USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 68
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 68
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
HENRY EVERNHAM, JR.
Henry Evernham, Jr., the well-known and popular proprietor of the Commercial House, of Glenwood, Iowa, was born on the 3d of January, 1853, in Trenton, New Jer- sey, and belongs to a family of English origin that was founded in that state by three brothers. His father, Henry Evern- ham, Sr., was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, October 8. 1815, a son of Henry and Rebecca (James) Evernham, also na- tives of Monmouth county, where the for- mer, a farmer by occupation, died at the age of seventy-seven years, and the latter at the age of forty. They were the parents of four children, three of whom are still liv- ing. From the age of eight years the fa- ther of our subject was reared in Mercer county, New Jersey. There he was married, June 15. 1839, to Miss Euphemia Butcher, a native of that county and a daughter of Thomas and Euphemia ( Combs) Butcher. life-long residents of New Jersey, where her father died at the age of thirty-nine years, her mother at the age of fifty-five. Her maternal grandparents were Thomas and Anna ( Basnette) Butcher, members of the Society of Friends. The Butcher family is of English descent, while the Basnettes were among the Huguenots who were driven out of France. A fortune of three million dol- lars was left to the family in that country.
For some years after his marriage Henry Evernham, Sr., followed farming in Mercer county, New Jersey, and then spent seven years in the city of Trenton, where he at first worked by the day and later engaged in teaming for five years. For a quarter of a century he has now made his home in Mills county, Iowa, and has successfully engaged
in agricultural pursuits. His home farm consists of five hundred acres which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and his landed possessions now aggregate eight hundred acres. Enterprising, energetic and industrious, his success has been worthily achieved, and he is now one of the most substantial men of his community. Orig- inally he was an old-line Whig in politics, but since voting for John C. Fremont in 1856 has affiliated with the Republican party and has served as judge of elections and as a member of the school board. He is an earnest and consistent member of the Bap- tist church, and is highly respected by all who know him. Of his five children four are still living, namely: Amos B., who is mar- ried and has five children; Furman, who is married and has two children: Henry, Jr., our subject : and Ellison, who is married and has three children.
After completing his education Henry Evernham, Jr., assisted his father in the op- eration of the home farm until twenty-two years of age, when he started out in life for himself as an agriculturist. He bought ten horses, three cows and two pigs, and followed general farming until 1875. when he purchased the established business and dairy route of a man in Trenton, New Jer- sey, paying for the same two hundred and fifty dollars. He kept sixteen milk cows and did quite a successful business for a time, but finally sold out and resumed farming.
On the 16th of September, 1876, Mr. Evernham was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Taylor, who was born near Tren- ton, New Jersey, and was educated by a private teacher and in the schools of Borden- town, that state. Prior to her marriage she successfully engaged in teaching school for
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a time. Her father, Tilton C. Taylor, was also born near Trenton, a son of Israel and Patience Taylor, and came to Mills county, łowa, in 1880, locating on a farm, where he died at the age of sixty-six years. By occupation he was a farmer and veterinary surgeon. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary A. Vanderbeck, was born in Bordentown, New Jersey, and is still living on the old home farm in this county. She is the mother of eight children, seven of whom are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Evern- ham have two children : Florence G .. born in Trenton. New Jersey; and Euphemia, born in Glenwood. Iowa.
In 1882, with his wife and daughter, Mr. Evernham removed to Mills county, Iowa, where three years before he had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of wild land. Here he followed farming until 1884. when he traded his farm for the hotel property which he now owns, taking possesion of the same on the 17th of July. In 1893 he built an annex, and about 1887 bought an- other hotel. Genial and pleasant in manner he has proved a popular host, and his hotel has become a favorite resort with the travel- ing public. The hotel, which is of brick, has sixty-two rooms, is located on the public square and is a well-appointed establish- ment in every particular. In business affairs Mr. Evernham has steadily prospered and besides his city property he now owns three farms, which he rents. He has one hundred and sixty acres at Pacific Junction, while al- together they aggregate four hundred and twenty-two acres. He is a wide-awake, en- ergetic business man, and generally carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
Since casting his first presidential vote
for Rutherford B. Hayes, Mr. Evernham has been identified with the Republican party. Before attaining his majority he took an active part in the Grant campaign of 1868. and has labored untiringly for the inter- ests of his party, though he has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking. For six years he represented the third ward in the city council, and has always given his influence and support to all measures for the public good. He and his family hold mem- bership in the Baptist church, and his wife is especially active in all church work.
