USA > Iowa > Mills County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 78
USA > Iowa > Fremont County > A biographical history of Fremont and Mills Counties, Iowa > Part 78
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In his native county Isaac Smith was reared to farm work, following that pur- suit until eighteen years of age, when he entered upon an apprenticeship to the pat- tern-maker's trade and was thus engaged for six years, becoming an expert mechanic. When twenty-three years of age he emi- grated westward, and for one season worked at his trade in Davenport, Iowa. He after- ward spent one year at carpentering in Mis- souri, and in 1859 he came to Fremont county. erecting the first house on the pres- copal church and was honored and loved for
ent site of Riverton. It is still standing. but since that time Mr. Smith has purchased other land and in 1875 erected his present commodious residence, which stands on a natural building site, surrounded by shade t: ees, while in the orchard are many varieties of fruit. He has large barns and sheds. highly cultivated fields and rich pasture lands, and the place is divided by well kept fences. The farm consists of four hundred and fifty acres, nearly all of which is rich pasture land. Mr. Smith has been a very successful and energetic agriculturist and stock-raiser, and everything upon his place indicates his careful supervision and capable management. For some years he was a suc- cessful contractor and builder, and erected many of the buildings in this locality, but in more recent years has given his entire attention to agricultural pursuits.
In 1860 Mr. Smith was united in mar- riage to Miss Harriet Rockafeller, of North- umberland county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Hiram and Elizabeth (Wilkerson) Rock- afeller, both of whom died in Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born ten children, of whom six are living, name- ly: Albert, who is now a farmer and stock- raiser of Nebraska; Sherman, at home; Alum, who is also following farming and stock-raising in Nebraska; Chester, who is working in a store in Skidmore, Missouri; and Geno and Stella, who are at home. Four have passed away: An infant son ; Emma, who died at the age of three years; Kim- ber, who was killed by accident when four years of age ; and Eva, who died when fif- teen. The mother passed away November 6, 1882. at the age of forty-six. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Epis-
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her goodness of heart and mind. On the 6th of December, 1883. Mr. Smith was again married, his second union being with Sarah Hiatt, a native of Indiana, in which state her parents died. Five children graced this union, of whom three are now living. namely: Pearl, Ross and Lynn. They lost an infant daughter and one son, Hugh, who ched at the age of two years.
In his political views Mr. Smith is a Republican and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never been a politi- cian in the sense of being an office-seeker. although he served as county supervisor. 'The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he does all in his power for its advancement. He is also liberal in support of the church work, and his wife is a con- sistent member of the Baptist church, the family attending its services and taking part in its work. Mr. Smith has now reached the age of sixty-seven, but his years rest lightly upon him and he has the vigor and energy of a man much younger. In business he sus- tains a high reputation, for there is nothing underhanded in his dealings ; his straightfor- ward methods and earnest purpose commend him to the confidence and good will of all with whom he is associated; and as a representative citizen of Riverton township, Fremont county, he well deserves mention in this volume.
FREDERICK H. SCHOENING.
A native of Germany, Frederick Henry Schoening, who now resides near Mineola. Mills county, was born in Holstein on the TIth of August, 1829, and his parents, Henry and Margaret (Schale) Schoening, were natives of the same country. In 1858 they
bade adieu to friends and native land and with their family crossed the briny deep to the new world, landing at New Orleans. However, they did not tarry long in the southern metropolis but came at once to Mills county, lowa, settling in Oak township. The voyage was a long and tedious one, occupy- ing two months, for they came by way of Cuba, New Orleans and St. Louis and up the Missouri river to Council Bluffs. The father died in Oak township, in 1887, at the age of seventy-eight years, and the mother passed away at the age of sixty.
