USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 28
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WILLIAM DAYTON McCOLLOM.
William Dayton McCollom was successfully engaged in the real-estate and abstract business in Greenfield, and was one of the most highly respected residents of that city. His birth occurred in Rochester, Windsor county, Vermont, September 30, 1856, and his parents were Ezra and Ellen Maria (Farwell) McCollom, the former a lifelong resident of the east and a physician by profession. The mother is still living in Rochester, Vermont.
William D. McCollom passed the period of his boyhood and youth in the Green Mountain state and there received his education. When eighteen years of age he emigrated westward, locating in Adair county, Iowa. In 1875 he was appointed deputy county auditor and took up his residence in Fontanelle, which was at that time the county seat. Later, when Greenfield was made the county seat, he removed here and continued to make this city his home until his demise. In 1877 he was elected county surveyor and served in that office for two years, gaining an enviable reputation for accurate work. At the end of his term he engaged in the loan and abstract business and followed that continuously until his death, with the exception of a period of six years, which he devoted to the lumber business. He built up a large patronage in the real-estate and abstract business and his decision in regard to a title carried weight, as he was recognized as an expert in that line of work. He was thoroughly informed as to the law pertaining to real estate, was painstaking in his investigations, and his abstract books werc complete.
Mr. McCollom was married on the 25th of December, 1877, to Miss Myra Pcat, of Greenfield, who passed away in April, 1898. To this union were born four chil-
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dren: Marian C .; Howe D .; H. Glenn ; and Fausta, who is now deceased. On the 25th of July, 1900, Mr. MeCollom was again married, Miss Mary Romesha, of Greenfield, becoming his wife. Her father, W. H. Romesha, was born in Sangamon county, Illinois. April 13, 1841, and became a resident of Iowa in October, 1855. During the Civil war he served in the Union army, but after the close of hostilities returned home and for many years held the office of deputy county sheriff. He passed away August 2, 1901. His wife, who bore the name of Italy Spain, was born in Union county, Ohio, September 25, 1846, and is still living in Greenfield. Mr. and Mrs. MeCollom were the parents of two children: William Dayton, Jr., who is a high-school student; and Mary Ellen.
Mr. McCollom gave his political allegiance to the republican party, and was quite prominent in public affairs. For three terms he served as mayor of Green- field, giving the city an excellent and progressive administration, and for several years he held the office of eity treasurer, which he was filling at the time of his demise. He was well known in local fraternal circles. He held membership in Crusade Lodge, No. 386, A. F. & A. M., in which he was initiated, passed and raised and of which he was worshipful master for four years : in St. John's Chapter, No. 73, R. A. M., at Fontanelle; Bethany Commandery, No. 29, K. T., at Creston; and Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, A. & A. S. R., in which he had taken the thirty- second degree. He was also identified with Greenfield Chapter, No. 91, O. E. S., of which he was worthy patron for several years. He at all times manifested a laudable interest in the publie welfare and was willing to give freely of his time and means in promoting the advancement of his community. He was respected not alone because of his business ability and his sound judgment but also because of his publie spirit and his unswerving integrity.
Mrs. MeCollom assisted her husband in his work, and following his demise she assumed charge of the abstract business, which she has since ably conducted. She was also appointed eity treasurer, and at the next election was elected to that office, which she still holds and the work of which she performs with accuracy and dis- patch. She is well known and all who have been associated with her hold her in the highest esteem.
HENRY TRAUGOTT MILLER.
Henry Traugott Miller, a well known and successful farmer residing on section 32. Prussia township, was born in Saxony, Germany, on the 4th of July, 1854. His parents. Gottlob and Johanna (Kruge) Miller, were also natives of that provinee and there both passed away, the former in 1889 and the latter in 1873. The father was at one time overseer of a coal mine and was later superintendent of a water- power works.
