USA > Iowa > Monroe County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 23
USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 23
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On August 7, 1856, Mr. Wallace took a second wife in the person of Lydia Croxton, who died December 28, 1888, leaving seven children : Mrs. Margaret E. Gordon; John, of Davis county, Iowa; Francis M., of Butler county, Kansas; Warren, of Centerville, Iowa; Washington
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H., of Davis county; Mary J., of Appanoose county ; and Mrs. Minerva C. Bean, of Fort Madison. On March 31, 1890, Mr. Wallace contracted his third matrimonial alliance with Mrs. Nancy J. Howell, who came in childhood to Iowa with her parents from Roanoke county, Virginia. By her first marriage she had one child, Mr. A. A. Howell, who is now proprietor of the Howell House at Moulton. Mr. Wallace is a de- voted member of the Christian church and for a long time performed the functions of preacher during the absence of the regular pastor. As he has occupied his present homestead for fifty-four years he is probably entitled to rank as the oldest continuous resident of Appanoose county. His place contains a curious relic of the olden times in the shape of a log cabin which was the first building ever located in Appanoose county, having been removed there from the nearby county of Davis.
THOMAS BENTON McDONALD.
Among the worthy citizens of Monroe county who have come to this locality from Indiana is Thomas Benton McDonald, who was born in Liberty, Union county, in the Hoosier state, December 6, 1846. He comes of Irish lineage, his father, Bernard McDonald, having been born in county Carlow, Ireland, whence he crossed the Atlantic to America. The paternal grandfather was Edwin Lawrence McDonald, M. D., who on reaching years of maturity wedded a Miss Camel and among their children was a son to whom they gave the name Bernard. The latter was a sailor in early life, following the sea for some years. Taking up his abode in this country, he wedded Elizabeth Heavenridge, a na- tive of Virginia, and in 1840 he retired from the sea in order that he might devote his energies to farming, which occupation he followed
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until 1888, when he put aside business cares entirely. He was born in 1808, took up his abode in this country in 1840 and is now living a retired life in Fairmount, Indiana, at the very advanced age of ninety- five years. His wife passed away in 1865. The children of their fam- ily were: Thomas B .; Emeline, deceased; Edwin; Lawrence, who has also passed away; John, Frank, Elizabeth and Jemima.
Thomas B. McDonald spent his early days in Indiana and attended the public schools there. When he became a young man he began learning the trade of a spinner and after a year spent in that way he secured employment with a millwright. In 1867 he began railroading on the Pan Handle system, first acting as a brakeman, while later lie was promoted to the position of conductor. When he had been with the Pan Handle road for a year he left Indiana and removed to Ne- braska, where he secured a position as conductor on the Midland & Pacific Railroad, running between Nebraska City and Lincoln. In 1871 he began work on the Burlington as conductor and continued in that capacity until 1879. when he retired altogether from railroad work. He then came to Lovilia, Iowa, and with the capital he had acquired through his own labors and economy began merchandising. He is to- day the leading merchant of the town and his efforts have been largely instrumental in the upbuilding and improvement of this place. He car- ries a large and well selected line of general goods, and because of his correct business policy and earnest desire to please his customers is ac- corded a liberal patronage. On the 10th of December, 1890, he es- tablished a private bank, which is known as the Lovilia Exchange and which has become a leading financial institution in this part of the county. Its present officers are T. B. McDonald, president ; O. L. Wright, vice president; and Jerry Wilcox, cashier.
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On the 25th of January, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mc- Donald and Mrs. Sarah J. Wilcox, a widow, and a daughter of Joseph Patterson. Her parents were residents of Baltimore, Maryland. Mrs. McDonald is an estimable lady, holding membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Lovilia and her friends in the community are many. Mr. McDonald. however, is an adherent of the Episcopalian faith, and fraternally is connected with the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge No. 269, F. & A. M., Clinton Chapter No. 16, R. A. M., and the Malta Com- mandery, K. T. He is an exemplary member of the craft, true to its beneficent teachings. Mr. McDonald started out upon his business career without capital, and the success that he has achieved is entirely due to his own efforts. He may well be termed a self-made man, for he has placed his dependence upon his own industry, unremitting dili- gence and perseverance and these have proved the foundation upon which he has builded the superstructure of his prosperty.