Mr. Schoening, who is now an enter- prising farmer near Mineola, spent his child- hood and youth in the fatherland, and was married in Holstein, on the 25th of April, 1858, to Miss Johana Fos, who was born April 26, 1836, and is a daughter of Louis and Margaret ( Schoening) Fos. Her fa- ther died May 11, 1858, at the age of sev- enty-three years, and the mother passed away in 1869. when fifty years of age. Im- mediately after their marriage Frederick H. Schoening and his wife came with his par- ents to the United States. Ten children l'ave graced their union, nine of whom are yet living, as follows: Minnie, who was born September 25. 1859, and is now the wife of John Hansen, a resident of Emerson, Nebraska, where he follows farming : Henry, who was born April 3. 1862, and is engaged in farming in the same state ; John, who was born February 17, 1864, and has taken up his abode on a farm near the old homestead ; William, born March 4. 1866: Louis, born August 17, 1870: Mary, born March 11, 1873: Frank, born April 16, 1875: Emma, born October 25. 1877: Otto, born July 10, 1879: and Rosa, born May 11. 1883.
The father. Frederick H. Schoening. is
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now the owner of three hundred and forty- five acres of fine farming land, all of which he has acquired through his own efforts. For the past ten years he has been prac- tically retired, enjoying a rest which he well merits, for previous to that time he had lived a very busy life and his unremitting toil, careful management and resolute pur- pose brought to him prosperity. He ex- ercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and he and his family are all mem- bers of the German Lutheran church of Mineola. As a citizen he is deeply interested in what ever pertains to the welfare and progress of his community along substantial lines of development and has given his hearty co-operation to many movements for the gen- eral good.
MOSES U. PAYNE.
Moses U. Payne, deceased, was through a long period an esteemed and influential resident of Fremont county and one of its extensive land-owners. He came to this por- tion of the state in 1863. and from that time until his death was actively identified with the public progress. A native of Kentucky, his birth occurred October 25, 1807. and he belonged to one of the old, distinguished families of that state. His parents, Moses Payne and Mary Miller, were married July 30. 1800, and unto them were born five chil- dren, three sons and two daughters, the for- mer being Jacob C., who was a prominent business man of New Orleans, where his death occurred : Moses U., the subject of this sketch: and AAndrew, who was a leading planter and carried on business at Pass Chris- tian, Mississippi, where his last days were
spent. The daughters were Maria H., who became the wife of Judge Wood, of Dayton, Missouri, and died in 1847. and Mrs. Hen- rietta Bradwell, who died in 1846. The fa- ther of these children died June 24, 1815, but his widow, surviving him many years, passed away October 1, 1844, at an advanced age.
Moses U. Payne was reared in Kentucky, where he received a good education. He embarked in merchandising in that state and subsequently removed to Columbia, Missouri, where his brother Jacob was living. There he remained until 1863, when he came to Fremont county, where he purchased land, becoming one of the most extensive property holders in southwestern Iowa, his landed possessions comprising twenty thousand acres on the rich Missouri river bottoms. The land was very productive and he en- gaged in raising corn and other grains.
Mr. Payne was first married in Ken- tucky, June 25, 1829, to Miss Mary D. White, who was born in that state. She ' died in Boone county, Missouri, January 21. 1858, leaving one son, Jacob, who is well known both in Hamburg, Iowa, and in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Mr. Payne's sec- ond marriage was celebrated in Howard county. Missouri, where he married Sallie H. Patton, a lady of intelligence, culture and refinement, belonging to one of the good families of that state. Their marriage was celebrated September 12, 1867. She proved to her husband a most faithful companion and helpmeet on life's journey. She was born in Howard county, Missouri, and was reared and educated in that state and in Ten- nessee. Her parents were Thomas and Sarah (Gibens) Patton, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky, but
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their marriage was celebrated in Missouri. Both are now deceased. the father having passed away at Holly Springs, Mississippi, while the mother's death occurred in Howard county, Missouri. In their family were ten children, namely : James R., Mary J., Mar- garet A., Joseph W., Robert J., Mrs. Payne, Martha K., P. W., Elizabeth P. and Charity R. By the marriage of Moses U. Payne and Sallie Patton two children were born : Sarah M., the wife of the Rev. S. P. Cresap, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, now living in Moberly, Missouri : and Moses Miller, who was born in Washington town- ship, Fremont county, in 1873, and is now one of the prominent men of this locality. He was educated in Fayette, Missouri, and in 1892 he married Miss Ethel Cunningham. They now have one son, Moses Miller, Jr. Their residence, situated on the farmstead, is one of the finest homes in the county, and the young husband is successfully cultivat- ing the land, which is under a high state of cultivation and gives indication of his care- ful supervision.
