USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 72
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 72
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Mrs. Martha M. Mann was born in In- diana January 26, 1834, a daughter of Cyrus and Comfort ( Irwin) Spurlock, the former of Welsh and Scotch and the latter of Scotch and Irish ancestry. Mr. Spurlock was a well-known Methodist preacher and also engaged in farming. The survivors of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Spurlock are : Mrs. Mann : Marshall Edward, who lives in Mis- souri ; Mary Ellen, who is the wife of J. J. Hochstettler, of Colorado: Julia, who is the
wife of Phillips Potter, of Canyon City, Colorado; and Bascom. Mr. Spurlock died in Colorado in 1878, Mrs. Spurlock surviv- ing until April 2, 1890, both being buried near Canyon City.
The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Mann was George Spurlock, who was born in Vir- ginia and died in Iowa in 1846, his wife, Zilpah (Garrett) Spurlock, dying about the same time. They were well-known farm- ers, and their family has been respected wherever known.
The marriage of Mrs. Mann took place November 2, 1854, in Mills county, Iowa, to Granville Mann, and the surviving chil- dren of this union are: James M. Mann, a farmer of this township, who resides in Thurman, with his wife, who is a grand- daughter of Daniel McPaul; Bascom, who resides in the village with his wife and two children; Frank Elbert, a farmer, who re- sides near Thurman, with wife and one child; and Wilber C., who conducts the farm of one hundred and thirty acres, where Mrs. Mann resides with him and is a part owner, with his brother Bascom. At the time of his death Mr. Mann owned eight hundred acres, the greater part of this large estate having been earned by our subject and her lamented companion. He was a carpenter by trade, and when he had the commodious residence built, in 1877, he was able to superintend it intelligently and see that everything was of the best and most lasting kind of lumber.
For thirty-two years Mr. and Mrs. Mann resided in comfort together on this place, and the old orchard that is now dy- ing from age was planted by his own hand. He was a very successful farmer and stock- raiser, and his cattle always commanded
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a good price in the market. All around the place are evidences of his industry and the competence which his devoted widow enjoys is a testimonial to his thrift. He was a good man, beloved by his neighbors, and a consistent member of the Methodist church, which he joined in his eighth year, and at the time of his death belonged to its official body. Mrs. Mann and sons en- joy the confidence and respect of the com- munity, where their name has been known so long.
JONATHAN C. CON.
The proprietor of one of the best culti- vated farms in Indian Creek township, Fre- mont county, Iowa. is Jonathan U. Cox, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Oswego. Tioga county, New York, a son of Jonathan and Lucinda ( Blood) Cox, na- tives of the Empire state. Mrs. Cox died when our subject was but eight years of age. He was reared in his native village until he was three years of age, when his parents removed to Ohio, settling in Por- tage county, and until he was fifteen years old our subject remained at home. At that time he accompanied his brother-in-law to Illinois, but remained only one winter, in the spring of 1846 removing to Grand River, Iowa.
In 1847 our subject was engaged in work on the west side of the Missouri river, where the city of Omaha now stands, but in the spring of 1848 went to Silver Creek and remained there five or six years. In- dians were at that time still in Iowa, and the land was uncultivated. Later Mr. Cox went into Fremont county, where he re- mained on a farm until 1857, when he went
on a visit to Minnesota. upon his return locating in Indian Creek township, also buy- ing another farm. During two and one- half years of the Civil war he spent in Wis- consin, but fourteen years ago he settled on his present farm. He had spent some years in Osborne county, Kansas, where he owns land, his farm in this locality comprising one hundred and twenty acres.
Mr. Cox was married July 12. 1857, to Miss Ambrosia Morse, who was born near Muscatine, Iowa, and to this union six chil- dren were born and reared to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have now thirteen grand children.
Politically our subject adheres to the Republican party. He cast his first vote for President Lincoln, and ever since has had no doubts as to the party of his prefer- ence. He came of sturdy French. Dutch, Irish and Scotch ancestry, and in his life has shown the best characteristics of these races. He is respected and esteemed throughout the community, where he is con- sidered one of the best citizens.
ELIJAH R. HAWLEY.
