USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 35
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 35
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William H. Norcutt, whose name forms the caption of this article, spent his youth upon his father's farm, and at the age of fifteen began earning his own livelihood by working as a farm-hand. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and. being a close student, he acquired knowledge sufficient to enable him to engage in teach- ing. He afterward attended the Villisca high school, under the tutelage of Professor J. A. McLean, now of Tarkio, Missouri. He became a student of law in the office and under the direction of the law firm of Bryant & Bryant, of Griswold. Iowa, and
was admitted to the bar in 1898, since which time he has practiced in Fremont county. He possesses a studious nature,-an element that is very essential to the successful lawyer, who, no matter how broad his knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, must study carefully each case, weigh the evidence and determine upon the points of the law applicable thereto. He has already gained a distinctively representative clientage and is rapidly working his way to the front among the leading members of the bar of southwestern Iowa.
In politics he is a stalwart Populist, zeal- ous in his advocacy of the principles of the party and often speaking on campaign sub- jects. He was recommended as the best man for the nomination as county attorney, and to that office was elected over L. A. Hill, a capable lawyer and the incumbent at the time of the election. Mr. Norcutt, how- ever, received a majority of sixty votes, a fact which indicates his personal popularity as well as the confidence reposed in him. He is discharging the duties of his office in a most capable manner, showing that the trust of his fellow townsmen was not misplaced. Mr. Norcutt is a man of fine physique and is a robust athlete. He has been actively interested in base and foot-ball, playing in many teams. His manner is cordial and genial, winning him confidence, and wher- ever he is known he is held in high esteem, being a popular resident of the community.
HON. JOHN COOPER.
Hon. John Cooper is a prominent and influential citizen and well-known early set- tler of Fremont county, where for more than half a century he has made his home,
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having located there in 1850. He was born October 13. 1820, in Mason county, State of Kentucky, and belongs to one of the old and prominent families of that state. The county was noted for its brave men, the unfailing courtesy of its citizens, for its fine horses and its good marksmanship. Ilis father, Thomas Cooper, was born in New Jersey and his ancestors were prominent in peace and patriotic in war. His parents were of English birth and he was a cousin of Peter Cooper, the noted financier, who was a candidate for president of the United States on the Greenback ticket in 1876. When a young man Thomas Cooper went to Ohio, where he was married to Susan Middleton, a native of that state, his par- ents having emigrated from the Mohawk valley in New York, where his ancestors had located at an early period in the devel- opment of that portion of the country. Some of the representatives of the family served in the early wars of the United States. For a number of years Thomas Cooper and his wife resided in Mason county, Kentucky. They had the following children, four sons and four daughters, namely: William, now deceased ; John, of this review; Eliza Ann, who also has passed away; Mary Ann. who is living in Kansas City, Missouri; James, deceased : Martha, who makes her home in Virginia; George, who has passed away; and George.
In 1835 the parents removed with the family to Clay county, Missouri, taking up their abode near Kansas City. That sec- tion of the country was then undeveloped, and Indians roamed at will over the prairies and wild beasts and wild game could be shot near the pioneers' cabins. Mr. Cooper built a log house and upon the farm which
he developed both he and his wife spent their last days. He was born in 1705 and died at the age of fifty eight years, while his wife, whose birth occurred in 1790, die l at the age of fifty-seven years. Through out his business career the father carrie l on farming, making that the mean- for the support of his family. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat, and in religious be- lief both he and his wife were Baptists.
