USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 66
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 66
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ALFRED R. BOBBITT.
A prominent citizen, old settler and suc- cessful farmer and stock-raiser of Sidney township, Fremont county, Iowa, is Alfred R. Bobbitt, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Kentucky December 9, 1832, and is a son of James and Margaret ( Mann) Bobbitt, both natives of Kentucky, the for- mer born September 3. 1798, and died Feb- ruary 23, 1866, and the latter, born October 16, 1800, died November 18. 1873. They were married in 1821. James Bobbitt was a son of Randolph Bobbitt, who was born in Virginia, but died in Kentucky. James Bob- bitt was the father of eleven children, our subject being the sixth of the family, the record being : Nancy Ann, who is the wife of John Baylor; Martha Ellen, who died
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in the fall of 1895: Lucinda, who died in infancy: Ezra, who died in infancy: our subject : Eliza, who was the wife of A. C. Bonwell, and died in this township; Samuel J., who died in Indiana : Matilda, who was the wife of T. P. Martin, and died near Thurman, in 1863; Joseph, who died when sixty-four : Mary, who is the wife of T. C. Hatton, resides near Sidney ; and Benjamin C. C., who was a soldier in the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, enlisting in 1862, and served three years, and now resides in Sidney, retired from business.
The parents of our subject emigrated to Iowa in 1849 from Marion county, Indiana, leaving there in the manner of emigrants. with covered wagons, drawn by two-horse teams, their journey occupying the time from the 15th of September to the mid- dle of November. They came with limit- ed means, their money amounting to only fifty dollars, although one hundred dol- lars was still owing them from the sale of goods in Indiana. They settled on a government claim, and when it was resur- veyed and came into the market Mr. Bob- bitt bought one hundred and sixty acres, at one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre. this tract still belonging to the family.
Our subject had but meager school ad- vantages. He was taken from Kentucky to Marion county. Indiana, in 1833, when two years old. His recollection of his early school-house with its primitive furniture is still very easily recalled. But little chance was given him to take advantage of the few opportunities offered. When he accompanied his family to Iowa, a boy of seventeen, his money was less than fifty cents. Until mar- riage he remained at home assisting his fa- ther. the care of the land and stock requir- ing hard and persevering work.
The marriage of Mr. Bobbitt took place on June 21, 1855. to Miss Sarah E. Pugh, a daughter of John and Sarah (Guard) Pugh. She was born in Ohio November 17. 1833, and came to lowa with her parents in 1854. They engaged in farming and were respected in the community at the time of their demise, she at the age of seventy-three, he when he was seventy-five years old. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Bobbitt are Orren. who lives at home: Emma, who is the wife of Albert Gore and resides in Billings, Mon- tana: Emmit, who is a farmer in the vi- cinity : Clay, who is a Presbyterian minister in Pottawattamie county, Iowa: Jane. who is the wife of Max M. Snodgrass, a farmer of this township: Frank, who is a farmer of this township: Richard, a farmer in this township: Elma, who is the wife of M. P. Server, a commercial traveler for Fairbanks. Morse & Company: Alma, who is the wife of Hume Merchant, and resides at Knox. lowa: and Alba, who died at the age of five and one-half months. The three last named were triplets.
The large and productive farm of Mr. Bobbitt consists of four hundred and ninety acres of fine land. upon which he conducts general farming, growing corn, wheat. hay and oats, and also breeds stock of all kinds, -horses, mules and many shorthorn cattle, -this strain of cattle meeting with his high- est approval. In 1856 he built his first house, but in 1872 it was burned with all its contents, and he then erected his present comfortable brick residence and two good barns. Peace and plenty reign on this place. and Mr. Bobbitt is highly regarded by all his neighbors, he being, with one exception, the oldest settler in the vicinity.
For many years our subject has been an
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influential and representative man in the township. He is a Democrat in his political opinions and has served acceptably as town- ship trustee and as county commissioner. Socially he has long been connected with the Masonic fraternity, being a Royal Arch Ma- son. while three of his sons are Master Ma- sons. He is a charter member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church, the only one now living in this neighborhood, with which religious denomination his wife and family are also connected. The family is well and favorably known through a wide section of country, 'and possesses the esteem which honest living and capable public service de- serve.
GEORGE MOGRIDGE, M. D.
