USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 30
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William A. Bolton was a youth of but fifteen years at the time of his parents' death. He continued to live upon the home farm with his sisters, however, for four years and then started out in life for himself. For a year after his marriage he rented land in Prussia township and later removed to Guthrie county, Iowa, where he rented a farm for one year. In the spring of 1895 he became a resident of Walnut township, Adair county, where he lived upon a rented farm for two years, and on the expiration of that period he removed to his present farm, which he rented for a year. Still later he took up his abode upon another farm, which he leased for two years, and later he was for three years a resident of Oklahoma. He next rented a farm in Jefferson township. Adair county, for a year and afterward rented a farm in Summit township for a year. The next three years were spent upon a rented farm in Enreka township. and in the spring of 1908 he removed to the place upon which he now resides. purchasing one hundred and twenty aeres of land, which he has since owned and cultivated. He carefully tills his fields, performing every part of farm labor necessary to the production of good crops. He also raises high grade stock and applies himself so closely to his business that his capable management and unfaltering energy are winning for him a substantial measure of success.
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On the 20th of November, 1892, Mr. Bolton was nited in marriage to Miss Myrtle Campfield, who was born February 15, 1872, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Day) Campfield. The father was a native of Pennsylvania and was of Irish descent, while the mother was born in the Keystone state and was of Pennsylvania- Dutch lineage. They removed from Pennsylvania to Minnesota and afterward came to Warren county, Iowa, where they lived until they settled in Adair county. Both have now passed away. The mother died in Guthrie county in July, 1904, but the. father's death occurred in Adair county in March, 1907.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bolton have been born eight children. Mary Jane, who was born April 25, 1894, is now the wife of George Worthington, of Eureka township. . Edna, born May 1, 1895, Ivan, July 8, 1896, William, August 8, 1900, David, May 7, 1902, and Bessie, March 28, 1904, are all at home. Harold, born September 26, 1907, died at the age of nine months. Arthur, born September 27, 1910, completes the family. Mr. Bolton has the assistance of his sons in carrying on the work and they have greatly aided him in the arduous labor necessary to the development of the fields.
In his political views Mr. Bolton is a republican and for two years he filled the office of trustee of his township, discharging his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He also served as school director of district No. 2. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and both are well known in the community, where their sterling traits of character have gained for them the warm and enduring regard of many with whom they have come in contact. They have a large circle of warm friends, whose goodwill is greatly appreciated, but above social or other relations Mr. Bolton naturally places his business interests, and in the careful conduct of his affairs he has gained a good living for his family.
RUFUS UNDERWOOD.
Rufus Underwood is the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 8, Eureka township, and for twenty-eight years has been engaged in raising and feeding cattle. He was born in Warren county, Illinois, February 4, 1845, his parents being Oliver and Polly (Culver) Underwood. Both were natives of New York and the father was a lumberman and sawmill man. He went to Illinois in 1841, purchased land and turned his attention to farming. He was one of the first men to try to cross the prairies to Chicago and on one trip he disappeared and was never heard from again. He was married ere he left New York and his wife sur- vived him, dying in Warren county, Illinois.
Rufus Underwood attended school in the home district and remained upon the home farm until he reached man's estate. Three years later he came to Iowa, making his way to Madison county, where he engaged in farming. He bought a place there and resided on his farm for eleven years, coming thence to Adair county in 1881. after disposing of his land in Madison county. He then purchased one hundred and twenty acres on section 8, Eureka township, and has since added a tract of forty acres, so that he now has a good farm, covering a quarter section. He raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and annually gathers good crops of corn and grain. He feeds both cattle and hogs and has been successfully engaged in feed-
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ing cattle for twenty-eight years, keeping on hand good grades of stock, and shipping from one to four carloads annually.
