USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 74
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 74
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LEROY E. WILLIAMS.
Prominent among the business men of Mills county is Leroy E. Williams, who is closely identified with the history of this city as a representative of one of the most important business interests. He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment. and his executive ability and excellent man- agement have brought to the concern with which he is connected a large degree of suc- cess. The progressive, safe, but conservative policy which he inaugurated commends it- self to the judgment of all and has secured to the company a patronage which makes the volume of annual business transacted of great importance and magnitude. The pros- perity of the company is certainly due in a large measure to its president and mana- ger .- the gentleman who is the subject of this review.
Leroy E. Williams was born in Virginia, February 22. 1864, so that he is yet a young man, and the future undoubtedly holds in store for him greater successes. llis parents, E. P. and Rebecca .A. ( Isler ) Williams, were both natives of the Old Do- minion, and the father still resides in that state, where the greater part of his life has
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been devoted to the operation of a pig-iron furnace in Giles county, his business being extensive. His wife died in January. 1865, leaving two children, the daughter being Nannie R., now the wife of F. E. Dunklee. of Newport, Virginia.
Mr. Williams, of this review, remained upon the home farm in Clark county, Vir- ginia, until eight years of age. He pursued his education by tutor and in the public schools of Newport, Salem and Richmond, Virginia, and Baltimore, Maryland, and at the early age of twelve years began making his own way in the world, since which time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources. He was one of four hundred boys that were examined for admission to the Baltimore City College and was one of two to pass the highest percentage at that time. When a lad of twelve summers he became assistant in the office of the clerk of Clarke county, Virginia, and the following year was made head bookkeeper for the Johns Mountain Iron Company, in Giles county, Virginia, in which capacity he served about three and a half years. On the ex- piration of that period he went to Atlanta, Georgia, where for two and a half years he was in the employ of the Bradstreet Mer- cantile Company.
In September, 1884, he arrived in Glen- wood, lowa, to accept a position in the Mills County National Bank, of Glenwood, where he remained until January, 1893, when he resigned in order to give his attention to his personal affairs, having in the meantime become associated with the New Glenwood Canning Company, which was organized in 1882. He was made its bookkeeper and as- sistant secretary, in 1886, and was thus en- gaged, in addition to his bank and other
work. until 1890, when he became a part- ner in the enterprise, of which he at that time was also made secretary and treasurer, thus serving until 1897. when he became the president of the company. From a small industry in 1882 the plant has steadily grown until it is now one of the largest west of Indiana, having a capacity for packing one hundred thousand cases, or two million and four hundred thousand cans, during the canning season. The goods put up by this company are of a high grade, be- ing prepared for the best trade. The com- pany furnishes employment to about one hundred and fifty people during the canning season, which continues about six months. Tomatoes, sweet corn, beets, hominy. pump- kins and baked beans are among the products canned and shipped from their establish- ment. The company manufacturers its own tin cans, having in this department of the business a capacity for six million cans per annum. They also have a fine fruit evap- orator, with a capacity of evaporating five hundred bushels of wood-dried apples per day. This is said to be one of the finest and best fruit evaporators in the United States. The business of the New Glenwood Canning Company has grown to an extensive volume and the industry is one of the most important in this section of the state, being of prac- tical value to the community by furnishing employment to many men and women. Mr. Williams, the president, is a man of resource- ful business ability who has not confined his efforts to one line alone. He is a stock- holder in the Glenwood State Bank and the owner of a fine Mills county bottom farm.
On the 21st of December. 1893. was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Williams and Miss Bessie E. Anderson, of Glenwood, a
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daughter of the late William H. and Ella J. Anderson. Her father was one of the prominent men and bankers of Glenwood for many years, having located in this city in 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have one of the finest colonial homes in Glenwood, it hay- ing been erected in 1899. It is supplied with all the conveniences and adornments that fine taste can suggest and an added attrac- tion is the air of gracious hospitality which ever pervades the home.