An example of a self-made American citizen and an exemplification of the progress that an ambitious foreigner can make in this country of unbounded opportunities, is shown in the case of Dr. George Mogridge, of Glenwood, Iowa, one of the leading Eng- lish- American residents of Iowa. His suc- cess is due to his own energy and the high ideal which his lofty and laudable ambi- tion places before him. Success in any walk of life is an indication of earnest endeavor and perserving effort .- characteristics that Dr. Mogridge possesses in an eminent de- gree.
He was born in Salford, England, June 3. 1856. The Mogridge family is of French origin. The ancestors were Huguenots who were ejected from France or were forced to leave there on account of religious persecutions. They settled in London and engaged in the early silk-weaving industries in that city. John Mogridge, the grandfa-
ther of our subject, was born in London, and married a Miss Blackmore, whose par- ents were allied with the Society of Friends. She also was a native of London, and both she and her husband died in the world's metropolis. He was a silk-weaver by trade, following his vocation throughout life. Their son, Edwin Mogridge, was born in London, England. in 1824, and by occupa- tion was a furrier in his early years, and later a dry-salter. He spent his entire life ir his native land, his death occurring in Manchester in 1876. He married Hannah Chapman, a daughter of George Chapman, who served for forty years in the British army, in the Second Dragoon Guards, and during this long period of service he saw active service in many parts of the British dominion. He was a member of the York Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the most ancient Masonic lodge in the world. He died in Manchester, England, and his wife's death occurred in Norwich. Their Yorkshire an- cestry can be traced back through many gen- erations. Their daughter Hannah was mar- ried to Edwin Mogridge, in 1853, in the his- toric church of St. Nicholas, Cole Abbey, in London. She was born in Norwich, Eng- land, her death occurring when she was six- ty-three years of age.
Dr. George Mogridge was their only child. That he was surrounded by tender care in his youth is indicated by the manner in which he cherishes the memory of his parents. He obtained his early education in the common schools of Manchester, and when fourteen years of age his father died and it then became necessary that he should provide for his own support. Accordingly he entered the service of a law firm. Dur- ing the earlier years that he was in their
Geo Mogrudge M.A.
١٣
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employ he supplemented his education by attending evening classes at the Mechanics' Institute and other evening schools in Man- chester.
At the age of twenty-four. in 1880, he came to the United States, believing that he might have better opportunities in the new world. He made his way direct to Cass county, Iowa, where he worked by the day or month, principally following ag- ricultural pursuits, yet scorning no employ- ment that would yield him an honorable liv- ing. He desired, however, to make the practice of medicine his life work, and ulti- mately, as the result of his industry and economy, he was enabled to matriculate in the Omaha Medical College, in which insti- tution he was graduated with the class of 1894. Prior to that time he had become con- nected with the State Institution for Feeble Minded Children. His first employment there was in having charge of a class of children. His observation and experience there fitted him somewhat for the profes- sion which he wished to follow as a life work, and as soon as he found opportunity he took up his studies in the Omaha Medical College, where he remained until his grad- uation in 1894. After receiving his diploma he was made chief assistant to Dr. Powell, who stands at the head of the institution, and has since filled that important position in a most capable and worthy manner. His knowledge of medicine is comprehensive and accurate and he displays marked ability in applying its principles to the needs of those who are under his care. He has that broad humanitarian spirit without which the physi- cian can never be successful. He is most patient and painstaking in his care of the unfortunate ones who come under his care
and supervision, and his work has been at- tended with most excellent results.
On the 7th of May, 1895, Mr. Mogridge was united in marriage to Miss Lillian E. Robinson, who was born in Livingston county, New York, a daughter of Martin V. and Almira Robinson, natives of New York state. He died in Dixon, Illinois, in 1804: his wife had previously died in War- saw, New York.
In his political affiliations Dr. Mogridge has been a Republican since coming to the United States, his first vote having been cast for Benjamin Harrison. Ile is a member of various societies, including the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities. He is also identified with the Modern Wood- men of America, and in the line of his pro- fession is connected with the Medical So- ciety of Southwestern lowa, the Missouri Valley Medical Society, the Society of Med- ical Officers of Institutions for Feeble Minded Persons, and also a member of the National Conference of Charities and Cor- rections and of the Iowa State Conference of Charities and Corrections. He is likewise a lecturer on mental diseases of children in the Omaha Medical College.
