USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 38
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GEORGE S. RAPER.
George S. Raper is now living retired in Greenfield, but was formerly identi- fied with farming interests. At the present writing he is filling the office of justice of the peace and his rulings are strictly fair and impartial, being based upon the law and the equity in the case. He was born in the neighboring state of Illinois, his birth having oeeurred in Mercer county, on the 28th of December, 1858, his parents being John and Miriam (Stevenson) Raper, both of whom were natives of England, in which country they were reared and married, there remaining until 1853, when they eame to the United States. They established their home in Geneseo, Illinois, and there the father worked at the carpenter's trade, which he had previously learned in his native land. In the fall of 1874 he left Illinois and came to Adair county, Iowa, having four years before purchased a farm within its borders. On reaching this county he took up his abode upon that traet of land which was situated on section 31, Walnut township. He made it his place of resi- dence until 1894, when he removed to Adair, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1901. Five years later, or in 1906, his wife passed away.
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No unusual experiences occurred to vary the routine of life for George S. Raper in his boyhood and youth. He attended the publie schools of Geneseo, Illinois, passing through consecutive grades to the high school. He was sixteen years of age when he came to Iowa and after attaining his majority began farming on his own account by renting land from his father. From 1886 until 1896 he bought various traets of land in Prussia township and is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable Adair county farm land, which he holds at a high figure, for it has become a most productive tract. He engaged actively in farming until February 8, 1910. when he removed to Greenfield, where he has since resided. On the resignation of Judge Mason in 1911 Mr. Raper was appointed justice of the peace to fill the vacancy and was subsequently regularly elected to that office, in which capacity he has since served continuously, covering a period of four years. Such has been his course as justice that he has "won golden opinions from all sorts of people," his decisions being free from all personal bias.
On the 14th of October, 1880, Mr. Raper was married to Miss Cornelia Speed- ling, a daughter of George Speedling, a prominent farmer of Prussia township, who came to Adair county from Cedar county, Iowa, in the spring of 1875. For thirty-six years he continued to reside in this county and passed away in Green- field on the 2d of May, 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Raper have become the parents of two children: Bernard S., who is operating his father's farm; and Arthur, now deceased.
In his political views Mr. Raper has always been an earnest republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He and his wife are of the relig- ous faith of the Society of Friends and hold membership in the only church of their denomination in Adair county. This church was built on his father's land, the father being a liberal contributor toward its erection. Since that period the Raper family has been most active in advancing the moral progress of the com- munity. George S. Raper has ever stood for those things which are most worth while in community life, for observance of law, for the advancement of material progress and for the improvement of the educational system, and those who know him recognize the fact that his influence has always been in behalf of substantial improvement and advancement.
PETER A. BEVINGTON.
Peter A. Bevington is now living retired at Greenfield, although he was for an extended period actively engaged in farming. His work was so wisely directed that he won a measure of prosperity that now enables him to put aside further busi- ness cares. Ohio elaims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Huron county, on the 18th of October. 1813, his parents being Peter and Aary (Beving- ton) Bevington, both of whom were probably born in the Buckeye state, where they lived and died. The father followed farming in Holmes county for many years and was there ealled to his final rest.
In his youthful days Peter A. Bevington attended the district schools and mas- tered the elementary branches of learning, but he had comparatively little oppor- tunity to secure an cdueation. as his services were needed upon the home farm.
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In March, 1861, when eighteen years of age, he came to Iowa and settled in Madi- son county, where he worked through the following summer for Dr. Bevington of Winterset, who was his uncle. He put aside all business and personal considera- tions, however, when the country became involved in the Civil war and in October, 1861, enlisted for active service, being mustered in as a member of Company B, Fifth Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. Under that command he served until the close of the war, the regiment being assigned to duty with the Army of the Cumberland, and he took part in various important engagements, including the battles of Stone River and of the Atlanta campaign. At the battle of Nashville, on Christmas day of 1864, he was shot through the body and three of his ribs had to be cut out. The wound was a very serious one, but in due time he recovered and he was mus- tered out of the service on the 22d of August, 1865.
When the war was over and the country no longer needed his aid, Mr. Beving- ton returned to Ohio and there remained for a year or more. In 1867, however, he again came to Iowa, settling in Winterset. Later he returned to Ohio for his bride, whom he brought to Iowa directly after their marriage. She bore the maiden name of Miss Cecelia Mackey, and their wedding was celebrated on the 29th of December, 1869. Upon his return to this state Mr. Bevington settled on a farm in Madison county, where he remained for forty-two years, or until 1901, when he turned over his farm of two hundred acres to his son and removed to Greenfield, where he has since lived retired. He was one of the progressive agriculturists of his locality and set an excellent example for others to follow.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bevington were born seven children: Cambia, William, Estella, Mina, Cliola, Cora and Harry. Mr. Bevington has always voted with the repub- lican party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has kept well informed concerning the issues and questions of the day. He is a member of Myers Post, No. 149, G. A. R., and he and his wife are members of the Methodist church, true to its teachings and loyal to their belief.
