USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 23
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spent in elerking in a store in Bridgewater, although he still operated his farm, which he yet owns,-a good tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30, Jackson township. To that place he has added many improvements and after six years spent in clerking he returned to the farm, devoting his entire attention thereto through the succeeding five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Bridgewater in 1910 and embarked in general merchandising, in which he has since continued. He and his wife have a well appointed store, carrying an attractive line of goods, and their reliable business methods and unfaltering energy constitute the basic elements of their growing suecess. He has always made good use of his time and opportunities and his business affairs have been carefully eon- dueted, bringing to him a gratifying finaneial return.
Mr. Warrior had six children by his first marriage, as follows: William H., of Carl, Adams county, Iowa; Hannah J., who is the wife of O. J. Sullivan, a farmer of Jackson township, this county; Leroy, an agriculturist of Adair county ; Elizabeth May, who gave her hand in marriage to H. J. Brown, of Coon Rapids, Iowa; Bessic, who is the wife of Frank McVey of Madison county, Iowa; and Rosa E., the wife of Ernest Curry, of Creston, Iowa. Following the death of his first wife, which oceurred in 1893, he was again married Mareh 4, 1903, his second union being with Miss Sarah J. MeFarland, who was born in Washington, Iowa, a daughter of F. A. and Hetty (Doig) MeFarland. natives of Illinois and New York respectively. To this union one daughter was born, Marion Alma.
Mr. Warrior belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all of the ehairs in the local lodge. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which they contribute liberally. while in the church work they take a helpful interest. They own and occupy a fine residence in Bridgewater and the hospitality of their attractive home is proverbial.
JOHN EVERTON BROOKS.
John Everton Brooks is well known in insurance eireles of the state as he is serving as seeretary of the Iowa Farmers Re-Insurance Association, which he assisted in organizing. He is also secretary of the Adair County Mutual Insurance Association and gives his entire time to' insurance work. He is a native of Erie county, Ohio, born August 8, 1855, of the marriage of Homer and Mary L. ( Kellogg) Brooks. The father was born at Florence, Erie county, Ohio, October 26, 1830, and was married on his twenty-third birthday. Two years later he and his wife removed by wagon to Scott county, Iowa, where he erceted a small residence. After living there for two years they returned to Ohio to the home of Mrs. Brooks' father. When Mr. Brooks sold his farm in Seott county he. took as part payment therefor one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Adair county and in 1879 eame here with his family. They remained upon the farm until 1890, when removal was made to Greenfield, where the father passed away July 28, 1905. The aneestry of the Brooks family has been traced back to the Pilgrim Fathers and representatives of the name served in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Mary L. (Kellogg) Brooks was born December 31, 1829, and is a deseendant of Governor Bradford, who was the
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second signer of the Mayflower compaet and the sceond governor of Plymouth colony. She is still living in Greenfield.
John E. Brooks was brought by his parents to lowa when but an infant but as they returned to Ohio two years later his education was acquired in the public schools of that state. In his early manhood he taught school during the winters, while he devoted the summers to farm work. In 1878. when twenty-three years of age, he came to Adair county and continued farming and teaching until 1892. In that year he removed to Greenfield, having been made secretary of the Adair County Mutual Insurance Association, and he has since devoted his energies to work in the insurance field. He has studied carefully every phase of the business and has managed well the interests intrusted to him.
Mr. Brooks was married in 1882 to Mrs. Sarah O. Carr, who was born in Medina, Ohio, of the marriage of William Purdy and Olivia Dean, both of whom are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have been born two children, Earl Homer and Donald Frederick.
Mr. Brooks is independent in politics and although he has always kept well informed as to events and has manifested a keen interest in the publie welfare he has never sought office. His ability and integrity have gained him the confidenee and respeet of those who have been associated with him.
