USA > Iowa > Shelby County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 79
USA > Iowa > Audubon County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 79
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EORGE C. JEFFRIES, dealer in har- ness, saddles, robes and whips, Exira, was born in Burlington, Iowa, May 13, 1852. He is a son of George C. and Mary J. (Cady) Jeffries, natives of Kentucky and New York respectively, who were early set- tlers in Iowa. His father has been a shoe merchant in Des Moines for many years, re- moving from Burlington to that city when our subject was two years old. Here George C., Jr., passed his boyhood and attended the city schools. After leaving school he learned the harness-maker's trade, and also worked at brick-laying for several years. He then fol- lowed shoemaking for a time, and then en- gaged in farming for twe years. In 1887 he embarked in the harness business, opening a shop in Exira. He has since carried on a good business, and is building up a profitable trade. Mr. Jeffries was married in 1874 to Miss L. E. Fisher, of Carlisle, Warren
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
County, Iowa. By this union three children have been born-Fred R., Bertie W. and Mary E. Mr. Jeffries is a member of Exo- dus Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & A. M .; of the Knights of Pythias; of the A. O. U. W., No. 251, and of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ile casts his suffrage with the Republican party. His father died in 1881, in the sixty- fifthı year of his age.
HOMAS H. KILWORTII, a farmer of Audubon County, is an American, not by birth, but by adoption. He was born in England, September 6, 1829, and in the year 1850 came to America and settled in Henry County, Illinois. Ile there owned a farm, but carried on his trade of carpenter and joiner, having little means and being anxious to earn an honest dollar. He re- inained in Henry County until 1873, when he sold his farm and came to Andubon County, Iowa, settling on his present farm of 160 acres. The land was in its original wild state, and Mr. Kilworth has made all the int- provements on the place. After breaking out the farm and putting it in tame grass, hie began raising live-stock, handling high grades. He added eighty acres to his first purelase, and now owns 240 acres of as choice land as lies in Andubon County. Mr. Kilworth was united in marriage in 1863 to Mary Healey, a native of England, in which country the marriage took place. Mr. Kilworth has made several trips to his native land, having crossed the ocean five times. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kilworth -- Emina, wife of Bert Hamlin; Jeannette, wife of Oscar Wheeler; John II., Ida May and Earl T., at home. Mr. Kilworth has served five years as school director. In National and State poli- tics he votes the Democratic ticket, but in
local matters he votes for the man who in his estimation is best fitted for the position. When he came to this country he had no means, but by close application to business and wise management he has accumulated a good competence. He is pronounced in his views, yet is liberal and public spirited.
ILLIAM CURTIS, an active farmer of Exira Township, was born in Oneida County, New York, July 14, 1856. Ile is the third son of Joseph and Mary (Dipor) Curtis, natives of England, who emi- grated to the United States when quite young. They were married in Oneida County, New York, in the year 1866. Joseph Curtis and family removed to Johnson County, Iowa, and lived there until 1876, when they moved to Audubon County, settling in Greeley Township, which is still their home. Ile was a tailor by trade, and for many years worked at the business in Hampton, New York. The boyhood of William Curtis was passed in his native county in attending school. At the age of ten years he removed with his parents to Johnson County, lowa, and there continued his studies. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age, and then he was married to Miss Georgianna Watson, second daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Howe) Watson. She was born in Prince- ton, Bureau County, Illinois, June 20, 1861, and at the age of two years was taken by her parents to Johnson County, Iowa. There she resided until she was eighteen years old, at- tending school; she also paid some attention to music, and was an accomplished horse- woman, taking much pride in riding and the training of horses. Mrs. Curtis's parents are Scotch-Irish descent; they removed from New York to Illinois, and thence to Iowa, and are
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.
still living on the place that has been their home for twenty-six years. They began life with very little of this world's goods, but by industry and good management have acquired a comfortable living. They are the parents of six children, all of whom are living. After his marriage Mr. Curtis spent one year in Johnson County, and in the spring of 1882 le came to Audubon County and settled on his present farm; this place contains 240 aeres, all fenced and under cultivation, Mr. Curtis has added to the improvements already made a comfortable residence and a good barn. He has been successful in raising and handling live-stoek, especially sheep and eattle. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had born to them five children-Charity E., Ellsworth, T. J. Sey- mour, Chester Arthur and C. Florence Ne- vada. In politics Mr. Curtis votes with the Republican party. He commenced life with- ont any capital, and now has a good farm well stocked, to show as a result of industry, thrift and wise management.
