USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 42
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 42
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THE PUR'I
AE. TILDEN
Lokal H. Black.
Hannah E. Black.
PUBLIC UEFARY
IND 1. UNE
331
BIOGR.IPIIIC.IL HISTORY.
On the 9th of September, 1867, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Mar- tha Landes, who died in Malvern, in 1872, at " the age of twenty-seven years. By that union were born two children, Marion and Mar- garet. Mr. Black was married January 14, 1875, in Mills county, his second union being with Miss Hannah B. Evans. She was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and completed her literary education in the Western High School of Baltimore. Her father, William M. Evans, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1813, and died in Mills county, Iowa, in 1885. He married Sarah A. Van Kirk, whose birth oc- curred in Washington county, in 1812, and who passed away in Mills county, in 1882, the family having come to the latter county in 1873.
Mr. Black is liberal, public-spirited and progressive and in his political views is an out and out Republican. He filled several local offices in the township where he re- sided, and in 1899 was elected to the state legislature, in which he faithfuly represents his district. He is chairman of the commit- tee on the Home for Feeble-Minded Chil- dren, and is a member of other important committees. His wise counsel is sought on many matters of interest to the county and state, and it is to such men as he that is due the credit of our wise and beneficent legisla- tion. Since casting his first presidential vote for AAbraham Lincoln, he has taken an active interest in public affairs, and has supported those enterprises which he believes calculated to advance the public welfare. He was one of the organizers, and is still a prominent member of Milton Summers Post, No. 204, G. A. R., of Malvern, of which he was the first commander. Religiously he and his 20
family are members of the Presbyterian church, and are prominent in the community where they reside.
O. A. EDGERTON.
O. A. Edgerton, a member of the board of county commissioners of Fremont county, whose success in business and fidelity to the duties of citizenship class him among the representative residents of southwestern Iowa, was born near Des Moines, this state, on the ist of June, 1860. His father, Owen Edgerton, was a prominent and well known early settler of this state. He was born in Belmont county. Ohio, and belonged to a good Quaker family noted for energy, hon- esty and piety. The days of his boyhood and youth were passed near Richmond, Wayne county, Indiana, upon a farm, and in the public schools near his home he ac- quired his education.
During the early period of settlement in central lowa he came to this state, and in 1867 took up his abode in Fremont county. Hle had wedded Miss Mary Rich and found in her a most capable assistant and compan- ion for the journey of life. She was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, and her father also was connected with the Society of Friends and died in Indiana. Upon ar- riving in Fremont county Owen Edgerton made the third settlement in Locust Grove township. All was new and primitive ; na- ture had bountifully provided for those who wished to secure homes, but to the settlers re- mained the arduous task of developing the land and making it productive through cul- tivation. In 1869 he sold his first farm and came to the homestead in Madison township. Devoting considerable attention to stock- raising, he found that he greatly augmented
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
his income thereby, and through his well directed efforts he became one of the sub- stantial citizens of this portion of the state. That he was universally esteemed is indi- cated by the fact that he was known through- out the county as Uncle Owen. He possessed a sunny, genial disposition, a jovial manner and pleasing address, and these qualities won him many friends. In public affairs he was a prominent factor and was regarded as one of the reliable and trustworthy citizens of his community. Having been initiated into the mysteries of Masonry, he advanced through the various degrees and became a Knight Templar. He was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends and was a firm believer in the Creator and the Gospel. . To his family he was a loving and tender husband and father, to his neighbors a faithful friend, and when death came to him a large majority of citizens in this county felt a personal loss. He passed away at the age of sixty-four, leaving behind him an untarnished name. Mrs. Edgerton still survives ber husband and is living with her son Owen A., who sup- plies her with all the comforts and conve- niences of life. She is now seventy-eight years of age, well preserved in mind and body and is a worthy Christian woman, holding membership in the church of the Seventh Day Adventists. Mr. Edgerton has had seven children : Eliza, the wife of H. Means, of Riverton township, Fremont county; William, at home; John M., who is engaged in cattle-raising at Guide Rock, Nebraska; Mary M., now the wife of E. P. Blaisdell, of Missouri Valley, Iowa; Owen A., of this review; Eli, who died at the age of twenty years : and an infant who died at the age of four months.
