USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 40
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 40
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Sibert and Mary (Lee) Magel were the parents of ten children : Elizabeth, the de-
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ceased wife of W. Hillgartner ; William and Henry, who are living in Des Moines coun- ty; Charles, of this review ; Conrad, a prom- inent farmer of Fremont county; Peter, who makes his home near Burlington ; Mary, the wife of J. Schafer, of Burlington; Margaret, wife of H. Steyh, of the same city; Theodore S., who became a promi- nent citizen of Fremont county, where he followed farming until he was accidentally killed by a horse February 23, 1895, leav- ing a wife and five interesting children ; and Benjamin, of Des Moines county. The family is an influential one, the members being leading citizens of the various com- munities in which they reside.
Charles Magel remained under the pa- rental roof throughout the period of his minority, and practical training at farni work well fitted him for agricultural pur- suit when he entered upon his business ca- reer. In 1869 he and his brother Conrad made a prospecting tour to Fremont conn- ty in order to look after some land whichi his father had entered. They returned by way of Nebraska, and in the spring of 1870 again came to Fremont county and began the improvement of the father's land. They broke the wild prairie, erected a house and employed a man and his wife to care for the home and assist in the work of the fields. They got a good start at farming and stock- raising and soon took their place among the substantial agriculturists of this portion of the state. In 1880 Charles Magel was married and by mutual agreement a division of the property was then made. Our sub- ject obtained possession of the improved por- tion of the land and Conrad purchased a claim adjoining. upon which were some poor improvements. Both became substan
tial residents and their homes are still with- in sight of each other. They have reared large families and have well improved farms in the valley of the Nishnabotna river.
Mr. Magel of this review owns nearly one thousand acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation, while well kept fences divide it into fields for the raising of graill or into meadows and grazing pastures. His residence is a modern, two-story house, built in a modern style of architecture and supplied with all the late conveniences. There is also a large barn and ontbuilding's and the home is surrounded by a beautiful grove of ornamental and forest trees. A large orchard yields its fruits in season, the fields are well tilled and in the pastures are found excellent grades of cattle and hogs. The farm is conveniently located five miles east of Sidney, and Mr. Magel is success- fully carrying on farming and stock-raising. He also lends money to his neighbors and friends, on good security, and has become one of the leading and prominent business men of his section of the state. He is wide- ly and favorably known, commanding the confidence and respect of those with whom he is associated. An excellent business man and financier, he has labored not only for his own advancement but is also enterpris- ing and public-spirited and gives his support to many measures for the general good.
The lady who bears the name of Mrs. Magel was in her maidenhood Miss Lizzie Schultize, who was born in Des Moines, Iowa, September 19, 1858, a daughter of William and Margaret ( Kitzer) Schultize, both of whom were natives of Germany and became early settlers of Iowa. Her fa- ther purchased land and improved a farm, and later, attracted by the discovery of gold
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in California, he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast, where he engaged in mining for five years. Returning then to the Mis- sissippi valley, he resumed farming, which he carried on until 1864, when death ended his labors. Ilis wife still survives and re- sides on the old homestead. Both were worthy and exemplary members of the Lu- theran church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Schul- tize were born four children: Henry, who is living in Fremont county; Lizzie, now Mrs. Magel: John, of Des Moines county, and Mary, the wife of William Diehl. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Schultize became the wife of N. Helt, also a native of the fatherland, and they had seven chil- dren: Kate: Anna, the deceased wife of William Brown: Christina, the wife of 1. Avery: Emma, the wife of H. Kingsolver ; George, a farmer; Julia, the wife of E. Baumgardner; and William, who is yet at home.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Magel has been blessed with six interesting chil- dren : William C., George, Lee, Lulu, Grover, and Freddie, all still with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Magel are earnest members of the Methodist church. He was reared in the faith of the Democracy but is now a Republican. He, however, does not seek office, preferring to give his attention to his farm work, which has brought to him an excellent financial return, so that he is now numbered among those who may well be proud of their success, as it has come to him through his own labors, his keen en- terprise and his perseverance.
SEYMORE T. RHODE.
