USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 34
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W. H. REED
MRS. EMMA A. (WITHAM) REED
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friends has constantly increased as the circle of their acquaintance has broadencd. They are now ranked among the most substantial residents of Adair county, their property holdings bringing to them splendid financial return, and at the same time their interest in and support of measures for the public good are manifest in many tangible ways.
T. W. FITZGERALD.
T. W. Fitzgerald, engaged in general farming in Adair county, makes his home on section 32, Walnut township. He was born in New York city on the 31st of July, 1858, and is a son of Thomas and Kate Fitzgerald. His education was acquired in the schools of the eastern metropolis. He came to Iowa in 1875, but had previously lived in Rock Island. Turning his attention to farming, he is now busily engaged in general agricultural pursuits and is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land, pleasantly and conveniently situated on section 32, Walnut township. He has brought his farm to a high state of development, cultivating his fields according to modern methods and winning success through close application, unfaltering diligence and honorable dealing.
On the 23d of June, 1886, Mr. Fitzgerald was united in marriage in Adair county, Iowa, to Miss Mintie A. Law, a daughter of James and Sarah Law. This union has been blessed with four children: Grace, now the wife of C. E. Ticknor; John L., who wedded Carrie Varley; and Emma and Frank, both at home.
The religions faith of the family is that of the Methodist church, to which Mr. Fitzgerald loyally adheres. In his fraternal connections he is a Mason and exem- plifies in his life the beneficent teachings of the craft concerning mutual helpfulness and kindness. In politics he is a republican and has filled the office of county supervisor, but he is not an active politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs.
WILLIAM J. MARTIN.
For more than a third of a century William J. Martin has resided on his present farm of two hundred acres on section 29, Harrison township, and his record is that of one of Adair connty's prosperous and representative agriculturists. His birth occurred in County Down, Ireland, in June, 1817, his parents being John and Eliza Ann Martin, who were also natives of that country, where the mother passed away. The father emigrated to the United States in the late '40s and located first in Chicago but subsequently removed to Michigan, in which state his demise occurred.
William J. Martin, the only child of his parents, was eighteen years old when he came to this country. He received a common-school education but was early thrown upon his own resources, beginning to earn his living when but nine years of age by working on a farm. When a young man of eighteen he took up his abode in Poweshiek county, Iowa, where he resided for nine years and was then married. In 1881 he came to Adair county, purchasing a tract of two hundred acres of raw Vol. II-17
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prairie land in Harrison township, which he improved and which he has cultivated continuously to the present time. He has erceted good buildings thereon and has further enhanced the attractiveness of the place by planting an orchard and grove. In connection with the production of cereals he has also been engaged in raising and feeding stock. both branches of his business yielding him gratifying financial returns. He has purchased a home in Greenfield and expects to retire from active life on the 1st of March, 1916.
In 1875 Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Malinda J. Orr. a native of New York city and a daughter of John G. and Ellen (McClintock) Orr. both of whom were born in Ireland. They came to the United States in childhood and later took up their abode in Rock Island. Illinois, where they lived for twelve years. On the expiration of that period they removed to Poweshiek county. Iowa, and subsequently came to Adair county. here spending the remainder of their lives. To them were born five children, three of whom survive. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have become the parents of seven children, as follows: Ella M., who is the wife of J. D. Moore; two who died in infancy: Walter Clyde; Linnie M .. who gave her hand in marriage to Walter G. Davis; William Claud; and Mabel G., who is the wife of Lester Hepler.
Politically Mr. Martin is a stanch republican but the honors and emoluments of office have never had any attraction for him. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, to which his wife also belongs. They are self-made people in the highest and best sense of the term, for the prosperity which they now enjoy has come as the merited reward of their well directed. united efforts. Both have become widely and favorably known during the long period of their residenee here and the circle of their friends is an extensive one.
CHARLES E. TICKNOR.
Charles E. Ticknor, a resident farmer of Walnut township, his home being on section 20. is now actively engaged in the cultivation of a farm of two hundred aeres in partnership with his brother. He is a native son of Walnut township, his birth having occurred within its borders. July 7. 1881. his parents being Allen J. and Elizabeth M. (Lee) Tieknor, of whom mention is made in connection with the sketch of Walter T. Tieknor on another page of this volume. In their family were five children, of whom one died in infancy. namely. Mina B., who passed away January 4, 1897. The surviving daughters are Margaret D. and Verdie M. The former is the wife of Ernest Gander, who is a professor in the schools in Guthrie Center, Iowa. The latter is the wife of Walter Hartman, a hardware dealer of Stuart. Iowa, and they have one child. Gertrude Elizabeth, who was born November 18. 1914.
