USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 66
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
sents so attractive an appearance and it is famed far and wide throughout the country.
Near his present home in Sugar Creek township, Mr. Whitmer was born on the 17th of December, 1868, his parents being Peter and Mary (Garber) Whit- mer. The birth of the father occurred near Galion in Crawford county, Ohio, November 5, 1835, and in the summer of 1849 he was brought to Cedar county, Iowa, by his parents, Peter and Catherine (Snyder) Whitmer. They located upon a farm in Sugar Creek township, where they continued to reside until his death, which occurred on the 27th of November, 1899. He was the youngest in a family of thirteen children, four sons and nine daughters, but only one of the number is now living, Sarah, the wife of George Marquart of Woodbury county, Iowa. The father of these children died on the 4th of March, 1869, at the age of seventy-two years, and his wife passed away February 1, 1884, at the age of eighty years.
Throughout his active business life Peter Whitmer, Jr., followed farming and met with most excellent success and owned at the time of his death four hundred and forty acres of valuable land on sections 2 and 3, Sugar Creek town- ship, his home being in the former township. On the 12th of November, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Garber, who was born in Pennsylvania, January 27, 1839, and came to Cedar county in 1853 with her parents, Moses and Susanna (Steffy) Garber, also natives of the Keystone state, who spent their last days in this county. The following were born to Mr. and Mrs. Whit- mer, namely: Phoebe, who died at the age of sixteen years; Ella, the wife of Charles Parks of California; Susie, the wife of George Lawcamp of Sugar Creek township; Franklin, who died at the age of ten months; Moses G., whose name introduces this sketch; Catherine, the wife of Jesse Wagner of Sugar Creek township; James P., of Muscatine, Iowa; and Lucy, the wife of John Ford of Sugar Creek township. The father was an earnest and faithful member of the Sugar Creek Presbyterian church, with which he united February 6, 1868. His upright, honorable life gained him the confidence and high regard of all who knew him.
Throughout life Moses G. Whitmer has made his home in Sugar Creek township and is today regarded as one of its leading citizens. His excellent farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 2 and II, his home being on the latter section, and in connection with the cultivation of the soil he is extensively engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of Duroc Jersey hogs and shorthorn cattle. He also has five acres of his land devoted to fruit, prin- cipally apples and cherries, and in connection with the cultivation of his own place he also operates a farm of two hundred acres belonging to his mother. He is a progressive and up-to-date agriculturist and takes a commendable pride in his undertakings.
In August, 1889, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Whitmer and Miss Katie E. Wagner, who was born in Inland township, this county, in June, 1867, and is a daughter of Adam and Mary (Bretz) Wagner. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and both died in Inland township, this county. The children born to our subject and his wife are: Cyral E., Howard H. and Hazel R.
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Mr. Whitmer is a prominent member of White Pigeon Grange and is also identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of Pythias fraternity at Wilton. He has taken much pleasure in the adornment of his place and has received some varieties of trees and shrubs both from the state and the United States government, and various nurseries throughout the coun- try have sent him varieties for experimental purposes. He is thoroughly famil- iar with the different kinds of trees best adapted to the soil and climate of this locality and is an agriculturist of more than ordinary ability, who is meeting with most excellent success in his undertakings.
ELMER FAIRES.
One of Ohio's native sons, Elmer Faires has, however, for more than four decades, or almost his entire life, been a resident of Cedar county, Iowa, where he has been closely and successfully identified with agricultural pursuits. Born in Morgan county on the 18th of February, 1865, he is the third in a family of ten children born until Joel and Ursula (Murphy) Faires, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He was a little lad of three years when, in 1868, the family left Ohio and took up their abode in Cedar county, Iowa, locating in Iowa township. Here upon the home farm he was reared to manhood and, when not busy with his text-books, for he attended the country schools in the acquire- ment of an education, he assisted in the work of the fields, early becoming fa- miliar with the duties that fall to the lot of the farm bred lad. As he grew in years and strength, he entered more and more largely into the work of the farm, gradually and continuously expanding his powers in that direction until, with the passing of the years, his knowledge of that field of industry became thorough and comprehensive, forming an excellent foundation upon which to base his future independent career.
