USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 32
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Ollie H. Hemphill was brought to this county in his infancy and has remained within its borders continuously since. He was reared and educated in Prussia township and remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, after which he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating rented land for ten years. On the expiration of that period he purchased an eighty-acre tract on section 30, Prussia township, but leased the place for seven years before taking up his abode thereon, so that the farm has been his home only for the past Vol. IT-16
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three years. He has improved the property until it is now one of the best in the county and in its operation is meeting with excellent success. He devotes con- siderable attention to the raising of thoroughbred Poland China hogs, finding this branch of his business quite profitable.
On the 8th of February, 1899, Mr. Hemphill was united in marriage to Miss Georgia Bloomfield, a daughter of Henry and Fanny (Madison) Bloomfield, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The father, an agriculturist by oeenpation, eame to Adair county, Iowa, in 1871, purchasing a tract of land in Eureka township which he improved and cultivated during the remainder of his life. He died on the 4th of October, 1913. as the result of a runaway accident, and his widow now makes her home in Fontanelle. Mr. and Mrs. Hemphill have one child, Lole V., who is fourteen years of age.
Sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Hemphill has sup- ported the men and measures of the republican party and for five years he served as school director, being ever a stanch friend of the cause of education. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He and his estimable wife have many warm friends, who recognize in them the elements that contribute most to the upbuilding of the best interests of the community.
THORNTON A. CROZIER.
Thornton A. Crozier, an enterprising and highly respected farmer of Eureka township living on section 6, is a native of California, although he has spent the greater part of his life in this state. He was born on the Pacific coast in November, 1851, a son of Robert and Naney H. (Ward) Crozier, who were natives of the Buckeye state. The parents went to California about 1850 and the father there engaged in farming for a year, after which he went to Iowa, settling in Marion county, where he purchased land, continuing the further development and improve- ment of that farm throughont his remaining days. He died November 27, 1913. while in 1889 death had claimed his wife.
Thornton A. Crozier spent his youthful days in Marion county. Iowa, and his time was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the play- ground and such tasks as were assigned to him by parental authority. He continued with his parents until he attained his majority and then started out in life for himself by renting land which he continued to eultivate for five years. He carefully saved his earnings until industry and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase sixty acres in Marion county. He operated that farm for five years and then sold it. after which he came to Adair county and purchased eighty aeres on seetion 6, Eureka township. This he at once began to cultivate and improve and has sinee made his home thereon, while his labors have resulted in the transformation of the place into one of the fine farms of the locality.
In April 1878, Mr. Crozier was united in marriage to Miss Laura Fast, a daughter of Phillip and Nancy (MeBride) Fast, who were pioneer residents of both Marion and Adams counties. They went to Marion county in 1868 and there the father engaged in farming for a few years and then removed to Adams county,
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where he purchased land, which he continued to eultivate throughout his remaining days. He died in July, 1906, having for almost thirty-five years survived his wife, whose death occurred December 7, 1871. There were eight children in their family, of whom six are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Crozier have become the parents of seven children: Charlie, now a resident of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Billy, whose home is in Lake City, Iowa; Jessie, a resident of Conneil Bluffs; Nellie, the wife of Ellis Herrick, who is living in Anita, Iowa; and Floyd, Byron and Tressa, all at home.
Mr. Crozier exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party but does not seek nor desire office, his undivided attention being given to his business affairs. He is well known as a raiser of high grade stoek. feeding about two carloads of cattle per year, and his annual sales of stoek and farm produce bring to him a substantial financial return.
LEVI FAY.
For over thirty years Levi Fay, the owner of the Pleasant Vicw Farm, has been successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Prussia township. He was born in Switzerland county, Indiana, June 3, 1853, a son of Levi and Sarah Ann (Merrill) Fay, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and of Ohio. The father, who devoted his life to farming, became a resident of Indiana in an early day in the history of that state and remained there until 1854, when, with his family, he went to Linn eonty, Iowa, whenee he removed successively to Jasper county and to Adair county, where he rented land, which he operated the remainder of his life. He passed away in July, 1900, but is survived by his widow, who resides at Washta, Cherokee county, this state.
