USA > Iowa > Page County > Biographical history of Page County, Iowa, containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; a condensed history of Iowa, with portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens of Page County, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families; and a concise history of the county, the cities, and the townships > Part 54
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O. H. Park was reared in a small village, where he obtained his early education; he completed his studies in the High School of Keokuk, Iowa, and in 1871 he began the study of photography under the tutorship of H. L. Shang; he remained with him a year and a half, and then went to Eldon, Iowa, and estab- lished the first gallery in the place. Eighteen months later he returned to Ottumwa and purchased the business of his former in- structor, and after six monthis he sold out and located in Clarinda. In the fall of 1874 lie established liis present business, and has won a large patronage from the citizens of Page
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County. His gallery is fitted out to do first- class work, and being master of his art he is able to satisfy the most exacting patrons.
Mr. Park was married October 4, 1880, to Miss Mary Kittle, a native of Washington County, Indiana. One child was born of this union, Herman, who lived to be one year and ten months old.
That man has an essentially social nature is a fact beyond dispute, and this is proven by the formation of the numerous societies for pleasure and profit. Mr. Park is associ- ated with the Knights of Pythias, Clarinda Lodge, No. 139, and with the Modern Wood- men, Camp Locust, No. 344. Politically he casts his suffrage with the Republican party.
ARTIN R. ANSBACH, one of the most popular and successful dealers in general merchandise in Clarinda, was born July 11, 1845, in Lorraine, Ger- many. This province was then a part of France. His parents were Robert R. and Fannie (Michaels) Ansbach. The father was a native of France, as was also a long line of ancestors, his genealogy being easily traced back to 1372. The mother was a native of Bavaria.
Martin R. received his early education and training in the land of his nativity. He attended first the monastery and later the military schools of Wertzburg on the Main. In 1867 he visited America, and after spend- ing a year and a half in travel in the Eastern and Sonthern States he concluded not to re- turn to France. He returned to New York city, and engaged with the great dry. goods house of A. T. Stewart & Co., with whom he wished to learn the business. He remained there ten months, receiving at first $5 per
week; lie finally obtained an advance to $12 per week, but as his living expenses were very high, and he could not obtain a further advance in wages he decided to leave tlie establishment. He drifted to the famous oil regions of Pennsylvania, stopping at Franklin. There he worked in the sheriff's office, and in 1871 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he accepted a position as book-keeper in the well-known house of Hickman & Sipple, with whom he remained four months. He then came to Iowa, and located at Sidney, Fre- mont Connty, where he remained a year and a half in the general store of Sipple & Maloy. The following year he removed to Riverton, Fremont County, and embarked in mercan- tile trade on his own account. In 1877 he disposed of the business, and moved to Cla- rinda, and in February of that year he pur- chased a half interest in the business of S. M. Crooks; the firm was the known as S. M. Crooks & Co., and the partnership continued seven years. August Neinstadt then bonght an interest in the business of Mr. Crooks, after which the firm was known as Ansbach & Neinstadt. In four years a division was made in the stock, and Mr. Ansbach removed to the building he now occupies. His store has been known from early days as " Farmers' Headquarters."
Besides his mercantile interests Mr. Ans- bach owns a quarter section of valuable land in Nodaway Township, which was bought in 1887. In politics he is thoroughly Repub- lican, but never seeks public office, preferring to attend to his own private interests. He and his wife are both members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Clarinda. He is also an active member of the Masonic, Knights of Pythias, and A. O. U. W. lodges. In Masonry he has passed all the chairs in the blue lodge and chapter, and has attained the thirty-second degree. He was a charter
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member of the Knights of Pythiias lodge at Clarinda.
Mr. Ansbach was united in marriage in Fre- mont County, Iowa, January 8, 1871, to H. L. Jewett, a native of Sangamon County, Illinois. Her parents are both deceased. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ansbach: Amelia F. is now attending Notre Dame College, South Bend, Indiana; Guy M. and Percy M. are both at home.