JOHN CHAMBERLAIN.
When death comes to any one it is customary to review the life record and note whether it has been for good or ill. Favorable indeed is the judgment which has been passed upon John Chamberlain, who for seventy-five years traveled life's journey, performing faithfully and well every duty which devolved upon him and meeting fully every obli- gation that rested upon him. His example, therefore, is commendable and worthy of emulation, and his life history deserves a place on the pages of this volume among those of the representative citizens of Mon- roe county.
Mr. Chamberlain was born in Ashland county, Ohio, March 28,
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1827, and was a son of James and Sarah ( Peterson) Chamberlain, both of whom were natives of Virginia, whence they removed to the Buckeye state, settling there at a pioneer epoch in its history. A farmer by occu- pation, the father followed that pursuit throughout his entire life, culti- vating his fields from year to year in order to provide for his family, which in the course of time came to number ten children. These were: John, now deceased; Mary, Josiah, James, Henry, Washington, Eliza- beth, who has also passed away; Abraham, Weed, and William, de- ceased. The father was called to his final rest in 1882, at the age of seventy-five years, and the mother reaching the advanced age of eighty - nine years, her death occurring in 1898.
John Chamberlain lived in Ohio until twenty-two years of age, his boyhood being passed in a manner similar to that of most farmer lads of the period. When school was in session and his services were not needed on the farm he there pursued his studies, but during the months of summer he assisted in the work of the fields, plowing, planting and harvesting, all farm work becoming familiar to him ere he left home. The year 1847 witnessed his arrival in the new state of Iowa and he took up his abode in Eddyville. Four years later, on the 29th of June, 1851, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah Bredwell, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Bredwell. Her mother died when Mrs. Chamber- lain was but three years old, but her father long survived, passing away about 1872. In 1842 Mrs. Chamberlain and her brother came to Iowa, locating in Eddyville, and in Monroe county she has since made her home. She was born March 20, 1834, and at the age of seventeen she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Chamberlain, with whom she traveled life's journey long and happily. For the past forty years she has resided upon her present farm, the location being made here shortly after their
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marriage. As the years passed several children came to bless the house- hold, namely: Annis and Rachel Ann, both deceased; Sarah Elizabeth; Edward; Henry; John; Otis; Minnie, Willin, William, all three de- ceased ; and Ida.
Throughout his entire married life Mr. Chamberlain followed farm- ing and carpentering. He kept everything about his place in good con- dition, exercised care and thought in planting his fields and harvesting his crops, and the annual sale of his farm products returned to him a good income. The home place is pleasantly located west of Lovilia. In his political views Mr. Chamberlain was a Democrat and for many years served as a school director and a member of the school board. He believed in progress in education as in other lines and was anxious to have good schools and competent teachers. In his younger years he belonged to the Baptist church, but afterward united with the Christian church, with which he held membership until his death. For many years he was also identified with the Masonic fraternity and was a faithful follower of its teaching concerning brotherly kindness and helpfulness. He died on the home farm, September 16, 1902, at the age of seventy-five years, and his remains were laid to rest in the Os- born cemetery. Mrs. Chamberlain is still residing at home and she, too, is a loyal member of the Christian church, whose teachings and prin- ciples she has made the guide of her life.
JAMES M. CASTNER.
James M. Castner, who is engaged in the hardware and implement business in Lovilia, has been a representative of mercantile interests in this place for a number of years, and is an enterprising man, who might
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well be termed a "captain of industry" because of his indefatigable labor and successful control of every work he has undertaken. Far back into the early history of Pennsylvania can his family history be traced. In 1766 his ancestor entered from the government the land upon which James M. Castner was born, and the old house is still in the possession of his descendants. Six generations of the Castners have been born upon that land, and the town of Donora, Pennsylvania, has been built upon a portion of it. Daniel and Rebecca (Miller) Castner, the parents of our subject, were both natives of the Keystone state, and the former, a farmer by occupation, devoted his energies throughout his entire life to the tilling of the soil. His political support was given the Democracy and he was ever a citizen of worth, giving his co-operation to every measure which he believed would benefit his locality. He died in 1875, and his wife, surviving him twenty-one years, passed away in 1896. In their family were twelve children : Martin Van Buren, Maria E., James M., John K., Silas W., Jessie M., Bert W., Mary J., Wilbert F. and William L., and two that died in infancy.