He and his wife hold membership in the Episcopal church, take an active part in its work and co-operate heartily with all lines of church activity. He is serving both as warden and lay reader in the church. The Doctor's record is one worthy of the highest commendation. Less than ten years ago he worked upon a farm in Mills county, to-day he is the second officer in one of the leading eleemosynary institution of the state, and, as he is a representative of a profession where advancement depends upon individual merit, it is evident that he possesses su-
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perior ability and that he is devoting him- self entirely to his chosen calling. It is perfectly characteristic of the man that his religious life is simple, sincere and yet un- demonstrative, but the depth of his con- victions shows itself in his daily walk. With the passing years his circle of friends is con- stantly growing, and is limited only by the circle of his acquaintances. As a citizen he is most loyal and patriotic,-a thorough American, although an adopted son,-up- holding with ardor the principles and insti- tutions of republican government. His fel- low townsmen respect him for his genuine worth and admire him for what he has ac- complished, and throughout the community he is spoken of in terms of the highest com- mendation.
RANSDELL BAYLOR.
A prominent and influential agricult- urist and stock-raiser of Scott township, Fremont county, Iowa, is Ransdell Baylor, the subject of this review. He was born April 8, 1850, and now resides at his old home, endeared to him by a thousand recol- lections. He was a son of John and Nancy (Bobbitt ) Baylor, who emigrated from Ken- tucky to Indiana, and were married at Pleas- ant View, Marion county, in 1843. The grandfather of our subject. Isaac Baylor, had come to Iowa and located near Sidney, in 1851, where he died in 1854, aged sixty- two, his wife haying died several years prior to this. In 1849 John Baylor and family came to Fremont county, Iowa, bought a small tract of land at first and worked hard. At the time of his death, on September 21, 1871, he owned eleven hundred and twenty acres of land in this township, together with
a quarter-section of land adjoining Sidney, and also owned more cattle and stock than almost any other farmer in this district at that time. He was born in Campbell coun- ty, Kentucky, in 1820, was reared and died in the faith of the Baptist church and was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends.
The mother of our subject was born in 1822 and died November 21, 1880. She had been the faithful mother of the following children : Caroline, who was born in Indi- ana and is the wife of A. M. Chesney, of Tacoma, Washington ; Ransdell, who is the subject of this sketch; Wallace, who resides in Valley Falls, Kansas, and now lives re- tired: Senah, who is the widow of R. Keenan, of Des Moines; Clara, who is the wife of Dr. E. A. Campbell, and died at Willow Springs, Missouri; and Kate L., who is the wife of E. W. Brooks, of Des Moines.
Our subject had good educational ad- vantages in his youth, supplemented later by two years at Tabor College, following which came his marriage, on August 31, 1883, to Miss Carrie O. Blymyer, who was born in Atchison county, Kansas, Decem- ber 1, 1859. the accomplished daughter of John C. and Harriet C. (Bowman) Blym- yer, their only child. Mr. Blymer died in 1851, at the early age of twenty-eight, and Mrs. Blymyer married Archibald Argyle, but is now again a widow, with two daughters: Belle, who is the wife of R. S. Tate, in Sidney, Iowa; and Kate R., who is the wife of R. P. Lindsey and resides in Sidney. Mrs. Argyle is a well preserved lady, bearing her sixty-seven years easily, and enjoys life surrounded by devoted de- scendants. The only child of our subject
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and wife is Fahy Blymyer, who was born on June 8, 1884. and is a student in Thurman, a bright young man, who will graduate at the early age of seventeen.
The farm which Mr. Baylor owns and cultivates comprises four hundred and fif- teen acres, which he divides by planting one hundred acres to corn, realizing fifty bushels to the acre, and other grains in proportion, breeding a good deal of stock and many cattle, the latter being shorthorns. He keeps from seventy-five to one hundred head at one time, breeding from registered males, and has twenty head of horses, working four double teams. He utilizes the Poland China stock for his hogs, and considers that far superior to any other in this locality. This farm is one of the finest in Fremont county, on account of the productiveness of the land, the excellence of the improvements and the fine stock of all kinds it affords for the market.
