USA > Iowa > Monroe County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 17
USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 17
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AMOS F. MILLER.
One of the most progressive and enterprising business men of Monroe county is Amos F. Miller, who is connected with one of the largest cheese factories in the county. By his progressive spirit and
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unflagging energy he has contributed in a large measure to the business activity of Bluff Creek township, and is regarded as a man of force and worth in the business world. Mr. Miller was born in Ripley county, Indiana, on the 28th of January, 1855, and is a son of Henry and Mary R. (Hiteman) Miller. The father, who was of German origin, was a native of France, but when a mere boy he left his home across the sea and came to the United States. The year 1858 witnessed his arrival in the Hawkeye state, and a location was made near the vicinity of Hite- man in Monroe county, that village having been named in honor of an uncle of our subject. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller died in Pottawattomie county, Iowa, the former at the age of seventy-nine years and the latter when fifty-nine years of age. They became the parents of twelve chil- dren, ten of whom are still living.
Amos F. Miller was early inured to the labors of the farm, and he continued to reside on the old home farm until the IIth of March, 1881, when he was married to Martha E. Williams. She was born in Kan- ยท sas, and by her marriage has become the mother of six children, one of whom died in infancy, and those living are: Amy, who became the wife of J. C. Moore; and Henry E., Charles M., Anna L., and Mildred E., at home. All are receiving excellent educational privileges, and they will no doubt prove an honor to the honored family name. After his marriage Mr. Miller located on a farm near Avery, Monroe county, Iowa, where he conducted a cheese factory for one year, he having learned that business prior to his marriage. Removing thence to Lynnville, Iowa, he resumed the same occupation, and after residing there for a time located southeast of Albia. Three years later he came to his present location, four miles northwest of that city, where he is now serving as the manager, treasurer and salesman of one of
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the largest cheese factories in the county. This concern has a capacity of seven thousand pounds of milk daily, and furnishes employment to many men. The plant is now equipped with modern machinery and all accessories for facilitating the work and rendering the product of value on the market by reason of its excellent quality.
Mr. Miller is also the owner of a valuable farm, and is one of the substantial business men of Monroe county. He was reared in the faith of the Republican party and was one of its supporters until the Prohibi .. tion agitation in Iowa, when he supported Grover Cleveland in his first race for the presidency, and continued to uphold Democratic principles until the nomination of William J. Bryan. Since that time he has exer- cised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. For one term he served as assessor of his township, for many years was a member of the school board, and is now school secretary and township trustee, being incumbent of the latter position by appointment. The family attend the services of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
JAMES W. CLAVER.
The name of James W. Claver is inseparably interwoven with the history of Monroe county. He is one of its honored pioneers and most esteemed and worthy farmers. His birth, however, occurred in the old Hoosier state, in Putnam county, where he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 28th of August, 1845. When nine years of age, in 1854, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, the fam- ily locating where our subject now resides, and with the execption of his term of one year in charge of the county farm this locality has since
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continued to be his home. When the Civil war was inaugurated for the preservation of the Union, Mr. Claver nobly offered his services to his native country, enlisting in June, 1863. in Company C, Eighth Iowa Cavalry, under Colonel J. B. Dorr. His military record was indeed an honorable one and when the war had closed and the country no longer needed his services he was mustered out at Clinton, Iowa. Re- turning thence to his home, he remained under the paternal roof until his twenty-second year, when he was married to Eliza Hilliard, a na- tive of Van Buren county, Iowa. They became the parents of five children, three of whom still survive: Ervin E., Nellie and Bert F., all of whom are married, and Ervin E. and Nellie have each two chil- dren. The first born in this family died at the age of two years, and another passed away in infancy. The wife and mother also passed into eternal rest, and in 1888 Mr. Claver was united in marriage to Loretta Bucher, by whom he has one son, Frank W.
After his first marriage Mr. Claver settled down to farm life on the old homestead, which is located about seven miles north of Albia, in Bluff Creek township, and the many improvements here inaugurated by the father have been carried out by the son, and it is now one of the valuable homesteads of the locality. The fellow townsmen of our subject, who have recognized his worth and ability, have called him to many public offices, and among the many local positions which he has held may be mentioned that of township trustee, while for many years he was also a member of the school board. He has, since casting his first vote, continued to uphold the principles of the old Republican party. The family attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. As the years have passed by Mr. Claver has acquired a hand- some competence. He possesses the sterling qualities of the sturdy
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pioneers who have bravely faced the trials and hardships of life on the plains in order to make homes for their families, and thus aided in lay- ing the foundation for the present prosperity and progress of this por- tion of the state.
IRA NOBLE.