Henry T. Miller received his education in Germany. As a boy he worked in a restaurant in Leipzig and thus provided for his own support, but when nineteen years of age he came to America. chiefly to gratify his desire to see something of the world. He made his way direct to Adair county, Iowa, and found employment as a farm hand, in which capacity he worked for three years. He was then married and took up his residenee in Prussia township, where he rented land for a similar
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period. In 1880 his eireumstanees were such that he was able to purchase eighty aeres of land, upon which he took up his residence immediately and which is still his home farm. He has prospered beyond his expectations and from time to time has invested in more land until his holdings now comprise seven eighty-aere tracts, or five hundred and sixty aeres, in Prussia and Eureka townships. In 1914 he retired from aetive life and now rents his land to others, although he still oversees the operation of his farms to some extent. He has largely eoneentrated his energies upon the raising of high grade cattle and hogs for the market and as he has made a careful study of the business and has managed his affairs well he has gained finaneial independence. He also owns stoek in the Farmers Lumber Company of Fontanelle.
On the 14th of January, 1877, in Fontanelle, occurred the marriage of Mr. Miller and Miss Anna Katharine Rohner, a daughter of Michael and Dorothy (Einsele) Rohner, natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. Both passed their entire lives in the fatherland. In 1874 Mrs. Miller emigrated to the United States and located in Bureau county, Illinois, whenee after a short time . she came to Adair county. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have become the parents of nine children. Louise Dorothy is the wife of George Weinheimer, a farmer of Prussia township, by whom she has a daughter, Annie. Herman F., a farmer of Prussia township, married Miss Margaret Hell, by whom he has five children, Oscar, Leslie, Rudolph, Arthur and Lueile. Frederick Ernest. an agrieulturist of Summerset township, married Miss Katharine Baudler and they have two children, Fred and Irene. Anna is the wife of Claus Hell, a farmer of Eureka township, and they have two children, Erwin and Wilma. Clara married Fred Mangels, who is farming in Lee township, and they have a daughter, Doris Katharine. Frank and Emil are farming the home- stead. Carl William is a elerk in the employ of the Farmers Lumber Company of Fontanelle. Pauline, the youngest of the family, is at home.
Mr. Miller formerly supported the democratic party, but now votes for the mall whom he deems most capable, irrespective of his politieal affiliation. For the past fifteen years he has been trustee of Prussia township, his long continuanee in the offiee proving the aeeeptability of his services. He was also for a number of years school director of his home distriet. Both he and his wife belong to the German Lutheran church at Fontanelle and in their daily lives are true to its teachings. Mr. Miller is one of the foremost citizens of his county and ean be depended upon to do his share in advaneing the general welfare.
MARTIN CHRISTENSEN.
Martin Christensen is numbered among the self-made men of Jefferson town- ship and the proof of his active life is seen in his farm of two hundred aeres which is situated on seetions 26 and 27. He was born in Denmark, September 21, 1873. a son of Hans and Karen Christensen, who were also natives of that country. The father died there in the year 1876 and the mother some years afterward eame to Ameriea, arriving in this country in 1901. Since then she has married again, beeom- ing the wife of Iver Berg, of Clinton, Iowa.
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The only son of the mother's first marriage is Martin Christensen, who was only three years of age when his father died. He remained in his native country until he reached the age of fourteen years, and then came to America, making his way to Audubon county, Iowa, where he was employed for two years at farm labor. He afterward learned the butcher's trade, which he followed until 1906, when he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, on seetions 26 and 27, Jefferson township, Adair county, comprising two hundred acres of land that is naturally rich and productive, so that the fields respond readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon the place. He has made it an excellent property through the improve- ments put upon the farm, and in addition to cultivating the cereals which are raised in this climate he makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs and cattle, thereby adding materially to his income.
In 1899 occurred the marriage of Mr. Christensen and Miss Bodel Mary Nelson, a native of Germany and a daughter of Nick L. and Mary (Lund)' Nelson. The father is now living in Carroll county, Illinois, but the mother is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Christensen have become the parents of four children: Alford, Blanche W., Clarence M. and Howard Woodrow.
