USA > Iowa > Washington County > History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county, Vol. II > Part 1
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HISTORY
OF
Washington County lowa
From the First White Settlements to 1908
By HOWARD A. BURRELL
Also Biographical Sketches of Some Prominent Citizens of the County
ILLUSTRATED
VOL. II.
CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1909
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 2680054 ASTOR, LENOX AND ALLDEN FOUNDATIONS R 1306 L
BE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATION
0
+
5
BIOGRAPHICAL
MARSH W. BAILEY.
While Marsh W. Bailey is primarily a lawyer-and by the consensus of public opinion a most able one-he is also recognized as one of the prominent republican leaders of southeastern Iowa and has left and is leaving the im- press of his individuality upon the political history of this section of the state. He was born in Richmond, lowa, March 9, 1870, and represents one of the old families of Washington county. The Baileys are of Scotch-Irish lineage.
Abraham Bailey, the grandfather of Marsh W. Bailey, was a native of Ohio and a farmer by occupation. He wedded Miss Mary Kirkpatrick and in an early day they came to Iowa, where Mr. Bailey entered two hundred acres of government land adjoining the village of Richmond. He was then identi- fied with agricultural interests until his death, which occurred just prior to the Civil war. His widow survived him until about 1868.
They reared a large family including James Bailey who was born on the land his father had entered from the government, the place of his nativity being in English River township. Washington county. There he was reared to manhood on a farm and the occupation with which he became familiar during his boyhood he determined to make his life work. At different times he has bought and sold a number of farms in this county and for sometime was actively engaged in the work of the fields, but for the past twenty years has been a resident of Washington. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the Union cause, enlisting in the Thirteenth Iowa Regiment, while later he became a member of Company D. Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, serving for nearly four years in all. He was a non-commissioned officer, holding the rank of sergeant. He participated in the siege of Vicksburg, in the battles of Look- out Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca and the Atlantic campaign, in- cluding the siege and capture of Atlanta. He also went with Sherman on the march to the sea and when the victorious northern troops marched through the streets of Washington in the grand review he was of the number, thus taking part in the closing pageant of the war. When hostilities were over he returned to his home in Washington county, Iowa, and again engaged in farming in English River township. being identified with agricultural pur-
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IHISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
suits in that and Jackson townships until he established his home in the city of Washington.
James Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Marsh, a daughter of Adam Marsh, who was a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent. He, too, followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He married a Miss Austin and they established their home in Washington county among the early settlers. Both passed away in Jackson township when well advanced in years, having reared a family of four sons and two daughters: William E. : James F .: Charles H. : Hannibal H. ; Margaret, now Mrs. Bailey ; and Victoria, who became the wife of Marion O'Laughlin. Unto Mr. and Mrs. James Bailey have been born two daughters: May, who died in infancy ; and Ida M.
Marsh W. Bailey, the only son and the eldest of the family, was born on the same farm on which his father was born. He was reared upon the farm and attended the country schools at Pilotsburg, after which he continued his studies in Iowa City Academy, and later, at the Washington Academy, from which he was graduated with honors on the completion of the classical course in 1800. While in the academy he was a member of the Aurora Literary So- ciety, and in connection with Charles W. McCleary, who has since died as a missionary in Africa, edited and published the Acamedian, a monthly literary magazine. Hc next entered the State University of Iowa at Iowa City and was graduated from the College of Liberal Arts in 1893. While a student in the university he was a member of the well known Zetagathian Literary Society, as well as one of the charter members of the McClain Chapter of the Phi Delta Phi fraternity. He was literary editor of the Hawkeye, the junior annual of the class of '93 : and managing editor of the S. U. I. Quill, the liter- ary magazine of the university. He also pursued the law course there and spent a year in the law libraries and courts of Des Moines. Well qualified for the practice of his profession he opened an office in Washington in the winter of 1894-5 and has for fifteen years been continuously engaged in practice, meeting with gratifying and well earned success. The liberal client- age accorded him is indicative of his ability which has placed him in the ranks of the foremost lawyers of this part of the state. He is strong and forceful in argument, clear and logical in his deductions and presents his cause co- gently and convincingly.