SAAC H. JENKINS, son of John S. and Malinda (Miller) Jenkins, was born in Meade County, Kentucky, June 5, 1845. Ifis seliool days were passed in Wapello County, Iowa. At the age of nineteen years he erossed the plains with Charles Van Gor- der, in charge of a provision train. Arriving at Central City, Colorado, and having disposed of a portion of their effects, they engaged in guleh mining. On returning to Audubon County Mr. Jenkins was occupied with farm work for some time. At one time he took charge of a freight train to Denver, Colorado. In 1886 he was running a saw-mill at Oak- field, lowa, and met with a very serions acei- dent by which he lost one of his fingers; lie then abandoned this enterprise and spent some
time in breaking out prairie. March 28, 1868, he married Miss Clarissa, daughter of Allen Chase; she died five years later, leaving no children. In 1874 he formed a copartnership with I. P. Halloek, J. II. Jerer and D. W. Powers, in a general store at Oakfield; this continued in operation for four years. Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage to Miss Mollie, daughter of Patrick and Mary Devine, of Madison, Wisconsin. They have two children -Willis S. and Jennie Irene. When he re- tired from the mercantile trade he built his present hotel; this was in the winter of 1879, and it was the first hotel in Brayton. Mr. Jenkins also deals in real estate in partner- ship with W. E. Statts. For a time he acted as deputy sheriff.
ILLIAM W. SICKLES, of the firm of Henshaw & Siekles, Exira, Iowa, was born in Warren County, New Jersey, near Johnsonburg, September 21, 1855. IIe is the oldest son of James S. and Henrietta M. (Ward) Siekles. William W. passed his early school days in New Jersey, being thirteen years old when he came to Clarke County, Iowa; there he spent two years. Having a taste for reading he acquired an education beyond that of the ordinary pupil, and without the aid of an instructor. One winter he attended a seleet school, and that practically ended his school days. For two years he was employed as a elerk in a hardware store, and then elerked in a dry- goods store in Exira until 1872. After spending two years farming he took a trip to California. On his return he engaged in the sale of farin implements for three years, and then embarked in the mercantile business on his own account. Ile opened a general stock of farm implements in partnership with Mrs.
48
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
Baylor, now Mrs. Watson. This partnership continned twenty-two months, when Mrs. Baylor sold her interests to W. N. Henshaw, a present member of the firm. Henshaw & Sickles carry a full stock, and are active busi- ness men, Mr. Sickles devoting the whole of his time to the management of the business. In November, 1883, Mr. Sickles was married to Mary A. Campbell, of Exira, a danghter of E. Campbell, Esq. Mrs. Sickles was born in the State of Wisconsin. By this union three children were born-Nettie E., George A. and Lulu Madge. Mr. Sickles is a mem- ber of Exodus Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & A. M. Ile owns a good farm in Exira and Hamlin townships, which contains 200 acres; it is an admirable stoek farm, being watered by Davis Creek. The subject of this notice began life at the bottom round of the ladder, but by industry and diligence he has gained an enviable position, socially and financially, in the county. He votes with the Repub- lican party.
UGUST OELKE, an intelligent and modest farmer of Hamlin Township, has been identified with the interests of Audubon County since 1586. Ile was born in Clayton County, Iowa, and is the youngest son of William and Elizabeth Oelke. The parents were born in Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1851, landing at the city of New Orleans. They proceeded immediately to Clayton County, Iowa, and settled ou a farm, where the father lived until death, which occurred in Angust, 1888. Ilis wife, who survives him, makes her home among her children; she has three sons and one daughter-William H., Henry, Bertha, wife of Fred Splies, and Angust, the subject of this biographical sketch. He ob-
tained his education in the common schools of' Clayton County, and became well ac- quainted with the details and management of a farm. Ile spent his leisure time in reading profitable books, and so acquired a fund of useful knowledge. He remained at home until he attained his majority, when he took charge of his father's farm. In 1881 he bought the place of his father, and worked it very successfully until 1886, when he sold it and came to Andubon County. Ile then bought 320 acres in Ilamlin Township, one and a half miles northwest of Exira. For many years this farm was owned by Mr. Davis, and is one of the best farms in the southern part of the county. It has a sub- stantial residence, an excellent barn, and many valnable improvements. North of the barn is a beautiful native grove of timber, which is not only valuable for wood, but forms a fine wind-break during the cold winters so common in this part of the State. No farm is better adapted by nature to stock- raising than Mr. Oelke's. He is an exten- sive feeder, using all the grain prodneed on his own farm, and buying thousands of bush- els of his neighbors. In 1874 Mr. Oelke was married to Emilie Kregel, of Clayton County, lowa, a daughter of William Kregel. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Oelke Bodo, Nora, Alma, George and Clara. Mr. Oelke is an enterprising and public- spirited citizen. Politically he is a strong Democrat.
