application, unfaltering de- termination and unquestioned reliability. There have been no esoteric phases in his entire career. He has sought and won his success along the lines indicated and is respected and honored by all for what he has ac- complished.
JAMES A. McKEE.
James A. McKee, postmaster of Cambridge, to which position he was appointed on the 22d of July, 1909, has since filled the position to the satis- faction of the general public. He is numbered among the worthy native sons of Story county, his birth having occurred in Union township on the 13th of February, 1857, his parents being Hugh and Mary Ann ( Harper ) McKee, both of whom were natives of Ireland. In 1853, in early manhood and womanhood, they crossed the Atlantic to the United States, their mar- riage being celebrated in Ironton, Ohio, in 1854. A year later they came to Story county, Iowa, taking up their abode among the earliest settlers of this district. Mr. McKee entered a quarter section of land, built a log cabin and later erected a modern frame dwelling. He remained on this farm until within five or six years of his death, when he put aside the active work of the fields and removed to Cambridge, where his demise occurred in 1903. The period of his residence in this county covered almost a half century and he was well known and highly esteemed as one of its pioneer settlers and substantial agriculturists. Ilis widow still survives and makes her home in Cambridge, where she has a host of warm friends.
James A. McKee remained on the home farm until about twenty-two years of age, when he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, being thus busily engaged for a few years. Subsequently he came to Cam- bridge and embarked in the butchering business, being connected therewith
HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
for seven years. On the expiration of that period he began dealing in live stock and for about thirteen years was one of the best known stockmen of the county. He was appointed postmaster of Cambridge on the 22d of July. 1909, and, abandoning his live stock interests, has since devoted his entire attention to the discharge of his official duties.
On the 11th of September, 1888, Mr. McKee was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Nellis, of Cambridge, lowa. They have one son, Ray, born October 22, 1893, who assists his father and holds the office of assistant postmaster.
Mr. McKee gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has long wielded a powerful influence in its local ranks. For six years, from 1903 until 1909, he served as mayor of Cambridge. his administration being characterized by many measures of reform and improvement. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Cambridge Lodge. No. 486, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church, to which his wife also belongs. Having spent his entire life in Story county, he has gained an extensive circle of warm friends who entertain for him the utmost regard and esteem because of his many excellent traits of character.
CHARLES EDWIN OLINGER.
Charles Edwin Olinger, a prominent resident of Maxwell, is now living practically retired, giving his attention only to the care and management of his properties. He was formerly identified with agricultural pursuits in Story county and also conducted a real-estate and insurance business for a number of years. He was born in Indian Creek township. this county, on the 2d of March, 1808, his birth occurring on the Olinger farm-a part of the present site of Maxwell. His father and mother, George W. and Anna Eliza ( John) Olinger, were both natives of Carroll county, Indiana, com- ing to Story county, Iowa, with their respective parents. The Olinger family made their way to Polk county, Jowa, in 1853. while the following year wit- nessed their arrival in Story county. Here the parents of our subject were married and established their home. George W. Olinger acquired half of the old homestead farm of two hundred acres, the other half belonging to his brother, James M. He devoted his time and energies to the work of the fields until called to his final rest, passing away on the 6th of December, 1880, in the faith of the Presbyterian church, to which his widow also he- longs. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and he held the office of township trustees and also served as a member of the school board for many years, His widow, who still survives and makes her home with our subject, is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which she has so long resided.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
Charles Edwin Olinger was reared under the parental roof, attending the common schools in the acquirement of an education. When nineteen years of age he began teaching, following that profession for two years and abandoning it on the day that he attained his majority. During that period he also worked at farming, being closely identified with general agricultural pursuits until 1892, when he embarked in the real-estate and insurance busi- ness. In addition to his interests in this connection he also operated his farm until he disposed of it in 1899. In the spring of 1900 he opened an office in Maxwell and devoted his entire attention to real estate and insur- ance, being prominently and successfully identified with this field of business activity until 1909, since which time he has given his supervision solely to the care and management of his properties. He is a director of the Peo- ple's State Bank and was one of the organizers of that institution as well as of the Farmers Grain Company of Maxwell.
Mr. Olinger has been married twice. On the Ist of October, 1889, he wedded Miss Elsie A. Ludlow, of Jasper county, Iowa, by whom he had four children, two of whom are yet living, namely: Byron K., who holds a clerkship in the First National Bank of Nevada, Iowa; and Mildred J., a high school student. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the IIth of September, 1905, and on the 12th of May, 1907, Mr. Olinger was again married, his second union being with Miss Jennie M. Comer, of Northville, South Dakota. They now have two children, Edwin Comer and George Donald.
