USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 36
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 36
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In his political affiliations Mr. Hutchings is a Democrat. having supported the men and measures of the party since casting his first vote for Horatio Seymour for president of the United States in 1868. On that ticket he was nominated and elected to the office of
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mayor of Hastings, and is now a capable and efficient officer, discharging the duties of the position in a most prompt and busi- ness-like manner. He is also a justice of the peace. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of the World, and his wife holds membership in the Methodist church. They are people of the highest re- spectability and of sterling worth and enjoy the warm regard of all who know them.
Mr. Hutchings is a self-made man, with- out any extraordinary family or peculiar ad- vantages at the commencement of life, has battled earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune. By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward, and to-day he is not only numbered among the substantial citizens of his adopted county, but is also classed among the honored residents who have borne an important part in the work of progress and development.
ARNOLD JOLLY, M. D.
Since 1894 Doctor Jolly has been en- gaged in the practice of medicine and sur- gery in Hamburg and has gained a foremost position as a representative of his chosen pro- fession. He was born in Birmingham, .Ala- bama, July 25, 1861, and is a member of one of the old and prominent families of the south. The Jollys were originally from Vir- ginia and were of Scotch and French lineage. Permeated with a spirit of patriotism and loyalty, members of the family aided the country in its important wars, the great- grandfather of our subject serving in the Revolution, while the grandfather aided his
alike prominent in days of peace, actively connected with important events which went to form the early history of the Old Do- minion.
Colonel J. J. Jolly, the father of our sub- ject, was a distinguished statesman and a gallant officer in the Civil war. When the trouble between the north and the south cul- minated in hostilities he joined the Forty- third Alabama Infantry and loyally sup- ported the cause which he believed to be just and right. He afterward became a well- known figure in political circles and in 1881 received the nomination for governor of Alabama. He was elected by the vote of the people. but before the time came for him to take the oath of office he was called to his final rest, passing away at the age of forty- six years. He was well fitted for leader- ship, being a man of strong mentality, of sterling worth, broad-minded and public- spirited, and his deep and sincere interest in the welfare and progress of his state was manifest in his loyal devotion to every cause which he believed would prove of general good. His widow bore the maiden name of Sue W. Richardson and was a member of a prominent southern family. Her brother, Major James D. Richardson, was an eminent and well-known statesman of Tennessee. Unto Governor Jolly and his wife were born the following named children : Arnold, whose name introduces this record ; McKee G. Jolly, a manufacturer of Birmingham, Alabama ; James R., a minister of the Gospel ; Mrs. Van Hook, of Richmond, Virginia; Sue R. : Juliet, the wife of S. Perry, a whole- sale tobacco merchant ; and Jacqueline, who is residing in Atlanta, Georgia.
Reared amid the refining influences of a country in the war of 1812. They were , cultured home, Dr. Jolly also received ex-
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ceptionally good educational privileges, pur- suing his studies in the University of Ma- bama and in Tuscaloosa College. He read medicine under the direction of Dr. Ed H. Sholl, a prominent and well-known physician of Alabama, and after completing his prep- aration for the calling which he makes his life work he engaged in practice in Birmingham. Soon he won prominence and his skill and ability secured him an appointment to the po- sition of chief of the largest hospital in this state, its location being in his native city. He acted in that capacity from 1887 until 1894, and at the same time was the sur- geon for three different mining companies, two street railway companies and two rail- road companies. He remained in practice in Alabama until 1894 when, on account of ill health, he sought a change of climate and established his home in Hamburg, Iowa. It was not long before he gained a large and distinctively representative patronage. In the line of his profession he has long since left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few, for, added to his com- prehensive knowledge of the science of medi- cine is an abiding sympathy without which success is never attained in the line of medi- cal practice.