In 1866 occurred the marriage of Mr. Underwood and Miss Lucy B. Perine, a daughter of Daniel K. and Dorcas (Cox) Perine'. The father was a native of Cler- mont county. Ohio, and a blacksmith by trade. The mother was born in North Carolina and they were married in the Buckeye state, where they continued to reside until Mrs. Underwood was about nine years of age, when they removed westward to Warren county, Illinois, where she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Underwood. Mrs. Perine died in that county, after which Mr. Perine came to Iowa and spent his last days in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Underwood in Madison county, there passing away in the year 1880. To our subjeet and his wife have been born four children. Aurilla became the wife of B. F. Carnefix, and died at the age of forty- five years, leaving five children : Mabel, Oea, Ora, Asher and Ilda. Mr. Carnefix still resides in Stuart, Iowa. Van, a resident farmer of Eureka township, married Eva Pieree, and they have three children: Berniee, Rex and Claire. Minnie is the wife of John W. Norton. a resident farmer of Prussia township, and they have one ehild. Istia. Millie, the youngest of the family, is still at home!
In his political views Mr. Underwood is a demoerat. He has served as road boss and as school director for several years. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. They are well known in the community where they live and for thirty-four years they have resided upon the same farm. Great changes have occurred in the county during this period, for the evidences of frontier life have given way before the encroachments of modern civilization. Wild land has been converted into good farms and Mr. Underwood is numbered among those who have been active in upholding high standards in agricultural work, his business affairs being so wisely conducted that he has won substantial success.
CHRISTIAN JENSEN.
Christian Jensen, who owns three hundred and sixty aeres of excellent land in the county, has met with gratifying sueeess as a farmer and stock-raiser. His home farm is on section 28, Prussia township, and he is highly esteemed in his locality. A native of Denmark, he was born in August, 1857. a son of Jens and Marie (Ander- son) Jensen, both also natives of that county. The father followed the carpenter's trade in Denmark until 1890, when he retired and came to America, making his home with our subject until his death, which occurred in February, 1908. His wife survived for more than four years, dying in November, 1912.
Mr. Jensen grew to manhood in Denmark and there received his education. He worked as a farm hand until 1881, when he decided to come to America as he believed that this country offered unusually good advantages to young men with little capital but with energy and good judgment. He first located at Sheffield, Bureau county, Illinois, where he worked as a farm hand for four years. At the end of that time he removed to Shelby eonnty, Iowa, and rented land, which he operated for two years. He then came to Adair county and for two years farmed rented land, but at the end of that time his finances were in such a condition that he was able to buy one hundred and sixty aeres on seetion 28, Prussia township.
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He at once took up his residence upon the place and concentrated his energies upon its improvement and cultivation. He prospered and added to his holdings from time to time until he now owns three hundred and sixty acres, two hundred and forty of which is on section 28, Prussia township, and one hundred and twenty in Summer- set township. He uses the latest machinery and up-to-date methods in carrying on the work of the farm and his well directed industry has brought him excellent financial returns. In addition to growing the usual crops he raises stock, feeding about a carload of cattle per year.
In March, 1887, Mr. Jensen was united in marriage to Miss Fredericka M. Nelsen, who was born in Denmark in October, 1861, and is a daughter of Nels and Johanna (Ericksen) Nelsen, natives of that country. Her father died when she was about fifteen months old but her mother survived until 1909, passing away in her native land. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen are the parents of nine children, namely, Henning, Marie, Johanna, Hans, Albert, Tina, Ernest, Eva and Lillie.
Mr. Jensen gives his political allegiance to the republican party and fraternally is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, while in religious faith he is a Lutheran. While living in Denmark he served for one and a half years in the army. He is recognized as an enterprising and efficient farmer and is also identified with other interests of the county as he is a stockholder in the Farmers Lumber Company of Fontanelle. The success which he has gained is due entirely to his own efforts and good management, for he began his independent career without capital or the aid of influential friends.
DANIEL BREEN.
