USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 33
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In his political views Mr. Hadley has been an earnest republican since age con- ferred upon him the right of franchise. He firmly believes in the principles of the party and does all in his power to secure its success. He is now filling the office of justice of the peace, serving for his tenth year. He has likewise been officially con- nected with the schools as a member of the school board, serving now for the third year as treasurer of the township board. He holds membership with the United Brethren church of Eureka Center, taking an active interest in its work. He has been a factor in advancing the material, intellectual and moral progress of his com- munity and as one of the honored pioneer settlers he is most widely and favorably known.
ALLEN R. BROWN.
Allen R. Brown is a prominent stockman of Adair county. His home farm on section 30, Eureka township, comprises two hundred and eighty acres of valuable land devoted to grain raising and to live-stock interests. He came to Adair county in early manhood from his old home in Illinois, of which state he is a native, his birth having occurred in Grundy county, July 26, 1863. He is a son of John and Sarah (Andrews) Brown. The father, a native of England, was a hatter by trade and worked along that line in England until 1848, when he came to America, accompanied by his wife, who was also born on the "merrie isle." They settled in Newark, New Jersey, where Mr. Brown again worked at the hatter's trade until 1855, when he went to Illinois and purchased farm land in Grundy county, there carrying on general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1866.
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His widow survived him for more than four decades and died in Grundy county in 1908.
Allen R. Brown attended school in Illinois and remained at home to the age of twenty-three years. After his marriage he followed farming in his native state near the old homestead for two years. Later he came to Adair county and rented land in Eureka township for five years. He next purchased one hundred and sixty aeres on section 30, where his son now resides, and upon that farm he continued to make his home until the fall of 1913, when he removed to his present residence not far from the old home. He is now engaged in farming two hundred and eighty aeres of . land and raises considerable grain. He likewise makes stock-raising an important feature of his place and is breeding Hampshire hogs and Aberdeen Polled Angus cattle. In connection with his brother, Isaac Brown, and others, in 1900 he organized the Berea Horse Company, under the firm style of A. R. Brown & Com- pany. They purchased an imported stallion and since that time have been engaged in breeding horses. They have a stable in the village of Berea and are now owners of Baba 41821 (60746), imported from France in 1907-a most splendid Percheron ; and also two mammoth jacks-Major Domo No. 474 and Shy James No. 144.4.
On the 14th of March, 1889, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss M. Jennie Pierce, a daughter of Dr. A. M. and Harriet M. (Frost) Pierce. The father was born in Whitehall, New York, and became a physician and surgeon. being gradu- ated from the Hay-Henman College of New York. The mother was a native of Vermont. They removed westward to Morris, Illinois, where Dr. Pierce passed away in 1885, while his wife survived until 1891 and also passed away in Morris. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have become the parents of five children. Zort, who was born March 2. 1890, was married in 1912 to Miss Cora Brown, and they have one child, Zort Allen, born March 17, 1914. Zilpha G. was born June 2, 1893. Armandine. Forn May 27, 1897, is attending the high school at Anita. Allegra J., born June 28. 1901, is also a student in the Anita high school. Harriet S., born June 7, 1909. is a pupil in the Lone Tree school of Eureka township. The eldest son is living upon the old home place and assists his father in carrying on the farm work.
In politics Mr. Brown is independent, voting for men and measures rather than any party. He served as sehool director for several terms in his home distriet and he is interested in those things which pertain to the welfare and development of his community. He has never desired public office, however, but devotes his entire attention to his farming and business interests, which, capably managed, have placed him on the plane of affluence.
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EDGAR M. ZOOK.
Edgar M. Zook, who operates an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on section 13, Eureka township, has lived thereon for more than a third of a century and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and esteemed citizens of the community. His birth occurred in Whiteside county. Illinois, December 30. 1876. his parents being Joseph S. and Adeline (Law) Zook, both of whom are also natives of that state. The father was reared and educated in Illinois and there followed agricultural pursuits until 1876, when he came to Adair county, Iowa, here purehas-
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ing the farm of one hundred and sixty acres which is now cultivated by our subject in Eureka township. He at once began the improvement of the property and was busily engaged in its operation until 1905, when he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Indianola. At the end of a year, however, he returned to this county and has sinee made his home in the town of Adair, both he and his wife being well known and highly esteemed throughout the community.