Levi Fay was reared and educated in Adair county and remained with his parents until he became of age. He then rented land which he operated for four years, after which he purchased eighty aeres on seetion 1, Prussia township, to the eulti- vation of which he has since devoted his time. The place, which is known as the Pleasant View Farm, is well improved and the land is in a high state of cultivation. He also owns stoek in the Farmers Lumber Company of Casey.
In February, 1879, occurred the marriage of Mr. Fay and Miss Margaret Shanklin, a daughter of Gordon and Hannah M. (Thurston) Shanklin. The father, who was born in Kentucky, enlisted from that state in the Confederate army and served for two years during the Civil war. On returning from the front he went to Mason county, Illinois, and farmed there for several years. after which he came to Adair county, Iowa, and for a long time rented land. He finally retired and removed to Nebraska, where he resided for a number of years, although the last four years of his life were spent in Colorado. He passed away July 12, 1913. His wife, who was born in Indiana, died in February, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Fay have become the parents of eight children: Clarenee, who lives in Arlington, Washington; Frank, who is farming in Prussia township; Arthur, who is following agricultural pursuits in Walnut township; Goldie, who is the wife of Pearl Harris and resides in Prussia township; Delbert, who is farming in this county; Sylvia, who resides at home; Fern, who gave her hand in marriage to James Porter and is living in Greenfield ;
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and Hattie, who married Eli Lundy and passed away in July, 1901, leaving a daughter. Pearl Leota, who makes her home with our subject.
Mr. Fay easts his ballot in support of the men and measures of the democratie party and is now serving as school director. His ability and integrity have gained him the respect of all who have come in contact with him, and there are many who are his warm personal friends.
GEORGE P. THIELE.
George P. Thiele makes his home on section 28, Eureka township, and is busily engaged in the operation of the old homestead farm of the family. He was born August 20. 1879, in the township where he still resides, his parents being Christian and Mary Thiele, both of whom were natives of Germany. On coming to America they settled in Joliet, Illinois, where they resided until 1877. Mr. Thiele being employed as overseer in the big rolling mills there. He was holding that position at the time of the big strike in the mills. On coming to Adair county he settled in Eureka township and two years later purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, upon which his son George now resides, seeuring the land from the man who had purchased it from the railroad company. It was then a traet of raw prairie and hazel brush. Christian Thiele at onee began to clear the land and to prepare it for the plow and to his original purchase he added from time to time as his financial resources permitted until he was the owner of four hundred aeres of excellent and highly improved farm land. He resided thereon until 1901, when he retired and removed to Atlantie. where he and his wife are now residing, enjoying well earned rest. He is truly a self-made man, for he started out without capital or without assistance from friends and has not only earned a good living but has managed to save a comfortable competence for the evening of life.
George P. Thiele, born and reared in Eureka township, pursued his education in distriet school No. 8 and assisted in the operation of the home farm until his parents removed to Atlantie, when he and his brother Marcus H. took charge of the farms, which they operated in partnership for a year. At the end of that time George P. Thiele removed to a place north of Casey and entered into partnership with J. M. Emmert. He assumed charge of the MeCral ranch of three hundred and twenty acres, living thereon for four years. In 1906, however, he returned to Eureka township and rented from his father four hundred aeres of land, which he cultivated and improved until 1913. when he rented the old home place of one hundred and sixty acres on section 28. Eureka township. Upon that traet he now resides, his time being devoted to the active work of the fields, which present a most neat and attractive appearance. He is one of the progressive young farmers and stockmen of Eureka township and in addition to tilling the soil he feeds cattle and hogs. He keeps a high grade of Duroe-Jersey hogs and breeds full blooded shorthorn cattle, having a fine bull at the head of his herd.