The farming interests of Adair county find a worthy representative in Daniel Breen, who is living on section 28, Eureka township, where he carefully and system- atically carries on the work of the fields in the production of the crops best adapted to soil and climate. He is a native son of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Madison county on the 12th of July, 1881, his parents being Maurice and Catherine (Ryan) Breen, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of Madison county, Iowa. Maurice Breen spent the first seventeen years of his life on the Emerald isle and then, bidding adieu to friends and native land, sailed for Canada, where he remained for a short time. He then crossed the border into the United States and made his way to Muscatine, Iowa, where he learned the bricklayer's trade, which he followed for about ten years, being employed in that capacity in Chicago following the disastrous fire which swept over a large part of the city in the fall of 1871. On leaving Chicago he turned his attention to railroading and was thus employed in different parts of the United States, assisting in building the Union Pacific from Kansas City westward. While thus engaged he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Madison county, Iowa, which he leased. Finally, however, he abandoned railroad work and moved onto his farm, which he has since operated, making his home there for thirty-six years. His labors have resulted in making this a well developed place, which returns to him a substantial income as a reward for the care and labor that he bestows upon the fields. He has now reached the age of seventy years, while his wife is in the sixty-first year of her age.
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Daniel Breen was reared in Madison county, attended the public schools there and afterward enjoyed the advantage of educational training in the State University at Iowa City and also a course in a commercial college at St. Marys, Kansas. Through the periods of vacation he assisted in the work of the home farm and he remained with his parents until he attained his majority. when he came to Adair comity, Iowa, and rented a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres which belonged to his father. This he operated for four years. at the end of which time he purchased land on section 28. Eureka township. where he still resides. He has greatly improved the place, converting it into one of the finest farms of the county. Upon the tract is a beautiful and commodious residence and substantial barns and outbuildings, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock. He raises high grades of cattle and hogs and carries on his farm work according to practical and scientific methods. He makes stock-raising an important feature of the business and now feeds a carload of cattle and three carloads of hogs annually.
In April. 1908, Mr. Breen was united in marriage to Miss Alice Waldron, a daughter of Martin and Margaret Waldron, who were natives of Ireland. They came to America at an early day and settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, where they were living at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. Mr. Waldron there enlisted in response to the country's call for troops and served for four years in defense of the Union. thus proving his loyalty to his adopted country. He was wounded during an engagement. which crippled him for life. After the war he took up his abode in Madison county. lowa, where he secured one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he continued to cultivate and improve throughout his remaining days, becoming one of the representative farmers of that locality. He died in 1906, while his wife passed away in 1903. To Mr. and Mrs. Breen have been born five children: Catherine. Francis, Raymond and Marie, aged. respectively. six. four. three and two years, and a babe. Maurice, only a few weeks old.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church. Mr. Breen holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America and he gives his political support to the democratic party. He has served as assessor of his township for two terms, but has never been active as a politican or as an office seeker. preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs, which are capably managed and are bringing to him a good financial return, so that he is now numbered among the well-to-do agriculturists of Adair county.
SHERMAN H. PURDY.
Sherman H. Purdy is a well known and representative farmer of Eureka township. living on section 24. where he is engaged in both the raising and feeding of cattle and hogs. He was born in Henry county, Illinois. April 19. 1867. and is a son of William James and Margaret (Harry) Purdy. The father, born in Canada, was of English descent. and in early life took up the occupation of farming, which he followed for many years. On leaving his native country in early manhood he removed to Henry county. Illinois, and was married there. Thirty-eight years ago he came to Iowa, settling in Eureka township. Adair county, upon the farm which is now the home of his son Sherman. He continued to reside there until the fall of 1893.
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when he returned to Ontario, Canada, and two years later he was killed by lightning. His wife was born in Hlinois, while her parents were natives of Ohio.
Sherman HI. Purdy was only thirteen years of age at the time of his mother's death. He continued to live at home until he reached his majority, but for a year before was working as a farm hand. He afterward was employed at farm labor for a year and then rented land in order that he might engage in farming on his own account. For four years he continued to cultivate leased land, after which he purchased the old home place of one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he has since resided, devoting his time to general farming and stock-raising. He also rents one hundred and sixty aeres in Prussia township. He keeps on hand a good grade of stock and raises and feeds both cattle and hogs. He farms his land with the help of his son and he utilizes all the erops that he raises in feeding his stock. His business affairs are wisely directed and his capable management brings to him substantial success.
