USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 57
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 57
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In his political views Mr. Davis has been a stalwart Republican from the year 1860, previous to which time he voted with the Democracy. Mrs. Davis was reared in the Baptist faith, and her earnest Christian example left a deep impression upon her children. As a citizen Mr. Davis is public- spirited, giving an earnest co-operation to all movements for the general good. His life has certainly been a success. His en- tire career is illustrative of the fact that certain actions are followed by certain re- sults ; and his determined purpose, guided by sound business judgment, has enabled
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him to advance steadily toward the goal of success : and his methods will stand the closest investigation. Ile has certainly mer- ited the distinction of being what the world calls a self-made man. This is the only title which the American republic confers upon its citizens, and it is one which may be proudly worn. Entering upon his business career without the aid of wealth or influ- ential friends, he has advanced steadily, step by step, to a position of prominence in financial circles. As the years have passed he has added to his property and wealth through earnest labor, close appli- cation and sound judgment. Of such a record he may be justly proud, and so his history should be a source of inspiration and encouragement to, others.
WILLIAM W. CREAMER.
William Wallace Creamer, the subject of the present sketch, is a prominent busi- ness man of Henderson, Mills county, lowa. conducting there a general store for the sale of robes, harness and saddlery.
The birth of Mr. Creamer took place in Dade county, Missouri, May 14, 1849. His father was John Creamer, a native of Fayette county, Ohio, born there in 1818. dying on his farm four miles from Hastings. Mills county, Iowa, in 1881. The grand- father of our subject was a resident of Ohio. where he had engaged in teaching and farm. ing and lived to be an octogenarian, leav- ing a family of eight children, two of whom are still surviving, Henry Creamer. a resi- dlent of Tennessee, and Cyrus Creamer, liv- ing in Nebraska. The mother of our im- mediate subject was Elizabeth ( McMillan ) Creamer, a native of Ohio. She was the
daughter of a farmer who later engaged in carpenter work, becoming still later a builder and contractor. Many structures are standing testifying to his skill. in this county, in Pottawattamie and in Fremont counties ; and the famous barn near Cres cent City, now owned by Solomon MeMil- lan, was erected by him. in 1875. Our sub- ject's mother survived her husband two years, her death taking place in 1883. They had a large number of children, the sur- vivors being : J. J. Creamer, of Cedar coun- ty. Nebraska, who has one child: C. I. Creamer, of Elmwood, Cass county. Ne braska, who has five children: John E. Creamer, of Wickersham, state of Wash- ington ; Cynthia, the wife of B. F. Herbert, of Pottawattamie county, lowa, who has a family of three children: and our subject. who was the second child. The burial- place of the parents, whose memory is tender- ly cherished, is in East Liberty. Silver Creek township. The Methodist church at this place was erected by Mr. Creamer's fa- ther, the church being of that denomina- tion of which the family were devoted members. The father was an active man all his life, cared well for his family, and as a pioneer of 1851 built up his home at Malvern when there was no railroad and the site of Council Bluffs and Omaha con- sisted of but four log houses.
William Wallace Creamer was educated in the district school and remained at home until the age of twenty-seven, at which time he married Miss Anna P. Thompson, a na- tive of Canada, who came to lowa in her early years. She was the daughter of Gavin Thompson, who was born in Scot- land, in 1816, and died December 12. 1882. His wife, Jane Mint , Thompson, was born
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January 4, 1814, and lived until June 21. 1884, leaving three sons and four daugh- ters. Mr. and Mrs. Creamer have but one child, Ralph E., who was born May II, 1879. He is a bright young man, a gradu- ate of the Henderson public school and at present successfully acting as a salesman in a business house of Villisca, Iowa.
For some years Mr. Creamer engaged in farming, but in 1886 he became a sales- man for the firm of Shaffer & Sons, contin- uing with them for more than three years. In 1887 he bought the stock of his present business and since that time has continued in this line, successfully pursuing it, his methods pleasing his patrons. He disposed of his farm in 1893. bought his home and since that time has made Henderson his place of residence.
Politically Mr. Creamer affiliates with the Republican party. and socially he belongs to the I. O. O. F. For fifteen years he has given his services as school director, so efficiently discharging the duties that his neighbors can not spare him.