The history of Randolph would be in- complete without the mention of Seymore T. Rhode, who is a representative of an
honored pioneer family and is one of the most prominent and influential business men of the town, being the senior member of the firm of S. T. Rhode & Company. His birth occurred on the 23d of June. 1852. in the county which is still his home, his parents being Joseph and Elizabeth ( Gray) Rhode, both of whom were natives of War- ren county, Indiana, in which place they were reared and married. The paternal grandfather, Jonathan Rhode, was born in Ohio and was of German descent, his fa- ther having come from Germany to America. He located first in South Carolina, where he served under General Marion in the com- inissary department in the Revolution. He was a farmer, operating his plantation by the aid of the slaves that he owned, but be- coming disgusted with the slave traffic he disposed of his interests in the south and went to Ohio.
Jonathan Rhode, the grandfather of our subject, was reared to agricultural pursuits in the Buckeye state, and at an early period in the development of Indiana he became a resident of that state, where he carried on farming. He married and became the fa- ther of seven children, namely: Daniel .\. : Elsa, the wife of William Cobb; and John, both of whom were agriculturists ; Joseph, the father of our subject : Hannah. the wife of R. McCord: Caleb, and Seymour. The parents were both members of the Society of Friends, and the kindly spirit so char- acteristic of that sect was exemplified i. their lives.
Joseph Rhode, the father of our sub- ject, was married in Indiana and there began farming, and subsequently he and his fam- ily accompanied his father's family on their removal to northwest Arkansas. in 1840. A few years later, however, they returned to
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Indiana and in 1851 they came to Fremont county, Iowa, where Joseph Rhode entered land from the government. developing and improving the farm upon which he remained throughout the remainder of his days. He became an extensive agriculturist and stock- raiser and dealer, being one of the leaders in this line of business in the community.
In politics he was a stalwart Republican and was recognized as one of the leaders of the party in his portion of the state, his in- fluence being used with telling effect in sup- port of the principles in which he believed. He took a deep interest in the war, but ill health prevented him from going to the front. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to public office and he was chosen to repre- sent Fremont county in the state legislature. He also served as a member of the county board for a number of years and filled many minor offices, exercising his official prerog- atives in support of every measure which he believed would contribute to the general good. He was instrumental in securing the passage of the act for an assessment upon vacant lands owned by speculators. Of strong mentality, he viewed each question that came up for consideration, not only from the standpoint of to-day but of the future as well. desiring that all his official acts should prove of not only immediate good, but of continued benefit. He was lib- eral. charitable, enterprising and public-spir- ited, and his life-in purpose and in act- commanded the confidence and genuine re- gard of all with whom he was associated. He died January 17, 1886, and the com- munity thereby lost one of its most valued citizens, his neighbors a faithful friend and his family a considerate father. His wife
had passed away many years before, her death occurring in 1863. She was a daugh- ter of John Gray, who settled in Lawrence county, Indiana, in the pioneer days. His father was killed at the battle of King's Mountain in the Revolutionary war. The Gray family is of Scotch-Irish descent, and John Gray died in Lawrence county, leaving ten children, namely : William, Jacob, Lidia, Dorothea, Wesley, Ephraim, James, Mrs. Elizabeth Rhode and Hamilton.
Unto Joseph and Elizabeth (Gray) Rhode were born ten children : Mary, who became the wife of L. O. Baker and died in 1880; Harriet, the wife of S. P. McCor- mick; Dorothea S., who became Mrs. Reed and died in 1882; John, who died in child- hood; Mrs. Martha F. Loveland ; Seymore T., of this review; Mrs. Esther R. Hurst; Sarah, who is the widow of Dr. William Matthews, and is living in Colorado: Charles H., of Cass county, Iowa; and Elizabeth A., of California. After the death of his first wife Joseph Rhode, the father of our sub- ject, married Mrs. West, a widow and a daughter of Deacon Kinney, of Ohio. Their children were Edith, who became the wife of A. A. Failing, and Mrs. Lucy Stevens. Their mother having passed away, Mr. Rhode married Mrs. Snow, a widow and a daughter of D. M. Paul, of Thurman, Iowa. Two children graced this marriage, Guy and Ray, who are living on the old homestead with their mother.
