USA > Iowa > Monroe County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 36
USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Biographical and genealogical history of Appanoose and Monroe counties, Iowa > Part 36
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Mr. Kenworthy lives on a three hundred acre farm, known as the old George Town farm. He takes an active interest in the success of the Republican party and is a member of the central committee of the township, of which he has been chairman for years; he is a leading member of the post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Albia; and he has been steward of the Methodist church for many years and one of its most liberal supporters. Throughout his long residence in the county he has proved himself a man of no mean ability, and is held in high re- gard.
LUTHER CHISMAN.
Luther Chisman is a self-made man, whose industry and energy in his chosen life work have made him one of the well-to-do agriculturists of his community. His birth occurred in Dearborn county, Indiana, October 21, 1851, and he comes of an old Pennsylvania family of Ger- man descent. His paternal grandfather, John Chisman, was a native of the Keystone state, but became a resident of Iowa, and both he and his wife died in Wapello county and were laid to rest in a cemetery
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near their home. Their son, Edward Chisman, was born in Indiana and spent the days of his youth upon a farm in Dearborn county. When he had reached man's estate he desired a companion and helpmeet for the journey of life and married Miss Keturah Clark, who was born in Ohio, and belonged to a prominent family of that state of English an- cestry, but was reared in Indiana. In 1853 they left their home in Dearborn county and with their family came to Iowa, settling in Polk township, Wapello county, near the Monroe county line, he having here purchased a tract of government land in 1850. It was then raw prairie, on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, but with characteristic energy he began to plow the fields and in course of time made his tract a valuable farm property. In the family were the following children: Amanda, the wife of Pete Burjeson, of Blakes- burg, Iowa; Anna, the wife of Alec Tubaugh, of this township; Luther ; Laura, who became the wife of H. D. Lane and died in Wapello county ; Trumbull ; and Josephine, deceased. The father died upon the homestead farm in 1861, at the age of forty-one years. He was a Democrat in his political views and served as justice of the peace and as a member of the school board. He held membership in the Baptist church, to which his widow also belongs. She still resides upon the farm and on the 13th of November, 1902, she attained her eighty-first year.
Luther Chisman spent his early boyhood days with his parents, but at the age of fourteen years started out to earn his own living. Previous to this time he had been a student in a district school, in which there were seventy-five students and two teachers in a room twenty-two by twenty-four fect. It was known as the Liberty school, and to that institution he is indebted for all the mental training he received inside a
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schoolroom. Mr. Chisman was married on the 5th of February, 1874, to Miss Tennie Burjeson, a native of Sweden, in which country she was educated. Her parents were Jacob and Lena Burjeson, and the latter died during the infancy of Tennie. The father, however, came to America and for six years was a resident of Iowa.
Mr. Chisman's first purchase of land comprised eighty acres in Cedar township, Monroe county, and was bought with money acquired through his own labor at farm work. After four years he sold this property and removed to Kansas, where he remained for four years and then returned to Iowa, settling on a rented farm in Ringgold county. near Kellerton. In 1888 he purchased a farm of William Wilcox in Mantua township, Monroe county, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land, and has since resided on this property, which constitutes one of the best farms in the locality because of its many excellent im- provements, its good grades of stock and highly cultivated fields. There are blue-grass pastures, verdant meadows and grain fields which give promise of rich harvests, and the farm is well fenced and everything is in good condition.
To Mr. and Mrs. Chisman have been born six children: James, who is twenty-four years of age and assists in the cultivation of the home farm; Ina, the wife of Charles Springer, a prominent farmer of this township; Retta, who is a student in the high school of Albia; Alta, who is eleven years of age; Edward, who died at the age of twenty- one years; he was a young man loved by all for his good qualities and his loss was deeply felt throughout the community; and Sarah, who died at the age of two and a half years, in the state of Kansas. Mr. Chis- man's study of political questions has led him to endorse the principles of the Democratic party, and he has frequently been a delegate to its
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county conventions. He is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of the community, being found on the side of progress and improve- ment in all matters pertaining to the general good, and in matters of business his straightforward and reliable dealing is one of his strong characteristics and has led to his success.
RUFUS E. CUMMINS.
Peter Cummins, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was an officer in the English army and a citizen of Vincennes, Indiana, in 1783. The act of congress, March 3, 1791 (Vol. I, page 221, U. S. Statutes), granted four hundred acres of land to each person who in the year 1783 was the head of a family at Vincennes or in the Illinois country on the Mississippi, according to the act, April 30, 1810 (II Vol., Statutes, 590). The claim was confirmed by act, February 13, 1813, Vol. II, General Statutes, page 800, reported in 7th Vol. American state papers, pages 704, 722 and 723.