It is certainly intended that years of la- bor should be followed by a period of rest. This is seen in the vegetable kingdom and the law holds good among men. In youth one is strong, ambitious, energetic: as the years pass, judgment, resulting from ex- perience, comes to guide the labors of men, and in later life, when the weight of years is felt, there should be a season of inactivi- ty, a period in which to enjoy the fruits of former toil. This does not come to every man, but if it does not its absence is due to the lack of business foresight and capable
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management. Success is not particularly a product of genius, but results from earnest labor, well directed by practical common sense. Such qualities enable Mr. Hawley to live in retirement at the present time. He was formerly connected with agricultural and mercantile interests, and his work brought to him a handsome competence, so that he now finds it possible to put aside the responsibilities which attended him in for- mer years.
A native of Vermont, Mr. Hawley was born on the 3Ist of March, 1820. His fa- ther, Elijah Hawley, was also a native of the Green Mountain state, born in 1785 and died in 1870. The grandfather was John Hawley, but little is known concerning the ancestral history of the family save that the descent is from Irish and German ances- tors. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Seriah Gloss and was also a native of Vermont. In the family were three daughters and two sons: Nancy, who died in early girlhood : Joseph W., who died in Percival, Iowa, in December, 1897, when nearly ninety years of age; Mary, who died when twenty years of age; Sarah, the wife of Walter B. Sheldon, a resident of Benton township; and Elijah R. Mrs. Sheldon is now eighty-two years of age, but her hair has no mark of gray and she has the ap- pearance of a woman many years younger. The mother died of consumption, about 1832, and the two daughters passed away with the same disease.
poration limits. He enjoyed the educa- tional privileges afforded by the common country schools, where he pursued his studies through the winter months, while in the summer he worked upon the home farm un- til he had attained his majority. He then started out in life on his own account, going to Jefferson county, New York, where he operated a tract of land until 1863. While ill in a hotel he formed the acquaintance of Miss Amelia Sheldon, whose brother and mother conducted the house. This acquaint- ance ripened into love, and they were mar- ried on the 22d of January, 1845. In 1864 they emigrated westward, leaving their New York home on the 9th of May and arriving at their destination on the 2d of June. They made the journey by water to Chicago and by rail to Belle Plaine, Iowa, thence drove across the country in company with the family of Mr. Hawley's brother. The sub- ject of this review purchased eighty acres of wild land of a settler, paying therefor seven hundred dollars, and he still resides upon a tract of five and a half acres which belonged to the original farm. He also has an eighty-acre farm two miles and a half north of Percival, and one hundred and sixty-one acres of land in Oklahoma. For seventeen years he was connected with the mercantile interests of Percival, conducting a well-equipped establishment wherein his labors brought him a good return. He has also been prominent in public affairs, and for many years has served as justice of the peace, while for nine years he occupied the position of township trustee, and for sixteen consecutive years he has been a school di- rector.
In 1823 Elijah Hawley, Sr., removed with his family to Rome, New York, and there the subject of this review was reared to agricultural pursuits upon his father's farm, which was then situated about a mile Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hawley have been from the city, but is now within the cor- | born four sons and four daughters, all of
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whom are yet living, namely: Ann Eliza. who is the wife of Duane Rogers, a farmer of this locality, by whom she has six chil- dren : Henry E., of Sidney, who is the coun- ty treasurer, is married and has seven chil- dren ; Mary, who is the wife of O. K. Pad- dock, a live-stock commissioner of Omaha. and has had eight children, five of whom are living : Frank H., who resides upon the home farm, has been married twice and has four children; Etta, who is the wife of Floyd E. Wadham, a farmer of Benton township, and has six children; Artie, the wife of Jay E. Rogers, an agriculturist of Benton township: Jay S., of Percival, who is married and has one son and two daugh- ters: and Burt R., of Denver, Colorado, who has one son.
Mr. and Mrs. Hawley began their do- mestic life with very little capital, and when they arrived in Iowa he had only a team of horses, a few household effects and ten dollars in money. He purchased his farm mostly on credit, but the first summer, with his team, he earned enough to make a good payment upon his land and had no trouble in meeting this obligation. In 1899 he erected his present good residence. With him and his wife resides their granddaugh- ter. Dora Hawley, who came to them when she was three years of age, and who is of great assistance to them now. After at- tending the common schools she was for one year a student in Topeka, Kansas, and is a bright and interesting young lady. Mr. Hawley is a Master Mason, and has been a Republican in politics since 1856, when he supported Fremont for the United States presidency. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and have traveled life's journey together for fifty-five
years, their mutual love and confidence in- creasing as the decades have rolled by. They are people of sterling worth, and in the evening of life can look back over the past without regret and forward to the fu. ture without fear.