In his political views Mr. Williams is a pronounced Republican, giving his time and money for the advancement of the in- terests of that party. He was, however, reared in the Democratic faith and affiliated with that political organization until 1894. His life has been one of continuous and arduous labor and is a brilliant illustration of the potency of earnest work in the ac- quirement of success. He is recognized as one of the most capable, far-sighted and enterprising business men of Glenwood, and his entire accomplishments but represent the result of the fit utilization of the innate tal- ents which are his and the directing of his efforts along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way. There is in him a weight of charac- ter, a native sagacity, a far-seeing judgment and a fidelity of purpose that commands the respect of all. He is a man of indefatigable enterprise, industry and fertility of re- sources and has carved his name deeply on the records of Mills county.
CHARLES N. OGDEN.
Charles N. Ogden, one of the prominent and esteemed residents of Mills county, Iowa, was born November 12, 1857, in
Menard county, Illinois, and is a son of David and Mary ( Young ) Ogden, the former a native of Hopkins county, New York, where his birth occurred on the 25th of July. 1831. In 1853 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Young, and unto them were born ten children, five of the fam- ily having now passed away. In the spring of 1860 the father removed with his family to Colorado and later became a resident of Montana, residing in the vicinity of AAlder Gulch during the season of intense excite- ment over the discovery of gold in that lo- cality. He and his family were among the first settlers of Helena, Montana, and on leaving that place removed to Nebraska, where they remained for twelve years. In the spring of 1877 they continued their west- ward journey, settling in the Black Hills at the time when the discovery of gold in the locality was drawing to Dakota many set- tlers from all sections of the country.
In 1882 Mr. Ogden went with his fam- ily to Crook county, Wyoming, and took possession of a large ranch six miles south of Sun Dance. There he carried on agricult- ural pursuits with excellent success, plac- ing his fields under a high state of cultiva- tion and raising stock on an extensive scale. He made many improvements upon the ranch, adding substantial buildings and other accessories found upon the model farm. Al- though his agricultural interests claimed much of his time and attention he yet en- gaged to a considerable extent in ministerial work as a preacher of the Methodist church. Throughout the greater part of his life he was a consistent and active member of that denomination and never tired in his labors to advance its teachings and to inculcate the principles of Christianity among his fellow
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men. His life's labors were ended in death in August, 1897. His death came as a great shock to the community where he was so well known and highly esteemed. While driving one day his hose became frightened and he was thrown from the carriage, strik- ing his head. Death was instantaneous. His loss throughout the country was widely mourned, for he was one who held friend- ship inviolable and every trust sacred. His devotion to his family was most marked and it seemed that he could never do too much to promote the happiness and enhance the welfare of his wife and children. His word was as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal, and his sound judgment was widely recognized, so that his word was often taken as final in the settlement of dis- putes, he being frequently chosen to act as arbitrator when difficulties arose between his neighbors. His widow is still residing at Sun Dance, Wyoming, and is now sixty- five years of age.
In taking up the personal history of Charles N. Ogden we present to our read- ers the record of one who is widely and fa- vorably known in Mills county. He was reared upon a farm near Sterling, Nebras- ka, acquiring a good common-school edu- cation, and after putting aside his text-books he began farming and stock-raising on his own account. He has since followed those occupations, and his close application and earnest efforts have made his work a profit- able source of income. In 1894 he came to Mills county, Iowa, and in the spring of 1900 took up his abode upon the farm which he yet makes his home. It is pleasantly lo- cated in Mills county, near Council Bluffs, and the rich tract of land is highly culti-
vated, yielding golden harvests in return for the cultivation given by the owner.
In 1878 Mr. Ogden was united in mar- riage to Miss Emma Sarnes, who was born in Illinois, in 1860, and is a daughter of John and Ann (Shoup) Sarnes. Four chil- dren have been born of this marriage, three sons and a daughter, namely: William B., David S., Hattie L. and Charles H. In his political views Mr. Ogden is a Democrat and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, although he has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking. He also be- longs to the Knights of Pythias ifrater- nity, and wherever he is known he com- mands uniform confidence and respect by reason of his fidelity to principle and to duty.
BENJAMIN B. DEAN.
A very prominent and highly respected citizen of Mills county, Iowa, is Benjamin B. Dean, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Lyons township. December 24, 1858, and is a son of William E. and Susan (Briggs) Dean. He was one of six chil- dren born to his parents, the survivors being Seth, who is the competent surveyor of Mills county ; Harvey, who is an extensive farmer in Lyons township ; and Alvin E., who is a farmer of Polk county, Missouri. William H., the third son, was a sailor by trade and was lost off the fishing vessel Dashing Wave, in a gale, May 15, 1883.