Mr. Faires remained with his father until 1898, when he established home relations of his own by his marriage to Miss Hattie A. Markle, a native of Spring- dale township, Cedar county, where her birth occurred June 25, 1876. She is a daughter of Mathias and Harriett (McCormick) Markle, natives of Canada and Ireland respectively. The mother passed away in 1908, but the father still sur- vives and makes his home about two miles west of Springdale.
After his marriage, Mr. Faires took up his abode upon his present farm, con- sisting of eighty acres on section 33, Iowa township, and here for over ten years has carried on agricultural pursuits. The land is well cultivated and improved, and in addition to the home farm he owns thirteen and a half acres of timber land lying partly along the river. In connection with the tilling of the soil he also engages to some extent in stock-raising and has so carefully managed his interests that his undertaking has been most successful, well directed effort, thrift and industry proving the salient qualities of his career. A man just entering the prime of life, actuated by a spirit of progress and determination, the degree of prosperity to which he has already attained augurs well for continued success which the future doubtless has in store for him.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Faires were born two children, both of whom, however, passed away in infancy. During the many years of his residence in Iowa town- ship, Mr. Faires has become widely known among the residents of that locality, all of whom entertain for him the highest regard and respect. Stalwart in his advocacy of republican principles, he has ever been a public-spirited citizen, active in the public life of the community and, having spent almost his entire life here, his interests are closely identified with those of Iowa township and Cedar county.
SCOTT S. KESSLER.
For nearly a quarter of a century Scott S. Kessler has been identified with the business interests of Bennett. At present, he is living upon a portion of his estate of seven hundred and four acres, all of which he acquired through diligent effort and splendid business management. He was born March 12, 1856, in Blair county, Pennsylvania, his parents being John S. and Sarah Ann (Barnical) Kessler. His father was born January II, 1818, in Huntingdon county, Penn- sylvania, and passed away in Cedar county, Iowa, February 7, 1892. When he came to this county in 1856, he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in Inland township and for two years farmed that place and made extensive im- provements thereon. In 1858 he disposed of it to a decided advantage and for the following eleven years operated rented land. Then he again purchased prop- erty, securing one hundred and sixty-five acres, upon which place he made his home until his death. He was a republican in politics and always took an active part in the conduct of township and county affairs. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church and were estimable citizens. She was a native of Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, born June 28, 1826, and passed away in Cedar county, May 12, 1903. They were married at Williamsburg, Pennsylvania, and became the parents of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters: Miles Benner, born November 23, 1846, died October 8, 1859. Henrietta, died in infancy. James Crawford, born April 1, 1849, is a farmer living in Oskaloosa, Iowa. John Blair, born July 10, 1851, is a physician, of Iowa City. Jacob L. died in infancy. Mary Elizabeth, born March 3, 1854, is the wife of George Blair, a farmer of Bennett. Scott S., is the next in order of birth. Smith died in infancy. Sarah Ann, born October 12, 1859, is the wife of J. R. Hanna of Superior, Wis- consin. William, born August 1, 1861, was states attorney at Langdon, North Dakota, and died November 22, 1895. Grant, born November 29, 1865, died October 4, 1884. Jesse R., born August 22, 1866, lives at Green Mountain, Iowa.
Scott S. Kessler attended the common schools of Inland township and worked upon the home farm. 'At the age of twenty-one, he learned the car- penter's trade, which he followed for three years, and then engaged in the hard- ware and implement business in Bennett for seventeen years. Tiring of the confining work in his store, he traded his business for a half section of land in Kossuth county, Iowa. Some time later he again embarked in the implement
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business in Bennett and continued in that line six years. Trading for eighty acres of land adjoining Bennett, he retired from the store and has since made his home upon this farm. In addition to this property he owns two hundred and twenty-four acres lying a half mile north of Bennett and recently purchased eighty acres which adjoin his home place.