In politics Mr. Olinger is a republican. He takes an especial interest in educational matters, is president of the board of school directors, was a member of the board when the present handsome school building was erected and has done much to bring the Maxwell schools up to their present high state of efficiency. Fraternally he is identified with Herald Lodge, No. 455, A. F. & A. M., while both he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian. His entire life has been spent in Story county and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of its leading and representative citizens.
KEITH R. FRAZIER.
Keith R. Frazier, one of the leading business men of Story county, is at the head of the firm of K. R. Frazier & Company of Colo, dealers in lum- ber, grain, coal, etc. His birth occurred in Champaign county, Illinois, on the IIth of December, 1878, his parents being Robert A. and Mary J. (Friesner) Frazier. The father, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, about 1848, removed when a young man to Champaign county, Illi- nois, where he was married and identified himself with the grain and lum- ber business, there conducting an enterprise of this character until 1892.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
In that year he came to Story county and established himself in the grain and coal business at Nevada, purchasing a mill and elevator combined, which he remodeled to make a commodious elevator building. Ile has thus been prominently identified with the business interests of Nevada continuously since and is widely recognized as a prosperous and influential resident of the town. In 1902 he assisted in the organization of the People's Savings Bank, was chosen its president and has served in that capacity to the pres- ent time.
Keith R. Frazier was reared under the parental roof and supplemented his preliminary education by a course of study in the Nevada high school, while later he attended the University of lowa. He early became familiar with his father's business in principle and detail, ably assisting in its con- duct. On the tst of October, 1902, he and his brother. Pearl Frazier, be- came partners of their father under the firm style of R. A. Frazier & Sons. In 1907 our subject disposed of his interest in the concern and, in association with his father, purchased the business of Shaw & Binder in Colo, where he has since dealt extensively in lumber. grain and coal as the head of the firm of K. R. Frazier & Company. He is likewise a stockholder in the Story County Independent Telephone Company and enjoys an enviable reputation as a young man of excellent business ability, sound judgment and keen discrimination.
In 1907 Mr. Frazier was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle MeDole, of Eddyville, Iowa. Mrs. Frazier is a devoted and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, exemplifying its teachings in her daily life. Mr. Fra- zier is well known here and in all of his dealings with his fellowmen has demonstrated his right to their regard and confidence.
EDGAR WILLIAMS STANTON.
Every citizen of Ames is justly proud of the Iowa State College and the position to which it has attained among the educational institutions of the country. It is the visible evidence of the labors and devotion of a number of men to the profession to which they have consecrated their lives. It is a widely acknowledged fact that the most important work to which a man can direct his energies is that of teaching, whether it be from the pulpit, from the lecture platform or from the schoolroom. The founda- tion of character-building is laid in youth and the impressionable mind of the young readily receives the lessons that have important bearing upon his entire future life. The realization of this fact has made Professor Stanton hokl to high ideals not only in methods of instruction in the par- ticular branches assigned to him in his college work but also in the personal conduct and the trend of thought and interests which constitute an ever prosent example for the student.
EnStanton
HE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
A native of Pennsylvania, Professor Stanton was born at Waymart, Wayne county. He is descended from Thomas Stanton, who landed in Virginia in January, 1635. from the merchantman Bonaventura, and who in the following year removed to Boston, Massachusetts, and thence, in 1639, to Hartford, Connecticut. This ancestor was prominent in the Pe- quot and other Indian wars and in the early life of the colony. The line of descent is traced down from Thomas Stanton through John, John and David to Colonel Asa Stanton, who was a native of Connecticut and an active participant in the Revolutionary war. He served both in the army and infant navy of the colonies and, being captured, was confined for a considerable time on the prison ship Jersey. His son, Asa Stanton, born in Paupack, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1793, was the father of Fitz Henry Stanton, who was born at Waymart, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1823. Fitz Henry Stanton became successively a lumberman, railroad official and farmer, the farm on which he died, in 1906, having come into the posses- sion of his grandfather in 1793. He was married on the 30th of June, 1844. to Mary Rounds, a daughter of Arba and Sarah Rounds.