The marriage of our subject was cele- brated February 25, 1883, with Anna M. Wallace, a daughter of James and Nancy (Reed) Wallace, both natives of Ohio, the former of whom is a resident of Mills coun-
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ty, the latter dying some years since in Kan- sas. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dean, these all living .- William 1 ... Florence, Bessie, Edwin B., Edith, Clara and Seth. Mrs. Dean departed from life May 7. 1900, at the comparatively early age of thirty-seven.
Possessing seven hundred acres of pro- ductive land, and being an extensive stock- raiser, our subject my be considered one of the substantial men of the county. He has made a specialty of breeding shorthorn cat- tle, believing them to be the best strain to be found. In his political affiliations Mr. Dean is a Democrat. In 1899 he was the candi- date of his party for representative, the nom- ination coming to him unsolicited and un- expected, and he received two hundred votes ahead of his ticket, his popularity in the county being thoroughly proved. He is a consistent member of the Congregational church, where he is held in the highest es- teem.
JOHN W. NIMS.
.A prominent and influential farmer and stock-raiser, one of the proprietors of the celebrated Cedar Lawn Stock Farm, is John W. Nims, our subject, who owns and op- erates a large estate in Deer Creek town- ship. Mills county, lowa. Mr. Nims, al- though born in Ohio, in 1848, deems himself a native of Illinois, the family residence be- ing there, his birth occurring while his par- ents were visiting in the former state.
The parents of our subject were Eli B. and Emily ( Brainard ) Nims, the former of whom was born December 17, 1813. in Jef- ferson county, New York, and died in 1861
in Jones county, lowa, where he moved in 1853, and became a prominent citizen. The latter was born in Medina county, Ohio, Au- gust 5. 1822, was married in Ohio, and is now residing with her sons in Deer Creek township. The family is not an extensive one, but Mr. Nims has an uncle, William Nims Nichols, who has been a minister of the Methodist church for half a century and went through the Civil war, as chaplain in the Union army, and is now a resident of Norwood, New York.
Our subject was reared on the farm and received a very good common-school educa- tion in Jones county, and came to Mills county twenty-seven years ago, with his brother, D. B. Nims, where they purhcased a quarter-section of land in Deer Creek township and settled down to scientific farm- ing and stock-raising. Three years later our subject bought another quarter-section of land only a mile distant from the first. and has made this one of the noted farms of the state of lowa.
Mr. Nims makes a specialty of fine blooded hogs, of the Poland China strain. and these are celebrated throughout the whole county, and have been most profitable to our subject. AAnother specialty for which Cedar Lawn farm is noted is its seed corn. this being one of the most important ele- ments of a farmer's equipment. Large sales are annually made of this cereal, which is so carefully prepared that no failures ever occur. Corresponding with his fine stock. the brothers Nims have erected suitable buildings, fitted them up with all modern devices for the proper care of stock, and pay particular attention to the sanitary surround- ings of their pens and yards.
Our subject was married in Jones coun-
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ty, Iowa, to Miss Margaret Levi, who was born in Forfarshire. Scotland, and came with her parents to Canada when three months old. She was a daughter of James and Ellen (Hardy) Levi, the former of whom was born in Scotland, July 2. 1823. and emigrated to Canada in 1851, removed to Indiana in 1853. and came to Iowa in 1869. where he still resides. The latter also was born in Scotland and was married to James Levi in 1844. They had eleven chil- dren. all of whom are living .- a fine testi- monial to the health and rugged strength of the Levi family. An uncle of Mrs. Nims served in the Union army during the Civil war.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Nims are : Mrs. Mina Zaelke, Mrs. Alice Knight, Nettie. Fred, Wesley and Grace, the daugh- ters all having been thoroughly educated at Simpson College, at Indianola, Iowa, and Fred being a student there for some time.