youth on the home farm, working in field and meadow or in the pastures caring for the stock. He procured his education in Bloomfield, Iowa, and in other schools, and in 1879 went to Nebraska with a herd of cattle, engaging in business there while yet in his 'teens. He has always been a man of marked energy, careful in forming his plans yet determined in their execution, and his success is attributable to his own labors. The homestead farm upon which he resides is one of the best and most valuable in the town- ship, being improved with a fine residence, barns and all modern accessories and con- veniences, including the latest improved ma- chinery. He also has eighteen hundred acres of land in Webster county, Nebraska, and a farm in Jewell county, Kansas, where he keeps large herds of cattle and other stock. He has been extremely prosperous in his stock-raising intrests, for he is an excellent judge of stock and is perfectly familiar with the best methods of caring for them so as to produce a healthful growth and keep them in good condition.
Mr. Edgerton was married in Madison, Nebraska, on the 8th of January, 1886, to Miss Victoria Payne, a cultured lady, born in Sullivan county, Missouri, a daughter of John Payne, a prominent and well known cit- izen of that county, who was born in Ken- tucky. Her father served as a member of the county board for a number of years in a most creditable manner, being elected to that office on the Democratic ticket. Mrs. Edgerton acquired her education in Fremont county and in Omaha, Nebraska, and by her marriage she has become the mother of two sons-Charles Owen, who is now fifteen years of age, and John Glenn, who is in his
Owen A. Edgerton spent the days of his | twelfth year.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
For a number of years Mr. Edgerton was a Republican in his political affiliations, but like many progressive citizens he advo- cated the free-silver platform advanced by the Democratic party in 1896 and has since supported Bryan. He is now filling the office of county commissioner and labors earnestly and indefatigably for the best development of the county along material lines of prog- ress. Socially he is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge and chapter, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He stands six feet in height and weighs two hundred pounds. He easily wins friends, and moreover he has the happy faculty of retaining them as the years pass by. Among the popular residents of the county he is numbered.
J. H. UTTERBACK.
When the tocsin of war sounded and Iowa sent her brave men to the front to aid in the preservation of the Union J. H. Utter- back was among the number who donned the blue and followed the old flag upon southern battle-fields. He has been a resident of Fre- mont county since 1853, and in the long years which have since passed he has shown his fidelity to the duties of citizenship not only in times of war but also in times of peace. He was born in Piatt county, Illi- nois, fifty miles east of Springfield, on the 12th of February, 1847, and is a representa- tive of one of the patriotic families of the Prairie state. The family is of German lineage, the great-grandfather of our subject having been born in Germany, whence he came to America, establishing the name on the soil of the new world. Thompson Ut- terback, the grandfather of our subject, was
born in Culpeper Court House, in Culpe- per county, Virginia, and later, seeking a home in the Mississippi valley, took up his abode in lowa, his last days being spent in Lucas county, near Chariton. His wife died in Indiana.
Her son. James Utterback, the father of our subject, was born ere their removal from Culpeper Court House. Ile was, however, largely reared in Montgomery county, In- diana, where he assisted in farming and pur- sued his education in a log schoolhouse, which was seated with slab benches and sup- plied with such primitive furniture as was common in that time. He was married in the Hoosier state to Miss Martha Monroe, who was born in Ohio and reared in Indiana, a daughter of Jesse and Sarah Monroe, of Ohio. Her mother died in Piatt county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. James Utterback resided upon a farm in Piatt county until 1853, whence they went to St. Louis, Mis- souri, by rail and thence came up the Mis- souri river by steamer to Sidney Landing, stopping in Atchison county, Missouri, whence the journey was completed by team to Madison township, Fremont county, lowa. Securing a tract of land the father began the development of a farm, making a good home, whereon he spent his remaining days. His wife passed away at the age of sixty- seven, loved by all who knew her, and the father attained the advanced age of eighty- one years. In politics he was a Republican. and in religious belief was a Cumberland Presbyterian. The cause of Christianity and temperance found in him a warm friend. and advocate, and he labored earnestly to support the interests which he believed would prove of benefit to his fellow men. He in- structed his children in lessons of honesty,
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
industry and sobriety and left to them the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. Mr. Utterback had six children : Mrs. Sarah Trout, of Cherry Vale, Montgomery county, Kansas; Mrs. Verrinda, of Riverton town- ship, Fremont county, now deceased; Mar- tha, the widow of William Meek, of River- ton township; W. T., who died in Madison township, Fremont county, in 1861; Mrs. Ruth McKissick; and Mrs. Eliza McKis- sick, who died in Fremont county.
