USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 40
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The Conway brothers are stalwart advocates of the republican party and its principles and Frank Conway served for one term as constable, but they prefer to devote all of their time and attention to their business affairs, which, capably managed, are bringing to them most gratifying success. They stand as leaders in their line and in their business undertakings readily discriminate between the essential and the nonessential. Their course has been marked by steady progression and in all their business career there has been nothing sinister and nothing to eonceal.
C. H. CASS.
C. H. Cass, of Bridgewater, owns and operates the only brick and tile factory in Adair county and is also a builder and contractor. He has managed his interests well, has gained more than a competence and has at the same time built up an enviable reputation for integrity. He was born in Clinton county, Iowa, September
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3, 1864, a son of E. and Anna (Moon) Cass. The parents, who were natives respectively of New York state and Ohio, removed to Iowa in 1838 and settled in Clinton county, where the father entered land. He was well known in the early days and helped in surveying the county. In 1876 he removed to Cass county and located upon a farm there, where his wife passed away. Later he returned to Clinton county, where his demise occurred.
C. H. Cass is one of a family of nine children, eight of whom survive. When but fourteen years of age he left home and traveled over different states but in 1885 settled in Adair county, Iowa. After residing here for some time he established a brick and tile factory, at first manufacturing brick by hand but later installing up-to- date machinery. He still operates the factory, which is the only one of its kind in the county, and his produet finds a ready sale in the local markets. He is also a builder and contractor and has erected the greater number of the important buildings of Bridgewater. He also owns forty acres of excellent land adjoining the village limits and four town lots.
In 1889 Mr. Cass married Miss Clara A. Brower, who was born in Adair county and is a daughter of Deloss and Malinda (Jenkins) Brower, both of whom have passed to their reward. Mr. and Mrs. Cass are the parents of six children, H. D., Ola, Berenth, Rex D., Keith and Bethel.
Mr. Cass and his wife belong to the local Christian church and its teachings guide their daily lives. During the three deeades that he has resided here he has won the confidence and respeet of his fellow citizens and has also gained a place among the successful business men of the community.
JOSEPH L. WINN.
The home farm of Joseph L. Winn covers two hundred aeres on sections 21 and 29, Jefferson township, his residence being on the former seetion. He was born in Ohio in February, 1867, a son of William and Mary (Hamilton) Winn, who were natives of Ohio. The father followed farming in that state until he arrived in Adair county. He purchased land just over the line in Guthrie county and cultivated and improved that place fifteen years, after which he sold it and took up his abode in Adair eounty, purchasing eighty aeres of land in Jefferson township. His time thereafter was given to the development of that farm and his labors soon wrought a marked transformation in the appearance of the place, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. Three months before his death, however, he sold that property and removed to Menlo, where he passed away on the 24th of December, 1912, when he had reached the age of seventy-four years. His widow still resides there and is now seventy-three years of age. In their family were eight children, seven of whom are yet living: Henry, Joseph, Minnie, William, Ollie, Sadie and Fred, while Gertrude died in August, 1887.
Joseph L. Winn was but four years of age when brought by his parents to Iowa, so that the period of his boyhood and youth was largely passed in Guthrie county, the usual experiences of the farm lad coming to him during that time. He attended the district schools and in vacations worked in the fields. After reaching adult age he rented land in Adair county and thus engaged in farming until 1904, when he
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purchased eighty acres in Jefferson township, upon which he has since made his home. In 1909 he bought an additional tract of eighty acres on section 29, and in the fall of 1914 he added forty aeres more. His land is all in one body and constitutes an excellent farm property. His excellent tract of land of two hundred acres is well cultivated and the result of his labors is seen in the large crops which he gathers.
In March, 1895, occurred the marriage of Mr. Winn and Miss Mary Varley, a daughter of James and Sarah (Cochran) Varley, who were natives of England, and in 1873 removed with their family from Yorkshire, that country, to the United States. For a year they resided in Des Moines, Iowa, after which they removed to Jefferson township, Adair county, loeating upon a farm which they purchased. They resided there until 1907, when the death of Mrs. Varley occurred. Mr. Varley made his home thereafter with his children until October, 1913, when he passed away. When they located in Jefferson township that region was wild prairie with no fences or roads and with only a very few houses and Indians were still numerous. The town of Menlo had at that time but two or three buildings besides the depot. The Varleys experienced all of the hardships that usually fall to the lot of early settlers but persevered in the work of development and thus aided in transforming the township into a prosperous and well settled farming district. There were six children in the family: Joseph, Mattie, Francis and Annie, all of whom were born in England; and William and Mary, who were born in Jefferson township.
