USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 30
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 30
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In the spring of 1884 Mr. Stone com- menced the work of planting an apple or- chard a mile west of Glenwood. By the spring of 1892 he had purchased eiglit hun- dred acres of land in one body, on which he had in the meantime planted over one hun- dred thousand trees and seveny-five thousand grape vines. In the enterprise he invested all the money he had ever earned and saved and all he could borrow. The expense of the operation and maintenance of the orchard was afterward very great. But up to this writing there has been no crop of apples in this country since 1891, though all the trees have long since been of bearing age. Such a condition had never been known before
the orchard was planted. On this ac- count Mr. Stone was obliged to let go much of it .ยท He began this great under- taking from both sentimental and prac- tical motives and from a desire to benefit the locality where, and the people among whom, he had so long lived. Though he has thus far gained nothing for himself in the enterprise, it has been of incalculable benefit to them. The price of land in that county and around it quickly went up ten to thirty dollars per acre, from which it has not receded. Mr. Stone does not doubt that the orchard will yet prove immensely profit- able, and though it may not help him he is gratified to believe it will greatly help- others.
In addition to his other studies during the war Mr. Stone learned to read well the French language, though, for want of a teacher, not to speak it. He obtained Jomini's and Schalk's works on the art of war and mastered them. He thus became well informed on the theories and principles of this great art and acquired a technical knowledge of the rules of grand strategy and grand tactics and the principles of mili- tary logistics. In an experience of more than three years of service in large armies under illustrious commanders in a great war over a large territory he continuously saw these great rules and principles put in practice.
Since the war he has been a constant stu- dent of language, literature, philosophy, science and history and few university grad- uates, who have been so long engaged in the active duties of an arduous profession are better scholars. The character of his mind is such that he is a profound, analytical and constructive thinker, and a clear, logical,
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forcible and elegant writer. Since he re- tired from the attorney generalship he has devoted his time to his private practice with unabated energy, and few professional or business men work and study as many hours of the day and night.
Jolin Y. Stone was married at Glenwood, January 8. 1868, to Miss Harriet Solomon. On that day he started to Des Moines to at- tend his first legislative session, taking his young wife with him for the winter. The name of Mrs. Stone's father was Joel Solo- mo1. He was clerk of the circuit court il Fulton county, Illinois, when Stephen A Douglas was judge of that circuit, and he was a warm personal and political friend of that distinguished man. Mr. and Mrs Stone have but one child living, John Clar- ence Stone. He was born in 1871 and in 1894 was married to Miss Jessie DeLash- mutt, daughter of W. C. Delashinutt, one of the most prominent men in the county. They have two children, boys, one named John Ernest and the other William Law- rence, the former after his paternal and the latter after his maternal grandfather.
JOHN D. KRUSE.
An industrious and energetic career has brought to John D. Kruse creditable suc- cess, making him one of the substantial farmers of Mills county. He was born in Holstein, Germany, and his parents, Hans and Katrina (Miller) Kruse, were also na- tives of the fatherland. Our subject and his brother Henry came to America in I858, taking up their abode in Oak township, Mills county, Iowa, and three years later, in 1861, they sent for their parents, who also crossed the Atlantic to the new world and became
residents of Oak township, where they spent their remaining days, the father dying when eiglity-two years of age, while the mother passed away at the age of eighty-three.
Of their six children John D. Kruse is the second in order of birth. After coming to the United States he spent three years in working for others and then with the cap- ital he had acquired he began buying land and devoted his energies to its improvement and cultivation. As a companion and help- mate on life's journey he chose Miss Katrina Schroeder, a daughter of Henry and Mar- guerita Schroeder. Their marriage was celebrated October 29, 1861, and they be- came the parents of six children, four of whom are yet living, namely: Lena, now the wife of Matt Patterson, a resident of South Omaha: Charlie, who resides in Sil- ver City, Mills county, and is engaged in the stock business; Lewis, who is employed in a store in Emerson, Nebraska ; and Henry, who is located in Mineola, where he is ex- tensively engaged in dealing in stock. Those who have passed away are William, who died at the age of eighteen years, and .Au- gust, who died at the age of twelve years. The mother of these children passed away in 1875, and for five years Mr. Kruse re- mained single. He was again married, on Chirstmas day of 1880. his second union being with Mrs. Jena Domand. By her first husband she had three children : Otto, who resides in Wayne county, Nebraska, where he is engaged in farming; Theodore: and Martha. By the second marriage there are three children. Metha, Herman and John. In 1896 Mr. Kruse lost his second wife, who died on the 28th of February of that year, at the age of fifty-three.