ALBERT B. WASHBURN.
Among the prominent and substantial farmer citizens of Mills county, Iowa, is . Al- bert B. Washburn, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Winneshiek county, Iowa. . in 1869. a son of John P. and Ellen (De- vine) Washburn, the former of whom was born in New York, came to lowa in 1853. and is now living in Cedar Falls, this state. The mother was born in Pennsylvania. a daughter of Joseph and Caroline Devine. and died in Tama county, Iowa, in 1885. The paternal grandfather was named Jesse Washburn and was born in Vermont al- though of English ancestry.
After a thorough primary education. our subject entered the Western College, at To- ledo, Tama county, lowa, and later the Upper lowa University, a fine institution. among whose graduates are D. B. Hender- son. Governor Larrabee and Senator Will- iam B. Allison. Mr. Washburn came first to Mills county eight years ago and mar- ried here, since making it his permanent home. He owns one thousand acres of rich Iowa land, located in this county, and en-
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gages in general farming and stock-raising. being one of the largest landholders in this part of the state.
Mr. Washburn was married in 1893, to Miss Mary (Wearin) Washburn, who is a daughter of Otha Wearin, whose family history appears in this volume. Two chil- dren have been born of this marriage. Law- rence and Henry W. In politics our sub- ject is a Republican and strongly advocates the principles of his party, taking an intelli- gent interest in public affairs. Both he and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist church, to which Mr. Washburn has contributed liberally. They are among the most respected residents of the county, both families having large connections and hosts of friends.
JOHN C. SHOCKLEY.
Well known as an attorney at law and as formerly the clerk of the district and cir- cuit courts of Fremont county, Iowa, Mr. Shockley has for many years been identi- fied with the legal interests of this portion of Iowa. He was born in Hancock county, Indiana, August 4. 1841, his parents being Samuel and Nancy (Murnan) Shockley, the former a native of Kentucky, while the lat- ter was born in Franklin county, Indiana. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Purnell and Phoebe ( Taylor) Shock- ley. also natives of Kentucky, and the for- mer a son of Samuel Shockley, of Dela- ware, who married a Miss Mary Ward and removed to Kentucky, where they made their home until taking up their abode in Indiana. They spent their remaining days in the Hoosier state, dying at the home of Sam- uel Shockley, the father of our subject. The
great-grandfather was a farmer by occupa- tion. Purnell Shockley, the grandfather of our subject, reared his family in Kentucky. His children were: Quillar, who died in In- diana; Solomon, who died in Boonville, Missouri, in 1851 ; Mrs. William Leachman ; Jane, the wife of John Leachman; and Samuel.
Samuel Shockley, the father of our sub- ject, was reared to manhood in the state of his nativity and then removed to Indi- ana, settling in Hancock county, where he entered land from the government and im- proved a large farm, upon which he spent a number of years. Subsequently he removed to New Palestine and was there engaged in merchandising for eleven years. He became one of the popular and prominent citizens of the place and was a recognized leader in the ranks of the Democracy. He was twice a member of the Indiana legislature and three terms a county commissioner of Hancock county, which offices he filled in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents, and over the record of his official career there fell no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. His honesty was unquestioned and he labored earnestly for the best interests of those whom he served.
