USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 4
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In 1854, while a resident of Ohio, Mr. Gilmore was united in marriage to Miss Cornelia A. Thrift, who was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, March 1, 1836, and died in Tipton, Iowa, in August, 1898. She was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, putting forth earnest and effective effort for its upbuilding and the expansion of its interests. Her life was beautiful in its pu- rity and uprightness, in its kindliness and generosity, and her loss was therefore deeply felt not only by her family but also by many friends. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore were born four children: Margaret, now the wife of E. T. Kingsbury, of Union Grove, Wisconsin; William T., who is his father's successor in busi- ness; Ida, the wife of C. S. Neiman of Tipton; and M. C. Gilmore, an attorney of Ottumwa, Iowa.
Mr. Gilmore was one of the original directors of the Cedar County State Bank. Although he started out in life empty-handed when but fourteen years of age and had but little money when he came to Cedar county in 1856, he is now one of the substantial residents of the county, his well directed thrift and enter- prise winning him a very desirable competency as the years have passed by. HE belongs to Cedar Lodge, No. II, A. F. & A. M., and is an exemplary member of
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the Methodist Episcopal church. His record is a most creditable one because of his close conformity to commercial ethics and his fidelity and loyalty in citizen- ship. He came to Cedar county when the work of improvement and progress was scarcely begun and in all the years which have followed to the present time he has cast the weight of his influence for and has given his support to those movements and projects which have been of material benefit in the promotion of the business interests of the community.
HENRY BRITCHER.
Henry Britcher, busily engaged in farming and stock-raising, his place of two hundred acres adjoining the boundary limits of Clarence, was born in Fairfield township, this county, on the 19th of February, 1869. He is, therefore, hardly yet in the prime of life. His success, however, would be creditable to a man many years his senior, for in business affairs he displays sound judgment and unfaltering industry and his enterprise never wavers at the performance of any task to which he sets himself.
The Britcher family is of English lineage. The father, Jesse Britcher, was born in Kent, England, and grew to manhood in that country. Believing that he might have better business opportunities in the United States, he sailed for New York and was employed for a time as a farm hand in the Empire state. While living there he was married to Miss Ann Smith, also a native of Kent. On leav- ing New York he came at once to Cedar county, Iowa, settling in Fairfield town- ship, and during the first year he worked for a brother and later rented land which he continued to cultivate for several years. During that time he carefully saved his earnings until his economy had brought him capital sufficient to enable him to purchase a farm. His investment made him the owner of two hundred and forty acres in Dayton township, the further development and improvement of which he at once undertook. As the years passed he continued the work of the farm and his efforts were attended with gratifying results. He spent his last years upon that place, passing away in 1902, and is still survived by his wife.
Henry Britcher began his education in the common schools at the usual age, and from his youthful days was trained to the work of the home farm, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that constitute a part of the daily routine of farm life. He remained with his father until twenty-nine years of age and was then married in Story county, Iowa, on the 12th of January, 1898, to Miss Luella Worrell, a daughter of George W. Worrell, who was born and reared in Ohio but when a young man went to Illinois, settling in Earlville. There he was married to Melissa Bagley, a native of that state. About 1870 he came with his family to Iowa and followed farming. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union and did active duty at the front. He reared his family in Story county and was a well known farmer there.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Britcher located in Fairfield town- ship. They had eighty acres of land, on which he built a good dwelling and a substantial barn. Sheds were also provided for the shelter of grain and stock
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and the land was fenced and tiled. He likewise set out an orchard and otherwise added to the attractiveness of the place. He had eighty acres of land which he afterward sold, and in 1909 purchased where he now resides. His present prop- erty is a valuable farm of two hundred acres which adjoins the corporation limits of Clarence. The land is devoted to the cultivation of various crops and annually he gathers rich harvests. He also raises and feeds stock, shipping two carloads of steers and three carloads of hogs each year. He has studied the best methods of caring for the stock so that he sends both cattle and hogs to market in excellent condition and receives a high price therefor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Britcher have been born seven children : Loren A., Myron R., Mary A., Dorothy M. and Charles E., all of whom are yet at home ; Warren, who died in infancy ; and George, who died at the age of six weeks.