In his political views Moses U. Payne. whose name introduces this sketch, was in- dependent, and in religious belief was a Methodist, contributing liberally to the sup- port of his own and other churches and did all in his power to advance the cause of Christianity. He erected a church building upon his farm and gave thirty acres of land to the congregation. His was a useful, up- right and honorable life. He was liberal to the poor and needy, faithful in friendship and loyal to all family ties, and at his death. which occurred when he had attained the advanced age of eighty-seven years, he left to his family not only a handsome com- petence but an untarnished name. Mrs.
Payne has in Fremont county three hundred and twenty acres, and in addition to her residence and other good buildings upon the property she is also the proprietor of a store at Payne Junction. She is a lady of ex- cellent business and executive ability, fully capable of controlling her property inter- ests, and at the same time she possesses all those womanly qualities which win admira- tion and regard, and by many friends she is greatly beloved.
ROBERT M. ADKINS.
Many lines of business are successfully carried on in the flourishing town of Hen- derson, Iowa, and our subject represents two .- dealing in live stock and engaging in auctioneering. Mr. Adkins was born in Monroe county, Indiana, October 7. 1854, a son of Wyatt Adkins, who was a native of Kentucky, born there September 21. 1807. The grandfather of our subject. Jesse Ad- kins, was a planter and slaveholder of Pu- laski county, that state, where he died in 1856.
Wyatt Adkins removed to Clark county, lowa, with his wife and nine children, all of them still living, with families, except one (laughter, named Melita, who became the wife of Elijah Emory. Her death occurred in Clark county and one son was left mother- less. Mr. Adkins was twice married and reared a large family. He was a farmer, owning two hundred acres, and at the time of his death, in 1884, was in easy circum- stances. The second wife of Wyatt Adkins, our subject's mother, was named Mary Packerof, and she was a native of Virginia; and our subject had one brother. David, now a resident of Creston, lowa. Mrs. . Ad-
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kins had been previously married to Renben Wett and had two children, both of whom are now deceased. Her son was a soldier in the Civil war, who died and was buried at Louisville, Kentucky. Mrs. Adkins lived until 1896, dying at the age of about eighty- six. She was a noble woman, kind to her neighbors, charitable and of a cheerful dis- position.
Robert M. Adkins was reared on the farm and early learned its pleasures and dull duties, but had the advantages of a good common-school education in Clark county. He remained at home until the age of twen- ty-seven, when he was married to Mary Jane Kinzom, of Warren county, Iowa, a daugh- ter of J. E. Kinzom, of Clay Center, Ne- braska. She died in 1895, on January 31st, aged forty years, leaving five children : Mamie L., wife of Rev. E. F. Lake, a min- ister of the Christian church at Prescott, Iowa, and she has two children : Hallie Dell, the wife of William Cain, a farmer of Mont- gomery county, and she has one child ; Opal E., a graduate of the Henderson high school ; Stella M., a remarkably beautiful child of eleven years : and Glenn Guy, a fine lad of eight years. Mr. Adkins was married the second time, January 13. 1897, the lady be- ing Miss Cora E. Maynes, of Henderson, Iowa, a daughter of William Maynes, a resident of this place.
In 1883 Mr. Adkins left the home farm and engaged in the hardware business at Hopeville, under the firm name of Adkins & Morton : but a year and a half later Mr. Morton retired and Mr. Adkins removed to Henderson, where he continued in trade for a period of four years, when he sold out and has since given his whole attention to live- stock and to anctioneering. The latter busi-
ness he began as early as his twenty-first year and has successfully pursued it at in- tervals ever since, until now his reputation in that line extends over a hundred miles. even into other states. He sells stock in Kansas City and Omaha, being the only man in the place engaged in that line, selling on commission and making a success of it.
In 1894 Mr. Adkins built his residence in Henderson and has lately purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Harrison township, upon which he will place a tenant. He is a very popular man in his home town, his genial manner and accommodating spirit making friends of all. He and his inter- esting family are welcome in all social cir- cles and Mr. Adkins has acquired some celebrity as a fine checker-player.