Mr. Bailey has filled the office of city attorney of Washington for three terms and was county attorney for two terms. He was elected on the re- publican ticket, having been a stanch supporter of the party since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise. While still in the university he was a member of the American Republican College League which had for its object the overcoming of the free-trade teachings then so strong in so many colleges and universities. During the Harrison campaign he was vice president of the National League and had charge of its western headquarters, while the suc- ceeding year he presided over the national convention at Louisville, Ken- tucky. He has been a delegate to the conventions of the party from township to national and has presided over all except the state and national. He was also a member of the executive committee of the Iowa League of the
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Republican Clubs and acted as its secretary for a time. lle was ward com- mitteeman for years, was chairman of the county central committee and was a member of the sixth judicial district committee, while later he became congressional committeeman from this county. In 1904 he was a delegate to the republican national convention which nominated Theodore Roosevelt, and as a presidential elector from the first district of Iowa in 1908 he cast his ballot for William H. Taft. Perhaps no man in the district of his age has done more for the success of the republican party than Mr. Bailey and he has made many effective campaign addresses, presenting his arguments clearly and forcibly while the logic of his utterances appeals strongly to the thinking public.
On the 10th of April, 1900, Mr. Bailey was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Brown, a daughter of Henry .A. and Anna ( Barhydt ) Brown. Mrs. Bailey was born in Burlington, this state, her parents coming from New York to lowa and settling in that city in the '50s. Her paternal grandfather was a native of New York, where his wife, who bore the maiden name of Eunice Abel, was also born. They became residents of Burlington, where both passed away in advanced years. Their only son was Henry A. Brown who, following his removal to Burlington, became a manufacturer of and dealer in shoes. He is still connected with the shoe trade in Burlington and is regarded as one of the valued and representative business men of that city. He married Miss Anna Barhydt, also a native of New York. as were her parents. Her father was of Holland-Dutch descent. She was a sister of Theodore Wells Barhydt and traced her lineage back to the first Dutch schoolmaster of New Amsterdam. There were two daughters and a son in the family : Eleanor, the wife of A. F. Holmes, of Chicago: Mary E .. now Mrs. Bailey : and Theodore Wells, who has just attained his majority. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born four children : Eleanor Louise, Henry Brown, Theodore Barhydt and Josephine Marsh. Mrs. Bailey is a member of the Presbyterian church and presides with gracious hospitality over her pleasant home.
Mr. Bailey is president of the Washington County Historical Society and chairman of the book committee of the Jane A. Chilcote free city library. He also belongs to the Iowa State Historical Society and to the American Historical Association. He is deeply interested in matters relating to history and to the public welfare and as a man of influence is contributing in no small measure to shaping the annals of this part of the state ..
Mr. Bailey is very strongly attached to his profession; and few lawyers hew closer to the line of its ideals and ethics. He is a member of the Wash- ington County, Iowa, and American Bar Associations, being a member of the executive committee of the Iowa association.
Progressive by impulse, yet conservative in advice and action, he has the trait of judicial temperament very higly developed. Few men can disarm their prejudices and weigh matters at arm's length without bias; but the lawyers recognize a marked ability in Mr. Bailey to do that very thing. In 1906 the Washington bar made him their candidate for judge of the district. He seemed to be the favorite candidate of the profession throughout the
HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
district, but political considerations gave the prize to another. But whether it is along the line of judicial career his ability is sure to lead him along paths of the public service quite as much of the time as he will consent to take away from his profession.
Alert, enterprising and energetic he keeps abreast with the best thinking men of the age and with the movements of the times which are of vital im- portance to state and nation and his worth to the community is widely ac- knowledged.
ALEXANDER R. MILLER.
