USA > Iowa > Keokuk County > A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa > Part 31
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Mr. Bridger is one of the substantial citizens of the county, who merits the high esteem in which he is held by all of his fellow-citizens.
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J. CAMPBELL STOCKMAN.
J. Campbell Stockman is a well and favorably known citizen of Keokuk county and now in the evening is living a retired life in the town of Richland. Philip Stockman, his father, was born in 1799 in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of miller, coming to Ohio when he was twenty-one years old. There he engaged in his trade and also was a merchant. In 1851, when living in Harrison county. Ohio, he made a prospecting trip to Illinois, and on his return home stopped in Auburn, Indiana, to visit a son living there, and there took sick and died. The family were all Pennsylvania Dutch in origin. The mother of our subject was Sarah Drummond, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1802. of Irish descent, and she was married to Mr. Stockman in Ohio. She lived to be eighty-three years of age. She was the mother of eight children, of whom seven grew to maturity, only three now living, as follows: Elizabeth A. Briwster, of Ohio; Harrison, of Mis- souri; and the subject of this review.
J. C. Stockman, the third surviving child, was the fourth child and third son of the above family and was born in Belmont county, Ohio, March 1, 1830. In 1857 he came to Keokuk county, Iowa, where he conducted a farm until 1866, when he engaged in the hotel business in Richland for four years. Going back to the country he once more en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he sold out and was post- master of Richland for four years. In 1859 he was an unsuccessful Re- publican candidate for county treasurer. He continued to vote the Re- publican ticket up to 1872, when he voted for Greeley. Thereafter he voted the Democratic ticket up to 1896, when he voted for Palmer and Buckner on the National Democratic ticket. Since then he has taken 110
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active part in politics, not even voting. In 1876 he was the unsuccess- Inl Democratic candidate for county clerk, and two years later made an unsuccessful race for member of county board of supervisors on the Democratic ticket.
Mr. Stockman's marriage occurred in October, 1854. to Mary A. Waggoner, a native of Coshocton county, Ohio. The following children were born to the marriage: John L., who died in boyhood ; David T., now a prominent attorney of Sigourney: Jasper, who died when young ; Emma, the wife of .\. C. Brady; Jessie Frances, who married Marvin Logan and died aged twenty-eight years : Mary, the wife of J. D. Eicher ; Idla, the wife of David Jones; Lizzie, died aged two years; James William, a physician : and twins, who died in infancy. Mr. Stockman, although prominent in many affairs of his city and county, belongs to no order or church. He is well known and respected throughout his county and now in his seventy-second year looks back on a life of well directed efforts.
J. D. WILLIAMS.
One of the prominent citizens of Richland, Keokuk county, Iowa, who has done much toward advancing the interests of the town, is J. D. Williams, who is now mayor of the town. His father was Edward Williams, who was born in New York of Welsh descent and at a very early age came to Illinois, soon removing to lowa. By occupation he was a farmer, and now lives in Louisa county, Iowa. His wife was Lydia Dodder, who is a native of New Jersey and is still living. They were the parents of one child.
Our subject was born in Louisa county, Iowa, August 3, 1861, began
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his education in the common schools, and later attended the Eastern Iowa Normal. For about three years thereafter, he was clerk in a store, then had a very pleasant clerkship in a store in Jefferson county, Iowa, and in 1884 he came to Richland, where he was manager of a general store for Mr. Swayze. He held this place until 1893, when he bought out the store and entered the clothing business. In 1888 he married Mary Swayze, the daughter of Dr. H. A. Swayze, and they are the parents of three children, Cedric S., Eloisa, and an unnamed infant.
Mr. Williams was prominent in different local offices for nine years, is now serving his fourth year as mayor of Richland, and is a member of the county central Republican committee. He is a prominent member of Richland Lodge No. 38, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and has been secretary of the Richland Land and Improvement Company since it was organized in 1895. In company with nine other men he bought the Wasson farm near the town of Richland and laying it out in lots made it an addition of the town, now an admirable portion of the town. In 1897 Mr. Williams built one of the finest residences of the town. He fills his office very energetically, being always on the lookout for some op- portunity to advance the interests of the town of which he has been elected head.