In his political views Mr. Britcher is a republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which he and his family belong. He is one of Cedar county's native sons and for forty-one years has been a witness of its development and progress. He has lived to see many changes in the methods of farming as new methods have been introduced and science has thrown light upon the food de- mand of much plant life. At all times he has kept pace with the spirit of prog- ress that is being manifest in farm work and his success has resulted largely therefrom.
SION BRITCHER.
Sion Britcher, proprietor of the Maplehurst Stock Farm, is one of Cedar county's native sons, his birth occurring August 4, 1862, in Fairfield township, his parents being Jesse and Ann (Smith) Britcher, both natives of Kent, Eng- land. The father was reared and educated in the land of his birth and in 1849 came to the United States. It was in March, 1856, that he became a resident of this county and he subsequently purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, his active business life being devoted to agricultural pursuits. He was mar- ried in New York, on the 4th of April, 1855, to Miss Ann Smith, and they be- came the parents of four sons and three daughters, namely : Mary Jane, the wife of Josiah Dorcas, of Tipton, Iowa; James Edward, also a resident of Tipton; Sion, of this review; Anna Elizabeth, the wife of C. G. Sawyer, of Dayton town- ship; Henry, also of Dayton township; Frederick Elmer, living on the old homestead in the same township; and Nellie Belle, who died in infancy. The father died on his farm in Dayton township, July 24, 1902, but the mother is still living and continues to reside there.
Reared on the home farm, Sion Britcher early became familiar with every department of farm work. His early education was obtained in the country schools, later he attended high school at Clarence, Iowa, for three years and the Davenport Business College, from which he was graduated. Previous to taking his business course, however, he engaged in teaching school for two years and afterward continued to follow that profession in this county for four years, but the greater part of his time and attention have been devoted to agricultural pur-
SION BRITCHER AND FAMILY
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suits. He purchased his present farm on section 1, Red Oak township, in 1905, and today has a well improved and highly cultivated place of eighty acres, which is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. He makes a specialty of short- horn cattle and today has twenty head of registered stock, with Fashion Sentinel at the head of the herd.
On the 7th of June, 1893, Mr. Britcher married Miss Lilian Thompson, whose birth occurred January 7, 1867, in Indianapolis, Indiana, where she continued to reside until her marriage. Her parents were Henry L. and Lovina (Dawson) Thompson. The children born to our subject and his wife are as follows: Irma ; Jesse Riley ; Max, who died in infancy ; and Jean.
The republican party has always found in Mr. Britcher a stanch supporter of its principles, but he has never cared for political honors, preferring to devote his entire time and energies to his business affairs. He is public-spirited, how- ever, and takes a commendable interest in the welfare of the community in which he resides.
JAMES L. PORTER.
James L. Porter, busily engaged in the work of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which constitutes his home place, and a tract of eighty acres on an- other section, is numbered among the representative agriculturists of the com- munity. His home is situated in Stanwood and the farm is a well developed property. Since 1879 Mr. Porter has lived in Cedar county and in the three dec- ades which have since elapsed has become widely and favorably known.
He was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, July 20, 1851. His father, William Porter, was also a native of that county, born in 1819, and there he was reared and after arriving at years of maturity he married Isabella Lane, a native of Pennsylvania. He followed farming in the Keystone state and ere their re- moval to the middle west four children were added to the family. In the year 1852 he left the east and, in company with his wife and children, made his way to Warren county, Illinois, settling ten miles north of Monmouth. There he took up his abode upon a farm, on which he reared his children. His death there occurred in October, 1899, and his wife survived him for about three years.
James L. Porter was reared to manhood in Warren county, living upon the farm, so that he early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His education was acquired in the common schools and after he had attained his majority he continued to live for several years with his father whom he assisted in carrying on the work of the fields.