In 1891 Mr. Purdy was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Miller, a daughter of John Miller, of Audubon county, Iowa. She died in 1901, leaving three of the four children born of her marriage, one having previously passed away. Those who survive are: Myrtle May, the wife of Glen Bakerink, a resident farmer of Eureka township, by whom she has one child, Wilma Avis: Goldie Pearl, who is teaching in Eureka township; and Sherman Floyd, at home. In 1901 Mr. Purdy was again married, his second union being witih Miss Emma C. Leach, a daughter of Freeman Leach, living near Creston. There are four children of this marriage: Velma, Ellen, Eunice and Ethel, all of whom are attending the school near their home.
Mr. Purdy views the political questions of the day most carefully and as the result of his investigation and understanding of conditions gives his support to the democratic party. The cause of education finds in him a stalwart champion and he has served for two terms as school director of distriet No. 6 in Eurcka township. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America at Fontanelle. Those who meet him in social and other relations recognize his many good qualities, while those who know him through business feel that he is a thoroughly reliable and trustworthy man.
AMOS C. WORTHINGTON.
Amos C. Worthington owns and operates a fine farm on section 16, Eureka town- ship, and the excellent appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision and his practical and progressive methods. Pennsylvania elaims him as a native son. He was born in Lycoming county, November 1, 1861, and his parents, George and Savilla (Fry) Worthington, were also natives of the Keystone state. The father was a farmer and carried on the work of the fields in Pennsylvania until 1877. when he came to Iowa, settling in Adams county, where he engaged in farming for a year. In 1878 he removed to Adair county, where he followed agricultural pursuits for eight years. He then sold out and went to Kansas, where he purchased land, which he continued to develop and improve to the time of his death in 1896. His widow survives and yet makes her home in the Sunflower state.
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Amos C. Worthington was reared in Pennsylvania and in Iowa and the public schools afforded him his educational advantages. Through the summer months he worked in the fields with his father and remained at home until he reached the age of seventeen years, when he began working out as a farm hand, being thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-eight. He was desirous, however, of owning a farm and carefully saved his earnings until he was enabled to purchase eighty acres north of Greenfield. He lost that property in 1896, however, after which he rented for eleven years. He then again made investment in farm land, becoming the owner of two hundred and forty acres on section 16, Eureka township, where he now resides. He has since made wonderful changes in the place by the improve- ments he has put upon it and by the progressive methods which he has utilized in developing his farm.
On September 1, 1889, Mr. Worthington was united in marriage to Miss Delpha Jordan, a daughter of Franeis and Nancy ( Booher) Jordan, natives of Ohio. The father was a farmer and became a pioneer settler of Adair county, arriving here at an early day and continuing actively in farm work until 1898. He then went to Oklahoma, where he has since engaged in farming. To Mr. and Mrs. Worthing- ton have been born four children: Carrie B., who died February 20, 1915. at the age of twenty-four years; George M .. a resident farmer of Eureka township, now twenty-three years of age; Harvey D., aged seventeen, at home ; and Ray F., who died October 18, 1898, at the age of four years. Mr. and Mrs. Worthington are also rearing two adopted children, Vernon T. and Dorothy, who are brother and sister and who are aged respectively twelve and seven years.
Mr. Worthington votes with the democratic party and his religious faith is that of the United Brethren church. He is today numbered among the successful farmers of his county. Not all periods of his career have been equally bright, but with characteristic and commendable energy and determination he has overcome the obstacles and difficulties in his path and has eventually reached the plane of affluence.
FRITZ RUDOLPH KELLENBERG.