H. A. GILBERT.
H. A. Gilbert was formerly engaged in the fire-insurance business in Greenfield but is now living retired here. He was born in Delaware county, New York, October 3. 1842, and is a son of Harvey and Harriet (MeCoy) Gilbert, natives respectively of Massachusetts and Connectieut. In 1849 the father left New York and went to California, where he passed away four years later. His widow survived him and spent her last days in Michigan. Three of their seven children are still living.
H. A. Gilbert remained under the parental roof until the existence of the Union was threatened and then in 1861 enlisted in Company E, Sixty-first New York Volunteer Infantry. as a private and served for one year. At the end of that time he was honorably discharged for disability as he had suffered the loss of one eve. He participated in a number of important engagements, inelnding the battle of Fair Oaks and the seven days' retreat from Malvern Hill, during which time the Union forees were on the march during the day and fighting at night. He was discharged at Newark, New Jersey, and subsequently went to Michigan. where he remained for a year. After that he removed to Missouri but not long afterward made his way to Denver, Colorado, driving a herd of eattle and horses with the assistance of two brothers. He remained in Colorado until fall and then returned to New York state but only resided there a short time. after which he spent another year in Michigan and a short time in Missouri.
Coming to Adair county, Iowa. in 1866, Mr. Gilbert purchased a farm in Green- field township, which he operated for a year, when he sold the place, and in the fall of 1868 went back to the Empire state, where his marriage occurred. The fol- lowing February he brought his wife to this county and erected a residence in
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Greenfield, where he has since lived. He also purchased a farm in Lee township, which he still owns, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, and he holds title to four town lots here besides his home place. For many years he was successfully engaged in the fire-insurance business, writing a large number of policies annually, but in 1912 he retired, feeling that he had earned a period of rest and leisure.
The marriage of Mr. Gilbert and Miss Frances Goodrich was solemnized on the 6th of January, 1869. She was born in the Empire state and is a daughter of Allen and Hannah (Moore) Goodrich, both likewise natives of New York, where they lived and died. To Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have been born four children: Georgie Elizabeth, now the wife of A. A. Taylor, of Stuart, Iowa; Mamie J., de- ceased ; Nina, at home; and Rockwell, deceased.
Mr. Gilbert cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln but subsequently gave his allegiance to the democratic party, which he still supports. He has served as assessor of Greenfield and has also been a member of the eity council, in which capacity he helped to draft the first city ordinance. He is the oldest member of Lodge No. 375, I. O. O. F., in which he has filled all of the chairs, and he is also a charter member of the Grand Army post at Greenfield, with which he is still identi- fied. His wife is a devout member of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which she takes an active and helpful interest. Mr. Gilbert's energy and wise management of affairs while actively engaged in business enabled him to accumulate a competence which he is now enjoying at his leisure. He has resided in Greenfield for many years and the sterling worth of his character is attested by the fact that those who have been most intimately associated with him hold him in the warmest regard.
FREDRICH RAASCH.
Fredrich Raasch of Jackson township is one of the natives of Germany who have gained material prosperity in their adopted country and who have also won the unqualified respect of all who know them. He was born on the 1st of October, 1856, and is a son of Fredrich and Carolina (Reinke) Raasch, both of whom were likewise born in the fatherland. In 1868 the family emigrated to America and first settled upon a farm in La Salle county, Illinois, where the father passed away. The grandfather also died there but the grandmother died on the ocean while cross- ing to the United States and was buried at sea. Following the demise of her hus- band Mrs. Carolina Raasch removed with her family to Adair county, Iowa, and later took up her residence in Cass county. Six of her eleven children survive and all live in either Cass or Adair county.
Fredrich Raasch was a boy of twelve years when he' accompanied his parents to this country and he remained under the parental roof until he was about twenty-five years of age. He then purchased his present home farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 28, Jackson township, and has since devoted his entire attention to his farming and stock-raising interests. He has been very successful and from time to time has invested in more land, now owning four hundred and forty acres, all of which is rich and productive. He has made many improvements upon his land and keeps the buildings in a good state of repair. Although he also
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grows the usual crops he gives his greatest attention to the raising and feeding of cattle and hogs for the market.
