Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa, Part 51

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 484

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publican, and socially belongs to the I. O. O. F.

Michael McNichols, farmer and stock-raiser, Nevada, Iowa. There are many citizens of foreign birth represented in this volume, but none are more deserving of mention than Mr. McNichols, who is one of the progressive and substantial men of Story County. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, on the 16th of March, 1847, and at an early age emigrated with his parents to America, and located in Syracuse, N. Y., where he remained until 1867. The parents then moved to Fond du Lac, Wis., where Michael grew to manhood, and where he engaged in the grocery business, continuing at this from 1866 until 1872. He then located in Chicago, and was there in the employment of the North-Western Railroad Company for one year. In 1873 he emigrated to Michigan, but in the fall returned to Wisconsin, where he was elected clerk of the township board of the town of Worcester, Price County. He con- tinued to serve in that capacity (which was serving virtually as county clerk) until 1880, and filled the position in a creditable and satis- factory manner. He was married, in 1875, to Miss Hannah Carey, daughter of Edward and Mary (Donovan) Carey, natives of Cork, Ire- land. Mr. McNichols purchased 200 acres of land on Sections 23 and 24 in Milford Town- ship, and the improvements he has made, to- gether with a naturally fertile soil, have rendered it one of the best farms in the county. He has good, substantial buildings, and a glance over the farm will indicate the kind of a farmer that he is. Mr. McNichols has been unusually suc- cessful since locating here, and, in connection with his farming interests, is also actively en- gaged in raising a good grade of cattle, horses and hogs, dealing only in the best. Mr. Mc- Nichols is the son of James and Sarah McNich- ols, and one of nine children born to their union-five sons and four daughters-eight of

whom grew to maturity: John, Bridget, Mary, Steplien, Patrick, James, Sarah (deceased) and Sarah. Four brothers and one sister are now living. Mr. McNichols' widowed sister now resides with him on his farm. He is a trustee of Milford Township, and has at all times been a strict advocate of Democracy. To his marriage were born four children: Mary E., Hannah B., John H. and Bessie. He and family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Aaron Mc Wherter, farmer and stock-raiser, Collins, Iowa. The entire life of Mr. Mc- Wherter has been one without any material change from the ordinary pursuits of farm toil, and yet not devoid of substantial results as an agriculturist. He was born in Marion County, Ohio, on the 13th of February, 1839, and is the son of John and Charlotte (Imboty) Mc- Wherter, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respect- ively. Mr. McWherter moved to Indiana in 1846, settled in Noble County, and assisted in subduing the wilderness. He resided there until his death, in 1884, when eighty-two years of age. His wife now survives him, and is seventy-three years of age. Aaron McWherter, the third in order of birth of nine children, two sons and three daughters now living, grew to manhood in Noble County, Ind., and in 1862 came to Iowa. He located in Plum Grove, Jasper County, Iowa, and was married there on the 29th of October, 1862, to Miss Martha McQuiston, a native of Ohio, but who was reared in Indiana and Iowa, and the daugh- ter of John McQuinton. Ten living children are the result of this union: Henry C., John, David, William J., Wyatt, Jesse, Elias, Joseph W., Mary and Viola. After his marriage Mr. Mc Wherter farmed at the Grove until after the war, and improved two farms in Jasper County before he bought here in 1866. He then re- mained here engaged in improving his farm,

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and then returned to Jasper County after rent- ing his Story County farm. Later he sold the Jasper County farm, and in 1880 moved to Noble County, Ind., where he took care of his father for six years, or until the latter's death. In November, 1886, he returned to Iowa, and set- tled on his old farm, consisting of 180 acres of prairie and timber land; seventy acres of this are timber, and there is plenty of living water in the dryest season. This farm is near the corner of the county and is very desirable for stock purposes. Mr. Mc Wherter is a demitted mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, having joined this society at Newton, Iowa, about 1870.