Seymore T. Rhode has spent his entire life in Fremont county. He remained un- der the parental roof throughout the period of his minority and acquired a common- school education. He afterward rented a farm for two years and then purchased a half interest in a drug store at Tabor, con-
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ducting the enterprise for eighteen months, when he sold out and became an equal part- ner in a hardware and grocery store of that place. Again, after two years, he sold out and then came to Randolph, where he spent a year and a half as a salesman in a gen- eral store, owned by Mr. Barbour. On the expiration of that period he went to Silver City, Mills county, Iowa, where he followed clerking for a year and a half in a hardware and grocery store. He was married in 1880, and the following year he came to Randolph, where he purchased an interest, with Mr. Ashbaugh, in a hardware and implement business. The following year that association was discontinued and Mr. Rhode entered into partnership with Isaac Johnson, in the conduct of a hardware, lumber and agri- cultural implement business, which they car- ried on until 1893, when Mr. Rhode pur- chased Mr. Johnson's interest and incor- porated the business under the style of S. T. Rhode & Company. The firm now buys and ships grain and does a general trading busi- ness of considerable volume.
On the 24th of October. 1880, Mr. Rhode was united in marriage to Miss Vio- let Alensworth, who was born in Ohio, Feb- ruary 17, 1854. a daughter of John and Mary Alensworth, who came to Mills coun- ty, Iowa, in 1875. Her father was a farmer, but after coming to this state retired from active business and died in Mills county in 1879. His wife, who was a consistent mem- ber of the Methodist church, survived him until 1893. The father was twice married and the children of the first union were William, James, Anna, Kate and Rebecca ; while of the second marriage the following were born : Albert, who is now an engineer in Nebraska: Violet: Lewis, a farmer of
Mills county ; Estella, the wife of W. Adam- son : and Emma, the wife of S. H. Earl. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rhode have been born six children : Elsie, born February 20, 1881; Ethel, born July 6. 1883: Joseph, born .Au- gust 8, 1886; John, born March 22. 1888; Edward, born June 28, 1892; and Doro- thea, born September 22, 1896.
Mrs. Rhode is a consistent and worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church; while socially Mr. Rhode is a Mason, be- longing to both the blue lodge and the chap- ter. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, unwavering in his allegiance to the party, but he has never sought office. His atten- tion has been exclusively given to his busi- ness affairs, and through the legitimate chan- nels of trade he has acquired a handsome competence. There are no startling or excit- ing chapters in his life record, but his history is that of a man who has ever been faithful to his duty, to his family, to his neighbor and to his country.
JOSEPH A. MCINTIRE.
The efficient postmaster at Sidney, who in the discharge of his duties has manifested a most business-like spirit, is Joseph .\. Mc- Intire, who was born in Keokuk county, Iowa. August 25. 1848. His father, Alex- ander Melntire, was a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, whence he removed to Indi- ana and subsequently to Iowa, locating in this state in its territorial days. He mar- ried Lovina Hiatt, who was born about twelve miles from Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1826. Their wedding was celebrated in 1846, and their marriage was blessed with six children, of whom four sons and a daughter reached mature years, namely : Jo-
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seph A .; Martin L., a farmer who resides in Marion county, Iowa; Harvey, a resident farmer of Brooks county, Kansas ; Malon L., who also resides in that county and possesses considerable musical talent, being the author of a number of musical compositions of note; and Olive M., the wife of Dayton Greeson, who resides at Pleasant Plain, Jef- ferson county, Iowa. All are married and have families. The father died in April, 1855, at the age of thirty-one years. The mother remained a widow for many years and died in Brooks county, Kansas, July 9, 1900, when nearly seventy-four years of age.
Joseph A. McIntire pursued a two-years course of study in the Central University, of Iowa, and engaged in teaching at the age of twenty-one. He successfully followed that profession for many years, being an instructor in vocal and instrumental music, giving lessons on the piano. He possesses a remarkably sweet and clear tenor voice and has been the leader of many choirs. His services are always in demand at local en- tertainments and he has done much to pro- mote the musical taste and culture of the town in which he resides.