LIVER II. P. ROBERTS, a snecessful farmer and stock-raiser of Leroy Town- ship, was born in Lawrenceburg, Dear- born County, Indiana, February 26, 1820. Hle is the oldest son of Moses and Elmira E. (Clark) Roberts. Eben E. Roberts, the father
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.
of Moses M. Roberts, was born in the State of Maine, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. Moses M. Roberts was also born in the State of Maine, and Almira E. Clark, his wife, was born in Newport, Rhode Island, and at an early day removed to Dearborn County, Indiana. She was the daughter of George Clark, who removed to Cineinnati, where he was a ship carpenter for many years. Moses M. Roberts and family removed from Indiana to Illinois, and settled on a farm in ITenderson County. O. H. P. Roberts was at this time about twelve years of age. IIe received only a common-school education, and remained on the farm with his parents until his twenty-fourth year, at which time he was married to Martha W. Miller, the oldest daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Miller. In the fall of 1866 Mr. Roberts removed with his family to Audubon County, Iowa, and settled on a farm in section 1, Leroy Township, on the east branch of the Nish- nabotna River. The land was wild, and neighbors were few and far between. E. J. Freeman, an old and tried friend, was Mr. Roberts's most intimate associate, with whom he passed many happy hours. On first coming to the State his means were limited, and there were many hardships to be met, and many burdens to be borne; but his eonr- age and industry were equal to the test, and by diligence and good management he has one of the best farms in the neighborhood. The place contains 187 acres of choice land in a high state of cultivation. The residence, which is a two-story frame building, stands in the midst of a natural grove. There are also many pines and cedars growing near the house, which add to the attractiveness of the place as no other foliage can. Although they were planted by Mr. Roberts, they have grown to be forty or fifty feet in height. The farm is well stocked with the best grades of
live-stock, and everything is arranged with an eye to convenience and ease in the eare of them. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have seven children - William S., Robert C., Ida L., Herbert M., Mary E., Lewis W. and Oscar P. Mr. Roberts has been officially identified with his township as trustec, and also as elerk. He is a member of Veritas Lodge, No. 302, A. F. & A. M. In politieal mat- ters he is rather conservative. He was a stauneh Union man during the war, and offered his services to his country, but was not accepted, on account of ill-health. In National elections he votes the Democratie ticket, but in local affairs he votes for the inan best fitted for the office, regardless of party ties.
OSEPIIUS LEWIS, one of Audubon County's honored citizens, and a suc- cessful farmer and stock-raiser of Ham- lin Township, was born in Delaware County, New York, near the village of Delhi, Marel 22, 1814. Ile is a son of Henry and Mercy (Holloway) Lewis, the father being a native of Selioliarie County, New York, of Low Dutch descent, and the mother a native of Dutchess County, New York. After their marriage they removed to Delaware County, and there passed the remainder of their days. The father was twice married, and had two children by his first wife, and seven by the second. Josephus Lewis, the youngest son of the second marriage, passed his boyhood and school days in Delaware County, New York. He remained with his parents until he was eighteen years old, when he engaged in the Inmber business and farming. Ilis father having dealt in lumber for many years, a good opportunity was afforded him to learn the details of the trade, in which he
IIISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
was uniformly successful. In June, 1843, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Melissa Barlow, an accomplished lady of Delaware County, New York, the only daughter of John and Deborah (Nichols) Barlow, natives of the State of New York. After his mar- riage, Josephmus Lewis and wife settled on a farm in Delaware County, New York, and lived there until 1868, when they removed to Audubon County, Iowa. Mr. Lewis then purchased 320 acres of prairie land. The country was sparsely settled, and the thoughts of Mrs. Lewis often wandered back to her home in New York as she was caring for her little family; but as time rolled on settlers came, and the newness seemed to wear away. Mr. Lewis has devoted most of his time to raising eattle and hogs. With the latter he has been extraordinarily successful, raising from 150 to 200 head annually, and realizing handsomely upon them. His farm is watered by the Nishnabotna River, and its banks are skirted by a beautiful grove of hard-wood timber. All the products of the farmn are fed on the place, and Mr. Lewis buys large quantities of grain from neighboring farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have four children-De Witt C. took a literary course at the State University at Iowa City, studied law at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is now a prominent attorney in Montesano, Washington Ter- ritory; Minerva, the older daughter, was graduated from the literary and medical de. partments of the Iowa State University, and is now in the enjoyment of a good practice; Homer is in Turner County, Dakota; Rose is the wife of Dr. J. M. Lonthan, of Spear- fish, Dakota. Mr. Lewis is now in his seventy-fifth year, but still superintends his farm. His wife is in her seventy-second year, and is strong in body and mind. She comes of a family of vigorous constitutions. ĮIer father was a native of England, and her
mother of New York. They emigrated to Nova Scotia, and removed thence to Dela- ware County, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have led an industrions and frugal life, and have laid by a competenee for their deelining years.
