A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa, Part 70

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 70
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 70


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erty for ten thousand dollars and returned to his old neighborhood in Illinois, intend- ing to remain there, but he recalled the beau- tiful rolling prairies and fertile farm land of this magnificent state and he came back. In 1862 Mr. Neeley bought a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, for which he paid twenty-five dollars an acre, and sub- sequently added to it until his ownership extended over eight hundred and fifty acres, five hundred on the productive bottoms, and three hundred on the fertile bluffs. Mr. Neeley was a very successful farmer and stock-raiser, his yield being some ten thou- sand bushels of corn per year, two or three car loads of cattle and from two to three hundred Poland China hogs. He never felt later in life that he had made any mistake in locating in the beautiful country where suc- cess crowned his efforts.


A Republican in politics, he was an ar- dlent admirer of the philanthropist, Peter Cooper, and believed that if men of his stamp were placed in control of the govern- ment, the affairs of the nation would be more efficiently administered. Although not an office seeker he was called upon to act as township trustee and school director and to fill other local offices at various times. Mr. Neeley believed in the Universalist faith, and was a good and charitable man. Our sub- ject's parents reared these children : Henry. who died in Kansas, in 1897: Emma, who is the widow of John Drew and lives in Quincy, where she is educating her only son : William, who is a farmer, residing near Farragut, in this county: Charlotte, who is the wife of Henry Lucas, and lives on a part of the old farm ; and Grant.


Our subject was reared on the farm and received a common-school education, re-


maining at home until his marriage, July 14. 1889, to Miss Ellen Driscoll, of Illinois, a daughter of John and Margaret ( Nagle) Driscoll, who came from linois to this township, in 1872. bringing with them their children,-Maggie, who died aged ten; James, a railroad conductor, now living in Boone, lowa: John, who lives on the old home place: Mrs. Neeley, who is the wife of our subject ; and Katie, who is the wife of William Wise. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Neeley were .- Jessie : Bessie ; and Fern, who died July 8, 1900. She was a patient little sufferer who died after a lingering illness of nine months, from the effects of accidentally drinking concentrated lye. She was only five years old and the pet of the family.


Mr. Neeley is a Democrat in his political opinions, and has been called upon to serve as road superintendent and school director. Socially he is connected with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, and the encamp- ment. Mrs. Neeley is a consistent member of the Catholic church and is much beloved for her graces of mind and character. The pleasant family residence was built by Mr. Neeley's father, but rebuilt by himself. and shelters a family that is most highly es- teemed through the neighborhood.


CLAYTON C. POTTER.


Rising above the head of the mass are many men of sterling worth and value, who by sheer perseverance and pluck have con- quered fortune, and by their own unaided efforts have risen from the ranks of the commonplace to eminence and positions of respect and trust. The records of the lives of our forefathers are of interest to the


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modern citizen, not alone for their historical value but also for the inspiration and ex- ample they afford ; yet we need not look to the past. Although surroundings may differ the essential conditions of human life are ever the same and a man can learn from the success of those around him if he will heed the obvious lesson contained in their his- tory.


Turn to the life record of Clayton C. Potter, study carefully the plans and meth- ods he has followed and you will learn les- sons of value. A strong determined pur- pose, guided by sound judgment and honor- able effort, has been the keynote of his suc- cess, and to-day in Mills county no man enjoys the unqualified regard of his fellow citizens in a greater degree than the present efficient clerk of the district court. He was born in Dekalb county, Illinois, on the 25th of April. 1859, his parents being Charles H. and Sarah (Montanye) Potter. The fa- ther was born in Onondaga county, New York, and throughout all of his life fol- lowed farming. In the '4os he removed to Illinois, where he resided through the suc- ceeding thirty-four years. He then sold his property interests in that state and in 1874 removed to Nodaway county, Missouri, where he died at the age of fifty-seven years. He was a son of Hart and Betty Potter, both of whom were natives of the Empire state and both died in Sandwich, Illinois, the grandfather at the age of eight-four years, while the grandmother passed away at the age of eighty. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of John Montanye. He and his wife were residents of Tunkhannock, Penn- sylvania, and the former died in Marys- ville, Misouri. The mother of our subject


spent her last days on the home farm in Illinois, passing away when about thirty- three years of age. She had four children, three of whom are yet living, namely : Clay- ton C. and two sisters,-Nettie, who is now the widow of Ira Connett and has one son, and Jessie, wife of Walter J. Eddington, by whom she has five children.