In the fall of 1878 Mr. McIntire was united in marriage to Miss Susan A. Strawn, of Kirkville, Iowa, a daughter of Nelson and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Strawn, all of Ohio. Four children were born unto them, but the eldest, a daughter, died in infancy. and Bertha died at the age of nine years. Walter Ray was graduated in the high school in Sidney, and in 1900 matricu- lated in Grinnell College, in Grinnell, Iowa. He served in Company E. of the Fifty-first Iowa Infantry, in the Philippines, for more than a year and participated in fifteen en-
gagements. He made an excellent record as a soldier and is a good student, being particularly proficient in mathematics. Elsie May, the youngest of the family, is now a young lady of fifteen years, attending the schools of Sidney.
In his political views Mr. McIntire is a stalwart Republican, unswerving in his sup- port of the principles of the party. For two years he served as the postmaster of Sidney, under President Harrison, and since July. 1897. he has been the postmaster under President McKinley's administration. He is a very efficient, faithful and accommodating officer, always found at his post of duty, and even those of different political belief com- mend him for his fidelity and trustworthi- ness in office. For eleven years he has made his home in Sidney, at his present place of residence. Holding membership in the Bap- tist church, he has served as one of its dea- cons. He has also served as the leader of the choir for a number of years and takes an active part in church work. As a citizen he is public spirited and progressive.
ZEDEKIAH McNEW.
One of the well-known citizens and early settlers of Iowa and an honored veteran of the Civil war is Zedekiah McNew. a native of North Carolina, born January 7. 1845. His father, William McNew, was of Scotch- Irish lineage and was reared and educated. on the Emerald Isle. When a young man he decided to try his fortune in America and, crossing the Atlantic to the United States, located in North Carolina. In Kentucky he was united in marriage to Lucinda Will- iams, who was born in that state, and was of Welsh ancestry. Her father was a sol-
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dier in the war of 1812 and fought with General AAndrew Jackson at New Orleans, where the American loss was so small that the engagement became known as the "tear- less" battle. It was indeed a signal victory for the American army.
In 1854 William McNew removed with his family to lowa, locating in Lucas county, north of Sheridan. This state was then upon the wild western frontier. No rail- roads had been built and the most far- sighted could not have dreamed of the won- derful changes which were soon to occur and transform this portion of the country into one of the leading commonwealths of the Union. Unto Mr. and Mrs. McNew were born six children, of whom four are living, namely: Mary, of Peoria, Illinois; Zedekiah: Columbus, who makes his home at Riverton, Iowa; and William, of Mary- ville. Missouri. Two sons loyally served their country in the Civil war and one of them was Carlton, of the Thirty-fourth Illi- nois Infantry, who was killed at the battle of Arkansas Post, thus giving his life in de- fense of his country. The other member of the family was N'rs. Angeline Atkin- son, who died in Cuba, Illinois. Her hus- band was a soldier in the Civil war and is now deceased. The father of these children was a Protestant in religious training. He (lied in 1849, and the mother died twelve years ago, aged seventy-seven years.
Zedekiah McNew was reared on the home farm in Towa and assisted in the work of cultivating and developing the fields until the 12th of August, 1863, when, in response to the President's call for aid, he offered his services to the government and was as- signed to Company D, of the Thirty-fourth Jowa Infantry. He participated in the siege
of Vicksburg. under General Grant, and took part in the battle of Arkansas Post, where his brother was killed, and in the bat- tles of Black River bridge, Fort Gaines, Fort Morgan, Fort Blakely and the Red River expedition. For a time he was sta- tioned at Houston, Texas, and after the close of the war was honorably discharged from the service at Davenport, lowa. He was ever found true and loyal to the banner under which he enlisted and was a brave and faithful soldier. Mr. McNew resided in Worth county, Missouri, until 1870, and for some time was employed by T. O. Mor- gan, one of the prominent agriculturists of Fremont county. He made his first purchase of land twenty-one years ago, becoming the owner of fifty acres, which has been trans- formed into highly cultivated fields. There is a new modern cottage upon the place, good barns and outbuildings and an orchard containing all kinds of fruit. The farm is conveniently located about a mile from Hamburg and thus the accessories of city life are easily attained.
In 1874 Mr. MeNew was united in mar- riage to Mrs. Sarah Mathews, who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Channing Cowles, who became a pioneer settler of Fremont county in 1847 and died here in I891. Mrs. McNew passed away in 1896. at the age of fifty-two years. By her first marriage she had two children: John C. Mathews and Ada, who is the wife of John Crone. They were reared by Mr. MeNew. On the 29th of April, 1900. our subject was again married, his second union bei g with Mrs. A. Donnell, a lady of intelligence and good family. She holds membership in the Baptist church and enjoys the warm regard of many friends. In his political views Mr.
