USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 20
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E. W. NELSON.
E. W. Nelson, who devotes his attention to the pursuits of dairying and farm- ing with gratifying success, is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and productive land on sections 2 and 3, Grand River township. His birth occurred in Knox county, Illinois, on the 24th of September, 1869, his parents being M. A. and Virginia Nelson. The mother, a native of Illinois, died in that state when our subjeet was but nine months old, and the father subsequently came to Iowa, now making his home in Winterset, this state. They had two children, E. W .; and a daughter who is deceased.
E. W. Nelson, left motherless in infancy, was reared by his grandparents until eleven years of age and then secured employment on a farm. In the acquirement of an education he attended the common schools when opportunity offered. In 1888, when a young man of nineteen, he came to Iowa and here worked as a farm hand until the time of his marriage in 1892. Following that important event in his life he operated a rented farm for three years and then bought a tract of land in Harrison township, Adair county, which he cultivated for four years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and embarked in the mercan- tile business, successfully conducting an enterprise of that character for five years. He then sold his store and during the next four years cultivated a rented farm in Lee township, at the end of which time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on sections 2 and 3, Grand River township, where he has carried on agri- cultural pursuits continuously since. He has erected modern and substantial build- ings on the property and in connection with the raising of cereals is also engaged . in dairying, owning a herd of Holstein cows.
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In 1892 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Nancy E. Murphy, a native of Adair, Iowa, and a daughter of Leon and Polly Ann ( Roberts) Murphy, both of whom were born in Indiana. They came to Iowa in an early day and here spent the remainder of their lives. Their children were nine in number, six of whom still survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been born four children, as follows: Stella M., who is now engaged in teaching school; Jimmie, who is deceased; Arley, at home; and Clyde, who has also passed away.
Politically Mr. Nelson is a democrat but has never sought nor desired the honors and emoluments of office as a reward for his party fealty. Fraternally he is iden- tified with the Aborhill camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he has filled all of the chairs, and both he and his wife attend the services of the Methodist Episcopal church. Realizing the fact that zeal and energy constitute the basis of success, he has pursued his work diligently, and this combined with honorable busi- ness methods has gained him a place among the highly respected and substantial citizens of Adair county.
HENRY ROOS.
Henry Roos is one of the excellent citizens whom Germany has given to this country. He carries on stock-raising on four hundred and eighty acres of splendid land on section 29, Jackson township, and is financially independent. He was born on the 25th of December, 1851, a son of Henry and Philippina (Boehler) Roos, both natives of Germany, who in 1855 emigrated with their family to the United States. They located in Henry county, Illinois, where the father died in 1872. The mother also passed away in that county. Four of their five children are still living.
Henry Roos remained under the parental roof until his father's demise and then found employment as a farm hand. In 1874, however, he came to Adair county and purchased his present home farm in Jackson township, where he took up his residence in 1881. He has erected a number of substantial and well designed buildings and has also improved his place by planting trees. As his capital increased he invested in more land and now owns four hundred and eighty acres on section 29, Jackson township. He has found stock-raising very profitable and devotes the greater part of his attention to raising cattle and hogs. He understands all phases of the business and his stock seldom fails to bring a good price upon the market.
In 1877 Mr. Roos married Miss Mary Bruning, who was born in Mason county, Illinois, a daughter of J. G. and M. A. (Speckman) Bruning, both natives of Germany, who located in that county on cmigrating to America. Both passed their last days there. Mrs. Roos is one of a family of five children and by her marriage has become the mother of nine children: Lilly M., deceased; one who died in infancy ; Della C., the wife of Edward Jones, of this county; Oscar G. and Katie M., both at home; Gustave A., deceased : Reuben H., at home; Bena M., now Mrs. E. W. Glade; and Henry A., who has passed away.
