USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 16
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His father, John Onstott, was a native of Pennsylvania, the date of his birth being March 10, 1815. He removed to Ohio with his father, Jacob Onstott, who belonged to one of the pioneer families of Pennsylvania. On going to Ohio he took up his abode in Muskingum county, where John Onstott was reared to manhood and married Miss Mary Young, a native of Morgan county, that state. He had previously learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in early life. In the family were twelve children, three of whom were born in Ohio. In 1851 the parents came with their family to Iowa, settling in Mechanicsville, where the
MR. AND MRS. J. H. ONSTOTT
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father purchased land on which the town now stands. The district that is now thickly covered with good homes and business blocks was then devoted to farming and in connection with the cultivation of the fields he followed his trade and also did considerable repair work. Subsequently in connection with Daniel H. Comstock he laid out and established the town of Mechanicsville, sell- ing lots and erecting several buildings in the town. After rearing his family here, he removed to Pawnee City, Nebraska, where his last years were spent, his death there occurring January 13, 1893.
J. H. Onstott is the eldest of two sons, now living, his brother being John J. Onstott, a contractor and bridge builder of Pawnee City, Nebraska. The subject of this review received common school advantages in his youth and was trained to habits of industry, perseverance and integrity-the lessons of early life bearing rich fruit in later years. The need of his country in 1862 roused his patriotic spirit and on the 28th of July he joined Company H of the Thirty- fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he went to the south, the regiment being assigned to the Trans-Mississippi Department. He was first under fire at Raymond and at Jackson, Mississippi, May 14, 1863, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg, being one of the boys who marched into the city for their 4th of July dinner in 1863. Later they returned to Jackson, taking part in the second battle at that place, July II, 1863, and subsequently were engaged in the three days' fight at Tupelo. At Nashville Mr. Onstott aided in routing Hood's army, after which he went up the Red river on Banks' expedition, his command being known as Smith's Guerrillas. They skirmished along the river and at length joined the command of General Banks. He likewise participated in the battles of Spanish Fort, and Fort Pulaski in April, 1865, near the close of the war. After the fall of Vicksburg he was ill for a time and returned home, his father going to the front for him. As soon as possible, however, he rejoined his regiment and continued on active duty until honorably discharged at Daven- port on the 16th of August, 1865. He went to the front as a corporal and later was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
When the war was over Mr. Onstott returned home and for a time was engaged in farming in different parts of the state. He also engaged in selling sewing machines at Waterloo, Iowa, for sixteen months and later gave his at- tention to speeding horses, following the track for two or three years.
On the expiration of that period he returned home and was married in Cedar county on the 23d of May, 1876, to Miss Julia Rodgers, who was born in Ohio and was reared in Cedar county, Iowa, to which place she came with her parents when a little maiden of three summers. She is a daughter of Ezekiel Rodgers, for years proprietor of the Mechanicsville Hotel. Following his marriage Mr. Onstott conducted a Grange store for two years and subse- quently engaged in clerking for three years. In the fall of 1882, in connection with E. L. Bennett, he bought out an implement business, which he carried on for twenty years. Mr. Bennett was succeeded in the business by D. C. Gilliland, who was Mr. Onstott's partner for thirteen years. He continued in the business until 1902 and ranked with the prominent and progressive business men of the town. He was also one of the stockholders of the State Bank and a stockholder, promoter and director of the Mechanicsville Savings Bank.
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His political allegiance has ever been given to the republican party, his first presidential vote being cast for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 while he was serving with the Union Army in Missouri on the banks of the Osage river. He has ever stood as a stalwart champion of republican principles and on that ticket has been elected to several offices. He has served as township clerk, as a mem- ber of the town board, as mayor of the city, and as postmaster at Mechanics- ville for four years under President Harrison. He was appointed clerk of the board of the independent school district of Mechanicsville in 1882 and that he has been most loyal to the interests of the schools is indicated in the fact that reelection has kept him continuously in the position to the present time. In 1903 he was elected supervisor and by reelection is now serving for the seventh consecutive year, while for one or more terms he has been chairman of the county board. He has frequently been chosen as a delegate to county and state conventions of his party and in fact is recognized as one of the leaders of the republican party in this district.