In 1886 Mr. Ansbach visited his native country, starting in August, and not return- ing until Christmas eve of the same year. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States about seven years after coming to our shores, and has ever since been closely identi- fied and in harmony with all of our institu- tions. He is one of Page County's most highly respected citizens, and now looks back over the years of his residence here, noting with much interest the vast march of prog- ress since he visited this section of Iowa. Where the city of Shenandoah now stands with her 2,700 people, then the wild deer roamed at will. Indeed, the changes in Iowa have been rapid.
ENFIELD, M. D., was born in Green County, Wisconsin, Marchi 9, 1845, and is a son of Frederick and Matilda (Mitchell) Enfield, natives of Somerset County, Pennsylvania. The parents were reared in the county in which they were born, and after their marriage they removed to Green County, Wisconsin, and located on 160 acres of Government land. This portion of the country was very new at that time, Rockford, Illinois, the nearest trading point, . being forty miles distant. . They are still residents of Green County. The father served in the late war, enlisting in the Twenty-second
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He was cap- tured and compelled to undergo the horrors of Libby Prison for two months, a trial that was terrible to the bravest hearts. Frederick Enfield, the grandfather of the Doctor, was a native of the State of New York, and served in the war of 1812; the great-grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. The mother's branch of the family was of English origin, but they were early settlers of Penn- sylvania.
Dr. Enfield is the oldest child of his father's family, which consisted of thirteen children, ten of whom are living. He spent his early years in farming, and as he was the oldest son the duty of caring for the family and provid- ing for them while his father was fighting for the perpetuity of the Union fell on his young shoulders. His early education was received in the common schools of Green County, after which he attended two terms at the Broadliead High School. He then taught for a time, after which he entered the Evans- ville Seminary in Rock County, Wisconsin. He also spent nearly two years at Lawrence University, Appleton, Wiscousin. He had to depend entirely upon his own resources to acquire an education, and he made the most of every opportunity that came in his way. In the spring of 1869 he began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. R. Broughton, with whom he remained over four years. He attended lectures at Rush Medi- cal College, and was graduated from that institution with high honors in 1873. At the time of his graduation he was appointed Interne of Cook County Hospital, which honor was awarded him through competitive examination; this, however, he was compelled to decline as there was no financial consider- ation attached to the appointment. He be- gan the practice of his profession in Clarinda in 1873, and by close application and skill he
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has won a position in Page County second to none. He was appointed United States Pen- sion Examiner under Grover Cleveland, and held the position for two years.
The Doctor was united in 'inarriage in Wis- consin February 28, 1874, to Miss Lila M. Broughton, a sister of his former preceptor. Her family are of English origin, and at an early day came from New York to Green County, Wisconsin. The Doctor's family consists of three children: Grace A., born August 22, 1875; John B., born October 6, 1877, and J. Donald, born May 18, 1879.
Our worthy subject is an lionored member of the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife are acceptable members of the Universalist Church. Politically lie affiliates with tlie · Democratic party. He is a member of the School Board, and takes an active interest in educational affairs, always lending his support to every laudable enterprise.
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R. P. W. LEWELLEN, Superintendent of the Hospital for the Insane at Cla- rinda, very naturally finds space in this connection as he has been very closely identi- fied with all of Page County's interests since 1865. That those who may chance to read this work in later years may know something of the personal character and youth of one who was thoughit worthy to hold the important position he now occupies, it may be well to fall back into the routine of biographical writing and state that the Doctor was born in Delaware County, Indiana, February 3, 1840. He is the son of Philip and Mary A. (Osborn) Lewellen, natives of Virginia and descendants of Welsh and Scotch ancestors. He was reared to the occupation of a farmer and received a common-school education in the old-fashioned log school-house which stood on his father's
farm. From the country school-room he went to Asbury University, where he completed his literary education. In 1862 he began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. S. V. Jump, of Burlington, Indiana, with whom he remained three years. He entered the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati, and was graduated in Marclı, 1865. The following May he came to Clarinda and soon began the practice of liis profession; in due tine he enjoyed an extensive patronage from the best class of citizens. Being a thorough student and a constant reader he has kept pace with all the latest discoveries in the science of medicine. In his address he is frank and cordial, and is possessed of great sympathy. It is said by those in whose fami- lies he has practiced for many years, that his presence alone always brings cheer and com- fort to the sufferer. By nature he is pre- eminently fitted for the responsibilities of the position he now holds. A visit to the institution will convince any one that Dr. Lewellen has the best of control over the un- fortunate inmates, and is seldom compelled to use other force than kindness and sympathiy.