On the Ist of January, 1881, Mr. Raasch married Miss Amelia Kuesel, likewise a native of Germany and a daughter of Fred and Charlotta (Boness) Kuesel, both of whom were born in the fatherland. The father died in Germany but the mother emigrated to Ameriea in 1873 and is still living at the age of eighty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Raaseh have three children: Pearl R., the wife of William Schultz, of this county; Edward W .; and Paul R.
The republican party finds in Mr. Raasch a stanch adherent and he has served acceptably as trustee and has also been a member of the school board for a number of years. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the uprightness of their daily lives is proof of the sineerity of their religious belief. Mr. Raasch recognized early in life the value of industry and the need of planning well his work and his sueeess is due to the fact that he has used sound judgment in the management of his affairs and that he has not been afraid to work energetically.
PETER SCOFIELD.
Peter Scofield is a retired farmer residing in Fontanelle. In faet he is one of the most venerable citizens of the county, being now in the eighty-seventh year of his age, and he receives the respeet and veneration which should ever be accorded one of his years whose life has been well spent. His birth occurred in Greene county, New York. November 26, 1828, his parents being Amzi and Margaret Seo- field, who were likewise natives of the Empire state. They removed westward to Wisconsin in 1855 and settled on a farm in Jefferson county, which was then a frontier distriet in which the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely begun. The father built a log cabin. which he covered with a elapboard roof. The door was also elapboard and there was a puncheon floor and stick chimney. There were many hardships and privations to be endured in the effort to establish a home amid sueh ungenerous surroundings but neighbors were helpful to each other and in the Seofield home the latch string always hung out. The parents of Mr. Scofield continued their residence in Wisconsin until they were called to their final rest and their labors brought good returns in the development of a farm. In their family were eight children. of whom two survive, Peter and Charles. both residents of Fontanelle.
Peter Scofield spent the entire period of his boyhood and youth in his native state and was in his twenty-sixth year when in 1854 he left the east and removed to Wisconsin, where he purchased one hundred aeres of timberland, residing thereon until 1875, which year witnessed his arrival in Adair county, lowa. Here he secured one hundred and sixty acres of land in Jackson township and continued to engage in general farming, bringing his fields to a high state of cultivation. He lived upon this place until 1893 and his practical work and well managed interests brought him merited success. He acquired a handsome competenee that at length enabled him to retire. He was sixty-five years of age when he put aside further business eares and removed to Bridgewater, where he lived until he came to Fontanelle, where hic now makes his home. Industry, economy and honorable business dealing were
PETER SCOFIELD
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the foundations upon which he built his success, a success which has enabled him for more than two decades to live in retirement from active business and yet enjoy the comforts of life.
Mr. Scofield was married twice. In 1848 he wedded Miss Abigail Wheeler, who was born in New York, and they became the parents of four children, Mary E., the wife of J. Aspinwall, now a resident of Florida; Charles H., living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin ; Lilly M., the wife of L. J. Slocum, of Iowa; and Ellen, the wife of William Vese, of Springfield, Missouri. The wife and mother passed away in 1899 and was laid to rest in Fontanelle cemetery. In 1907 Mr. Scofield was again mar- ried, his second union being with Mrs. Clara (Gibbs) Simmons. She was born in Vermont, a daughter of Stephen and Betsy (Hodges) Gibbs, both of whom were also natives of the Green Mountain state. On leaving New England they removed westward to Wisconsin, where their remaining days were passed. By her former marriage Mrs. Scofield had two children, Mariette, the wife of S. M. Jacobs, now of Tennessee; and Nettie, the wife of William Green.
After leaving his farm Mr. Scofield sold that place and purchased property in both Bridgewater and Fontanelle. He may truly be called a self-made man, for he started out in life empty-handed and has since depended entirely upon his own resources, working his way upward through energy and determination. For forty years he has made his home in Adair county, where he now has a wide acquaintance and through this period he has witnessed many notable changes as the county has developed.