GRAHAM F. JONES.
Among the prominent men and veteran soldiers of Mills county, Iowa, is Grahani F. Jones, who was born in Ohio in 1837. a son of John and Margaret ( Herin) Jones, the former a native of Pennsylvania, who removed to Ohio about 1820, the latter the daughter of a native of Ireland, who settled in Pennsylvania when the Indian tribes still possessed much of the country. A brother of Mrs. Jones, named John Herin, was cap- tured by the Indians but was finally recap- tured by a band of settlers, his brother To- seph being the captain of the party. The
wild life of the Indian seemed to have pleased John Herin, however, for he re- turned to the tribe of his own accord and finally became their chief when they migrat- ed to the Red river country, and died among them. Later Joseph Herin and his compan- ions were captured and all were killed ex- cept him and one other, and they would probably have shared the same fate had they not been rescued by a French woman who ransomed them. Joseph then went into the war of 1812 and served with distinction, later settling in Pennsylvania, where he made a name in commercial circles, became a Mason of high degree, and finally, after an adventerous life, lost it in a duel with a Frenchman, over some trivial disagreement.
The brothers and sisters of our subject are either known or' remembered in many sections of the country. They were: Ed- ward, who was a soldier under Sherman in the great march to the sea and died from wounds received in his country's service ; Mrs. Elizabeth Ellis, deceased, who lost her husband in the Civil war, he being killed at Winchester; Mrs. Martha Johnson, de. ceased; James, a soldier in the Civil war, deceased ; John and Mary, who died when children; Joseph, who was a soldier of the Civil war, became blind, but notwithstand -: ing this affliction studied medicine and is now one of the leading physicians of Fort Wayne, Indiana, with a large practice ; Mrs. Ellen Matson ; Mrs. Dorcas Smith, deceased ; Nathaniel, a soldier in the Civil war, resid- ing in Kenton, Ohio; and John Alexander, a soldier in the Civil war, who has only recently had a ball taken out of his shoulder blade, and resides in Missouri.
Our subject was reared in Ohio, where he received his education and employed his
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time on a farm until he enlisted in the army for a three-months service, during the Civil war. He has the distinction of having placed his name at the head of the list on the roll of Company G, Fourth Ohio Infantry, Cap- tain Grubb, and accompanied the regiment. under Colonel Robinson, to Camp Denni- son. On June 3d of the same year he re. enlisted for a service of three years and was sent to Virginia, into General Rosecrans' division and saw a great deal of the hard fighting in that state and on the Potomac, later being transferred to General Shields' command. Our subject recalls with vivid- ness the battles of Rich Mountain, Laurel Hill, Fort Republic, Fredericksburg. and those in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry, where he helped to build the bridge across the Po- tomac. He was also in the battles of Blue's Gap, Winchester, Malvern Hill, Martins- burg and the seven days of fighting around Richmond. He had gone into the cavalry service and after an experience like the fore- going, without injury, suffered from the fall of his wounded horse and was thus in- capacitated from further service and was honorably discharged, having made a record of the greatest bravery.
Our subject was married in 1870. to Miss Sarah Melissa Kimniey, who was born in Ohio, and the children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the following: George B., Mrs. Hessie Elwell. Robert, Mrs. Gretta Dosh and Grace. Mr. Jones, with his family, came to Mills county from Ohio in 1875. ! soon after being appointed superintendent of the county infirmary, which position he held for two years, faithfully performing the obligations of his office. At that time he bought his present nice farm, one and three-fourths miles from Hillsdale, and has
resided there in comfort ever since. Ile has a good orchard, etc. Socially he is connected with the I. O. O. F. organization and is an active member of the lodge in Hillsdale. Both he and his excellent wife are mem- bers of the Methodist church, where they are regarded with the highest esteem, and no record of the prominent residents of Mills county, lowa, would be complete with- out mention of them.
