USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 63
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F. M. BAKER.
F. M. Baker owns and operates two hundred acres of land which is located on section 19, Rochester township, and formerly constituted the old homestead farm. This was also the place of his birth, which occurred October 13, 1864. The family was established in Cedar county at an early day by Martin Baker, who was the first preacher in Cedar county, belonging to the Christian denom- ination. He wedded Miss Katharine Simpson, and their union was blessed with three daughters and four sons, the latter being Nathaniel, William, John and Martin. Both Mr. and Mrs. Martin Baker died in this county.
John Baker, the father of our subject, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, September 18, 1822, and was a lad of fourteen years when he was brought by his parents to Cedar county, the year 1836 witnessing their arrival in this state. He was reared to farm life and upon reaching years of maturity entered a tract of land on the northeast quarter of section 20, Rochester township. This he developed and improved and added to his possessions until he had two hundred acres. Like his father, he became a prominent citizen of this section of the state. He chose as a life companion Miss Sarah Elizabeth Howe, who was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, on the 18th of April, 1828. She came to Cedar county in 1842 with her parents, Nathan and Maria Matilda (Stark) Howe, both of whom were natives of New York. They spent the remainder of their lives in Rochester township, passing away here.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Baker were born ten children, namely: Jasper T., of California ; Malissa, deceased ; McNathan, a resident of South Dakota; Mrs. Matilda Duncan, now deceased; William, a resident of Muscatine, Iowa; John, who died at the age of five years; Mrs. Elizabeth Snider, of Muscatine; Mrs. Annie Artz, who lives in Moscow township, Muscatine county; F. M., of this review; and Mrs. Emma Heabner of Rochester township. The father died January 6, 1892, but the mother is still living and makes her home on the farm with her son F. M. She has now reached the advanced age of eighty-two years, having for sixty-eight years been identified with the interests of Cedar county, so that she can relate many interesting incidents of early times.
F. M. Baker was reared on the home farm and was trained in the work of the fields from his early youth. He now owns the homestead of two hundred acres and the improvements which are here found have all been made by him
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self and his father. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising and in his work follows the most practical and modern methods, so that each year his labors are rewarded by excellent results.
Mr. Baker chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Emma May Pratt, their wedding being celebrated in 1889. She was born in Rochester township, April 17, 1867, her parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Minic) Pratt, who were natives of New Jersey and Virginia respectively, having come to Cedar county in 1866. The father died here in 1898, at the age of seventy-two years, but the mother still survives and makes her home in Wilton Junction. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been born four daughters and three sons: Pearl, the wife of Ralph Long, of Rochester township; Clarence C .; Grace J .; Ethel Marie ; Joseph L .; Vera Elizabeth ; and Frank D.
Mr. Baker is a Mason, belonging to the order at Rochester. He likewise belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen at Wilton and to the Grange at Prairie Bell. He has made good use of his opportunities, has prospered from year to year and at the same time has so conducted his business matters as to gain the full esteem and confidence of his fellowmen.
WILLIAM H. HANNA.
William H. Hanna, one of the enterprising and successful agriculturists of Sugar Creek township, living on section 22, was born in Center township, Cedar county, on the 22d of February, 1855. His parents were Washington McNeil and Mary Agnes (Walkup) Hanna, both of whom were natives of Greenbrier county, West Virginia, the former born December 30, 1822, and the latter on the 16th of November, 1829. They were married in their native state, February 13, 1850, and in November, 1851, came to Iowa, casting in their lot among the early settlers. The father entered land in Center township and began trans- forming the wild prairie into highly cultivated fields. It looked then, however, as if the prairies would never be settled; that the acreage was so vast; that enough people would never come to this region to claim and improve it. The deer ate the corn out of the cribs and there were various wild animals and much wild game to be found in the neighborhood. Mr. Hanna became the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of land and in addition to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate gave considerable attention to raising cattle and horses. He continued to make his home in Center township until his death, which occurred April 3, 1904. Mrs. Hanna died on the 4th of November, 1892, in Center township.