JOHN O. KEEP.
Among the farmers of Keokuk county who after years of close connection with the business interests of this portion of the state are now living retired, is numbered John O. Keep, who was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, on the 9th of August, 1840, but sought in the west the business opportunities which have enabled him to attain to a
Jahn O. Keep
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position of affluence. His father, Marcena Keep, was also born in the Keystone state and there spent his early childhood. Ite followed the occupation of farming and in 1823 was united in marriage, in Pennsylvania, to Polly Hewitt, a native of one of the New England states. They became the parents of eleven children, nine sons and two daugliters, as follows: Abner N .: Oliver D., deceased; Prosper J .. who has also passed away; Amos K. deceased; Asa H .; Reuben F., Sally L .; Alsinus, deceasad; John Q., of this review; Olive R., and Edmund E. The father of this family passed away in Pennsylvania on the 7th of August. 1876, at the age of seventy-four years. He was a stalwart supporter of the Republican party and at one time held men- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church, while later lie became iden- tified with the Wesleyan Methodist church. Subsequently, however, he returned to the denomination with which he was first identified. He ever lived an earnest, Christian life and commanded the respect of his fellow men by his fairness, justice and loyalty to truth.
John O. Keep was reared in Pennsylvania, where he remained until April, 1861, and then sought a home in the Mississippi valley, making his way to LaSalle county, Illinois. On the 23d of the same month he offered his services to the government, responding almost im- mediately to his country's call for troops after the fall of Fort Sum- ter. This company, however, was disbanded and he later enlisted on the Ist of June, 1861, as a member of Company H, Twentieth Illinois Infantry, serving with his regiment until the battle of Fort Donaldson, where he was wounded and taken to the hospital. Being disabled for further field service, he was mustered out on the 22d of July, 1862.
After his discharge Mr. Keep returned to Illinois, where he re- mained for a short time, and then went back to Pennsylvania. where
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on the 8th of November, 1862, he was married. He then brought his bride to lowa, taking up his abode in Keokuk county. He has lived in various localities in this part of the state and in the spring of 1864 he settled upon the farm where he now makes his home, it having been his place of residence for thirty-eight years. The lady who bears his name was in her maidenhood Miss Amelia A. Stoddard, a native of Pennsylvania. Three children, a son and two daughters, were born unto them: Inez M., who died in infancy; Nellie B., the wife of George Skidmore: and Richard O.
Mr. Keep has always been a staunch advocate of the Republican party since its organization, and keeps well informed on the issues and questions of the day. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Springfield, and his life has ever been in consistent harmony with his professions. Both he and his wife enjoy the highest regard of all who know them. Having long resided in Keokuk county, they have a very wide acquaintance here. Mr. Keep has always carried on agricultural pursuits as a source of livelihood, and his farm, neat and attractive in appearance, indicates the careful supervision of the progressive owner. He is now largely leaving its cultivation to others while he is enjoying a well-merited rest.
LAFAYETTE BROLLIAR.
Mr. Brolliar is a well known mill owner and grain shipper, of Rich- land. He has made his own way in life, and is especially de erving of credit. Coming here in the early days when business was brisk, he did not shun any work which chanced to fall to him. Especially as a mill-wright and a carpenter he found demand for his services and found
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profitable employment. He has also engaged in farming with fair results. Mr. Brolliar comes of a highly respected German family, and one distinguished by its industry and enterprise. His grandfather, Chris- tian Brolliar, was of a well known Dunkard family, and was born and reared in Germany. . At an early date he came to this country and settled in Pennsylvania, where he resided for many years. A hard working man all his life, he won for himself a comfortable competence.
