USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 26
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His widow is now living in California. To Mr. and Mrs. Fritz have been born the following children: Ethel Z., whose birth occurred June 14, 1893, and who will graduate in music from Grinnell College at Grinnell in 1916; Earl, born August 26, 1894, who is at home; Albert, born July 19, 1899, who graduated from the eighth grade from district No. 4, of Prussia township, with the class of 1914 and who is at home; and Frances, who died when eleven months old.
Mr. Fritz, who is a republican, takes an active interest in both local and national politics and at the last two elections served as a member of the election board. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, which indicates the principles which govern their lives. Both are highly esteemed in their community and have many warm personal friends.
JOHN W. HEMPHILL.
Two hundred and forty acres of fine land on section 18, Prussia township, pays tribute to the care and cultivation which its owner, John W. Hemphill, bestows upon it, and its excellent condition testifies to his energy and good management. He was born in Pike county, Missouri, February 29, 1872, of the marriage of James and Mary (Humphrey) Hemphill, an account of whose lives appears in the sketch of O. H. Hemphill.
Our subject passed the days of his boyhood and youth in Jasper, Cass and Adair counties, Iowa. His parents removed to Jasper county in a very early day, subse- quently took up their residence in Cass county and came to this county in 1885. Mr. Hemphill of this review remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority and then began his independent career by renting land in Eureka and Prussia townships. He farmed land belonging to others for about twelve years but in the meantime carefully saved his money with the aim of eventually purchasing land. At length he bought two hundred and twenty-five acres in Jackson township at ninety dollars per acre and two years later sold the farm for one hundred and twenty-five dollars per acre. He then purchased his present place, which comprises two hundred and forty acres on section 18, Prussia township, and he has since concentrated his energies upon the development of his farm. He grows the usual crops but also raises thoroughbred Duroc-Jersey hogs and high grade Aberdeen Angus cattle. Both his farming and stock-raising interests are well managed and both yield him a good profit.
Mr. Hemphill was married on the 25th of November, 1903, to Miss Ella Giles. a daughter of John and Mary ( Lehman) Giles, natives respectively of Henry county, Illinois, and of Germany. They removed to Adair county about 1880, and the father, who was a farmer by occupation, purchased land in Walnut township, which he improved and operated until his failing health compelled him to retire from active life. He died on the 21th of July, 1914. His widow is now living in Canby, Iowa. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Hemphill passed away during the Civil war in Andersonville prison. She received a good education. attending the Earlham Acad- emy, and was for some time a teacher in the rural schools of Adair county. Mr. and Mrs. Hemphill have three children: Bernard LeRoy. ten years of age; Donald Wayne, six years old; and Hilma Leone, an infant.
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Mr. Hemphill supports the republican party at the polls and in religious faith adheres to the Friends church. He is enterprising and progressive and the gratify- ing measure of success which he has gained is well deserved. His conduct has always measured up to high standards of morality and his circle of friends is almost coextensive with that of his acquaintances.
GEORGE GRUBER.
During more than three decades George Gruber has lived on his present place of two hundred acres on section 11, Eureka township, which he now owns and oper- ates. His birth occurred in Henry county, Iowa, in July, 1871, his parents being Andrew and Mary J. (McCully) Gruber. The father, a native of Germany, learned the blacksmith's trade in that land and emigrated to the United States in 1852, locat- ing in Henry county, Iowa, where he conducted a blacksmith shop in the country for a number of years. In 1883 he came to Adair county, Iowa, and here lived retired with his children until called to his final rest in June, 1903. To him and his wife were born thirteen children, seven of whom survive, namely: Robert; Maggie; Ellen; Sadie; Lillian; George, of this review ; and Mary, who keeps house for our subject.
George Gruber was a youth of twelve years when he came to this county with his parents and has remained within its borders continuously since. He early be- came familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, as he assisted in the operation of the home farm, and he has been engaged in the work of the fields throughout his entire business career. When his father died he fell heir to a tract of eighty acres on section 11, Eureka township, subsequently extending the boundaries of his farm by purchase until he now owns two hundred acres of rich and productive land on that section. He has greatly enhanced the value of the prop- erty by making excellent improvements and in its operation has won a well merited measure of success, annually gathering good crops which find a ready sale on the market.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr: Gruber has supported the men and measures of the democracy, believing firmly in its principles. His religious faith is that of the Lutheran 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.
ALBERT R. HANDLEY.
Albert R. Handley, who is well known in this county, is successfully operating an excellent farm on section 17, Prussia township. He was born in Carroll county, August 2, 1879, and is a son of Richard G. and Eliza (Blazer) Handley, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father was taken to Cedar county, Iowa, by his parents when he was a small boy and there grew to manhood. On beginning his independent career he farmed in Carroll county, but a
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year later removed to Adair county and purchased one hundred and sixty aeres in Prussia township. Subsequently he bought an additional eighty-aere tract and gave his time to the cultivation of his land until 1910, when he removed to Tulsa, Okla- homa, where he is now living. He has long survived his wife, who died in 1889.