Alexander R. Miller, who according to the consensus of public opinion has measured up to the full standard of manhood in all of life's relations, is now editor of the Washington Democrat. He is well known in this part of the state where he has spent his entire life, being numbered among the native sons of Washington county, his birth having occurred in Marion township, February 6, 1865.
Flis parents, l'eter P. and Barbara ( Sommer) Miller, were both natives of Holmes county, Ohio, where they were reared. The former was a son of Moses P. Miller who was born in Pennsylvania. He became a farmer and was also prominent in the Mennonite church, becoming one of its clergymen and also a bishop of that denomination. He gave his services to the cause of Christianity without pay, and rode horseback over Indiana, organizing many churches. Who can measure the influence of such a life, characterized by self-sacrifice and by the utmost devotion to the work of promoting the moral and religious progress of the race? He died in Holmes county, Ohio, at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife. Mrs. Catharine ( Miller) Miller, was about seventy years of age at the time of her demise. They were the parents of seven children who reached years of maturity : Sarah, who died unmarried : Jonathan : Maria, who died single : John ; Mrs. Catharine Kauff- man: Moses, living in Tuscarawas county, Ohio; and Peter P. The last named, the father of our subject, was reared on the home farm in his native county until fifteen years of age, when he became a stock drover and was thus employed for ten or twelve years. He came west with a partner, Philip Yoder, with five thousand head of sheep and located in Marion township, Washington county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming in 1863. He was married in this county in January of that year, the lady of his choice being Miss Barbara Sommer, a daughter of Joseph Sommer, who was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the early settlers of Holmes county, Ohio, where he accumulated considerable property. He came to Iowa with his family in 1853. driving across the country to Van Buren county, and located soon afterward in Washington county, his home being a refuge in pioneer times for all new-comers. He, too, was a Mennonite and was one of the founders of a church of that denomination in this county. He lived an active, useful and honorable life and was called to his reward in 1888 at the age of eighty
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
years. His wife, Mrs. Martha (Miller) Sommer, died in 1875 at the age of sixty-five years. They had a large family, namely: Catharine, the wife of Daniel Winter ; Susan, the wife of Samuel Hagie; Lydia, who wedded Rev. Benjamin Eicher; Eve, the wife of Peter Goldsmith; Barbara, the wife of Peter P. Miller; Lucinda, who married John A. Rumble; Henry, residing at Wheatland, Wyoming; and Martha, the wife of G. W. Neff, of Wayland, Iowa.
As stated, Mr. and Mrs. Peter P. Miller were married in January, 1863, and at that time Mr. Miller purchased a small tract of land of twelve acres whereon he resided for five years, during which time he engaged in teaming and in gardening. Later he rented land for some years and eventually became the owner of one hundred and fifty-five acres, his industry and economy bringing him to a position of comfort. He died February 5, 1899, at the age of sixty years, while his wife survived until March 7, 1905, and passed away at the age of sixty-three years. Both were members of the Mennonite church and were laid to rest in Eicher cemetery in Marion township. Their family numbered five sons and two daughters: Alexander R., of this review ; Caroline, who died at the age of forty years ; Agnes; Joseph, of Wayland, Iowa ; Stanley, editor of the Free Press, at Mount Pleasant, Iowa ; John M., deceased ; and Charles R., of Wayland, Iowa.
In taking up the personal history of Alexander R. Miller we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely known in Washington county, having spent his entire life within its borders. He was reared on the home farm, pursued his early education in the district schools and later attended the Eastern Iowa Normal School, at Columbus Junction, and the Washington Academy. He lived at home until twenty-five years of age, giving his attention to the work of the farm and also to school teaching, which profession he followed for ten years in the district and village schools -always in Washington county. He then read law with Dewey & Eicher, well known attorneys of Washington, and was admitted to the bar in 1892, but he did not follow the profession, and in 1893 became connected with journalism, purchasing a half interest from George G. Rodman in the Wash- ington Democrat, thus becoming a partner of William N. Hood, with whom he was thus associated for five years. Mr. Hood was killed by the cars Sep- tember 14, 1898, and that year Mr. Miller by purchase acquired the entire plant and has since conducted the paper alone. The Democrat was estab- lished in 1878 and its name indicates its political complexion. Mr. Miller has a fine plant, most modern in all of its equipment, and in addition to the publication of his paper, which is an attractive sheet and has a large circula- tion, he also conducts an extensive job-printing business.