Ephraim Cummins, the son of Peter, was born at Vincennes, in 1770; was a farmer ; moved to Iowa in 1851, and died in Wapello county, in 1862. He was the possessor of the following patents, recorded thus : Certificate No. 140, Vol. I, page 140; signed by James Monroe. Cer- tificate No. 1360, Vol. 5, page 429; signed by James Monroe. Certifi- cate No. 2628, Vol. 9, page 370; signed by J. Q. Adams. Certificate No. 3537, Vol. 8, page 27; signed by Andrew Jackson.
His son Daniel was born in Spencer county, Indiana, in 1803; was a farmer; moved to Appanoose county, Iowa, in 1851 ; in the spring of 1863 moved to Santa Ana, California, where he lived for twelve years,
33
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then moved to Washington. He reared a family of twenty-two children and died in 1886.
Ephraim Cummins, the son of Daniel, was born in Spencer county, Indiana, February 26, 1832. At the age of sixteen he moved to Wapello county, Iowa, with his uncle, Ephraim Cummins, and after one year moved to Moravia, Appanoose county, Iowa.
On March 4, 1852, he married Maria Theressa Stauber, who was born December 8, 1833, and died June 12, 1874. She was a daughter of Joseph Stauber, who laid out the town of Moravia and named it in honor of the Moravian church, of which he was a member. To them were born eight children, five of whom are now living: Josephine C., Eunice E., Frank B., Rufus E., William R., Theresa, Grant and Laura. Ephraim Cummins afterwards married Anna R. Stauber, who was born January 21, 1850. Two children were born: Blaine and Mabel. He was engaged in the mercantile business before the war, closing the busi- ness to enter the army. On his discharge he again engaged in the same business and in connection he was postmaster and held the office until Cleveland's election. He was a charter member of Antiquity Lodge No. 252, A. F. and A. M., and was rated as one of the successful and leading citizens of the county. Politically Captain E. Cummins was a Republi- can and extended his influence in the formation of that party in Ap- panoose county, Iowa. He voted for John C. Fremont for president in 1856, and for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and every Republican candi- date for president thereafter until his death. He was as true as steel to his friends, and never quailed before an enemy on the field of battle. He was an indulgent father and treated his children with great kind- ness, yet was firm with them. all of whom grew up to be useful men and women, loyal to the country and flag.
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The Eighth Iowa Cavalry was commanded by Colonel J. B. Dorr, and Captain E. Cummins, who enlisted June 24, 1863, organized Com- pany F. They were mustered in at Camp Roberts, Davenport, Iowa, August 1, 1863, and remained there until October, 1863, when the com- pany went to Louisville, Kentucky, where they received arms and out- fits, and marched to Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Cummins was em- ployed in hunting down and capturing various bands of cut-throats that infested the state at that time. In March, 1864, the company marched to Cleveland, Tennessee, and was made a part of the magnificent army of General Sherman on May 3, 1864. The first fight was at Varnell, Georgia, May 9, 1864. He was with Sherman at the capture of Atlanta, and marched to the sea. Captain Cummins was in the various battles and skirmishes that his regiment was engaged in on that cam- paign up to the battle of Cassville, where he was badly wounded while leading a charge at the head of his company, and was compelled to leave his regiment, but as soon as he was able he returned and served under General Thomas against Hood. At the close of the war he was hon- orably discharged. Captain Cummins was noted for his great bravery and coolness in battle; was a great favorite with the soldiers of his regi- ment, and no officer was held in higher esteem than he by the soldiers of his own company.
(This war record was written by Corporal William D. Kinser and Sergeant Robert K. Johnson.)
Captain E. Cummins died August 6, 1891.
Rufus E. Cummins, the son of Ephraim and Maria T. (Stauber) Cummins, was born in the village of Moravia, Iowa, August 24, 1860, and passed his youth and gained his early educational training in this place. His first business experience was obtained in his father's store,
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but after his marriage he settled on a farm in Taylor township, Ap- panoose county, and continued in this occupation until 1897, in which year he was appointed postmaster of Moravia; he still fills this office and gives entire satisfaction. Like his father, he is a Republican in politics, and is a member of Antiquity Lodge No. 252, A. F. & A. M., and also a member of Monroe Chapter No. 125, R. A. M. In 1884 he was married to Miss Jennie Long and they have one child, Beulah. Mr. Cummins is much esteemed for his excellent personal qualities as well as his strict business integrity.