Mr. Roos casts his ballot in support of the candidates and measures of the repub- lican party but has never aspired to hold political office, although he has served as
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MR. AND MRS. HENRY ROOS
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school director. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and guide their lives by the teachings of that organization. Mr. Roos has been quick to recognize opportunities, has planned his work well and has been energetic in the execution of his plans, with the result that he is now one of the men of affluence of this county.
C. M. RIGG.
C. M. Rigg is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres situated on section 28, Grove township. He was born near Knoxville, Marion county, Iowa, on the 15th of July, 1856, and is a son of John and Hannah (Robinson) Rigg, both of whom were natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. In childhood days they accompanied their respective parents to Guernsey county, Ohio, where they spent the period of youth and were there married. In 1854 they came to Iowa, establishing their home in Jefferson county. The maternal grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812 and received a land grant for eighty acres in recognition of his services. This he gave to his daughter, Mrs. Rigg. She afterward remained with an uncle in Jefferson county while her husband made his way to Marion county and secured an eighty acre tract with the land grant. Upon that place he built a log cabin and as soon as his arrangements for a house had been completed he took his wife to their new abode. He continued in the work of the farm up to the time of his death. Subsequently his widow made her home with her son, C. M. Rigg.
In the district schools C. M. Rigg pursued his education, but his advantages were somewhat limited, owing to the necessity of his concentrating his energies upon farm work. He was the youngest son and his brothers were at the front in the Civil war, so that it was necessary for him to engage in cultivating the fields. One of his brothers was killed by the bushwhackers in Arkansas.
After the war C. M. Rigg had the opportunity of attending school in Des Moines for two years. In 1869 he arrived in Adair county, Iowa, where he had a brother-in-law living. He secured employment with Tom Harris and was thus engaged in farm work for five years, or until the spring of 1877, when he went to Des Moines and attended school, returning to Adair county to work through the harvest season. In 1878 he made an overland trip to Colorado, where he was employed as a farm hand until 1882, when he purchased a quitclaim deed on a homestead near Fort Collins. He then began farming on his own account and so continued until 1894, when he sold that property and returned to Stuart, Iowa. Through the succeeding summer he worked for his brother-in-law and in 1895 he began farming on his own account as a renter. In September, 1895, he contracted for his present home farm, to which he removed in March, 1896. His place embraces two hundred and forty acres and the land is naturally rich and arable, responding readily to the care and cultivation which he bestows upon it. He is also a stockholder In the Greenfield Creamery Company and is a stockholder in the Lincoln Township Mutual Telephone Company, of which he was the first vice president. He occupied that position for eleven years, but resigned in October, 1914, because it was demand- ing too much of his attention which he did not wish to spare from his farm.
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Mr. Rigg was married in 1882 to Miss Maud E. Rison, of Fort Collins, Colorado, who died June 15, 1883, leaving an infant daughter, Dora M., now the wife of Sidney W. Cooper, a civil engineer in the government service. In 1890 Mr. Rigg was joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah E. Garber near Fort Collins, Colorado. She is a native, however, of Jefferson county, Iowa. Unto this marriage have been born nine children: Elstun L., Charles W., Theodore O., Bessie E., Margaret E., Han- nah C., Elizabeth E. and John D., twins, and Mary L. The family circle still remains unbroken and all of the children are yet under the parental roof.
In his political views Mr. Rigg is a republican with prohibition tendencies. It is his earnest desire to see the cause of temperance grow and he has ever been active in promoting public sentiment along that line. He and his wife are con- sistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Rigg is now serving on its official board. He endeavors to shape his life in accordance with its teachings and he is guided in all of his relations by straightforward and honorable principles, making him a man whom to know is to esteem and respect.
R. S. POWER.
For more than a third of a century R. S. Power has been numbered among the representative and enterprising agriculturists of Adair county, now owning and cultivating two hundred and forty acres of valuable land on sections 21 and 16, Grand River township. His birth occurred in Fulton county, Illinois, on the 15th of December, 1848, his parents being William and Ritiann (Hubanks) Power, who were natives of Kentucky and Illinois respectively. In an early day they took up their abode on a farm in Illinois and in 1869 removed to Kansas, while suhse- quently they established their home in Guthrie county, Iowa, there spending the remainder of their lives. To them were born eight children, four of whom still survive.