Mr. Nims is a zealous and steadfast Re- publican and has decided views as to the ne- cessity of purity in politics, believing that what is termed "bossism" in the political jargon of the day is a thraldom which every lover of his country should resent. With his wife and family he is actively interested in the Asbury Methodist church in Indian Creek township. belonging to the board of trustees of that church and in all the de- liberations of that board giving invaluable advice.
WILLIAM S. RANKIN.
When the hydra-headed monster of re- bellion lifted its horrid front and menaced the safety of the Union there flocked to the standard of the country men from
all walks of life,-the toilers in the shops and in the fields, the merchants and sales- men from the stores and the professional men and clerks from the offices. Among the number who "donned the blue" was W. S. Rankin, prompted by a spirit of patriot- ism which has ever been a characteristic of the family which he represents. His pater- nal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812 and also in the Mexican war, serving with distinction in both places. Others of the family have been prominent on the fields of battle, risking life in defense of princi- ple and of country. Four of the brothers of our subject were with him in the Civil war, and there were uncles and cousins to the number of nearly a dozen who fought for the preservation of the Union.
W. S. Rankin was born on a farm in Ohio sixty-two years ago, a son of Castle- man and Eliza Rankin. They were farm- ing people, who removed from Ohio to In- diana in 1842. The father was born near Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, and the mother was a native of the Buckeye state, where her people were representatives of agricultural interests. In early youth W. S. Rankin became familiar with all the work of the farm, assisting in the labors of field and meadow. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and in the sum- mer months he gave his father the benefit of his services until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when he could no longer content himself to follow the plow, but with patriotic ardor offered his services to the government to aid in the perpetuation of the Union. It was at Prophetstown, Illi- nois, in August, 1861, that he joined Com- pany K, of the Thirty-fourth Illinois In- fantry, under command of Captain O. O.
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Herrick and Colonel S. M. Kirk. The regiment was organized at Springfield and proceeded southward to Lonisville, Ken- tucky. During the winter of 1861-2 it was employed in guarding the bridge on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad at Munfordville, Kentucky, during which time there occurred a number of skirmishes with Morgan's raiders in that vicinity. In the spring of 1862 Mr. Rankin par- ticipated in the battle of Shiloh, which was the most hotly contested engagement in which he took part. Ilis regiment alone buried two hundred and four men after that battle. He was with the regiment at the siege of Corinth and in many other im- portant battles waged by the Army of the Cumberland until the 12th of July, 1865. when he was mustered out at Louisville, re- ceiving an honorable discharge at Chicago. He had been with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, taking part in all of the engagements which occurred as they went from Atlanta to Savannah. He was wagon- master from Rossville, Georgia, on the At- lanta campaign to the sea, and on to Wash- ington, and was mustered out as wagon- master. His bravery and valor were many times displayed. He was always faithful to his duty whether on the picket line or on the firing line and loyally defended the starry banner in the thickest of the fight.
With a very creditable military record Mr. Rankin returned to his home in Illinois. The following year. 1866, he was united in marriage. in that state, to Miss Ada Bacon, whose people were Canadians. Her father was a member of the Seventy-fifth Illinois Regiment during the war of the Rebellion, having enlisted in that command in 1861.
lle was wounded at the battle of Perryville. He also had a cousin and unele in the Union army. Mr. Rankin and his wife removed from Illinois to Guthrie county, lowa, in November, 1870, and secured a farm there, but after a short time went to Kansas. In the fall of 1880, however, they returned to this state, taking up their abode in Hills- dale, Mills county, where Mr. Rankin has since carried on agricultural pursuits. He now has a well-improved tract of land, the place being modern in all its appointments and equipments. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are widely and favorably known in the locality where they have now made their home through two decades. They have six chil- dren. Their son. Charles C., served in Com- pany H, of the Twenty-second United States Infantry, throughout the war with Spain, being actively engaged in duty in Cuba. He afterward served in the Philippine campaign and has recently been discharged on the ex- piration of his three-years term. The other children are Eliza, Ella, Louise, Robert C. and George.
In his political views Mr. Rankin is a stalwart Republican, having supported that party with unwavering loyalty since cast- ing his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. That he is a popular man among his neighbors is shown by the fact that he was recently elected constable, hav- ing practically no opposition. He belongs to Abner Kearney Post. G. A. R., of Glen- wood, lowa, and both he and his wife hold membership in the United Brethren church in Hillsdale. They are people of sterling worth, widely known and respected for their many excellencies of character, and the circle of their friends is very extensive.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
SHERMAN B. KIMBERLIN.