Dr. Jolly was married in February. 1887, in Marengo county, Alabama, to Miss Eu- phradia Johnston, a lady of culture and re- finement, whose family is one of distinction in the south. Her father, General George D. Johnston, was a gallant officer in the Civil war, representing his district in the state sen- ate of Alabama, and was also in the civil service. The Doctor and his wife now have an interesting little son. Arnold B., who is ten years of age. Dr. Jolly is a valued rep- resentive of the Knights of Pythias frater-
nity, and belongs to both the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is the surgeon for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad Companies. His manner is courtly, genial and kindly and his home partakes of the old-time southern hospitality. A man of broad general culture and unfailing cour- tesy, his companionship is much to be de- sired and the circle of his friends is very ex- tensive.
WILLIAM W. VANSANT.
William W. Vansant, who follows farm- ing and stock-raising in Fremont county, is numbered among the worthy citizens that Ohio has furnished to the Hawkeye state. His birth occurred in Hamilton county, Ohio, November 30, 1847. his parents being William and Barbara A. (Stur ) Vansant. The mother was born in Pennsylvania, and the father probably in New York or New Jersey, their marriage being celebrated in Hamilton county, Ohio, where the father followed the trade of stone and brick mason. He was also a local preacher and devoted much of his life to the work of the church. In 1848 he removed to Burlington, Iowa, making the journey by team, and from that city he went to Pontoosue and to Dallas City, both in Hancock county, Illinois. In the last-named place he purchased a hotel, which he conducted until during the spotted fever epidemic, when he was taken with the disease and died, his remains being interred at that place. He was a Royal Arch Mason in good standing and enjoyed the high re- gard of his brethren of the fraternity. His widow afterward became the wife of G. C.
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Shull, and with their family they removed to Mercer county, Illinois, where Mr. Shull engaged in farming, becoming one of the extensive agriculturists and prominent stock men of that part of the state. After many years he sold his property and removed to Kansas, where he again devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits and to stock-raising. Success attended his labors and he was thus enabled to surround his family with all the comforts that go to make life worth the liv. ing. Both he and his wife died in the Sun- flower state. There were two children of the second marriage, Charles and Barton Shull, while the children of the first mar- riage were as folows : Eveline, now the wife of L. Herron : Garrett, a veteran of the Civil war, who was for seven months in Andersonville prison, after which he was re- leased after the close of hostilities, but died on his way home from the effects of the ill treatment he received in the southern prison ; William W., of this review : John, who died in early manhood ; and Mary J., now the wife of James Price, of Kansas. Her first husband was John Jerdoe. During the fa- ther's lifetime he and his wife held member- ship in the United Brethren church, but sub- sequently to his death she became a member of the Methodist church.
William W. Vansant was only about six years of age at the time of his father's death. About a year later his mother mar- ried again and she and her husband made arrangements to bind him out to an English- man who followed farming. Not liking the man or the idea of being a bound boy, he therefore left home without telling the fan- ily of his intention, and since that time he has depended entirely upon his own resources for a living. His educational privileges
were necessarily very limited. For a few years he had a very hard time to get along in the world, but his determined spirit en- abled him to improve his condition : and as the architect of his own fortune he has builded wisely and well. He has every rea- son to be proud of the prominent position which he holds among the leading citizens of his adopted county. He followed farm work and was in the service of both good and bad employers. For a number of years he met many hardships and difficulties, but at length was fortunate in getting a posi- tion in the employ of Mr. Streator. an ex- tensive farmer and cattle king of Mercer county, Illinois, whose favor he won. Sub- sequently he was afterward entrusted with buying stock, showing keen discrimination and judgment.
He was thus engaged until 1863 when he enlisted in the one-hundred-day service in the war of the Rebellion, as a member of the One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois In- fantry, with which he served for six months, when he received an honorable discharge. Again enlisting, Mr. Vansant became a member of the One Hundred and Second Illinois Infantry, which was assigned to duty in the Army of the Tennessee, and thus he served under General Sherman. While with the first regiment he mnet the Rebel troops under General Forrest. Although he was in a number of hotly contested battles he had no bones broken, sustaining only slight in- juries. However, he met with internal in- juries which troubled him for some time. When Lee surrendered he was at Golds- boro, North Carolina, and was at Raleigh at the time of Johnston's surrender, after which the command marched to Washington, D. C., and participated in the grand review in that
BIOGRAPHIC.IL HISTORY.
