USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 11
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Edwin Jolin Sidey attended the common schools of his native country for a few years and then became "devil" in a printing office, which has been aptly termed the "poor man's college" and in which the greater part of his education was acquired. He was a youth of fourteen years when with his parents he erossed the border into the United States, after which he worked at the printing business in Greenfield and Creston, Iowa, in Chicago and in Boston. Step by step he advanced, working his way steadily upward until he became editor and publisher of the Creston Commonwealth, which he published as a weekly for several years and afterward converted it into a daily paper. Subsequently this was sold and consolidated with the Creston Daily Advertiser. In 1889 Mr. Sidey removed to Greenfield and began the publication of the Adair County Demoerat, the name of which he changed after eighteen years to the Adair County Free Press. He has been editor and publisher of this paper for twenty-five years and has made it one of the leading country journals in Iowa. Studying modern methods of journalism, he has in his business kept abreast with the advancement of the times in his line and has made the Free Press a most attractive journal, liberally patronized. In addition to his other interests he is a director in the American Life Insurance Company of Des Moines.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Sidey has been active in the ranks of the demo- cratie party, advoeating its policy and supporting its candidates through the columns of his paper, while at the same time he is a recognized leader in party ranks. While publisher of the Commonwealth at Creston he served his city as elerk and also as clerk of the superior court there. In 1904 he was elected by his party to represent the ninth congressional district in the national democratie convention held in St. Louis. In 1906 he was elected a member of the Iowa house of representatives
EDWIN J. SIDEY
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from Adair county and was defeated for the office in 1909 but was reelected in 1912. He is fearless in defense of his honest convictions yet never bitterly nor aggressively partisan, and in his legislative service he has gained the respect of his contemporaries as well as his colleagues even though they are opposed to his political views.
Mr. Sidey has been twice married. In 1890, in Toronto, Canada, he wedded Miss Margaret Sinelair, a daughter of Captain and Mrs. Duncan Sinclair. She passed away two years later and on the 17th of January, 1894, in Greenfield, Mr. Sidey was again married, his second union being with Miss Irene Cavanaugh, a native of Florence, Oneida county, New York. She was the second child in a family of five children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cavanaugh and came west with her unele in 1892. Our subject has three children: Kenneth, John and Irene. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Greenfield, while fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Crusade Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Greenfield; St. John's Chapter, R. A. M., of Greenfield; Bethany Commandery, No. 29, K. T .; Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, A. A. S. R .; and Za-Ga-Zig Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Des Moines. In Masonic cireles he occupies a very prominent place as a leading representative of the craft in Iowa and he has the warmest regard of his brethren in the order. It will thus be seen that he has left the impress of his individuality upon many lines of thought and activity and the movements with which he has been most closely allied have been those which count for progress.
P. W. FLICKINGER, M. D. V.
Dr. P. W. Flickinger, who is filling the office of assistant state veterinarian and makes his home in Greenfield, was born in Wellington, Lorain county, Ohio, on the 19th of May, 1882, a son of Joseph M. and Climena J. (Whitney) Fliekinger, who were likewise natives of the Buckeye state, where they were reared and married. The father was a stonemason and carpenter by trade and for a quarter of a cen- tury was employed in the shops of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway at Cleveland, residing during that time in Oberlin, Ohio, where he retained his resi- dence in order that he might educate his children there. In 1886 he came to Iowa, establishing his home in Sioux county, but a little later returned to Ohio, settling on a farm near Camden. Two years later he again removed to Oberlin, where he resided for twelve or fourteen years. On the expiration of that period he went to Wellington. Ohio, where his death occurred on the 30th of November, 1907, at which time he lacked but one month of reaching his sixty-second year. His widow after- ward became the wife of John E. West and now resides in Wellington.