They reared a family of five children. - Elizabeth Hamilton, the eldest, was born July 21, 1853, and became the wife of John F. Handley, who is now de- ceased, while his widow resides in Greenfield, Iowa. William H. is the second in order of birth. Marietta Caroline, born October 16, 1858, was married in November, 1883, to D. R. Alexander and now resides in Ivanhoe, Oklahoma. David W., born June 10, 1860, was married in December, 1883, to Carrie Gay, who is now deceased. He lives at Miller, South Dakota. Joseph Walkup, born
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April 11, 1865, was married in October, 1906, to Jennie Courtney at Beaver City, Oklahoma, and they reside at Ivanhoe, that state.
William H. Hanna was reared on the old homestead and has spent his en- tire life in Cedar county. His boyhood experiences were those which usually fall to the lot of farm lads. He attended the district schools for the acquire- ment of his education. For one year he was a student at Cornell College, Mount Vernon, and in 1876 was graduated from Bryant & Stratton Business College at Davenport. For five terms he taught in the schools of Center township, this county. In the periods of vacation he worked in the fields and thus received practical training, which qualified him for the active duties of life which he as- sumed on attaining manhood. He has always devoted his life to farming and now operates one hundred and ninety-five acres of land, which belongs to his wife, she having inherited the same as her share of her father's estate.
It was on the 12th of February, 1879, that Mr. Hanna was united in mar- riage to Miss Laura F. Walton, who was born in her present home on the 27th of May, 1859, and is a daughter of James C. and Caroline Walton, of whom ex- tended mention is made on another page of this volume. All who know Mr. and Mrs. Hanna-and they have an extensive circle of friends-speak of them in terms of high regard, for their upright lives have ever merited the good will and friendship of those with whom they have come in contact. Mrs. Hanna is a member of the Christian church.
SAMUEL A. WILSON.
For the past six years Samuel A. Wilson has been a resident of Mechanics- ville and his attention has been given in considerable measure to buying and shipping stock, his business interests being carefully managed and successfully conducted. Previous to this time he made his home upon a farm which he still owns and which is conveniently located a half mile south of the village, in Pi- oneer township. It was in that township that Mr. Wilson first opened his eyes to the light of day, his birth occurring March 3, 1863. His father, William Wil- son, was a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and a son of Samuel Wilson, who cast in his lot with the early settlers of Cedar county, Iowa, in 1848. There were few men within its borders at that period and evidences of the former Indian occupancy were frequently seen. Considerable wild game was still to be found and some wild animals still occupied their former haunts. The land was just as it came from the hand of nature and the forest growth and the wild grasses remained untouched. To this favored region came William Wilson, who purchased land in Fremont township and developed a farm. Later he sold that property and bought a tract in Pioneer township, near Mechanics- ville. He completed the house, which had already been begun, fenced his fields and cultivated his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which he made a valua- ble property. After rearing his family thereon he rented his land and removed to Mechanicsville, where he now resides at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. His wife, at the age of seventy-one years, is a well preserved lady and
MR. AND MRS. S. A. WILSON
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both are enjoying good health. Of their children three are yet living: Mary L., now the wife of Albert Johnson, of Mechanicsville; Emma, the wife of R. D. Welton, a farmer of Pioneer township; and Samuel A.
Upon the home farm near Mechanicsville Samuel A. Wilson spent his youth- ful days and the public schools afforded him his educational privileges. His knowledge, however, has been largely supplemented by reading, observation and experience, for in the school of life he has learned many valuable lessons. He remained with his father until after he had attained his majority and was mar- ried. It was on the 8th of March, 1888, that he wedded Miss Elizabeth Ethell, who was born and reared in Muskingum county, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas Ethell, who there reared his family and spent his last days.