John Cooper, whose name introduces this record, was reared in Kentucky until fifteen years of age and acquired his educa- tion in the public schools. In 1835 he ac- companied his parents on their removal to Clay county, Missouri, and amidst the wild scenes of frontier life was reared to man- hood. In 1850 he married Miss America Bruce, who has been to him a faithful com. panion and helpmeet on the journey of life for more than half a century, sharing with him in the joys and sorrows, adversity and prosperity which checkers the life of all. She was born in Kentucky and was reared in that state and in Indiana. Her parents were Singleton and Louisa ( Farris) Bruce, na- tives of Kentucky, whence they removed to Indiana and subsequently came to Fre- mont county, Iowa, casting their lot among the pioneer settlers here. They had six chil- dren. When Mr. Cooper came to this por- tion of the country it was included within the boundaries of Holt county, Missouri, and there he made choice of a location and began the development of a farm. He has voted both as a citizen of Missouri and Iowa and yet has never changed his place of resi- dence. When he took up his abode here there was a log cabin upon the place, but otherwise no improvements. He at once began to break the prairie and to-day he is
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the owner of a very valuable farm of two hundred and twenty acres, constituting one of the best country seats in Madison town- ship. His home overlooks the entire Nish- nabotna valley. It is surrounded by a fine grove of walnut and elm trees, in the branches of which the squirrels play, while bees also have their home in the big trees; and though they gather the honey he does not allow the trees to be cut down nor the squirrels to be shot. The farm is well im- proved, good out-buildings have been erect- ed, the pastures rival the blue-grass region of Kentucky, the orchard contains fine va- rieties of fruits, and everything upon the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, show- ing that the owner is very systematic in his work and that his methods are at once prac . tical and profitable.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have been born two children: William Bruce, who is now living in Hamburg; and Mrs. Hattie Fletcher, who died, leaving four children, three of whom are now married and have children of their own. One of the number, John Fletcher, with his wife resides on the old Cooper homestead and assists in the operation and management of the farm.
In former years Mr. Cooper was a strong advocate of the Greenback party and an ar- cent admirer of his cousin, Peter Cooper, who was the originator of that political or- ganization. He was nominated and elected to the state legislature in 1873, and took his seat in the general assembly the following year, serving there with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is now a "silver" Democrat and a warm per- sonal friend and admirer of William Jen- nings Bryan. For forty-five years he has been a Mason in good standing, having
been initiated into the order at Rockport, Missouri. He now belongs to Riverton Chapter, R. A. M. Mr. Cooper is six feet in height and used to weigh two hundred pounds. He is genial in manner and kindly in disposition, is very hospitable and the latch-string of his home always hangs out. His business integrity is unquestioned and his word is as good as any bond. He has been identified with the county from the pio- neer epoch of its development when he had to go eighty miles to mill. Long since, however, good markets have been estab- lished nearer home, towns and villages have sprung up and the county has become the place of habitation for a prosperous and progressive people.
E. F. COWGER, M. D.
In the subject of this review we have one who has attained distinction in the line of his profession and has been an earnest and discriminating student and holds a position of due relative precedence among the medi- cal fraternity of Fremont county. He is the pioneer representative of his profession in Riverton, where he arrived on the 17th of September, 1873. Since that time he has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and now has a large patronage.
The Doctor was born on the 30th of August, 1843, the year in which occurred the birth of President Mckinley. He is a son of Rev. James Cowger, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, a grandson of George Cowger and a great-grandson of Gustave Cowger, who was of German-Rus- sian parentage, their ancestors having been active in the wars of Russia and Germany one hundred and fifty years ago. The mo-
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ther of our subject bore the maiden name of Susan Garver, and was a native of Ohio. Her father, Adrian Garver, was of Irish lineage. James Cowger and his wife Susan came to the territory of lowa in 1845. With the exception of a few settlements along the Mississippi the state was almost entirely uninhabited. There was not a single rail- way line within its borders or west of the river, and the wonderful work of progress which has since transformed the county, and seems almost phenomenal, was then a labor of the future. The father took up his abode in Van Buren county, lowa, near Keosauqua, and in addition to the develop- ment of his farm he engaged in preaching the gospel in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, riding the circuit in the wilds of the Hawkeye state. In 1859-60 lie accepted of a church of this denomination in Glenwood, Mills county, this state. He was a very sincere and active worker in the cause of the ministry and did everything in his power to secure the advancement of Christian principles among the people. He died at the age of fifty-four years, and his wife, who survived him some time, passed away in Riverton, Iowa, at the age of sixty- nine, having spent her last days there in the home of her son, the subject of this sketch. She was a good Christian woman, greatly beloved for her kindness of heart. Mr. Cow- ger had three children, namely: E. F., of this review : D. L., who is living near Downs, in Mitchell county, Kansas: and W. A., of Riverton township, Fremont county. Iowa.