Mr. Kessler was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Jane Hostler, a daugh- ter of Daniel and Delilah (Fleck) Hostler, natives of Blair county, Pennsylvania, who came to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1867. The parents farmed in Inland town- ship until they passed away, the father, June 27, 1895, and the mother, January 2, 1904. Mrs. Kessler is one of a family of nine children, seven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, while two died in infancy. They are: Mary Frances, born August 18, 1852; Laura May, born August 28, 1857; Abraham Lawrence, born January 12, 1859; Catharine J., now Mrs. Kessler; William Thomas, born August 4, 1862, who died February 7, 1905; John Montgomery, born September 20, 1864; and Alfred Blair, born September I, 1867. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kessler were born two children, namely: Bessie, born April 14, 1887, is now the wife of Fred C. Franco and the mother of one daughter, Dor- othy Helen; and Miles Scott, born February 7, 1894, lives at home with his parents.
Mr. Kessler in a republican and has served the village and township in sev- eral capacities. For two terms he has been mayor of Bennett, the citizens twice electing him to that office. For nine years he has attended to the duties which all citizens owe the public schools and for six years was the president of the school board. He is interested in the First Bennett Savings Bank, of which he was formerly director and assistant cashier. He has served as treasurer of the cemetery association for a number of years and is a member of the Brotherhood of Yeomen.
HENRY SCHORR.
Of all the occupations known to man, that of the farmer is to be preferred. Especially is this the case in regions of the United States where the soil and climate are favorable and markets are convenient. There was a time not many years past when unfavorable weather often had a disastrous effect on farming operations, but at the present time the skilled farmer plants a variety of crops and also raises live stock, so that, although he may lose in one direction, he gains in another and at the close of the year he generally finds himself richer than he was at the beginning. Henry Schorr, of Farmington township, Cedar county, is one of the fortunate farmers of this county. He lives upon the old homestead, which was acquired by his father and is one of the highly productive farms in this region. In fact, it would be difficult to find one hundred and sixty acres of land that yields more readily the wealth which nature has in store and which springs forth to gladden the earth under proper cultivation. The farm is beau- tifully situated within convenient distance of the railroad and in years to come will be even much more valuable than it is today.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Henry Schorr first saw the light of day on a farm in Madison county, Illi- nois, November 30, 1849. He is a son of William and Maggie (Ruprecht) Schorr, both of whom were born in Germany, the former July 8, 1813, and the latter on December 26 of the same year. They were married in the old country and there Mr. Schorr learned the butcher's trade. However, he was not satisfied with the conditions that prevail in a land thickly inhabited and where the son has little possibility of succeeding in any business except that which the father pursued. Therefore, Mr. and Mrs. Schorr came to America and first settled in Madison county, Illinois, where he worked at his trade for five years. He then engaged in farming and purchased a farm of eighty-five acres, upon which he lived until 1867, when he came to Cedar county, this state, and located in Farmington town- ship, where he bought one hundred and sixty acres of slightly improved land. This land he brought to a high state of cultivation and here he lived until he was called to rest April 9, 1885. Mrs. Schorr survived her husband twenty years and died at the old homestead August 30, 1905. He was a good farmer and an upright citizen ; was an industrious and economical man and increased his original farm of one hundred and sixty acres to three hundred and twenty acres.
The subject of our review came with his parents to this state at eighteen years of age and has ever since made his home on the farm. He received a common- school education in Madison county, Illinois, and after laying his books aside de- voted his entire attention to agriculture and stock-raising. As already indi- cated, he now owns the old homestead and a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres upon which he carries forward general farming operations.
On January 15, 1900, Mr. Schorr was happily united in marriage to Miss Frances Rotje, who is a native of Alton, Illinois, and who has proved to him a worthy companion and an able assistant in everything pertaining to the house- hold. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Schorr: Peter; William; Annie; and Henry, who departed this life at four years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Schorr are both identified with the Lutheran church and are firm believers in its teachings. He has all his life been in sympathy with the principles of the democratic ticket and supports the party as the one that in his opinion is best adapted to maintain a free government. He was early educated as a farmer and to this work he has devoted the energies of his life and has attained in it a de- gree of success that makes him financially independent.