Mr. Winn exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and keeps well informed on the vital questions and issues of the day. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but the motive force of his life is found in his faith as a member of the Christian church, his course being guided according to its teachings. The greater part of his life having been passed in this section of the state and his salient traits of character being such as invariably awaken respect and confidence, he is both widely and favorably known here.
JAMES H. HULBERT.
With agricultural and financial interests in Adair county, James H. Hulbert was closely and prominently associated and figured for many years as one of its leading and respected citizens. He was a native of Ohio and came to Adair county in early man- hood, in the year 1867. He took up his abode in Washington township, where he sub- sequently purchased the homestead property which had been entered by his father-in- law, Joseph Dunlap, from the government. J. H. Hulbert was one of the first cattle feeders of Adair county and became a conspicuous figure in connection with the cattle trade of the state. As his financial resources increased he kept adding to his real- estate holdings until he was an extensive landowner, having in the late '80s and in the early '90s almost four thousand acres of land, all of which was operated under his direet and immediate supervision. He became the largest individual farmer of south- western Iowa and his efforts were a most important element in the agricultural devel- opment of his part of the state. There was no such word as fail in all his vocabulary and difficulties and obstacles seemed but to serve as an impetus for renewed effort on his part. In 1880, while only approaching the zenith of his activities, he removed
JAMES H. HULBERT
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into Fontanelle, where he afterward maintained his residence. He was one of the principal factors in the organization of the First National Bank of that place and became its largest stockholder. He was justly accounted the foremost citizen of his community and was honored and respected by all not only on account of the success he achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he ever fol- lowed, his actions at all times measuring up to the high standards which govern strict and unswerving integrity and enterprise.
Mr. Hulbert was united in marriage, in this county, to Miss Mary L. Dunlap, a native of Illinois, who was brought by her parents to Iowa in 1854, during her early girlhood. To them were born seven children, six of whom are yet living: C. F., Mrs. Maggie L. Morley, Clio M., Mrs. Addie Gaches, Mrs. P. J. Faurote and J. H., Jr. Mr. Hulbert established a home near Mount Vernon, Washington, where his widow now resides, adjoining the farm of her son, J. H. Hulbert.
In politics Mr. Hulbert, whose name introduces this review, was a stanch demo- crat, and while his opinions carried weight in the councils of his party and he was a public-spirited citizen, taking an active interest in all public affairs, he had no aspira- tion for office. However, he served as county supervisor. He was a prominent Mason of Iowa in early days and attained the Knight Templar degree of the York Rite. When he passed away on the 9th of July, 1912, Adair county and in fact all of Iowa lost one of its representative and valued citizens-a man whose efforts had been of the utmost importance in advancing the agricultural and other business interests of the state.
C. F. HULBERT.
Prominent among the leading and representative citizens of Adair county is C. F. Hulbert, a lumber dealer of Fontanelle. In his business career he displays a spirit of initiative combined with energy and determination that enables him to carry for- ward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. Adair county is proud to number him among her native sons. He was born in Washington township, October 22, 1869, a son of James H. and Mary L. (Dunlap) Hulbert, more extended mention of whom is made on another page of this work.
C. F. Hulbert was reared in his parents' home and passed through consecutive grades in the public schools of Fontanelle until he had completed the high-school course. This he supplemented with a business course in Western Normal College at Shenandoah, Iowa, and when his textbooks were put aside he returned to Fontanelle and entered his father's office, there to receive practical business training in the management of important interests.
In 1895 Mr. Hulbert was united in marriage to Miss Helen Spindler, of Fon- tanelle, a native of West Virginia. After their marriage they spent a year and a half upon the home farm and then came to Fontanelle, where in company with D. Carver, Mr. Hulbert engaged in the lumber business, becoming a partner in the firm of Carver & Hulbert. After two years, however, he sold out to his partner and subsequently purchased the lumber business of D. U. Dunlap. He then removed the lumberyard to its present location and has erected a good modern business building, the largest in Fontanelle. At that time his father and W. J. Johnston were associated with him Vol. II-20
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under the style of the J. H. Hulbert Lumber Company. In 1907 C. F. Hulbert acquired the interests of his partners in the business. thus becoming sole proprietor of an enterprise which is one of the large and important commercial interests of Fontanelle and which is bringing him a substantial measure of success.
Mr. Hulbert is a member of Fontanelle Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M .. and exem- plifies the beneficent spirit of the eraft. He also has membership in St. John's Chap- ter, No. 73. R. A. M .. at Greenfield, and in Des Moines Valley Consistory No. 3, A. A. S. R .. Za-Ga-Zig Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S., of Des Moines, and Fontanelle Lodge, No. 250. I. O. O. F. His wife is identified with the Order of the Eastern Star, the ladies' auxiliary of Masonry, and is a member of the Congregational church. His politieal indorsement is given to the democratic party.