Edgar M. Zook was reared and received his early education in this eounty and also pursued a course of study in Simpson College of Indianola. On attaining his majority he rented the old home farm of one hundred and sixty aeres in Eureka township and has sinee devoted his time and energies to its operation with excellent results. He owns two well improved farms comprising two hundred and fifty acres in Decatur county, this state, and in connection with the cultivation of cereals is also engaged in raising thoroughbred shorthorn eattle, feeding about a earload of stock annually. He is a stockholder, director and vice president of the Farmers Lumber Company of Fontanelle and is widely recognized as one of the representative and enterprising citizens of the county.
In June, 1905, Mr. Zook was united in marriage to Miss Dimple Watson, a daughter of H. C. and Eva (Peck) Watson, both of whom are natives of Iowa and became pioneer settlers of Decatur county, this state. They are now living retired in Deeatur City, Iowa. Mr. Zook gives his political allegiance to the republican party and in religious faith is a Methodist. He has spent nearly his entire life within the borders of Adair county and his many friends and acquaintances entertain for him the highest regard and esteem.
NICKLAS HOFMANN.
Nicklas Hofmann, who owns four hundred acres of excellent land in Prussia township, has been successfully engaged in farming and stoek-raising for many years and is well known and highly esteemed throughout Adair county. He was born in Germany, on the 8th of September, 1843, of the marriage of George and Barbara (Hoffman) Hofmann, who. although of the same name, were not related. The father was a farmer and stonemason by occupation but after removing to Ameriea with his family in 1852 purchased land in La Salle county, Illinois, which he farmed until his demise in 1854. His wife also passed away in that county.
Nicklas Hofmann was about nine years of age when he accompanied his parents to America and he continued to reside in Illinois until 1872. While living in that state he followed agricultural pursuits but for one year after his removal to Adair county was employed at Casey on railroad construction, working on a gravel train. The following year his financial condition was such that he was able to purchase eighty acres of raw prairie land on section 14, Prussia township. He broke the sod and took up his residence upon his farm, which he brought under cultivation as soon as possible. He has continued to reside there sinee and through additional pur- eliases of land has brought his holdings up to four hundred aeres. In 1909 he gave up the active work of the farm and turned the management of his place over to his sons, who carry on general farming and stock-raising, feeding both cattle and hogs.
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The farm is excellently improved and as the land is naturally productive, it yields a good annual income.
In 1869 Mr. Hofmann was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Bittner, a daughter of Nicholas and Margaret (Engle) Bittner, both of whom were born in Germany. They emigrated to America in the same year as the parents of our subjeet and first located in Illinois, but later came to this county and purchased land in Prussia township which the father operated. Both passed away in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hofmann have been born nine children: Emma, the wife of Joseph Roberts, a farmer of Walnut township; John, who is following agricultural pursuits in Prussia township; William, a carpenter living in Greenfield; Charles, who is assisting in the operation of the home place: Herman. a farmer of Prussia township, who married Miss Annie Baker ; Frank and Oscar, who, together with their brother Charles, farm the homestead : Luey, the wife of August Ferber; and Lizzie, the wife of Charles Kramer.
Mr. Hofmann is a demoerat and for two terms served as road supervisor. but he has never been an office seeker. Both he and his wife hold membership in the German Lutheran church and their influence is always east on the side of righteous- ness and justice. During the many years that he has resided in Adair county Mr. Hofmann has gained the sineere respeet of all who have come in contact with him, as he has measured up to high standards of manhood in all relations of life.
LORENZO PUTNEY.