Mr. Baylor has been long prominently identified with the Democratic party and has faithfully served as a township trustee and school director. He was the choice of his party for the state legislature in 1895. but was defeated on account of his party being in the minority, although his vote was very flattering. At the age of twenty-one he was made a member of the Masonic order and now belongs to the chapter. Socially he is very popular in the community. where he and his ancestry have lived so long. The refined and educated wife of Mr. Baylor is one of the intelligent leaders of modern life in Thurman. The beautiful home of Mr. and Mrs. Baylor is one of the most at- tractive in the county. Mrs. Baylor has given it the appropriate name of Sycamore Place, from an imposing avenue of syca-
more trees planted by her husband. The residence was erected by the father of our subject in 1861, and is most beautifully lo- cated on the side of a bluff, the view taking in many miles of surrounding country.
DAVID L. HEINSHEIMER.
The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has attained wealth by hon- orable business methods, acquired the high- est reputation in his chosen calling by merit, and whose social prominence is not the less the result of an irreproachable life than of recognized natural gifts. Of America is a self-made man a product and the record of accomplishment in this individual sense is the record which the true and loyal Amer- ican holds in deepest regard and highest honor. In tracing the career of the subject of this review we are enabled to gain a rec- ognition of this sort of a record. for he is a man of strong mentality and one who by his own unaided efforts has advanced steadily to a position foremost among the leading business men of southern lowa. Hle stands at the head of the firm of D. L. Heinsheimer & Company, of Glenwood, pro- prietors of what is doubtless the largest dry- goods and clothing house in this portion of the state.
Mr. Heinsheimer was born in Baden. Germany, March 19. 1847. His parents were Leopold and Jeanette ( Bierman ) Heinsheimer, natives of Baden. They came to America when the subject of this review was six years of age, sailing from Havre. France, in the year 1853. and reaching the harbor of New York after twenty-one days spent upon the broad Atlantic. The father
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was a baker by trade and followed that pur- suit in the new world for about eight years. They took up their abode in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Mr. Heinsheimer engaged in the baking business, providing for his family in that way. He died in Cincinnati, at the age of fifty years, and his wife there passed away at the age of forty. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are now living.
Mr. Heinsheimer of this review pursued his education in the schools of Cincinnati until 1860, when at the age of fourteen years he came to Mills county, Iowa, and when seventeen years of age he secured a clerk- ship with D. P. Foster, a merchant of Glen- wood, which position he creditably filled for about three years, or until 1872, when his ability and business capacity secured for him a partnership in the enterprise. His em- ployer recognizing his worth gave him a share in the business and the relation be- tween them was thus maintained until 1875, when Mr. Heinsheimer embarked in business alone in Glenwood. He established a dry- goods and clothing house and was sole pro- prietor until 1878, when his brother Albert was admitted to the business under the firm name of D. L. Heinsheimer & Brother. Under that name the store was successfully conducted until 1894. when a stock company was organized, with our subject as president. He has since remained at the head of the D. L. Heinsheimer Company and is the leading spirit in the management of the extensive dry-goods and clothing house controlled by the corporation. They carry a very large stock of all grades of goods and their pat- ronage is steadily increasing. for the firm enjoys an unassailable reputation in trade circles. Mr. Heinsheimer is a man of re-
sourceful business ability whose efforts have not been confined to one line, but have been extended into several fields of endeavor. He is the president of the Mills County National Bank, a position he has occupied for four years. He has been connected with the in- stitution since 1882 and has been an active factor in its successful conduct. The other officers are A. D. French, cashier, and F. M.' Buffington, vice-president, the latter a prominent farmer of Oak township. Our subject is also the owner of extensive prop- erty interests, having farming lands and city property which he rents.
On the 20th of September, 1870. Mr. Heinsheimer was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Pettinger, of Glenwood, who was born in England and was a daughter of Richard Pettinger. Her father was born in Eng- land, is a farmer by occupation and is now residing in this county, at the age of ser- enty-eight years. Her mother passed away in England. They were the parents of but one child, Mrs. Sarah Heinsheimer, and by a second marriage the father had another daughter-Mrs. Sarah Stewart.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Heinsheimer have been born six children, of whom five are yet living. as follows: Mrs. Carrie Shoninger, who has one child : Edward R .; Jeanette M .; Lester D .; and Theresa. All were born in Glenwood.