The usual experiences of the farm boy came to Charles E. Ticknor in his youth- ful days. As soon as age and strength permitted he became an active factor in the work of the fields and in the meantime acquired a good English education in the public schools. He continued to assist his father in the further development and improvement of the home farm until the father retired, when he and his brother assumed the management of the home place, which comprises two hundred acres of
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THE W. H. REED RESIDENCE
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rich and arable land on section 20, Walnut township. They have since operated the farm and they also eultivate an additional tract of eighty aeres. They are most careful in the management of the place, the work being systematically conducted, and their enterprising methods make sure the results. In addition to his farming interests Charles E. Tieknor is a stockholder in the Farmers Lumber Company at Casey.
On the 10th of February, 1909, Mr. Tieknor was united in marriage to Miss Grace L. Fitzgerald, a daughter of T. W. and Minta (Law) Fitzgerald, both of whom were born in New York. They beeame pioneer settlers of Adair county and here the father has been successfully identified with agricultural pursuits for many years. He is now a member of the board of county supervisors. To our subject and his wife have been born three children, namely: Velma A., who is five years of age; Vivian F., a little maiden of three summers; and Veryl C., who is one year old.
The parents are members of the Methodist church, their lives being governed by its teachings. In his political views Mr. Tieknor is a republican but is not an aspirant for office. He feels that his business affairs make entire demand upon his time and energies and he has won for himself a place among the representative farmers of his part of the county, his labors being so conducted that he is gaining substantial sueeess.
HUGH McKEE.
Hugh McKee devotes his time and energies to general farming on section 16, Lincoln township. He has spent the greater part of his life in this state and is now a well known and highly respected resident of Adair county. His birth occurred in County Down, Ireland, on the 24th of March, 18.45, his parents being Alexander ard Jane (Corrough) MeKee, the former a native of the Isle of Man and the latter of County Down, Ireland. In his boyhood days Alexander MeKee accompanied his parents to County Down, where he was reared and married. He and his wife began their domestic life there and continued residents of that county until about 1866 or 1867, when they came to the United States, making their way to Musea- tine county, Iowa. In 1872 they removed to Adair county and the father purchased three hundred and twenty aeres of land in Lincoln township, to which he added from time to time until his holdings aggregated nine hundred and fifty acres. He thus won a place among the large landowners and prosperous citizens of the com- munity. He reached the venerable age of ninety-three years but his wife passed away in 1874, when in her sixty-first year.
Hugh MeKee spent his youthful days with his parents and the district sehools of Ireland afforded him his educational opportunities, supplemented by a year's study in the United States. After he had attained his majority he remained at home, working for his father until he reached his thirty-third year with the excep- tion of about three years spent in Wisconsin, during which time he was employed in the pineries and at farm work. This was during the latter '60s. He then returned to Iowa and remained at home until 1878, when he began farming on his own account, cultivating a tract of rented land for three years. He was ambitious to own prop- erty, however, and during that period carefully saved his earnings until he felt
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able to purchase a farm. He borrowed one thousand dollars with which to make the first payment upon a traet of eighty acres and then he bent his energies toward discharging his indebtedness. After five years he was able to purchase another eighty-acre tract adjoining his original place and he continued to cultivate the farm for a time but eventually sold that property and purchased his present home place of one hundred and forty aeres, which constitutes one of the fine farms of Lincoln township. He carefully and systematically tills the soil and good crops annually reward his efforts. He is diligent and determined in all that he undertakes and whatever success he has achieved is the merited reward of his earnest labor.
In 1880 Mr. McKee was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Martin, of Stuart, Iowa, who was born in the state of Ohio. To them have been born twelve children, seven of whom survive, namely: James A., Frank, Myrtie, Aliee, David, Mary and Harold.
Politically Mr. McKee is a republican, thoroughly informed concerning the questions and issues of the day and giving earnest support to the party principles. For several years he has acceptably filled the office of township trustee and for more than thirty years served as road supervisor. He is a member of Token Lodge, No. 301, F. & A. M., and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episeo- pal church. in the teachings of which is found the motive spirit that has guided him in all of his relations in life. His fellow citizens recognize in him a man of sterling worth who has held to high principles throughout his entire career.
WALTER T. TICKNOR.