The Doctor was reared in Iowa, acquir- ing his education in the public schools of the state. On the 25th of July, 1862. he offered his services to the government as a defender of the Union, enlisting in Company D,
Nineteenth lowa Infantry, with which he was connected until honorably discharged, on the 6th of July, 1865. He served under General Bhint on the frontier of Missouri for nine months, and in 1863 participated in the siege of Vicksburg, after which his regiment was attached to the Department of the Gulf and was stationed at Browns- ville, Texas, for six months. Dr. Cowger was eventually commissioned second lieuten. ant of the Eighty-first United States Col- ored Infantry and served until November, 1866, with credit and honor. During that time he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant.
On leaving the military service of his country Dr. Cowger returned to AAbingdon, Jefferson county, lowa, and began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. R. J. Mohr, a prominent and well-known phy- sician, who had served as a surgeon in the Tenth lowa Infantry. Dr. Cowger is also a graduate of the Keokuk Medical College, of Keokuk, Iowa, and of the Ensworth Medical College, of Missouri. Well equipped for the practice of his chosen pro- fession, he came to Riverton in 1873 and has since been classed among the leading practitioners in this part of the county. He has ever been a close student and is con- stantly adding to his professional knowl- edge by reading, study and careful thought.
On the 10th of August, 1865. Dr. Cow- ger was united in marriage to Miss Susan Cline, who was born in Fayette, Ohio, a daughter of James Cline, who resides in Abingdon, Iowa, at the age of ninety years. The Doctor has five children: R. J., who is a druggist by profession, but is now living on a farm in Fremont county: Mrs. Mary E. Mawhor, of Riverton; Anna L., who is en-
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gaged in clerking in the store owned by Kidd & Company; Ernest E., who was born in 1878 and served in the Thirty-ninth Iowa Infantry during the war with Spain and in the Philippines until honorably discharged; and Susie M., at home.
In his political views the Doctor is a stalwart Democrat and ranks as one of the leading members of the party in this sec- tion of the state. He has often delivered addresses to further the interest in the cause and is recognized as a good stump orator. He served as county coroner, but has never sought or desired other official preferment. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Grand Army of the Republic, and Masonic fraternity. The success which attends his efforts is but a natural sequence, for his position soon be- came assured because he was an able physi- cian, a man of sterling integrity and one who devoted himself to his profession and to the interests and welfare of those to whom he ministered, as indeed he yet does. He is a physician of great fraternal delicacy, and 110 man ever observed more closely the eth- ics of the unwritten code or showed more careful- courtesy to his brother practitioners than does Dr. Cowger.
H. C. ROBBINS.
H. C. Robbins, who is classed among the well-known and energetic farmers of Mills county, was born in Athens county, Ohio, on the 9th of November, 1843, his parents being Joseph J. and Harriet (Coe) Robbins. The paternal grandfather of our subject was one of the heroes of the Revo-
lution and participated in the battle of Lex+ ington. He was one of the original minute men who watched for the British at the opening engagement of the war, and on many a battle-field displayed his loyalty to the cause of liberty and fought for the in- dependence of the nation. Among the an- cestors of our subject were those who served in the war of 1812, including Cap- tain Nathan Robbins. Joseph J. Robbins was born in Massachusetts in the year 1803, and became a successful business man, following merchandising for a num- ber of years. When about eighteen or twenty years of age he removed to Ohio, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of that state. He was employed by the month for a time and afterward removed to an- other county in Ohio, where he devoted his energies to mercantile pursuits. He was married on the 3Ist of May, 1828, when in his twenty-sixth year, to Miss Harriet Coe, who was a native of Connecticut. His death occurred in Athens county, Ohio, December 20, 1873, and his wife passed away in the same county, at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years. This worthy couple were the parents of eleven children, five of whom are yet living.