Fritz Rudolph Kellenberg, who is successfully engaged in farming and stock- raising on section 2, Prussia township, was born in Hanover, Germany, October 2, 1816. His parents, Frederick Wilhelm and Frieda (Grimm) Kellenberg, were also natives of the fatherland and both passed away in that country. The father was by occupation a laborer.
Fritz Rudolph Kellenberg attended school in his native land and worked as a farm hand there until he was twenty-seven years of age, when he emigrated to this country. He made his way immediately to Adair county, Iowa, where he farmed rented land for eight years. In the meantime he carefully saved his money and at the end of that time purchased an eighty acre tract on section 2. Prussia township, where he still resides. Later he bought an additional eighty acres across the road from his first purchase and, together with his son, he operates the one hundred and sixty acres. They grow considerable grain and also raise stock, feeding hogs for the market.
FRITZ R. KELLENBERG AND FAMILY
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Mr. Kellenberg was married in 1880 to Miss Lizzie Molln, a daughter of Joachim and Lena (Smith) Molln, both natives of Germany, whence, in 1859, they emigrated to America. They first located in Bureau county, Illinois, but in 1868 came to Adair county, Iowa, and settled near Fontanelle. The father is now living with our subject, but the mother passed away on the 8th of January, 1914. Mrs. Kellenberg was born in Bureau county, Illinois, on the 30th of May, 1861, and by her marriage she has become the mother of eight children. as follows: William Max, who is farming east of Greenfield and who married Miss Emma Sieg; John Frederick, a farmer of this county, who married Miss Ida Eckert, by whom he has a daughter, Pearl; Annie, the wife of Eli Lundy, who is farming in Madison county ; Henrietta, who died when twenty-one years of age; John Henry, who is farming east of Greenfield and who married Miss Annie Sieg, by whom he has a son, Edward; Hannah, and Minnie, both at home; and Rudolph, who is assisting with the operation of the homestead.
Mr. Kellenberg is independent in polities, voting for the man rather than the party. For one term he served as road superintendent and he has at all times mani- fested a commendable interest in public affairs. Both he and his wife hold member- ship in the German Lutheran church. He is recognized as a capable farmer, a good citizen and a man of unquestioned integrity.
CHARLES BARTON DORSEY.
Charles Barton Dorsey is a well known young farmer and stockman of Eureka . township living on section 7. He was born in Johnson county, Iowa, May 17, 1876, a son of Charles Barton and Hattie (Smith) Dorsey. The father was born in Illinois and was of Irish descent, while the mother was a native of Iowa. He took up the occupation of farming on starting out in life on his own account and at an early age came to Iowa, establishing his home in Johnson county, where he engaged in farming until 1879. That year witnessed his arrival in Adair county and he purchased land in. Grove township. Taking up his abode thereon he at once began to develop and improve the property, continuing actively in farm work there until 1895, when he removed to Cass county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming until 1907. He then retired from active farm life and removed to Anita, where he resided until his death, which occurred in January, 1912. He had led a busy life and the good use which he made of his time and opportunities brought him the success which rewarded his labors. Mrs. Dorsey survives and yet makes her home in Anita.
Charles B. Dorsey attended the public schools of Adair county and remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-one, during which time he helped his father upon the farm and thus became familiar with every department of the farm work. When he reached man's estate he started in business independently and was employed by the month as a farm hand for four years. This did not meet his ambition, however, as he desired that his labors should more directly benefit himself, and accordingly he rented land in Eureka township, where he lived for eight years. He next purchased the farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 7, where he now resides, and took up his abode thereon, since which
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time he has made the place his home. He is one of the successful men of the town- ship and carries on the breeding and raising of stoek, in addition to the cultivation of his fields, which bring forth rich harvests of eorn, wheat and other grains. He also handles good grades of eattle and hogs and both branches of his business are a source of material sueeess and gratifieation. His place is regarded as one of the well improved farm properties of the county, having upon it excellent buildings, including a comfortable and commodious residence with ample barns and sheds for the shelter of grain and stock. The place is well watered and everything about the farm indicates the careful management of a systematie owner.
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