A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa, Part 52

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 752

USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 52
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 52

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In March, 1876, Mr. Honeyman again married, his second union being with Miss Ella Viola, a daughter of Milton Cheney, formerly of Mills county. Her family came to Iowa from Stephenson county, Illi- nois, in the year 1852. A location was first made in Pottawattamie county, but after a year they came to Mills county, locating near Glenwood. In 1862 they went to Utah territory and resided for a short time near Salt Lake City, but in 1863 they returned to Mills county, and the father again pur- chased the farm which he had sold on his removal to the west. Mrs. Honeyman has three brothers, Horace B., Elihu and Gilbert, who are farmers in Indian Creek township. She was born near Glenwood after the family came to Iowa and pursued her edu- cation in the district schools. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Honeyman were born eight chil- dren, seven sons and one daughter, as fol- lows: John; Milton C .; Arthur B .; Alex.

Coneyman.

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ANJA AND

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Stuart: James D. : Robert R. : Ella V. ; and Warren Lee. The subject of this review had a wide acquaintance throughout Mills coun. ty and was a popular citizen, his many ex- cellent qualities gaining for him the high regard of all with whom he came in con- tact. Ile died December 29, 1897, and the community thereby lost one of its valued and respected citizens,-a man whom to know was to honor. Mrs. Honeyman still sur- vives her husband and is a most estimable woman. She holds membership in the Presbyterian church, also belongs to the Ladies' Aid Association and is active in missionary work and in other departments of church activity. Her life is in harmony with her professions and in many ways is well worthy of emulation. In politics Mr. Honeyman was a Republican and took an active part in the Republican politics of Mills county. Ile was a leader of men. ever loyal to his friends and ever true to his word.

JOIIN H. JOHNSTON.

John H. Johnston is a well known factor in commercial interests in Randolph, where he is a member of the firm of S. T. Rhode & Company, extensive dealers in lumber, hard- ware, agricultural implements and wind pumps. He was born near Quebec, Canada, on the 19th of August, 1831, and is of Irish lineage, his career exhibiting many of the sterling traits of the Irish race. Ilis par- ents, Joseph and Mary A. ( Lackey) John- ston, were both natives of the Emerald Isle, the former having been born in county Mon- aghan, in the northern part of the island, while the later was born in the southern por- tion, in county Westmeath. Both became residents of Canada in early life. Their

parents were farming people of the old coun try, and James Lackey, the maternal grand- father of our subject, served for many years in the British army, being stationed for a part of the time in Canada. Joseph John- ston, the paternal grandfather, was a farmer of Ireland and there spent his entire life. Ilis children were all reared on the green isle and all remained residents of that country save two sons, John and Joseph, who crossed the briny deep to Canada. The former was married there and reared a family, all of whom have now passed away.

Joseph Johnston, Sr., was educated in Ireland and remained in that country until twenty years of age, when he sought a home in the new world. At farm and other labor he was employed until he could secure a home of his own. After having resided in Can- ada for about ten years he was married and located upon land which he had previously purchased and which was improved with a small clearing and a little home. The place was a timber tract, however, and earnes! labor was required in order to clear and cul- tivate it, but his efforts resulted in the de+ velopment of an excellent farm, upon which he remained until 1854-the year of his re- moval to Mercer county, Illinois. There ie again purchased a large farm, and was a well known representative of agricultural pursuits in that community until March 26, 1865, when he was called to his final rest. lle carried on general farming and stock- raising, and his honest dealing and indefat+ igable energy enabled him to acquire a hand- some competence. While residing in Canada he served as an officer in the militia, but in Illinois was content to quietly perform the duties of a private citizen without seeking official honors of any kind. Both he and his

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wife were members of the Episcopal church. His death occurred at the age of seventy- two and his widow still survives him, al- though she has passed the ninety-four mile- stone on life's journey. After the marriage of her children and the death of her husband, the old homestead in Mercer county, Illinois, was sold, and since 1877 she has been a res- ident of Fremont county. Here she pur- chased a small farm, but afterward disposed of that and now occupies a comfortable dwelling in Randolph, which is numbered among her property possessions. Hers has been a useful career, characterized by earn- est Christian principles and by unwavering fidelity to the duties of a wife and mother. She has reared a family of children who do honor to her name and of whom the follow- ing is the record: John is the eldest; Jo- seph resides in the city of Rock Island, Illi- nois; James makes his home in Kingfisher, Oklahoma; Mrs. Elizabeth Jingles is living on a farm in Fremont county ; Mary is the wife of James Dickman, of Rock Island; Is- abella married J. Allely; Frank died in Omaha, Nebraska, leaving five children : Jen- nie is the wife of M. Allely, of Fremont county; William is a prominent business man of Randolph; and Isaac died in Omaha, Nebraska, leaving four children, two now living.