Mr. Onstott is also prominent in fraternal circles, belonging to Patmos Lodge, No. 155, A. F. & A. M .; Mechanicsville Chapter, No. 134, R. A. M .; Cedar Rapids Commandery, K. T .; and the Mystic Shrine at Cedar Rapids. For years he has served as secretary of the lodge and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit which underlies the craft. He was chosen the first commander of the Grand Army Post at Mechanicsville and has since served as quartermaster. His excellent business ability has gained him prominence in commercial and finan- cial circles. He has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way and he stands high in business and social circles, while Cedar county recognizes him as one of its most public-spirted citizens.
CAPTAIN J. E. BARTLEY.
Cedar county has reason to be proud of the record of many of her native sons and that of Captain J. E. Bartley has been characterized by qualities that are well worthy of commendation. As a soldier of the Spanish-American war, as chief executive of the city and as a business man he has written his name largely on the history of Tipton. A native of this county, Captain Bartley was born in Red . Oak township, October 21, 1866, his parents being George and Mary (Brown) Bartley, the former a native of the state of New York and the latter of Iowa. The mother died in 1877 when about thirty-one years of age, and the father passed away in 1904 at the age of fifty-six years. He was a soldier in the Civil war and although only about seventeen years of age at the time of enlistment, he became a member of Company E of the Ninetieth New York Volunteer Infantry in April, 1865, and served for about nine months. In the fall of that year he re- moved to Iowa and was married in this state. He took up the occupation of farming, which he followed until 1877, when his wife died. He then removed to northwestern Iowa, spending the greater part of his life there.
At his mother's death Captain J. E. Bartley went to live with the maternal grandparents, John and Mary (Cook) Brown, who were natives of New York.
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Removing westward, they settled first in Davenport and later came to this county, where their remaining days were passed. In the family of George and Mary (Brown) Bartley there were five children, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest. The others are: Charles, who is living in Stanwood, Iowa ; William, a resident of Laurens, Iowa; E. C., of Wilton, North Dakota ; and George, who died in Tipton in 1890 at the age of seventeen years.
After going to live with his maternal grandparents, Captain J. E. Bartley. continued his education in the public schools. In 1882 a removal was made to a farm north of Tipton and later the Brown home was established in Tipton. Captain Bartley was graduated from the high school in the class of 1888 and for a half-year was a student in Ames Agricultural College. Both previous and subsequent to that time he engaged in teaching school, continuing to follow that profession in the country schools and villages until 1895. He then took up the occupation of farming, to which he devoted his energies until the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, when he enlisted for service, his wife managing the farm during his absence. The spirit of patriotism sprang up within him and believing in the righteousness of the American cause, he joined the volunteers for active service at the front when war was inaugurated with Spain. He had previously had considerable experience as a member of the National Guard. On the 2d of May, 1887, he had enlisted as a member of Company B of the First Iowa Regiment and in 1896 was elected second lieutenant of Company F of that regiment and it was with that rank that he was mustered into the United States service as a member of the Forty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, the command being stationed at Jacksonville, Florida, from the 14th of June until the 25th of October, 1898. They were then transferred to Savannah, Georgia, where they. remained until the 23d of December, when they embarked for Havana, Cuba, and were on the island until the 5th of April, 1899. They then returned to Savannah and were mustered out on the 13th of May of that year. In November, 1898, Captain Bartley had been promoted to the rank of first lieutenant following the return of the volunteer troops and his resumption of active connection with the state military organization.' He was made captain of Company F of the Fifty-Third Regiment of the Iowa National Guard on the 2d of May, 1900. He has since held that rank and has a well drilled and well trained organization of which he has every reason to be proud while the men of the company declare unswerving allegiance to their captain.
