USA > Iowa > Monroe County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 30
USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 30
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ELIZABETH WAKEFIELD.
One of the honored residents of Appanoose county living near Plano is Mrs. Elizabeth Wakefield, who, already past the allotted three score and ten, still experiences the joys of life in the peace which is alone the concomitant of an old age preceded by years of industrious and conscientious effort. Mrs. Wakefield is a native of Bartholomew
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county. Indiana, her birth taking place on April 29. 1829. Her parents were Samuel and Anna (Stater) Daugherty, who both died in Indiana. where the father had for many years followed the trade of a carpenter and blacksmith and was also a farmer. On August 24. 1848, Miss Daugherty was married to James Stuckey Wakefield, and it was their lot to travel together the way of life for nearly half a century, sharing equally the burdens and the comforts which came to them.
Mr. Wakefield was born in Bartholomew county. Indiana, June 6, 1823, and passed away on January 16, 1899. His parents were native to Indiana and were neighbors to the Daughertys. The father, who was a teacher by profession, died at the age of forty-eight, and the mother at the age of eighty-four. After their marriage James and Elizabeth Wakefield went to housekeeping with a grandfather of Mr. Wakefield, and later moved to a farm owned by the father of Mrs. Wakefield, where they remained until 1855. They then loaded their possessions into wagons, took with them horses and live stock and made the long but pleasant journey to Appanoose county, where they occupied the place which is still in the possession of Mrs. Wakefield. Like his father, Mr. Wakefield was a teacher, and many who have now grown to middle age remember him as the instructor their youth. While in Indiana he served for many years as justice of the peace, being elected on the Democratic ticket. He also held the same office in Appanoose county and was fulfilling its duties a short time before his death. He was a member of the board of supervisors at the time the court house was built in 1861 : also when the county farm was purchased. During President Cleveland's first administration he was postmaster of Plano. For twenty-two years he was school treasurer, holding that place at the time of his death. His religious connections were with the Chris-
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tian church. Such a life of usefulness could not fail to leave its im- press upon the community, and to him was shown the regard due the man of character and faithfulness to trust which he had proved himself to be.
Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wakefield and all are now living: Mrs. Catherine A. Baker, of Bellaire township; Mrs. Sylvania J. Wailes, living north of Garfield; Samuel W., of Brazil, Iowa; George W., at home; James H., of Plano; John A., of Des Moines; Mrs. Elizabeth Matilda Cross, living near the old home; William F., also near home; Christian E., residing north of Garfield; and Randle Fisher, at home.
JAMES L. STONE.
James M. Stone, who was the father of the subject of this brief biography, was born in the state of Connecticut, August 27, 1809, and died in August, 1895, having a long and useful life to his credit. He left home at the age of sixteen and went to Elizabethtown, New Jersey, where he earned a livelihood by peddling tinware. At that place he also met the lady who became his wife, Miss Eliza Ann Wilcox. She was born in New Jersey on December 29, 1812, and died July 23, 1871. After their marriage they went to Ashtabula county, Ohio, and settled on a one hundred acre tract of timber land given to them by Mrs. Stone's father. £ Mr. Stone followed farming the rest of his life. In 1857 he came to Iowa with his wife and children and located on a farm in Appa- noose county, where he and his wife remained until called away by death. Of the seven children born to them five are yet living: J. J. Stone, of Mystic, Iowa; Alfred Stone, of Centerville; Albertus Stone,
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who resides in Kansas; Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Powers, of Chicago; and James L. Stone.
James L. Stone was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, June 6, 1835. and at an early age learned the art of husbandry upon the farm of his father, with whom he came to Iowa in 1857. When twenty years of age he was married, on February 4, 1855, his wife being Miss Ximena Dodge, and the ceremony being performed just across the Pennsylvania line. Miss Dodge was born in Ashtabula county, June 4, 1839. Cyrus and Susan (Thomas) Dodge, her parents, were natives of Ohio, the former dying when the daughter Ximena was small, and the latter, who was born in 1818, passing away in 1877. The only son of these parents was killed in the Civil war. To Mr. and Mrs. Stone were born eleven children, and nine of these are still living and occupy honorable places in society: Almeron J. Stone resides at St. Joseph, Missouri; Frank L. is in South Dakota; James N. lives at Beatrice, Nebraska; Mrs. Flora Rigsby is in Kansas; Aurelius conducts a store in Plano; Mrs. Alice Benson resides in Kansas; Charles W. has his home in St. Joseph, Missouri; W. Byrd lives at Plano; and Clyde resides in St. Joseph.