WALTER O. GREEN.
Walter O. Green, one of the progressive and representative young citizens of Union township, is the proprietor of a blacksmith shop at Zion and has built up an extensive enterprise in this connection. His birth occurred in Union township, this county, on the 24th of March, 1888, and he is a son of Stephen Green, extended men- tion of whom is made on another page of this work. He was reared to manhood under the parental roof and in pursuit of an education attended the district schools. On attaining his majority he began learning the blacksmith's trade as an apprentice and subsequently conducted a shop on his father's farm for about two years. He then spent two winters at work as a blacksmith in Orient and in the fall of 1913 erected a building and opened the shop which he has since conducted at Zion, enjoying an extensive and profitable patronage. In February, 1914, he built another structure and in partnership with O. K. Cannon established a barber shop and a buying station for cream and farm produce, Mr. Cannon taking charge of these interests. Later, however, Mr. Green acquired his partner's interest in the business, discontinued the cream and produce station and installed his brother, Sylvester S. Green. in the barber shop, the latter having been in charge thereof to the present time. Walter O. Green also owns an eiglity-acre farm on section 5, Union township, which is being operated by one of his brothers. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian churel. His business interests have been attended with gratifying success and he enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the enterprising and popular young native sons of Adair county.
JOHN N. LANGFITT.
John N. Langfitt is a prominent and highly respected citizen of Adair county and one who wields a wide influence in behalf of agricultural progress and of advancement along lines relating to community interests. He lives on section 5, Lee township. His birth occurred in Seott county, Iowa, on the 9th day of May, 1866, his parents being John J. and Mary C. (Gadd) Langfitt. The father was a native of
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Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and the mother of Ohio. They were married in Blakes- burg, Iowa, to which place the mother had removed in her childhood days with her mother, following the death of her father in Ohio. John J. Langfitt went as a forty- niner to California, making the overland trip to the Pacific coast, where he spent three years in mining, returning by way of the Isthmus route. It was soon after this that he was married and entered the half section of land in Adair county, on which his son John now resides. The father secured the property in 1853 but continued to live upon his farm in Scott county until within three years of his death, when he removed to his Adair county farm, on which he passed away.
John N. Langfitt was reared in Scott county and attended the public schools to the age of eighteen years, when he began teaching. On attaining his majority he removed to Adair county and located on his father's land adjoining the city of Green- field. Four years later he was married and with his bride went to Snohomish county, Washington, where he engaged in teaching in the city schools of Snohomish for six years. He was then offered the superintendency of the schools but declined, return- ing to the farm in Adair county. After the death of his father he purchased the place from the other heirs. This farm comprises three hundred and twenty acres of rich and arable land adjoining the corporation limits of Greenfield and is among the valuable farm properties of the county. None of the accessories and conveniences of the model farm of the twentieth century are here lacking and a glance at the place is sufficient to indicate the care and supervision which are bestowed upon the farm. In addition to his farming interests he is the vice president of the Greenfield Creamery Company and one of its directors.
In 1892 Mr. Langfitt was united in marriage to Miss Clara A. Martin, of Green- field, a daughter of W. B. Martin, ex-secretary of state and father of the mulet law. He now makes his home in Des Moines and is one of the most widely known men in the state. Of the six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Langfitt, four survive, namely : Harry M., Bernice L., Clara Mildred and John N., Jr.
Mr. Langfitt exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and fraternally is connected with Greenfield Lodge, No. 386, A. F. & A. M., while in Des Moines Consistory, No. 3, A. A. S. R. he has attained the thirty-second degree. He also has membership relations with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen and he and his wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian church.
MARCUS H. THIELE.
Marcus H. Thiele, a well known farmer of Eureka township living on section 22, is a representative of one of the old families of the county, his parents being Chris- tian and Mary Thiele. His birth occurred on the farm where he still makes his home and in his youthful days he was a pupil in district school No. 8, where he mas- tered the branches of learning that usually constitute the common-school curriculum. During the periods of vacation he worked in the fields and he remained at home until he reached the age of twenty years. assisting in all the departments of the farm work. He then took up agricultural life on his own account and for six years rented land in Jackson township, after which he returned to Eureka township and again
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cultivated a rented farm for four years. On the expiration of that period he bought a farm in Benton township, Cass county, Iowa, on which he lived for two years, after which he disposed of that property and came to Eureka township, purchasing the place of one hundred and sixty acres upon which he now resides. In its cultivation he met with suceess and after two years was able to add seventy-five aeres to his original holdings. He now has a well improved farm property of two hundred and thirty-five acres and earries on general farming and stock-raising, both branches of his business proving profitable. For several years he bred and raised pure blooded trotting horses.