On the 20th of February, 1878, Mr. Porter was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Maley, who was born and reared in Warren county, Illinois, a daughter of W. C. Maley, a native of Virginia, who in young manhood removed westward to Illinois, becoming one of the early settlers of Warren county. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Porter came to Iowa, settling first in Ringgold county, where he carried on farming for a year. He then removed to Cedar county and located on land in Fremont township, first purchasing eighty acres, upon which
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some improvements had been made. He at once began to cultivate and develop that property, upon which he resided for several years, after which he purchased one hundred and sixty acres near by and removed to his new farm. Upon the latter place he erected a good, two-story residence, a substantial barn, double corn cribs and a hog house. He also fenced and tiled the place, set out a grove and some fruit. He has plenty of water upon the place and has a water system whereby water is piped for the stock. In connection with tilling the soil he also raises horses and feeds and fattens from three to four carloads of cattle and two carloads of hogs each year. He also makes a specialty of raising Percheron horses. In 1907 he bought a town residence, since which time he has added to and remodeled the place, and he has since made his home in the town of Stan- wood. For many years, however, he was closely and actively associated with farming interests.
Mr. and Mrs. Porter have five children, namely: Fred L., who is living on the home farm; Bert, a farmer, who married Freda Oetting and has two chil- dren, Merle and Margaret; Warren, who completed the high-school course in 1910; Mary, at home; and Grace, who is now a teacher in the schools of Webster City, Iowa. They lost their oldest child, a son, William M., who was a well edu- cated young man, having graduated from Monmouth College, at Monmouth, Illinois. He died in December, 1908.
The parents are members of the United Presbyterian church of Stanwood. In his political views Mr. Porter is a democrat and is an advocate of the cause of temperance. He has never sought nor desired office, however, preferring to center his energies upon his business interests. He has thus become one of the prosperous and well known farmers and business men of Cedar county, where he has been engaged for a long period not only in general farming but also in breeding and dealing in high grade stock. He is today one of the substantial residents of the county and, moreover, is regarded as a public-spirited citizen, his labors constituting an element in the support of all measures and movements which he deems of public benefit and value.
WILLIAM T. GILMORE.
William T. Gilmore is practically a lifelong resident of Tipton for he was only six weeks old when his parents came to this city, where he has since made his home. He was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, in 1856. At the usual age he entered the public schools, wherein he continued his studies until he had com- pleted the course in the high school by graduation. He next attended the Iowa State College at Ames, from which he was graduated in the class of 1876, hav- ing completed the civil engineering course.
On the completion of his education, Mr. Gilmore joined his father in business as a clothing merchant of Tipton and the partnership was maintained in the father's name until the retirement of William Gilmore in 1893. William T. Gilmore then conducted the business alone for thirteen years and in 1906 admitted
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Edward Roehlk to partnership under the firm style of Gilmore & Roehlk, occupy- ing the same stand where the father had conducted business for so long, their store being located on Fifth street, north of the court house square. They carry a large and well selected line of goods and their store is thoroughly modern in its equipment and appointment, while reasonable prices and honorable dealing secure to them a liberal patronage. Mr. Gilmore is also well known in financial circles in the city, being now vice president of the Cedar County State Bank and a director since the reorganization of the bank about twelve years ago.
Mr. Gilmore has been a member of the city council for the past four years and exercises his right of franchise in support of many measures and movements that have been of significant value to the city. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. Fraternally he is connected with Cedar Lodge, No. II, A. F. & A. M., of Tipton, and with Alhambra Lodge, No. 93, K. P. He pos- sesses those energies which make for personal popularity and has a large circle of warm friends in the community where his entire life has been passed. A lib- eral education well qualified him for life's practical and responsible duties and he has used his knowledge to good advantage in the conduct of his business, so that he is now numbered among the leading merchants of Tipton.
JAMES GEORGE.
James George, now living retired in Stanwood, of which town he is serving as mayor, was for many years one of the prosperous and representative agricul- turists of Fremont township, owning a farm of one hundred and six acres ad- joining Stanwood. The period of his residence in Cedar county covers thirty- five years and he has not only been an interested witness of its growth and devel- opment but also a factor in its upbuilding.