GEORGE H. ESTES.
George H. Estes is one of the leading stock men of Mills county, possessing the qualifications essential to success. In his youth the elements of success lay dormant in his nature awaiting the awakening touch of effort, and as he passed into manhood he put forth his energies, prompted by a de- termined and enterprising spirit, and to-day he stands among the prosperous residents of the community in which he is located. His standing in the county is indicated by the fact that he is now a leading member of the board of supervisors. He represents one of the old families of this community, his birth having occurred in Lyons town- ship, Mills county. March 14, 1863. his parents being William M. and Hester A. (Linville) Estes.
Upon the old home farm George H. Estes was reared, early becoming familiar
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with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He pursued his studies in the public schools near his home and when about twenty years of age went to Colorado, spending the succeeding ten years in that state, Kansas and in New Mexico. While in the west he was en- gaged in the stock business. On the expi- ration of that decade he returned to Mills .county, where he has continued to reside and through the last ten years he has been extensively engaged in the raising, pur- chase and sale of stock. He buys and sells many head of cattle each year and annually feeds about three hundred head. He also does an extensive trade in horses and mules and is recognized as one of the best judges of stock in the county. He owns a fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Platteville township, Mills county, and also has a similar amount in Logan county, Ne- braska. His broad fields therefore afford good crops for the stock and in the meadows horses and cattle have fine pasturage.
On the 16th of October. 1892, Mr. Estes was united in marriage to Miss Ele- anora Mayberry, who was born in Ohio, and in her maidenhood came with her par- ents to Mills county. She died January 9. 1891, at the age of thirty-three years and four months, leaving two children, Wini- fred and Claudic. She was a devoted wife and mother and her loss was deeply mourned by the family and many friends. Mr. Estes is a member of the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity and is one of the leading and valued citizens of his locality. His political sup- port is given to the Democracy and he takes an active part in promoting its growth and success in Mills county. In 1900 he was elected a member of the board of county su-
pervisors by a majority of thirty three, being the only Democrat upon the county ticket chosen at the November election of that year. This fact certainly indicates his wide popularity and the confidence reprised in him, and stands for evident free of character and sterling worth. He is now an active member of the board and does all in his power to promote the welfare of the county. Almost his entire life has been passed in this community and his creditable record is manifest in the fact that many who have known him from his boyhood are numbered among his stanchest friends.
E. R. C. WOODROW.
The name of this gentleman is insepa- rably interwoven with the history of Mills county, for through many years he was it prominent factor in its progress and devel- opment and up to his death was numbered among its honored and valued citizens. Hle was born on a farm in Guernsey county. Ohio, in the year 1830. the place of his birth being near the town of Byesville. He was one of a family of ten children who grew to adult age among the stern realities of life upon a farm in a comparatively recently de- veloped region. At the age of twenty three years he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Fisk, of Marshall county. West Virginia, and spurred on by the wonderful hardihood and Christian character which seemed to mark the men and women who brought to this country the first evidences of civilization, this young and inexperi- enced, but the hopeful couple set out from the homes of their youth, leaving behind them the friends and associations of childhood. and came to Iowa.
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The journey was made by boat and on the roth of May, 1853, Mr. Woodrow and his wife reached Glenwood. then a small hamlet known as Coonsville. Many hard- ships came to them in the years of the early settlement, and difficult to meet were the trials which they were forced to encounter. It is a very arduous task to establish a new home on a western frontier, deprived of the comforts and privileges of the east, but with brave hearts and resolute spirit Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow undertook the task which they finally successfully accomplished. Four children came to their home and thus added to their labors, but at the same time their lives were brightened by the prattle and happiness of the innocent little ones. Only one of the number, however, is living. namely, Dr. E. G. Woodrow, a successful practicing dentist at Glenwood. In 1877 the wife and mother died, and in 1880 Mr. Woodrow was married to the lady who is now his widow.