The outbreak of the Civil war threw all the plans of domestic comfort and material happiness into confusion, and with the other loyal citizens Mr. Stone offered his services, being enrolled, in 1862, in Com- pany I, Thirty-sixth Iowa Infantry, and he followed the flag till the close of the struggle; most of his service was spent in Arkansas, Mis- sissippi, Missouri, and Texas. At the battle of Saline River he was taken prisoner and endured ten months of confinement in the southern prison at Tyler, Texas. With the exception of this period spent in the service of his country Mr. Stone has followed farming the greater part of his active life and met with excellent returns, so much so that in
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1897 he retired from the farm and now makes his home in Plano, where he and his wife enjoy the fruits of their former toil. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife are actively connected with the Methodist church. The record of such a life is full of encouragement, and among the names of men who have been marked for their consistent efforts in the upbuilding of the life of every community must be placed that of James L. Stone.
JAMES HAGAN.
James Hagan is one of the old residents of Appanoose county and derives from his Irish father many of the characteristics of that race, which have undoubtedly been a considerable factor in his successful career throughout the many years of his life. His father was John Hagan and was a native of Dublin county, Ireland. He came to America when four years old; his parents first located in Princeton, New Jersey, and later removed to Warren county, Ohio. John Hagan became a ship carpenter and weaver by trade and was engaged in this occupation most of his life. His wife was Elizabeth Glasbie, who was a native of Virginia and went to Warren county with her parents, where she met and married Mr. Hagan. Shortly after their marriage they removed to Hamilton county, Ohio, but later returned to Warren county, where Mr. Hagan died in 1833. His wife continued the weav- ing business and remained on the farm until 1840. She died in 1845.
James Hagan was the son of the above parents and was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, near Cincinnati, on the 23d of February, 1825. He was reared principally by his mother and learned the coopering trade, which he followed in Clinton county, Ohio, up to 1848. In 1852
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he became a resident of Illinois, and the following year removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he remained only a short time. In the latter part of 1853 he returned to his native state of Ohio and engaged in the coopering business. In October, 1854, in company with Peter Sidles, he came to Appanoose county and located in Lincoln township. The next year he was married and began married life on a farm in Lincoln township. Shortly afterward he removed to Bellair township, lived one year at Numa and then returned to Lincoln township. He con- tinned farming until 1870, when he came to Jerome and occupied his present nice home. He gave up the active duties of the farm when his sons were able to take charge. Mr. Hagan was also a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit for several years.
On August 2, 1855, Mr. Hagan was united in marriage to Eliza- beth B. Criswell, daughter of John and Rebecca ( Kilgore) Criswell. Of the six children born to them five are living: Mrs. Ada Crouch, Mrs. Mary Belle Hawkins, William AA., Mrs. Emma Ogle and John. Mr. Hagan is the oldest Mason in Seymour Lodge, having been a mem- ber fifty-three years. He is also a member of the Methodist church.
CALVIN R. JACKSON.
Among the old residents of Appanoose county who have figured prominently in its development and progress is Calvin R. Jackson, who has been an inhabitant of the county for nearly half a century and has witnessed its growth from a county with a scattered population to its present flourishing condition as one of the foremost agricultural and industrial counties of the great western commonwealth. His parents were Thomas and Delilah ( Wethington) Jackson, who were both born
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in the Bluegrass state when its mighty forests were almost intact and the Indians were still equal sharers with the whites. They afterward moved to Ohio and then to Indiana. Mr. Jackson was a farmer and lumberman, and he met his death by a heavy log rolling on him as he was on his way to Louisville, Kentucky.