In his political views Mr. Heinsheimer is a Republican, having given his unfaltering support to the principles of the party since casting his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant. He served as one of the presidential electors for Mckinley in 1896 and was a delegate to the national convention in 1892 when General Harrison was nominated as the presidential candidate. He takes a deep
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interest in the cause of his party and does everything in his power to promote its growth and success. Education also finds in him a warm friend and for eighteen years he has capably served on the school board, acting as president for half of the time. Since attaining his majority he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity and in his life exemplifies its benevolent spirit. . As a citizen he takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and his financial aid has been of great bene- fit to Glenwood. He regards this as a pub- lic duty and as a privilege, and seeks no official return therefor. With his own hand Mr. Heinsheimer has shaped his destiny. The common testimony of him is that he is a man of the strictest integrity .- a quality of the human mind that we could scarcely overestimate in business and many relations of life: a man who sees much sooner than he speaks ; a man who is careful, prudent and honest : a man therefore favored not by chance but by the due exercise of his own good qualities.
DAVID T. DESELM.
Among those whose lives are devoted to educational labors and who have won an enviable reputation in Fremont county is David T. DeSelm, who is now engaged in teaching in Percival. He was born in Cam- bridge, Guernsey county, Ohio, on the 12th of June, 1862, and is of French lineage, his paternal grandfather having been born near Rouen, France, whence he came to America about 1800, with his wife and three children. He was a farmer in comfortable circumstances, carefully conducting his busi- ness affairs so that they brought to him a
good financial return. The family was in- creased until it numbered eight children, five sons and three daughters. John DeSelm, the father of our subject, was the fourth child and the second son. All were married and reared large families. John DeSelm was a native of Pennsylvania, born near Harrisburg in 1806. In that state he was reared to manhood and there wedded Miss Mary Hedges, whose birth occurred near Richmond in 1826. She was a daughter of Joseph Hedges, of England, who emigrated to the new world and became the owner of a large plantation and a number of slaves in Virginia. Believing. however, that the practices of slavery were not right, he freed his negroes and removed from the Old Do- minion to Ohio, in which state the parents of our subject were married in 1849. Five children were born of this union, namely : Marcia, the wife of J. T. Boothe, of Tus- carawas county, Ohio, by whom he has five children: John B., who died at the age of six years; Nelson A., who died at the age of four years : Henry L., who died on the old homestead farm at the age of twenty-one and a half years ; and David T. DeSelm.
The last named was educated in his na- tive town. Cambridge, and manifested special aptitude in his studies. He is a gentleman of strong mentality and thus well qualified for the profession of teaching. He taught his first school in 1886, among the sand hills of Merrick county, Nebraska, fourteen miles from a post-office. There he resided at the time of the great blizzard which swept over the northwest in January, 1886, and which is now memorable in history. He supple- mented his common-school education by a normal course, also by collegiate work, and at the present time is pursuing a course in
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the correspondence school of Chicago, Illi- nois. His connection with educational work as a teacher covers a period of twelve years, seven of which have been passed in Fremont county. He was the principal of the graded schools at Palmer, Nebraska, and was a grade teacher in Central City, Nebraska. He was also the principal of the Imogene school in Fremont county, and came to Per- cival in August, 1897, having been a teacher in the schools here for some years. He has taught in the Kellogg district and is now teaching in the Ricketts district. He is also a well-known breeder of fine chickens.
On the 30th of August, 1899, Mr. De- Selm was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Elder, who was born in Fremont county, Iowa, and is a daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Bryant) Elder. Her father was a native of Ireland, her mother of Kentucky, and they were farming people who became residents of Knox, Fremont county, Iowa. They had eight children: Mary, the wife of C. L. Bishop; Frances, who became the wife of W. T. Lyon and died at the age of twenty-five, leaving three children. Sam- uel, who is living on the old home farm in Sidney township where his parents settled in 1877. Jane, the wife of John Proctor, who resides in Sidney; John, who died in 1886; Emma, who died November 8, 1900, at the age of thirty-seven years; Miranda, who is living in Sidney ; and Mrs. DeSelm. The last named was educated in Sidney and for three years was successfully engaged in teaching. The father died in 1894, at the age of sixty-six years, and the mother is still living on the old homestead. Mrs. De- Selin was particularly successful in school teaching and is equally proficient as the manager of her household. She is admired
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