D. H. Mackey. Prominent among the repre- sentative agriculturists of Story County is Mr. Mackey, the subject of this sketch. He first opened his eyes to the scenes of this world in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1845, and was the elder of two children (the other being a sister, Emma, now Mrs. Sherk, of South Dakota), born to Thomas H. and Isabella (Catelle) Mackey, the former of Irish and the latter of Scotch de- scent. When he was four years of age his father died, the mother surviving his death about eighteen years. After the father's death the family moved to Kentucky, and from there to Indiana, and when D. H. Mackey was twelve years of age he came to this county with his uncle, David Baker, and here he received his schooling. At the age of fourteen years he com- menced life on his own responsibility as a farm hand, and at the age of eighteen, in August, 1863, he entered the United States service, joining Company I, Eighth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, Captain Shurtz commander, and was mustered into service at Davenport, and sent to Middle Tennessee as a scout. He took part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, be- sides considerable skirmishing, and was for- tunate in neither being wounded nor taken prisoner. He was honorably discharged at

Nashville, Tenn., in June, 1865, after which he returned to Story County and engaged in farm- ing. In 1869 he was married in this county to Miss Sarah Smay, daughter of Absalom and Mary Smay, and in September of the same year the young couple moved to Southeastern Dakota. After seven years in that State, dur- ing which time they lost five crops by grass- hoppers, they returned to this county, and in 1887 purchased the farm on which he now lives, comprising 160 acres, and on this he has since erected good buildings, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Mackey are the parents of six children: Ira and Charles (both attending the Capitol City Commercial College, of Des Moines), and Mary, Emma, William and Grace, and they and the three eldest children are members of the Johnson Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church. In his political views Mr. Mackey affiliates with the Republican party. He has been identified with this section since its earli- est history, and has seen the entire develop- ment of Story County. It was at one time supposed that this county would become a lake, but now by good drainage, it has been made into one of the richest farming sections of the State. Mr. Mackey is making a specialty of the dairy business, and is now milking about thirty-five cows, all high grade Short-horns. He has about 135 head of Poland China hogs constantly on hand.

William D. Martin, farmer and stock-raiser, Colo, Iowa. Mr. Martin is truly one of the well respected men of New Albany Township, and by his quiet, unpretentious course has made many friends, and at the same time been very successful. He was the youngest of four children born to John W. and Sarah ( Wilkes) Martin, his birth occurring in Montgomery County, Ind., in 1844. The father was bornin Ohio in 1800, was reared in that State and probably married there. He settled in Mont-

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gomery County, Ind., at an early day and fol- lowed the trade of contractor and builder there. He was a soldier in the Mexican War. His father was Isaac C. Martin. William D. Mar- tin was one of the following children: James (of Topeka, Kas.), Polly (now Mrs. Ephraim Dewey, of Oregon) and Josephine (now Mrs. Thomas Goble, of Jones County, Ill.). He was reared and educated in Indiana, and in 1862 enlisted in the Twentieth Indiana Bat- tery, with which he served until the close of the war. He was in the siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville, and was in numerous skirmishes, but never received a wound. He was sick with lung fever at Nash- ville, and was in the hospital for nine months. Returning to Indiana after the war, he there remained until the winter of 1867, when he moved to Story County, Iowa. He has followed agricultural pursuits up to the present time, and is the owner of 120 acres of well-im- proved land, on which he has excellent build- ings, etc. As a man of industry and enter- prise he has few superiors. Mr. Martin was married in 1879 to Mrs. Nancy P. Schoonover, widow of George Schoonover, who was one of the first settlers in this county. Mr. Schoon- over served as recorder two terms, and also edited a county paper for some time. Mrs. Martin became the mother of two children by her first marriage, John H. and Edwin, and one child by her union to Mr. Martin, Ernest W. John H. Schoonover was educated in the Busi- ness College at Des Moines, and now is presi- dent of the Queen City Business College at Hastings, Neb. Edwin Schoonover is a farmer of Story County, Iowa. Mr. Martin is a member of the New Albany Township Stock Improve- ment Co., which was organized in March, 1889, and is also a member of J. B. Steadman Post No. 238, at Colo. He is giving special attention at the present time to the breeding of Poland-

China hogs. He and Mrs. Martin are mem- bers of the United Brethren Church.