Dr. Flickinger, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the public schools of Oberlin and in October, 1903, entered the MeKillup Veterinary College of Chicago, from which he was graduated on the 22d of March, 1906. In 1901, prior to the time when he entered upon preparation for his chosen profession, he made a journey from Ohio to Wisconsin by covered wagon, his uncle, George Whit- ney, owning land there. Dr. Fliekinger spent the following winter in the lumber woods of that state and in the succeeding spring continued his westward journey Vol. II-6
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to Iowa. He then took up his abode in Greenfield and worked as a farm hand in the neighborhood until 1903, when he entered upon preparation for the practice of veterinary surgery. After his graduation at Chicago he returned to Greenfield and opened an office. In the intervening period of nine years to the present he has built up an extensive practice which now makes heavy demands upon his time. On the 19th of April, 1912, he was appointed assistant state veterinarian for a term of three years and on the expiration of this term he was reappointed to the office for another three years' term, his broad knowledge and practical experience well quali- fying him for the duties that devolve upon him as a public official. He is well known among the veterinarians of the state and his marked ability has gained him pro- fessional prominence.
On the 2d of November, 1910, Dr. Flickinger was married to Miss Catherine E. Homeyer, of Greenfield, and to them has been born a son, Charles Raymond. Mrs. Flickinger is a member of the Catholic church. Dr. Flickinger is a republican in his political views, while fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Woodmen of the World. He is conscientious in all that he does, whether in private practice or as a public official, and the record which he has made has won him high regard.
ISAAC N. SULLIVAN.
Isaac N. Sullivan, who owns and operates four hundred and fifty acres of fine land in Washington township but is residing in Bridgewater, is one of the native sons of the county. He was born in a log cabin in Washington township on the 31st of August, 1862, and is a son of Elijah B. and Sarah B. (Julien) Sullivan, mention of whom is made in the sketch of John R. Sullivan, a brother of our subject.
Isaac N. Sullivan was reared under parental roof and acquired his education through attendance at the district schools. In his early manhood he taught school for one term but in the spring of 1884 he went west, where he remained for ten years, residing during the greater part of that time in Wyoming. While there he engaged in various pursuits and made one trip to Texas, driving cattle from that state to shipping points. He also made one trip to Oregon and drove a bunch of horses from Oregon to Wyoming. In the fall of 1894 he returned to Adair county and in the following year began farming on land which had been allotted him by his father. Following his marriage in 1898 he located on what is known as the old Bart King farm, on section 10, Washington township, which was then owned by the father of our subject. In 1903 Mr. Sullivan of this review purchased his mother- in-law's farm on section 10 and in the spring of 1904 removed to that place. where he continued to live until 1910, when he took up his residence in Bridgewater, where he has since resided. He holds title to four hundred and fifty acres of excellent land and gives his personal attention to the operation of the greater part of his holdings. He is one of the most successful agriculturists of the township and receives a handsome annual income from his farm.
Mr. Sullivan was married on the 5th of May, 1898, to Miss Ida J. Witt, of Washington township. a daughter of Bailey Witt, one of the pioneers of that town-
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ship, and a native of New York state. He removed to Iowa from Wisconsin. To Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have been born four children, three of whom are still living, namely, Ila M., Don O, and Ruth Mildred.
Mr. Sullivan gives his political support to the republican party and works loyally for its success at the polls. His wife is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He is not only identified with the agricultural development of his county but is also interested in the Adair County Mutual Telephone Company. He is one of the representative men of the county and commands the sincere respect of all who know him.
C. A. BAKER.
C. A. Baker is the cashier of the State Savings Bank at Fontanelle and was the dominant factor in the organization of that institution. He has made a close study of financial problems and his thorough acquaintance with every phase of the bank- ing business has enabled him to make this a thoroughly reliable financial coneern.
Mr. Baker was born in Livingston county, Illinois, on the 17th of December, 1858, and is a son of Thomas F. and Susan (McMillin) Baker, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia respcetively. They were married, however, in Indiana and soon thereafter removed to Livingston county, Illinois, where they took up their abode upon a farm. At a later period they became residents of Fairbury, Illinois, where the father engaged in merchandising and with that business he was prom- inently identified for fifteen years or more, becoming one of the influential residents of his community. He died about 1912, while his wife is still living.