Albert R. Handley was reared and educated in this county and received good educational advantages, as, after completing the high-school course, he entered the Highland Park College of Des Moines. He paid his own way through school by working as a farm hand for fourteen dollars per month. In his early manhood he also worked for some time on the railroad and was also employed in packing houses and on boats. In 1906 he removed to his father-in-law's place in Prussia township, which he has since operated. In addition to growing the usual erops he raises stock, feeding about a carload of cattle per year.
On the 9th of March, 1904, occurred the marriage of Mr. Handley and Miss Mabel Zook, who is a daughter of J. S. and Adeline (Law) Zook, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and of Illinois. In 1878 they came to Adair county and the father purchased land in Eureka township, which he operated until 1904, when he retired and removed to Adair, where he is still living. He owns four hundred and eighty aeres of fine land in Eureka and Prussia townships and is one of the well-to-do men of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Handley have become the parents of four children: Ernest; Elsie ; Mande; and Granville, who died in June, 1913.
Mr. Handley is a stalwart supporter of the democratic party and takes a keen interest in public affairs. He is now serving as secretary of the school board and in that capacity is doing much to further the progress of the local schools. Frater- nally he belongs to the subordinate lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He is one of the energetic and progressive young farmers of Prussia township and is meeting with a gratifying measure of success in his chosen occupation.
JOHN ZIMMERLINE.
John Zimmerline, one of the successful farmers of Prussia township, was born in Germany, March 3, 1853. His parents, Henry and Barbara Zimmerline, were also natives of that country and the father engaged in wagon making there until 1859, when he emigrated with his family to America. They located in Bureau county, Illinois, where he purchased land which he operated for eleven years. At the end of that time a removal was made to Lee county, that state, and there he farmed until his demise in 1890. His widow survived him for ten years.
John Zimmerline passed the greater part of his boyhood and youth in Bureau county, Illinois, as he was but six years of age when the family located there. He received his education in the public schools and remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority. He then rented land in Lee county, Illinois, for four years, but in March, 1879. eame to Adair county, Iowa. After operating leased land in this county for twenty-one years he purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Prussia township, to the cultivation of which he devotes his energies. He has made a number of improvements upon his place, which is one of the valuable properties of his township, and is meeting with gratifying success in
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farming and stockraising. He also owns stock in the Farmers Lumber Company of Casey.
In September, 1876, Mr. Zimmerline was married to Miss Rose Longbine, a daughter of Nicholas Longbine, a native of Germany, who became an early settler of Lee county, Illinois, where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1884 and his wife passed away when their daughter, Mrs. Zimmerline, was but a small child. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerline have become the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living: William, John, Peter, Edward, George, Barbara, Adelia and Rose. Charles is deccased.
Mr. Zimmerlinc casts his ballot in support of the candidates and principles of the democratic party but has never desired to hold office. He guides his life by the teachings of the German Lutheran church, of which he is a member and to the support of which he contributes. During the many years that he has resided in this county he has gained the respect of all who have come into contact with him and the warm friendship of many.
FREDERICK S. WHITTUM.
For seven years Frederick S. Whittum has been engaged in the operation of an excellent farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Jefferson township and he also has other agricultural interests. In a word, he is one of the most progressive and enterprising farmers of the county, keeping in touch with all modern methods, so that his labors produce excellent results in the cultivation of his fields. He was born in Lincoln township, this county, October 11, 1881, his father being George D. Whittum, of whom extended mention is made elsewhere in this volume. His youthful days were largely devoted to the attainment of a good English education in the district schools and in the Stuart high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1901. He subsequently entered Grinnell College, which he attended for one year and then returned home, after which he was busily engaged in farm work for two or three years. At the end of that time he entered the Capital City Com- mercial College in Des Moines and was graduated therefrom with the class of 1908.
On reaching manhood Frederick S. Whittum became associated with his father in a cooperative way in the further development and improvement of the home farm, but in 1908 he took up his abode on what is known as the old William Easton farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Jefferson township, which belongs to his father, and for the past seven years he has devoted his time and energies to its operation. He also continues to cooperate with his father and brother Arthur in their agricultural enterprises, the interests of the three being mutual. He is actuated in all that he does by the spirit of enterprise and advancement and his intelligently directed labors, productive of good results, have made him one of the foremost agriculturists of the county. He specializes in feeding stock, handling two carloads of cattle annually, and he also raises, feeds and sells from two to three carloads of Poland China hogs each year. He feeds all of the grain which he raises and buys much more.