R. S. Power acquired his education in the common schools and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then worked as a farm hand for some years and subsequently cultivated rented land in Guthrie county for a number of years. In 1880 he came to Adair county and here operated a rented farm for some years or until his financial resources were such that he was able to purchase his present place of two hundred and forty acres on sections 21 and 16, Grand River township. He has made a number of substantial improve- ments on the property and has planted a fine orchard and groves. In addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock of all kinds, both branches of his business proving profitable. His present prosperity may be attributed entirely to his own efforts, for he came here in straitened financial circumstances and has since worked his way upward to a place among the substantial citizens of the county.
In 1880 Mr. Power was united in marriage to Miss Rose E. Busby, a native of Vermilion county, Illinois, and a daughter of Dud F. and Elizabeth Busby, who were born in the states of Indiana and Virginia respectively. To Mr. and Mrs. Power were born five children, as follows: Pearl, the wife of Frank Reynolds ; Robert F .: Edith, who is a high-school graduate and now follows the profession
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of teaching; and Howard and Domer, both at home. The wife and mother died on the 10th of August, 1910, and her remains were interred in the Center cemetery. She was a devoted and consistent member of the Congregational church, exempli- fying its teachings in her daily life.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Power has supported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in its principles. In the capacity of school director he has done valuable service for the cause of education. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, of which he is a worthy exemplar. In all the relations of life in which he is found he has been true to high principles of manhood, and his salient characteristics are such as have won for him the honor, respeet and goodwill of his fellowmen.
HENRY S. YOUNG.
Henry S. Young is a representative and sueeessful agrieulturist of Grand River township, residing on section 17. His birth occurred in Washington county, Iowa, on the 2d of November, 1875, his parents being John U. and Cornelia T. (Curtis) Young, who were natives of Ohio and Massachusetts respectively. The former removed to Washington county, Iowa, in 1855, while the latter accompanied her parents to this state the following year. Their marriage was celebrated in John- son county, Iowa. John Young then began farming as a renter and in 1878 estab- lished his home in Adair county, Iowa, purchasing forty acres of land where his widow now resides. As time passed and his financial resources increased, owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he extended the boundaries of his place by additional purchase and improved the property, erecting good buildings thereon. His demise, which occurred August 9, 1912, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. for he had been a resident of this county for a third of a eentury and had won an extensive circle of friends here. His widow still survives at the age of seventy-two years and is also widely and favorably known in her home community. To them were born three children, as follows: Leonard C. and Josie, both of whom are deceased; and Henry S .. of this review.
The last named attended the common schools in the acquirement of an educa- tion and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He then purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the home place and for some years followed farming in association with his father. After the latter's death he culti- vated both the homestead farm and his own property and subsequently bought another tract of twenty acres. His mother owns seventy-four and one-half acres, so that he is now cultivating one hundred and sixty acres on section 16, Grand River township, and has fourteen and a half aeres of timber. In connection with the production of cereals he makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock of all kinds and in his undertakings is meeting with gratifying and well merited suecess.
In 1904 Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Emma M. Tomkinson. a native of Guthrie county, Iowa, and a daughter of George W. and Catharine (Whit- more) Tomkinson, who were born in the states of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. They took up their abode in Guthrie county, Iowa, in the early '70s and subse- quently removed to Dallas county, this state, where the father passed away and
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the mother is still living. To them were born eight children, six of whom yet sur- vive. Mr. and Mrs. Young have one daughter, Helen C., who was born on the 13th of February, 1906.
Politically Mr. Young is a staneh republican and his fellow townsmen, recog- nizing his worth and ability, have called him to positions of public trust. For three terms he served as assessor and for one term as trustee, while during the past eleven years he has been secretary of the school board, acting in the last named capacity at the present time. Both he and his wife attend the services of the Con- gregational church and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the com- munity in which they reside.