JESSE R. COURTER.
Jesse R. Courter owns and operates an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres, comprising the northwest quarter of section 33, Union township. His birth occurred in Henry county, Iowa, on the 1st of January, 1874, his parents being Jacob and Harriett (Lynn) Courter, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. Their marriage was celebrated in Lucas county, Iowa, to which place the mother had accompanied her parents. After spending two or three years in Henry county, this state, Mr. and Mrs. Courter resided for a year in Union county and then returned to Henry county. At the end of another year, in 1878 or 1879, they came to Adair county, locating on section 28, Union township, where the mother passed away in 1882. In subsequent years the father made various removals. He is now living at Creston, Iowa, and his present land holdings are in the Sas- katchewan province of Canada.
Jesse R. Courter was reared at home and in the acquirement of an education attended the district schools and also studied for one term in Legrand College of Legrand, Iowa. In 1897 he started out as an agriculturist on his own account and for about eleven years cultivated rented land in Union township. It was in 1908 that he purchased his present home farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 33, Union township, which he had operated as a renter for nine years previously. He has won a gratifying measure of success in his agricultural interests and is num- bered among the substantial citizens of his community. A man of practical ideas Vol. II-12
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and good judgment, he conducts his work in a systematic and methodical manner, as is evidenced by the attractive appearance of his place.
In 1897 Mr. Courter was imited in marriage to Miss Estella Havens, a daughter of Alexander Havens, of Union township, who was graduated from the Howe's Academy of Mount Pleasant, the oldest academy in Iowa, in 1892, and two years later completed a course in the Adair County Normal School at Greenfield. For five years prior to her marriage she followed the profession of teaching in this county, being an instructor in the district schools. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children, one of whom survives, Esther Virginia.
Mr. Courter gives his political allegiance to the republican party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church, to which his wife also belongs. Viewed from every standpoint his life may be termed successful because he has made his agricultural enterprise prosperous and his private life useful and worth while.
JOHN A. POPE.
John A. Pope, one of the successful farmers and stock-raisers of Prussia town- ship, was born in Henry county, Illinois, July 17, 1870, of the marriage of Eliphalet and Prudence (Shaver) Pope, natives respectively of New York and Pennsylvania. The father emigrated to Wisconsin in an early day in the history of that state and taught school there for a number of years. He was married there and subsequently removed to Henry county, Illinois, locating at Oxford. He followed the profession of teaching there until 1883, when he came to Adair county, Iowa, and purchased eighty acres of land in Prussia township. For two winters after coming to this county he continued to teach school but subsequently engaged in farming, which pursuit he followed until 1907. In that year he removed to Fontanelle, where he lived in honorable retirement from the eares of business until his death, which occurred in March, 1910. His widow is still living and makes her home in Cali- fornia.
John A. Pope passed the days of his boyhood and youth in Henry county, Illinois, and Adair county, Iowa. and received his education in the public schools. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority and then began working as a farm hand, so continuing for three years. At the end of that time he began farming on his own account and until 1900 operated rented land. He then pur- chased eighty aeres on section 21, Prussia township, where he has since resided. The land is in a high state of cultivation and the farm is well improved. He raises a high grade of stock in addition to the usual crops and his labor yields him a good annual income. He also owns stock in the Farmers Lumber Company of Fontanelle.
Mr. Pope was married on the 2d of March, 1904, to Miss Sophia Jensen, a daughter of Hans and Marie Jensen. who are still residing in Denmark. Mr. and Mrs. Pope have two children: Harold J., ten years of age; and Hazel M., eight years old.
Mr. Pope gives his political allegiance to the democratie party and takes a commendable interest in everything relating to the public welfare. Although not an office seeker he has served as constable of his township. He holds membership in
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the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his religious faith is that of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, to which he belongs. His ability and integrity have won him the respect of those who come in contact with him and there are many who are his warm personal friends.