In his political views Mr. Whittum is a republican and reading keeps him in touch with the vital questions and issues of the day, but while he is interested in
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the political situation, he does not seek nor desire the rewards of office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farming activities, which are of an important and extensive character and which have gained him recognition as one of the leading and successful representatives of farm life in Adair county.
W. S. RITTER.
W. S. Ritter, residing on section 35, Grand River township, is widely recognized as a representative and enterprising agriculturist of the community. His birth occurred in Indiana on the 3d of April. 1866, his parents being Elijah and Eliza- Heth Ritter, likewise natives of the Hoosier state. In 1874 they took up their abode in Madison county, Iowa, later located in Dallas county, this state. and in 1878 returned to Madison county, there spending the remainder of their lives.
W. S. Ritter enjoyed the advantages of a high-school education in his youth and spent the period of his minority under the parental roof. Starting out as an agriculturist on his own account, he purchased a farm on seetion 35, Grand River township, the operation of which has claimed his time and energies continuously since. He has erected good buildings on the place and in connection with the cultivation of cereals devotes considerable attention to the raising and feeding of stock, meeting with a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings.
On the 24th of January, 1897, Mr. Ritter was united in marriage to Miss Flora I .. Savage, a native of Adair county, Iowa, and a daughter of Joel Ellis and Charlotte 1. (Collins) Savage. of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of E. E. Savage, a brother of Mrs. Ritter. To Mr. and Mrs. Ritter were born two children, Delmar W. and Gertrude, the latter being now deceased. The wife and mother was called to her final rest on the 9th of February. 1915, and lies buried in the Grand River cemetery. She was a member of the Congregational church, in the work of which she ever took an active and helpful part and to which her husband also belonged.
Mr. Ritter gives his political allegianee to the republican party and has served in the capacity of school director for eight years. His long residence in this county has made him widely known. while his sterling traits of character have gained for him the high regard of all with whom he has come in contaet.
B. F. SWARTZ.
B. F. Swartz, who is engaged in farming on seetion 2, Jefferson township, was born in Fulton county, Illinois, on the 21st of July, 1844, his parents being Jacob and Lydia (Vaughn) Swartz. the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. Some time following their marriage they came west to Illinois, settling in Vermont, Fulton county. The father was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pursuit in the town of Vermont for many years.
There in the town schools B. F. Swartz pursued his education, and when the Civil war was in progress he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in
W. S. RITTER AND FAMILY
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the spring of 1864, when a youth of nineteen years, as a member of Company G, Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, which proved the weakness of the southern Confederacy, showing that the troops had been brought from the interior to protect the border. He took part in a number of important engagements, serving until the close of hostilities and then returning to his home with a creditable military record. When the war was over he again went to Vermont, Illinois, but soon afterward removed to Mason county, that state, where he was subsequently married to Miss Mary Ann Morfoot, of that county. About 1872 they removed to Iowa, settling in Boone county, and after some years became residents of Dallas county. Afterward they resided suc- cessively in Audubon, Pocahontas and Madison counties, and in 1908 came to Adair county, at which time Mr. Swartz purchased his present home farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres in Jefferson township. He owns this farm in partnership with his two sons, Charles Edward and William Frederick, who are very active in improving and developing the place, rendering valuable aid to their father.
Mr. Swartz proudly wears the little bronze button that indicates his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, his affiliation being with the post at Audubon. He is independent in his political views, voting according to the dictates of his judgment and not according to party ties. He is recognized as one of the sub- stantial men of Jefferson township, esteemed for his personal worth, his business ability, his loyalty in matters of citizenship, and for his pleasant social qualities, which have gained him many friends.
JOHN W. NORTON.
John W. Norton, who owns a quarter section of fine land in Prussia township, is specializing in the raising of full-blooded Aberdeen Angus cattle and Berkshire hogs and has gained an enviable reputation in that connection. He was born in Jackson township, this county, on the 10th of February, 1868, and is a son of Norman and Elvira (Lewis) Norton, both natives of New York. They came to Adair county in 1861 and purchased land in Jackson township, which the father culti- vated until 1894. He then retired from active life and removed to Bridgewater, which remained his home until 1912, in which year he removed to Chicago, where he is now residing. His first wife passed away in April, 1885, and in 1890 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brunner, of Beloit, Kansas, who died in the fall of 1911 and was buried at Eureka Center.