It was while his parents resided in Jefferson county, Indiana, that Calvin R. Jackson came into the world, the date of his birth being February 2, 1820. He grew up to manhood in his native state and in 1848 left Indiana with his mother, his wife, his sister and two children and came west to the new state of Iowa. They first located in Henry county and after remaining there one year moved to Jefferson county. In 1854 he came to Appanoose county and settled on a farm three miles south of Centerville, but a year later went to Jerome, where he now resides. Mr. Jackson was a successful and enterprising farmer until 1894, in which year he retired from the active labors of the farm and opened a boarding house in Jerome, now furnishing one of the indispen- sable places of rest and home comforts which have been one of the insti- tutions of the world since the beginning of time. Mr. Jackson is also one of the Civil war veterans. He was a member of the Fifth Kansas Infantry and was afterward transferred to the Sixth Kansas Cavalry, in which regiment he saw much arduous service for three years and three months in Missouri.
Mr. Jackson's first marriage occurred in 1844 to Ellen Watkins, who died May 22, 1879. Ten children were born of this marriage and eight are now surviving. His second wife was Nancy (Cashman) Heirrear, who is still living. No children were born of this union. Mr. Jackson is a member of the Grand Army post at Seymour and in re- ligion he belongs to the United Brethren church.
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CLARENCE W. LEWIS.
It is the universal opinion that success in business is the result of industry and application rather than any special talent, and in fact what obstacle can stand long before these cardinal virtues? In the city of Centerville there grew up a great business, known as the Lewis Lum- ber Company, which was the result of the hard work and progressive business skill of two men, S. Lewis and his son. And we shall here give in brief detail the main points of the life of Clarence W. Lewis, who did so much for the welfare of his city and at his death left the priceless legacy of a good name. His parents were Seth and Celina (Woodworth) Lewis, the former a native of Connecticut and of Welsh ancestry. They were married in Illinois and about 1865 located in Marengo, that state, where he engaged in the banking business, having previously dealt in lumber.
Their son, Clarence, was born in the village of Blackberry, Illinois, February 7, 1855, and was educated in the common schools, and at an early age entered his father's bank. In 1880 he was married and then went to Trenton, Missouri, where, in connection with his father, he engaged in the lumber business. But they remained here only two years and in 1882 came to Centerville, where they established an exten- sive lumber concern. They also had branches in Seymour, Jerome and Mystic, Iowa; the father located in Seymour, where he managed the lumber yard and also conducted a bank; there his death occurred in 1893, after a long and prosperous career in different lines of commer- cial activity. In 1894 the Lewis Lumber Company was incorporated with the following officers: C. W. Lewis, president and treasurer ; L. W. Lewis, vice president, and C. M. Crego, secretary. From the be- ginning this company enjoyed a large patronage and it occupies large
CLARENCE W. LEWIS
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yards and sheds, covering fully a half a block of ground. By its abil- ity to buy in immense quantities the firm has been able to sell at reduced prices, at the same time offering the very best lumber in the mar- ket, and thus the concern has become one of the sources of pride to the citizens of Centerville. Mr. Lewis continued at the head of this enterprise until his death, which took place on April 4, 1901. And thus passed away a man whose influence for good was everywhere felt and whose remarkable success in the business field will long serve as a me- morial to his strong, honest, forceful character. In 1880 Mr. Lewis was married to Carrie M. Safford, a native of Marengo, Illinois, and the daughter of Frank and Wealthy (Hanchett) Safford, pioneers of Illinois from New York. There are five living children; Louise, Lawrence, John, Howard and Carrie May.
DAVID PUGH.
David Pugh belongs to a family that was connected with the early settlement of different sections of this country, and he himself can claim the right to attend the conventions of the old settlers of Iowa. No class of people is worthy of more respect than those who have blazed the way for the oncoming army of civilization, and in the coming years the figures of these brave and hardy pioneers will loom up larger and larger on the horizon of history, for to them belongs in great measure the credit for "western expansion," the wonder of the nineteenth cen- tury. The parents of the subject of this sketch were Levi and Jane (Watkins) Pugh, both natives of Virginia. Levi Pugh was one of the honored veterans in the war for the final vindication of American rights in 1812, and by occupation he was a tiller of the soil. Joining the tide 28
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of emigration which, after the war for independence, streamed across the mountains into the western territory, in 1827 they settled in Wayne county, Indiana, and from there moved to Washington county. Levi Pugh died while living in Wayne county, and his wife passed away in Harrison county, Missouri.