Since first purchasing a tract of land
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John D. Kruse has carried on agricultural pursuits, and as his financial resources have increased he has added to his possessions until he has owned nine hundred acres of fine farming land. He has engaged in the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to this climate and to the raising of stock, and both have brought to him an excellent income. He has made liberal provision for all his children, and those who are married he has settled upon good farms or else established them in business. He has earned the dis -. tinction of being what the world calls a self- made man. He has met difficulties and ob- stacles in his career, but has steadily ad- vanced on the road to progress, for the trials which he has encountered have seemed to serve as an impetus for renewed effort. In politics he is independent. He and his fam- ily are members of the German Lutheran church at Mineola, and are people of sterling worth, enjoying the confidence and high re- gard of many friends. Mr. Kruse has never had cause to regret his determination to come to America, for he found in the new world the opportunity he sought and is to- day one of the substantial and valued farm- ers of Mills county.
MORTIMER W. NELSON.
A varied career has been that of Mr. Nelson, who from a very early period in his boyhood days has been dependent upon his own resources for a living. He is numbered among the veterans of the Civil war, has faced the hardships and trials of life, has been connected with various business and military concerns, and now, in the evening of life, is enjoying a well earned rest at his
home in Randolph, Iowa, where he is niin- bered among the representative citizens.
He was born near Hillsboro, in Mont- gomery county, Illinois, July 21, 1831, and was reared upon a farm. His parents were Robert C. and Elizabeth A. (Shull) Nelson, and the paternal grandfather of our subject was John R. Nelson, a native of Scotland and a member of the distinguished family of Nelsons living in Knoxville, Tennessee. Robert C. Nelson was born and reared in that city, acquiring a liberal education. He prepared for the practice of law and was admitted to the bar. A broad-minded, in- telligent man, he also successfully engaged in teaching school, and he was called upon to fill a number of positions of public honor and trust. After his removal to Illinois he occupied the position of county clerk in Montgomery county and filled a number of minor offices. Prominent and influential in public affairs, he left the impress of his individuality for good upon the public life of the community with which he was asso- ciated. In his political preferences in early life he was what was known as a member of the Brownlow faction of the Tennessee and trust. After his removal to Illinois he became the owner of a farm, which he in- proved, making it his home for a number of years. Finally, however, he became dis- sipated through his political work, became involved in financial trouble and lost his property, leaving his wife and two little sons without means of support. He then accept- ed a position as clerk on a steamboat ply- ing between New Orleans and St. Louis, and after a number of years he went to Jackson county, Illinois, where he died in 1866. His family had had no correspondence with him for a number of years and the only knowl-
MORTIMER W. NELSON
THE BRA YORK PURIIG LIBRARY
ASTON LANJA AND TILDIN /JUNBATIONS
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
edge they had of him was obtained through our subject's correspondence with a brother of his father, who knew of his place of resi- dence. Robert C. Nelson had two brothers in Tennessee : David, a prominent attorney at law in Knoxville : and Matthew, who also made his home in that city.
The mother of our subject was born in Wayne county, Tennessee. After the father left home the mother kept her children with her. supporting them by working at the loom. In 1845 she removed to Van Buren county, Iowa, locating in Keosauqua, where she remained for a number of years. While there he was again married, becoming the wife of a Mr. Richardson, and from that date her sons were obliged to provide for their own support, receiving no further in- dulgence or kindness from the mother. Later she and Mr. Richardson separated and she removed to Fort Scott, Kansas, where her death occurred. Of the Methodist church she was a consistent and worthy member.