CAPTAIN JAMES M. TREICHLER.
Captain James M. Treichler occupies a pleasant home in Orient, a thriving village situated on the Creston and Northern branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad. He was in early life identified with farming, but owing to injuries received in the service, he was eventually compelled to change occupations, and later engaged in painting and paper hanging, which business he pursued until a short time ago. He is now retired from aetive business life to enjoy his home which he so richly deserves. He has now passed the seventy-first milestone of his journey through life. He was born in Trappe, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, on the 10th day if January, 1844. His parents were Abram and Margaret (Miller) Trciehler. At this place still stands the old Lutheran church built in 1744, one of the remaining landmarks of the earlier settlements. The grandfather of his mother (James Miller) was one of the founders of this church. At the elose of the civil war in November, 1865, Captain Treieller came to Cedar county, Iowa, and in the spring of 1866 his father and family also eame to Iowa and settled upon a farm in the Coon Creek settlement; on this farm his father and mother continued to live until they were called to their final rest. His father's family consisted of nine children, of whom seven are still living.
Captain Treiehler remained a member of his father's family in Pennsylvania until the breaking out of the Civil war. He enlisted as a private in Company H. Ninety-sixth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in September, 1861. This regiment was enrolled at Pottsville. Pennsylvania, and later assigned to the Army of the Potomac. His promotion to fifth sergeant occurred at Brady Station. Virginia, by special order from regimental headquarters. From fifth sergeant he was promoted sergeant-major of the regiment. This position he held until the discharge of the regiment at the expiration of its three years service, at Cedar Creek, Virginia. He was then placed in command of the reenlisted veterans of his regiment; and the detachment was soon consolidated with the reenlisted veterans of the Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry and called the Ninety-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. In this regiment he commanded Company G until the elose of the war. In a very short time he received his commissions as second lieutenant, first lieutenant and captain. He also filled the office of adjutant of his regiment the remainder of his service, but retained the command of his company. Captain Treichler served three ycars and ten months and was engaged in all the general battles of the Army of
JAMES M. TREICHLER
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MRS. JAMES M. TREICHLER
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
the Potomac from Yorktown to Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. His regiment belonged to the Second Brigade, First Division, Sixth Army Corps; commanded by General Sedgwick until his death at Spottsylvania.
In 1873 Captain Treichler was united in marriage to Miss Emma Dance, a daughter of Major John and Phebe (Hodson) Dance, both natives of England. They came to America in 1849 and first settled in Ohio, where they lived for four years. They then removed to Cedar county, Iowa, and took up their abode upon the farm which Mr. Dance entered from the government. Still later he removed to Linn county and there both he and his wife passed away. In their family were four children, of whom two are yet living. Mrs. Emma Westcott, an aunt of Mrs. Treichler, was housekeeper for Queen Victoria at Buckingham palace for a number of years and was married while in her service, at which time she received from the queen a beautiful Dresden china set. Mrs. Treichler's greataunt, Mrs. Date, was housekeeper for Queen Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent, at Ken- sington Palace, when Victoria was a young girl.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Treichler has been blessed with eight children: Frank A., a farmer; Leroy and Cyril H., lumbermen at Kellerton; Rex O. and Winslow A., lumbermen at Afton; Gladys E., who is in Omaha, Nebraska, with her brother James E., foreman of the Ralph Printing Company, and who is pursuing a musical education in voice culture; and Samuel H., who is rural mail carrier on route No. 2, Orient, and is also connected with the Treichler Brothers Lumber Company of Kellerton and Afton. Both Captain and Mrs. Treichler are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and thus maintains pleasant relations with his comrades who wore the blue during the dark days of our country's history. In politics he has always been an earnest republican and has served in several local offices. His aid and support can be counted upon to further plans and measures that are working for the progress and development of his section of the state. Those who know him esteem him because of his upright life and his record furnishes an example which others might well follow.