LPHEUS F. RODGERS, a model farmer of Leroy Township, section 9, was born in the State of Michigan, Cass County, near Dowagiae, February 15, 1839. Ile is the third child of Samuel and Margaret (Burk) Rodgers. The mother was a native of Virginia, and a daughter of William Burk. The father was born in . Preble County, Ohio, October 13, 1810. He grew to manhood in his native State, and at an early day removed to Michigan, where he carried on farming and milling as a business. Ile served as a soldier in the Black Hawk war. He received land war- rants, with a portion of which he located land adjoining his home. He is still living, and is a resident of Benton Harbor, Michigan. A. F. Rodgers passed his early boyhood in Michigan, receiving the advantage of a good common-school education. In the year 1854 he removed with his parents to La Salle County, Illinois, and worked on the farm with his father until he reached his majority; he then began life on his own account, fol- lowing farming until 1864, when he started for the mines of Idaho and Montana. Ile left Omaha the 3d day of May, and arrived in Virginia City the 10th day of July. He engaged in mining in Last Chance and Ilard Scrabble gulches, built a cabin, and the first hotel building in what is now Helena, the capital of Montana. Returning to Seneca, Illinois, he opened a meat-market and dealt in live-stock. Afterward he went into the
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lumber business, which he eondneted suc- cessfully until 1878. In March, 1879, Mr. Rodgers went to Audubon County, Iowa, and in March of the following year he moved his family to Audubon. October 21, 1880, he moved on liis present farm, and devotes his time to general farming. He endeavors to raise good grades of stoek, believing that it costs no more to raise a good animal than a poor one. The place is well provided with buildings for the protection of live-stock. Mr. Rodgers was married August 23, 1859, to Miss Caroline Hurlburt, a daughter of Will- iam and Laurinda Hurlburt, of La Salle County, Illinois. Mr. Rodgers is a member of Veritas Lodge, No. 392, A. F. & A. M .; of Amity Chapter, No. 93, R. A. M .; and of Blaney Commandery, No. 5, K. T., at Morris, Illinois. In polities he is a Republican. Mrs. Rodgers's father was born and reared in Massachusetts; her mother was a native of New York State. Her parents were married in Ohio, and afterward removed to Illinois. The grandfather of A. F. Rodgers was Alex- ander Rodgers, who married Miss Margaret Culton, a native of Roekbridge County, Virginia.