In taking up the personal history of Clay- ton C. Potter we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and fa- vorably known in Mills county. His early life was spent upon a farm and he began his education in the district schools, but when about seven years of age entered the schools. of Sandwich, Illinois. He afterward spent one term in study in Valparaiso, Indiana, and later pursued a commercial course in Keokuk, Iowa. Subsequently he spent one year in the Normal College at Valparaiso. In 1877 he returned to his home, joining the family in Nodaway county, Missouri. He engaged in clerking in a drug store and devoted his evenings to the study of telegra- phy. About 1878 he entered a railway office where he continued the study of telegraphy and was employed at nights for a year and a half. He was then out of employment for thirty days, after which he was given a better position at Hamburg, Iowa, in June, 1881. Here he remained for a year act- ing as telegraph operator. He afterward spent about three months traveling, hoping to gain a better position, and on the expira- tion of that period went to Forest City, Mis- souri, where he remained for five years in the railroad office. Again he spent one year in Hamburg, Iowa, and in the fall of 1886 he did extra work on the main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, be- ing thus employed until the Ist of February,


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1888. Hle then secured a regular position at Pacific Junction, Iowa, where he remained five years, when, in December, 1892, he ac- cepted the office of clerk in the district court, being elected in the fall of that year. He was re-elected in 1894, 1896, 1898 and 1900, so that he is the present incumbent. His entire service in this office will have covered a period of ten years in 1902. No one else has ever made so creditable a record in this position ; no office has ever been managed in a way more free from corrup- tion : no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil has been cast upon his public career. His fidelity to duty is known to all and he has the unqualified confidence of men of all parties. His public record is one that is certainly worthy of emulation. He has been a stanch Republican since casting his first presidential vote for General Harrison in 1888.


Mr. Potter is a member of the Masonic lodge, belongs to the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias fraternity, with which he has been identified for four years, and with the Knights of Khorassan, an auxiliary of the Knights of Pythias. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith and though not a mem- ber of the church he has throughout his ca- reer closely followed the golden rule, and his life record is indeed creditable. Crippled in infancy he has from early boyhood been dependent upon his own resources, and though handicapped he has worked his way steadily upward until he is able to command a responsible political position and at the same time enjoys the highest regard and confidence of his fellow men. That he has been a popular officer is shown by the fact that he has been five times elected to the


position which he is now filling. He dis- charges his duty with great promptness, ability and fidelity.


SIHIRLEY GILLILLAND.


Among the practitioners at the bar of Gienwood is Shirley Gilliland who, having been well qualified by a thorough prepara- tion for the practice of the law, is now in command of a large and distinctively repre- sentative clientage. He was born near Glen- wood and is a son of Edward and Frances ( Wright ) Gillilland, under whose roof he remained until seventeen years of age, ac- quiring his education in the district schools and in the schools of Glenwood. He then left home and became a student in the lowa University, where he was graduated in 1879. Subsequently he took a course in the law school there, being graduated in 1884. After being licensed to practice he was for five years associated with General John Y. Stone, but since that time has been alone. Professional advancement is proverbially slow, yet for some years Mr. Gillilland has occupied an enviable position among the practitioners having in charge the most in- portant litigated interests of the district.


In the year of his admission to the bar Mr. Gillilland was united in marriage to Miss Florence Clark, who died five months later, at the age of twenty-eight years. In 1889 he was again married, his second union being with Miss Elsie Moulton, who was born near Waverly, Illinois, and is the mother of four children, of whom three are vet living, as follows : Paul, Grace and Na- than F. The family are members of the Congregational church in which Mr. Gillil- land served as trustee for several years, and


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in Sunday-school work he is also active. In politics he is a recognized leader of his party. He cast his first vote for James A. Garfield. For nine years he served on the state board of regents, has been county attorney of Mills county for six years and has filled many of the local offices. He was president of the Old Settlers' Association, composed of the three counties of the southwest portion of the state, Pottawattamie, Mills and Fre- mont. He takes an active interest in the various affairs which contribute to the wel- fare and progress of the state and with- holds his support from no movement which he believes will operate for the general good.