Mortimer W. Nelson was only two years old when his father left home. He was still very young when he began to earn his own livelihood. He received very limited edu- cational privileges and his life has ever been one of industry and labor. He accompanied his-mother on her removal to Iowa and was reared in Van Buren county. When sixteen years of age he entered upon an apprentice- ship to learn the blacksmith's trade. and after mastering that business he was enabled to gain a good living for himself. About 1850 he joined Ned Buntline's expedition to invade Cuba. Mr. Buntline was to follow Crittenden and Lopez, of Kentucky, who had gone to Cuba with a force of fifty men Ned Buntline then raised a company of about two hundred and fifty filibusters and
with his force made his way to New Or- leans, where intelligence was received of the shooting of Crittenden and Lopez, and the expedition was therefore abandoned. From New Orleans many of the company returned to their homes, but Mr. Nelson, of this re- view, went to Texas, where he spent five years, following the blacksmith's trade and also speculated to some extent. In that way he made some money, gaining the nucleus of his present possessions.
Returning to his native county in Octo- ber. 1856, Mr. Nelson was united in mar- riage to Miss Parlina Mitchell, and unto them was born a son, John H. Nelson. Our subject remained in Illinois until 186r.when he responded to the country's call for aid. enlisting with the Union army. . While he was at the front he lost his wife. Mr. Nel- son's mother then took care of his child. rearing him to manhood and when last heard from he was in Texas.
In May, 1861, Mr. Nelson was enrolled as a member of the First Illinois Cavalry. which was assigned to the western depart- ment of the army. He was detailed to act as wagon-master and was superintendent of all transportation for that division. At Lexington, Kentucky, seven companies of the regiment were captured, but were paroled on the ground and sent to St. Louis. Three days later Secretary Stanton, of the war de- partment. ordered all to report at Benton Barracks for duty. The men responded and the regiment was re-organized, with their old colonel, John Marshall, of Coles county, Illinois, in command. The companies were then placed at different points to guard and protect supplies and other transportation. Mr. Nelson served in that way until July 14, 1862, when he was mustered out in ac-
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cordance with the act which prevented him from being exchanged. He received an lion - orable discharge, and the 13th of August of the same year he re-enlisted, becoming a member of the Fortieth Iowa Infantry. With that regiment he also remained in the western departinent and saw much hard service. He was made sergeant of his com- pany and participated in many battles and engagements, including the siege of Vicks- burg. At Paducah, Kentucky, he was pro- moted to the rank of color-bearer and there- after was in all the battles in which his regi- ment took part. At the battle of Jenkins' Ferry, in 1864, he was wounded in the left shoulder by a minie ball and was thus disabled for further duty in the field and was granted a furlough. His arm and hand were so crippled by the gunshot wound that he was never again able to work at the blacksmith's trade. The government now grants him a pension of twelve dollars a month: but this is certainly inadequate to the injury he sustained and the disability which has since followed. He served his country long and faithfully, doing every- thing in his power to uphold the cause of the Union. While at the front his loyalty and bravery were above question, and he was never known to neglect a duty whether on the firing line or on the tented field. No soldier who wore the blue has a better rec. ord, and his military service is one of which he has every reason to be proud.
After returning to Illinois Mr. Nelson was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, who was born in Ohio. December 14, 1842, a daughter of Thomas Pulling, a native of England. He was a farmer and butcher and died in
Illinois. In his family were the following named : Charles ; George ; Benjamin : Adam, who was killed in the war of the rebellion; Thomas; Mary; Catherine; Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Nelson ; Mary, Emily, Joanna and Ann. With the exception of Thomas and Ann. all are yet living. By her former marriage Mrs. Williams had one daughter, Alpha, who was reared and educated by our subject and is now the wife of F. Walker.
Mr. Nelson continued farming in Illinois until 1882, when he canie to Fremont coun- ty. Here he carried on agricultural pur- suits for five years and then purchased a comfortable home in Randolph, where he has since remained, practically living retired from the active duties of business. He has, however, served as assessor for twelve years, and has been re-elected for three years more. He has also been street commis- sioner and tax collector and has filled all the offices with credit to himself and satis- faction to his constituents. He was non- inated on the Republican ticket for the office of sheriff, but as the county is largely Demo- cratic he failed of election. He has, how- ever, never been an aspirant for political honors, and the offices which he has filled have come to him in recognition of his ability rather than from his seeking. On questions of state and national importance he votes with the Republican party ; but at local elec- tions, where no political issue is involved, he casts his ballot irrespective of party ties. Both he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church and Mr. Nelson is a licensed minister thereof. He has been very active in both church and Sunday-school work and has aided in organizing a num- ber of Sunday-schools in the county.