On the 28th of May, 1895, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Miller to Miss Ola Babcock, a daughter of Nathan L. and Ophelia (Smith) Bab- cock. Mrs. Miller was born in this county while her father was a native of New York and her mother of Ohio. The former was a son of Stanton Babcock, a native of New York, and one of the honored pioneer residents of Washington county, Iowa. He married Thurza Babcock, whose surname was therefore not changed at the time of her marriage. Both lived to an
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
advanced age and their remains were interred in a cemetery of this county when they were called to their final rest. They had three children who reached mature years. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Miller was a farmer by occupation. He married a Miss Rogers and they were early residents of Iowa where Mrs. Smith died at the age of thirty-three years, her grave being made in Richmond. Mr. Smith afterward married again and died at an advanced age. By his first wife he had five daughters: Harriet, the wife of Adam Page: Ophelia, the wife of N. L. Babcock; Cora, the wife of Nial Van Sickle : Emma, the wife of Anthony Van Sickle of Wash- ington ; and Mrs. Elizabeth Canier, a widow.
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Babcock became residents of Washington county at an early day and the father engaged in farming here. Espousing the cause of the Union at the time of the Civil war, he did active duty for two years in the Nineteenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. For the past thirty years he and his wife have lived in Washington where he has been engaged in deal- ing in live stock. They were the parents of seven children, but only three are now living. Ola. John and Josephine. Of these the first named became Mrs. Miller, and by her marriage three children have been born, Joseph, Ophelia and Barbara, but the first named died in infancy.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Miller is a Mason, prominent in the order as a member of Washington Lodge, No. 26, A. F. & A. M .: Cyrus Chapter No. 13. R. A. M .; and Bethlehem Commandery, No. 45, K. T. He is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America and his wife is a member of the Methodist church. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and that he is one of the prominent workers and foremost representatives of the party in this section of the state is indicated in the fact that he is now serv- ing as a member of the state central committee from the first district. He also uses the columns of his paper to further the political interests in which he believes but is not bitterly aggressive in his attacks upon those holding opposing views. In fact his salient qualities are those which characterize progressive and honorable American manhood and throughout the state wherever known, he is regarded as a dynamic force in furthering the best interests of his native county.
DANIEL A. FESLER.
Honored and respected by all, no man occupies a more enviable position in the commercial and financial circles of Riverside than does Daniel .1. Fesler, who is the president and was one of the organizers of the Riverside Savings Bank. He is also one of the leading merchants of the town, where he is engaged in the conduct of a hardware store and farming implement busi- ness. His birth occurred in Johnson county, Iowa, April 27, 1850, his parents being Jacob and Mary ( Slife) Fesler, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Virginia. They came to Johnson county, Iowa, with their respective parents and in this state attained their majority and were afterward married.
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIÓŃ
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Jacob Fesler served throughout the Civil war as a member of the Twenty- second lowa Volunteer Infantry, and following his return to the north, at the cessation of hostilities, he purchased a farm in Washington county about two miles north of Riverside. His attention was then given to general agri- cultural pursuits until about 1880 or 1882 when he took up his abode in the town and became connected with the grain trade, being prominently identified therewith for twelve years. He then put aside active business cares to live retired and spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, passing away in March, 1908, when in his eighty-first year. He had for sometime survived his wife who died in 1902 at the age of seventy-four years. He was a democrat in his political views, was a member of the old county board of supervisors, acting in that capacity at the time the new law was passed, reducing the number of the board from fifteen to three. He served in later years in the various township offices and was one of the in- fluential men of this section.