The fame of Iowa as the home of thoroughbred stock has extended over the civilized world. The last census gives her precedence in the live-stock industry over all the states of the American Union, and her output is as fine in quality as it is large numerically. The famous breeding counties of old England, which at one time supplied this and all other countries with the best samples of horses, cattle and sheep, 110 longer exercise the pre-eminence once enjoyed. Nor do the stock centers in the celebrated bluegrass sections of Kentucky, middle Tennes- see and Ohio now enjoy the supremacy which a few decades ago was allowed them without question. The fine-stock banner, like the center of population and the "Star of Empire," has been moving westward and at length seems to float permanently over the comparatively new state, whose eastern border is washed by the upper Mississippi. It is only necessary to attend one of the international live-stock exhibitions given at Chicago every December to be convinced that Iowa is able to hold her own in competition with the whole world in this important department of national development. All over the state may be found farms devoted to the scientific breeding and feeding of stock, where the general methods embody all the latest improvements and the concrete results of the highest skill. One of these stock farms, which is a model of its kind, is situated in Monroe county, near AAlbia, and the foregoing
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prefatory remarks are intended as an introduction to its owner. It is called the Maple Row stock farm, and has been owned and operated about seventeen years by Mr. Ira Noble, a member of a family long influential in the affairs of Monroe county. The lover of fine horses who visits this place will find much to delight the eye in the shape of fine trotters of the best strains and trained by a thorough master in the art of breeding. He will be shown stallions with pedigrees as long as those of any English king, who have to their credit some remarkable achievements on the track. General Wilkes, Jr., has a record of 2:24 I-2, and is the sire of one colt with a record of 2:0814 to his credit, twelve others with records better than 2:20 and twenty-four in the 2:30 list. Red Maple was sired by Red Baron and is another high- born member of this equine aristocracy, having to his credit the hardest and longest race in the world, won at Independence after twelve heats. Much space could be devoted to description of other beauties on this fine farm and to the place itself, but first something must be said of the proprietor and the family to which he belongs.
Samuel Noble, the emigrant founder, came from Ireland during the latter part of the eighteenth century and settled in Huntington county, Pennsylvania. His son John, born in 1796, long afterward removed to Iowa, where he died in 1871, at Fairfield. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Abram Crane, of German lineage, by whom he had ten children, all sons but one, and nine of these are still living. Samuel Noble, one of the nine boys, was born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1819, and came to Iowa in 1845, just.a year previous to the state's admission into the Union. He first located at Fairfield, Jefferson county, but in 1849 embarked in merchandising at Albia, and continued that business with success for sixteen years.
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In 1865 he closed out his mercantile business and engaged in realty and loaning, which constituted his occupation for a number of years. Dur- ing this period he did much for the improvement of Albia, a notable instance being the erection of the fine business block on the northwest corner of the square, which is known by his name. By judicious invest- ments in real estate and general business ability he became a large property holder, his possessions including several hundred acres of farm land near the city. As a stockholder and director in the Monroe County Bank he was for many years an influential figure in the financial circles of Albia and ranked without question as one of its leading citizens. In 1860 he was elected judge of Monroe county on the Republican ticket and also served several terms as a member of the city council. He has been an elder in the Presbyterian church for forty years or more, and during that time also one of the most liberal contributors to and pro- moters of religious work of all kinds. In 1842 Judge Noble married Miss Sarah Matthews of Pennsylvania, who died a few years later in her native state, and in 1849, after coming to Iowa, he contracted a sec- ond matrimonial union with Miss Mary J., daughter of Samuel Ship- ler, of Jefferson county. Mrs. Noble died October 14. 1892, leaving two sons, Emmett E. and Ira, and a daughter, Mary, now the wife of Charles Tharp of Chicago.
Ira Noble, second of the sons above mentioned, was born in Albia, Monroe county, Iowa, May 6, 1857, and was educated in the schools of his native place and in Burlington. His first business employment after leaving the schoolroom was as clerk in the old Monroe County Bank. but he soon abandoned this for more energetic pursuits. From earliest childhood he had developed a fondness for horses, and was never so happy as when handling these animals. This disposition found a vent
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in the establishment of a livery stable, which enterprise followed closely after his departure from the bank, and he was also connected for a time with a grocery store in Albia. The ruling passion, however, found full gratification in 1886, when Mr. Noble abandoned every other kind of business to concentrate his attention upon stock-breeding. In the year mentioned he took possession of Maple Row stock farm, consisting of nearly one hundred and sixty acres of land within a mile of Albia. Here he entered into the breeding of horses for the road and farm, and for a number of years kept jacks, but latterly he has practically dropped all other features to make a specialty of trotters. He handles only the standard breeds, as a glance over his catalogues will show, and his place is visited by turfmen from far and near who are anxious to secure promising colts. Mr. Noble enjoys a high reputation as a breeder and handler of trotting stock, and his name is familiar throughout the west at all places where turfmen meet for business or pleasure. From his neatly kept farm go forth every year a dozen or more fine young ani- mals, the product of proud sires and dams, and many of Mr. Noble's output have made fine racing records. His reputation both as a breeder and conscientious dealer, added to the excellence of his stock, enables him to obtain high prices and to enjoy a deserved prosperity as the result of his enterprise. It is such men as he that have given to Iowa her place of proud pre-eminence in the live-stock industry and brought. her to the front as the home of thoroughbreds of the highest and best quality.