PACE HAYNIE.
A leading citizen of Lyons township. Mills county, lowa, a progressive, liberal and highly esteemed man, is Paul Haynie. the subject of this sketch. He was born in St. Clair county, Missouri, June 3. 1849, and was a son of John and Mary Elizabeth ( Ward ) Haynie, both being natives of Ten- nessee. John Haynie engaged in farming and stock-raising in his early life, but in later years became a dealer in grain. this being his business at the time of his death. November 20. 1801. Mrs. Haynie survived her husband until July 25. 1805. The Haynie family is of French descent and is noted for longevity. The children of this family numbered nine, our subject being the sixth in order of birth.
Mr. Haynie has made farming and the raising of stock his business through life. being very successful in both lines. He owns three hundred acres of some of the finest land in Mills county, which he has im- proved and cultivated into a state of great perfection. His buildings are modern and substantial, while his orchards and groves of shade trees make his place very attractive. He and his wife show great hospitality and none are more respected through the com- munity.
The marriage of Mr. Haynie took place February 21. 1875. to Miss Elmira Eliza- beth, a daughter of John Franklin and Nan-
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cy Minerva (Dodge) Williams, natives of Ohio. They have had eight children, four of whom still survive: Leroy, who is engaged in the mercantile business at Pacific Junction, Iowa: Charles Franklin, who also is in the mercantile business at Pacific Junction ; Woodie Paul, who is a student at Shenan- doal; and Ralph John.
The respect and esteem of his neighbor- hood belong to Mr. Haynie. He has lived a life among his neighbors that has been a benefit to them, and he is most justly re- garded as a valuable man in his community.
ELIJAH N. PARKHURST.
When the tocsin of war sounded and men from all parts of the country gathered for the defense of the nation, forming the volunteer army to which the Union owes her perpetuation, Mr. Parkhurst was num- bered among the boys in blue whose loyalty was manifested in many a southern battle- field. He was born in Effingham county, Illinois, June 17, 1840, the year in which General W. H. Harrison was nominated for the presidency. and when the log-cabin and hard-cider campaign formed a new feature in politics. The family to which he be- longed was one of prominence. His father, Rowland T. Parkhurst, was born in Henry county, Kentucky, and is now eighty-two years of age. His grandfather. Elijah Park- hurst, was a native of North Carolina and a descendant of one of two brothers who founded the family on American soil prior to the war of the Revolution. coming to this country from England. They first landed at New York, and one of the brothers remained in the Empire state, but the other removed to North Carolina, and thus two
distinct branches of the family were founded. Elijah Parkhurst, the grandfather, served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and participated in the battle of New Or- leans, under General Jackson. He believed in the old Predestination Baptist faith and died in Lebanon, Boone county, Indiana, at the very advanced age of ninety-three years. His first wife was a Miss Brocket, a native of Tennessee, and unto them was born a son, Rowland T., and two daughters. By his second wife Elijah Parkhurst had four children.
Rowland T. Parkhurst, the father of our subject, was reared in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. He aided in the work of the home farm and also learned the carpenter's trade. In Johnson county, Indiana, he was united in marriage to Lucy Sellars, who was born in Kentucky and was a daughter of Samuel Sellars, who served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution and was present at the time of Braddock's defeat. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Sellars, was of Scotch lineage, and in their family were two sons and seven daughters. After his marriage Rowland T. Parkhurst engaged in carpentering and building. Leaving the Hoosier state, he re- moved to Effingham county, Illinois, but after a time returned to Indiana, where he remained until 1868, when he became a resi- dent of Vernon county, Missouri. In 1871 he went to Merrick county, Nebraska, and in 1875 to Fremont county, Iowa, where he is now living. His wife died in Hamburg, in 1878. at the age of sixty-two years, mourned by her family and many friends. They had twelve children, nine of whom reached years of maturity, namely: Cynthia May; Elijah N .: Mrs. Sarah Lampson ; Rowland T., who died in Pulaski county,
Elijah N. Parkhurst, aged 61. John C. Parkhurst, aged 33. Rowland T. Parkhurst, aged 82. Harry B. Parkhurst, aged 12.
