USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 19
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Politically Mr. Gordon is a stanch republican and has ably served in the capacity of school director, while at present he holds the office of township trustee. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs, and they are active workers in all movements that aim to promote the welfare of the township or county.
E. W. MAYER.
E. W. Mayer, who has spent his entire life in Adair county and is numbered among its prosperous agriculturists, owns and cultivates five hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Grand River township. His birth occurred on the 22d of May, 1875, his parents being John and Carolina (Volk) Mayer, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ohio. John Mayer came to the United States in boyhood and at an carly day took up his abode among the pioneer residents of Adair county, Iowa, settling on a farm in Grand River township. He now makes his home in Denver, Colorado, where the death of his wife occurred in 1911 at University Place. To them were born six children, five of whom still survive.
E. W. Mayer attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age. He then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, purchasing five hundred and twenty acres of land on sections 25 and 36, Grand River township, on which he has made a number of substantial improvements and has successfully carried on
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farming to the present time. He also makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock of all kinds, this branch of his business materially augmenting his annual income. The prosperity which he now enjoys has come as the direct reward of his own efforts and industry, and he is well worthy of recognition among the successful and representative citizens of his native county.
In 1897 Mr. Mayer was united in marriage to Miss Lyda Ross, a native of Adair county, Iowa, and a daughter of David and Mary (Simpson) Ross, who were born in the states of Ohio and Kentucky respectively. They came to Iowa at an early day but subsequently removed to California, where the father passed away and where the mother is still living. Their children were six in number. Mr. and Mrs. Mayer have two children, Harold D. and Nellie R.
At the polls Mr. Mayer supports the men and measures of the republican party and he has rendered service in the interests of education as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order. belonging to the blue lodge at Orient, and both he and his wife attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are widely recognized as people of the highest respecta- bility and have a host of warm friends in the county where they have always lived.
I. C. RIDOUT.
I. C. Ridout is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 7, Union township, which he cultivates with excellent success. His birth occurred in Jasper county, Iowa, on the 22d of July, 1868, his parents being William S. and Malinda A. (Logsdon) Ridont, the former a native of Black Hawk county, Iowa, and the latter of Kentucky. William S. Ridout enlisted for service in the Civil war while in Black Hawk county, joining the Fifth lowa Infantry. He ever proved a loyal and fearless soldier and had his right arm shot off in battle. After the war he went to Jasper county, where his father, Isaac Ridout, a physician, had located while his son was in the army. In 1880 he came to Adair county, Iowa, here mak- ing his home until he removed to the state of Washington, where both he and his wife passed away. They became the parents of nine children, eight of whom still survive.
I. C. Ridout acquired his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until twenty-seven years of age, when he was married and estab- lished a home of his own. Following that important event in his life he began farming in Adair county but at the end of four years removed to Washington. After a year spent in that state, however, he returned to Iowa and for six years resided in Union county. He then again came to Adair county. renting a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on seetion 7, Union township, which he has operated con- tinuously to the present time and which is now in his possession. He cultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, finding both branches of his business satisfactorily remunerative.
In 1895 Mr. Ridont was united in marriage to Miss Hannah B. Schweers, a native of Adair county, Iowa. and a daughter of John and Sarah (Peterson) Schweers, the former born in Germany and the latter in Ohio. Our subject and his wife have two children, Claude C. and Mand M., now high-school students.
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Mr. Ridout gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has done service in the interests of education as a school director. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs, and they enjoy the esteem and goodwill of all with whom they come in contaet.
JOHN P. KNEIP.
John P. Kneip is actively identified with agricultural pursuits as the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on sections 21 and 22, Grand River township. His birth occurred in Germany on the 1st of May, 1877, his parents being John and Margaret Kneip, who spent their entire lives in that country.
John P. Kneip acquired his education in the schools of the fatherland and when a youth of sixteen years left the parental roof and began providing for his own support. In 1902, when a young man of twenty-five years, he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and made his way direct to Adair county, Iowa. Here he worked for others for four years and then rented a farm which he cultivated for three years. On the expiration of that period he purchased cighty aeres of land in Jackson township but sold the property three years later and bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 21 and 22, Grand River township, which he has operated continuously and successfully since. In connection with the production of cereals he devotes considerable attention to the raising of stock of all kinds, this branch of his business proving very remunerative.
In 1906 Mr. Kneip was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Beitz, a native of Adair county, Iowa, and a daughter of Adam and Julia Beitz, both of whom were born in Germany but passed away in this country, the father coming here when still but a boy. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, namely: Margaret, Agnes, Cecclia, Gertrude and Ilene.