Following his marriage Samuel A. Wilson settled on his farm south of Me- chanicsville, rebuilt and remodeled the home there, put up a good barn and fenced his fields. In fact the work of improvement was carried on along mod- ern and progressive lines and stock-raising and feeding formed an important feature of his business. He raised the largest and heaviest weight calf on record, the weight at twelve months being twelve hundred and ninety pounds. In 1904 he rented his land and removed to Mechanicsville, where he is now associated with Frank Leech in buying and shipping stock, conducting an exten- sive business. He also became one of the promoters and is one of the stock- holders and directors of the Mechanicsville Savings Bank. He owns two resi- dence properties in town and the prosperity which he enjoys is indicative of a life well spent in its devotion to practical and high ideals in business, his unfal- tering labor and keen discernment winning him gratifying success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been born a daughter, Dollie Mae, now a student in Coe College in Cedar Rapids. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Presbyterian church of Mechanicsville and the various auxiliary societies, in the work of which she takes an active and helpful part. Mr. Wilson belongs to the Masonic fraternity and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of the craft. Both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star. A democrat in his political views, he has served as a delegate to county and state conventions and his opinions carry weight in the local councils of the party. He has served on the town board and on the petit and grand juries and wherever the best interests of the community are involved he may be found as a stanch supporter of projects and measures for the general good. His friends find him a genial gentleman, never too busy to be cordial or too cordial to be busy.
VERNON C. WALTON.
Vernon C. Walton is the owner of Far View Stock Farm, one of the valu- able properties of Cedar county, and is also a representative of the oldest family of this county. He was born July 19, 1869, near his present home in Sugar Creek township, a son of James C. and Caroline (Copeland) Walton. He has continuously resided in the same township and his entire life has been devoted to farming. In his youthful days he attended the district schools of the neigh-
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borhood and through the periods of vacation he aided in the work of the fields until his practical training and wide experience well qualified him to take charge of a home of his own. He is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land situated on sections 23 and 26, which constitutes a part of his father's estate of nine hundred acres. The dwelling upon the place was erected by his father, while the outbuildings have been built by the present owner. He carries on general farming and stock-raising. The farm is appro- priately named from the fact that there is a fine view to be obtained from his home. One can see twenty miles over the country on a clear day, looking south over a beautiful stretch of prairie land with its well developed fields giving promise of abundant harvests. Everything about Far View Stock Farm is kept in excellent condition. The buildings are always in a state of good repair and all of the features of a model farm of the twentieth century are here to be found.
On the 19th of November, 1896, Mr. Walton was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Bell Jennings, who was born in Rochester township, Cedar county, May 9, 1877, a daughter of James and Almira Jennings, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Walton resided with her parents until her marriage, which has been blessed with three children: Carrie Caroline, Eliz- abeth Fern and Lonnie Vernon.
The parents are members of the Christian church of Lime City and Mr. Wal- ton gives his political support to the republican party, the principles of which he earnestly advocates, believing that its platform contains the best elements of good government.
JAMES JENNINGS.
James Jennings, who was a prosperous and substantial citizen residing on section 29, Rochester township, claimed Ohio as his native state, his birth oc- curring in Montgomery county on the 29th of October, 1829. He was only three years old, however, when he removed to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, with his parents, Levi and Abigail (Corey) Jennings. They had two children who died when small and our subject is the only one of the family who lived to years of maturity. After residing in Indiana for some years, Levi Jennings brought his wife and child to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1852, and here the parents of our subject continued to make their home until death. The family located on the farm now owned and occupied by our subject.
On starting out in life for himself Mr. Jennings became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 29, Rochester township, but at his death, which occurred August 18, 1910, he owned two hundred and forty acres in the home place. This is a valuable and well improved property, having two sets of farm buildings upon it. He also owned another farm of two hundred and one-half acres in Rochester township; fifty acres of timber land on section 12 near Rock Village; and thirty-seven acres of timber on Cedar river, section 31, Rochester township, making a total of five hundred and twenty-seven acres in that township. He was ever a hard-working, energetic farmer until about
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four years ago, when he was compelled to retire, owing to a stroke of paralysis. In business affairs he was always systematic, progressive and reliable and to these characteristics as well as to his industry may be attributed his success.