THOMAS M. AISTROPE.


England has furnished to the United States many bright, enterprising young men who have left the mother country to enter the business circles of this land with its more progressive methods, lively competition and advancement more easily secured. Among this number is Thomas Marling Aistrope. who when a young man came to the new world, seeking wider fields in which to give greater scope to his ambition in the freedom and fine opportunity for progress afforded in the growing western portion of this coun- try, and to-day he is one of the leading farmers and stock men in Mills county, hav- ing won splendid success along these lines of labor. Although born across the water, he is a thorough American in thought and feeling, and is patriotic and true in his alle- giance to the stars and stripes. He carries on farming in southwestern Iowa, where he has acquired a fortune and where he is an honored and esteemed citizen.


Mr. Aistrope was born in Lincolnshire,


England. December 11, 1828, and is a son of George and Mary (Mason) Aistrope, both of whom were also natives of Lincolnshire. The father was born in 1790 and passed away March 28. 1839, his death occurring in his native England. He was a miller by trade and followed that pursuit throughout his active business career. His wife, who was born in Lincolnshire in 1788, died in England, February 20, 1875, and was laid by the side of her husband in the cemetery at Luddington. This couple were the par- ents of ten children, namely: John, who was born April 8, 1812, and died May 16, 1851; William, who was born February 19, 1814. and died in 1882; George, who was born July 26, 1816, and died July 17, 1820; Mary Ann, who was born February 15, 1819, and died in 1895; Alice, who was born November 19. 1821, and died in 1898; Susanna, who was born March 8, 1824, and died February 14, 1885; George, who was born October 7, 1826, and is deceased ; Thomas M., who is the next of the family ; Walter, who was born April 16, 1831, and died May 25, 1881 ; and Ann, who was born September 16, 1833, and now resides in England.


Of this family Thomas Marling Aist- rope is the eighth in order of birth and with one exception is the only survivor. The father died when Thomas was only ten years of age and he then began working by the day among farmers of the neighborhood, receiv- ing twelve cents per day. At the age of fourteen he entered the employ of William Foster, who paid him four pounds for the first year's service and also boarded him. The second year he received five pounds and his board. He was employed as a farm hand for nine years, working for William


Thomas M tistrope


MRS. THOMAS M. AISTROPE


THE NHA PARK PUBLICIT NARY


TILDEN FOUNDATIONE


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Clark for two years and afterward for Mr. Clark's sister, Mrs. Foster. Subsequently he was employed with John Ireland for four years. In the fall of 1881 he leased a flour- ing mill and for three and a half years he was engaged in the milling business.


In the meantime Mr. Aistrope heard favorable reports of the opportunities offered in the new world and accordingly decided to leave his home in England, and on the 5th of May. 1855, he bade adieu to friends and relatives and went to Liverpool. On the 7th of the same month he sailed from that port to America on the vessel Guy Manner- ing. and on the 18th of June landed at New York, whence he proceeded to Chicago. He remained in the metropolis of the west a week, after which he continued on his jour- ney to McHenry county, Illinois, where he remained for three months, working on a farm for eighteen dollars per month. In the fall of 1855 he came to Iowa and spent two years in Van Buren county, after which he removed to Clark county, Missouri, re- maining there for four years. On the ex- piration of that period he came to Mills county, arriving on the 20th of March, 1862. In the summer of that year he lived upon a farm owned by William Dyson, but planted a crop on the John Butte farm. He spent the winter of 1862-63 in Glenwood and in the fall of 1862 he made his first purchase of land, buying a tract of Patrick Dunagan. The farm is located in White Cloud town- ship, on sections 17 and 20. and he also has fifteen acres of timber land on section 21. In the spring of 1863 he erected a frame residence 30×34 feet and has since made many additions and improvements, trans- forming the place into a commodious and comfortable home. At one time he was the


owner of seventeen hundred and thirty-five acres of land in Mills county, having from time to time added to his original purchase until his possessions aggregate the amount stated. He has also owned five hundred and sixty acres in Fremont county and seven hundred and twenty acres in Madison coun- ty, Nebraska, and one section in Cheyenne county, Kansas. He has given to each of his eleven children one hundred and sixty acres of land, thus enabling them to make a good start in life. He likewise owns eight town lots in Malvern and his property is very valuable. He has given most of his attention to the raising of stock, being one of the first to engage in this business in his section of Mills county. Ile keeps on hand large herds of cattle of good grades and his sales bring to him a good revenue.