The boyhood days of John H. Johnston were quietly passed under the parental roof. He received a good, practical education in the common schools of Canada, and when twenty-three years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, where he assisted in the development of his father's farm. He afterward rented land and en- gaged in farming on his own account, also working at the carpenter's trade. In 1856

he was married and two years later he re- moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he followed carpentering and for four years was an overseer on a sugar plantation. Re- turning to the Crescent city, he was then en- gaged in ship-carpentering and was also em -. ployed in a sugar refinery. During the wall of the rebellion the Confederates compelled him to join the home guards. He had to drill in the evening twice each week, but he managed to keep out of all battles, and when Farragut reached that portion of the country his compulsory military service was ended.

He continued to work at his trade until 1883, when he came to Fremont county, Iowa, and purchased a farm, which he ope- rated for two years. He then rented his place and came to Randolph and here re- suined work at carpentering. At first he lived in a rented house, but afterward erect- ed a commodious residence, which has since been his home. Selling his farm, he invest- ed the proceeds in business here and is now a member of the firm of S. T. Rhode & Company, dealers in lumber, hardware and agricultural implements. They have an ex- tensive trade, which is constantly increas+ ing, and they enjoy an unassailable reputa- tion for honesty in business circles. Mr. Johnston also owns the brick bank building of the town, and is now comfortably situ- ated in good financial circumstances. He also owns some vacant lots in Omaha.

Mr. Johnston was first married in Illi- nois, in 1856, the lady of his choice being Miss Ann J. Mains, who was born in Balti- more and went to Illinois during her girl- hood with her parents, Hugh and Jennie Mains, both of whom were natives of Ire- land. The father devoted his attention to

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agricultural pursuits, and he and his wife died in Mercer county, Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were born two children. Joseph E., who was reared by his grand- mother in Illinois, came to Fremont county, was here married, and then purchased and operated a farm. In 1883 he left the coun- ty and his present place of residence is un- known. Elizabeth, the younger child. is the wife of Burdick Wood, a farmer of Illi- nois. Mr. Johnston was again married, in New Orleans, January 18, 1864. his second union being with Mary A. McPeake, who was born in Coleraine, Ireland, April 30, 1841. and during her childhood came to the United States with her parents, John and Lithgo MePeake, who took up their abode in New Orleans. Her father was a shoe- maker and long followed that trade. Both parents died in 1858, of yellow fever. They were members of the Episcopal church, and had ten children: Samuel, who died in New Orleans; William, of Philadelphia ; John, of New York: Martha, who became the wife of R. W. Phillips and died in Mis- sissippi: Mrs. Johnston; Thomas . B., of New Orleans; Charles and Robert, both dleceased; Matilda, who has passed away ; and Sally, who married but is now deceased.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnston were born nine children : Mary, who was born July 9. 1865, and died August 27, 1872: John R., who was born May 19. 1867. and died .August 1, 1872; Sarah J., who was born December 30. 1868. and is the wife of Frank Mozack: James D., who was born July 31. ISTI. and died on the 5th of July, 1872; William M., who was born August 13, 1873, and died August 10, 1878: Martha L., who was born December 17, 1875. and died June 22. 1876; Emily, born August 15, 1879; -

Francis 1., born May 19, 1882; and Alice L., who was born June 23. 1884, the only child of the family who is a native of Fire- mont county.

Both parents were reared in the Epis- copal faith and are yet adherents of that denomination. While at New Orleans Mr. Johnston belonged to the Ship Carpenters' Association, also to the Protestant Benevo- lent Association. In politics he has always been a stalwart Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for office. Mr. Johnston's actions have during his life been such as to distinctively entitle him to a place in this publication, and although his career has not been filled with thrilling incidents, proba- bly no biography published in this book can serve as a better illustration to young men of the power of honesty and integrity in insuring success.

LEE NOTSON.