Mr. Robbins, of this review, was edu- cated in the village school, and after put- ting aside his text books he was employed in his father's store for four years. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted, in 1862, as a member of Company A, Ninety- second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Elmer Golden. He was first in camp at Marietta, Ohio, for a month, and then went to the front, where he was on duty every day, receiving an honorable . discharge at Columbus, Ohio, at the close
H. C. Robbins
mary J. Robbins
٢٨١ ٢٣١٣٣ ٢١٢٢
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of the war. Hlad he remained at the front three weeks longer he would have been in the service an entire three years. Ile par- ticipated in every battle and skirmish with his company and regiment, and was one of twenty of a hundred who returned with- out having been injured in some way.
I year prior to the war Mr. Robbins had come to lowa. His father had pur- chased some wild land in this state in 1860, and our subject made his way westward in order to look over the location. He and his brother Louis journeyed westward with a wagon and team, and after a year returned to Ohio. Louis Robbins subsequently be- came a resident of Nebraska, where his death afterward occurred. When mustered out of the army Mr. Robbins returned to his Ohio home, and three months later came to Mills county, Iowa, settling on sec- tion 23, in Indian Creek township. HIis first home was thirty-two by sixteen feet, which was then one of the best houses in this part of the county. He began the de- velopment of the farm, and chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Mary J. Barrett, their marriage being consummated on the 2d of February, 1869. She was born in Illinois and was a daughter of Dr. William and Mary (McCoy) Bar- rett. Her father was a native of England and on coming to lowa, in 1854, he took up a tract of wild land from the government, continuing its cultivation for some time. He was widely known as a physician, and as he traveled over the country he would leave word at each house where his next visit would be, so that any one in need of his services would know where to find him. He wedded Mary McCoy in September, 1840, and they traveled life's journey to- 17
gether until 1873. when he was called to his final rest. His wife, who was a native of the Empire state, died on the 23d of March. 1899. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Robbins four sons have been born. namely: William E., who is married and resides in Gage county, Nebraska; Joseph J., who is married and has one daughter, and resides in the same county; Selma C .; Ralph E. and Frank .A., who are with their father upon the home farm.
After his marriage Mr. Robbins re- sided for eleven years upon the old home- stead, and in 1880 built his present fino residence, in which he took up his abode the following year. This is a very attract- ive country seat and his farm is a modern one, improved with all the accessories and conveniences found upon the model farm of the twentieth century. He has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He was at first the owner of six hundred and forty acres, but has added to that property until he now has eleven hundred and forty acres. He is also president of the bank at Hastings and for eleven years was the vice-president.
Ilis life has been one of marked indus- try, and his unflagging efforts, guided by sound business judgment, have resulted in bringing to him the success for which every man strives. Hle cast his first vote for the nominee for governor of Ohio, and his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has always been a Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the princi- ples of the party. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, of Hastings, and with the Grand AArmy of the Republic. He belongs to the Presbyterian church, and withholds his
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support from no measure or movement cal- culated to prove of public good or to the uplifting of his fellow men. The family is one of prominence in Iowa, its repre- sentatives being people of sterling worth. During the thirty-four years of his residence in Mills county Mr. Robbins has ever com- manded the esteem and confidence of those with whom he has been associated. As a citizen he is as true and loyal to his duty as when he enlisted under the stars and stripes in defense of the Union.
SAMUEL B. HUTCHINGS.
Forty-five years have passed since Sam- uel B. Hutchings came to Mills county to cast his lot with its pioneers. People of the present century can scarcely realize the struggles and dangers which attended the early settlers, the heroism and self-sacrifice of lives passed upon the borders of civiliza- tion, the hardships endured, the difficulties overcome. These tales of the early days read almost like a romance to those who have known only the modern prosperity and conveniences. - To the pioneer of the early days, far removed from the privileges of city or town, the struggle for existence was a stern and hard one, and these men and women must have possessed indomitable energies and sterling worth of character, as well as marked physical courage, when they thus voluntarily selected such a life and suc- cessfully fought its battles under such cir- cumstances as prevailed in the northwest. As one of the honored pioneers of Mills county and as a leading and enterprising citizen, Samuel B. Hutchings certainly de, serves representation in this volume. At the
present time he is serving as mayor of the city.