A. G. BAGLEY.
.A. G. Bagley has spent the greater part of his life in Fremont county. whither he came with his parents when fourteen years of age. That was in the year 1859. and the work of progress and development seemed scarcely begun in this district, which was then situated on the wild western frontier. The Bagleys ably assisted in' laying the foundation for the present prosperity and development of the county and the name has ever been a synonym for all that is com - mendable in citizenship and in private life. He of whom we write is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists in the vicinity of Randolph. He is descended from old New England stock and was born in Cuya- hoga county, Ohio, April 26. 1844, his par- ents being Russia and Rebecca ( Newell ) Bagley.
Russia Bagley was born in Vermont and when a young man emigrated westward to Ohio, where he found and married Miss Newell, who was a native of Connecticut and with her parents removed to Cuyahoga county. Ohio, in the pioneer epoch of its his- tory. At that time Cleveland was a small village, containing only a few houses, and Indians were still very numerous in the
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country. There were no mills in that part of the state and the pioneer settlers had to pound their wheat and corn in mortars in order to make breadstuffs. The ladies of the household would exchange a pound of butter for a pound of salt. Many difficulties and hardships were endured in opening up the region to civilization, but there were also many pleasures known only to pioneer life. The husbands and fathers entered their land from the government and improved farms. The Bagleys and Newells were well known and honored people and were actively identified with the work of progress and im- provement there. The father of our sub- ject served through the war of 1812, and in recognition of the aid which he rendered his government he was given a land war- rant, which he sold.
He was the second in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being George, a physician, who died in Ohio; Nathaniel, an agriculturist of Putnam coun- ty, Ohio; Parley, who died in Vermont ; and Ruth, who also passed away. Russia Bagley's wife, Mrs. Rebecca Bagley, was the second in order of birth in a family of six children, the others being Polly. now Mrs. Edgel; Mrs. Adelia Colby; John, who died in Bu- chanan county, Iowa: Mrs. Almira Baker, of Fremont county; and George, who is a farmer and broom manufacturer.
After the marriage of Russia Bagley and Rebecca Newell they located upon his farm in Ohio, where they resided for many years, after which that property was exchanged for four hundred acres of land in Fremont county. Mr. Bagley had not seen the land at the time the trade was made, and when he came to the west he found that it was wet and not very profitable ; but it has since been
drained and has been transformed into a very desirable property. In 1859 he removed his family to Iowa, making the journey on steamboat by way of the Ohio and Missis- sippi rivers. He located upon a portion of his land west of the Nishnabotna river, not far distant from Randolph, and there he im- proved a farm, making it his place of abode for many years, when he settled on another tract of land on Deer creek. There he again developed a good farm, making it the permanent place of his residence until he was called to his final rest, on the 8th ot November. 1885, when ninety-four years of age. He had enjoyed excellent health up to the time of his demise, and only a few days before his death he had walked to the polls where he cast his vote for the Republican candidate. He was a strong, athletic man, of brave and fearless nature, always ener- getic and industrious. When sixty years of age he could cut four cords of wood in a day, and by his hard labor and honest deal- ing he acquired a comfortable competence for the evening of life. He never aspired to the honors or emoluments of public office, but served as a justice of the peace for a number of years. His life was the quiet, hon -. est one of the farmer and at all times he commanded the confidence and respect of those with whom he was associated.
His wife survived him and spent her last days in the home of her children, dying at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clark, December 26, 1894, when ninety-three years of age. Her husband had been previously married before they were wedded, his first union being with a Miss Teuman, by whom he had six children, as follows : Helen, who became Mrs. Marble and died in Chicago, Illinois: Lemath, who became Mrs. Link
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and died in Kentucky; Mrs. Margaret Robe : William and Joseph, who died in Ohio; and Lucina, who is living in Missouri. The children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Bagley were: P. M., a prominent farmer and cap- italist, who died in Fremont county ; Mary, now deceased, who was married in Ohio to O. A. Clark, who entered the army at the time of the Civil war and while he was at the front she came to her parents in Fremont county, where her husband joined her after the close of hostilities, becoming a prominent farmer of this locality: Christiana, who is also deceased: Amy, the wife of William Rusl: A. G., of this review; Fanny, the wife of David Shultz, a farmer of Mills county; and .Avaretta, who died in chikl- hood. Of the Methodist church the par- ents were consistent and faithful members. and into the minds of their children they early instilled lessons of industry and hon- esty. Throughout his career the father was a sturdy farmer of sterling integrity and honor.