In this age of intellectual activity. when success in the business world depends not upon mere physical prowess but upon men tal activity, upon an ability to master the principles and details of any enterprise and guide its course away from the rocks of (lisaster to the safe harbor of success, the work of the educator has become of even greater importance than ever before. Oc cupying a prominent rank among the edu- cators of this section of the state is Pro- fessor Lee Notson, the well-known county superintendent of Fremont county.

A native of Iowa, he was born in De. catur county. September 14. 1871, a som of Robert P. S. and Nancy Louisa (Ed- miston ) Notson. Ile was brought by his parents to Fremont county in 1874. Re-

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ceiving a good practical education in the schools of Shenandoah, Iowa, Fremont and Lincoln, Nebraska, he is well fitted for his chosen profession. When only twenty-two years of age lie received the nomination on the Populist ticket for county superintend- ent of public schools, and two years later his name was again placed upon the Demo- cratic ticket as a candidate for the same office. Both times he was defeated, but at the age of twenty-six years he was elected to that position. and re-elected two years later, being the present incumbent. He has ever been an advocate of progress and re- form, and has made many needed changes in the public-school system since he came into office. His first presidential vote was cast for Grover Cleveland in 1892, and he has always affiliated with the Democracy.

November 28, 1897, Mr. Notson was united in marriage with Mary J. Rosseau, a native of this county and a daughter of Samuel T. and Luraney A. ( Watts) Ros. seau. Of this union there has been born one child. Leah G., born April 22, 1900.

WILLIAM W. GAYLORD.

William Wallace Gaylord, who carries on agricultural pursuits in Green township, Fremont county, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, September 30, 1832. His father, E. B. Gaylord, was a native of Massachusetts, born near Amherst College, on the 6th of September, 1806, and was a son of Elijah Gaylord, whose father came from England to America and was of French lineage. The grandmother of our subject was also of the same nationality. Elijah Gaylord was twice married and by the first union had two sons and a daughter,

E. B. Gaylord being the second in order of birth. The mother died in early woman- hood and by his second marraige Mr. Gay- lord had five children. As a means of liveli- hood he followed carpentering and farming and died about 1834, at the age of sixty- eight years. Having arrived at years of maturity the father of our subject was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Frederickson, a native of Massachusetts, in which state her parents were married. Mr. and Mrs. Gaylord had ten children, eight of whom reached years of maturity, while three sons and three daughters are yet living. The parents came to Fremont county in 1846 and located in Sidney township, before the town of Sidney was established. From Illi- nois they journeyed westward by team, hav- ing two covered wagons drawn by three yoke of oxen. They made the trip in regu- lar emigrant style, being two months upon the way. After camping for two months on Little Mosquito creek they came to Fre- mont county, taking up their abode five miles south of the home of our subject. There the father built a rude log cabin, 16x16 feet, with puncheon floor, clay fire-place and mud-and-stick chimney. He secured a claim of one hundred and sixty acres and made his home thereon for two years, after which he sold that property and came to the farm upon which our subject now re- sides, entering from the government a half- section of land, for which he paid one dol- lar and a quarter per acre. Throughout his remaining days he was connected with the business interests of Fremont county, being well known as an enterprising agri- culturist. He died September 27, 1873, and his wife, surviving him about ten years, passed away on the 27th of December, 1883.

WILLIAM W. GAYLORD

THE NEW LINK PUBLIC LIBRARY

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

William Wallace Gaylord was reared in a village in Hancock county, Illinois, be- tween the ages of six and fourteen years, the family having emigrated westward to that place about 1838. He received but limited educational privileges and remained at home until twenty-two years of age. His father was a shoemaker and he followed that pur- suit to some extent. Later he worked at carpentering. having special ability in that line. He early manifested a marked me- chanical genius and his very efficient ser- vices enabled him always to command good positions in the line of his trade. Through- out the years of his business career he always followed carpentering to a greater or less extent.