J. Francis Martin, attorney at law, of Neva- da, Iowa. Socially, and as a painstaking and zealous lawyer, we find none whose record in point of excellence excels that of Mr. Martin, who for the past thirteen years has been one of the leading members of the Story County bar. He was born in a log cabin in Greenville Town- ship, Bureau County, Ill., December 25, 1852, a son of Charles and Victoria ( Lovitt) Martin, the former born in Oneida County, N. Y., in October, 1826, the latter being also born there. Charles Martin followed the occupation of a merchant in his early life, but upon his removal to Bureau County, Ill., in 1842, he turned his attention to stock-raising, and eventually be- came the owner of a large and valuable stock- farm in that county. His ancestors originally came from Ballingarry, Ireland, or near that parish, but the mother's father, Joseph Lovitt, was a native Frenchman. Mrs. Martin was a refined and intelligent Christian lady, a faith- ful wife and mother, and her death, which oc- curred at Wyanet, in Bureau County. Ill., in 1867, was lamented by many besides her own immediate family. J. Francis Martin received a good education in the public schools of Bu- reau County, and after attaining a suitable age he began teaching school, an occupation he continued for three years, after which he en- tered college at Wheaton, Ill., in which insti- tution he remained three years. Having made up his mind to make law his profession through life, he entered a law office in the city of Chi- cago, in 1874, remaining two years, at the end of which time he entered the law department of the Iowa State University, at Iowa City, and graduated in 1877. Immediately afterward he came to Nevada, Story County, where he opened a law office, and has been a practitioner and resident of this county ever since. He is a

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

man of genuine legal ability, a close student, and the reputation he has acquired has been gained through his own individual efforts. He has one of the most extensive law libraries in the State, and outside of his profession keeps thoroughly apace with the times. His marriage occurred on May 31, 1879, at which time Miss Mary Z. Daley, of Colo, Iowa, be- came his wife. She died on March 10, 1882, leaving besides her husband a son, Charles C., to mourn her loss. Miss Alice M. Slifer, of Grundy Centre, Iowa, became his wife on June 26, 1883. Politically Mr. Martin has been a life-long Democrat. In 1881 he became a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge, and shortly after a Royal Arch Mason. He has been Worshipful Master of the Blue Lodge nearly ever since he joined the organization, and during this time he has held high official positions on commit- tees in the Grand Lodge of the State; and in 1887-88 was Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, and is now Deputy Grand Mas- ter of Masons in Iowa. He is now the Grand Representative of the Grand Lodge of Florida, near the Grand East of Iowa. Shortly after the organization of the K. of P., at Nevada, he became a member thereof.

Martin L. Mauser is a well-known agricult- urist residing in Washington Township, Story County, Iowa, but was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, August 1, 1850, being the sixth of seven children, two of whom are now living. The eldest in the family was Gottleib, who was a farmer, and died at the age of forty-five years. The three following children died in infancy, then came Wendell, who married Miss Jane Walker, and is residing in Story County, Iowa; the next was Martin L., the subject of this sketch, and the last child died in infancy. The parents of these children were native Ger- mans, and the father was a farmer and mason by occupation, and died at the age of sixty-

three years. His widow still survives him, at the age of seventy-three years, and makes her home with her son, Martin. The latter ob- tained his education in the common schools of Ohio and Iowa sufficient to fit him for the practical duties of life, and he has always been an upholder of the public-school system, and supports all principles which tend to elevate the rising generation. Upon attaining the age of fourteen years he commenced the battle of life for himself, and besides working as a farm laborer he was for some time engaged in min- ing in Virginia City, Nev. He spent thirteen years in the far West, in the Rocky Mountains, and to the Pacific coast, and while there he saw many ups and downs in life as a miner. Mr. Mauser has always identified himself with the Republican party, upholding its principles on all occasions, and his first presidential vote was cast for the "Soldier President," U. S. Grant. He has ever taken an active part in township and county municipal elections, and has upheld men who were men of principle and honor. He is a member of the miners' union, having been vice-president of that association, and he also belongs to the K. of P., joining the lodge in Virginia City, Nev. He has contributed liberally to all benevolencies which have been presented to him for his worthy consideration. He has been a resident of the United States since 1857, and first located with his parents in Ashtabula County, moving with them to Story County, Iowa, at the age of fourteen, the county at that time being in a very unsettled condition. He well remembers the time when they were laying the rails for the track at Ames, at which time there were only the depot and one dwelling-house in that now flourishing town. The portion of the county in which he resided was wet, low and marshy land, but he has seen it fully reclaimed as a rich and pro- ductive farming region. He has always been