J. H. Utterback was a little lad of six summers when he accompanied his parents from Illinois to Iowa. They located upon the farm where he was reared and early in- structed in the work of clearing and devel- oping of the fields. He pursued his educa- tion in the best schools of his county, contin- uing his studies until sixteen years of age. when, in 1863, his patriotic spirit aroused, he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Iowa Infantry as a member of Company B, under the com- mand of Captain James H. Tilton, serving with his regiment until honorably discharged at the close of the war. He was with the Army of the Tennessee and participated in several engagements with General Quan- trell's troops. After the war he returned to his home and began farming. Thirty-five years ago he came to his present farm, now comprising two hundred and ten acres of valuable land. Only a few acres had been broken at the time, but with characteristic energy he began the further improvement of the place and his labors have resulted in making it one of the most desirable farms of this part of Iowa. His home is a substantial and commodious residence, surrounded by a grove of trees ; there is a good orchard ; sub- stantial barns and outbuildings ; and in the pastures are found high grades of stock;
i
while the cultivated fields return golden har- vests for the care and labor which Mr. Utter- back bestows upon them.
Our subject was united in marriage, in Atchison county, Missouri, to Miss Mary. Allison, a daughter of William and Sophia ( Washam) Allison, natives of Virginia. The father is now in this county, but the mother passed away in Missouri. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. Utterback has been blessed with seven children: William T., a mail clerk in the government service, now located at Omaha, previous to which time lie was a successful and popular teacher for a number of years and for a similar period served as the principal of the Long Island schools in Nebraska ; J. R., who has also de- voted his life to educational work and farm- ing, served as the principal of the city schools in Table Rock, Nebraska, and is now filling the position of county superintendent of schools in Pawnee county ; Mrs. Sophia Em- ily Zimmerman, living in Madison township, Fremont county; James, who makes his home in Prairie township of the same coun- ty: Simpson, who is living on section 27, Riverton township: Mollie, who is the wife of H. Yates, of Riverton township; and Myrtle, who is the wife of Forest Dresher. Mr. Utterback has given his children excel- lent educational privileges, that they may thus be well fitted for the practical and re- sponsible duties of life
In politics he is a Democrat and for two years he served as justice of the peace, dis- charging his duty with marked impartiality. He has also been a member of the school board and belongs to Farragut Post, G. A. R. He is identified with that class of rep- resentative American citizen who co-operate in every movement to promote progress and
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
advancement and his labors in behalf of the best interests of Fremont county have been continuous and beneficial.
LOTT H1. SHIU'LL.
Lott 11. Shull, who carries on farming in Riverton township, was born November 7. 1862, in Northumberland county, Penn- sylvania, and represents one of the old fam- ilies of that locality of German lineage. His father. Daniel Shull, was born in Northum- berland county, August 18, 1832, and, like his people was noted for his industry and honesty. He was reared upon a farm and after attaining to man's estate, was married on the 22d of August, 1858, to Caroline S. Smith, also a native of Northumberland county, born February 21, 1836. Her fa- ther. Morris Smith, was a native of New Jersey, and a son of Ulet Smith, who also was born in that state, where Morris Smith was reared and educated. In early manhoo !! he removed to Northumberland county. Pennsylvania, where he married Susanna Sober a native of that county. Her father was a native of New Jersey. Morris and Susan Smith became the parents of six chil- dren, namely: Sammel, deceased: Coleman Smith, a prominent citizen of Riverton : Isaac, also a well known resident of that place : Mrs. Caroline S. Shull, now deceased : Isabel, who died in early womanhood; and Morris, who died in childhood. The father was a miller by trade, and followed that occupation during life. He died in North- umberland county. Pensylvania, at the age of thirty-nine years, honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife passed away in Riverton, lowa, when she had attained the
venerable age of eighty-seven years. He was a Presbyterian in early life, but after coming to this state joined the Methodist Episcopal church.