An excellent farm of two hundred and twenty-five aeres situated in Grove and Jefferson townships is the property of Lorenzo Putney, and is the visible evidence of a life of well directed energy and thrift, for everything that he possesses has been achieved through his own efforts and has been earned during the period of his residence in Adair county. He had no advantages to aid him in starting out in life and even his education was largely acquired in the school of experience, but by persistent. earnest and honorable effort he has overcome all the difficulties and obstacles in his path and is now numbered among the substantial and respected citizens of Adair county. He was born in the state of New York, February 2, 1850. and his parents, Earl B. and Charity L. (Wiltsey) Putney, were also natives of the Empire state. On removing westward they settled in Tazewell county. Illinois. taking up their abode upon a farm on which they lived for seven years. At the end of that period they removed to Warren county. Illinois, where the succeeding eight years were passed. after which they established their home in Winnebago county, Illinois. Still later they came to Iowa, taking up their abode upon a farm in Adair county in 1870. Their remaining days were passed in this county. where they gained many warm friends.
Lorenzo Putney was one of a family of ten children, eight of whom are yet living. He continued with his parents until he reached the age of twenty years and then returned to Illinois, after which he worked at the paper maker's trade for six years. He then married Miss Sarah L. Allen, a daughter of Azariah and Harriet (Nelson) Allen. the latter a native of New York. The father served as a soldier in the Civil war as a member of Company I, Thirty-first Regiment Iowa
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Volunteer Infantry, and laid down his life on the altar of his country. He was a full cousin of Ethan Allen of Revolutionary war fame. The mother is now the only survivor of a family of four children and makes her home in Rockford, Illinois, at the age of seventy-nine years.
Following his marriage Mr. Putney returned to Iowa and for four years culti- vated a rented farm in Adair county, after which he purchased one hundred acres of land on section 34, Jefferson township. Taking up his abode upon that place, he has since made it his home. His labors have wrought a marked transformation in its appearance, for he has added to the place all of the improvements thereon and has set out many maple trees which now constitute a fine grove. He persistently and energetically carried on the work of the fields and in the course of time his success was sufficient to enable him to add to his original holdings. He then pur- chased an additional tract of one hundred and twenty-five acres and is today the owner of two hundred and twenty-five acres of rich and productive land, which he carefully cultivates and improves so that he now has one of the fine farms of Adair county.
Mr. and Mrs. Putney have become the parents of three children: Charles, who is residing on part of his father's farm married Lulu Johnson and has two children Sarah B. and John Lorenzo; Minnie, the wife of L. C. West, of Greenfield, by whom she has two children ; and Albert, who is operating the home farm. He mar- ried Clara Duff and has one daughter, Minnie Pearl.
Mr. Putney is a republican in his political views but has never been an office seeker, being always too busy to take an active part in public life. He has always placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of industry and determination and the secret of his success is found in work, whereby he has become one of the substantial farmers of his township.
R. A. McKEE.
Among the native sons of Adair who have found this county an attractive place of residence and have continued to make their home within its borders is R. A. McKee, now living in Lincoln township, where he is actively engaged in farming. He was born December 29, 1880, and is a son of William and Eliza (Moore) McKee, who were natives of Ireland but came to the new world in carly life. The father died in this state in 1912 and the mother now resides in Stuart, Iowa.
R. A. McKee was one of their family of ten children, eight of whom are still living. He acquired his education in the common schools and was trained to farm work in the periods of vacation. He remained at home to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated in 1901, Miss Nellie Brown becoming his wife. She was born in Stuart, Iowa, a daughter of J. J. and Alice (Barringer) Brown. the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Henry county, Iowa. She is now a resident of Stuart, this state, but the father has passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. McKee have been born four children: William B., born August 5, 1902; Harold R .. Jan- uary 26, 1904; Marjorie B., January 31, 1910; and Nellie M., born November 27, 1914.
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Following his marriage Mr. McKee engaged in railroading for some time as a Frakeman, during which period industry and economy brought to him sufficient cap- ital to enable him to become a landowner. He invested in ninety acres in Lincoln township and has since resided upon that farm. He has extended its boundaries, however, until his place comprises one hundred and seventy acres on sections 15 and 16. The farm is well improved. fenees divide the fields into convenient size and the land is carefully tilled, so that good crops are annually gathered. Mr. MeKee also makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and thereby materially adds to his income. In business affairs his discrimination is sound, his sagacity keen and the firm purpose with which he carries forward his plans constitutes another element in his growing success.