L. E. YOUNG.
A substantially improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 29, Grove township, pays tribute to the energies of L. E. Young, who purchased the property in 1904. His birth occurred in Highland county, Ohio, on the 1st of May, 1865. his parents being Marion and Mary M. (Gossett) Young. A sketch of the father, a retired agriculturist residing in Greenfield, appears on another page of this work.
L. E. Young acquired his education in the public schools and also pursued a commercial course in the Iowa Business College at Des Moines. He was associated with his father in farming operations until 1894, when he started out as an agricul- turist on his own account, cultivating rented land in Walnut township, this county, until 1901. In that year he bought ninety acres of land in Jefferson township, near Casey, but three years later disposed of the property and purchased his present home farm of one hundred and sixty aeres in Grove township, the operation of which has claimed his attention continuously since. He uses the most modern machinery to facilitate his labors, his early training and his interest in his work constituting Vol. II-19
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elements in his success. He is a stockholder in the Greenfield Creamery Company and the Lincoln Mutual Telephone Company and has long been numbered among the substantial and enterprising citizens of the community.
In 1892 Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Kendall, of Winter- set, Iowa, by whom he has three children, namely: Bessie, who is the wife of Harold Utts, of Walnut township, this county ; and Ray M. and Glen L., both at home. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served for three terms in the capacity of township clerk, while for several years he acted as a member of the school board, making a most creditable record in public office. Fraternally he is identified with the American Yeomen and the Knights of Pythias, belonging to Adair Lodge No. 393 of the latter order. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, with which his wife is also affiliated. His life has been in all its phases upright. straightforward and honorable and by intelli- gent and scientific operation of his excellent farm he has gained a comfortable fortune for himself and aided in the agricultural development of his section.
W. F. ARMSTRONG.
For forty-six years W. F. Armstrong has been a resident of Orient township. He came to Adair county in 1869 and at that time purchased a part of the farm on which he now resides, although he has since extended the boundaries of his place by additional purchase until he is the owner of six hundred and forty acres con- stituting one of the most valuable farm properties of this part of the state. He was born in Oneida county, New York, October 29, 1810, and has therefore passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Roberts) Armstrong, the former a native of the north of Ireland, while the latter was born in England. They came to America in early life, and the father worked in a foundry for a time but afterward settled upon a farm in Oneida county, New York, which he purchased, his attention being devoted to its cultivation until 1843, when he sold that property. In 1850 he went to California, attracted by the gold discoveries on the Pacific coast, and for seven years he remained in that part of the country. He then returned to the state of New York and in the spring of 1857, accompanied by his son. W. F .. removed westward to Henry county. Illinois, where he continued to reside until called to his final home. His wife had passed away in the state of New York. In their family were twelve children, of whom four reached adult age and are yet living.
W. F. Armstrong was a resident of the Empire state through the first seventeen years of his life and then accompanied his father westward to Henry county, Illi- nois. In 1869 he purchased a part of the farm on which he now resides on section 27, Orient township, becoming owner of three hundred and twenty aeres. With characteristic energy he began the development of the place and later bought morc land. He now owns six hundred and forty acres, all of which is highly improved. He practices rotation of crops, has divided his lands into fields of convenient size by well kept fences, utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and in a word carries on his farm work in a most progressive and resultant .manner.
W. F. ARMSTRONG
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
On November 8, 1870, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage to Miss H. H. Tacher, a native of Delaware county, New York, and a daughter of Stephen and Diadamus (Willis) Tacher, who were also born in that state. The mother passed away in the home of our subject, but the father is still living with Mr. Armstrong and has now reached the venerable age of eighty-nine years. Mrs. Armstrong is one of a family of five children and by her marriage has also become the mother of five children, namely: Warren N., who is engaged in the banking business in Colorado City, Colorado; Natta E., who is the wife of William Pugh, a college professor of South Carolina; Willis R., a banker of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Neva D., who is the wife of Gerald Corwin, of Montana; and Fred C., a resident of Orient, Iowa. Mrs. Armstrong is a member of the Congregational church.
Mr. Armstrong votes with the republican party but the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. The only publie position he has consented to fill has been that of school treasurer and trustee and in the former position he served for sixteen years. His success is attributable in large measure to his close appli- cation as well as to his unremitting energy. He has ever felt that industry was the basis of advancement and because of this he has worked hard and persistently, and his intelligent direction of his efforts has brought to him most gratifying results, for he is now numbered among the most prosperous residents of Orient township.