Mr. Kneip gives his political allegiance to the democracy, while his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, of which his wife is also a devout communicant. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to establish his home in the new world, for herc he has won success by dint of industry and perseverance and now enjoys an enviable reputation as a substantial and esteemed citizen of his community.
B. J. HOLLEN.
B. J. Hollen resides on section 1, Grand River township, and owns and eulti- vates three hundred acres of valuable land. His birth occurred in Norway on the 13th of June, 1880, his parents being John and Christina (Kvaresten) Hollen, who were also natives of that country. They emigrated to the United States in 1881 and made their way direct to Adair county, Iowa, locating on the farm which is now in possession of our subject. John Hollen owned one hundred and forty aeres and successfully carried on agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest in
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1902, the community thus losing one of its esteemed and substantial citizens. His wife passed away in the year 1890.
B. J. Hollen was brought to this county in infancy and was reared to manhood under the parental roof. His early education, acquired in the district schools, was supplemented by a course of study in the Winterset high school and the Iowa State Teachers' College at Cedar Falls. He then took up the profession of teaching, being engaged as an instructor during four successive winter terms, while the summer months were devoted to work on the home farm. In 1903 he started ont as an agriculturist on his own account, purchasing the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead, of which he had taken charge after his father's demise in the previous year. In the spring of 1912 he bought one hundred and sixty aeres lying across the road from his home place, so that his holdings now embrace three hundred acres of rich and productive land in Grand River township. in the culti- vation of which he is busily engaged. He is progressive in his farming operations and employs up-to-date methods in the cultivation of his fields, with the result that his annual harvests are a source of substantial and gratifying income.
In 1904 Mr. Hollen was united in marriage to Miss Emma Hart, of Webster township, Madison county, by whom he has three children, namely: Beatrice Lucille, John D. and Eugene H. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has acceptably served as assessor of Grand River township for four years, while at the present time he is a member of the school board. Both he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and exemplify its teachings in their daily lives. Mr. Hollen has been characterized as one of the broad-minded, well read, publie-spirited citizens of Grand River township, and his record cannot fail to prove of interest to the residents of the community in which nearly his entire life has been spent.
JOHN R. SULLIVAN.
John R. Sullivan, of Washington township, is well known as a breeder of registered Poland China hogs and is one of the well-to-do citizens of Adair county, owning four hundred aeres of fine land. He is a native son of this county, his birth having occurred in a log cabin in Washington township, on the 29th of April, 1857. and he is a son of Elijah B. and Sarah B. (Julien) Sullivan, both of whom were born in Indiana. In 1854 the father came to Iowa with his brother, Titus Sullivan, and they remained for a short time in Clarke county, but in the fall of that year came to Adair county, where each entered a quarter section of land on section 16. Washington township, their farms adjoining. Each ereeted a log cabin and in the following spring brought his family to this county. Elijah B. Sullivan continued to reside upon his farm until his demise, which occurred on the 4th of January. 1907, after a continnous residence upon his farm of fifty-two years. He was successful financially and from time to time added to his holdings, acquiring in all six hundred and sixty aeres of land in Washington township. He was a democrat and for many years was a factor in local political circles, holding various township offices and working loyally for the advancement of his party. His wife died on the 16th of March, 1880.
JOHN R. SULLIVAN
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John R. Sullivan was reared at home and has always resided in Washington township. He received his education in the district schools and by assisting his father with the work of the farm gained valuable training in agricultural pursuits. In 1880, when a young man of about twenty-three years, he began farming for himself and for eight years he operated rented land. However, in 1886 he purchased eighty acres five miles north of Fontanelle, in Prussia township, but he never resided upon that place and in 1887 traded it for eighty acres of his present home farm, to which he removed in the spring of 1888. He has gradually increased the extent of his farm, which now comprises four hundred acres of fertile land. He has made a specialty of breeding thoroughbred Poland China hogs and in that connection he > has acquired an enviable reputation.
On the 2d of April, 1882, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Matilda C. Megeath, a daughter of John Megeath, of Washington township, who removed to Iowa from Illinois some years following the arrival of the Sullivan family in this county. To our subject and his wife have been born five children, of whom four survive, namely: Ada M., the wife of Guy Moats, of Washington township; Sarah Grace, who is living at home and is teaching in the district schools; Bertha M., the wife of Claude Michael, of Washington township; and Lyle R., at home.
Mr. Sullivan is a stanch republican and has held a number of local offices, having served as assessor of his township for fifteen consecutive years and as road overseer for four years, while for ten years he has been identified with the school board, in which he has held the offices of secretary and president. He has refused other preferment as his private interests require the greater part of his time and attention. Fraternally he belongs to Bridgewater Lodge, No. 271, I. O. O. F. He is one of the leading citizens of Washington township and holds a high place in the estimation of all who have been associated with him.