On the 8th of October, 1902, Mr. Thiele was married to Miss Mary Cavanaugh, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Minner) Cavanaugh, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They came to America in childhood with their respective parents and following their marriage settled at Stuart. Iowa, where for some years Mr. Cavanaugh
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was employed as fireman on the Rock Island Railroad. For the past twenty years the mother of Mrs. Thiele has resided at Casey, Iowa. Following the death of her first husband she became the wife of Fred Folsom, a carpenter of Cascy. To Mr. and Mrs. Thiele have been born four children: Lela, who was born August 20, 1903; Margaret, June 27, 1906; Velma, March 4, 1908; and Nelse, February 6, 1910.
All are attending the home school. Mrs. Thiele is a member of the United Brethren church of Eureka township and belongs to the Ladies' Aid Society of that church. Mr. Thiele holds membership with the Modern Woodmen at Fontanelle and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. He has always followed the occupation to which he was reared and his thorough understanding of every branch of farm work, his knowledge of the methods which are at once practical and scientific and his indefatigable enterprise have placed him with the leading agrienlturists of his community.
WILLIAM F. PEARCE.
William F. Pearce, whose home is on section 28, Walnut township, is a native of Dexter, Dallas county, Iowa. He was born September 20, 1874, of the marriage of James H. and Naney (Ford) Pearee. His ancestry is distinctly American. His father was a native of Ohio and in early manhood took up the occupation of farming. During the pioneer epoch in the history of Adair county he arrived in this part of the state, settling in Jackson township near Bridgewater. Afterward, however, he removed to Dallas county and took up his abode upon a farm between Dexter and Stuart. Later he removed to a farm five miles southwest of Canby, where he resided for many years, and his last days were spent upon his farm in Grove township, Adair county, where he passed away in 1908. In early manhood he had wedded Nancy Ford, a native of Lucas county, Iowa, and her death occurred upon the home farm in Jefferson township in 1898.
William F. Pearce began his education in the district school near Canby and afterward attended school in Eureka township. He continued upon the home farm until he reached adult age and his training well qualified him to take up the practical and responsible duties of life when he began farming on his own account. As he had no assistance in starting out, he rented land and thus followed agricultural pur- suits until the spring of 1913, when he purchased his present farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 28, Walnut township. He moved on to it in the spring of 1914 and is now busily engaged in its further enltivation and improvement. He has brought his land to a high state of cultivation, so that he annually gathers good crops. Several years ago he began the breeding of registered Belgian stock, first purchasing a team of registered thoroughbred mares, and today he has a fine lot of full blooded brood mares, while upon the market he secures a ready sale for his horses. He likewise raises a good grade of cattle and hogs and he is successfully engaged in general farming as well.
In 1901 Mr. Pearce was united in marriage to, Miss Alice Laughlin, a danghter of Thomas and Margaret (Crawford) Laughlin, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the mother's birth having occurred in County Donegal. He came to the new world when eighteen years of age, while Mrs. Laughlin was a maiden of but
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eleven summers when she crossed the Atlantic to the United States. They were married in Philadelphia, at which time Mr. Langhtin was there employed at the trade of carpet weaving. His attention was given to his business affairs until he felt that there was a still stronger call upon him and he offered his services to his country, enlisting with the boys in blue of Company E, One Hundred and Eighty- seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He took part in a number of sanguinary conflicts, serving throughout the period of the war, after which he was married and came to Iowa, settling near Davenport. Later he removed to Jefferson township, Adair county, where he purchased land, upon which he lived for many years. He died upon that place in 1905 and there his widow continued to reside until 1913, when she removed to Stuart, Iowa, where she died July 12, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce have had two children: Clarence, who was born June 4, 1902, and died at the age of five years ; and Leota, born June 20, 1912.
Mrs. Pearce is a member of the Christian church of Knox Grove and has many pleasing qualities which have gained her the friendship of many. Mr. Pearce votes with the republican party and is well informed concerning the questions and issues of the day, but is not ambitious to hold offiee, feeling that his business affairs make full demand upon his time and energy. . He is not afraid of work, nor does he shirk that study of conditions which must always precede success. He is advancing steadily in the business world and is thereby securing a handsome competence as a reward for his labor.
JOY RANDOLPH RUSSELL.