Mrs. Treichler is a lady of liberal culture and broad reading. She has been a successful teacher for ten terms and that she possesses poetical talent is shown by the number of her productions that have appeared in print. The following poem, dedicated at his death to her father, who was a veteran of the Civil war, is entitled :
PIN MY GRAND ARMY BADGE ON MY BREAST
"Our comrades are going, as years roll along, Like autumn leaves dropping they fall one by one, When I, too, grow weary and lie down to rest, Oh, pin then my 'Grand Army Badge' on my breast.
CHORUS TO FIRST AND SECOND VERSES.
"When taps shall have sounded 'Lights out' for the night, And when from earth's battle my soul wings its flight. With arms calmly folded for my 'tent' of rest.
Oh, then pin my 'Grand Army Badge' on my breast.
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"And then in the Maytime my comrades will bring, Carnations and lilies, sweet gifts of the spring, The flag that I love then, to mark where I rest, Asleep with my 'Grand Army Badge' on my breast.
CHORUS.
"Thus wrote an aged vet'ran, who fought the good fight For God and his country, for freedom and right, Lov'd hands now have laid him to peacefully rest. In sleep with his 'Grand Army Badge' on his breast.
CHORUS TO LAST VERSE.
"For taps softly sounded 'Lights out' for the night, He's freed from earth's battle. his soul wing'd its flight, His wounded arms folded for his 'tent' of rest,
And pinned was his 'Grand Army Badge' on his breast."
This song was set to music and copyrighted by the late composer, C. V. Strick- land, of Huntington, Indiana, and has become popular as a memorial and camp- fire song.
DAVID O. BROOKS.
David O. Brooks, a worthy native son and representative agriculturist of Adair county. is the owner of two hundred and twenty aeres of valuable land on section 15, Union township. His birth occurred in Prussia township, this county, on the 9th of April, 1882, his parents being Edward W. and Charlotte A. (Hepler) Brooks. The father was born in Greene county, New York, in 1848, and when five years of age removed to La Salle county, Illinois. The mother was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1856 and was twelve years of age when she became a resi- dent of Livingston county, Illinois. They were married in Ottawa, that state, in 1873. It was in 1882 that they came to Adair county, Iowa, where the father died on the 12th of September, 1909.
David O. Brooks, one of a family of eight children, received his education in the common sehools and remained on the home farm until he attained his majority, subsequently operating a rented traet for two years. On the expiration of that period he purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land in Union township, which he has cultivated continuously and successfully to the present time, improv- ing the property until it is now an ideal farm home. In connection with the raising of cereals best adapted to soil and climate he is engaged in buying and feeding cattle for the market and has also won an enviable reputation as an importer and breeder of Percheron horses.
On the 15th of October, 1907, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude E. Selim, whose parents came to America from Sweden in 1898. He gives his political allegianee to the democratic party and is at present serving as a mem-
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ber of the school board, being deeply interested in the cause of education. He has always resided in this county and is widely known as an enterprising young agri- culturist and respected citizen.
JAMES ANDREW ABBOTT.
James Andrew Abbott, a representative and substantial agriculturist of Union township, owns and operates a highly improved farm embracing two hundred and twenty acres. His birth occurred in Union county, Iowa, on the 29th of January, 1864, his parents being Reuben and Elizabeth (Curson) Abbott. The father, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Iowa about 1856 and six years later was married in Union county. Both are deceased.
James A. Abbott spent the period of his minority on the home farm and sub- sequently worked as a farm hand for others for three years. On the expiration of that period he was married and started out as an agriculturist on his own account, having since devoted his time and energies to the work of the fields with excellent success. He is now the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of rich and pro- ductive land in Union township, Adair county, and has improved the property until it is one of the most valuable in the county. The well tilled fields annually vield golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon them and he has won recognition among the prosperous and enterprising farmers of his community.
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