HERMAN SNOW.
The Forest Glen stock farm, comprising six hundred and forty acres, is the home of Herman Snow, one of the popular and prominent citizens of Monroe county. His farm is located in Urbana township, not far from the Blakesburg postoffice, and approaches very nearly to the ideal stock farm. Upon the place are three houses, his own residence being a very attractive one, surrounded by a well kept lawn, and in the rear stand good barns and sheds for the shelter of grain and stock. The latest improved machinery is used in the cultivation of the fields, which annually return rich harvests, and there are good pasture lands, furnishing feed for the stock in summer, while the exten- sive meadows give a hay supply for the winter feeding. The stock raised is of high grades, and the owner has reason for just pride in his valuable farm, for Forest Glen is one of the finest stock farms in this part of the state.
Mr. Snow has resided in Monroe county since 1866. He was born in Knox county, Illinois, near Galesburg, March 21, 1852, and
MR. AND MRS. HERMAN SNOW.
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comes of a prominent family, the name figuring many times upon the pages of history. His father, Lucius Snow, was born in Portage county, Ohio, and was a son of Oliver Snow, a native of Massachusetts, and a descendant of an old New England family of genuine Puritan stock that was established in America by English emigrants who landed on the famous Plymouth Rock. Oliver Snow married Rozetta L. Petti- bone, a native of Connecticut, and his last days were spent in Illinois. For a short time he was a believer in and follower of Joseph Smith, the noted Mormon leader, but later renounced that belief. Both he and his wife were laid to rest at Walnut Grove, now Altona, Illinois, their graves being marked by two large trees, planted there by their son Lucius. Lucius Snow was one of seven children. Lorenzo Snow, the fifth in age, became an elder and the leader of the Mormon church at Salt Lake City for a number of years, but is now deceased. Eliza R. Snow won a wide reputation as a poet and author. Lucius was the sixth of the family. Mrs. Lenora Leavitt died at Salt Lake. Samuel P. Snow is a well known author and writer of California. Percy Amanda died in Illinois, aged forty, and Melissa died in Portage county, Ohio, aged twenty-five.
Reared in Ohio, Lucius Snow afterward lived in Illinois for a number of years and was married in Knox county, that state, to Miss Eliza Walker, a native of New York, and a daughter of Joseph Walker, who was born in England. In 1854 Mr. and Mrs. Snow removed from Illinois to St. Paul and later to Red Wing, Minnesota. He became one of the pioneers of the locality and was an active factor in the work of development there and was prominent in public affairs, filling a number of positions of trust and responsibility. In 1866 he removed from Minnesota to Monroe county, Iowa, locating in Urbana township, where
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he died at the age of seventy-nine years, honored and respected by all who knew him. He had always carried on farming and stock raising and was regarded as authority upon bees and bee culture. His widow is now living in Blakesburg, Iowa. They had five children: Herman; Ida Dorothy, of Wapello county ; Anson A., a prominent business man and also postmaster of Bracewell, Decatur county, Iowa, and a well known writer upon free thought; Iantha, the wife of W. E. Bracewell, who is one of the most extensive sorghum manufacturers of the United States and a leading farmer of Decatur county, Iowa; and Sidney C., prominent in connection with the telephone business in Urbana town- ship, Monroe county.
Herman Snow was reared in Illinois and upon the frontier of Minnesota, and acquired a good education in the schools of the latter state and in the Kirksville ( Missouri) Normal College. For twelve years he was successfully engaged in teaching, but now devotes his entire time and attention to the supervision of his farming and his telephone interests. He owns an entire section of land in Monroe county, from which he annually secures good crops, while his stock sales also amount to a good figure each year.