Upon the ancestral homestead in Washington county, Pennsylvania, James M. Castner was born, February 11, 1843, and was there reared, while in the common schools of the neighborhood he received his educa tion. Lessons of industry and integrity were early impressed upon his mind by his parents, and through the periods of vacation he gained practical knowledge of farm work by assisting his father in the fields. At the age of twenty-four he left his boyhood home and in 1868 became a resident of Bluff Creek township, Monroe county, where he followed farming for about six years. In 1874 he took up his abode in Lovilia. where he has since resided. In 1875 he established a lumber and grain business, which he conducted with success until 1894, when he sold out
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to the Green Bay Lumber Company, and he is now conducting a hard- ware and implement business. He is well known as a factor in the business life of Lovilia and after embarking in his new enterprise it was not long before he had secured a liberal patronage, which is constantly growing, so that the business has already assumed profitable propor- tions and the future of the enterprise seems a bright one.
In 1866 Mr. Castner was united in marriage to Miss Helen Pollock, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and to them were born three children, two sons and a daughter, but Bert P., the eldest, is the only one now living, Mary Josephine and John Kerr having passed away. The wife and mother died in 1874 and in 1876 Mr. Castner was again married, his second union being with Miss Rose Clark, a daughter of P. R. Clark. Five children have graced this union: Guy Kerr, Katheryn, Anna, Louis and James Miller.
A staunch Republican, Mr. Castner exercises his right of franchise in support of its men and measures, and has labored effectively for its success in this community. He has been honored with some local offi- ces, having served as school director, as justice of the peace and as a member of the board of supervisors and his official labors resulted bene- ficially along the lines directed. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his fraternal relations he is con- nected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the United Workmen, holding membership in the local lodges in Albia. Starting out in life for himself without capital, and realizing that there is no royal road to wealth, Mr. Castner has labored diligently and unremittingly in an ef- fort to attain prosperity, and today is accounted one of the substantial citizens of his adopted town, while his social qualities are those which
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win friends, and wherever known Mr. Castner is spoken of in terms of high regard.
NATHANIEL McCLOUD.
This well-known farmer of Taylor township became a resident of Appanoose county, Iowa, in 1864. He has, therefore, been identified with its agricultural interests for almost forty years, although he did not locate upon his present farm until April, 1901. He was born in Highland county, Virginia, April 4, 1841, the same year in which King Edward of England was born. He belongs to a family noted for in- dustry, honesty, morality and courage. His ancestors came originally from the highlands of Scotland, being descended from McCloud, a Scottish chief, who was prominent in the wars of that country two hun- dred years ago. His grandfather, Nathaniel McCloud, was also a native of the Old Dominion, as was also his wife Margaret McMahan, who was of Irish lineage.
Nathaniel McCloud, Sr., was a soldier of the war of 1812. He received a land warrant calling for one hundred and sixty acres of gov- ernment land for his services. Not having a disposition to farm, after having the land warrant in his possession for thirty or forty years he traded it for a horse valued at about seventy-five dollars. He never was the owner of any real estate, but spent his life in hunting wild game in the Cheat and Allegheny mountains. At the age of three-score and ten years he died in Pocahontas county, West Virginia, at the home of his youngest daughter, Mrs. Mahala Jackson.
Their son, George Riley McCloud, father of our subject, was born and reared in Virginia. In early life he wedded Miss Mary J. Warner,
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a native of Pendleton county, that state. Her parents were James and Jane Warner of Virginia, where they spent their entire lives. The Warners were a well known and prominent family of that state. Two of its representatives became distinguished ministers of the gospel. George Warner was a member of the Methodist Church South. He moved from Pendleton county to Fayette county, West Virginia, where he married and spent the remainder of his life. He died during the war of the Rebellion at an old age. Zebedee, a nephew of the Rev. George Warner and a first cousin of the subject of this sketch, was a minister of the United Brethren Church of Christ, one of its most noted members. He held the degree of LL.D. He was the presiding elder of Clarksburg district, West Virginia, during the war. During his elder- ship he had a discussion with the editor of the standard church paper, published at Dayton, Ohio. Warner took the position that the discipline would have to be changed on the subject of secret organizations; that the members should have the right to exercise their own judgment as to the teachings of the Bible on the subject of secret orders. Since that time the rules of the church have been changed, thus showing that Warner's position was right. He died in Nebraska at about the age of fifty, while serving as a missionary. Z. Warner was married near Boonesville, Maryland, September 11, 1856, to Sarah C. Snively, who survives him and makes her home at Parkersburg, West Virginia. To them were born nine children, seven of whom are still living.