In 1850 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Jennings and Miss Almira Bar- nard, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, March 21, 1832, and con- tinued a resident of that state up to the time of her marriage. She died here on the 18th of November, 1889. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jennings are as follows: Melissa L., now the widow of George Adams, a resident of Roches- ter township; Sophrona, the wife of Gilpin Wilkinson of Iowa City, Iowa; Eunice A., the wife of Jeff Carney of Iowa township, this county ; Helena, who is on the home farm; John Francis, a resident of Sugar Creek township; Min- nie O., the wife of Charles Pieper of Iowa township; Arthur E., of Rochester township; and Elizabeth B., the wife of Vernon Walton of Sugar Creek town- ship.
Mr. Jennings never let his business interests interfere with his religious duties and for over fifty years he served as a local preacher in the Christian church but retired from the ministry ten years ago. He also took a very active and commendable interest in public affairs, being identified with the greenback party in early life and later with the republican, but subsequently voted inde- pendent of party ties, supporting the men whom he believed best qualified to fill the office. For several terms he served as justice of the peace and his deci- sions were always pronounced without fear or favor. He was a prominent mem- ber of Rochester lodge, A. F. & A. M., and throughout all his life was identified with all progressive movements which he believed calculated to advance the in- terests of his fellowmen or promote the welfare of his adopted county and state.
ALBERT B. WALTON.
Albert B. Walton, carrying on general farming on section 36, Sugar Creek township, was born July 18, 1877, in the township which is still his home. He is a representative in the third generation of the oldest family in the county, his grandfather having been the first white settler within its borders. The work instituted by this worthy pioneer was continued by the father and is still being carried on by his son whose name introduces this review.
In his youthful days according to the course mapped out for him by his parents Albert B. Walton attended the public schools and performed such part of the farm work as his age and strength qualified him for. He continued to assist in the cultivation of the old homestead property until his marriage and then began farming on his own account on a part of his father's estate. He came to his present home in 1903, having here the northwest quarter of section 36, Sugar Creek township. It is a well improved property, his home being sit- uated about two miles northwest of Wilton. The place is altogether an attrac- tive one, equipped with modern conveniences and supplied with the latest im- proved machinery whereby the farm work is greatly facilitated.
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In 1900 Mr. Walton was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Evans, who was born in Sugar Creek township, June 2, 1881, and is a daughter of John H. and Christiana Evans, residents of the same township. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Walton has been blessed with one child, Albert Volney. Both are well known in the community where they reside and have a large circle of warm friends who entertain for them a kindly regard. Recently Mr. Walton has built a fine resi- dence of eight rooms upon his place, and in 1908 he built a barn fifty-five by seventy feet with sixteen foot posts, which was built of native lumber taken from his place and sawed by a portable mill. In all that he does he is actuated by a spirit of progress and thus keeps in touch with the trend of modern ad- vancement in all of his work.
CHARLES S. NEBERGALL.
Charles S. Nebergall is the owner of Burr Oak Stock Farm, comprising five hundred acres, on which stands one of the finest and most modern country homes in Cedar county. It is situated on sections 28 and 33, Center township, and a por- tion just across the line in Rochester township. He dates his residence in Cedar county from 1862, for he was brought here when but a year old, his birth having occurred February 24, 1861, in Nicholas county, West Virginia. His parents, A. J. and Margaret (McCue) Nebergall, were likewise natives of West Virginia, whence they removed to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1862, the father establishing his home on a portion of the land which is now owned by our subject. For many years he was identified with the agricultural interests of this section of the state and became one of the county's most prominent and respected citizens. Unto him and his wife were born four children: J. W., who died on a farm adjoining that of his brother, in 1903, when he was forty-eight years of age; Malinda, who died when eighteen years old; Sarah E., who became the wife of William Dotson and died at the early age of twenty-two; and Charles S., of this review. The mother of this family died in 1871, at the comparatively early age of forty-five years. Mr. Nebergall later married Sarah Leverich, who is now deceased, and his death accurred at Wilton Junction in 1896, when he was sixty years of age. Thus passed away one of the early settlers of Cedar county.