In his political views Mr. MeKee is a republican, but without aspiration for office. He is now serving as a school director and his cooperation can be counted upon to further various measures for the general good. He belongs to the Masonie lodge at Stuart and to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his wife is connected with the Rebekahs and with the Methodist Episcopal church. Both adhere closely to the principles which they indorse and they are known as a highly respected couple of Lincoln township. Within the borders of Adair county Mr. McKee has spent his entire life and that his course has been a commendable one is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present.
MICHAEL LOUIS McMANUS.
Michael Louis McManus, vice president of the First National Bank of Adair and for years a prominent merchant of the town, belongs to that class of repre- sentative men who recognize the fact that earnest, persistent effort constitutes the basis of all honorable suecess and, realizing this, have so directed their labors that indefatigable energy has brought to them comfortable fortunes. Mr. McManus is a native of Jennings county, Indiana. He was born November 1, 1841, of the marriage of John and Mary (Connolly) MeManus, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The father was born in the province of Leinster and became a farmer. The mother's birth occurred in County Leitrim. When a young man of eighteen years John MeManus erossed the Atlantic, and Mary Connolly came with friends to the United States, both settling in New York city, where they met and were afterward married. In 1838 they removed westward to Jennings county, Indiana, where the father engaged in farming for about fourteen years. In 1852 he brought his family to Iowa, settling in Scott county, where he purchased a farm about fifteen miles from Davenport. After living upon that place for some time they took up their abode in the city of Davenport, where their remaining days were passed.
Michael Louis McManus spent his youthful days under the parental roof and worked upon his father's farm in Seott county. He attended school in both Indiana and Iowa and at the age of twenty years he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting for service in the Union army in August, 1862, as a member of Company A, Fourteenth Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He was with that command until the 16th of November, 1864, and he was mustered out at Davenport,
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Iowa. He was on duty with Sherman's army and took part in a number of hotly eontested engagements, in which he was again and again in great danger. He participated in the Red River campaign and in the Atlanta campaign under General A. J. Smith, who at the head of a maneuvering column separated from the main army cooperated with General W. T. Sherman on that campaign. Mr. McManus was also in the Meridian expedition under General Sherman and was slightly wounded in the leg at the battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, but never reported at the hospital. When mustered out he held the rank of sergeant and he returned home with inti- mate knowledge of all the experiences and hardships which constitute the life of the soldier.
When his military service had ended Mr. MeManus returned to this state and in Davenport, in 1867, opened a grocery store which he condueted until 1870. He then removed to Beargrove, Guthrie county, Iowa, where he purehased land and for ten years engaged in farming. He then returned to Seott county and established a general mereantile store at Long Grove, there remaining for a year, after which he sold out. In 1882 he came to Adair, where he established a general store, con- dueting it until 1902. In that undertaking he was in partnership with several local men. On disposing of his interests in the business he retired from commercial lines. Afterward he served for a time as secretary of the Adair Cooperative Cream- ery Company and still later he became one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Adair, of which he is now the vice president. In the ereamery company, too, he has been advanced to the presidency and in these connections he is con- trolling important business interests. He is resourceful, ready to meet any emer- gency, and throughout his entire career he has never feared to venture where favor- ing opportunity has pointed the way. His plans are carefully formulated and when one avenue of opportunity seems closed he searches out another path that will lead to the desired goal.