Sherman B. Kimberlin is one of the well- known citizens of Fremont county, who came to his present farm in 1886 and has made his home on the place continuously since. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, March 17, 1840. His father, Henry J. Kimberlin, was a soldier in the Civil war. He was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and his father. Michael Kimberlin, was a rative of the Keystone state and a son of one of the Revolutionary heroes who fought for the independence of the nation, making for himself an excellent military record. Henry J. Kimberlin was reared in Wayne county, Ohio, and when he had attained to man's estate lie chose as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Eliza Brook- man, who was born in New York, a daughter of Samuel Brookman, who was a native of that state and of German lineage. He had four sons,-David, Samuel, Ephraim and Valentine Brookman. Valentine offered his aid to his country in the Civil war and gave
up his life in defense of the Union.
He
aiso had four daughters,-Margaret, Han- nah, Catharine and Ann. Unto Henry and Eliza Kimberlin were born the following children : Sherman B. : Mrs. Mary A. Beck, of Blair, Nebraska: William H., of Kan- sas City, who served as a soldier in the Civil war; and Lewis, of Chicago. The father also was with the Union army when the fate of the national government was threat- ened, serving with an Ohio regiment. He was born in 1819-the same year as Queen Victoria-and died in middle life. A farmer by occupation he was industrious, honest and trustworthy, was a gallant soldier, a patriotic citizen, a kind and companionable
friend and a loving and devoted husband and father. His political support was given to the Whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the Republican party and supported Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. His wife, who died in Fontanelle, Nebraska, at the age of sixty-two years, was a most worthy woman, possessing many excellent characteristics, and her life was in many respects worthy of emulation. In religious belief she was a Spiritualist. She was de- sirous of passing into spirit life, which she did with a firm belief in a progressive and happy future.
Sherman B. Kimberlin was reared upon an Ohio farm and no event of special im- portance occurred in his youth to vary the routine of his daily life, which was devoted to the work of the fields or of the school- room or to the enjoyment of the pleasures in which most boys engage. During the war he responded to the call of President Lincoln for three hundred thousand men and joined Company C, of the Fifty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under the com- mand of Captain Skinner and Colonel Cush- man, and was in the service for three years and two hundred and forty-one days, and participated in the battles of Pittsburg Land- ing; the raid through Holly Springs; the siege of Corinth; the battle of Tallahassee, where the regiment lost very heavily, after which they proceeded from Memphis by boat on the Mississippi river to take part in the siege of Vicksburg. They also went from Natchez in the Meridian raid. Mr. Kimberlin subsequently went to Cairo, Illi- nois, and afterward with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea, aiding in build- ing a fort at Allatoona, Georgia. They crossed the river near that city in boats and
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besieged Atlanta on the 20th, 21st and 22d days of July, during which time General McPherson, his corps commander, was killed. After the city had fallen the Union troops proceeded to Savannah and on up the coast. When hostilities had ceased and the starry flag of the nation was seen floating on the capital of the southern confederacy, he received an honorable discharge and re- turned to the north.
In the same year-1865-Mr. Kimberlin went to Nebraska and secured a homestead claim in Washington county, upon which he resided for five years. He was also en- gaged in teaching penmanship for a number of years, following that profession in Chi- cago and Elgin, Illinois, in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska with excellent suc- cess. In 1877 he secured a timber claim in Trego county. Kansas, and took a squatter's claim in Sheridan county, that state, on the head living spring of the north Solomon. He hunted buffalo on the plains with great success and went through the usual experi- ences of the frontier life. In 1878 he re- moved to Colorado and conducted a butter- and-egg depot, selling to the retail trade and wholesale. At a later date he continued teaching penmanship and visited Louisiana, Texas and old Mexico, purchased a car-load of ponies and took them to Ohio, where he trained and sold them. In 1886 he came to Fremont county, devoted his time to agri- cultural pursuits in Riverton township, and is now laboring to secure a small landed home.
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