Daniel Shull and his wife resided in the old home county in Pennsylvania until 1872. and then started westward, taking up their abode in Fremont county, Iowa, where the father of our subject purchased eighty acres of land. He was both a carpenter and farmer and successfully carried on business here. becoming the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land in this county. to- gether with eight hundred acres near Stutt- gart, Arkansas. In all his business dealings he bore a reputation for integrity that was above question. AAlthough not a member of the church, he aided in its support and was interested in all that pertains to the moral, intellectual and material welfare of the community. In his youth lessons of in- (lustry were instilled into his mind and they characterized his entire career. All that he secured in life was due entirely to his own ef- forts, his diligence and enterprise enabling him to advance steadily on the road to pros- perity. He died September 12. 1900, at the age of sixty-eight years, and many friends throughout the community deeply mourned his loss. His wife passed away in 1892, at the age of fifty-six years, dying in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which she held membership. Her many es- timable qualities won for her warm friend- ship. In the family of this worthy couple were four children, all born in Pennsylvania, namely: Lott II. ; Isabel, the wife of George Magaw, of Riverton township: Coleman, who died at the age of four years ; and Eddie, who died at the age of nine months. After the family came to the west two other chil-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
dren were born : Grace, who died at the age of one year, and one who died in infancy.
Lott H. Shull is therefore the only sur- viving son of the family and has but one sister. He was a youth of ten summers when he accompanied his parents to Iowa and here upon the home farm he was reared. While he enjoyed good advantages he was also instructed in the work of the home farm and aided in the cultivation of the fields un- til he had attained his majority. He then chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Sidney Vaught, of Columbus, Nebraska, their marriage being celebrated on the 6th of February, 1884. She has been to her husband an excellent helpmate and faithful wife. Her birth occurred in Vir- ginia, on the IIth of October, 1866, and when only about two and a half years old she was brought to Iowa by her parents, Stephen and Mary A. Vaught, the former now a resident of Genoa, Nebraska. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vaught were born eight chil- dren, namely : Vinah ; Nancy ; Virginia ; Sid- ney. Mrs. Shull; Elbert; James Lee, who died at the age of three years ; John and Mil- lie. Four children graced the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shull, namely: Kimber C., who was born May 25, 1886: Bernal E., born April 16, 1888; Hazel B., who was born Jan- uary 21, 1890; and Vera S., born November 12. 1893.
After his marriage Mr. Shull located upon a farm of eighty acres. He afterward fell heir to a good estate left by his father, comprising two hundred and forty acres of land in Fremont county and four hundred acres in Arkansas. He is an enterprising. wide-awake agriculturist who successfully cultivates his fields and engages in stock- raising. His time and attention are untir-
ingly given to his business duties and his labors have been crowned with a good finan- cial return. He exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, but has never sought of- fice. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Shull is celebrated for its hospitality and throughout the community they have a wide circle of friends who entertain for them a high re- gard.
MARION L. EVANS.
One of the most prominent residents of Emerson, Mills county, Iowa, is Marion L. Evans, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Henderson county, Illinois, June 30, 1858, a son of John and Sarah Y. Evans. The father, John Evans, Jr., was one of the old and prominent settlers of Mills county, although he now resides in Illinois. He still owns large tracts of land and great herds of stock in Iowa, and although advanced in years he makes many flying trips to this sec- tion to superintend them. In December, 1892, he took the best train load of fine stock to the stock yards at Chicago that was ever shipped to that point, a record having been kept.
Mr. Evans, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in the common schools of his native county and at Mon- mouth College, same state, and came to Mills county, Iowa, in 1879. In connection with his father he carries on an extensive stock business, recently shipping a lot of cattle worth forty-three thousand dollars. They are probably the largest buyers and shippers of live stock in this section of the state. Mr. Evans is also the president of the Farmers' Bank of Emerson. Socially he
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
is connected with the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks and Knight Templar and Scottish rite Masonry, in which organ- ization he takes an active interest.