As another index of the Doctor's ability, he has been called to serve on the State Board of Healthi ever since its organization, and for several years he has been its president. Po- litically Dr. Lewellen is a Republican. He represented his district as Senator in the Seventeenth and Eighteenth General Assein- blies of Iowa, in which capacity he carried out the wishes of his constituents. While serving as a member of the board of trustees for Iowa's insane hospitals, he saw the ne- cessity of a third hospital, and through his untiring efforts, aided by William Butler, then a member of the House, the hospital was located at Clarinda. Having for many years made diseases of the mind a special study, it was fitting upon the part of the State to make
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Dr. Lewellen superintendent of the establisli- ment.
Our worthy subject was united in marriage May 30, 1865, to Miss Alice Weidner, a native of Delaware County, Indiana, and a daughter of Samuel Weidner. Her father was a native of Butler County, Ohio; he re- moved to Indiana in 1840 and engaged in farming until 1863, when he sold out and went to Page County, Iowa, settling on lands now embraced in the county poor farm. He married Emaline Ribble, a daughter of George Ribble, one of Clarinda's pioneers, who is now deceased.
Dr. and Mrs. Lewellen are the parents of two children, Harley R. and Mary. The mother is a consistent member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. The Doctor belongs to Nodaway Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M., to Clarinda Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M., and to Pilgrim Commandery, No. 20. He is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Clarinda.
As one views the various callings in life and notes success and failure both in and out of the professions, it will be found that the key to final success is the same by which Dr. Lewellen has achieved an enviable reputation. He first received an excellent education and then selected the profession for which nature had endowed him, and pursued it faithfully, ever reading, ever learning. He is a chiarac- ter after which many another man might well pattern.
YLVESTER SPELLMAN GRANGER was born March 28, 1821, in Granville, Licking County, Ohio. Died October 28, 1885. He was the son of Ralph Granger, who was of Connecticut stock, and one of the early settlers of Ohio, a man whose stirring
qualities enabled him to amass a considera- ble fortune. The mother of Sylvester, whose maiden name was Hannah Spellman, was of an aristocratic family, a devout Baptist, noted for her deep spirituality and æsthetic taste.
Elizabeth Walrath, whose mother's maiden name was Mary Wrotlı, was born April 22, 1823, in Herkimer County, New York, of German parentage. Sylvester Granger and Elizabeth Walrath were married April 8, 1841. To them were given eight children, two sons and six daughters, of whom Lottie Estelle, the subject of this sketch, is the seventh child. £ She was born in an old- fashioned, red farnı house on Burgh street, about two miles from Granville, January 28, 1858. When she was one year old the family removed to Johnstown, where her fatlier engaged in the hotel business for a period of six years. He then resumed farming, soon after which the two sons returned from the army whither they had gone as mere lads. At Johnstown Lottie was started to school at the age of four years. When her father returned to the farm she was seven years old, and reading in the Fourth Reader, she and her sister being the marvel of all the young- sters in the district .school. Lottie attended the country school until she was sixteen years old, when with such meager education as she had been able to acquire she began teaching. She taught three summers in the country, constantly making use of all the facilities within her reach for mental improvement. In her early school life she developed a desire for thoroughness in her studies, and an at- tention to detail all too rare both in Young America and his sister of today .
The curriculum of the district school being mastered, the family finances were found inadequate to gratify the ambition of the young girl for a more advanced education, as gold has not been the pavement over which
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Miss Granger has walked to success. For some time it had been her fondest dream, her heart's greatest desire, to obtain a liberal education. But how to realize her dream was the problem wlieli she herself in ust solve, for her father with his large family and re- verses of fortune was unable to assist her.