John W. Norton was reared under the parental roof and received his education in the schools of Jackson township and of Fontanelle. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-six years of age, when his marriage occurred. As his father then retired, our subject continued to reside upon the home place, which he operated for six years. At the end of that time he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Prussia township, where he has since made his home. The farm was improved when it came into his possession, but he has still further developed it and it is one of the valuable places of his township. He carries on general farming and stock-raising but pays especial attention to the breeding of thoroughbred Aberdeen Angus cattle and Berkshire hogs. He is enterprising and progressive and his well
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directed labors yield him a good annual income. He also owns stock in the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company and the Farmers Lumber Company of Fontanelle.
Mr. Norton was united in marriage in February, 1894, to Miss Minnie Under- wood. a daughter of Rufus and Lucy (Prine) Underwood, natives of Illinois, who removed to this county about 1875. The father purchased a farm in Eureka town- ship which he has since operated. The mother also survives. Mr. and Mrs. Norton have one child. Istia, nineteen years of age, who is attending school at Creston.
The republican party has in Mr. Norton a stalwart supporter, and he is equally loyal to the Methodist Episcopal church. in which he holds membership. He de- votes the greater part of his time to farm work but is always ready to cooperate in movements seeking the advancement of his community, and his public spirit, ability and probity have gained him the sincere respect of all who know him.
WILLIAM HENRY TANNATT.
William Henry Tannatt, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on sec- tion 7, Prussia township, is widely known as a breeder of thoroughbred Poland China hogs and fine horses. He was born in Madison county, New York. November 16, 1855, and is a son of John and Amanda (Hamblin) Tannatt. The father was born in Wales and there learned the shoemaker's trade. After emigrating to the United States he enlisted in the Union army and died while in the service. He was married in New York to Miss Hamblin, who was a native of that state. born of Yankee stock. When our subject was eleven years old she removed to Illinois, where she later married David Jones and where her demise occurred.
In 1881 William Henry Tannatt removed to Adair county, Iowa, and located in Prussia township. After renting land for four years he accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to purchase an eighty acre tract, the nucleus of his present home farm. He has since added to his holdings and now owns two hundred and forty acres of excellent land. He also rents other land which he operates. About thirty years ago he began to breed full-blooded Poland China hogs and high grade horses and ever since removing to Iowa has had a number of fine animals. He breeds and sells both for market and for breeding purposes, and now owns Thumper Chief. No. 10364 (25711), a fine Shire horse imported from England ; Robert, No. 69711. a Percheron ; and King, a mammoth jack.
On the 20th of December, 1883. Mr. Tannatt was united in marriage to Miss Ella Benn, who was born in Will county. Illinois. July 22. 1863, a daughter of John and Mary (Hall) Benn. both natives of, Yorkshire. England, where their marriage occurred. In the late 'Os they emigrated to America and located in Oswego. Illinois. but a year later they removed to Will county, that state. where the father purchased Jand, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time and energy. Both he and his wife passed away on that place. To Mr. and Mrs. Tannatt have been born six ehil- dren: Eugene, whose birth occurred on the 6th of October, 1885, and who is now stationary engineer at the creamery in Greenfield; Clara, born March 24, 1887, who is a graduate of the Fontanelle high school and is teaching in Prussia township; Everett, born October 22, 1888, who helps his father with the work of the farm; Ray, born August 12, 1890, who is also assisting his father; Blanche, born August
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18. 1893, at home; and Eva, who was born June 26, 1897, and will graduate from the Fontanelle high school with the class of 1916.
Mr. Tannatt is a republican in his political belief, and has served as school director. He supports the Methodist Episcopal church and cooperates with various movements seeking the welfare of his community. He has gained a gratifying measure of success in farming and stock-raising and is recognized as one of the enter- prising and progressive residents of his township.
WILLIAM H. MORGAN.
William H. Morgan is successfully operating his excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Prussia township. A native of Missouri, he was born in Nodaway county, August 6, 1867, of the marriage of William W. and Jane A. (Pierce) Morgan, natives respectively of Vermont and New York. The father became an early settler of Missouri and there purchased land, to the cultivation of which he devoted his time until the outbreak of the Civil war. He then put aside all personal considerations and enlisted with a Missouri regiment. serving at the front for four years. On the restoration of peace he returned home and continued to farm in Missouri until 1872, when he came to Adair county, Iowa, and bought forty acres of land in Eureka township, to which he subsequently added another forty acre tract. After farming that place for many years he retired and removed to Adair, where he lived until called by death on the 2d of April, 1913, when eighty- one years of age. His wife died in 1895, when seventy-three years of age.
William H. Morgan grew to manhood in Eureka township and attended the public schools there in the acquirement of an education. He remained with his parents, giving his father the benefit of his labor until he was twenty-two years of age. He then rented land, which he operated for three years, after which he pur- chased the old homestead. He farmed that place until 1903, when he traded it in on his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Prussia town- ship. He immediately took up his residence there and has since made many improve- ments thereon. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and his land yields him a good annual return. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company.
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