40 MMaquell

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an agriculturist, with the exception of the time spent in the mountains, "and for one and one- half years was in charge of the stock on the farms belonging to the Iowa Agricultural Col- lege at Ames. He is a great lover of fine stock, especially horses and cattle, and is him- self the owner of a fine horse which is more than of ordinary standard stock. He is a regis- tered inbred Morgan, a beautiful bright bay in color, seven years old, fifteen hands high, and weighs 1,220 pounds. He is valued at $1,000. Mr. Mauser is the owner of 200 acres of land lying about five miles from Ames, and here he expects to make his future home. He is very comfortably located, and has all the necessaries which make life enjoyable and independent. He met with a very painful accident at one time while chopping in the woods with a neigh- bor. A tree fell upon his right leg, breaking the ligatures of the knee joint, and since that time this member has been very weak.

Hon. George M. Maxwell (deceased). Ohio has given to Story County, Iowa, many estimable citizens, but she has contributed none more highly respected, or, for the con- scientious discharge of every duty in every re- lation in life, more worthy of respect and es- teem, than was the subject of this sketch. He was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, on January 4, 1814, and being the youngest of a family of twelve children, he was reared as an agriculturist, mechanic and merchant. His early scholastic training was obtained in the old subscription schools, and although he did not receive the golden opportunities of the present generation, he cheerfully and with vigor seized every privilege that presented itself for the improvement of his intellectual faculties. He commenced earning his own living at the early age of fourteen years, and had not a dollar with which to begin the battle of life, his only capital being willing hands, a

good constitution, and an industrious and economical disposition. From his native State he first emigrated to La Fayette, Ind., thence to Story County, Iowa, in 1856, at which time the country was in a virgin state, comprising low marshy land, offering but little encourage- ment to early pioneers. Prior to his death he saw it converted into one of the most product- ive regions in the State of Iowa. Very few residences were to be seen at that time, and Cambridge was but a hamlet. Mr. Maxwell went by stage across the State from Davenport to Des Moines, and walked across the country from the latter place to Story County. He was elected the first county superintendent of schools in Story County, but also followed the occupation of a land surveyor. He always supported the men and measures of the Re- publican party, and during the late Rebellion filled the position of provost-marshal in Story County, but after that time was a stronger partisan than ever. He soon became well known throughout this region for his broad intelligence and liberal and progressive ideas, as well as for his sterling integrity, and the peo- ple showed the correctness of their judgment by electing him to represent them in Con- gress during the years 1863 to 1870. He was one of the prime movers in causing the State Agricultural College to be erected at Ames, and was very vigorous and persevering in pushing to perfection this grand and noble institution of erudition, which cost the State many thousands of dollars, and of which it may justly be proud. This important factor in the education of the masses is an institution which gives the students a full scientific or classical education. While a member of Con- gress, Mr. Maxwell was also the originator of the bill making it a law that farmers and owners of estates, or farms, who have partition fences, are compelled to keep up their part of

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the fence, and this law has proved a great blessing to the agriculturists of the State. Mr. Maxwell served two terms as representa- tive, comprising four years, and one term as State Senator, which speaks louder than words can do as to his ability and the estimation in which he was held by his fellow-citizens. The measures which he upheld were always for the people and by the people, and to him may be traced the direct cause of the erection of the many commodious and substantial brick school- houses which dot the fertile prairies of Story County. He was married three times, but his union to Miss Caroline Ingersoll took place in 1858, and unto them were born four sons: Sid- ney I. ( who is a farmer by occupation, a resi- dent of Cambridge, and was married to Miss Lizzie Hall, a native of Iowa), Harry I., George C. (who is engaged in merchandising in Cambridge) and Willie (who died in in- fancy). Mr. Maxwell was a successful man of business, and with his sons built up a splendid practice throughout Story County, and espe- cially in the vicinity of Cambridge. During twenty-three years of mercantile experience he accumulated a large fortune, to which his sons, who are enterprising business men, are con- stantly adding. His death occurred on Au- gust 2, 1889, from a stroke of paralysis, and he was mourned not only by his immediate and sorrowing household, but by the entire popu- lace of Story County, who knew him as a man of principle, honor and sterling worth. His remains were interred in the Iowa Centre Cem- etery, where a beautiful monument was erect- ed above his grave by his wife and children as a tribute of their loving remembrance and re- spect. He was, as is his wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and always con- tributed liberally of his means in the support of benevolent institutions. His sons, Harry J. and George, expect to locate soon in Rocky

Ford, Colo., where they will engage in general merchandising. These young gentlemen pos- sess much business acumen, tact and true busi- ness principles, and when they go to their new home they will bear with them the good-will of all who have known them from boyhood, as well as that of their later acquaintances.