Granville is a town of schools and colleges. She longed to enter the college as a student, bnt the stern hand of circumstanees seemed to close the door against her. However, in the fall of 1876, on her own responsibility, she made arrangements with the president of Shepardson College, then the " Young Ladies' Institute," to enter as a student for one term. She anticipated teaching the follow- ing winter to earn money with whieh to pay her expenses. Fortune favors the brave. At tlie close of the terin she stood at tle head of the class. The president of the institution . was so pleased with her work that he ar- ranged for her to borrow money to ineet her necessary expenses, and offered to let her work for her board, taking her unindorsed notes for the balance due, to be paid after she had finished her eonrse of study and had op- portunity to earn money. This plan was fol- lowed out and she was enabled to complete the classical course at this school, which stands the peer of any female college in the West.
To Dr. Shepardson, who so materially aided her, she owes a debt of gratitude which words ean feebly express. For such inen there is a reward greater than this world ean offer.
On completing her work at Granville Miss Granger applied to herself the familiar injunction, " Go West," and boarded a train for Kansas, where her youngest brother was located. There she taught school during the fall and winter of 1880-'81. In the spring of 1881 she eame to Iowa and in the follow- ing September began work as a teaeher in the public schools of Shenandoah, Page Coun-
ty. A stranger, with no one to herald her attainments. reserved in demeanor, she was not suddenly borne to a high post of popularity among either pupils or patrons of the sehool. Her quiet and faithful attention to the duties nearest her was notieed, and her unostenta- tious exhibition of refined taste at length won for her a place high in the regard of all who know her, and which she justly retains to-day. She remained in Shenandoah about five years, and resigned her position Janmary 1, 1886, to assume the official duties of County Superintendent of Public Seliools, to which she had been eleeted in the fall of 1885. In the years 1887 and 1889 she was re-elected for a second and third time, and is now serving her third term. In this capaeity she has proven to be what she was as a student and teacher, thorough, faithful, suc- cessful. She ranks with the most efficient county superintendents in Iowa, and the canse of the common schools and of the teach- ers under her supervision has been promoted and the work has been quiekened. Her skill as an organizer is acknowledged everywhere. Her judicial fairness has never been questioned. The dignity of hier manner and quiet reserve sometimes occasion the charge of unsoeia- bility, but this behavior ean scarcely be criti- cised as a fault, when we realize how lament- able it is for a woman in public life to commit an error in the opposite direction. Thorough earnestness in all her thoughts and all her actions, whether in the discharge of official duties or elsewhere, is a distinguisli- ing feature of her character.
At the annual meeting of the Iowa State Teachers' Association held in Des Moines, December, 1888, Miss Granger was unani- monsly elected president. She is the second woman who has been elected to the presidency during the history of the association, which covers a period of thirty-five years. To her
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the honor came unexpectedly and unsought. She presided at the annual meeting in Des Moines, December 31, to January 3, 1890, with marked ability. Self-possessed, quick of decision, and familiar with parliamentary practice, she soon disarmed all fears as to the feasibility of woman's adaptation to public duties, and by her dignified bearing and im- partial rulings won the admiration of the largest gathering of teachers ever held in Iowa, and the highest encomimins of the press throughout the State.
A loyal member of the Baptist Church, a zealous worker in the Sabbath-school and mis- sionary societies of her denomination, an enthusiastic laborer in the temperance and other reforms of the day, her religion is far from being a source of idle leisure to her. Hers is a busy life, and her future promises still greater activity; for, to the industrious, persevering toiler, all the avenues of useful- ness and successful endeavor are open.
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R. ALBERT HEALD, son of and Mary (Bradwell) Heald, was born October 27, 1825, in Miami County, Ohio. His father emigrated to that State from Kennebec County, Maine, in 1813, by the usual mode of transit, a team and covered wagon. The family were of English descent, their progenitors having left their home on the banks of the Tweed about the beginning of the seventeenth century. Dr. Heald passed his early life on the farm attending the dis- trict school in the winter, with an occasional term at a neighboring academy. He early evinced a love for study and midnight often found him at his books, totally oblivious to the flight of time.