Walter T. Tieknor is living on seetion 20, Walnut township, where for a con- siderable period he has earried on general farming. In fact. he is one of the native sons of this township, born in March, 1883, his parents being Allen J. and Elizabeth M. (Lee) Tieknor, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Madison county. Iowa. In the year 1876 the father came to Adair county, lowa. and purchased eighty acres of land on section 20. Walnut township. This he at onee began to develop and improve and was busily engaged in the work of the farm until 1909. when he put aside active business cares and retired to private life, establishing his home in Stuart, Iowa, where he and his wife now reside. He now owns a farm of two hundred aeres, which is operated by his sons. He is entitled to wear the little bronze button of the Grand Army of the Republic, for at the time of the Civil war he donned the nation's blue uniform and became a member of the Eighty-sixth Illinois Infantry, with which he served for three years, participating in a number of hotly contested engagements. To him and his wife were born five children, those besides cur subjeet being: Mina B., who died January 4, 1897: Margaret D., the wife of Ernest Gander, who is a professor in the publie schools; Verdie M., the wife of Walter Hartman, a hardware dealer of Stuart. Iowa, by whom she has one child, Gertrude, born in November. 1911; and Charles E., who is a partner of his brother Walter in the operation of the home farm.
Walter T. Tieknor spent his youthful days in his native county and gave his father the benefit of his services in the work of the farm until the father retired. when he and his brother rented the home place, which they have since cultivated
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and improved. In addition to his other interests Mr. Ticknor is a stockholder in the Farmers Lumber Company at Casey.
On the 29th of December, 1910, Mr. Ticknor was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Long, a daughter of A. Z. and Margaret (Harris) Long, natives of Cedar county, Iowa. They removed to Adair county in 1882 and the father purchased eighty acres of land in Jefferson township, which he still owns and cultivates. Mr. and Mrs. Ticknor have one daughter, Marjorie La Vonne, now four years of age. The parents are members of the Methodist church and are loyal to its teachings and to their professions. Politically Mr. Ticknor is a republican and fraternally he is connected with the Sons of Veterans. The spirit of patriotism is strong within him and is manifest in his hearty cooperation with those movements which have to do with promoting the best interests of the community.
CYRUS LARUE.
Cyrus Larue is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 4, Grove township, which has been in his possession for the past third of a century and in the operation of which he has won gratifying prosperity. His birth occurred in Wayne county. Ohio, on the 23d of March, 1837, his parents being George and Mary (Fairfield) Larne, both of whom were natives of Pennsyl- vania. They removed to Ohio in an early day, settled in the timber and cleared a farm in that state, their home being a little log cabin. In 1849 they removed to Cedar county, Iowa, where they entered a tract of land and spent the remainder of their lives. To them were born four children but our subject is the only sur- viving member of the family.
Cyrus Larue attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and was a youth of twelve years when he came to this state with his parents. On attaining his majority he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, pur- chasing a farm in Cedar county which he operated until the spring of 1882, when he disposed of the property and came to Adair county. Here he bought a quarter section of land in Grove township, made excellent improvements thereon and has cultivated the same continuously since. He also planted a fine grove and orchard and the entire place in its neat and attractive appearance bespeaks the supervision of a practical and progressive owner.
In 1859 Mr. Larue was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Burnett, a native of Ohio and a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hines) Burnett, who were also born in that state. In 1846 they came to Iowa, spending the remainder of their lives on a farm in Cedar county. To Mr. and Mrs. Larue were born eleven children, as follows: Alva and Andrew who are residents of Cedar county; William, who is living in Michigan; John, a resident of Missouri; Ross, who lives in Canada; Earl, at home; Nancy, the wife of Sylvester Burnett, a resident of Minnesota ; Sadie, who gave her hand in marriage to Owen Akins, of Harrison township; Nora, at home; and two who are deceased. The wife and mother died in 1909 and her remains were interred in Cedar county.
Mr. Larue has always exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy and he has ably served his fellow townsmen in the
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capacities of school director and road supervisor. In his business career he has won success by dint of indefatigable industry. unfaltering perseverance and careful man- agement and his is the record of a self-made man in the true sense of the term. He has now passed the seventy-eighth milestone on this earthly pilgrimage and enjoys the high regard and esteem of the people of the community in which so much of his life has been spent.
GEORGE D. MUSMAKER.
George D. Musmaker, practicing at the bar of Adair county as the senior part- ner in the firm of Musmaker & Williamson, the leading law firm of Greenfield, is accorded an extensive and distinctively representative clientage that has connected him with much of the important business tried in the courts of the district in recent years. In no profession is there a career more open to talent than in that of the law and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation and more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession which stands as the stern conservator of justice and it is one in which no man should enter without a recognition of the obstacles to be overcome and the battles to be won. Possessing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, George D). Musmaker has gained for himself a most enviable position in his practice before the courts. He was born in Cedar county, Iowa, January 14, 1872, a son of George and Mary (Welch) Musmaker, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ireland. They came to the United States in their young manhood and womanhood, both being seventeen years of age when they crossed the Atlantic. They became acquainted and were married in the state of New York and about the time of the outbreak of the Civil war they removed westward to Iowa, settling in Muscatine county. About the time of the close of the war they removed to Cedar county and in 1878 became residents of Adair county, taking up their abode in Prussia town- ship. At a later date they removed to Lee township, where the old Musmaker home is located. It remained in possession of the family until 1914. After the children had all grown to manhood or womanhood and left home, the father and mother retired from active business life and removed to Greenfield, where both passed away.