With team and wagon George R. McCloud, N. McCloud and fam- ilies came to Iowa in 1864, settling in Chariton township, Appanoose county, where George R. followed farming the remainder of his life, dying there at the age of sixty years. He was a Democrat in politics. He had been a member of the Christian church for a number of years, to
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the time of his death. His widow still survives him, having reached . the advanced age of eighty-five years. Of the twelve children ten reached the age of maturity, namely: William E., who died in York, Nebraska, June II, 1902; Nathaniel, of this review; George; Nancy J., deceased; Elizabeth; Susan; Asa; Amanda; Henry; and Anna.
Under the parental toof Nathaniel McCloud passed the days of his boyhood and youth, assisting his father in the operations of farming when not in school. At the age of nineteen years he was married at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, September 20, 1860, to Miss Rachel J. Tom- linson, both of Highland county, Virginia, his wife being a daugh- ter of Zacariah and Huldah Tomlinson, who made their home there throughout life. She was third in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being Henry, Sarah Ann, Hester, and Mary, two of whom are now residents of Kansas; the brother Henry lives in Oklahoma, and the other sister lives in Vir- ginia. As previously stated, N. McCloud came to Iowa in 1864 and cast his first vote at Moravia, Iowa. The first land he purchased was in Chariton township, in 1870. After securing one hundred and fifty acres of land near Maine station, he remained a resident of that neigh- borhood till 1901. He was the promoter of the postoffice known as Maine and served as postmaster during 1887. He afterwards had the name of the postoffice changed to that of Ray in honor of his eldest son. He and family, with many others, were in a cyclone which passed over their home on the evening of May 5. 1894. The cyclone began about six miles west of the home of this family and swept away all the build- ings in its path for a distance of many miles, taking away all the out- buildings of this family, leaving the dwelling, but moving it from the foundation. The family took refuge in a cave. Only one person-Mrs.
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William McDanel-was killed in this storm, but a number of others were seriously injured.
William E. McCloud, above mentioned, the eldest brother of the subject of this sketch, came to Iowa at the age of seventeen years. At the age of nineteen he married Miss Ann M. Sears of Taylor township. He followed the occupation of farming some years, but later in life was an extensive stock shipper, at one time being in partnership with Captain E. Cummins in the shipping business, and afterwards was a partner of R. M. Hicks. After moving to York, Nebraska, Mr. McCloud en- gaged in the commission business in the stock-yards at Omaha; was also one of the organizers of the bank at Waco, Nebraska. His son, C. A. McCloud, and nephew of the subject, is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business at York, Nebraska. He is very prominent in the county in Republican party politics, and is among the wealthiest citizens of his county.
Mrs. Rachel J. McCloud died March 12, 1883, having lived a num- ber of years as a faithful and consistent member of the United Brethren church, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. R. H. Kaster, of Chariton town- sluip. On June 15, 1884, our subject was again married, his second union being to Mrs. Mary J. Breese, widow of Timothy Breese, de- ceased. Timothy Breese was a member of the Eighth Iowa Cavalry. He was born in Ohio, but reared in Lee county, Iowa, dying near Iconium, Iowa, December 15, 1880, holding membership in the Chris- tian church at the time of his death. He left three surviving sons : Alpha A., by a former wife; Mary Hazlewood; and Ira E., now of Chicago, Illinois. One son, Everett, died at the age of four months.