Mr. Woodrow was a carpenter by trade and during the first eight years of his life in Mills county he diligently followed that calling in Glenwood. In 1861 he estab- lished a shoe store which he successfully carried on for seventeen years. Subse- quently he embarked in the real-estate busi- ness, in that enterprise being associated with J. E. Nickham up to a short time prior to his death, when Mr. Woodrow practically retired from active life. His career was one of marked diligence and enterprise, and that he won success is due entirely to his own well directed efforts, guided by sound judg- ment and unquestioned honesty.
In 1860 he became a member of the Bap- tist church, was untiring in his work and contributed liberally to its support. He
acted as trustee and deacon and did all in in his power to promote its cause among men. He was also a trustee and the treas- urer of the Iowa Institution for Feeble Minded Children, acting in that capacity un- til 1888, or for a period of eleven years. His Christian character was at once unique and interesting. Common sense and prac- tical judgment predominated and was com- bined with wisdom and a genial and kindly manner which attracted people to him and won their regard and confidence. He was a safe and reliable advisor in common things and many persons will remember his friend- ly council. He listened with patience and careful consideration to the tales of woe and sorrow which were brought to him, and to the best of his ability he pointed the surest way of relief to them. Possessing a deeply religious temperament and strengthened by an unfaltering belief in an over-ruling Prov- idence, he made religion at once a plain, practical thing which became a part of his daily life and not merely a Sabbath observ- ance. To have known him well, to have been familiar with his mental tenderness, his moral traits, his clearness of perception, his accuracy of conclusion, his homely speech, his quaint metaphors, his patient at- tention, and his ready and responsive sym- pathy, was to be impressed with his resem- blance to Abraham Lincoln.
He had a comprehensive knowledge of pioneer life as he had seen it in the west through a period of nearly fifty years. Those who have sat for hours and heard him de- scribe and comment upon the life, the cus- toms and habits of that period, cannot for- get the knowledge they thus obtained of one of the most interesting and eventful epochs of our history. If the reminiscences
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recounted by him in these talks and his ob- servations of minor events and the life of the time could be preserved they would com- prise a volume of rare value to the residents of the community. As a man, a citizen. a friend, a philosopher, a guide and helper among his fellows, his memory will ever be honored in the hearts of all who knew him. He left the impress of his life and character upon the community, its history and its progress. These are a public heritage gra- ciously cherished. His inthience was as a blessed benediction to all who knew him and no history of the community would be com- plete without a record of his career.
EDWIN G. WOODROW.
Edwin G. Woodrow is engaged in the practice of dentistry in Glenwood, and his ability has won him prestige as a represen- tative of the profession. He is numbered among the native sons of the city, his birthi having here occurred on the 30th of Sep- tember. 1864, his parents being Ebenezer R. C. and Mary A. ( Fisk) Woodrow. His father was widely and favorably known in Mills county, where he first settled in 1846. He was prominently identified with the real- estate, loan and abstract business and his name figured conspicuously in connection with transactions along those lines.
.At the age of seventeen Dr. Woodrow en- tered the office of F. M. Shirver, a dentist of Glenwood, who directed his studies for three years, and at the same time he became familiar with the practical work of dentis- try, as well as with the principles of the science. He had acquired a good education in the public schools of his native town. and at the age of twenty years he became a
student in the lowa State University, at lowa City, where he pursued the study of dentistry with unremitting diligence for two years, and on the 21st of March, 1886, he was graduated in that institution with honor. Hle then located in Shenandoah, lowa, where he succeeded Dr. Nance. In this profession he has doubtless found the occupation for which he was intended by nature. He follows the latest and best im proved methods of dentistry and is partic- ularly well qualified especially in the line of crown and bridge work. He has an office supplied with the latest equipments and in- struments, and he is an earnest and enthusi- astic follower of the profession, in which his marked ability and unremitting toil have gained him high rank.
The Doctor is a consistent member of the Baptist church and is active in religious work and in social circles. He possesses considerable musical talent and has had an influence in promoting the musical culture of the city. He is courteous and affable in manner, obliging and kindly in disposition and has the esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. In 1890 he sold his busi- ness in Shenandoah to Dr. Richardson and returned to his native city, where he has already secured a liberal patronage, which is constantly increasing. Ile is a member of the lowa State Dental Society and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraterni- ty, while in his political affiliations he is a Republican.
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