The family attend the Christian church and they are interested in all that per- tains to the material, intellectual and moral progress of the community. In polities Mr. Christensen is a democrat and is now serving for the second term as township trustee, in which connection he is active in furthering the best interests of the com- munity. He cooperates in many plans that have proved beneficial to the district and is now eashier of the Farmers Association and has served as a dircetor of the telephone company. He believes in progress and his work has always been along the line of advancement for the community or for his individual interests. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, inasmuch as he started out in life empty-handed. Coming to the new world when but fourteen years of age, he has since been dependent upon his own resources and his life record indicates what may be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.
P. P. SULLIVAN.
P. P. Sullivan, of Bridgewater, is a native of Adair county, as he was born November 30, 1868. on the old homestead on section 34, Jackson township, on which his parents, Jahn B. and Margaret J. Sullivan, located on emigrating to Iowa from Indiana in the early '50s. They suffered the usual hardships and privations incident to frontier life, but amidst all their privations they never overlooked the religious and educational training of their children.
The subject of this review received his early education in the rural schools and at the age of eighteen years spent one winter in teaching a country school. How- ever, he had visions of greater possibilities and as soon as his school closed in the spring he entered Drake University, at Des Moines, Iowa, enrolling in the com- mercial department of that institution on the 28th day of March. 18SS. After completing his course therein he enrolled in the College of Liberal Arts and in June, 1894, he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science. While in college he took a very active part in the various college organizations. He was a member
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of the Athenian Literary Society and was for two terms president and for one year treasurer of that organization. " He served one year as president of his class, one year as president of the University Oratorical Association, and one year as vice president of the Iowa State Athletic Association. In 1901 he was elected a member of the university board of trustees and has been a member of that board continuously since.
In September after his graduation Mr. Sullivan became superintendent of the public schools of Menlo, Iowa, and remained in that position for two years, after which he discontinued school work for a year but in 1897 he took charge of the schools of his home town, Bridgewater, Iowa. In 1899 he was elected superintendent of the public schools of Orient and served in that capacity for two years, after which he went to Fontanelle, where he remained for four years, and thence to Greenfield, where he continued for three years, resigning at the end of that time to take charge of the Bridgewater Savings Bank. He did much to promote the advancement of the school systems with which he was connected. At Orient and Fontanelle he added one year's work to the courses, at Fontanelle he secured the erection of a new primary building, and soon after his eleetion as superintendent of the Greenfield schools he began a successful campaign for a new high-school build- ing, securing a twenty-five thousand dollar building which was ready for use about the middle of his second year.
In 1908 Mr. Sullivan purchased the controlling interest in the Bridgewater Savings Bank of E. S. Harlan, of Atlantic, Iowa, and removed from Greenfield to Bridgewater to assume the management of the institution. The business of the bank grew steadily until it had more than trebled in volume and, the original quarters becoming inadequate, a two story brick building was erected on the site of the old frame one in 1914. The new building, which is an ornament to the town, is constructed of white enameled brick, has a beautiful interior and is well appointed.
Mr. Sullivan has always supported the democratic party and has taken quite an active part in local polities. He was twice given the nomination for the office of county superintendent of schools and although in the minority party was defeated each time by a very small majority. Hs is a member of the Church of Christ, is much interested in all church work and has been a leader in the advancement of the Sunday-school movement in the county, having served continuously as president or in some other office in the county association since 1901. In 1909 he became a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bridgewater and he has held the principal offices in that order. During the year 1913-1914 he was president of the Cumberland Branch Association, an organization numbering over six hundred members.