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McNew is a free-silver Democrat, believ- ing in the principles of Democracy as pre- sented by W. J. Bryan. Socially he is con- nected with Hamburg Post, No. 210. G. A. R., of which he is a charter member. His life has been well spent, characterized by in- dustry, honesty and fidelity to duty, and in the community where he makes his home he is widely and favorably known.
WILBUR W. MICKELWAIT.
Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and distin- guished : and of the families from which he is descended Mr. Mickelwait has every rea- son to be proud, for among them are num- bered men who have become prominent in the early annals of the country. They have acted an important part in the events which have framed our colonial history, and have been honored pioneers, carrying into the newly settled regions the works and customs of civilization. His ancestors were distinguished early settlers of Virginia, Ken- tucky and of Ohio and at a later date mem- bers of the family have been prominent in molding the destiny of the great common- wealth in which our subject now resides. Not only has he seen southwestern lowa grow from a wild country with only a few white inhabitants to a rich agricultural country, containing thousands of good homes and scores of growing towns, in- habited by an industrious, prosperous, en- lightened and progressive people, but also he has participated in and assisted the heavy and wearisome work of development which was necessary to produce a change so com plete as to be popularly referred to as mag- ical.
Among the native sons of Mills county is numbered Wilbur W. Mickelwait, who was born on the old family homestead where he yet resides. It is a magnificent estate of six hundred and forty acres and is situated two miles west from Hillsdale. It is a monument to the enterprising and progressive spirit of the pioneers who be- came possessors of the land at an early day and transformed it into a valuable estate. There the subject of this review first opened his eyes to the light of day August 16, 1864. His father, Hon. James Mickelwait, was a native of England, born in York, and when only four or five years of age was brought to the United States. He was a son of Willoughby and Susannah ( Woods) Mick- elwait, both of whom were natives of Eng- land, whence they came with their family to the new world. In 1851 he cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Mills county, Iowa, and secured his present family home- stead, which was then a tract of wild land, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. As the years passed he wrought great transformation in the appearance of his land, for under the pro- cesses of cultivation the wild prairie was changed into blossoming fields, giving prom- ise of abundant harvests. All modern acces- sories and improvements were added to the farm, which is now one of the best in the entire state.
Mr. Mickelwait was a man of marked in- dividuality and strong character and was recognized as a leader of public thought and movement. He was known as one of the distinguished residents of southwestern Iowa, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability. had at different peri- ods called him to fill minor local offices of
C. V. Mickelwait
THEMA ILK PUP NEDGARY
AS. P .LNUL AND TILDIN TUUNDITIONS b
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trust. Higher honors, however, awaited him and in 1874 he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature, becoming a member of the fifteenth general assembly of Iowa. He was a man of sound judgment whose opinions were relied upon in all mat- ters of public importance, and his loyalty and fidelity to the best interests of his county, state and nation was ever above question. He died February 9, 1892.
James Mickelwait was united in ma- riage to Miss Sarah A. Bayles, a representa- tive of an eminent Ohio family whose ances- tors are famous for the prominent part they took in reclaiming the wilderness of Ken- tucky and the western reserve of Ohio for the purpose of civilization. Her father was Joseph Bayles, a native of Virginia who when about ten or twelve years of age be- came a resident of Ohio, living among its early settlers engaged in the work of carry- ing civilization into the wild districts of the then far west. He remained in the Buckeye state until 1845. when he removed to Iowa, where his last days were passed. He died at an advanced age, his birth having taken place in 1760. His wife, who bore the name of Anne Arrow Smith, was born ju Maryland, in 1766, and died in Lee county, Iowa. She, too, represented a family dis- tinguished in colonial history. The mater- nal great-grandmother of our subject was Miss Kenton, a sister of the famous General Simon Kenton, who was born in Virginia in 1755. and his name figures conspicuously in the annals of Kentucky as an associate of Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark in the Indian wars which occurred in that state and gave to that portion of the country the name of the "dark and bloody ground." Simon Kenton also took an active part in
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