Christian Brolliar, son of Christian and father of Lafayette, early caught the pioneer spirit and took a leading part in the building up and settling of the middle west. Born in Pennsylvania, he spent his early days in that state. As a wise provision for the future in his youth he learned the trades of a carpenter and a mill-wright, at which he in time became very proficient. Perceiving a good opening for him and his crafts in the newly settled districts of Ohio, in his young manhood he went there and located in Knox county. Here he found plenty of work and commanded good wages. After some time he crected a mill of his own near Ankenytown, and there engaged in the milling business. The industry proved a profitable one and he continued it for some years. In 1844, impressed with the excellent business openings in the new territory of Iowa, which was being so rapidly settled at that time, he disposed of his Ohio property and came to Keokuk county. Settling upon a place about two and one-half miles west of the town of Richland, he proceed- ed to make the acquaintance of the new section. After two years, how- ever, his career was cut short by an early death, which occurred at the age of sixty. During his early manhood, while still living in Pennsyl- vania. he married Mary Brant, who was born in Pennsylvania and was of German descent, coming of a highly respectable Dunkard family. She was a great assistance to her husband in his different undertakings:
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she died at the advanced age of eighty-two. By this marriage there were thirteen children, of whom Lafayette was the eleventh. One died in infancy ; the others grew to maturity. As an able business man and one of marked integrity Mr. Brolliar commanded the respect of all who knew him. H was a substantial member of the German Baptist church. and took a leading part in its various activities.
Lafayette Brolliar was born in Ankenytown, Knox county, Ohio, May 18, 1834. and received part of his early rearing and education in that state. At the age of eleven years he moved with his parents to Keokuk county, lowa, where in the little log building of the neighbor- hood he finished his schooling. Though his educational advantages were limited, in the crude pioneer schools he nevertheless was trained to habits of self-reliance, industry and alertness, which mark so prominently his mature manhood. He remained under the sheltering influence of his parental home until he attained his majority, but previous to this, in fact at the early age of fourteen, took up for himself life's active duties. Having inherited a knack for handicrafts, and from his childhood been familiar with his father's trades, carpentry and the work of a mill-wright. he followed these in his own township, which was being so rapidly built up. Displaying skill, he assisted many a farmer in the erection of his first frame house or cabin. Later he was enabled to secure work in more pretentious towns and 'villages, and during his young manhood worked steadily for some time at erecting dwellings and mills in Dallas and Guthrie counties. He married Emily J. Wayman, who was born and reared in Seneca county, Ohio, and they have had ten children : Eber : Ella, the wife of Alonzo Wade; Della, who married Jesse Spur- geon ; Sherman is now deceased: John has been married to Ella Smith. daughter of W. H. Smith: Anna. now Mrs. Hedge, who resides in Oska-
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loosa ; Sada is the seventh child ; Nina has married Bert Nason, of Ollie; Tima, to Fred Duke, of Richland; Jennie, married Curtis Remil.
As a skilled workman Mr. Brolliar spent considerable time during his younger days as a mill-wright, and many mills in southern Iowa still stand as evidences of his proficiency as a builder. Besides working at his trades he has for some years engaged in farming, and about the time of his marriage located on a place west of Richland, where he carried on agriculture with marked success for five years. Later he moved to a farm in Jackson township, which he worked with even better results for about eleven years. Then he moved to Richland, where he has since resided. Throughout his mature life he has been engaged more or less in milling, and after coming to Richland he has turned his main attention to this .industry. He purchased in 1900 his present large grist-mill. He is also interested in a grain elevator at Woolson. Mr. Brolliar has ever evinced a keen interest in things pertaining to the good of the county and is counted upon as one of the public spirited men. Always true to his convictions he is independent in politics. A man of decided opinions, forceful and energetic, lie com- mands the respect of all who know him.
DAYTON GREESON.
Dayton Greeson, a wealthy citizen of Richland, now living in retirement at his handsome residence, which he erected in 1902, has made his money in the stock-raising business, and the profitable agri- cultural industry of his county. Coming here in the early days, when quite young, he grew up with the country, and becoming well acquainted in the vicinity, secured in his young manhood some of the best land in 54
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the market. Here he made his home and his fortune. He was born in Morgan county, Indiana, September 25, 1845, and is the son of Levi and Louisa (May) Greeson.