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Indiana; Mrs. Emily Long, of Bartlett, lowa: Reuben S., of Seattle, Washington ; Mrs. Ellen May, of St. Joseph, Missouri ; Mrs. Lucy C. Wood, of Kansas; and Mrs. Adeline F. Lidell, of Denver, Colorado. William IL., who was a well-known physi- cian of Dunbar, Nebraska, died leaving a widow and two children, who are now liv- ing in Hamburg.
Elijah N. Parkhurst was reared in John- son county, Indiana, whither his family re- turned during his early boyhood, and there in the public schools he obtained his educa- tion. Ile learned the carpenter's trade and in early life completed his preparation for a home of his own by his marriage, on the 29th of November, 1859. in Brown county. Indiana, when nineteen years of age, to Elizabeth Grant Rairdon, who was born in Bullitt county, Kentucky, on the 13th of May, 1841, a daughter of William and Sarah ( Dickenson) Rairdon, both natives of Ken- tucky. The father was of Irish lineage, and at the time of the Civil war he responded te the country's call for aid and fought for the preservation of the Union with the Ninth Indiana Cavalry. By his marriage to Miss Dickenson he had seventeen children, includ- ing two pair of twins. Eleven of the num- ber reached mature years. We list the fol- lowing: Margaret ; Thomas, a soldier, who clied at Otterville, Missouri, during the Civil war: Mrs. Parkhurst, the next in order : James, who died at the age of nine years : William, of Danville, Illinois, who was a member of the Eighty-second Illinois In- fantry; Henry, who lost his life while de- fending his country; Franklin L., who like- wise was numbered among the "boys in blue" and is now living in Franklin, Indiana ; John, who resides in Indanapolis, that state ;
Jefferson, who also makes his home in Frank- lin. Indiana: George, of Brown county, In- diana: Mrs. Sarah A. Andrews, now de- ceased, whose husband was a soldier ; Charles, a twin of John, deceased : Joseph and Anna, twins, the former now in Texas while the latter is the wife of Jesse Roberts, of Brown county, Indiana; and three who died un- named. The father died at the age of fifty- four, as the result of an injury received by a fall from a horse. He was a cooper and farmer by occupation. His wife passed away in Franklin, Indiana, at the age of seventy-four years, dying in the faith of the Christian church, in which body she held her religious membership.
After the inauguration of hostilities be- tween the north and the south Mr. Park- hurst of this review put aside all personal considerations, and, prompted by a patriotic spirit, on the 16th of July. 1861. he joined the Twenty-second Illinois Infantry. under Colonel Jefferson C. Davis. He participated in the battles of Glasgow, Missouri. the Wilson raid, and marched all over the state of Missouri. In 1862 he received an hon- orable discharge and in October. 1863. he re- enlisted. becoming a member of the Ninth Indiana Cavalry, under Colonel Jackson. During his second term of service he was in the south, and at Lynnville, Tennessee. was badly wounded in the left ankle, after which he was left for four days and nights on the battlefield without food or water. He cov- ered his feet and legs with earth, for his other leg had been badly sprained by a fall. and thus he was somewhat protected. At length he was taken to a hospital and for several months was incapacitated for duty. during which time he was in a number of hospitals in the south. On the 25th of May,
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1865. he received an honorable discharge and returned home, but he never recovered from his injuries, and in 1871 his left leg had to be amputated. Subsequently the veins in the other leg became diseased. blood-poison- ing set in and that also had to be amputated in 1891. Mr. Parkhurst certainly made a great sacrifice for his country, and the debt of gratitude which it owes to him can never be repaid.
In 1868 our subject removed with his family to Missouri and in 1871 secured a claim in Merrick county, that state, but in 1874 returned to Indiana, where he re- mained until 1878. That was the year of his arrival in Hamburg. Fremont county. where he has since resided. For twelve years he had had the contract for carrying the mail between Hamburg and Sidney. lowa. He is a man of very determined spirit and has manifested resolute will and firm courage where other men would have been utterly disheartened. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Parkhurst was blessed with seven children, four of whom reached mature years, namely: W. R., a resident of Ham- burg, who married Louisa Rush, and has one daughter, Fay: Emily G., wife of C. Hoepp- ner, of St. Louis, Missouri, and they have three children .- Edgar P .. Clifford A. and Marion ; J. C., who married Ella Bruner and is living in Hamburg, having one child, Harry; and Alvah T., who married Volda Wyatt and is living in Van Buren, Arkansas.