C. A. Baker after completing a course of study in the high school at Fairbury, Illinois, enjoyed the advantages of a business course in Grand Prairie Seminary at Onarga, Illinois. For some years thereafter he was in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company as station agent and operator but about 1900 gave up railroad work and entered the banking business at Coon Rapids, Iowa, in the capacity of bookkeeper in the First National Bank of that place. There he laid the foundation for his later success in connection with the banking business, which he thoroughly studied during the four years which he spent as bookkeeper. On the expiration of that period he went to Cumberland. Iowa, where he entered into partnership with A. Dixon, who was then president of the First National Bank of Coon Rapids. Together they bought a private banking business and a few months later Mr. Baker organized the First National Bank at Cumberland, of which insti- tution he became the cashier and practically the director of its financial policy. In March, 1905, after disposing of his banking interests in that place he removed to Fontanelle. where he organized the State Savings Bank. He built the present bank building, with the assistance of C. T. Launder, and on the 26th of August, 1905, the doors of the new institution were thrown open for business. From the begin- ning a liberal patronage has been accorded them and the success of the undertaking is attributable largely to the business enterprise and broad experience of Mr. Baker.
In May, 1892, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Baker and Miss Grace Welch, of Glidden, Iowa, and to them have been born four children: Euniee W., a graduate of the Fontanelle high school; Olive L .; Charles L .; and Julia Mae. The parents
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hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and theirs is an attractive and hospitable home. its good cheer being greatly enjoyed by their many friends. In his fraternal relations Mr. Baker is a Mason and an Odd Fellow and is loyal to the benefieent spirit which underlies those organizations. His political allegiance is given to the republican party. During the years 1912 and 1913 he filled the office of mayor of Fontanelle, his administration being a most business-like and progressive one. It was during his incumbeney in office that the waterworks, elee- trie light plant and town hall were built. He stands for progress and improvement in all public affairs and his cooperation and influence have been potent elements in advancing the interests and improving the conditions of the city in which he resides.
C. I. WILEY.
C. I. Wiley is one of the leading business men of Orient. where he is now con- ducting a hardware store, carrying a line of shelf and heavy hardware. He was born in Scott county, Iowa, near Davenport, on the 27th of October. 1818. and is a son of Sylvester F. and Maria (Metteer) Wiley, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father eame to Iowa as a young man in the year 1836 when this state was still a part of the territory of Wiseonsin and the work of civilization and improvement seemed searcely begun save in a few set- tlements which bordered the Mississippi. He preempted government land in Scott county and began its development. The lady whom he afterward married went to Scott county as a maiden of fifteen or sixteen years with her parents in 1837. Her father, Charles Metteer. built the first house ever ereeted out on the prairie in that section of the country. the few who had preceded him having built in the timber. His wife. the grandmother of C. I. Wiley. died in Orient about 1905. at the very advanced age of ninety-seven years. From Scott county Sylvester F. Wiley removed to Jasper county about 1872 and there his wife afterward passed away and later he took up his abode in the home of a daughter in Union county, where his death occurred about 1903. when he was eighty-three years of age.
C. I. Wiley is indebted to the public-school system of the state for the eduea- tional privileges which he enjoyed. He mastered his lessons while living with his parents during the period of his minority and at the age of twenty-three years he started out independently in life as a farmer. For two years he cultivated rented land. after which he went to Davenport, where he worked in a flour mill for two years. In 1876 he arrived in Adair county, where he remained from March until October, devoting that period to farming. He then returned to Davenport and spent three years in the mill and in a grocery store. In 1879 he removed to Jasper county, where he was engaged in farming for four years and in the spring of 1883 he again came to Adair county and for three years carried on farming as a renter. In December, 1885. he took up his abode in Orient and formed a partnership with C. H. Slocum under the firm style of Wiley & Sloenm. They conducted a ereamery business for five years, at the end of which time Mr. Wiley entered the employ of B. F. Shreves & Company, hardware dealers of Orient, with whom he was asso- ciated for nine years. In August, 1897. he was appointed postmaster of Orient and ocenpied that position for seventeen years, retiring from the office in July, 1914.