On the Ist of October, 1855, Mr. Gay- lord was united in marriage to Miss Hannah Johnson, of Knox county, Illinois. Unto them were born four children: Edith, now the wife of Charles Prathen, of Oklahoma, by whom she has four children; Hattie, who was born in 1858, and became the wife of William Dawson, after which she mar- ried R. B. Tucker, and died March 6, 1890. leaving four children ; William W., who re- sides upon the home farm, and who married Miss Laura A. Gray, of Thurman, by whom he has a little daughter. Ruby Mirth: and .A. D., of Shenandoah, lowa, who is mar- ried and has three children. The mother was only sixteen years of age at the time of her marriage and she died in early womanhood. Two of her children died in infancy. After the death of his first wife Mr. Gaylord was again married, his second union being with Miss Frances Badham. They became the parents of five children, but three died in infancy and those yet living are Leonora, who engaged in teaching

in Shenandoah, and Alma, a farmer of Green township. Fremont county, who is married and has one son. In 1879 Mr. Gay- lord was again called upon to mourn the loss of his wife.

In his political affiliations he is a Demo- crat and has filled a number of public offices, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He has served as constable, road supervisor and school trustee. He is a mem- ber of the Church of Latter Day Saints and has served as one of its elders. For twelve years he was connected with business affairs as a coal and wood dealer in Shenandoah. Ile is now devoting his energies to agricul- tural pursuits in Green township. In 1892 he sold his eighty-acre farm in this neigh- borhood, which was a part of the old home- stead, and is the only portion which has passed from the possession of the family. Honorable dealing has ever won for him the respect and confidence of his fellow men and his sterling worth has gained for him the high regard of many with whom he has been associated. He has a wide acquaint- ance in Fremont county and his circle of friends is extensive.

BENJAMIN F. STUBBS.

Benjamin F. Stubbs, who follows farm- ing on section 15. Green township, Fremont county, was born in Decatur, Indiana, Sep- tember 2, 1838. and traces his ancestry back to England, where occurred the birth of his paternal grandfather, the Rev. William Stubbs. He became a minister of the Uni- ted Brethren church and labored most of his life in Indiana. He reared ten children, three sons and seven daughters, all of whom are married and have families, while one

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uncle and three aunts are still living. the former being Josiah, a mechanic, who is living at an advanced age in Kansas. The grandparents both died in the Hoosier state, the grandfather in 1849, when about sev- enty years of age, while his widow, sur+ viving him until about 1855, had almost reached her four-score years when called to the home beyond.

Jesse Stubbs, the father of our subject, was born in Preble county, Ohio, Decem- ber 10, 1812, and was reared amidst the re, fining influences of a good Christian home. In the year 1836 he married Miss Isabella Soladay, who was born in that state about 1810. They spent their entire married life in Union and Decatur counties, Indiana, and the father followed carpentering and building in order to provide for the sup- port of his wife and five children, three sons and two daughters : William Harrison, the eldest of the children, received excellent educational privileges and became a very successful school-teacher ; he died at the age of fifty-nine years, in Edgar county, Illi- nois, leaving an only daughter, Mrs. Julia Hickland, a widow residing in Illinois; Benjamin Franklin, of this review, second of the family: Mary Elizabeth, who is the wife of Harrison Miller, of Douglas coun- ty, Missouri, now having a large family; Sylvester A., of Edgar county, Illinois, who is an invalid and a pensioner of the Civil war: he has one daughter living; and An- geline, who became the wife of Benjamin Hornidy and both are now deceased, leav- ing five children. Mrs. Stubbs, the mother of our subject. passed away in 1866, at the age of sixty-five years, and now sleeps by the side of her husband in Vermilion cem- eterv.

In the subscription schools, common at that time, Benjamin F. Stubbs acquired his education, his privileges being rather lim- ited. His training at farm labor, however, was not meager, for as soon as he was old enough to handle the plow he took his place in the fields and was thus engaged in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting until the farm work of the year was over. He did not leave home until twenty-three years of age and gave his assistance to his parents. Early in 1865 he enlisted as a member of Company I, of the Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, and served until the fall of that year. The regiment went to Texas after Kirby Smith. He escaped the mis- siles of death and the experiences in the hospitals and prisons, and after receiving an honorable discharge was mustered out at Camp Erwire, Texas. He now receives a pension from the government in recogni- tion of his services.

In December, 1860, Mr. Stubbs was united in wedlock to Miss Hettie Cassle, who was born in Edgar county, Illinois, on January 23, 1842, a daughter of Hiram and Lodemah (Cusick) Cassle. In 1870 they left their Illinois home and in October of that year came to Iowa, driving across the country with a team of horses and a . covered wagon. At night they camped out along the wayside, and had a tedious journey of five weeks in stormy weather and over bad roads. Mr. Stubbs had operated rented land in Illinois, and after coming to Fre- mont county he purchased eighty acres of river-bottom land at twenty-five dollars per acre, near the town of Percival, Benton township, and there he carried on agricul- tural pursuits for a quarter of a century. As the years passed his financial resources

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steadily increased, owing to his well-directe.] efforts.