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city. He afterward veteranized in the Six- teenth Illinois Veteran Regiment and was sent to Louisville, Kentucky. On again be- ing mustered out he was sent to Springfield. Illinois, where he received a second honora. ble discharge and was paid for his services.
Returning to Mercer county, Mr. Van- sant again entered the employ of Mr. Streat- or. with whom he remained for one year and the following year he began teaming on him own account, also buying and handling stock. In 1867 he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Eliza MeMullen, who was born in Mercer county. Illinois, January 21, 1856. a daughter of Horace and Elizabeth ( Norman ) MeMul- len, the former a native of New York and the latter of Illinois. The father was a farm- er and stock dealer and died in Illinois. The mother held membership in the Methodist church. There were but two children in the MeMullen family : George, who died in in- fancy : and Eliza, now Mrs. Vansant.
After his marriage Mr. Vansant pur- chased a small farm in Mercer county, Illi- nois, and there began the real struggle of life. He worked earnestly in order to pro- vide a good home for his family. Not afraid of labor, his unflagging industry and perseverance have enabled him to advance steadily upward to the plane of affluence. ! His well cultivated fields brought to him . good crops, and as his financial resources in- creased he made judicious investments in property, buying and selling a number of farms, each time becoming the owner of one larger than the one he had previously owned. He continued to make his home in Illinois until 1877, when he sold his Illinois home and came to Iowa, here buying two hundred and forty acres of wild prairie land in Fre-
mont county. Upon the property be las since been le cated. A small house was the only improvement on the place, but he at once began to clear and cultivate the land and add other improvements. The fall Was Soll self-supporting, and not only has he giyen his attention to the cultivation of the cereais best adapted to this climate but is an exten- sive and successful dealer and shipper of cal- the and hogy. His farm is in every way de- sirable, being equipped with all modern ac- cessories, conveniences and improvements. His landed possessions now aggregate about eighteen hundred acres, which are operated by him and his sons. He has some thorough- bred stock of all kinds and is the owner it some of the finest bred horses in the western country. Improvement and progress have formed the keynote of his labors. He is im- proving seed corn and is shipping his seen to all parts of the corn belt. He is quick to adopt all new methods of practical value and at the same time has introduced many improved lines of farm work which have in- cilitated his own labors and have been adopt- ed with benefit by his friends and neighbors. He still retains possession of the first homme which he secured in the county and now has a commodious and attractive residence there. while in the rear are a large barn and es- tensive outbuildings, wind-mills, good farm machinery and everything found upon a model country seat of the twentieth century. In orchard is numbered among the improve- ments of the place and the home is surround- ed by a beautiful grove of ornamenty and forest trees. The place is located eight miles west of Shenandoah and four miles north of Farragut.
Mr. and Mrs. Vansant have reare I four- teen children : Horace W., a farmer resid -
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ing in Monroe township, Fremont county ; Garrett and Henry, who are also agricult- urists of the same county: Minnie, the wife ot Grant Stickler; Hattie, now the wife of J. Cowger; Arthur. a farmer of Fremont county; Lizzie, the wife of C. Kidd; Burt, a farmer; Barbara and John, who are at home : Le Roy, who died January 26, 1900, at the age of fourteen years; and Grant, Harry and Myrtle, who are still with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Vansant hold membership in the Christian church, con- tribute liberally to its support and take a very active interest in its work. He belongs to the Odd Fellows order, in the local lodge of which he has filled all the chairs, and is also a member of Farragut Post. G. A. R. On questions of state and national importance he is a Democrat, but at local elections, where no issue is involved. he supports the men whom he believes will conduct a business-like administration. His has been an eventful life of variel experi- ence, and from the hand of an adverse fate he has wrested a handsome fortune. His ca- reer excites the admiration of all for few men situated so unfavorably have advanced to so prominent a position in financial circles. Without educational advantages or the as- sistance of friends, and in spite of obstacles and difficulties, his laborious efforts have enabled him to reach the goal of prosperity. and in Fremont county he is numbered among the most honored and esteemed as well as wealthy citizens.