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He had made a most creditable record as is indicated by his long incumbeney in the position, to which he was appointed again and again, his public service receiving the indorsement of his fellow townsmen. In 1910 he established his present hard- ware and implement business in connection with which he also engages in the manu- facture of harness and he is today recognized as one of the prominent business men of Orient. He is energetie, forms his plans readily and his persistency of purpose and reliability have brought him well merited success.
Mr. Wiley was married in 1873 to Miss Samantha J. Coyle, of Muscatine county, Iowa, and this union has been blessed with three children: Albert C., who is asso- ciated with his father in business; Dudley G., who is vice president of the State Bank at Orient; and Blanche C., the wife of Bert Cozad, a traveling salesman.
Politically Mr. Wiley is a republican and is prominent in the local ranks of the party. He has served for two terms as mayor of Orient aud for two or three terms as street commissioner. He also acted as assessor for two terms and for several vears as town marshal, and for a considerable period was a member of the town board. In his public duties he has proven himself most capable and his official record is one over which there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil. Fraternally he is associated with Cypress Lodge, No. 539, F. & A. M. He is a member of Wiley Homestead, Yeomen of America, the lodge being named in his honor. He and his wife are members of the Congregational church and they are prominent and highly respected people, the hospitality of the best homes of this locality being cordially extended them. Good traits of heart and mind endear him to those with whom he has been brought in contaet and his worth places him with the substantial business men and residents of the town.
O. L. McCLAIN.
O. L. MeClain, who has spent his entire life in Adair county and has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout his business career, is now the owner of a well improved farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 26. Orient township. His birth occurred in that township on the 12th of May, 1876, his parents being Harrison and Amy (Purdy) McClain, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to Iowa in an early day with their respective parents, who settled in Warren county, where Harrison McClain and Amy Purdy were afterward married. A short time later they took up their abode in Adair county, Mr. McClain here cultivating rented land for some years or until about 1888, when he purchased a tract of one hundred and sixty aeres in Orient township, which is still owned by the state. His demise occurred in 1913, but his widow survives and resides on the old home farm.
O. L. McClain was reared under the parental roof and attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. After reaching maturity he worked as a farm hand at a wage of eighteen dollars per month for two years and in Feb- ruary, 1899, wedded Miss Lottie Swiek, of Creston, Iowa. The following spring he started out as an agrieulturist on his own account by cultivating rented land and at the end of nine years, in 1908, had accumulated sufficient capital to purchase a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on seetion 1, Orient township, which he then
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legan operating. However, he never lived on this place, making his home on the adjoining farm, which he cultivated as a renter. In 1910 he sold the property and bought his present home farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 26, Orient township. in the operation of which he has won a gratifying measure of success. He enltivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and annually gathers rich crops which find a ready sale on the market.
To Mr. and Mrs. McClain have been born three children, namely: Everett, Leta and Arden. Mr. McClain gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and is ably serving as a member of the board of township trustees. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is well known among his fellow citizens and the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him longest is an indication that his salient characteristics are such as inspire and hold regard, esteem and goodwill.
ALVIN RIVENBURGH.
Alvin Rivenburgh, a resident of Greenfield, who has been identified with the development of Adair county along a number of lines, was born near what is now known as Acquaga Lake, not far from Deposit, Broome county, New York, on the 11th of March. 1853. a son of William and Hetty Rivenburgh, who were married in 1851. For sixteen years they continued to reside in the Empire state and at the end of that time emigrated with their family to Henry county, Illinois, settling near Morristown. They remained there for two years but in 1869 came to Adair county, Iowa, and after living for a few years on a farm in Lee township located a half block east of the present courthouse in Greenfield. The father died on the Ist of July, 1880, and the mother on the 22d of January, 1904. Both are laid to rest in the Greenfield cemetery.