He purchased many land warrants, locat- ing the same in Iowa and Kansas, thus be- coming the owner of nearly three thousand acres. In 1861 he removed to the latter state, improved a farm and continued a resi- dent there until his life's labors were ended in his death, on the 21st of January, 1869. He was a broad-minded, intelligent and suc- cessful man who through his perseverance and energy won a large estate, owning val- uable property in Kansas. Wherever he re-
JOHN C. SHOCKLEY
1 PUR: I Y
ASTOR TILDEN FOI DILUNG
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BIOGR.IPHICAL HISTORY.
sided he was held in the highest esteem. commanding the confidence and respect of all who knew him, by reason of his unfailing integrity and fidelity to duty. In his re- ligious belief he was a Universalist. His wife survived him some time and passed away in Kansas, on the 4th of November. 1888. She was the daughter of Michael Murnan, of Maryland, who removed to Kentucky, thence to Franklin county, Indi- ana, and later located in Shelby county, that state, where he spent the residue of his days. He owned and operated a gristmill and was also an extensive farmer and loaned money. He was widely recognized as one of the most prominent men of his county.
He reared a large number of children, including Elizabeth, who became Mrs. Mc- Gahey: Mrs. Nancy Shockley: Mary; Mar- garet : Jacob: Sarah, Mrs. T. Smith; and James. Unto Samuel and Nancy Shockley were born the following named: Emily, the wife of D. Smith, now of Kansas ; John C .. of this review: Isaac, of Oklahoma ; Amanda, who became the wife of A. Beard. and is now deceased, as is also her husband ; Mary, the deceased wife of William Allen- der : Samuel and Michael, who died in early manhood : and David, who also passed away in early life.
John C. Shockley was born and reared on a farm in Indiana. In his early boyhood he accompanied his parents on their removal to New Palestine, where he continued his education in the public schools, and he also pursued his studies in London Seminary. in Shelby county. Indiana. He received his business training in his father's store and also engaged in teaching school to some ex- tent in his early manhood. He then began reading law and afterward entered a com-
mercial institute and further fitted himself for his chosen calling as a student in Pro- fessor Allen's Law School, in Cincinnati. Subsequently he matriculated in the State University of Indiana, where he attended but one year, on account of the failure of his health. In 1862 he went to Kansas, joining his father and the family in the Sun- flower state. He taught one term of school there, but in the autumn of the same year came to Sidney, Towa, where he accepted a clerkship in a general mercantile store, be- ing there employed until 1866, when he was called to public office by the vote of the people, being elected the clerk of the district court, which embraced the offices of county auditor and subsequently clerk of the circuit court. He served for three consecutive terms, and about that time was admitted to the bar. That he proved a capable officer is indicated by his re-elections. On his re- tirement from office he formed a partnership in: the hardware business and was connected with that line of commerce for thirteen years. At the same time he engaged in the practice of law and his services were in great de- mand in settling up estates, his clientage in that line being extensive in the county. At length he disposed of his hardware business and purchased and carried on a large farm. following general farming and stock-raising. In 1895. however, he sold that property and came to Randolph, Iowa, where he was en- gaged in the drug business for three years, when he sold the building and stock of drugs and turned his attention to trading in lum- ber at Sidney, this state. . At a later date. however, he disposed of that enterprise.
Mr. Shockley has long been recognized as one among the leaders in Democratic cir- cles in Fremont county and enjoys the es-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
teem and confidence of the voters in an un- usual degree. He has served his party long and well, has aided in every available way in its upbuilding and has occupied many positions of honor and trust. He has filled the office of notary public over thirty con- secutive years in the county, and through an extended period he has been justice of the peace, still being incumbent. He is very frequently called upon to perform wedding ceremonies, also to administer justice in liti- gated interests. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity and is now the oldest member in years of consecutive con- nection with Masonry in Nishnabotna Lodge, while in the chapter of Sidney he was a charter member: but since then the chapter has been removed to Riverton, where he still retains his membership.
Mr. Shockley was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca M. Matlack, who was born in Pennsylvania. December 6, 1842, and is the daughter of Charles H. and Isabella (Caldwell) Matlack, the latter also a native of the Keystone state. The grandfather was born in New Jersey, was of French descent, and devoted his business career to merchan- dising. He died in Philadelphia. He had three children : David, Hannah and Charles. The last mentioned with his family went to Indiana, and in Brownsville engaged in the saddlery, harness-making and carriage-trim- ming business. He afterward removed to Centerville, where he remained for fifteen years, and then went to Palestine, following his trade in both places. His death oc- curred in the latter place. in 1862. Mrs. Matlack survived him and removed to Coun- cil Bluffs, Iowa. In 1877 she took up her abode with Mr. and Mrs. Shockley, with whom she found a home until her death in
January, 1900. when she had attained the ripe old age of eighty-five years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Matlack were members of the Methodist church from early life. Their children were: Emmor and Alexander C .. both of whom served in the Fifteenth In- diana Battery as artificers during the whole of the Civil war: Lorissa, the wife of N. F. Bedford: Mrs. Shockley; Anna, who died at the age of eight years; and Will- iam F.