On the 14th of August, 1895, Mr. Sullivan was united in marriage to Miss Lute Jones, of Des Moines, Iowa, who was born near Keosauqua, Van Buren county, Iowa, September 6, 1869, the eldest child of Isaac and Eva Jones. Mr. Jones was one of the first to enlist in the war of the Rebellion, being a member of Company G. Third Iowa Cavalry, and served through the entire war, and his children received much of their history of that great conflict direct from an eyewitness who saw a great deal of hard fighting and who bears numerous scars from shot and shell. Miss Jones graduated from the Keosanqua high school in 1888 and after teaching one year entered the College of Liberal Arts of Drake University in September,
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1889. She spent one year in college and then accepted the principalship of the Keosanqua high school, in which capacity she served for two years. In September, 1892, her parents removed to Des Moines in order that their children might have the advantages of a higher education, and she reentered the university, from which she was graduated with the class of 1894 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. She took a very active part in the affairs incident to college life. She was a member of the Athenian Literary Society and held the various offices, including the presidency, of that organization and was also prominent in the work of the college Young Woman's Christian Association, serving much of the time as its president. After her graduation she was elected principal of the high school at Brooklyn, Iowa, but resigned that position in 1895 and was married to Mr. Sullivan at her home in Des Moines. She joined the P. E. O. order at Keosanqua and has been active in that society. She is a great reader and a careful student of current events and although she is not permitted to cast a ballot she is alive to political conditions, is for Wood- row Wilson first, last and all the time, and is ready to give the reason for her position on public issues. Since she has been a resident of Adair county she has been repeatedly solicited to accept the nomination for county superintendent of schools but has never done so.
To Mr. and Mrs. P. P. Sullivan have been born two sons and one daughter, as follows. Harold Eugene, who was born at Menlo, Iowa, September 29, 1896, was graduated from the Greenfield high school in 1914 and entered the freshman class in the College of Liberal Arts of Drake University in the following September. Lawrence Francis, who was born at Fontanelle, October 15, 1902, completed his grammar-school work at Bridgewater in May, 1915, and expects to enter high school in September. Margaret Evelyn, the youngest of the family, was born at Sunnyside Farm, January 30, 1911.
JOHN SAMUELSON.
John Samuelson owns one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 35, Orient township, which comprises his home farm, and also holds title to eighty aeres in Union county, this state. He was born in Sweden on the 18th of January, 1816. and is a son of Samuelson and Christina Samuelson, both of whom were born in Sweden, where they passed their entire lives. To them were born five children, of whom three survive.
John Samuelson was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the public schools. In 1868. when twenty-two years of age, he left his native land and crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He continued his journey west- ward and located in Creston, lowa. For nineteen years he engaged in railroading, being an engineer in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. In 1888 he turned his attention to farming and took up his residence on his present home farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Orient township, Adair county. He also owns an eighty aere traet in Union county, Iowa. He gives the greater part of his attention to raising and feeding stock for the market. but also raises some grain. He has met with gratifying success and ranks with the efficient and pro- gressive agriculturists of his township.
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In March, 1878, Mr. Samuelson was united in marriage to Miss Matilda John- son, who is also a native of Sweden. Her parents, Erie and Mary Johnson, were born in that country and there passed their entire lives. They had eight children, of whom six survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuelson have been born two children: John E., deeeased; and Roy, who has assumed the greater part of the responsibility in the operation of the homestead. He married Miss May Morcomb, a native of Minnesota and a daughter of Wallace and Mary Moreomb, both of whom are still living in that state. To this union has been born a son, Frank L.
Mr. Samuelson of this review is a republican, but, although he has always mani- fested a citizen's interest in public affairs, he has never desired to hold office. Both he and his wife are communicants of the Lutheran church and do all in their power to further its work. Mr. Samuelson has never had occasion to regret coming to this country, for here he has found opportunities, the utilization of which has enabled him to win financial independence.
DUDLEY G. WILEY.