After the war Captain Bartley came to Tipton and in the fall of 1899 was elected county treasurer. He received an endorsement of his first term by re- election at the close of the two years, thus filling the office for four years. On his retirement from that position he turned his attention to the general fire in- surance and real-estate business in connection with L. S. Maxson and C. A. Lee, under the firm style of Bartley, Maxson & Lee. This relation was maintained until the Ist of January, 1909, when Mr. Lee withdrew and the partnership has since been that of Bartley & Maxson. In this connection a liberal clientage has been secured, the firm representing some of the oldest and most reliable fire insurance companies, while in the real-estate field they have handled considerable valuable property and negotiated many important realty transfers.
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Captain Bartley's connection with business and military interests, however, does not comprise the extent of his activities for he has long been recognized as a leader of the republican party in this county and one whose efforts in public office have been of distinct value to his fellow citizens. In March, 1906, he was elected mayor of Tipton and was reelected for a second term, retiring from the office on the 4th of April, 1910. He has also been a member of the board of education, serving at the present time for the second term. It will thus be seen that in every office to which he has been called he has been reelected for a second term. While no man in a political position is free from criticism, his course on the whole has awakened uniform admiration and commendation even from those opposed to him politically.
On the 16th of August, 1892, Captain Bartley was married to Miss Edith Cope, who was born in Iowa township, Cedar county, September 25, 1871, a daughter of Charles and Janette (Guild) Cope. The mother is now deceased but the father resides in Muscatine county, Iowa, having come to this state from his native state of Ohio. Unto Captain and Mrs. Bartley have been born six children : Charles, Mary, Robert, Ruth, John and Frances.
Captain Bartley is a member of the Knights of Pythias and in the different organizations with which he has been connected, political, military and fraternal, he is always popular for his fellow members recognize him as a man who is gen- erally just in his opinions and straightforward in his actions. He has given good service in the various positions to which he has been called and has been prompted in all his acts by a sense of fidelity to duty that is worthy of emulation.
JONATHAN LAHMON.
Jonathan Lahmon, who carries on general farming and stockraising on sec- tion 13, Linn township, is the owner of a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, known as The Sunnyside Stock Farm. The name indicates the character of the business that is there carried on. Mr. Lahmon has resided con- tinuously in Cedar county since September, 1864, arriving here when a young man of about twenty-three years. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 6, 1840, and was there reared upon the farm while fair common-school advan- tages were afforded him. After coming to Iowa he began farming on his own account, renting land which he cultivated for a few years, assiduously applying himself to the work in hand for he knew that in his own labors lay the basis of any success that he might secure.
Mr. Lahmon was married in Linn township, December 24, 1870, to Miss Harriet A. Moffit, a native of Ohio and a daughter of William Moffit, who came to Iowa from Ohio about 1853 and settled in Linn township upon the farm which Mr. Lahmon now owns and occupies. After his marriage Mr. Lahmon rented land and thus carried on farming for several years. He then removed to Adair county, Iowa, where he rented land which he cultivated for six years. Following his return to Cedar county he located upon the Moffit place, known as The Sunnyside Stock Farm, purchasing the interest of the other heirs in this
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MR. AND MRS. JONATHAN LAHMON
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property. He began here with an eighty-acre tract of land but afterward bought another eighty-acre tract, so that he now owns an entire quarter section. He built a good two-story residence, also a large barn, a good granary and corn crib. He has sunk a well, introduced a wind pump and has fenced the entire place. His farm presents a neat and attractive appearance and the fields return good harvests. He also raises and feeds stock, sheep and a large number of hogs each year and sells cattle off the pasture.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lahmon have been born four children: J. W., who is married and resides in Cass township; Jennie M., the wife of E. J. Armstrong, a farmer of Center township; Alta, the wife of Melvin Carr of Linn township; and Stella M., the wife of William T. Johnson of Jones county. The parents are members of the United Brethren church, the house of worship being sit- uated just across the road from their home. Mr. Lahmon is serving as one of the church trustees and they take an active interest in all church work. Polit- ically Mr. Lahmon is a democrat, having always given his support to the party, but has never sought or desired offce. He is one of the prosperous farmers and stock dealers of Linn township and in business affairs has established his place as a representative citizen, progressive and enterprising.