.A. G. Bagley spent the first fourteen years of his life in his native state and then accompanied his parents to lowa, remaining in their home until after he had attained his majority. He assisted in the work of improving and developing the farm and also spent some time in schools, but his studies were interrupted by his ill health. He suf- fered greatly from chills and fever. At the time of the Civil war. believing that a change of climate would benefit his health. he made arangements to accompany the Rev. Moses Payne, who was engaged in freighting for the government, to New Mex- ico with ox teams. With other equipments they took a coffin. for it was feared that Mr. Bagley would not survive the trip and
arrangements were therefore made for the burial. The coffin was put in the wagon which he drove and he sat on it. slept by it and sometimes in it during the trip to Mexico, but it was never brought into nise for him, as his health improved ; but the parson sold the coffin while they were in the south. Returning home, he resumed farm ing. and in 1800 he completed his arrange- ments for a home of his own by his mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Wittenmyer. They located upon a farm in Fremont county, there residing until 1883. when they removed to a farm in Nebraska. Subsequently Mr. Bagley engaged in merchandising and in selling farm machinery. In 1885 he re- turned to Fremont county, Jocating in Tabor, having traded his Nebraska land for a large stock of merchandise. Hle handled farm machinery and agricultural imple- ments, engaging in that line of business until 1888, when he again went to Nebraska, where he followed farming and stock-raising until 1893. In that year he became a resi- dent of northwestern Canada, where he car- ried on the same line of business until June. 1899, when he once more took up his abode in Fremont county, his home being upon a fine farm in Nishnabotna valley. His resi- dence adjoins the corporation limits of Ran- dolph. He is now conducting general farm- ing and stock-raising and has a very valuable and desirable place, in which no modern ac- cessory or convenience is lacking. His home. recently erected, is a two-story frame duel- ling, built in a modern architectural style. and in the rear are found large barns and substantial outbuildings.
Mrs. Bagley, who for a third of a cen- tury has been a faithful companion and help- mate to her husband on life's journey. is a
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lady of intelligence and culture, belonging to one of the honored early families of this state. She was born in Illinois, July II. 1851, a daughter of Andrew J. and Martha (Hooper) Wittenmyer, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Adams county, Ohio, where they were married. They were of German and Scotch descent. They removed to Illinois and after a num- ber of years, in 1868, came to Fremont county, where the father purchased and im- proved a farm, upon which he continued through a long period. In the evening of life he removed to Nebraska, where both he and his wife died. the latter on the 14th of February, 1893, and the former on the 27th of April, 1894. They were earnest and loyal members of the Methodist church, and in his political faith Mr. Wittenmyer was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. Their marriage was blessed with seven children, namely: Frank, a resident farmer of Fre . mont county: Mrs. Elizabeth Bagley; Jo- seph, who is employed as a smelter by a gold-mining company: Carrie, the wife of James Henry: Anna, the wife of Joseph Henry : William, of South Dakota : and Em- ma, the wife of E. Asman. Seven children grace the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bagley : Hattie F., now the wife of Dr. James Richardson, of northwestern Canada: Mel- vin, who is living in the same locality; Syl via, the wife of W. Froste, of Canada; Ra- phael, who also is living in the British prov ince: Theressa, who makes her home with her sister in Canada ; Verda, who is with her parents ; and Claude, who was born Sep- tember 30, 1887, and is still under the pa- rental roof. Mr. Bagley exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the Republican party, but office-
holdings have no attraction for him. He devotes his time and energies untiringly to his business affairs, in which he has pros . pered. His capable management and keen discrimination have been active factors in his continued success, and to-day. as the re- sult of his own well-directed efforts, he is classed among the successful citizens of Fre .. mont county.
ADELBERT J. WEARIN.