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EORGE E. COTTON, proprietor of the Oakfield Flouring Mills, at Oakfield, Iowa, was born in Genesee County, New York, near the town of Attica, Septem- ber 6, 1834. His father, Owen Cotton, was a native of the State of Vermont, and was an early settler of western New York. IIe was a millwright by trade, and at different times owned several mills. Laura Adams Cotton, the mother of George W., was a daughter of Major Permine Adams, who was prominent in politics and represented his district twelve years in Congress. She was born in Gen-
esee County, New York, and was there reared and married. After her marriage her hus- band settled there, and both remained there the balance of their days. They were the parents of seven children, six of whom sur- vive. George E. Cotton was the second child, and his boyhood days were passed in his native county, where he received the advan- tages afforded by the distriet sehool. lle re- mained at home until he attained his twenty- first year. In 1853 he went to Wisconsin, and staid there one season in a mill which his father owned; he then returned to New York, and in the fall of 1855 he went to Omaha, Nebraska, remaining there about twelve months. Crossing the Missouri River to the Iowa side he stopped at a place called Macedonia, and there entered the employ of J. B. Stntsman, who owned a flouring mill at that place. Ile continued to fill this position for four years, and in the fall of 1859 he went to Lewis, Cass County, Iowa, where he su- perintended a mill for five years. In 1865 he removed to Oakfield, Iowa, and purchased a half interest in the grocery store of D. M. Clover, which partnership terminated at the end of one year, both parties selling out. He then went to Oskaloosa, where he was employed in a distillery for three years. He next went to Monona County, Iowa, and worked two years in a mill; thenee he went to Adel, Dallas County, spending twelve months there. The two years following were passed in a mill at Panora, Guthrie County. In the fall of 1878 he came to Oakfield and purchased the Oakfield Mills of Isaac P. Hal- lock, since whiel time he has done a general milling business. He has put in a sorghum attachment, with a capacity of 500 gallons per day. Mr. Cotton was married in 1862 to Miss Mary Hinns, of Cass County, Iowa; she was born in Wakefield, England, and was brought by her parents to the United States
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
when she was eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. Cotton have had born to them eight children --- John O., William E., Lizzie S. (wife of O. F. Ide), George W., Charles E., Alexander L., J. Ernest and Mary. Mr. Cotton was appointed postmaster of Macedonia under James Buchanan's administration, and served four years. He has filled the offices of town- ship trustee and of justice of the peace at Oakfield. He is a member of Lewis Lodge, No. 113, A. F. & A. M. Politically he is a staunch Democrat, especially in State and National affairs. In local politics he votes for the man best fitted in his estimation to fill the position.
ILBERT S. D. MASON, a successful cattle-feeder of Viola Township, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, in the city of Philadelphia, October 7, 1840. Ile is a son of William R. and Margaret (Comley) Mason, natives of Delaware and Pennsylvania respectively. Both parents died in the city of Philadelphia. Gilbert S. D. Mason was educated in the schools of his native city. Although his father was one of the principal wholesale merchants of Phila- delphia, he made up his mind to be a farmer, and accordingly began this occupation in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, at the age of seventeen years. In 1873 he removed from Bucks County to Carroll County, Iowa, set- tling upon a farm five miles south of Arca- dia. This place contained 200 acres, which Mr. Mason improved and used as a cattle farm until he removed to Audubon County, Iowa, in 1883. He located on his present farm in Viola Township, which was known for many years as the Hawer farm, and which at that time contained 160 acres. Mr. Mason has made additional purchases of land until
his farm now covers 320 acres of choice land in a high state of cultivation, beautifully sit- uated on the waters of the Nishnabotna River. While it is well suited to small grains, it is admirably adapted to stock-farming. In 1862 Mr. Mason was married to Miss Martha, the eldest daughter of Josialı and Mary (Crous- dale) Tomlinson, descendants from families of Quakers who came to Pennsylvania with William Penn, and settled iu Byberry, Mont- gomery County, Pennsylvania. Land tracts of the old Penn purchase are still in the fam- ily name. The old Penn chestnut-tree still stands upon the homestead, twenty-four miles north of Philadelphia. By this union ten children were born, all of whom survive- John D., Lewis L., Gilbert S., Jr., Philip S., William R., Josiah T., George W., Paul B., Emma M. and Benjamin F. In politics Mr. Mason is rather conservative. In Carroll County he served on the school board for seven years, and held other township offices. The Masons descended from an old English family, and were early settlers of Connecti- cut, removing from that State to Delaware. The Grandfather Comley was an officer of marines in the war of 1812, and died in the service at the Philadelphia navy yard.
ILLIAM J. WALKER, an active farmer of Hamlin Township, was born in Pike County, Missouri, Sep- tember 21, 1834. He is a son of Thomas B. and Polly (Berry) Walker. The father was born in Virginia, but was reared in the State of South Carolina; the mother was a native of Missouri, and died when William J. was three years old. Thomas Walker was again mar- ried, to Susan E. Lyons, of Clinton County, Iowa, and resided in Iowa until his seventy- fifth year, when he removed to southwestern
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