In 1879 Mr. Noble was united in marriage with Miss Nellie A., daughter of James B. and Elizabeth (Irvin) Bell, the former of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Indiana, and now residing on a farm in Kan- sas. Mrs. Noble, who is highly spoken of by those who knew her well
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as a Christian wife and mother, died a few years ago, at the compar- atively early age of thirty-nine. She left as a consolation to her bereaved husband three unusually bright children, whose names are Guy G., Iva J., and J. Thorpe, who in years to come promise to be worthy success- ors to their father in his noble calling.
ALEXANDER C. WATSON.
Taking all things equal, the soldier makes a better citizen than the civilian, for upon the field of battle he has learned what it means to stand by the country in the hour of peril, and the patriotism which he has manifested in the hour of strife remains with him through the years following and proves one of the basic elements of his citizenship. Mr. Watson is among the number who, when the south attempted to overthrow the Union, went forth in defense of the national government at Washington and through the period of civil strife loyally defended the old flag and the cause it represented. Today he is regarded as one of the leading business men of Monroe county, where he is successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising.
A native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Watson was born November 11, 1842, and comes of a family noted for military prowess and unwavering loyalty to the country in hours of danger. One of his ancestors served with General Braddock in the French and Indian war and was captured by Indians at Fort Pitt. Others of the name served in the cause of independence, and the grandfather of our sub- ject was a soldier of the war of 1812, bearing arms for his country at the early age of eleven years; he was wounded and drew a pension. One of the near relatives, an Alexander Watson, was a captain in the
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war of the Rebellion, and still others joined the Union army and fought with the boys in blue. Thomas Watson, the father of our subject, was born in county Antrim, Ireland, and was only a year and a half old when brought by his parents to America. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Elizabeth D. Cameron and in the year 1855 he came with his family to Washington county, Iowa, and spent two years there when he moved to near Tyrone and operated a sawmill two years. In 1859 he came to Monroe county, Iowa, settling upon the farm where his son Alexander now resides, about four miles north of Albia. Op- pression in any form was always distasteful to him and awakened his strong opposition and it was therefore natural that he should oppose the cause of Rebellion and work for the suppression of slavery in the south. His home in Pennsylvania had been a station on the famous underground railroad and he did everything in his power to promulgate anti-slavery sentiments. At one time he and his father were the only abolitionists who voted in their district. He passed away at the age of seventy-six years, and his wife died at the home of her son Alexander when also seventy-six years of age. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are yet living, and the sister Mary now makes her home with her brother Alexander. She is a lady of noble Christian character and presides with gracious hospitality over his home.
Alexander C. Watson spent the first thirteen years of his life in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, where he was born on the IIth of No- vember, 1842. In 1855 he accompanied his parents on their westward emigration and here he assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm, working in field and meadow, as does the average farmer boy. until he had attained the age of eighteen years. Then, on the 2d of October, 1861, in response to his country's call for aid to suppress the
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rebellion in the south, he enlisted for service as a member of Company H, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry, becoming a member of Colonel Crocker's Regiment, with which he served for three years and four months. He participated in the engagements at Shiloh and Corinth, and he started with Sherman on his famous march to the sea, but was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, when he was sent home on a furlough.
When the war was ended Mr. Watson received an honorable dis- charge at Marietta, Georgia, and received his last pay at Louisville. Kentucky, after which he returned to his father's home in Monroe county, Iowa.
For two years following his military experience Mr. Watson at- tended school in order to be prepared for the duties of a business career and has since been actively engaged in farming and stock raising, carry- ing on his affairs in a systematic manner, which shows that he is thor- oughly familiar with the best methods of farm work. He lived and worked upon the old homestead and was soon recognized as a leading business man and stock raiser. He is especially well known in the latter direction, having dealt quite extensively in pure standard bred stock, making a specialty of Galloway cattle and Shropshire sheep and Po- land China and Chester White hogs. He also owns some of the best bred horses that have ever been placed upon the market. He is con- tinually seeking to improve the grade of stock raised and has thus done much for the community, for as the grade of stock is improved prices are accordingly advanced, and the entire locality is benefited thereby. Since his return from the war he has practically lived all of the time upon the farm which is yet his home. The first house was 16x24 feet and is still standing near the present commodious and modern resi- dence, which was built in 1869. There are good barns and outbuild-
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ings upon the place, and the air of neatness and thrift prevails, indi- cating a careful and progressive owner.