David Pugh claims the Old Dominion state for his birthplace, being born in Montgomery county, January 12, 1819, and he spent his youth in the invigorating work of the farm, and moved with his parents to their different places of residence. His coming to Johns township, Appanoose county, is dated on May 9, 1854, and he has ever since made this his home, with the exception of twenty-two months spent in Kansas. His occupation throughout his active career has been that of farmer and teamster. In 1892 he removed to Plano, and he now resides there with his wife, spending his remaining days in peace, and quiet con- templation of the future and happy memories of the past.
Mr. Pugh was married in 1842 to Nancy Needham, a native of Jennings county, Indiana, born May 4, 1824. She was living with her parents, Enoch and Lucretia (Spaulding) Needham, in Bartholomew county, Indiana, at the time of her marriage, and in that state both her parents died. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pugh twelve children. Five of these died in infancy, one was killed while bravely serving his country in the Civil war, and the five now living are as follows: Mrs. Jennie Baird, of Centerville; Mrs. Ann Baker, of Kansas; Preston Pugh, in Nebraska; William H. Pugh, in Kansas; and Mrs. Josephine Needham, living in Ringgold county, Iowa.
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JESSE A. SWAN.
To the superficial observer the lives of men possess a monotonous similarity and almost undeviating regularity, consisting of birth, a short period of active existence, and the end-all, death; but to the sympathetic student the life of every individual shows a thousand phases of interest, stamping every human being as an individual distinct from all his fel- lows; and, although space precludes an entering into the inner and real life of men, yet their outward acts are entertaining and indicative of the wide diversity in mankind. Among such men of Appanoose county as have made an impress on the life and institutions of the community is Jesse A. Swan.
Jesse A. Swan is the son of James N. and Mary (Maulding) Swan, and a native of Appanoose county, having been born here in the month of October, 1868. He was born on a farm and there spent his youth, receiving his education in the country schools. He lived on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age, and then purchased the J. J. Bland hardware store in Plano. He is now most successfully con- ducting this, in connection with a general store and the village postoffice. On May 23, 1901, Mrs. Swan was appointed postmistress, and she is now capably filling that position. Mr. Swan holds membership with the Modern Woodmen, and is otherwise prominently identified with the interests of the community. On June 1, 1891, Mr. Swan married Miss Minnie E. Elgin, and they have one son, Carl E., who was born March 10, 1892.
The parents of Mrs. Swan were John M. and Mary J. (Silknitter) Elgin. The former's place of nativity was at Martinsville, near Indian- apolis, Indiana, and the latter was born near the same place, and when only eight years of age came west with her parents and located in the
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northern part of Appanoose county. Mr. Elgin also came to this county when a child. He was a farmer, an extensive stock dealer and for four years most capably performed the duties of sheriff of Appanoose county. He also served his country as a soldier in the Civil war. Mr. Elgin died April 1, 1900, but his wife still survives and resides in Centerville. To these parents were born seven children, and all but one are living: W. E. Elgin, Charles H. Elgin, Mande Elgin, Jennie Elgin, Fred Elgin, the last three being at home with their mother, and Minnie E., the wife of our subject, was born near Walnut City, Appanoose county, December 19, 1868.
SAMUEL HIXSON.
With the active blood of southern-born parents in his veins and with a sturdy inherited character, Samuel Hixson has spent his long life amid various scenes, has engaged in the noble calling of agriculture with such energy and businesslike astuteness as to place him among the front rank in that occupation, and besides his private matters has found the time and possessed the inclination to serve his fellow citizens in public offices, and thus fulfill the duties that are indissoluble from true American citizenship.
Such is the brief record of this gentleman, whose parents were William and Sallie (Pearson) Hixson. The former was born in the sunny state of Georgia in 1804 and ended his earthly labors in 1887. The latter was a native of North Carolina and died when the subject of this sketch was fourteen years old. William Hixson was brought by his parents, in 1816. to Preble county, Ohio, where the latter made their home until their death. He engaged in farming all his life and attained a foremost position among the agricultural element of the
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county. Seven children were born to these parents, and three are now surviving: Mrs. Rebecca Rinehart, of Preble county, Ohio; Mrs. Hannah Gard, of Randolph county, Indiana; and Samuel.