His grandfather, George Greeson, was of German descent, but was born and reared in North Carolina, and there upon reaching manhood he married. He resided in this state for some time after his marriage, but later moved to Indiana. By occupation he was a farmer, and very success- ful in his line. Levi Greeson, father of Dayton, possessed the energy and force of character which eminently fitted him for pioneer life, and in Keokuk county, which in the early days he took a hand in opening to settlers, he was favorably known and long remembered. Born in North Carolina, he was but nine years old when his parents moved to Indiana. It was in this new country that he was mainly reared and educated. Here in Morgan county upon reaching manhood he married Louisa May, who was born in North Carolina, daughter of George Daniel May, also born in North Carolina, who in later life became a pioneer settler of Keokuk county, Iowa. Mrs. Greeson was of German descent. She
died in Keokuk county. To her and her husband were born six child- ren, four daughters and two sons; four are now living. Soon after his marriage, in 1848, Mr. Greeson came to Iowa and in Keokuk county purchased forty acres of good land and settled down as a farmer. He made many improvements on his property, and in time it became very valuable. He lived to the age of sixty-seven years. As a man of influ- ence in the new settlement, he took an active interest in public affairs, and served very efficiently as trustee of his township for some time. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church, where he was a zealous worker.
Dayton Greeson, being but three years old when his parents settled in
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the township of Richland, Keokuk county, was mainly reared in that vi- cinity. Here, in the little log schoolhouse, which stood one and one-half miles east of Richland, and in the schools of Richland he received his education, which has served him well for all practical business pur- poses. For some time after leaving school he assisted his father on the home place. Then, March 8, 1868, he married Eliza Greenlee, who was born in Clear Creek township, Keokuk county, lowa, August 27, 1848, youngest of the seven children of John and Nancy ( Blue ) Green- lec. Like her husband she was reared in the county, and received her education in one of the log schoolhouses. To Mr. and Mrs. Greeson have been born ten children, six living and four dead: Grant, who has never married and lives at home ; John L., who married Harriet Sellars, a livery man in Richland ; Martin Levi, who married Cora Mitts, and is engaged in farming on the home place; William, also a farmer, married Mollie O. Swalt; Lulu, who has never married and lives at home; Frankie, who also lives at home; and the following are deceased : Har- ry : Wayte G. ; Mary H. ; and one child who died in infancy.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Greeson settled upon a farm four miles north of the town of Richland, where he engaged in farming very suc- cessfully for seven years. Then finding a more desirable location one and one-half miles north of the village, he purchased it and moved there. Here he spent the best years of his life. Having by this time accumu- lated some wealth he erected, in 1883. a substantial house and barn at the cost of about five thousand dollars. Here he began stoek raising, and in: 1889 undertook the breeding of short-horn cattle. Of these he made a specialty for some years, and shipping them to eastern markets, secured good prices. Keeping himself well informed upon everything pertaining to stock raising, he met with few, if any, drawbacks in his
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business and realized from it in time immense profits. Having from time to time made new land purchases he now owns four hundred acres of the best land in Richland township.
For over fifty-four years Mr. Greeson has been a resident of the county, and having kept steadily on the rising plane through life, he has won the confidence and respect of his community at large. He has achieved success in life mainly by confining his efforts to one partic- ular field of labor.
Mr. and Mrs. Greeson are members of the Methodist church, and in politics he is a staunch Republican.
A. C. BRADY.
It is ever a pleasure to note the vicissitudes of one who has wrought his way under difficulties, and without the usual advantages for suc- cess in the branch of human endeavor which may have elicited his interest. Conspicuous among the self-made men of Keokuk county is the man whose name heads this review. He is at the present time the leading dry goods merchant of the town of Richland. The birth of Mr. Brady occurred in the Buckeye state, where he was born in Belmont county, February 8, 1858. T. F. Brady, his father, was a native of the same county ; here he grew to manhood and engaged in agricultural pur- suits until 1869, when he removed to Iowa, and settled with his family Pleasantplain; his father before him was a native Irishman. On the mother's side our subject is also of Buckeye stock, her maiden name hav- ing been Margaret Tracy. She was born and reared in Belmont county and is still living at an advanced age. She is the mother of four sons, all of whom are living. Albert C., lives in Jefferson county, where he
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is a prominent farmer : our subject is the second son; William .A., of Richland: John M. is in the employ of the government at Washington, D. C.