Alvin Rivenburgh received a good education and also gained valuable training by assisting his father with the work of the fields. In his early manhood he followed agricultural pursuits and later taught in the rural schools of Adair county. Subsequently he engaged in the grocery business in Greenfield in partnership with William Anderson and served as deputy sheriff under J. D. Callison. In 1890 the electric light plant was established in Greenfield and he became electrician and engineer, in which capacity he served acceptably for a little over nineteen years.
At the end of that time he resigned to devote his attention to other lines of activity. During those years he invented several artieles and machines, two of which were patented, namely : an extension electrolier, patented May 7. 1903, and an eleetrieal switchboard, which was patented December 8, 1903. He installed the first telephone in Greenfield, which connected A. E. Teague's residence and his drug store and which was made from two cigar boxes and wire. He also assisted a Mr. Hall in putting in the first long distance telephone at the Teague drug store, and he installed the first telephone exchange, which was a fifty drop service. It was located in his residence and his eldest daughter was placed in charge. Sinec severing his connection with the electric light plant he has been engaged in various occupations.
MR. AND MRS. ALVIN RIVENBURGH
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On the 12th of September, 1875, at Orient, Mr. Rivenburgh married Miss Mary Eatinger, who was born in Marshall county, Illinois, October 27, 1856, and is the eldest child of David J. and Elizabeth (Hank) Eatinger, an account of whose lives is given elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Rivenburgh attended the Greenfield city schools in her girlhood and later became a teacher in the rural schools, after which she taught under Dr. Spooner in the Greenfield schools. To Mr. and Mrs. Riven- burgh have been born nine children, Myrtle E., Mrs. Maude L. Shinn, Mrs. Mable Molln, William Edward, Mrs. Nellie Laude, Elizabeth M., Hazel, Leon D. and Helen Daisy.
Mr. Rivenburgh is a democrat in his political belief and is stanch in his support of the candidates and measures of that party. He was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed through all of the chairs in both the subordinate lodge and the encampment, and his wife has held all of the offices in the Rebekah lodge, to which she still belongs. She is likewise a loyal and faithful worker in the Greenfield Baptist church. Mr. Rivenburgh served for three years in the State Militia and in 1879 held the rank of corporal and in 1881 was sergeant. He possesses energy, good judgment and determination and carries to successful completion everything he undertakes, and his activities have proven of value to the community. He has at all times ably discharged his duties as a citizen and in fact in every relation of life has measured up to high standards of manhood. He not only has the respect of his fellow citizens but also possesses those qualities which enable him to readily gain and retain the friendship of others.
D. L. DUNLAP.
D. L. Dunlap, conducting business under the name of the Dunlap Grain Com- pany at Fontanelle, is regarded as one of the foremost representatives of commer- cial interests in his town. It is true that he entered upon a business already estab- lished but in that connection he received thorough training and gained the experi- ence and knowledge that have enabled him to successfully continue in business on his own account since entering into his present relations.
Mr. Dunlap is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Warrensburg, on the 28th of May, 1876, his parents being Daniel N. and Mary (Shannon) Dun- lap. The father was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, and was of Scotch descent. His father, Tennessee Dunlap, was named for the state in which he was born and with his parents went to Illinois some time prior to 1830, the family settling in Sangamon county on Fancy creek. Tennessee Dunlap was united in marriage to Elizabeth Cartright, who was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, and was of Eng- lish lineage. Daniel N. Dunlap was reared in his native county and is indebted to the public-school system for the educational advantages which he enjoyed. In early manhood he engaged in farming but after the outbreak of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal consideration and in August, 1862, enlisted in response to the country's call for troops as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Thir- tieth Illinois Infantry. With his regiment he participated in the battles of Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill and Black River Bridge. He also took part in the siege of Vicksburg and on every occasion displayed a spirit of valor and loyalty
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