Actively identified with farming interests in Adair county is Joy Randolph Russell, one of the native sons of Eureka township, born May 5, 1887. His parents were George R. and Maggie J. (Hepler) Russell. In the paternal line he comes of English and Welsh descent and in the maternal line of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. His father was born in Indiana, while his mother was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. In his boyhood days George R. Russell removed westward with the family, arriving in Van Buren county, lowa, on the 2d of May, 1858. Later the family came to Adair county, taking up their abode in Eureka township in 1879, and George R. Russell, in connection with his brother, William A., purchased land on seetion 16. With characteristic energy he began the development of the place and as the years passed continued in the work of the farm until his life's labors were ended by death in 1899. The mother afterward removed with her children to Oregon, and it was in Aurora, that state, that she passed away in 1907.
Joy R. Russell was but a child when he went with his mother to the northwest. He attended school in Oregon and grew to manhood there, but in the year 1907 he returned to Adair county, lowa, and purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on which he now lives. In 1910 he removed to this place and hereon has sinec lived, his chief interests being general farming and stock-raising. He keeps on hand good grades of eattle and hogs but feeds hogs only. He gives his undivided attention to his business and his work, intelligently direeted, has been the means of securing for him a gratifying measure of success.
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On the 24th of June, 1909, Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Pearl E. Hadley, a daughter of A. M. and Cliste (Diddy) Hadley. Mr. and Mrs. Russell have three children: Ruby A., born February 24, 1911; Fae Iona, August 22, 1912; and George Albert, March 14, 1914. They also lost a daughter, their first born, Blanche C., when she was but two months old.
Mrs. Russell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is living a consistent Christian life. Mr. Russell votes with the democratic party and recognizes and meets his obligations of citizenship but does not feel it incumbent upon him to seek or fill public office. He gives earnest support to well formulated plans for the publie good and in the conduct of his business affairs shows that the principles which govern his course measure up to high standards of manhood.
DENISON PEARCE.
Denison Pearce, a resident farmer of Eureka township, living on section 8, was born in Washington township, Adair county, on the 1st of January, 1877, his parents being Frank and Sarah (Cronk) Pearce. The father was a native of England, born in 1840, and eame of English aneestry. He took up the oeeupation of farming as a life work. In 1847 he had accompanied his parents to America, the family home being established in Dubuque county, Iowa, where the grandfather engaged in farming. Early experience made Frank Pearce familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He afterward removed to Adair county, Iowa, settling in Washington township, where he purchased land. Eventually he removed to Eureka township and was connected with its agricultural interests for a considerable period, but in 1899 severed the ties that bound him to this county and removed to Missouri. Later, however, he returned to Iowa and was making his home with his son Denison at the time of his death, which occurred at Adair, he being killed on the 1st of September, 1913, by a runaway team. For fourteen years he had suryived his wife, who passed away on the 1st of April, 1899.
After acquiring his early education in the district schools Denison Pcaree con- tinued his studies in Shenandoah, Iowa. In vacation periods he worked upon the farm and continued upon the home place until he attained his majority. He took charge of the farm in 1898 and has sinee resided thereon. He now owns and cultivates four hundred and eighty acres of well improved land, farming all but forty-five acres of his property. He has two hundred acres in the home place on section 8, Eureka township, two hundred aeres on section 17, and eighty acres on section 15. He carefully formulates his plans and carries them forward to successful completion. He studies the nature of the soil, practices the rotation of crops and utilizes the most improved methods in cultivating his fields. He devotes his entire time to his farming and stock-raising interests and he feeds both cattle and hogs. He raises a good grade of stoek, for which he finds a ready sale on the market. He sends his stock to market in good condition and therefore has no difficulty in securing high prices. That his life is a busy one finds evidence in the well kept appearance of his farm, where everything is neat and orderly and where the work is systematically carried on.
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In 1903 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Pearee and Miss Manie Crawford, a daughter of P. M. and Elma Crawford. Her father, a native of Indiana, followed the occupation of farming and on coming to Adair county settled in Eureka township, where he reared his family. Following the death of his wife, which occurred on the old homestead, he left the farm and is now living in Linnsburg, Indiana.