Of this family Mr. Brady, our subject, is the second child, and was a lad of ten years of age when the family came to Iowa. He received his education in the common schools, it being supplemented by a course at the Pleasantplain Academy. His first business venture was as a dealer in eggs and produce throughout the country. In 1883 he located in Richland, and in connection with his brother. W. A., established the present dry goods business. This firm continued to do business until 1895, when W. A. sold his interest to D. J. Jones, since which time the style of the firm has been Brady and Jones. In connection with this dry goods business, Mr. Brady is also interested in connections with his brother, W. A., in a wool business. They are the largest buyers in the county, and have been instrumental in encouraging the sheep business in this part of Iowa. Another business connection of our subject is as a director in the Union State Bank of Richland. He is also one of the proprietors of the Richland Telephone Company.
He married in 1884, in Keokuk county, Miss Emma Stockman, the daughter of J. C. and and Mary \. Stockman, of Richland. To this marriage were born four children: Mildred: Louise and Lucile. twins; Alonzo C., Jr. : all of whom are young people at home. In fra- ternal affiliations Mr. Brady is a Knight Templar Mason, belonging to the commandery at Washington, Iowa. He is a shriner of Kaaba Tem- ple. Davenport. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his family are esteemed members of the Methodist church. In matters of politics Mr. Brady supports the policies of the Republican party, and takes an active interest in the civil life of his
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community, having held some of the offices of trust connected with the city organization. Mr. and Mrs. Brady and their interesting family arc honored and highly respected citizens of their community. Mr. Brady's business transactions have been attended with a high degree of success, which may be ascribed to his close application and to his untiring industry.
WESLEY W. ALLEN.
It is altogether fitting that the interests of Uncle Sam should be en- trusted to a member of the old soldier fraternity, for none will guard those interests more carefully than he who spent time and energy in the successful effort to maintain unbroken the Constitution of our fathers. The matter of reward for services thus rendered is a perfectly proper consideration for the appointing power, and should have great weight ; but the man whose loyalty prompted him to leave home 'and family and friends in 1861 to save the government from destruction will indubitably prove to be a safe conserver of the interest of that government in any particular department. There is a goodly number of the "boys in blue" in Keokuk county, though their ranks are fast being decimated by the great destroyer. They are a noble band of men, and of their number is the gentleman whose name forms a caption for this paragraph, and who has been for the past five years the efficient postmaster of the town of Richland.
Mr. Allen is one of the old residents of the county, and was born in the state of North Carolina, December 7. 1839. His father. Peter Allen, was a native of the same state and was by occupation a carpenter. He died at the comparatively early age of thirty years, when our hon-
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ored subject was six years of age. The family are of Scotch origin and had lived in North Carolina for generations. On the maternal side the mother, Rebecca Hadley, was also a native of North Carolina. In May of 1846 she, with her family of four children, came to Iowa and located in Richland township. She was later joined in marriage to a prominent farmer of the township, Mr. John Mills, and became the mother of three other children. She died at the age of about sixty-six years in the state of Kansas, where she had removed with her husband.
Mr. Allen is the eldest of the first family of children, and was about seven years of age when he came to Keokuk county, where he passed his entire life time. His later youth was passed in the home of his grandfather, he remaining there until he was nineteen years of age. At that date the Civil war was in progress, and his inherent patriotism prompted him to offer his services to the government. He enlisted in Company F, Thirty-third Iowa Infantry and for three long years was found at his post of duty as a private soldier during the first part of his service, and later he received appointment as second corporal, in which position he served until his discharge at the close of the war. His service was mostly in the west, where he participated with his regi- ment in most of the principal engagements. He received his honorable discharge at Davenport, Iowa, and returned to his home to take up the occupations of peace. He began farming for himself in 1866, when he went to Miami county, Kansas. Here he remained for a period of five years, engaged in agricultural pursuits successfully, but conchiding tilat Keokuk county was a better field for operations, he returned and set- tled in Richland township. He bought a farm in Richland township and cultivated it for some three years, when he sold out and moved to the town of Richland and engaged in the insurance business. Mr. Allen
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