A native of Indiana, he was born in the year 1842. His father, William Hutchings, was born in Ohio seventy-eight years ago and is now a resident of southern Kansas. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Samuel Hutchings, a native of Ohio. He married Margaret Stout, and they re- moved to Indiana, where they spent their remaining days. Their children were Will- iam; John, who formerly followed merchan- dising. but is now deceased; George W., a resident of Indiana: Jacob J., who is living in the same state; Samuel, deceased; Wil- son R., also of Indiana; and Frank, a well- to-do physician in Crawfordsville, that state. One of the brothers. Wilson R. Hutchings. was a valiant soldier in the Civil war, serv- ing with distinction in the effort made to perpetuate the Union. On one occasion he was wounded in battle. The father also attempted to enlist, but on account of phys- ical disability the government refused his proffered service.
William Hutchings in early life accom- panied his parents on their removal to Indi- ana, and in Delaware county, that state. he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Cecil, also a native of Ohio. In 1855 they came to Iowa, casting in their lot among the pioneer settlers of Mills county, where for many years they resided, taking an active part in the work of transformation and develop- ment here. The mother died at the old fam- ily homestead in Indian Creek township. In their family were two sons and four daughters, namely: Samuel B., of this re- view : John J., who is living with his father in Cowley county, Kansas : Mrs. Phebe Gus- tin, a resident of Pottawattamie county,
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Iowa : Mrs. Esther Martin, of Cowley conn- ty: Mrs. Barbara Elizabeth Allen, of Harri- son county, lowa : and Mrs. Nancy Rebecca Campbell, who is living in Indian Creek township, Mills county.
In taking up the personal history of Sam- uel B. Hutchings, we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely known in Mills county, for he came hither when only seven years of age. The family located on a farm in Indian Creek township and experienced the usual hardships and trials which fall to the lot of early settlers. In those days it was no unusual sight to see deer and elk drinking at the streams almost as commonly as the cattle do at the present date. The greater part of the land was still in possession of the government and the work of improvement seemed scarcely be- gun : but the labors of the pioneers laid broad and deep the foundation for the present pros- perity and made possible the establishment of a commonwealth which is certainly a credit to the nation. By earnest effort and close application to the few school-books which he could obtain, Mr. Hutchings ac- quired a good education. For a few terms he was a student in the subscription school. his first teacher being Mrs. J. U. Cox. The school-house was.built of logs. with an im- mense fire-place in one end of the building. while a heavy slab board placed on pins driven slantingly into the wall served the pupils as a writing desk. The other fur .. nishings were primitive, the school-books few; but therein Mr. Hutchings gained a knowledge of the branches of learning that fitted him for life's practical duties and, as the years have passed, reading, experience and observation have added to his stock of useful knowledge until he is now a well in-
formed man. Throughout his active busi- ness career he has been engaged in farming. but about five years ago he removed to Hast- ings, where he has a beautiful cottage home and is now living in honorable retirement.
In 1867 Mr. Hutchings was united in marriage to Miss Emma A. Cary, the mar- riage being performed by the Rev. Isaac Kelly. The lady is a daughter of A Abel Cary, who was born in Ohio, thence removed to Indiana and afterward came to lowa. His father was Ephraim Cary and the paternal grandmother bore the name of AAbigail Wat- son. The year 1852 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Cary in Mills county, where he died in October, 1900, at the advanced age of ser- enty-nine years. Ile wedded Elizabeth Stansberry, who died in Mills county, in 1863. Iler father was Jesse Stansberry. Farming has been the usual occupation of the Cary family. Mr. Hutchings had the fol- lowing children : Ira R., who is married and lives in Mills county: Mrs. Ida Traplett. a resident of Montgomery county, Iowa : Mrs. Nora Cary, of Mills county: Ora, who was a student at the Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Towa, and also pursued a short- hand and commercial course in the Omaha Commercial College, and is now employed in an important commercial position in Omaha : Luella, who is at home: Elizabeth, who was a student in the Western Commercial Col- lege at Shenandoah and is now teaching school in Henderson. Mills county: and Charles Oscar, who also is with his parents.
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