His birth occurred in Delaware county, New York, on the 3d of September, . 1847, his parents being Peter and Jane (Callum) George. The father, a native of Scotland, came to the new world with his parents, the family home being established in Delaware county, New York. He was there married and embarked in business as an agriculturist and dairyman, meeting with success in his under- takings. He passed away in Delaware county in 1870, at the age of sixty-five years, while his wife was called to her final rest about 1900. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters, namely: John, who died while serving as a soldier of the Union army; James, of this review ; Peter, whose demise oc- curred at Chicago in 1909; David; Elizabeth, the wife of Rev. A. G. King, a minister of the United Presbyterian church at Walton, New York; Mrs. Jane Hudson, a widow residing in De Lancey, New York; Mrs. Christina Lombard, a widow who makes her home in Delhi, New York; and Anna, who is now de- ceased.
James George was reared on the home farm in Delaware county and received excellent educational advantages. On putting aside his text-books he began as- sisting his father in the operation of the homestead place and was thus busily engaged until the time of his removal westward. While still a resident of his
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
native county he was married, in March, 1875, to Miss Mary Davidson, who was likewise reared in Delaware county, New York, and there taught school for a number of terms. Soon afterward Mr. George came to Cedar county, Iowa, and purchased a tract of eighty acres near Mechanicsville, to the further cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his attention until the spring of 1892. At that time he disposed of the property and bought one hundred and six acres of land adjoining Stanwood, in the operation of which he was actively and suc- cessfully engaged for about nine years. On the expiration of that period he sold the farm and bought three acres of land and an attractive residence in Stan- wood, where he has since lived retired. During his business career he not only cultivated the best quality of cereals possible but also gave considerable attention to stock-raising and in both branches of activity met with excellent results. He is a stockholder in the Stanwood Bank and has long been numbered among the substantial and leading citizens of the community.
Mr. and Mrs. George are the parents of two children, as follows: Nellie, who is the wife of Charles Hoyman, a stock dealer of Stanwood, by whom she has two children-Verna and Willard; and Laverne, who is still at home. Mr. George is a republican in politics and now holds the office of mayor in Stanwood, giving to the public a most businesslike and progressive administration. He has served as a delegate to county conventions and has also been connected with the school board, the cause of education ever finding in him a stanch champion. His fra- ternal relations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he has acted in various official capacities in the lodge at Mechanicsville. His wife is a devoted member of the United Presbyterian church at Stanwood and he attends its ser- vices and contributes to its support. A man of high worth and sterling integrity, he is widely respected and honored in the community in which he lives.
HENRY EMRICH.
Although for the past two years Henry Emrich has lived retired, he still makes his home in a beautiful residence on his farm in Cass township, Cedar county, but for many years was closely, actively and successfully connected with agri- cultural interests in this section. A native of Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, he was born August 19, 1833, and in both the paternal and maternal lines comes of German ancestry although the families have been represented in the Keystone state through several generations. His parents, William and Catherine (Barger) Emrich, spent their entire lives in Schuylkill county and there reared a family numbering. eight children, as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Statemeyer; William; Joseph; Mrs. Catherine Zerbe; Jacob, who died in Cedar county; Mrs. Lydia Richards, of Lisbon, Iowa; Henry, of this review; and Mrs. Susan Weik, of Pennsylvania. With the exception of the three last named, all have been called to their final rest.
The old home in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, was the playground of Henry Emrich in his boyhood days and the schools of that section afforded him his training for business life. Remaining in the Keystone state until his nine-
Henry Emrich
His Henry Emmeli .