Ere leaving his native country Mr. Aist- rope married Miss Jane Whatt, who was born in Whigift. Yorkshire, England, De- cember 3, 1830. The wedding was cele- brated in the Episcopal church, March 31. 1850, and twelve children have been born unto them, five sons and seven daughters, but the eldest son died in infancy. Three children were born in the old country and then the family removed to the United States in the spring of 1855. From 1862 up to the time of her death Mrs. Vistrope continuously resided in Mills county and was to her hus- band a faithful companion and helpmeet. One of the local papers published at the time of her death, which occurred December 3, 1898, on the sixty-eighth anniversary of her birth, said: "Coming to this country with practically no means, save the natural gifts of health and strength, love for each other and hopeful ambition for the future, this worthy couple furnish a striking example


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of what loving hearts and willing hands, working in unison, may accomplish. Of Mrs. Aistrope it may be well said, 'her work is finished.' It was well and faithfully done .- a life whose wifehood and mother- hood has borne rich fruitage, and whose heritage to the world is her large family of high-minded, honorable and universally es- teemed sons and daughters. Surely the in- fluence of her gentle, helpful life will linger as a sweet incense in the memories of her bereft husband and children, who are as- sured of the deepest sympathy of their hosts of friends." In another paper appeared the following: "Words are inadequate to ex- press the regard and esteem in which the de- cease l was held by her neighbors and ac- quaintances. An upright, true Christian woman, she has left void a place that will be hard to fill. A loving and indulgent wife and mother, she will be sadly missed in the old home where she reared her large family in the way of virtue and goodness, and the respect and esteem in which her children are now held in the neighborhood is a living testimonial to her life's work that cannot be overlooked or forgotten. Though she suffered much pain during her last few weeks of this life, she bore it all with a patient and kindly smile, which could but make better men and women of those who saw her. Though she is no more with lier loved ones on this earth. yet her memory will ever linger as a strong binding cord, drawing them to her in her heavenly home where they will meet to part no more. A fitting life, well ended, she will always be lield in grateful remembrance and esteem by all who knew her.


"The funeral services were held at the bereaved home on Monday morning at II


o'clock, Rev. W. J. Watson preaching a ser- mon full of comfort and good cheer. The old Baptist church choir, of fifteen or more years ago, with the exception of Mrs. P. M. Cadwell, who took the place of Mrs. Joy Swain, the latter playing the accompaniment, rendered some beautiful and appropriate singing. The quartet was composed of Messrs. Arthur Brown and Joy Swain and Mrs. Laura Larison and Mrs. P. M. Cadwell. The casket was beautifully bedecked with roses, wreaths and other floral offerings, a last token of regard from the family and many freinds. It was a large funeral pro- cession which wended its way to Malvern cemetery. hundreds of old pioneer friends coming for miles to pay their last respects to their dead friend and neighbor. She was carried to her last resting place by six old pioneer citizens of Mills county, all old friends,-El Fickel, Joseph Foxworthy, William Byers, H. W. Summers, William Robinson and B. S. Riffle.


"A touching incident in connection with the funeral procession is as follows : Thirty- six years ago when Mr. and Mrs. Aistrope and family were driving to their new home, the whole bottom of the Foxworthy bridge was under water. They were driving four horses and when they came to where the old bridge was they did not know how to get across, not daring to risk driving over the bridge without knowing something about it. Mr. Joseph Foxworthy, who resided where he does now, came out and led the lead team safely over the bridge. It was a little thing perhaps, but Mrs. Aistrope never for- got it. and one of her requests was that when she was being carried to the cemetery that Mr. Foxworthy should lead the hearse team back over this same bridge, saying that when


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they first came here he had led them over iuto a good country where they had pros- pered and been happy, and hoping that when he led hier back over the bridge he would lead her to a still better place. Her request was followed to the letter and those who wit- nessed the old gentleman leading the hearse team over the bridge and knew the circum- stances felt the full force of her last signifi- cant remark, 'to a still better place.' "