ALVIN L. BEVERCOMBE.
Alvin L. Bevercombe, one of the enterprising and progressive young farmers of Union township, residing on section 15, owns and cultivates a well improved tract of land embracing one hundred and sixty acres. His birth occurred in Winter- set, Madison county, Iowa, on the 11th of December, 1882, his parents being Wil- liam H. and Elizabeth (McDole) Bevercombe, who were born, reared and married in this state. The father established his home on a farm in Union township, Adair county, and continuously resided thereon until about 1907, when he removed to Twin Falls, Idaho, where he is now spending the evening of life in honorable retirement. The home farm in Union township, which he still owns, is now being operated by our subject.
Alvin L. Bevercombe was reared under the parental roof and attended the dis- trict schools in the acquirement of an education. He was married when not yet twenty-one years of age and then rented the Oscar Burns farm in Union township, which he cultivated for one year. During the next year he operated his father's place and in 1905 purchased forty acres of his present home farm on section 15, taking up his abode thereon. Two or three years later he bought an adjoining tract of one hundred and twenty acres, so that his holdings now embrace an entire Vol. II-10
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quarter section. He also operates his father's farm in Union township and in the conduct of his agricultural interests is meeting with a most gratifying and well merited measure of success.
On the 11th of February, 1903, Mr. Bevercombe was united in marriage to Miss Ella E. Reed, her parents being William H. and Emma (Witham) Reed, extended mention of whom is made on another page of this work. To Mr. and Mrs. Bevercombe have been born two children, Gale R. and Wilma H. Mr. Bever- combe gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is now serving as treasurer of Union township and as a member of the school board, making a most creditable record in both connections. Both he and his wife belong to the Christian church and enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance in their home community.
JAMES W. ROBERTS.
Agricultural interests find a worthy representative in James W. Roberts, who is living on section 17, Grand River township, where he is busily and successfully engaged in the usual work of the farm. He has always lived in this county, his birth having occurred in Harrison township on the 9th of July, 1861, his parents being John and Emily (McDonald) Roberts, natives of Indiana and Illinois respectively. They arrived in Adair county in childhood with their parents, were here reared and in 1860 were married. They have resided continuously in Grand River and Harrison townships since that time, now making their home in the latter. Mrs. Roberts is today the oldest living resident of Adair county in years of con- tinnous residence therein, for she arrived on the 4th of July, 1850. It was not until four years later, or in 1854, that John Roberts became a resident of the county.
James W. Roberts was reared upon the old home place and the district schools afforded him his educational privileges, supplemented by a business course in Drake University at Des Moines. After studying there he returned to Adair county and for three years gave his attention to educational work, teaching school in Grand River township through three winter seasons, while the summer months were devoted to farming.
In March, 1886, Mr. Roberts was joined in wedlock to Miss Eva Tullis, of Grand River township, and the following year they took up their abode upon a rented farm on section 4 of that township. In due time Mr. Roberts purchased this farm, then comprising one hundred and twenty acres, but as his financial resources increased he kept adding to his place. He remained upon the farm until 1902, when the vote of his fellow townsmen called him to public office, electing him county recorder of Adair county. He then removed to Greenfield, where he filled the position most acceptably for three terms, or six years, discharging the duties of the office in a most prompt and capable manner. After the expiration of his third term he removed to his present home farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 17. Grand River township, having purchased the property during his residence in Greenfield. His time and energy are now devoted to the further development and improvement of this place, which is a well kept farm, having
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upon it many substantial and modern improvements. In addition to this property he is a stockholder in the Lincoln Township Mutual Telephone Company and a stockholder in the Adair County Fair Association.
To Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have been born three children: Olie Grace, the wife of C. A. Hoyt, living at Silver City, Iowa; and James T. and Lloyd A., both at home. The family is well known and the hospitality of the best homes of the town- ship and county is freely extended them. Mr. Roberts is a prominent republican and in 1912 was the candidate of his party for state representative and, notwith- standing it was the year of the great democratic landslide, he was defeated by but eightcen votes. He is a member of Greenfield Lodge, No. 375, I. O. O. F., and also holds membership with the Woodmen of the World. He has wielded considerable influence over public thought and action and none question the integrity of his opinions even though they differ from him. He has made an excellent record in office, has been progressive and reliable in business affairs and in every relation has merited and won the confidence and goodwill of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
H. P. PROCTOR.
Among the representative and enterprising agriculturists of Adair county is numbered H. P. Proctor, who owns and operates a well improved farm embracing one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Grand River township. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 12th of February, 1867, his parents being G. M. D. and Nancy A. (Alexander) Proctor, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. They came to Adair county, Iowa, in 1870.