MYRON W. GLEASON.
The life work of Myron W. Gleason was of signal service to Cedar county in the vigor he lent to the pioneer era in making this region habitable, in bringing its resources to light and in stamping his intensely practical ideas upon the pro- gressive movements which were instituted and developed here. He was born in Chautauqua county, New York, on the 13th of May, 1819, and there spent his youthful days, his educational privileges being those afforded by the public schools. He was married in the Empire state to Miss Amanda Wallbridge, who was born in New York, December 22, 1821.
MR. AND MRS. MYRON W. GLEASON
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
In 1838 they sought a home in Iowa, making the journey across the country with teams. This was long before the admission of the state into the Union, and in fact the work of development seemed scarcely begun save along the Mississippi river. There were great unexplored and uninhabited regions of the state. Cedar county became the abiding place of Myron W. Gleason, who entered land from the government, securing a forty-acre tract. To this he added by pur- chase the farm upon which his son Frank now makes his home. In course of time he came to own several hundred acres of land and eventually built a good home on the Mechanicsville and Lisbon road and added to this place other sub- stantial buildings and improvements. In the early days he bravely faced the dangers, trials and hardships of pioneer life when, remote from teh advantages and source of supplies offered in the older east, the settlers had to depend upon their own labors and resources for almost everything they had. As the years passed on, however, Mr. Gleason prospered, becoming one of the well-to-do farmers as well as one of the representative and honored citzens of the com- munity.
In 1855 Mr. Gleason was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in Cedar county on the 3d of February of that year. They became the parents of five children, of whom four are now deceased. On the 17th of August, 1856, Mr. Gleason was again married, his second union being with Miss Hannah Strayhorn, a native of Pennsylvania, who still survives him and resides with her daughter on the old home place. There were but three children in their famliy, the daughters being: Cora, the wife of Clem Lyon, who resides near Cameron, Missouri; and Flora, the wife of John Secor, who owns a part of the old Gleason homestead. The son, Frank K. Gleason, is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The father died September 26, 1893, after a residence of fifty-five years in the county. He had aided materially in the early development of this section of the state and in his later years rejoiced in what was accomplished, living to see Cedar county take its place as one of the most populous, prosperous and progressive sections of this great commonwealth.
JOHN PORTER STOTLER.
John Porter Stotler, proprietor of the Midway Stock Farm and one of the best known farmers and stock-raisers of his section, has, during the years of his residence here gained a prominent place among the substantial business men of this locality. He is one of Ohio's contribution to the citizenship of Iowa, his birth occurring in Wooster, Wayne county, on the 10th of February, 1852. His par- ents were Henry and Amanda (Hoy) Stotler, both natives of Wayne county, Ohio, who about 1855, removed to La Salle county, Illinois, where they made their home until the fall of 1861, when they came to Cedar county, Iowa, locating in Iowa township. After a residence here of about ten years, they went to Linn county, Iowa, where the father passed away at the end of three years, his death occurring in 1873. In 1880 the family returned to this county and later the mother again married, becoming the wife of George McNichols. She now makes
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her home in Woodland, California, at the advanced age of seventy-six years. By her marriage to Mr. Stotler she became the mother of three children, of whom John Porter is the eldest. The others are: Augusta, the widow of Mon- roe Ish, of Woodland, California; and Charles, a resident of Iowa township, Cedar county.