In his political views the father of this family is a Republican. His religious be- lief is indicated by his membership in the Chrstian church, and by his brethren of the church and all who know him in other walks of life he is held in the highest esteem.
WALTER S. BROWN.
Mills county is fortunate in the class of citizens who are now occupying her positions of public trust, among which number is Walter S. Brown, who is now serving as county recorder. He was born in Glen- wood on the 17th of June, 1870, his parents being Thomas H. and Mary M. (Turner) Brown, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ohio. The father came to Mills county in the late '50s, and for about forty years the mother has been a resident of this state.
Their son, Walter S. Brown, was reared in the state of his nativity and at the usual age entered the public schools, there pursuing his studies until his graduation in the high school, in the class of 1891. He afterward pursued a business course in the Capital City Commercial College, at Des Moines, and was thus well prepared for the responsible and practical duties of a business career. He became actively associated with the army of workers as an employe of the D. L. Heinsheimer Company, whom he served as assistant cashier. bookkeeper and corre- spondent, acting in that capacity for eight years. For some time in 1898 he was in the employ of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company, of Ottumwa, Iowa, as stenographer, and after withdrawing from that position was called to public service, be- ing elected to the office of city treasurer of Gienwood in April, 1899, serving two years. He was the city treasurer when, in Novem- ber, 1900, he was elected recorder of Mills county by a majority of three hundred and twenty-five, receiving the nomination for the position over three other candidates in the
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convention. He has always been an un- swerving Republican, doing everything in his power to promote the work of the party and to secure the adoption of its principles.
On the 5th of April, 1899. Mr. Brown was joined in wedlock to Miss Alta Wern- wick, of Glenwood, and unto them has been born a daughter. Rohcase. Mr. Brown is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife hold mem- bership in the Baptist church. They are well known in the community and their many friends entertain for them high regard.
CHARLES T. SMITH.
Among the successful and progressive agriculturists of Mills county is Charles T. Smith, who resides near Hastings, his home being in Indian Creek township. He was born in Monroe county, lowa, in October, 1861. His father. Joseph Smith, was born in Kentucky, and had two brothers, John and James, who are still living, the former a resident of Missouri and the latter of Kan- sas. After arriving at years of maturity Joseph Smith married Miss Nancy Cox, a (laughter of Charles Cox, who was born in Kentucky and is of Scotch lineage. She is an extremely pleasant and motherly woman and is numbered among the respected citi- zens of Mills county, lowa. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, however, was cele- brated in Kentucky and was blest with three children, namely: Charles T., of this re- view: James, who is living in Mills county ; and Mrs. Maggie James, who makes her home in Iowa. The father is still residing in Monroe county. this state.
Mr. Smith of this review has spent his entire life in Iowa and the true western spirit
of enterprise and progress ha- dominated his business career and made him one of the prosperous agriculturists of his community. His childhood days were quietly passed on the home farm and the schools of the neigh- borhood afforded him his educational priv- ileges. Farming has ever occupied his at- tention in a business way and since 1883 he has been identified with the agricultural in- terests of Indian Creek township, where he owns some very valuable and productive property.
He married Miss Emma V. Hall. a daughter of Orrin Hall, of Monroe county. who was born in Virginia and died in the early girlhood of his daughter, who was then reared by her uncle. Permenus Tuttle, of Monroe county. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Helen Tuttle, was a native of the Old Dominion. The ancestors of Mrs. Smith were among the distinguished old southern families. Mr. Smith had the fol- lowing named children: Chester R. : Arlie M .: Bessie G .: Esther E., who died at the age of six years : Robert R. and Edith. The parents are carefully educating their chil- dren that they may be well qualified to oc- cupy useful and honorable positions in life.
Mr. Smith was reared in the Democratic faith, but mature deliberation and considera- tion of the questions effecting the welfare of the country have led him to give his sup- port to the Republican party, and he has always voted that ticket. He has been the township assessor for four years, his term expiring in the fall of 1900. His wife is a member of the Baptist church, but he is liberal in his religious views and allows his children to attend the churches of their own choosing. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he has done effective
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