On March 2, 1882, Mr. Watson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lane, a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, and a daughter of Dr. J. Morris and Susanna Lane; her father was an own cousin of the celebrated. Jim Lane, who won his fame in "Bleeding Kansas." The Doctor died in Ohio, but his widow still survives and is living in Bloom- field, that state. Mrs. Watson was a most estimable lady, possessing a beautiful character, and her kindliness of heart and her cordial man- ner won her the love and esteem of all with whom she was brought in contact, but at the early age of twenty-five years she was called to her final rest, passing away on the 12th of December, 188.4. her birth having occurred on the 23d of May. 1859. She was prominent in church work, hokling membership with the Presbyterian denomina- tion, and her Christian faith permeated her entire life and colored her relations with those with whom she came in contact. She died leaving two sons-Morris L. and Thomas E .- who are bright, intelligent boys, now students in the Albia high school.
Mr. Watson cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864 while a member of the army. His father had been an old-line Whig, and upon the organization of the Republican party, to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks and cast his vote for John C. Fremont. On attaining his majority the son followed in the father's political footsteps and has never seen a reason to change his allegiance to the party. He and the family are members of the Associate Reformed church and he is liberal in support of the cause of Christianity, is a friend of education and co-operates in all meas- ures for the general good, along lines of progress, reform and improve-
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ment. His has been an active and useful life, one which commends him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact. Perhaps no better evidence of his patriotic spirit can be given than by quoting the speech which he made in behalf of the vet- erans of his township when they were presented by the ladies of the community with a fine flag :
" In behalf of the veterans of our township, and in profound re- spect for the purpose that prompts this gift, I accept from your fair hands this beautiful gift-the flag of our country-and would say that to those who have followed this starry banner through the storm and carnage of battle to victory and final peace, no other gift could so touch our hearts, so awaken the memories of the past, and kindle our emo- tions, none that could appeal with more eloquence to the future in all that we desire for the glory of our country and the happiness of those we hold most dear.
" And in receiving this beautiful emblem of our country's glory, we are not forgetful of the brave boys who marched with us to the front at our country's call, who are not with us to take part in these pleasant ceremonies. We have heard their dying cry as they fell in defense of this flag, and they are not forgotten. No! There is a voice from their tomb that is sweeter than song, and a remembrance to those dead to which we turn ever from the charms of the living, whose frag- mentary history was recorded by the daily press as only a picket shot down, or they died in hospital, or they fell in battle, or they died in prison, where the common humanities of life were forgotten by a cruel and embittered foe, but their memory and honor are cherished by a grateful and patriotic people, and their blood adds a deeper luster to
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this beautiful flag, and by their sacrifice we enjoy the inestimable bles- sings of peace and a nation preserved.
" And we cannot receive this beautiful flag without remembering our mothers-some being with us to-day to bless us with their pres- ence-who with pathetic fortitude, with tearful eyes and breaking hearts, as they caressed and kissed us good-bye, asking God's speed with a mother's blessing, seeing only visions of wounds and death to their sons who marched to the country's defense. A thousand battles tell in part the story of their sorrows, and gentle time has in some measure assuaged their grief and solaced their hearts, and to the great number the angel of mercy has come and touched them with his wings and whispered in their ears this message: 'Come, ye blessed of my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you,' leaving us the precious memory of their gracious lives. May we not say the field of blue is the heaven of mother's love, in which is relit the stars of our unity and glory?
" In accepting this beautiful flag we express the desire that it may ever remain the defense of civil liberty, and that by wise and whole- some laws to every worthy member of our nation life shall be written in potential mood, that the stranger within our gates may have full protection, and that all children of men may turn with joy and hail it as the defence of all that is true and equitable in government. And we will teach our children to honor, defend and advance its glory. And now, dear hearts, in receiving this beautiful flag from your fair hands, we renew again all the covenants of life, and, although in the progress of the years we feel that the sword of its defense is passing to other and younger hands, we feel assured that our gallant sons will stand for its defense and will follow and defend it wherever duty and honor
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calls, and will transmit it unsullied with added luster by their worthy lives and noble deeds. And when we have heard the last song, and the last audible word, and looked for the last time in your loving faces, and God shall have closed our vision, may this beautiful banner drape the casket as we are carried to our last encampment, as the emblem of the country we loved and a token of affection of those we hold most dear, and we express the first and last desire and prayer of our hearts, may God bless you all."
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