ABIJAH AXEL DICKEY.
Abijah Axel Dickey, a well known farmer and stock-raiser living on section 30, Jefferson township, was born November 14, 1863, in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, a son of George and Rebecca (Stevens) Dickey, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state and were of Pennsylvania-Dutch and Irish descent. The father devoted his life to the occupation of farming and in the year 1866 removed west- ward to Cedar county, Iowa, where he continued in the same business, there remain- ing until his death, which occurred in 1893. For a considerable period he had sur- vived his wife, who passed away in 1877.
Abijah A. Dickey, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the common schools of Cedar county, having been but three years of age at the time of the arrival of the family in this state. He was a youth of but fourteen years when he began working for his brother Ira. Up to the time of his mother's death he had assisted in the work of the home farm and had attended the district schools through the winter months. In 1880 he came to Adair county and settled in Walnut township, where he was employed at farm labor until 1892. He then married and began farming on his own account, first renting the land upon which he now resides. After a year he removed to Walnut township, where he cultivated a rented farm. In 1905, however, he purchased his present place on section 30, Jefferson township, and has since occupied it. He now owns and cultivates eighty acres, the place being a well developed and well improved farm. He raises corn. wheat and other cereals and with the help of his sons is also engaged in stock- raising. When he purchased this place there were no improvements upon the land. but in 1905 he erected his residence and has since added other improvements at various times. In 1913 he built a large horse barn and he raises high grades of
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horses, cattle and hogs, feeding all of his erops to his stoek. His entire time is devoted to his farming interests and his success is the result of his elose application and indefatigable energy.
On the 23d of January, 1892, at Stuart, Iowa, Mr. Dickey was united in mar- riage to Miss Louise MeDaniels, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Father Foley, pastor of the Roman Catholic church at that place. She was a native of this county and a daughter of George and Margaret MeDaniels, passing away in their home in Jefferson township on the 17th of March, 1905. George MeDaniels was for years successfully engaged in farming in Jefferson township, where he died. but his widow survives and now makes her home in Greenfield. To Mr. and Mrs. Diekey were born four children, as follows: John, whose birth occurred on the 15th of August, 1894; Esther, born April 2, 1897; Franees, whose natal day was November 6. 1900; and Josephine, who was born January 23, 1903, and is now a student in distriet school No. 9 of Jefferson township. All of the children are still at home.
In his political views Mr. Diekey is an earnest republican and has filled the office of road supervisor but he is not ambitious to hold politieal positions, prefer- ring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. Starting out for himself at the early age of fourteen years, he has sinee depended upon his own resources and from the beginning he has realized that industry is the safest foundation upon which to build prosperity.
FRANK PATERA.
Frank Patera, who is carrying on agricultural operations on seetion 32, Riehland township, is one of the successful farmers of that township and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He was born in Bohemia, Austria, March 31, 1863, a son of Anthony and Mary (Vleek) Patera, who emigrated to the United States in 1873. The family landed in Baltimore on the 27th of November, of that year, and made their way to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where they remained about a month. They then came westward and located on a farm in Johnson county near Iowa City, where they lived for five years. In the spring of 1879 they removed to Adams county but five years later they crossed the line into Adair county, buying one hundred and sixty aeres on seetion 31. Riehland township, to the operation of which the father devoted his time and energy. Both parents passed away upon that place.
Frank Patera was largely edneated in the distriet schools in Bohemia but after removing to this country attended school during two winters. When he reached mature years he went to Creston and for five years was employed in the roundhouse of the Chicago, Burlington & Quiney Railroad at that point. He then returned home and assisted his father for two years. In 1891 he was married and not long after- ward began operating eighty aeres of the homestead which his father gave him. He farmed that place for twelve years, but in 1903 sold it and purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty aeres on seetion 32. Richland township. where he has since resided. He is at onee practical and progressive and as he manifests com- mendable enterprise he is meeting with a gratifying measure of success. He also owns stoek in the Nevinville Telephone Company.
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Mr. Patera was united in marriage on the 7th of April, 1891, to Miss Barbara Krisinger, also a native of Bohemia. When eighteen years of age she emigrated to this country and joined an uncle, Frank Cihak, a resident of Audubon county, this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Patera have been born two children, Edward and May J., both of whom are at home.
Mr. Patera is independent in politics, voting for the man rather than the party. He and his family belong to the Western Bohemian Brotherhood Association and take an active interest in its work. He is a representative citizen of the county and holds the unqualified respect and the high esteem of all who have come into contact with him.
CLARENCE L. RIDOUT.
Clarence L. Ridout is a farmer living on section 26, Union township. He was born in Jasper county, Iowa, on the 13th of August, 1871, a son of William S. and Arabella (Logsdon) Ridout, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume, in con- nection with the sketch of their son, I. C. Ridont.