Samuel Hixson was ushered into the world in Preble county, Ohio, September 20, 1832, and remained in that county until 1856, hav- ing by that time become fully initiated into the intricacies of farm life, with all its ups and downs, and also having found for himself a partner in life's journey. In that year he came west to Iowa and located in Lee county, where he pursued his chosen vocation for the period of six and a half years. In 1863 he removed to Appanoose county and settled on the place north of Mystic on which they now reside. Here he early became identified with the public interests of the county, and his fitness for places of trust was recognized in 1879 by his election on the Green- back ticket to a seat in the Iowa legislature, where, during the session of 1880, he performed his due share in the actions of that body. For one term he held the office of justice of the peace and was a member of the Walnut township board. In religion he is connected with the Christian church.
In the fall of 1855 Mr. Hixson was married to Miss Elizabeth Miles, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, February 1, 1837. Her parents were John and Susan Miles, both natives of Ohio. The former was born February 5, 1810, and died in 1870, and the latter was born June 23. 1813, and died March 27, 1853. Mrs. Hixson's father was a shoemaker by trade and also followed farming. He had nine children, six of whom are living: Mrs. Delila Eikenbary, Mrs. Rebecca Harms- ton, Catherine Miles, P. M. Miles, deceased, C. V. Miles, and Mrs. Hixson. Mr. and Mrs. Hixson were the parents of nine children, and eight are still living, being numbered among the respected citizens of
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their county : Elliott P., of Keokuk county; John Miles, of this county; James William, at home with his parents; Mrs. J. W. Ellis, near Cin- cinnati, Iowa; Mrs. Eliza Douglas, in this county; Mrs. Leonia Ellis, of Calhoun county, Iowa; Mrs. Lauretta Ockerman, of Wayne county, Iowa; and Mrs. Catherine Blattner, of Keokuk county.
GEORGE W. McCLOUD.
George W. McCloud is one of the representative farmers of Appa- noose county and deserves special mention on account of the active part he has always taken in affairs of public nature and his character as a worthy and upright citizen. His parents were George R. and Mary Jane ( Warner) McCloud, natives of Virginia. The former died Feb- ruary 3. 1886, but the latter still survives and makes her home with her children in Appanoose county. Mrs. McCloud has the unique distinc- tion of being at the head of five generations. Four different groups of children have descended from her, and she is now variously designated as mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grand- mother, a relationship almost incredible without the actual facts at hand. This estimable lady was born in Pendleton county, Virginia, January 26, 1818, and was there reared, remaining at home with her parents, William and Jane Warner, until she married Mr. McCloud. After their marriage they remained in Virginia until November 7, 1865, when they started on the trip to Iowa. They made the entire journey by wagon and finally located in the northern part of this county, near Iconium. Mr. McCloud made farming his occupation all his life. and his death occurred in Iconium. Ten of their children grew to maturity and eight of these are living: Nathaniel, residing at Moravia; the subject of
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this sketch; Susan Teegarden, of Moravia, Iowa; Elizabeth Sheeks, of Kansas; Asa R., of Iconium; Mrs. Amanda Myers, of Kansas; Henry, of Mystic; Anna Burns, of Iconium.
George W. McCloud claims the Old Dominion state as the place of his birth, being born in Pocahontas county, March 1, 1845. When only seventeen years old he bravely shouldered a musket in defense of the Union, enlisting December 4, 1861, in Company B, Tenth West Virginia Infantry. In 1863 he was attached to Battery G, First Virginia Flying Artillery, and was a participant in many of the important battles of the war, some of them being Droop Mountain, Maryland Heights, Win- chester, Woodstock, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. In the last men- tioned both ex-Presidents Hayes and Mckinley took part. He was also in several raids in Tennessee and Virginia under General W. W. Aver- ell. On returning from the war, he soon forgot the sanguinary strug- gles on the battlefield in the engrossing occupation of a farmer, to which pursuit he had determined to devote himself; and in this calling he has made a gratifying success and at the present time owns a farm of one hundred and sixteen acres, one-half mile north of Mystic, which is a model in many respects.
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