This gentleman is entitled to distinc- tion as one of the most progressive and enterprising men of southwestern Iowa, and has for many years been identified with the interests of Mills county. Upon the com- mercial activity of a community depends its prosperity and the men who are recog- nized as leading citizens are those who con- trol extensive business enterprises. Mr. Wearin is a man of broad capabilities who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
He was born in Porter county, Indiana, about forty-five miles southeast of Chica- go, and is a son of Josiah C. and Olive Wearin, who are represented on another page of this volume. As he never left the parental roof our subject affirms that he still resides at home. He is the only son in a family of seven children, and is prac- tically self-educated, though he attended the district schools to some extent, at the same time herding cattle on the prairie and bringing them home at night. His first busi- ness experience aside from farming was in a bank at Hastings, which he and H. B. Gray established in 1890 and conducted about five years. He then came to Mal- vern and opened a bank at this place, which he carried on until July 1, 1900, when he
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sold out. Although practically retired from business, he still looks after his large estate, landed interests, live stock, etc .. and is ex- ceedingly busy for a retired man. being like P. T. Barnum, too progressive and up- to-date to cast aside all business cares.
On the 18th of September, 1885. Mr. Wearin was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Foster, a native of southern Illi- nois, and a daughter of William W. and Ruth ( Marion) Foster, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Kentucky. The Fosters were of Scotch-Irish descent, and William W. Foster was an uncompromis- ing Democrat. He died in Illinois in De- cember, 1899, and his wife passed away in that state at the age of forty-two years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wearin were born two children, but one died in infancy. The living is Josiah F., a very bright young man, who was born on the 30th of Septem- ber. 1887, on the old Wearin homestead in Indian Creek township. Mills county, near the village of Hastings. For the purpose of giving his son the benefit of the excel- lent schools of Malvern, Mr. Wearin re- moved to that place, and has erected there a handsome residence only three or four miles from the old homestead, where, his mother still lives and which he still regards as home. He is a man of strong convic- tions and many sterling qualities, and in short is a man among men. Since casting his first vote for Horatio Seymour in 1868 he has affiliated with the Democratic party and has done all in his power to advance its interests and insure its success. He and his family hold membership in the Presby- terian church, and occupy an enviable po- sition in the best social circles of the com- munity.
G. B. MILLER.
Among the native sons of Mills county. lowa, is numbered G. B. Miller, who was born about seven miles south of his pres- ent home in Center township. He is now thirty-five years of age and throughout this period has been identified with the interest> of his native locality. His father, Isaac Miller, was born in Tennessee. He had two brothers who were killed in battle in the Civil war. He belonged to a family of eleven children, namely : Alfred, Pleasant, Gavin, Jacob, Rufus, Frederick, John. Lucy, Elizabeth, Rachel and Cynthia. Reared to the occupation of a farmer, Isaac Miller has followed agricultural pursuits as a life work and in that line of endeavor has met with gratifying success. He came to Mills coun- ty, Iowa, from Tennessee about 1852 and has since made his home in this locality, being now a resident of Fremont, Nebraska, and having attained the ripe old age of ser- enty-five years. Ile married Miss Martha McPherron, a native of Tennessee, in which state their wedding was celebrated. They made the journey to Iowa with a team of oxen, traveling across the country in true pioneer style, for that was before the era of railroad building in this secton of the state. The father entered a tract of land in Mills county and with characteristic en- ergy began the cultivation of the fields, planting crops which in the course of time brought to him good harvests. The mother of our subject is now deceased.
G. B. Miller pursued his education in the common schools and was thus fitted for practical and responsible duties of life. He early became familiar with the work of the home farm and his training in that direction
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well qualified him to carry on business on his own account. He to-day owns one hun- dred and sixty acres of the rich and pro- ductive land in Center township, where he carries on general farming. His place is improved with all the modern accessories and conveniences and he has one of the most beautiful ånd imposing homes in the coun- ty, being equalled by but few city residences. He has telephone connection with the out- side world and has numerous other moderli conveniences which make it an ideal abode.
The lady who presides over this pleas- ant home was, in her maidenhocd, Miss Eva Mickelwait, a representative of one of the prominent and honored families of this coun- ty. In 1889 she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Miller and their marriage has been blessed with two sons, Dale and Kyle. In his social relations Mr. Miller is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias, belonging to the local lodges of these orders in Glenwood. Nothing has swerved him from his allegiance to the Republican party and he does all in his power to promote its upbuilding and suc- cess. He has held the office of township trustee in Center township. He is a wide- awake and progressive young man, broad- minded, courteous and genial in disposition, and with a large circle of friends he is very popular.
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