Professor Stanton, of Ames, son of Fitz Henry and Mary ( Rounds) met the usual experiences of youth passed on a Pennsylvania farm in the '60s. His home training helped to establish habits of industry and a rec- ognition of the value and worth of time and money. He enjoyed farm life in its various phases but desired to get out into the great, busy world and gain a broader knowledge of life than could be obtained within the cir- cumscribed limits of the home farm. His inclination was toward mechan- ical and business pursuits yet into other channels his energies were directed and Iowa gained thereby one of her foremost educators. He was a pupil in the public schools of Waymart and in the normal school of that place prior to entering the Delaware Literary Institute of Franklin, Delaware county, New York. This is a preparatory school, then under the charge of Professor George W. Jones, afterward professor of mathematics at the Iowa State College at Ames and later professor of mathematics at Cornell University, at Ithaca, New York. On the completion of his preparatory work in the Delaware Literary Institute he sought the opportunity of pur- suing a college course where he could meet his expenses by working at the institution. Not finding any such opportunity in the east, he wrote to Professor Jones, of Ames, Iowa, having previously worked for him while attending school in Franklin. In reply he was told to come on at once and, making his way westward, he entered the sophomore class of the Iowa State College, living in the home of Professor Jones during the re- mainder of his student life, doing work about the house and also clerical work in the office of the college cashier. Such was his recognized ability and scholarship that on the day of his graduation, in November, 1872, he was elected instructor in mathematics in the college and throughout the intervening years to the present time has been continuously a teacher there, his labors constituting one of the strong and forceful elements in the
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
development of the school and in the maintenance of the high standard that has placed the college among the foremost educational institutions of the middle west. He was assistant professor of mathematics from the ist of March. 1874. until March 1, 1878, when he was made professor of mathe- matics and political economy, so continuing until September 1, 1906. Since the latter date his entire time and attention, owing to the growth of the school, have been given, in instructional lines, to mathematics. He has also had voice in the management of the institution for thirty-seven years. or since the 16th of November, 1874, when he was made secretary of the board of trustees. He acted in that capacity continuously until July 1. 1909, when he was elected secretary of the college. He was also acting president from November 13, 1890, until February 17. 1891, and again in 1902-3 and since August 19, 1910. He has likewise been dean of the junior college from the 11th of September. 1903. to the present time. Throughout the entire period of his connection with the school he has labored earnestly and zealously to extend its influence. to improve its methods and to make its course of instruction of practical value as a preparation for the duties and responsibilities of life. Reading and re- search have kept him in touch with the work that is being done by the most prominent educators of this and other lands, and sound judgment has enabled him to glean from their methods many ideas which, adapted to the work of lowa College, have proven of inestimable value. More- over, his initiative spirit has enabled him to originate many plans of worth to the institution and methods of instruction which have worked out most satisfactorily in the schoolroom.
In other connections Professor Stanton has displayed excellent business ability, being interested in both farming and banking. Through economy and fortunate investment in Jowa land and industrial enterprises of the state he has acquired a fair competence. While not without that laudable ambition for the attainment of success, which is the stimulus of all in- dustry, in an effort to provide the comforts of life for his family, he has also been actuated by the higher motives of contributing to the world's intellectual progress which constitutes the basis of an advancing civiliza- tion.
On the 22d of February, 1877, in Mount Pleasant. lowa, Professor Stanton was united in marriage to Miss Margaret P. McDonald, who pur- sued her education in the Muskingum College of Ohio and the Mount Pleasant ( lowa ) Ladies Seminary, being a graduate of the latter institu- tion. She was afterward professor of French and preceptress of the Iowa State College from 1870 until 1878. She passed away July 25. 1895. her death being deeply regretted by all who knew her. for her broad culture and splendid womanly qualities had endeared her to all with whom she had been brought in contact. The woman's building on the campus of Iowa College has been named Margaret Hall in her honor, while her husband as a memorial to her presented to the college the Margaret Hall chimes,
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY
consisting of eleven bells manufactured by Taylor Brothers of England and now occupying the beautiful campanile on the campus.
Professor and Mrs. Stanton became the parents of four children. Ed- win McDonald, born July 31, 1879. was married February 26. 1908, to Miss Maude McDougall, of Brockville, Canada. He was graduated from the scientific course in Iowa State College in 1898, was for two years a student in Michigan University and was graduated from the medical de- partment of the Pennsylvania State University in 1903. For two years thereafter he was assistant in the Bender Research Laboratory of Albany, New York, and for two and a half years was with Dr. Oxner, of Chicago, He is now junior partner of the firm of McMullen & Stanton, practicing surgeons of Schenectady, New York. Roger Williams, the second son, born February 2, 1882, died on the 30th of May of the same year. Mar- garet Beaumont, born May 16, 1883, was graduated from the Iowa State College in 1902 and spent the following year in post-graduate work at Bryn Mawr. She afterward devoted two years to post-graduate work in Wisconsin University, winning the Master of Arts degree in 1908. She was awarded a scholarship in the department of history for 1909 and is now instructor of history of the State Preparatory School at Bowlder, Colorado. Edgar Williams Stanton, Jr., the youngest son, born January 19, 1887, was graduated at Ames College in 1907 with the Civil Engineer degree, did post-graduate work at the Wisconsin University in 1909-10 in hydraulic engineering, and now is irrigation engineer at Gridley, Cali- fornia.
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