WATSON P. COWDEN.
Watson P. Cowden, residing in Adair, is numbered among the veterans of the Civil war. In former years he was identified with agricultural interests in this state, in Guthrie county, but in 1903 he retired from active business. It is fitting that this period of rest should be vouchsafed him, for he is now eighty-one years of age. He was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, March 30, 1834, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Shields) Cowden, who were natives of Pennsylvania. In early life they removed to Ohio and the father engaged in farming in that state until 1839, when he went to Mercer county, Illinois, where he purchased land and carried on general agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. He died in 1858, while his wife survived for almost thirty years, passing away in 1887.
Watson P. Cowden spent his youthful days in Illinois and acquired his education in the public schools there. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority, when he inherited eighty acres of land from his father. He then began farming on his own account, improved his property and cultivated his fields until 1867, when he disposed of his interests in Illinois and came to Iowa, making his way first to Jasper county, where he purchased a farm which he further developed until 1876. He then sold that property and went to Guthrie county, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres five miles north of Adair. His energies were concentrated upon the further improvement of that tract, which he continued to operate until 1903, when he retired and removed to Greenfield, where he resided for nearly three years. He then became a resident of Adair, where he purchased a nice home that he has since occupied, and he is now most comfortably situated in life.
On the 8th of April, 1857, Mr. Cowden was joined in wedlock to Miss Margaret A. Summerville, a daughter of John and Cynthia (Brown) Summerville, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Connecticut respectively. The father, a wagon maker by trade, worked at that occupation in Pennsylvania throughout his active life, passing away in the Keystone state in October, 1840. His wife, surviving him for more than six decades, was called to her final rest in April, 1901. To Mr. and Mrs. Cowden have been born six children, as follows: David J., a retired agriculturist who is the secretary of the creamery company in Adair, Iowa; George W., living in Grinnell, this state; Arthur M., who was accidentally drowned in Omaha in 1891; Cynthia E., who died in 1866, at the age of fifteen months; Ella C., who is the widow of A. B. Chantry and teaches school in Des Moines; and Lilly M., who is the widow of John H. McClellan and makes her home near Greenfield.
While living in Guthrie county Mr. Cowden served as justice of the peace and his decisions were always strictly fair and impartial. There is an interesting mili- tary chapter in his life record, for at the time of the Civil war he joined the army as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Infantry, enlisting in Mercer county. He was sergeant of his company and served for six months. He
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is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the little bronze button which he wears indicating his faithful service in defense of the Union. His political indorsement has long been given to the republican party, while his life has been guided by his religious faith as indicated in his membership in the United Presby- terian church. He is today one of the oldest residents of Adair, where he is highly esteemed and honored because his career has at all times measured up to most commendable standards.
VAN UNDERWOOD.
Van Underwood, a representative agriculturist of Eureka township, owns an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 17 and in its operation has won most gratifying success. His birth occurred in Warren county, Illinois, in January, 1870, his parents being Rufus and Lucy (Perine) Underwood, who are natives of Illinois and Ohio respectively. In 1870 the father took up his abode in Madison county, Iowa, where he purchased and improved a farm and continued its operation for eleven years. On the expiration of that period he sold the prop- erty and came to Adair county, here buying a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on section 8. Eureka township, which he improved and has cultivated continuously to the present time. He and his wife are now sixty-nine and sixty-five years of age respectively and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which they have resided for the past third of a century.
Van Underwood was reared and educated in Madison and Adair counties and remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age. When a young man of nineteen, however, he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, renting a tract of land which he cultivated for five years. At the end of that time he pur- chased eighty acres in Summit township, operating the place for eight years, or until he sold the property and bought a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on scetion 17. Eureka township, lying across the road from his father's farm. He has made a number of substantial improvements thereon, set out all the trees, and in its operation has won success as the reward of his untiring industry and able manage- ment. In connection with the raising of cereals he devotes considerable attention to live-stock interests. feeding from one to two earloads of cattle annually.
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