Daniel A. Fesler was reared at home, acquiring his education in the com- mon schools and in the lowa State University at lowa City, where he pur- stied a two years' course. He then took up teaching as a profession and followed that calling from 1871 until 1874, at which time he determined to adopt a mercantile career. Therefore, in 1874, he established a hardware and farm implement business and that he made wise choice of a field of labor is in- dicated in the success which has continuously been his up to the present time. He is today one of the best known merchants of northern part of Washington county and in point of years and continuous connection with business he is the pioneer merchant of Riverside, having been located here longer than any other man who is still associated with the commercial interests of the town. He has ever carried a well selected line of goods, his prices have been reasonable and his dealings fair and honorable and thus he has enjoyed from year to year a constantly increasing trade. In 1888 he became one of the leading factors in the organization of the Riverside Savings Bank, was made one of its directors and two years later was elected its president, in which capacity he continued until 1894 when on the death of Jesse Boyd, the cashier of the bank, Mr. Fesler was called on to succeed him in that capacity. He thus served until 1897 when he was again called to the presidency of the bank, in which position he has continued to act to the present time. As the chief executive officer he displays keen insight and a knowledge of when and where and how to best exercise his activities with the result that the bank has enjoyed continuous growth and is now numbered among the strong financial institutions of this part of the state.
In 1876 Mr. Fesler was married to Miss Mary Boyd, a daughter of Jesse Boyd, now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fesler have been born six children : Zella, the wife of Linus Hirt, of Muscatine, lowa : Ray A., who is associated with his father in his business enterprises : Jesse Guy, who is connected with them in business: Zetta E., who is in the music store which belongs to her father and her brother-in-law, Linus Ilirt : and Idla V. and Lyle J., both at home. Mr. Fesler is a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 274. K. P., his political allegiance is given to the democracy and he has served as mayor of
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY
Riverside for two years, while for several years he filled the office of township clerk. He is never neglectful of the duties of citizenship nor of the obligations which devolve upon him in any official or semi-official relation, while the record he has made in business places him in a prominent position in commer- cial and financial circles.
JAMES M. WILSON.
James M. Wilson is widely known as a breeder and raiser of Shorthorn cattle, being a prominent representative of the live stock interests of this section of the state. His landed possessions are also valuable, his home farm comprising two hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land. He has now traveled life's journey for seventy-six years, his birth having oc- curred in Licking county, Ohio, on the 4th of May, 1833. His parents were Robert and Elizabeth (Crawford) Wilson, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of County Down, Ireland. In her childhood days Eliza- beth Crawford came to the new world with her parents, the year 1810 wit- nessing the emigration of the family, who chose Coshocton county, Ohio, as a place of residence. The parents of Robert Wilson removed from Penn- sylvania to Muskingum county, Ohio, in 1817 and it was there that Robert Wilson and Elizabeth Crawford became acquainted and were married. They began their domestic life in Muskingum county, where they lived for eight years and then removed to Licking county, Ohio, where they resided until 1860. In that year they took up their abode upon a farm which Mr. Wilson owned in Knox county, Ohio, and to its further development and improve- ment he devoted his energies until his death, which occurred in 1874 when he was seventy-three years of age. His wife died in 1889 at the age of eighty-one years, having survived him for fifteen years. In his political views Robert Wilson was a stalwart democrat in early life but as the ques- tion of slavery became a paramount one he espoused the cause of freedom and in 1844 became affiliated with the abolitionists. Subsequently when the republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks and was ever afterward an ardent advocate of its principles. He served as township trustee and was also justice of the peace for a number of years, in which position his decisions were strictly fair and impartial, win- ning him golden opinions from all sorts of people. He was one of the most influential men in his section, leaving the impress of his in- dividuality for good upon the public life of the community. Both he and his wife were consistent and faithful members of the United Presbyterian church, displaying in their lives the force of those doctrines which promul- gate kindliness, charity and helpfulness.
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