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BIOGR. IPHICAL HISTORY.
GEORGE PULLMAN.
The value of character was demonstrat- ed in the life of the late George Pullman, of Ingraham township, Mills county, lowa, who left to his descendants a priceless legacy in a good name. Mr. Pullman was born in the province of Darmstadt, Germany, November 24. 1834, and died September 6. 1898, aged sixty-four years, ten months and twenty- three days. He was educated in his native city and at the age of eighteen came to America and joined his two sisters who had previously located in Philadelphia, Peansyl- vania, and who took a special interest in him because he was the youngest of six children and the only son in their family. He learned wagon and carriage making in Philadelphia, and worked at that trade until 1856. He went from Philadelphia to Chi- cago and from Chicago to Muscatine, lowa, where he was married, January 4, 1856. to Elizabeth Hettinger, a native of Darmstadt, Germany, born October 3. 1838, and a daughter of George and Margaret ( Buck) Hettinger, who made the voyage from Ger- many to the United States in a sailing ves- sel in 1848, the passage consuming thirty- six days.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Pull- man began life as tenant farmers at Musca . tine. Fourteen years later, on September 1, 1870, they set out for Ingraham township, Mills county, Iowa, by wagon, driving through in thirteen days and arriving Sep- tember 13th. They settled on one hundred and sixty acres of new prairie land for which Mr. Pullman paid ten dollars an acre and which is now worth sixty-five dollars an acre. Later, from time to time, he bought other land until he owned six hundred acres,
most of it in one body, and for one eighty- acre tract he paid twenty-nine dollars an acre. He gave attention to general farming, but made a specialty of raising hogy and cattle, feeding his own crops largely, ex- cept wheat and barley, of which De raised good quantities and for which he received the highest market price. The Pullman farm is one of the best and most productive in the county. The present residence of the family was built in 1892 and the barns, granaries and other out-buildings were erected earlier, according to necessity and opportunity.
Mrs. Pullman is one of a family of ten children, of whom seven grew to manhood and womanhood and of whom Mrs. Pull- man and four of her brothers are living. John Hettinger is a salesman at Silver City, Iowa. William is a farmer near Silver City, Iowa. Another brother is a hotel- keeper at Silver City, Jowa, and the cklest is a farmer at Humboklt, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Pullman had fourteen children, who were born at the dates mentioned. George Pullman, at Muscatine, April. 1857; William, 1858; Margaret, who was born in 1860 and married Frank Plummer : Sophia, who was born in 1861 and married Will- iam Mosley: Mary, born in 1862: Philip, in 1864: John, who was born in 1866 and lives at Silver City, Jowa: Henry .A., born in 1868: Charles, in 1871: Edward, in 1872, Lizzie, who was born in 1874 and is the wife of Davis Greenwood, of Silver - City. lowa: Frank, born in 1876: Albert, in 1878; and James, in 1880. Eight grandsons and eight granddaughters of Mr. and Mrs. Pull- man are living. The family are members of the Lutheran church, of which Mr. Pullman was a liberal supporter, and was interested also in public education and served his fellow
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
townsmen as school director and was many times elected trustee of his township on the Democratic ticket. All of his children re- ceived a good common-school education and three of his sons were graduated from the Gem City Business College, at Quincy. Illi- nois.
WALTER B. SHELDON.
Walter B. Sheldon is one of the most extensive landowners of Fremont county and for thirty-six years he has resided at his present place of residence in Benton town- ship. He is truly a self-made man, having worked his way steadily upward from an humble position in life to one of affluence, and his life record contains many lessons that may well be emulated.