In early life Mrs. Shockley engaged in teaching school in Indiana and also followed the same profession in Sidney, this state, being widely recognized as a very capable and accomplished educator. She is a con- sistent member of the Methodist church. The marriage of our subject and his wife was celebrated in Council Bluffs, and unto them have been born two daughters and four sons : Jessie, now the wife of W. H. Carter, of Sidney; and Ned, who is married and lives in Omaha. He has followed the print- er's trade and the drug business and is now a student in a college of dentistry.
A man of strong individuality, indubit- able probity. one who has attained a due measure of success in the affairs of life and who has ever exerted an influence in the direction of the good, Mr. Shockley well de- serves mention in this volume.
HERMAN MCCARTNEY.
A well-known citizen and influential fac- tor in the business circles of Thurman, Iowa, is Herman McCartney, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Scott township, Fremont county, Ohio, July 15, 1870, a son of Milton and Helen ( Norris) McCart- ney. The father of our subject was born
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
in Ross county, Ohio, January 8, 1828, a son of M. and Elizabeth ( Baylor ) McCart- ney, natives of North Carolina. Milton Mc- Cartney was reared on a farm in Ohio, later in Indiana, where he obtained a fair edu- cation, and grew into an intelligent and in- fluential man. His first marriage was to Ellen Mansfield. February 11, 1851, she dy- ing in Scott township, this state, in June, 1858, her four children all dying in infancy.
The second marriage of Mr. McCartney was February 18, 1863. to Mrs. Helen Nor- ris, a daughter of Daniel MeF. Paul, and the children of this union are: Carrie, who is the wife of Smith Ambler, a merchant in this town, whose native state is Ohio; Herman, who is the subject of this sketch ; Orman, who is practicing dentistry in Iowa City ; and Roy, a young man who is at home with his mother, conducting a large stock farm in the vicinity, belonging to the estate.
Milton McCartney came to Scott town- ship, from Indiana, in 1851. being one of the earliest settlers here. He bought a claim, cultivated and improved it, and at the time of his death owned fifteen hundred acres, divided into six farms. This land still be- longs to the family, in connection with resi- dence and business property of great value. His death occurred September 9, 1894, but as no will was left, our subject was appoint- ed administrator of the estate, which was valued at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, all of which was accumulated by Mr. McCartney through his reliable and sensi- ble methods of conducting his farming and stock-raising
Milton McCartney was what may be tru- ly called a real agriculturist and stockman. for he followed the business understanding- ly, and success attended his efforts. He was
one of the largest stock-dealers and feeders in this section, feeding as many as three hundred head at one time. Mr. McCartney was a level-headed man and knew just how to invest his money to best advantage so that it would bring legitimate returns. He was interested in mercantile and banking lines, and was very influential in all com- mercial circles of the town or county. . Is an active Democrat he was often sought as a candidate for office but only served as county commissioner, during which time many im- provements in Fremont county received his endorsement. He was always interested in educational matters and provided his chil- dren with advantages far beyond those which he had himself received. In his death, Fremont county lost one of its best and most substantial citizens.
The mother of our subject still survives and enjoys the comforts of life in the pleas- ant home erected in 1893. in the thriving town of Thurman. Her parents reside with her, at an advanced age. and so kindly has time touched her, that probably she will long be spared to a devoted family. She is a valued and consistent member of the Meth- odist church, and is known through the neighborhood as a kind and faithful friend and adviser.