Charles S. Nebergall, the youngest of the four children born of his father's first marriage, was but a year old when brought from the state of his nativity to Cedar county, so that he has practically been reared here. He attended the com- mon schools and assisted in the work of the fields as soon as old enough and when starting out to make his own way in the world he chose as his work the occupation to which he had been reared. He now owns five hundred and twenty acres of as valuable land as can be found in this section of Iowa. Three hundred acres of this was formerly the old homestead property. Three hundred and sixty acres lies on sections 28 and 33, Center township, while the remaining one hundred and sixty acres is situated across the line in Rochester township. Mr. Nebergall devotes a portion of his time and attention to general farming but engages mostly in buying and feeding stock, keeping as high as five hundred head of cattle
CHARLES S. NEBERGALL
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MRS. CHARLES S. NEBERGALL
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annually, and this branch of his business brings him a very gratifying return. In 1910 he erected a fine modern residence, containing twelve rooms, conveniently arranged and supplied with every convenience for the comfort of its inmates. There are also barns and outbuildings on the place to the number of thirty, the Burr Oak Stock Farm in itself presenting the appearance of a little village. He has a blacksmith shop on the farm, in which he does his own work in this line, and has a system of waterworks which supplies the entire place with water for stock and household purposes. He has a large tank which is kept filled by a wind pump and also has an engine which can be used to supply the water on the farm when the wind pump is out of commission. Method is apparent in the conduct of the farm, all fields being platted and arranged so that the best results may be obtained from the labor expended. The outbuildings and barns are all arranged with a view to convenience and on this model farm there is a place for everything and everything is kept in its place.
On October 12, 1882, occurred the marriage of Mr. Nebergall and Miss Martha Fulwider, who was born in Sugar Creek township, September 16, 1862, a daughter of Anthony and Margaret (Ridenour) Fulwider, who were early settlers of Cedar county, coming here from Ohio. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Nebergall has been blessed with three children : Roy A., who wedded Phoebe Ford, by whom he has two children, Mearl Everet and Florence Martha; Ivan W .; and Oscar E. All the children are still at home, the sons being enterprising young men and valuable assistants to their father.
In politics Mr. Nebergall is independent, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Brethren church at Lime City. The work instituted by the father in an early day is being continued by the son, who takes a deep interest in every movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development. His life has been one of continuous activity, and the name of Nebergall is a synonym for upright manhood and good citizenship in Center township.
JAMES K. FRYMOYER.
James K. Frymoyer, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing on section 26, Sugar Creek township, claims Pennsylvania as his native state, his birth occurring in Snyder county on the 12th of August, 1860. His parents were Jacob and Julian (Klinger) Frymoyer, also natives of the Keystone state, the former born in Northumberland county, June 21, 1828, and the latter in Dauphin county on the 24th of February, 1823. His father was a tailor by trade and during his residence in Pennsylvania followed that occupation most of the time but after coming to Iowa turned his attention to farming. He died on the 17th of March, 1902, and his wife survived him two years, passing away March 19, 1904. This worthy couple were the parents of four children: Jennie, now the wife of A. F. Beard of Wilton; James K., whose name introduces this sketch; Mary, who died in infancy; and Alice, the deceased wife of Frank Smith.
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James K. Frymoyer passed the first seventeen years of his life in the county of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, the family locating in Cedar county on the farm which has since been his home. It consists of eighty acres of very productive and valuable land on section 26, Sugar Creek township, and he has placed the same under a high state of culti- vation and improved it by the erection of good and substantial buildings, in- cluding a fine large residence of ten rooms built in 1904. In 1909 he erected a barn, fifty-six by sixty-six feet in dimensions, with sixteen-foot posts. Every- thing about the place is kept in first class order and its neat and thrifty appear- ance plainly indicates that he understands the occupation which he has chosen as a life work. In connection with general farming he gives considerable at- tention to the raising of stock.
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