Mr. Sheldon was born October 27, 1818, in Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, and is a representative of one of the old and well known families of the Empire state. His grandfather followed farming there. His father, William Sheldon, was born in Jefferson county, in 1793, and after arriving at years of maturity married Miss Sela Bross, of Watertown. Their marriage oc- curred about 1812, and they became the par- ents of the following children : Mrs. Eliza Rogers, a widow who has six children and resides in Benton township; Walter B., of this review; Mrs. Artie Gates, of Benton township, who is the widow of a soldier and has one daughter: Amelia, wife of E. R. Hawley, of Percival; and Josiah B., a fruit farmer and capitalist of Texas, who has a wife and one son. The father of this family died in 1835, at the age of forty-eight years, and the mother was again married, becoming the wife of Alpheus Wilson. After his death
she remained a widow for many years, mak- ing her home with her son, Walter. She died in 1875. at the age of seventy-eight years.
Mr. Sheldon, whose name introduces this record, was reared to farm life and obtained his education before he was seventeen years of age. At his father's death he was left in charge of the farm of ninety acres, and upon him devolved the responsibility of caring for the family. Eight years later he sold that farm preparatory to removing west. He was married at Sackett's Harbor, New York, on the Ist of June, 1845, to Miss Sarah Hawley. She is a sister of Elijah R. Haw- ley and is the fourth in order of birth in the family of five children. She was born in 1819, and she and her brother Elijah are the only ones of the family now living. Her parents were farming people and commanded the respect of all who knew them. Her mother was a member of the Baptist church, and her father served as a trustee in that church. Mr. Sheldon's maternal grandfa- thier served as a captain in the war of 1812.
Our subject and his wife resided in the east until the fall of 1864-the year of their arrival in Iowa. Mr. Sheldon secured one hundred and sixty acres of improved land, for which he paid fifteen hundred dollars. Since that time he has purchased other lands and he now owns thirteen hundred acres on the river bottom, while his son Charles has one thousand acres, all in this township with the exception of four hundred acres in Mills county, where the father and two sons have five hundred acres. Since arriving in Iowa Mr. Sheldon has carried on general farming and the breeding of and dealing in live-stock. He keeps on hand good grades of horses and cattle and everything about his place is neat
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and thrifty in appearance. For thirty-six years he has resided on his present farm and has erected there one of the finest residences in the locality, and also has built near his home a large house for his son, William II. Sheldon.
U'nto our subject and his wife have been born seven sons : Charles, a resident of Fre- mont county ; Clark, who is living in Benton township: William, who died at the age of two and a half months : William II., who re- sides on the old homestead ; Till W., who is also on the home farm : Eddy W., a resident of Percival : and Jay H., who died at the age of two years. The members of the Sheldon household during the past eight years have been our subject, his wife and Mrs. Pamelia Ward, who was born in the town of Pamelia, Jefferson county, New York, a daughter of Marseen and Catherine ( Grems) Ward. Ten children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ward, of whom five were married, while three are yet living. Mrs. Ward has been a member of the family for fifty years. She is not a relative by the tie of blood, but the family entertain the greatest love and respect for her. Although well provided for she is still actively at work and is a most estimable lady. Upon the farm Mr. Sheldon and his sons have forty-five acres set in apple trees, which orchard brings to them an excellent income in good fruit seasons. This orchard and the large maple trees which adorn the lawn were planted by Mr. Sheldon and will stand as a monument to his memory long after he is sleeping beneath the sod. In busi- ness he has prospered, owing to his well di- rected his efforts. He had no inheritance and no influential friends to aid him, but steadily he has worked his way upward, improving his opportunities and annually augmenting
his capital by his perseverance and diligence. He is a Master Mason of thirty years' stand- ing and in politics he is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired the honors and emoluments of public office. His wife and one of his sons are members of the Baptist church, and he has contributed to its support and assisted in building the house of worship. He withholds his co-operation from no move- ment or measure calculated to prove of public good, and all who know him esteem him for his genuine worth.
RICHARD P. LINDSAY.
Among those who have become promi- nently identified with the business interests of Sidney, Jowa, is Richard P. Lindsay, the subject of this review. He was born in Ful- ton county, Illinois, in 1860, a son of Elisha and Elizabeth (Pennington) Lindsay. the former of whom was born near Wheeling, West Virginia, in 1816, and is still living, residing with a daughter at Creston. lowa. The mother of our subject was born in Ohio, and her death occurred in this county.
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