On the 28th of March, 1900, Mr. Stubbs was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on that date, leaving two sons and two daughters: Lodema Isa- belle, the wife of L. P. Hummel and with their daughter residing upon the oldl home farm; John H., also a farmer of this coun- ty ; Will 11., who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres, which he purchased in 1897, and who was mar- ried March 16, 1892, to Miss Ida Braden : She was born in Lebanon, Ohio, a daughi- ter of M. HI. and Sarah Ann (Spencer) Braden. Her mother died in February, 1868, at theage of thirty-three years, leav- ing four children, namely: Court, who is living in Elliott, Iowa; Carrie, the wife of Walter Jackson, of Malvern, lowa; Mrs. Stubbs; and Grant, who makes his home in Coburg. Mr. Braden, after the death of his first wife, married Mrs. Joe Fulkreth, a widow, who has been a most worthy wife and kind step-mother. Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs have no children. Myrtle, the fourth mem- ber of his father's family, is now the wife of John Broderich, of Fairfield, Nebraska. The last named is a graduate of the Lin- coln Normal School. The children were all provided with good educational privileges and all have been successful teachers.

Mr. Stubbs and his wife and children have all held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Since the death of his wife he has made his home with his son Will Il., who is carrying on general farm- ing on the splendid farm on section 15. Green township. He makes a specialty of the raising of corn and hogs, and annually grows about three thousand bushels of corn

and sells annually about one hundred and fifty head of Polan 1 China hogs. Mr. Stubbs has enjoyed a successful business career, his energy and enterprise bringing to him creditable success. He has ever been found true to his duties of citizenship and to the trust reposed in him.

CARL LUNDEEN.

To a student of biography there is noth- ing more interesting than to examine the life history of a self-made man, and to de- tect the elements of character which have enabled him to pass on the highway of life many of the campanions of his youth who at the outset of their careers were more ad- vantageously equipped or endowed. The subject of this review has through his own exertions attained an honorable position and marked prestige among the representative men of the west, and with signal consisten- cy it may be said that he is the architect of his own fortunes, and one whose success amply justifies the application of the some- what hackneyed but most expressive title. "a self-made man."

Mr. Lundeen resides on section II, Green township, Fremont county. He was born in Sweden on the 6th of August, 1850. and when only five years of age lost his fa- ther. Carl Lundeen, Sr., who was a gov+ ernment tailor. His paternal grandfather was Andrew Anderson, who long served as a soldier and died about 1861. The father had four sisters, but no brothers. The sub- ject of this review has but one brother, Fred Lundeen, who resides in Nebraska and has large mining interests in the west. The subject of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the land of his

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nativity and then determined to seek a home and fortune beyond the Atlantic where greater opportunities were afforded to the young men of determination and ambition. In September, 1872, he sailed for the new world, arriving in Tabor without capital save his strong right arm and determined purpose. He began working by the month and was thus employed for two years, after which he purchased a team of horses and a wagon and began farming on his own ac- count on rented land, and thus, with the capital which he had acquired through his own efforts, he purchased eighty acres in Green towship, Fremont county, making a payment of five hundred dollars upon the place, which was sold to him for nineteen hundred dollars. His economy and indus- try soon enabled him to meet the other pay- ments, and after three years he purchased a tract of one hundred and forty acres ad- ditional. Soon, however, he sold his first farm of one hundred acres at a handsome profit, and upon his remaining tract of one hundred and twenty acres he resided until 1891, when he took up his abode at the present home, where he has one hundred and forty acres, which he had purchased the previous year, paying thirty-five hun- dred dollars for one hundred and ten acres. In 1896 he gave forty dollars per acre for a tract of thirty acres. He does not owe a single cent upon his fine property and never has he had to have any one endorse his paper, for his honesty and integrity are proverbial among those who know him. His attention has been given to the raising of corn and feeding of cattle. He has one hundred and seventy-five acres planted to corn and buys annually from

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A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa, Part 52

Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 752

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 752