The subject of this review was educated in the district schools but his opportuni- ties there were limited. It was necessary that he aid in the work of the home farm and thus his textbooks were put aside. On attaining his majority he began farming for himself as a renter and he purchased his first land about 1902, buying eighty acres of his present home farm. To this he has added until he now has one hundred and twenty acres, constituting a good farm property in Union township. He is busily employed in the work of the place and he is winning added success as the years go by.
On the 30th of May, 1899, Mr. Ridout was married to Miss Mary Brooks, a daughter of E. W. Brooks, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Ridout have become the parents of ten children, of whom nine are living: Dorothy, Pearl, Glen, Opal, Verl, Nora Belle, Edward. Theodore and Maxine. The parents hold membership with the Christian church and Mr. Ridout is a republican in politics. He is always true to his honest convictions and loyal in defense of what he believes to be right, so that the republican party finds in him an earnest supporter and the church a faithful worker.
ALBERT E. JOHNSON.
Albert E. Johnson, numbered among the most prosperous and enterprising agri- culturists of Adair county, owns seven hundred and twenty acres of rich and pro- ductive land in Orient township. This property includes the old home farm on which he was born on the 19th of September, 1875, his parents being Reason L. and Ada (Dillow) Johnson. A sketch of his father, a retired agriculturist residing in Orient, appears on another page of this work. In the acquirement of an education he attended the public schools and also pursued a commercial course in the Creston Business College. He was but eighteen years of age when his father removed to
e
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the town of Orient, leaving him in charge of the home farm, the operation of which has claimed his time and energies continuously since. In 1902 he purchased and also began the cultivation of a tract of three hundred and twenty aeres of land lying across the road from the home place, while about 1905 he bought the home farm, comprising four hundred acres, so that his holdings now embrace seven hundred and twenty acres. He cultivates all of this and in his undertakings has won a most gratifying and well merited measure of success, carrying on the work of the fields in a practical and progressive manner that insures the best results. Mr. Johnson is a member of the board of directors of the Orient Savings Bank, in which institution both he and his wife are stockholders.
In February, 1899, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Inez Swick, of Creston, Iowa, by whom he has four children, namely: Merle, Lela, Doris and Reason Paul. He gives his political allegiance to the democracy and enjoys an enviable reputation as a publie-spirited, substantial and esteemed citizen of the county in which his entire life has been spent.
L. H. EDWARDS.
L. H. Edwards, a successful agriculturist and representative citizen of Richland township, makes his home on section 20, where he owns two. hundred acres of rich and productive land. His birth occurred in Fulton county, Illinois, on the 11th of August, 1868, his parents being Haden and Eliza (Beekstadt) Edwards, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Canada. Their marriage was celebrated in Fulton county. Illinois, to which place they had removed as children with their respective parents. In 1869 Haden Edwards came with his family to Adair county, Iowa, spending the winter in the old Avondale schoolhouse in Washington township while he was building a home. In the spring of 1870 they took up their abode in their new log cabin in Washington township. Five years later they removed to another farm in the same township and the father erected a log cabin thereon. About 1880, however. he made his way to Gentry county, Missouri, and three years later went to Holt county, that state, where he has resided continuously to the present time.
L. H. Edwards was reared under the parental roof and received his edneation in the district schools. He was living in Missouri when he attained his majority and thence returned to Adair county. here working as a farm hand for his uncle, David Edwards, during about three falls and winters. In 1895 he purchased his first land, coming into possession of a forty-aere tract in Holt county, Missouri, on which he resided for two years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the prop- erty and bought a farm of sixty acres in Holt county, on which he made his home for a similar length of time. In 1900 he again came to Adair county, Iowa, purchas- ing eighty aeres of land on seetion 18. Richland township, which he sold two years later. Going back to Holt county. Missouri, he there resided for three years and at the end of that time returned to this county, purchasing his present home farm of eighty aeres in Richland township. In 1911 he bought a traet of one hundred and twenty aeres on the same seetion and still owns both farms. His undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with a well deserved and gratifying measure
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of success and entitle him to recognition among the prosperous and enterprising citizens of the community. The Nevinville Telephone Company numbers him among its stockholders.
In 1896 Mr. Edwards was united in marriage to Miss Anna Steinhauer, a daughter of Henry Steinhauer of Lincoln county, Illinois, who has passed away. To them have been born three children, namely: Louis F., Herman A. and Mary E. Mr. Edwards gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ably served in the capacity of road overseer. Fraternally he is identified with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Fontanelle. He is one of the hard-working, capable citizens of Richland township, where his honest and upright methods of conducting his business interests have won him the confidence and respect of his fellow townsmen.
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