John Porter Stotler, whose name introduces this review, was but three years of age when he left his native home and with his parents went to Illinois. Ac- companying the family on their subsequent removals westward, he became a resi- dent at different times of Cedar and Linn counties, Iowa, and later, in 1880, with the family again came to Cedar county, locating in Iowa township, within whose borders he has since continued to reside. Reared to farm life, he has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits, and that his early training in this direction was broad and comprehensive is indicated by the excellent results which have attended his efforts. He is the owner of four hundred acres of land on sec- tions 10, 11, 15 and 16, about half of which has been converted into productive fields, the rest remaining stump and timber land. The cultivated portion of his farm has recently been improved to a most exceptional degree by Mr. Stotler and constitutes one of the most highly developed and valuable properties of Iowa township. In 1907 he erected a fine modern eight-room residence and two years later built a commodious barn, sixty-four by one hundred and twenty- eight feet, which will accommodate aside from all of his live stock, three hundred tons of hay. In addition to general farming, he engages to a large extent in stock- raising, dealing mostly in fine horses and high grade shorthorn cattle. He makes a specialty of standard bred Wilkes horses, having on hand about thirty-five specimens of that breed and raising annually about ten head. He is also the owner of a fine imported Percheron stallion, and the product of his stables has become widely known throughout the state, the name of Midway Stock Farm becoming a synonym for excellence in the breeding of high grade stock.
Mr. Stotler has been twice married. In 1888 he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Goudy, a native of Linn county, Iowa, and a daughter of Samuel and Nancy. She passed away in 1890, at the age of forty-one years, and is survived by their daughter, Violet, the wife of John Stevens, of Chicago. In 1900, Mr. Stotler wedded Miss Sarah E. Carey, whose birth occurred in Cedar county, June 21, 1869. She is a daughter of Moses and Bessie (Ingledew) Carey, who were born in Canada, near St. Johns, but were united in marriage in this country, where they arrived about 1865. They still survive and make their home in Tipton, Iowa. The humanitarian spirit of Mr. Stotler is indicated by his adoption from an orphans' home in New York of two children, Clara and Ernest Schmidt, who have assumed his name and find in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stotler all of that care and tenderness deprived them by the loss of their own parents.
Although the duties of a strenuous business career have occupied much of the attention of Mr. Stotler, nevertheless he has found time for active partici- pation in public affairs, doing all in his power to further those matters and meas- ures which have for their object the upbuilding and development of the com- munity at large. Deeply interested in the political questions of the day, he has given stalwart support to republican principles and for a long period has been an active worker in the party ranks, having served for eight years as trustee. His
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fraternal relations are with the Masons, being a member for twenty-five years. He has won a prominent place for himself among the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Cedar county, his efforts in the latter field being potent ele- ments in raising the grade of stock, and especially that of horses, in this section of the state. As a citizen he has ever remained loyal to the highest standards of manhood, his relations with his fellowmen at all times being such as to win for him the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact.
WILLIAM BARD McBURNEY.
Prominent among the energetic, far-sighted and successful business men of Tipton is numbered William Bard McBurney, who since 1890 has been con- nected with commercial interests here and is today proprietor of the largest dry-goods store in Cedar county. 'Along well developed lines of trade and in harmony with the strictest commercial ethics, he has built up his business which is a credit alike to the town and its founder.
Mr. McBurney was born in Marion, Linn county, Iowa, on the 20th of May, 1862, his parents being John T. and Elizabeth Bard (McKinnie) McBurney. The mother was born near Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1828, while the father's birth occurred in New York, April 26, 1819. They were married at Goshen, Ohio, and about the year 1857 removed to Linn county, Iowa, where they continued to make their home until called to their final rest, the death of Mr. McBurney occurring January 10, 1903, while his wife passed away April 20, 1902. In early life he had learned and followed the cabinetmaker's trade but later turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. Tracing back the ancestry still further, it is recorded that Andrew Graham McBurney, the grand- father of our subject, was a native of Scotland and was the first of this branch to establish a home in America. He died in Ohio where he had reared a large family, his eldest son Andrew Graham McBurney, becoming lieutenant governor of Ohio in 1862. He was a distinguished attorney and won the famous Val- landigham (see Century Dictionary) case in 1863, one of the most noted ever tried in the Buckeye state. Among the ancestors on the maternal side was Adam Poe, a prominent Methodist minister and Indian fighter.
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