June 28, 1883, he was united in marriage with Miss Hattie M. Tubbs, a daughter of the late Judge L. W. Tubbs, and his interest- ing family now comprises six children- Edith L., John L., Frank N., Marion L., Jr., Volney and Kenneth.
J. B. BRANDT.
Among the German-American citizens of Mills county who, loyal to the interests of their adopted land, are numbered among the representative men in this section of Iowa, is found J. B. Brandt, who was born in Schles- wig. Germany, on the 15th of March, 1857. his parents being Jurgen and Anna ( Miller ) Brandt. In the year 1868 the father came to America, acompanied by his family, and took up his abode in Oak township, Mills county. He was a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit for many years, but finally became extensively interested in farm- ing and stock-raising. His was an active, industrious and upright career, crowned with a richly merited degree of success, and won the confidence and warm regard of all with whom business or social relations brought him in contact. He has attained the ripe old age of eighty-four years, while his wife is now eighty years of age.
Mr. Brandt of this sketch is the youngest in a family of ten children, six of whom are yet living. He was eleven years of age when he left the fatherland and with his parents came to the new world, continuing his education in the schools of Mills county. Ile remained under the parental roof
throughout the period of his minority, and in 1882 started out upon an independent buisiness career. Farming has been his chief ocupation, and he has successfully followed it, becoming the owner of a desirable prop- erty. His business methods are such as to commend him to the confidence of all, for he is reliable in all his dealings. Upon his place are found al the modern accessories and improvements usualy seen upon a model farm, and a glance will indicate to the passer .. by his careful supervision of the land which he operates.
In 1882 Mr. Brandt was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Green, a daughter of Charles and Julia Green, and a niece of Chris Plummer. They have six children, namely : Carl. Albert, John. Martha, Paul and Julia. In his political views Mr. Brandt is a Demo- crat. giving an earnest support to the men and measures of the party, and is now serv- ing as one of the trustees of Oak township. The family belong to the German Lutheran church.
LEBBEUS CLARK.
Lebbeus Clark, who follows agricultural pursuits in Indian creek township, was born in Pennsylvania in 1843. His father, Leb- beus Clark, Sr., was a native of the same state and died in Lee county, Iowa. His brothers and sisters were AAbner, Ezekiel, Silas, John, Levi and Mrs. Lydia Reeves. With the exception of the last named, who is now a resident of Salem, Iowa, all are cleceased. When he had arrived at years of maturity the father of our subject wedded Mary Evans, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in Clarinda, Towa. Their children were : Joseph E., who died at Mount Pleas-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ant, Iowa, in 1900; Isaac and Abner, de- ceased: Mrs. Martha Clark, who is living in Clarinda, this state: Mrs. Nancy Linley, whose home is in Oskaloosa; Mrs. Emaline Wolf, a resident of Lawrence, Kansas; Mrs. Sarah McCorkle, a widow living in Fort Madison, Iowa: Mrs. Jennie Mercer, also of Oskaloosa : and Mary Hathaway, living in Kansas.
The boyhood days of Lebbeus Clark were quietly passed. He remained in Pennsyl- vania until 1856, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Lee county, Iowa, where the father spent his remaining days. Mr. Clark, of this review, however. came with the family to Mills county and located on a farm in Silver Creek township sixteen years ago, which he occupied eleven years. For five years he then resided upon a rented farm conveniently located three miles north of Hastings. In the fall of 1900 he purchased a farm of one hundred and eighty-seven acres three miles west of Mal- vern and two and a half miles east of Hills- dale. He was well qualified for the practi- cal duties of business life by fair educational privileges. having attended the district schools in his youth, while in the year 1850 he was a student in Professor Howe's Acad- emy. in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. His busi- ness affairs have ever been conducted with strict regard for honorable principles and straightforward dealing, and his labors have resulted in bringing him a very desirable competence.
Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Anna Mary Pease. a daughter of James B. and Elizabeth (McCollough) Pease, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Her father is still living in Fort Madison, Iowa, but her mother died in Lee county. this state.
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