FRANK ROBBINS.
A country can have but one chief ruler, be he king, emperor or president; com- paratively few men can attain to the high- est offices in civil or military life; but com-
merce, agriculture and the industrial walks of life offer a broad and almost limitless field in which one may exercise his powers unrestrained and gain prominence as a rep- resentative of the calling which he makes his life work. Drawing the lessons which we do from the life of Mr. Robbins, we learn that the qualifications necessary for success are a high ambition and a resolute, honorable purpose to reach the exalted standard that has been set up. From the age of seventeen the gentleman whose name begins this review has depended upon his own resources.
He was born in Athens county, Ohio, October 6. 1854, and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock. His pater- nal grandfather was one of the minute men who watched for the coming of the British at Lexington. He participated in the first engagement of the war that brought inde- pendence to the nation and on many occa- sions loyally fought for the cause of lib- erty. The family was also represented in the war of 1812 by Captain Nathan Rob- bins. The father of our subject was Jo- seph J. Robbins, a native of Massachusetts, born in the year 1803. When about eight- een or twenty years of age he cast his lot with the pioneers of Ohio and was em- ployed by the month for a time, but after- ward successfully engaged in merchandis- ing in Athens county, that state. He was married on the 31st of May, 1828. to Miss Harriet Coe, who was born in Connecticut and died in Athens county, Ohio, after passing the eighty-ninth milestone on life's journey. The father of our subject also (lied in the same county, on the 20th of December. 1873. and is survived by five of his eleven children.
THE ANY I .E PURI1 1 Y
AS,٠ ٠٠ , AND TiLEVN IJINGITIONS
Frank Robbins
Minnie Robbins.
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BIOGR. IPHICAL HISTORY.
Among the number is Frank Robbins, who pursued his education in the schools of Athens county, Ohio. At the age of seventeen he entered upon an independent business career, being employed as a sales- man in a dry goods store for some time. On attaining his majority he came to Mills county, lowa, and has since been identified with its agricultural and stock-raising in- terests. He secured six hundred acres of land and has developed therefrom a splen- did farm. All of the buiklings upon the place stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. His first home was a little frame building, sixteen by twenty-four feet. and in that he resided until about 1893, when he erected his present fine residence, and completed his arrangements for a home by his marriage to Miss Minnie Brower. The wedding ceremony was performed on the ist of March, 1894. The lady was born in Madison county, lowa, and is a daughter of William P. and Wealthy (Terry) Brower. Her paternal grandia- ther was Abraham Brower, of Pennsylva- nia. Her father was born in St. Joseph county, Michigan, and when nine years of age came to Jowa with an uncle, living first in Madison county. In 1856 he came to Mills county, where he still makes his home, being located a few miles north of Mal- vern. His wife also survives. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins became the parents of five children, of whom three are now living : Gladys J., a lovely little daughter of two summers, who was born on the farm where they now live on the Ist of July, 1898, and Clifford H. and Clinton C. (twins), born December 11, 1900.
Since coming to lowa Mr. Robbins has largely carried on the stock business, and
as the years have passed and his financial resources have increased he has made judi- cions investments in property until his land- ed possessions now aggregate thirteen hun- dred acres, two miles cast of Malvern. This is probably one of the finest valley farms in southwestern lowa. Well-tilled fields, verdant meadows, rich pasture lands, fine modern buildings and good stock are the prominent features of the place, and everything upon the farm indicates the su- pervision of the progressive and wide- awake owner. He also has a ranch of five thousand acres in Phillips county, Kansas, which is largely stocked with cattle, which he brings to his Mills county farm and here fattens for the market. His stock finds a ready sale in the city, for he raises good grades and always has the cattle in excel- lent condition for sale.