EDWARD E. ROWSER, D. V. S.
Dr. Edward E. Rowser, a well known veterinary surgeon of Clarence, has long enjoyed a lucrative and continually growing practice in this connection. His birth occurred in Red Oak township, Cedar county, Iowa, on the 28th of February, 1868, his father being S. S. Rowser, an old settler of this county, of whom extended mention is made on another page of this volume. He obtained his early education in the district schools of his native township, later attended the high school at Tipton and subsequently entered the Ontario Veterinary Col- lege of Toronto, Canada, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1893-4. In the spring of 1894 he located for practice at Clarence, Iowa, here remaining until 1900, when he removed to Montana. For a year and a half he made his home in that state, the ranch being one hundred miles from a railroad and twenty-five miles from the nearest town-Lewistown. On returning to Clarence he resumed practice here and has since been very successful as a veter- inary surgeon, having built up an extensive and profitable patronage within a radius of fifteen miles.
On the Ist of July, 1901, in Montana, Dr. Rowser was united in marriage to Miss Sadie Buchan, who was at that time visiting in the state. Her father, A. L. Buchan, is an old resident of Clarence, this county. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, on the 16th of August, 1825, was educated in that country and after leaving home followed the sea for thirty-five years. On the 9th of August, 1854, in Canada, he wedded Miss Mary Dee, whose birth occurred in Liverpool, Eng- land, in 1838. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dee were born nine children: Lavinia and Alexander, both of whom are deceased; Mary; Frank; John ; Esther ; Margaret ; Mrs. Rowser ; and Isabelle. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on
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the 6th of November, 1889, her demise occurring at Clarence. Unto Dr. Rowser and his wife has been born a son, Ralph Edward, whose natal day was January 5, 1910.
Dr. Rowser is a stanch republican in politics and for four years capably served as township constable. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Presbyterian church at Clarence. They are well known in social circles and enjoy in large measure the friendship and kindly regard of those with whom they have been brought in contact.
GEORGE S. KOPPENHAVER.
Few residents of Cedar county more richly deserve the proud American title of a self-made man than does George S. Koppenhaver, who, being placed out to work at a very early age, has through the intervening years steadily made his way upward until today he is the owner of a valuable farm and is ranked among the substantial and successful business men of his section. Born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of October, 1865, he is a son of George and Katharine (Wolf) Koppenhaver, natives of Pennsylvania, where the father died when the subject was but a year old. The following year the widowed mother came west to Iowa, now making her home in Mechanicsville. Unable to keep the family together, soon after her arrival in this state she was obliged to put them out to work, placing them in good homes. The children, six in number, are all yet living and are as follows: Charles, residing near Mechanicsville; Alice, the wife of William Sosbe; Emma, who wedded John Onstatt, of Nebraska; Fred, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Eugene, a resident of Buchanan, Cedar county ; and George S., of this review.
The last named was but two years old when brought to Iowa by his mother who, by dint of hard work and strict economy, was able to send him to the schools of Mechanicsville, where he acquired a good education. At the early age of ten years, however, he began working for various farmers in the locality during the periods of vacation, thus assisting in the support of the family, and when fifteen years old he laid aside his text-books altogether, eager to provide entirely for his own support. He began working by the month as a farm hand and continued in that capacity until his marriage, when, in 1894, he purchased his present farm, thus beginning an independent business career. His independence, however, had been won only at the cost of many years of earnest toil and the strictest economy-years, however, which not only gave him a thorough and comprehen- sive knowledge of the field of labor which he had chosen as his life work, but which also taught him many lessons concerning the value of industry, energy and perseverance, qualities which continued to be salient elements in his subse- quent career. His farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres located on section 19, Cass township, and known as the Maple Grove Stock Farm, is a well improved property, its excellent condition being due largely to the well directed efforts of Mr. Koppenhaver. Most of his attention is given to his stock interests, making a specialty of breeding shorthorn cattle, and he has at present in his
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pastures fifty-six high grade animals of that breed, with a fine bull, Golden Chief, at the head of the herd. He also raises Norman horses, and has been so success- ful in the management of his business interests that he is today ranked among the prominent and prosperous stock-raisers of his section of the country.