Our subject received excellent education- al advantages, and took a business course in the Iowa City College, in 1889. preparing for a mercantile connection which he en- tered in 1891. under the firm name of Me- Cartney & Son, our subject conducting it until the death of his father. in 1804. when it was closed. In 1894 our subject and his brother, O. E. McCartney, under the firm name of McCartney Brothers, purchased the hardware business of Woodrum & Company,
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of Thurman, and prospered until they sold out in the fall of 1899, since which time the management of the large family estate has been the principal occupation of Mr. Mc- Cartney. The imposing brick block which was erected in Thurman, in 1900, and is known as the McCartney block, is the larg- est and best finished in the town, and would do credit to a much larger town. Two of the largest store rooms in this block are oc- cupied by the general mercantile business of L. S. Ambler & Company, which is con- nected with the McCartney estate, this house having been established in 1887, the firm then being McCartney & Ambler, the name being changed at the demise of Mr. Mc- Cartney.
The marriage of our subject was cele- brated on June 24, 1891, the lady of his choice being Miss Lottie Jones, a daughter of J. S. and Amanda (Wiley) Jones, resi- dents of Thurman. Two children have been born of this union, Carrol, who died when sixteen months old, and Hazel, a charming little maiden of five years, born September II, 1895.
Like his respected father, our subject votes the Democratic ticket, and has been a member of the common council, and is on the school board. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, being a Royal Arch Mason, of Mt. Gerizim Chapter, No. 59, at Glenwood, Iowa, and is also a Knight of Pythias, having passed all the chairs in this organization.
The family of which McCartney is the representative is one of the old and solid families of the county, and the sagacity, prudence and discretion shown by Mr. Mc- Cartney since assuming the great responsi- bilities devolving upon him, have proven that
he possesses much of his father's grasp of business and comprehension of facts which lead to success.
WALTER BROWN WHITE.
Among the earnest men whose depth of character and strict adherence to principle excite the admiration of his contemporaries Mr. White is prominent. Banking institu- tions are the heart of the commercial body. indicating the healthfulness of trade, and the bank that follows a safe, conservative business policy does more to establish public confidence in times of wide-spread financial depression than anything else. Such a course has the bank of W. B. White fol- lowed under the able management of its president, the subject of this sketch. Throughout his entire life he has resided in Fremont county, and his advancement has been won along legitimate lines, his course being guided by the old-time maxims upon which business prosperity is always founded.
Mr. White was born in Fremont county, March 19, 1868, his parents being Rev. Henry H. and Eva (Brown) White. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and served as a chaplain in a Pennsylvania regi- inent during the Civil war, and died in this county when our subject was only about two years of age. He had reached the thirty- fifth milestone on life's journey. His career was one which awakened the strongest ad- miration and respect, being in entire har- mony with his profession as a minister of the gospel in the Presbyterian church. His memory remains as a welcome benediction to all who knew him, and his words of wisdom have borne rich fruit in the lives of those who came under his administration. His
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
wife was born in St. Joseph, Missouri, and died in Evanston, Wyoming, at the age of thirty-five. Her parents were Henry and Malinda ( Cox) Brown. The latter, a na- tive of Illinois, died at the age of fifty-seven years. In that family were six children, all of whom are now deceased.
Mr. White, whose name introduces this record, was an only child. He spent the days of his youth in his native county and ac- quired his elementary education in the pub- lic schools, after which he became a student in the business college at Burlington, lowa, where he completed the regular course and was graduated with the class of 1888. He then began clerking, and for four years was in the employ of Hodges & Gay, after which he established the bank of which he is now president. He located at his present place of business in 1891, and has since conducted a financial institution which is a credit to the city, sustaining an enviable reputation for reliability. The safe, conservative policy which he inaugurated commends itself to the confidence of all, and the business trans- acted over the bank counters is continually increasing. The building occupied was erect- ed and is owned by Mr. White. He is a man of unquestioned integrity in business cir- cles, and his prosperity is the result of capable management, keen sagacity and un- flagging industry.
On the 9th of November, 1892, Mr. White was united in marriage to Miss Olive Slusher, and unto them have been born two children,-Walter LeRoy, born February 18, 1895, and Merritt Chalmers, born on the 18th of April, 1897. Mr. White and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Re- publican, having been a stalwart supporter
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