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
teenth year, he then started out to seek a home in the middle west, believing that this new and undeveloped country offered good opportunities to the ambitious young man. In 1852 he made the journey, traveling by steamboat to Muscatine and from that city on foot to Cedar county. He chose Tipton as his place of abode, his first employment there being in a brickyard. Later he worked at the carpen- ter's trade and eventually was employed at the butcher's trade, working at any- thing that would yield him an honest living. During the first year of his resi- dence in Cedar county he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land near Mason's Grove but never lived on the place. He later bought eighty acres more and for some time bought and sold land, thereby making a good profit. His possessions at length aggregated fifteen hundred acres, of which five hundred acres was inherited by his wife from her people. Mr. Emrich has given much of his land to his children but he still owns six hundred and five acres, all in one body. It is located on sections 1, 2 and 12, Cass township, extending from the village of Buchanan to the Cedar river and covering an area of two miles. His residence stands on section 2. For many years Mr. Emrich was actively identi- fied with the work of the farm but for the past two years he has lived retired and rents his land. When he settled in Cedar county he was a poor boy, among strangers, but his wise use of opportunities has gained him the position of wealth that he today enjoys. He has speculated in Missouri, Nebraska and Dakota lands and in this venture has also been very successful.
On the IIth of June, 1864, Mr. Emrich was united in marriage to Miss Mary Cochran, who was born in Portage county, Ohio, December 20, 1833, a daughter of David and Martha (McKeldey) Cochran. The father was born in West Virginia, August 5, 1803, while the mother's birth occurred in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1803. They accompanied their respective parents to Portage county, Ohio, in their childhood days, and it was there that they were reared and married. In 1839 they sought a home in Cedar county, Iowa, and Mr. Cochran bought a preemption claim of George Miller in Cass township. This tract comprised five hundred and sixty acres, on which the father built a log house and barn and otherwise improved the place. This prop- erty is now the home of Mr. and Mrs. Emrich. In 1846 Mr. Cochran made a trip to Oregon and spent several years in the west. He then returned to his home in Cedar county but after four years removed to Nebraska, where his death oc- curred in 1885. The mother died in Cedar county in 1889. They had four chil- dren. Cyrus Austin went to California during the gold excitement in 1849 and later located in Oregon, where he secured a good farm that formerly belonged to his father. He has not been heard from for many years. Mary, now Mrs. Emrich, was the next in order of birth. Urania died at the age of fifteen months, soon after the removal of the family to Cedar county. Libbie died while pursuing a course in Cornell College at Mount Vernon.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Emrich has been blessed with three daughters and two sons, but one daughter died in infancy March 2, 1871. Libbie, the eldest, was a graduate of Coe College at Cedar Rapids, after which she engaged in teach- ing for a number of years. She likewise possessed much talent as an artist and was a highly accomplished young lady. Her death occurred when she was twenty- six years of age. William Austin, the second in order of birth. is married and
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has two children. His son, Marion Clifton, spent two years in the Iowa State University, while his daughter, Ethel Gladys, was graduated from the Newkirk (Okla.) high school with the class of 1910. He makes his home in Buchanan, Cedar county. Frank Ward, a resident of Tipton, is married and has one son, Orville. Mary Arta is the wife of M. Y. Bealer, a resident of Cedar Valley. She is the mother of three children, Erroll Myron, Lois Audrie and Maurice Irving. Mr. and Mrs. Emrich are interested in education and have given to their children liberal advantages in this direction. Mrs. Emrich was a student at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, for two or three years and for several years prior to her marriage engaged in teaching.
At the age of eighteen Mr. Emrich united with the Presbyterian church but there being no church of that denomination in Tipton upon his arrival here he became identified with the Lutheran church. For many years he served as elder in the English Evangelical church and is now a member of the Union church at Buchanan. He has been deeply interested in the moral development of the county and has given generously toward the building of five churches in this section. On national issues he votes the democratic ticket, but at local elections supports the men best qualified for office regardless of party ties. He has never been an office seeker. Although he has acquired wealth, this has not been the sole aim and end of his ambition. He has ever been deeply interested in the welfare of the com- munity in which he has lived for almost six decades, witnessing much of its growth and development and taking active part in all that pertains to its progress. Starting out in life for himself in a strange country, working at anything that would bring him an honest living, his diligence and energy have enabled him to attain prosperity, and with a handsome competence he put aside business cares and he and his estimable wife are now enjoying in retirement the accumulations of profitable, successful and honorable careers.
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