Dudley G. Wiley, vice president of the First State Bank of Orient, is well known in local financial circles and is recognized as a man of business ability and soundness of judgment. A native of Iowa, he was born in Davenport, July 26, 1879, of the marriage of Charles I. and Samantha (Coyle) Wiley, further mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Our subject received his education in the public schools of Orient and on beginning his independent business career he became a clerk in the drug store at that place. After remaining in that position for two years he became identified with the First State Bank of Adair county as bookkeeper in 1896 and his industry and understanding of the work of the bank led to his pro- motion to assistant cashier and later to the important position of cashier. In 1902 he left that bank and went to Geneva, Iowa, where he organized the Geneva Savings Bank. In 1905, however, he sold that institution and, returning to Orient, pur- chased, in connection with his father-in-law, the First State Bank, of which he is now vice president. The institution is well managed and its affairs are in an excellent condition. The care which is taken to safeguard the interests of stock- holders and depositors has gained for it the confidence of the community and it does a large business.
Mr. Wiley was married on the 22d of October, 1901, in Orient, to Miss E. Myrtle Dalby, a daughter of James T. and Emma E. (Easterly) Dalby. Her father is president of the First State Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Blanche Lois, who is twelve years of age; Eugene D., ten years old; Opal F., seven years of age; and Dudley G., five years old.
Mr. Wiley casts his ballot in support of the measures and candidates of the republican party and manifests a keen interest in everything relating to the public welfare. For about seven years he has served as president of the school board and in that capacity has accomplished much in behalf of the local schools. Fraternally he belongs to Cypress Lodge, No. 539, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been master ; and Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, A. & A. S. R. His religious allegiance is given
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to the Methodist Episcopal church and the sincerity of his faith is manifest in the integrity of his life. He has gained financial success and at the same time has won the respect and goodwill of all who have been associated with him.
SYLVESTER BENNETT.
Sylvester Bennett lived to celebrate his golden wedding and later passed away, leaving her with whom he had so long traveled life's journey, to mourn his loss. Through all those years theirs had been a most happy companionship, as they shared the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity which checker the careers of all. Mr. Bennett was born in Herkimer county, New York, December 17, 1835, a son of Josiah and Merey (Pullman) Bennett, the latter a relative of the well known George M. Pullman, the builder of the Pullman palace cars. Both parents were natives of New York and became residents of Adair county, where their remain- ing days were passed. They had a family of thirteen children but only two are now living.
Sylvester Bennett spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state, where he acquired a publie-school education. The family removed to Herkimer, Lewis county, New York, and as the parents were not in very fortunate financial eiremnstanees Sylvester Bennett began to provide for his own support at an early age. On the 17th of March, 1854, he secured employment in a sawmill and by an unfortunate accident had three fingers eut from his left hand by a circular saw. which rendered him in later life unfit for military service when he would have enlisted in the Union army during the Civil war. At that period James C. Gibbs was a resident of Lewis county, New York and in his family lived Gorton N. Ben- nett. an older brother of Sylvester Bennett, who in 1855 accompanied the Gibbs family to the middle west. the Gibbs home being established in Summerset, Iowa. It was this that led Sylvester Bennett to come to Iowa. He journeyed by rail to Iowa City, which was then the terminus of the line, and by stage proceeded to Summerset, where he arrived on the 8th of April, 1857. At that period the town contained only eight buildings, some of which were frame houses, while others were built of logs. In the fall of that year Mr. Bennett purchased of the county several town lots, including one on which the old family residence now stands and for which he paid twenty-five dollars. Both he and his brother continued in the employ of Mr. Gibbs for a number of years, the latter being engaged in farming, hotel keep- ing and later in merchandising, at which period everything was hauled by wagon from Des Moines, it requiring five days to make the trip.
It was while in the employ of Mr. Gibbs that Mr. Bennett formed the aequaint- ance of Miss Diadama Lee, who had been employed by Mrs. Gibbs to care for her small children. On the 28th of November. 1858, they were married at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs, the ceremony being performed at two o'clock on Sunday afternoon by Frank M. Core, county judge, at the Gibbs Hotel, where the young couple remained until the following spring, when they began housekeeping west of town. Mrs. Bennett traces her ancestry back to one of the old American families, being a great-granddaughter of Colonel Jonathan Lee, of Revolutionary war fame, who joined the army as a member of a New Hampshire regiment, and afterward
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