On the 14th of October, 1879, Mr. Snow was united in marriage to Miss Kate Trussell, whose father, Andrew Trussell, was one of the prominent and wealthy farmers of Monroe county. He came to Iowa during its territorial days, settling in Wapello county in 1842, and afterward removing to Monroe county. He became a very prosperous farmer, owning hundreds of acres of land and carrying on stock deal- ing on an extensive scale. He also became one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Albia and one of its directors. He mar- ried Martha Williamson, of Iroquois county, Illinois, and to them were
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born five children: Mrs. Sarah .1. De Haven, of Urbana township, Monroe county; Mrs. Martha J. Derby, of Wapello county; Samuel H., of Ewing, Holt county, Nebraska, a prominent cattleman; W. H., a well known banker of Moravia, and Mrs. Snow. The father gave his political endorsement to Republican principles and was one of the substantial citizens of Monroe county. His birth occurred in Pennsyl- vania in 1814 and he died at the age of seventy-six years, while his wife passed away at the age of seventy-eight. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Snow, their daughter, was reared and educated in this county and presides with gracious hospi- tality over her beautiful home, which is characterized by culture and refinement. In the family are four children: Norlan, who is with the First National Bank at Albia; Zatha, who is a fine musician; F. Ralph, and Herbert A.
For three years Mr. Snow served as a member of the county board of supervisors and gave his aid and influence to all measures which he regarded as beneficial to the community. He votes with the Republican party and has frequently been a delegate to its county and state con- ventions, having served in the state convention when Governor Shaw was nominated to head the ticket. He has also been active in advancing the school interests of his county in the way of better schoolhouses, better wages for teachers, and was instrumental in getting free libraries for each school in his own township of Urbana. He is at present a director in the First National Bank of Albia and in the Farmers' and Miners' Savings Bank of Albia and in the Blakesburg Savings Bank of Blakesburg, and also the president of the Blakesburg Telephone and Telegraph Company. For twenty-seven years he has been a most con- sistent and devoted member of the Christian church, has contributed
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generously to its support and labored untiringly for the extension of its influence, and has long served as Sunday-school superintendent. His life has ever been upright and honorable, his actions manly and sincere, and he now stands as one of the strong men of the county, strong in his success and in his honor and good name.
ISAAC N. TRIMBLE.
Isaac N. Trimble, who resides on section 31, Mantua township, is one of Monroe county's native sons and a representative of one of her old and honored families. He was born on the farm where he now lives, July 6, 1854, and is a son of Thomas Trimble, who is a prominent early settler and successful business man of the township. He was born in Kentucky in 1817 and was reared and educated in that state. Going to Indiana, he was there married to Miss Elizabeth Webb, a native daughter of the Hoosier state, and a daughter of John Webb, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war and afterward drew a pension. In 1850 they came to Iowa by team and wagon and were among the first to locate in Mantua township, Monroe county, where the father pur- chased two hundred and sixty acres of land and developed a farm, mak- ing it his home up to the present time. He has been called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was a most estimable lady and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She passed away in 1877, at the age of forty-five years. Although now eighty-five years of age, Mr. Trimble still enjoys good health, and throughout his active busi- ness life successfully carried on general farming and stock-raising. In politics he is a pronounced Republican, and has ever taken a commend- able interest in public affairs. In his family were ten children, three
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sons and seven daughters, namely: Alexander, who served for three years and four months during the Civil war as a member of the Seven- teenth Iowa Volunteer Infantry and is now a resident of Albia, Iowa; Nancy W., Jennie, Isaac N., Eveline, Christina, George, who died at the age of fourteen years, Lou, who died at the age of forty-two; and Mrs. Lotta Miller and Mrs. Ida Gillett, also deceased. The family is one of the most prominent and influential in Mantua township.
Upon the old homestead Isaac N. Trimble grew to manhood and by assisting his father in the work of the farm early became familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist, at the same time pursuing his literary studies in an old schoolhouse with bench seats, near his home. In February, 1879, he married Miss Clara Belles, a daugh- ter of William and Mary J. (Maull) Belles, who were natives of New Jersey and Kentucky, respectively. Her parents were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and her father was a Republican in politics. In early life he learned the tailor's trade, which he followed for a time, but subsequently turned his attention to farming. He died in 1897, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife passed away at the age of fifty-two. This worthy couple were the parents of thirteen children, of whom eight are still living, namely : Mary Ann; John, who was a soldier of the Civil war ; Myra: Sarah; Alva and Clarence, twins; Oak; and Grant. Of those deceased, Isaac N. was a soldier of the Union army during the Rebellion and was killed in battle; Slona, one who died in infancy, Effie, and Cora A., who died in Wapello county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Trimble have eight children living: Guy, Pearl, Ruth, Lena, Fanny, George, Paul and Ola, while Frank, the third in order of birth, died at the age of nineteen years; and Etta, the fourth of the family, died at the age of seven years.