George D. Musmaker was reared under the parental roof and obtained his education in the district schools, in the Greenfield high school and in the Dexter Normal School at Dexter, Iowa. After the completion of his studies he engaged in teaching school for a year and it was his intention to adopt teaching as a profes- sion but changing his mind, he turned to the profession of the law and in the fall of 1892, entered the law department of the State University at lowa City, which he attended through the years 1892, 1893 and 1894. After completing his studies he returned to the farm and for six years devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits but in 1900 he sold his land and entered upon the active practice of his profession, in which he has been signally successful. Opening offices in Greenfield
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he has, in the intervening years, gained a place at the top of the profession in Adair county and is today recognized as one of the ablest and foremost attorneys of his part of the state. He is most careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases and in the presentation of his cause he is logieal and convincing.
On the 23d of April, 1895, Mr. Musmaker was united in marriage to Miss Aliec Gerard, of Arbor Hill, this county, a daughter of T. J. Gerard. one of the well known retired farmers of the county now living in Greenfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Musmaker have been born six children, of whom four are living: Lyle, Lewis, Donald and George.
In his political views Mr. Musmaker is a republican but has never had any aspiration for political preferment. However, he served four years as county attorney of Adair county and since 1904 has been president of the school board. As a member of that body he was a dominant factor in bringing about the building of the new schoolhouse in Greenfield, one of the finest and most modern buildings for educational purposes in any town of its size in Iowa. Mr. Musmaker consented, purely from a desire to see certain other improvements put through, to accept the nomination for the mayoralty of Greenfield and immediately after his election he energetically took up the work of the office and secured special legislation which permitted the town to build needed public improvements after the question was passed upon by a two-thirds vote of the town conneil. Under this ruling the city waterworks were built in 1909 and the following year the paving of the little city was begun while Mr. Musmaker still filled the chair of mayor. The work has been continuously carried forward until all the principal streets and arteries of travel through the town have been paved with conerete. Greenfield having more paved streets than any other town of its size in Iowa. Mr. Musmaker has always been foremost in any movement for the improvement of his city and his labors have been a direet and foreeful element in upbuilding Greenfield and making it the attractive city which it is today.
, Aside from his public and professional activities Mr. Musmaker is the vice president of the Greenfield Savings Bank and is a stockholder in two other banks. In business affairs his judgment is sound and keen and his enterprise is unfaltering. He carefully manages his interests and with equal pride and alacrity looks after the public interests intrusted to his direction. After all, however, the practice of law is his real life work and his legal learning, his analytical mind, the readiness with which he grasps the point in an argument, all combine to make him one of the ablest members of the Adair county bar.
J. S. LOW.
J. S. Low, who has spent his entire life in Adair county and has successfully devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits throughout his entire business career, is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land on section 1, forty-five aeres on section 12 and eighty acres on section 15, Grove township. His birth occurred on the 25th of September, 1868, his parents being T. J. and Sophia A. (MeGinnis) Low, both of whom were natives of Indiana. They came to Iowa in early life and were married in Adair county, establishing their home on a farm
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here. T. J. Low enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout the community and now makes his home in the town of Stuart. His wife was ealled to her final rest in the year 1905.
J. S. Low, the only child born to his parents, attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and spent the period of his minority at home, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist as he assisted his father in the work of the fields. It was in the year 1891 that he purchased the farm in Grove township which he is now operating and the further eultivation and improvement of which has continuously elaimed his attention. He has erected excellent buildings on the property and in connection with the produe- tion of cereals makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, both branches of his business proving profitable.
In 1890 Mr. Low was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Keating, a native of Ireland and a daughter of James A. and Eliza (Gordon) Keating, who were also born in that country. Emigrating to America, they resided for some time in Canada and in 1879 took up their abode on a farm in Adair county, Iowa. James A. Keating passed away here, but the mother survives and now makes her home in Greenfield. Iowa. To them were born ten children. Mr. and Mrs. Low have become the parents of six children, as follows: one who died in infaney; Nita R., who is deceased : Pearlie E., the wife of John Chambers; Thomas A., who has passed away ; Hayden P .; and Wilbur J.
Mr. Low is independent in polities and he is now acceptably serving in the capacity of school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Stuart, and his wife is a devoted member of the Christian church. His has been an active, busy and useful life, which at all times has conformed to the highest principles of manhood and citizenship.
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