H. P. Proctor, who was but a child of three years when brought to this county, remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own. He purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres which he operated for fifteen years and then sold, buying his present home place of one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Grand River town- ship. On this property he has made excellent improvements and as an agriculturist is meeting with well deserved success, cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also raising and feeding stock of all kinds. The prosperity which he now enjoys is attributable entirely to his own efforts and he may justly lay claim to the proud American title of a self-made man.
In 1890 Mr. Proctor was united in marriage to Miss F. E. Jordan, a native of Iowa county, Iowa, and a daughter of John and Rebecca (Reed) Jordan, both of whom were born in Ohio. They came to Iowa in the early '70s, locating first in Iowa county and at the end of three years making their way to Adair county, while at present they are residents of Madison county, this state. To them have been born ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Proctor have become the parents of seven chil- dren, as follows: Nellie T., who is the wife of Samuel Zellweger; Laura G., who has completed a course in a musical college; Lester T., who is a college graduate and now a minister of the Christian church in Nebraska; Floyd E .; Forest R .; Mabel I .; and Zetta, who is deceased.
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Sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Proetor has supported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in its principles. He has served as president of the school board for four years and also held the office of road supervisor for four years, making a most creditable record in both connections. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Lodge No. 375 at Greenfield. His life has been upright and honorable in every relation and he enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout the county in which he has made his home sinee early childhood.
JOEL C. WOOD.
Joel C. Wood has passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey and now in the evening of his days is living retired in Greenfield, having a pleasant home surrounded by two aeres of land. The eare of his place occupies his atten- tion and thus his days are quietly and pleasantly passed.
On the 22d of May, 1837, he was born, his native state being Ohio. His parents were Asa and Lucina (Clemmons) Wood. the former a native of New York and the latter of the Buckeye state. to which Asa Wood removed in early life. He always engaged in farming and carried on agricultural pursuits in Ohio until 1810, when he removed to Ogle county, Illinois, where he purchased land which he con- tinned to cultivate until death ended his labors in 1895. His widow survived him for only one week.
Joel C. Wood was reared in Ogle county and is indebted to its public-school system for the edneational privileges which he enjoyed. In 1856 he went to Cali- fornia, spending three years upon the Pacific coast, and on his return to the middle west he established his home in Tama county, Iowa, where he had previously pur- chased land. After a year, however, he removed to Benton county. where he spent one year and then returned to Tama eonuty. On the 15th of July, 1862, he offered his serviecs to the government as a defender of the Union eanse and joined the boys in blue of Company F, Twenty-eighth Iowa Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged June 29, 1865. On one occasion he sustained a bullet wound and he still has a piece of shell imbedded in his hand. After the war he returned to Tama county but after a brief period disposed of his property there and went to Taylor county, Iowa, where he purchased eighty acres of land, cultivating that traet for about two years. On selling out there he removed to Blair, Nebraska, but later returned to Tama county, Iowa, and in 1891 removed to Carroll county, this state. In 1899 he came to Adair county but subsequently spent two years in Mis- sonri and at the end of that time returned to this county, where he purchased his present place of two aeres in Greenfield and retired from aetive life.
On the 26th of October, 1865, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to Miss Hannah E. Jack, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Dunham) Jack, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey respectively. They became pioncer settlers of Tama county, Iowa, establishing their home within its borders when the work of development and improvement seemed seareely begun there. The father devoted his remaining days to the cultivation of a farm, upon which he passed away in 1883. while his wife died in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Wood became the parents of ten children, as follows:
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Asa, who is a resident of Warsaw, Missouri; Joseph C., living in Bridgewater, this county ; Mary L., at home; Joshua, who resides in Dexter, Iowa; Dudley, of Eureka township, this county; Theo, living near Bridgewater, this county; Garfield, who follows farming in Harrison county, Iowa; John, an agriculturist of Cass county ; Emmett, living in Greenfield, Iowa; and Hannah E., who is the wife of Clarence Rivenburgh, a farmer of Summerset township. The wife and mother of this family passed away September 25, 1901, leaving behind her many warm friends.
In religious faith Mr. Wood is a representative of the Society of Friends, while his political belief is that of the republican party. He has ever been interested in affairs relating to the best interests of the community and for thirteen years he served as school director in his district. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, having joined the order in 1866, and he is also identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. He is now serving as a commissioner of the Soldiers Relief Fund and he takes the deepest interest in his old army comrades. In matters of citizenship he has ever been as true and loyal as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields and aided in the military movements which resulted in planting the nation's starry banner in the capital of the southern Confederacy. Patriotism has always been one of his strong characteristics and his interest in the welfare and progress of his community is deep and sincere.
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