March 1, 1848, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elliott, of Washington County,
New York. Four children were born of this union, only one of whom lived to maturity, Wilma, deceased, wife of Raymond Loranz. During the year 1849 Dr. Heald decided to enter the medical profession, and after a thorough course of study he was graduated at the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincin- nati, Ohio, where he enjoyed a most success- ful practice for seven years. His health fail- ing he decided upon a removal to the West, and accordingly emigrated to Page County, Iowa, in the autumn of 1857. The change of climate proved beneficial, and lie once inore resumed the practice of his profession and also became identified with the material growth and advancement of his chosen home. The churches, schools and agricultural inter- ests of the county all found in him a willing heart and ready hand. Always a close student of human nature, he was possessed of a mature judgment which was ever de- ferred to by his friends and neighbors. His was a nature so entirely free from prejudice that he could calmly view a matter from every standpoint, and form his conclusions accordingly.
But a few years in his new home, and again he was warned by declining health that life's labors for him must cease. Consumption, that deadly foe to human life, clainied him as a victim, and on December 6, 1863, at the age of thirty-eight years, he quietly passed away in the.full assurance of a blessed im- mortality. No man ever lived and died in Page County having more sincere, warm friends than Dr. Heald. All of the old set- tlers remember him as a man of sterling qualities. His widow, Mrs. Mary E. Heald, still resides in Clarinda, honored and respec- ted by all who know her. She is a woman of rare Christian character, and an active worker for one of her years in all charitable and moral reforms. She lives quietly among
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pleasant surroundings, esteemed and beloved by a multitude of friends.
ANIEL B. GOODMAN, one of the leading agriculturists of Nebraska town- ship, was born in Andrew County, Missouri, April 1, 1844, and is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Klingelsmith) Good- man. He assisted his brothers in a black- sinith shop at Savannah, Missouri, and also at Hawleyville, Iowa, whither they removed when Daniel was ten years old. He attended the common schools, and remained with his brothers until he was seventeen years of age. At that time the great civil war was begin- ning, and he enlisted in the First Nebraska Volunteer Infanatry, Company F, and ac- companied his regiment to Omaha. His war record is varied and quite extensive, the following being some of the most noted in cidents: While they were quartered at Georgetown, Missouri, they went out about twenty uniles west and captured about 1,100 rebels who were on their way to join General Price, about December 1, 1861. From there they went to Fort Henry, took that place, and next they participated in the severe and fa- mous battle of Fort Donelson. The next three weeks they were stationed at Fort Henry; engaged in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, April 7, and the battle of Shiloh under General Lew Wallace; and next in tlie battle of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, April 26, 1863, with the Rebel General Marma- duke, who had come there to capture the place. As he retreated the Union inen fol- lowed him 100 miles, to Chalk Bluff, fight- ing day and night. Besides these important engagements Mr. Goodinan was also in many skirmishes and remarkable episodes. He en- listed June 18, 1861, and was discharged
December 28, 1865, and was never away from his company or on the sick list until he was attacked by rheumatisın at Julesburg, Colorado, in April, 1865. The time of his service altogether was four years, six months and ten days. His regiment served a few days over five years. At Batesville, Arkan- sas, during this skirmish, Mr. Goodman was taken prisoner April 7, 1864. Fortunately he was paroled three hours afterward, but previous to his release Captain Relleford or- dered him blindfolded and shot, and took $123 in money from him. This circumstance made liberty much sweeter to him when he was set free. What the object of the order was he could not ascertain. Soon afterward he obtained a furlough of thirty days, during which time he returned to his home, rejoin- ing his regiment at Omaha. Thence he was sent to guard the Western frontier. He witnessed the execution of the Sioux chief, "Two Face," who was trying to sell a white woman, whose husband and children he had killed, for seventeen horses. Mr. Goodman was honorably discharged December 28, 1865.
After the declaration of peace he again en- gaged in the shop of his brother, with whom he worked for three years. He was married February 6, 1869, to Miss Matilda Jane Col- lier, a daughter of A. M. and Nancy Collier, whose history will be found on another page of this work. They have had four children, of whom Clyde and two infants are deceased; Birdie Ina is thirteen years of age.
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