Mr. Pearce's adherence to the democratic party has come as the result of his study of the political questions and issues of the day. He has served as elerk at elections but has never sought or desired publie office, feeling that his business interests make ample demands upon his time and energy. He never neglects the duties of citizenship, however, and when opportunity offers takes a helpful interest in affairs relating to the general good.
ALBERT M. HADLEY.
Albert M. Hadley is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of excellent farm land in Enreka township. his home being on seetion 21. He is one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the state and has been a witness of the many changes which have occurred, transforming a frontier distriet into a prosperous agricultural section. At the time of his arrival here deer were running wild over the prairie and only here and there had a little house been built to show that the work of improvement and civilization had been begun. Mr. Hadley relates many an interesting tale concern- ing the early days, for the history of Adair county is largely familiar to him. A native of Indiana, he was born in Hendricks county on the 6th of October, 1854, and is a son of Jonathan and Emeline (Marshall) Hadley. The father was a native of that county and a shoemaker by trade, but after working at the last for some time he took up the occupation of farming, following his removal to Iowa. It was in 1863 that he came to this state. settling first in Guthrie county. where he engaged in farming for a year. He then went to Dallas county and purchased a farm east of Dexter, spending the remainder of his days there, his death occurring in May, 1875. His wife was a native of Indiana and they were married in Hamilton county, that state. Her death ocenrred in Tama, Iowa, December 8, 1912. at which time she was making her home there with her daughters.
Albert M. Hadley remained under the parental roof until he reached the age of twenty years and then began farming on his own account, renting land in Madison county for a year. In 1875 he arrived in Adair county and for thirteen years rented land in Eureka township on section 10. He afterward purchased eighty acres of his present place and took up his abode thereon. All of the improvements have been placed there by him and he has erected a new residence and substantial barns. In 1910 he added to his original purchase a tract of eighty aeres on the northwest quarter of section 21. He carries on general farming and stock-raising and breeds thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He began breeding high grade stoek in 1885 and has ever kept his herds up to the best. He sells his cattle to feeders, but feeds hogs himself for the market, and he cultivates his entire tract of one hundred and sixty aeres with the aid of his sons. When he arrived in the county forty years ago nearly all of the distriet was raw prairie. Eureka township contained only twenty-nine voters, none of whom are now left.
ALBERT M. HADLEY AND FAMILY
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save Mr. Hadley, who is today the oldest resident of the township. Conditions are very different now from what they were when he arrived, for the deer ran wild over the land and there was not an improvement upon the place where Mr. Hadley now makes his home. When he first came here he was offered one hundred and sixty acres of land at six dollars per acre on twenty years time, but was afraid to make the investment, fearing that the land was not worth it. Much land at that time sold for from six to ten dollars per acre and the most farsighted could scarcely have dreamed that the property would ever attain the value which it has today.
In 1877 Mr. Hadley was united in marriage to Miss Cliste Diddy, a daughter of Peter and Jane (West) Diddy. She died February 21, 1910. There were eight children of that marriage: Aura, the wife of R. B. Smith, of Des Moines ; Claude D., who died at the age of sixteen years ; Delman E., a farmer of Grove township, who married Iva Reed; Bertha J., the wife of Jesse Handley, a farmer now living near Council Bluffs. Iowa; Pearl, the wife of J. R. Russell, a farmer of Eureka town- ship; Leslie E., who is engaged in farming in that township; Wilbur, who follows farming in Prussia township; and Walter J., who assists his father in the operation of the home place. On Christmas Day of 1912 Mr. Hadley again married, his second union being with Mrs. Amelia J. Burns, the widow of Henry T. Burns, of Dallas county. By her first marriage Mrs. Hadley has four children: Matie, who is now the widow of Edward McClure and resides in Dallas Center; Henrietta, the wife of Joseph P. Fox, of Stuart; Harry, living at Dallas Center; and Ruth, also residing at Dallas Center.
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