In his political views Mr. Robbins has been a stalwart Republican since casting his first presidential vote for Rutherford B. Hlayes, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. Endowed by nature with a strong character. Mr. Robbins has developed and strengthened his latent pow- ers and has become a successful business man, occupying a very enviable position among the representative stockmen in his portion of the state. His name is synony- mous with integrity in commercial trans- actions and his record should serve to en- courage those to whom fate has not vouch- safed a fortune, and who must depend upon their own efforts for advancement in life.
LEANDER STILES.
An honored retirement, which should ever follow a long and useful business career, has been vouchsafed to Leander Stiles, whose
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
earnest efforts in the active affairs of life brought to him the handsome competence which now enables him to live in quiet, en- joying the fruits of former toil. He was born upon his father's farm in Athens coun- ty, Ohio, March 10, 1833, his parents be- ing George and Mary J. ( Little) Stiles, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, in which state they were married. In 1829 they emigrated westward, taking up their abode in Ohio, where the father entered land from the government and improved a farm. He lived a quiet, unassuming and honest life and died in 1839. Both he and his wife were worthy members of the Christian church and he served as a deacon therein. His integrity was above question and he won that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. In politics he was a Democrat, but never aspired to public office. His wife sur- vived him for about a year and passed away in 1840. They were the parents of seven children, namely: Sarah, now the wife of T. J. Dunfey; Mary A., now Mrs. Mc- Laughlin; Munyon, now deceased; Smith, who entered the army and went to the Mexi- can war, but never returned ; E. G., who died in Iowa, leaving a wife and two sons; Han- nah, the wife of G. Cooper; and Leander, of this review.
Mr. Stiles of this record was only six years of age when his parents died, and he therefore knew nothing of the parental in- dulgence and kindness which most children enjoy. He is truly a self-made man, for when left an orphan he was bound out to a farmer, with whom he remained until twen- ty years of age, receiving no compensation for his services. He acquired a limited ed- ucation in the common schools, but his priv- ileges were very meagre. Although he had
10 capital when he started out in life for himself, it was with a light heart that he left the farmer by whom he had been reared, for he knew that ever after his labors would bring him in a financial return. Therefore with a pair of strong hands and a resolute will as capital he entered upon the struggle for a livelihood, with all to make and noth- ing to lose. His first work was as a farm hand. He was employed for two weeks and received three and a half dollars. With that small amount he started for Illinois, making the journey by steamboat. He paid his passage by aiding in unloading the boat, and when he arrived at Peoria, Illinois, he had more money than he possessed when he started upon the trip. Making his way to Henry county, he there attended school through one winter and was employed as a farm hand throughout the remainder of the year. He continued to work in that way until the 5th of October, 1861, when he was married to Miss Mary Whan, who was born in Mercer county, Illinois, in September, 1841, a daughter of Samuel and Agnes ( Gor- man) Whan, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they came to America, locat- ing first in Pennsylvania. Subsequently they removed to Illinois and both died in Mer- cer county, where her father was known as an extensive and prominent farmer, his steady habits and unflagging industry bring .. ing to him success. Both he and his wife held membership in the Presbyterian church. Unto them were born the following named children : George, now deceased: Robert, who died in the Union army during the Civil war; Frank, who also died in the military service of his country; Mrs. Stiles; Samuel, who died in Kansas; Winslow P., Alonzo and Lorena, all of whom are deceased ;
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and Otis, who is living on the okl home- steąd.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Stiles had saved money enough to purchase a team, and with this to do his farm work he rented a place for two years. With the capital he had then acquired he purchased a small tract of land, to which he afterward added, con- ducting the farm until 1881, when he came to Fremont county, lowa, and purchased three hundred and twenty acres of partially improved land. He then carried on general farming and stock raising, feeding cattle and hogs. Prosperity attended his efforts and he became one of the substantial citi- zens of the community, operating his land continuously and successfully until 1895, when he purchased seven and a half acres ad- joining the corporation limits of Randolph. Thereon he erected a commodious, two-story
frame residence, a good barn and outbuild- ings and planted an orchard, otherwise im- proving the place. He is now living retired from active farm work, his place being oper- ated by his sons. They work under his su- pervision, but he is relieved of all the more arduous duties that form the lot of the ag- riculturist.
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