The surviving children of Mr. and Mrs. Aistrope are: Mrs. M. T. Davis; Mrs. M. Cunningham: Mrs. S. Kilpatrick; W. G .; Mrs. F. L. Goodwin: Thomas M .; W. W .; Mrs. W. E. Reed; Nellie V .: Mrs. F. E. Mulholland : and H. P. V. All are living in Mills county with the exception of Mrs. Reed, whom makes her home in Madison, Nebraska. In the summer of 1900 Mr. Aistrope, accompanied by his daughter Nel- he, made a trip to their old home in England, visiting again the scenes of his boyhood and renewing acquaintance with those friends of his early youth who were still living in the locality. They also spent some time at the Paris Exposition and then returned to the United States. In everything pertaining to the upbuilding of his adopted county Mr. Aistrope takes an active part and is a liberal contributor to the enterprises which insure its progress. He is a self-made man in the fullest sense of that oft misused term, his prosperity in life being due to his industry and integrity. Fortune has certainly dealt kindly with him and his life is a living illus- tration of what ability, energy and force of character can accomplish. His county and state have been enriched by his example, for it is to such men that the west owes its prosperity, its rapid progress and its ad- vancement.


HON. FRANCIS M. ESTES.


One of the most prominent and influential citizens of Sidney township, Fremont county, lowa, is Francis Marion Estes, who has been prominently identified with public affairs of the state for a number of years. He was born in Andrew county, Missouri. September 3. 1846, and was a son of Joel and Patsy ( Stollings) Estes, the latter of Virginia and a daughter of Jacob and Sarah Stollings. Her father was a minister in the Methodist church. Joel Estes was born in Kentucky, May 26, 1806, and was a son of Peter Estes. whose birth took place in Virginia, on De- cember 6. 1774. and his death on January 18, 1854. in Missouri. He was the owner of three hundred acres of land. The name of his wife was Esther Hiatt Estes, and they were parents of seven children. Both grand- parents are buried in the old cemetery near St. Joseph, Misouri.


The parents of our subject were married in Clinton county, Missouri, November 12. 1826, and became pioneers of Andrew coun- ty. Misouri, where they lived and engaged in farming until 1859, at which time Mr. Estes removed to Colorado and discovered what is now named Estes Park, on October 15. 1859. This tract of land is one of the finest natural parks in the northwest, con- taining between eighty and one hundred square miles. In 1866 Mr. Estes went to Texas, and from there to Washington coun- ty. Arkansas, where he bought seven hun- dred acres of land, which he sold three years later, and then returned to Colorado. In this state he engaged in cattle raising. own- ing at one time eight hundred head of cattle. Ile had been a man of great wealth, but the war caused him to lose many thousand dol-


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lars; hence at the time of his death, Decem- ber 31, 1875, his estate was small, and when divided between his wife and eleven chil- dren did not place any in affluent circum- stances.


The mother of our subject died August 6, 1886. at the age of eighty. The members of the family who survived her were: Har- den, who is an early settler and rancher in Baker county. Oregon, where he owns sev- eral thousand acres of land, his home being in Baker City; Lovey, who married Abra- ham Patterson and died at the age of twenty- eight years, leaving seven children; Wood- son, who served two years as recruiting of- ficer in Chicago, was captain of the Eight- eenth Missouri Volunteers, and for a short time was commander at Arkansas Post, in 1863. and died in 1894 from injuries which he received during the war. leaving three children, one a surgeon at Astoria, Oregon ; Newton, who was a ranchman in Washing- ton territory at an early day and died in 1894; Martha, who married Joseph Hiatt, of Sidney, Iowa, and fifteen of their seven- teen children living, and all are married but one ; Jasper W., who is a farmer in this coun- ty; Jesse, who is a farmer in Oregon, where he settled in 1858; Milton, who is living re- tired in Denver, Colorado; Sarah, who is the wife of W. K. Hiatt, a farmer of this county ; Mary Jane, who is the widow of John Ruffner, and resides in Denver; Phi- lena, who was the wife of Durand Neely, and died at the age of twenty-eight; Francis Marion, the subject of this sketch ; and Joel, a gold and silver miner of Colorado.




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