Mrs. Angeline Maxwell is the relict of the late Hon. George M. Maxwell, a sketch of whom immediately precedes this. Her par- ents were born in Ohio, her father in 1801 and his wife in 1806. The former was a brick and stone mason by trade, but also gave con- siderable attention to agriculture, his death occurring at the age of forty-four, his wife passing from life at the age of eighty years. To them a family of five children were born: William (who is a farmer of Johnson County, Iowa), Martha (the wife of Henry Walker, a tiller of the soil in Johnson County), Louisa (wife of Z. S. Cray, a farmer of Page County) and Angeline (the subject of this sketch ). She obtained a good common-school education in Iowa, and after reaching womanhood was first married to a Mr. Harkell, a native of New York, who died during the late war while serv- ing with Sherman, being with that general on his famous march to the sea. His widow was married to Hon. George M. Maxwell on the 5th of April, 1867, and to their union a family of eight children were born: Adda (who was educated in the schools of Cam- bridge, and took a full course in the Iowa City Commercial College, being now engaged in teaching in Story County), Fannie (who was also educated in the schools of Cambridge), Grace (who died at the age of four years), Caleb (who is fourteen years of age, assists his mother on the farm), Ole, Nathaniel Van, Marietta (aged eight years), and John A. Logan (aged five years). Mrs. Maxwell's daughters are members of the Methodist Epis-

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copal Church, and have always contributed with their mother to benevolent enterprises. Mrs. Maxwell emigrated from Johnson County to Story County in 1866, the country being in a very primitive condition at that time and sparsely inhabited. She has a well-improved farm of 240 acres, and is also the owner of an excellent residence in the town of Cam- bridge. Her farm residence is a beautiful brick structure, and she and her children are provided with everything to make life comfort- able and enjoyable. She lives surrounded by her many friends and acquaintances, and ex- pects to spend the rest of her days here.

J. W. Maxwell, of the well-known general mercantile firm of Baldwin & Maxwell, at Maxwell, and Iowa Centre, Iowa, was born in Miamisburg, Ohio, April 2, 1834, and in the State of his birth made his home, receiving his education, until 1864, when he determined to seek his fortune farther west. Accordingly he came to Story County, Iowa, and has since been a member of the above-named firm, an account of which will be found in another part of this volume. Mr. Maxwell, while on his way west, resided for a short time in La Fayette, Ind., and he was there united in marriage, in 1857, to Miss Ettie Pifer, a native of that place. In his political views Mr. Maxwell has always been an ardent Republican, and for two terms ably represented Story County on the board of supervisors, and for over fifteen years was a member of the board of school trustees of Indian Creek Township, being largely instrumental in building up and per- fecting the school system of the same. To him the rising generation is largely indebted for the large and convenient school buildings at Maxwell and Iowa Centre. Upon coming to Story County, he first located at Iowa Centre, but subsequently removed to Maxwell, where he is now living. In 1867 he became a member

of Nevada Lodge No. 99, A. F. & A. M., and 3 X 3 Chapter, and now belongs to St. Aldermar Commandery of Marshalltown, El Kher Shrine at Cedar Rapids, and De Molay Consistory at Lyons, Iowa. Mr. Maxwell is one of the most potent factors in the business growth and prosperity of Story County, and since his identification with it as a business man, no one can justly claim greater credit for. the increase of trade in a mercantile way. Bringing to bear many years of experience and thorough business habits, he has made his house one of the most substantial and reliable in this section of the country, and in fact he is known as one of the best business men in the State. Socially, he is a member of Lodge No. 63, of the I. O. O. F., at Maxwell, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Story County, Iowa, Part 51

Author: Publication date: 1890 Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed Number of Pages: 484

Author:
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: Chicago : Goodspeed
Number of Pages: 484