On the Ist of February, 1894, Mr. Koppenhaver was united in marriage to Miss Ella Herring, who was born in Red Oak township in 1870, a daughter of Albert and Rachel (Boon) Herring. The father is now deceased, while the mother, who still survives, makes her home in Stanwood. To Mr. and Mrs. Kop- penhaver have been born three children: Gladys, Leone and Eva.
Mr. Koppenhaver gives his political support to the republican party, but al- though he has ever been most public spirited in his citizenship, desiring always the best interests of the community, his business affairs have left him little time for participation in public matters, and the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. Starting out in life empty-handed, being thrown upon his own resources when yet a mere lad, he early developed the qualities of enter- prise and self-reliance which have ever characterized his efforts in business life, and the creditable degree of prosperity which he today enjoys is due entirely to his well directed efforts and intelligently applied labor.
FRED GOLDSMITH.
Fred Goldsmith of Clarence, who for the past seven years has been one of the valued members of the county board of supervisors, dates his residence in Cedar county from 1873, at which time he located in Fairfield township. He has since been classed with the worthy and representative citizens of the com- munity and his labors have been a source of public progress as well as of indi- vidual success. His birth occurred in Mecklenburg, Germany, March 20, 1856, and his father, Hans Goldsmith, was also a native of Mecklenburg. He spent his youthful days in that country and there married Elizabeth Horseman. All of their children were born in the fatherland.
Fred Goldsmith was reared in Mecklenburg to the age of seventeen years. He had good common-school advantages in the German language but is self- educated in English, mastering the tongue spoken in this country after coming to the new world. It was in 1873 that he and his brother Henry and two sisters crossed the Atlantic, making their way direct to Cedar county, Iowa, where Fred secured employment as a farm hand by the month. After working in that way for two years he rented land, which he cultivated for seven years, and on the expiration of that period he purchased one hundred and sixty acres, constituting the home farm in Fairfield township. He began the further development of the place and his progressive spirit is indicated in the fact that he afterward erected a large and substantial residence together with three barns, corn cribs, a granary and hog house. His buildings were always kept in a state of good repair and indicated his wise and careful supervision. He also purchased an additional tract of land of two hundred and forty acres in Dayton township, constituting a well improved farm that is now worth two hundred dollars per acre and has one hun-
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dred and twenty acres in Massillon township. He continued to engage actively in the development of his place until 1904 and made a business of raising and feeding stock, fattening and selling about twenty carloads of stock annually. In fact he was recognized as one of the most prominent, extensive and successful stock-dealers in this part of the state. In 1904 he removed to Clarence, where he purchased residence property and for two years was engaged in the real-estate business there but is now living retired.
Mr. Goldsmith was married in Fairfield township on the 9th of April, 1884, to Miss Minnie Meyer, who was born and reared in Germany. They have be- come the parents of eight children : Gus, who is married and is a farmer of Fair- field township; Louis, who is married and follows farming in Dayton township ; Fred; Lena, the wife of Charles Conrad, a resident farmer of Springfield town- ship; Martha, the wife of Chris Hansen of Massillon township, Cedar county, Iowa ; Amanda, Anna and Amelia, all at home.
Mr. Goldsmith is a democrat where national issues are involved but locally casts an independent ballot. He was elected township trustee and by re-election so continued in the office for a number of years. He was chosen a member of the county board of supervisors and is now filling the position for the seventh year, while for one year he was president of the board. He has also been a member of the town board since taking up his abode in Clarence and served as treasurer of the schools of Clarence for one year. He has frequently been a delegate to county and state conventions and is one of the best known men of Cedar county, being closely identified with its growth and development for more than a third of a century. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Clarence and he and his family are members of the German Evangelical church, the teachings of which they loyally exemplify in their daily lives.
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