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After his marriage Mr. Trimble continued to reside upon the old homestead with his father, and is today successfully operating three hundred and twenty acres of land, which is under a high state of culti- vation and well improved. In religious faith they are Friends and hold membership in the Friends church at Albia, Iowa. People of refinement and culture, they make many friends, who are always sure of a hearty welcome within their hospitable doors.
GEORGE C. HAZLEWOOD.
This name has long been favorably known in Appanoose county, especially in the vicinity of Iconium, where its owner has resided and carried on a prosperous business for many years. Though bred to farming and always engaged more or less directly in agricultural pur- suits, Mr. Hazlewood early developed taste and talent for dealing in real estate, and has met with remarkable success from his numerous dealings in land. In other ways, also, he has displayed decided business ability, and with it all enjoys a reputation for honest dealing and financial stabil- ity that gives him credit of the highest class. It is safe to say that no banker or capitalist who knows him would hesitate to cash at par any note bearing the signature or endorsement of George C. Hazlewood. Ilis life story in the main is much like that of many other Iowa farmers who have descended from early pioneers from the east and have been brought up at country homes in the rural neighborhood in this state. About the time that Iowa emerged from the territorial condition and was admitted to the Union as a state there arrived a worthy couple from the east and cast their fortunes with the new commonwealth. Joseph G. Ilazlewood, who was a native of Virginia, had tarried long enough
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in Indiana to find a wife in the person of Deborah E. Downing, and with her he settled on a farm in Jefferson county. He tilled his land there in the usual way for some years, and in 1857 made a change of location to Mercer county, Missouri, where he remained eight years, coming thence to Appanoose county, his death here occurring at the age of eighty-one years, and his wife died when seventy-one years old. Of their eight children seven are living, and among these is included the prosperous farmer at Iconium whose operations it is now the intention to describe.
George C. Hazlewood was born on the farm first occupied by his father in Jefferson county, near Fairfield, January 9, 1852. He grew up and received his education in that vicinity and other localities, but be- fore reaching his majority decided to take unto himself a wife. This resolve was carried out July 13, 1871, by his marriage to Melinda E. McKern, a girl of Iowa nativity, who died in Nebraska a few years sub- sequent to her union, at the age of twenty-eight years. She was a daughter of John and Celaw (Van Doren) McKern, natives of Indiana and the parents of twelve children, of whom five reached mature years and there are now living: Jabez and Hannah Graham, residents of Moravia; and Mr. Hazlewood's present wife, Dilemma. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hazlewood, two are living: Bertie C. and Rena M., the last named being the wife of Edgar Breese, and they have one son, Loyd B.
During this first union Mr. Hazlewood bought a small tract of land, mostly in its raw state, sixty acres. Three years later he bought eighty acres more, but in two years he sold the larger tract for a handsome profit. In a few years he purchased sixty acres adjoining the first pur- chase and as time passed on Mr. Hazlewood sold this farm, consisting of
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one hundred and twenty acres, after occupying it eight years. With a speculative turn heretofore noticed Mr. Hazlewood made another pur- chase of one hundred and sixty acres. This, too, he sold two years later, and purchased one hundred and five acres adjoining the village of Iconium, on which he resided for eight years. But during this time, owing to the poor health of his wife, Mr. Hazlewood went to Nebraska for the benefit of his wife's health, but all in vain. His wife. Melinda E., died in Nebraska September 18, 1882, and Mr. Hazlewood returned to his farm at Iconium. On the 13th of November, 1883. Mr. Hazle- wood contracted a second marriage, with the widow of L. B. Hutton, a sister of his first wife. She has one living child by her first husband. John W., who married Lena Young, and they have a daughter named Fern. After his second marriage Mr. Hazlewood took up his residence on the one hundred and five acre farm, but he soon sold it in small lots. with the profit that usually accompanies his real estate transactions. The fine farm he owns at the present time was obtained by purchase at dif- ferent times. in three tracts, numbering ninety-five, forty and one hun- dred and twenty acres, respectively, but he afterwards disposed of the largest tract and bought instead eighty acres in Monroe county, adjoin- ing the balance of his land. As the result of his various deals Mr. Hazlewood now enjoys that happy state which is usually summed up by the expressive phrase. "well fixed," and few men of his age can make a better financial showing with no greater capital to start on. Mr. Hazle- wood's farming is of the kind usually described as mixed or general, but he has paid some attention to blooded stock, showing a preference for hogs of the best grades. He understands the business thoroughly, whether on its speculative or practical side, and possesses that valuable faculty for all business men of knowing how to make things pay.
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