By the union of Nathaniel and Mary J. McCloud were born four children, three of whom are now living-Alta, Ray and Irl, Fannie
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having died in infancy at the age of twelve months. Mrs. McCloud. the present wife, was born in Putnam county, Indiana, November 8, 1850, near Greencastle. She was a daughter of James and Anise Nich- olson, formerly Anise Brewer. Her father was a farmer by occupation ; also a brickmason. He brought his family to Iowa in 1860 and located near Iconium and died in 1875 at the age of sixty-two years. His politi- cal support was given to the Republican party, and he was an active member of the Methodist church, in which he served as class leader for a. number of years. His wife, who was also an earnest member of the same church, was born in North Carolina and died in Monroe county, Iowa, February 10, 1896, at the age of seventy-eight years. To James and Anise Nicholson were born thirteen children, as follows: Edna, Martha, Melvina, Nancy, Mary J., John; Ephraim, and Hannah, de- ceased. The others died in infancy. Ephraim enlisted in the Thirty- sixth Infantry, Iowa Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He died at Duvall's Bluff of smallpox just after the remainder of his company were mustered out of the service.
In March, 1901, N. McCloud purchased the Jefferson Turner farm of one hundred and forty acres in Taylor township, where he now re- sides. This farm is located on the Albia and Centerville wagon road, one mile south of Moravia. On this farm is a two thousand dollar house and brick cellar. The lawn is adorned with pine, cedar and other shade trees, and there is a good orchard and a large pond well stocked with fish. In fact, it is one of the most attractive and desirable farms of its size in the county. In addition to the raising of grain, Mr. Mc- Cloud raises and feeds stock for market and has found this branch of his business quite profitable. The Democratic party finds in Mr. McCloud a stanch supporter of its principles. He has always taken an
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active interest in public affairs. Both he and his wife are connected with the Methodist church and are people of refinement and culture, who make friends wherever they go.
Ira E. Breese, before mentioned, the stepson of our subject, made his home at the home of N. McCloud from June 15, 1884, till the spring of 1895. Then, to get better school facilities, he went to Shenandoah and attended Western Normal College. From there, in September, he went to Quincy. Illinois, and attended the Gem City Business College and graduated from there in the shorthand course in April, 1897. He en- listed May 27, 1898, in the United States navy and was discharged September 30, 1898. During his service in the navy he was at New York, Brooklyn, Norfolk, Hampton Roads and Key West, returning by way of Philadelphia and Chicago. He is at present engaged with the American Railway Guide Company as stenographer, with excellent chances for promotion.
JOHN KNOWELS.
John Knowels is a retired farmer of Appanoose county, who from an early period in the development of this portion of the state has re- sided in the county. For many years he followed agricultural pursuits, but has now put aside business cares to enjoy a well earned rest and his comfortable competence, which has been acquired through untiring energy and perserverance.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Knowels was born in Holmes county, that state, on May 4, 1818; a son of John and Hester Knowels. In the state of his nativity he was reared and educated, his boyhood days being quietly passed and unmarked by any event of special importance. At-
TOHN KNOWELS
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tracted by the opportunities of the growing west he came to Van Buren county, Iowa, in 1840, and took up his abode in Appanoose county, where he has since made his home. In that year he was united in mar- riage to Miss Martha Jackson, a native of Ohio, born in the same year in which her husband's birth occurred. They became the parents of eight children, one of whom is now deceased. After the death of his first wife Mr. Knowels was again married, his second union being with Eva Jane McKern, whom he wedded in 1877. She is still living with him, and they have four children.
On locating in this county, Mr. Knowels took up his abode upon a farm and began to till his fields and harvest his crops, keeping in touch with the advanced methods of farming which were introduced and proved of practical value in the work of cultivating and improving his place. He was thus engaged when the country became involved in Civil war. A loyal advocate of the Union cause, during the progress of the war he felt that his first duty was to his country, and he enlisted as a member of Company I, Third Iowa Cavalry. with which he went to the front. In 1862, in the midst of battle, he was wounded by a bullet in the left leg, just below the knee, and because of the injury he receives a pension from the government. Age would have exempted him from military service had he so desired, but his patriotic devotion to his country led him to join the army, and in days of peace he has been equally patriotic and quick to respond to his country's needs. One of the results of his war service was a change of name. His name was originally spelled Nowels, and the family still spell it so, but when Mr. Nowels's description roll was made when he entered the army the name was put down Knowels, and he has since continued it so himself.
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