On the 6th of November, 1866, Mr. McManus was united in marriage to Miss Ann Kerrigan, who was born in Ireland, April 6, 1846, the wedding ceremony being performed by the Rev. A. M. Pelamourgues. Her parents were Patrick and Ellen Kerrigan, both natives of Ireland. The father passed away in England in 1851. The mother and children then eame to the United States, locating first in Ohio, later in Madison, Indiana, and subsequently in Davenport, Iowa. Mrs. Kerrigan died at the home of Mr. McManus, in Adair, on the 25th of July, 1902. To our subjeet and his wife have been born nine children, as follows: Mary Ellen, who is now the wife of T. H. Walsh, of Adair, Iowa; Agnes, who is the wife of William Walsh, of Adair, Iowa; An Theresa, who gave her hand in marriage to Ed Brannan, of Guthrie county, Iowa; John F., who wedded Miss Therese McEvoy and is assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Adair, Iowa; Loretta C., at home; Vincent P., who is a praetieing attorney of Manson, Iowa, and who was united in marriage to Mary Armstrong, of Winterset, Iowa; Josephine, who died in infancy ; Joseph P., who is a practicing physician and surgeon of Parnell, Iowa, and who was united in marriage to Agnes Murphy, of Parnell; and Alice M., who is the wife of J. M. Walsh, of Adair.
The democratic party finds in Mr. McManus a stalwart adherent of its principles but at local elections where no national issue is involved he often votes for the man regardless of party affiliation. He has served for three terms as mayor of Adair and as chief executive of the city has earnestly worked to advanee public interests.
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He is also the secretary of the Adair school board. He and his family are commun- ieants of St. John's Catholic church of Adair and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus lodge at Atlantic, Iowa. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades as a member of Washington Post, No. 135, G. A. R .. of Adair, in which he is now serving as quartermaster. During the Spanish-American war he received permission from Governor L. M. Shaw of Iowa to drill a company of men at no expense to the state and organized a company of eighty men who were thor- oughly drilled and ready for service had President MeKinley needed to call for more troops. He has deep love for the stars and stripes and has proven his patriotism and loyalty on more than one occasion.
MRS. EMMA A. (WITHAM) REED.
Mrs. Emma A. (Witham) Reed. well known in Orient, was born in Dubuque county, Iowa. a daughter of W. W. and Elmira Witham. Her entire life has been passed in this state and to its publie-school system, she is indebted for the educa- tional privileges which she received. In 1879 she gave her hand in marriage to W. H. Reed, who was born in Jones county, Iowa, Jannary 11, 1857, a son of Andrew and Letitia ( Henry) Reed, both of whom were natives of Ireland. Crossing the Atlantic to America in 1819, they first took up their abode in Pennsylvania but after- ward removed to Dubuque county, Iowa, and subsequently became residents of Jones county. this state. In 1875 they established their home in Adair county, Iowa, and in 1879 removed to Kansas, where their remaining days were passed. In their family were ten children, including W. H. Reed. As previously stated, he wedded Miss Emma A. Witham and they became the parents of seven children, as follows: G. A., who is a practicing attorney of New Mexico; Ella E., who is the wife of A. L. Bevereombe. an agriculturist of Adair county; W. W., engaged in farming in this county ; M. W., who is deceased ; Reva M., who is at home; Audra Knox ; and Howard Eugene.
Mr. and Mrs. Reed spent fourteen years in Thomas county, Kansas, of which county Mr. Reed's father was the first settler and built the first frame house there. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reed worked on a cattle range and he also drove a stage between Colby and Sherman Center, Kansas. He made a business of catching wild horses and for four years served as deputy sheriff of Thomas county. In 1892 he and his wife returned to Iowa. Mrs. Reed is the owner of valuable farm property in Adair county, her holdings embracing two hundred aeres of rich and arable land in Orient township and three hundred and twenty aeres in Summerset township. She also owns four hundred and eighty aeres in Sherman county, Kansas, and her Iowa land is all highly improved. The farm methods utilized in carrying on the work are most modern, and excellent results therefore aeerue, large harvests being annually gath- ered as a reward for the care and cultivation bestowed upon the fields.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Reed are members of the Congregational church and he belongs also to the Masonic lodge at Orient, to the Elks lodge at Creston and to the Modern Woodmen camp, while both he and his wife hold membership in the Royal Neighbors, in which Mrs. Reed has filled all of the chairs. Both are widely known in this part of the state, where they have long resided, and the circle of their
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