On the 25th of September, 1901, Mr. Thiele was united in marriage to Miss Edith Madison, a daughter of John and Annie (Church) Madison. The father, a native of Indiana. is a representative of an old American family. He is a farmer by oeeu- pation and was one of the early settlers of Adair county, taking up his abode in Eureka township at an early period in its development. There he engaged in general farm- ing until 1910, when, with a handsome competenee acquired through his labors, he retired from active life and removed to Fontanelle, where he is now living. His wife is a native of Illinois, but they were married in Iowa. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thiele has been blessed with two children: Andy, who was born December 28, 1903, and is now attending the distriet schools of Eureka township; and Mervin, born December 2, 1910.
Mr. Thiele votes with the democratic party and wide reading keeps him in touch with the politieal situation of the country, and he is an active party worker in his community, serving as a member of the township eentral committee. He has been school director for one year. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows lodge at Fontanelle and he enjoys the warm regard of his brethren of that organiza- tion. He is yet a comparatively young man, but he has made for himself a ereditable place in the business world and has gained an enviable position in the regard and goodwill of his fellow citizens, among whom the greater part of his life has been passed.
HENRY NISSEN.
Henry Nissen, living on section 27, Walnut township, was born in Germany, De- cember 19, 1867, his parents being N. P. and Catherine (Peterson) Nissen, both of whom were natives of the fatherland. They were farming people there and eon- tinned residents of Germany until 1882, when they crossed the Atlantie to the United States, establishing their home in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where the father purchased land and again engaged in farming. He cultivated his place there for a considerable period and then removed to Ida county, Iowa. At the present writing he is living retired, making his home with his daughter in Holstein, Iowa, at the age of eighty-four years, his wife having passed away in June, 1907.
Henry Nissen spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native country and then accompanied his parents to the new world. His education was begun in the schools of Germany and for two years he continued his studies after coming to Amer- iea. The remainder of his minority was devoted to work upon his father's farm, but when he had reached adult age he started out in life for himself by renting land,
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which he cultivated for two years. He then removed to Audubon county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming for three years, after which he came to Adair county. Through the succeeding four years he was employed in an elevator and then rented land, which he operated for eight years. On the expiration of that period he invested his sav- ings in one hundred and sixty acres on seetion 27, Walnut township. This he set about improving and today has one of the excellent farms of the county equipped with all modern facilities which are of value in the conduct and operation of a farm. He works on day after day, finding enjoyment in his labors, and exeellent results have rewarded his diligenee and close application.
On the 24th of February, 1894, Mr. Nissen was united in marriage to Miss Annie Hass, a daughter of Claus and Margaret (Bruee). Hass, who were natives of Ger- many and eame to the United States in 1884. The father was a stonemason in his native land, but following his arrival in the new world settled in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where he took up the occupation of farming, devoting his remaining days to that pursuit. He died February 20, 1905, and his wife died at the home of her son, Claus Hass, August 9, 1915, at the age of seventy-five years, three months and twenty-six days.
Mr. and Mrs. Nissen hold membership in the German Lutheran church and are loyal to its teachings. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, which finds in him an earnest advocate because of his firm belief in its principles. He is always loyal to his honest convictions and fearless in defense of what he believes to be right.
WILLIAM E. BEAMAN.
William E. Beaman, who follows farming on seetion 25, Harrison township, has been a resident of Adair eounty for more than a half century and as one of its pioneer settlers has witnessed its steady growth and substantial improvement, sharing in the forward movement since reaching an age of accountability. He was born in Indiana on the 13th of August, 1859, and is a son of Samuel and Emily (Key) Beaman, both of whom were natives of Indiana, where they were reared and married. In 1861 they brought their family to Iowa, settling in Adair county, Mr. Beaman purchasing two hundred and thirty-five acres in Harrison county. Part of the original homestead is now in the possession of his son William E. The parents continued to reside upon their farm until called to their final rest, the father dying in 1872, while the mother passed away in Missouri Valley, Iowa, in 1896, while visiting a daughter there. They were people of the highest respectability and enjoyed the warm regard of those with whom they were brought in contaet.
William E. Beaman was reared on the old homestead farm where he now lives and his education was acquired in the distriet school nearby, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. In 1882 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Nelson, a daughter of William Nelson, who came to this eounty from Mercer county, Illinois, and settled in Lincoln township in January, 1876. He was a native of Ohio and he passed away at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Beaman in 1908, having for twenty years survived his wife, who died in 1888.
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After his marriage Mr. Beaman rented the old homestead farm and continued its cultivation for three years. He then removed to a farm in Lincoln township, which he rented for eight years, after which he carried on general agricultural pursuits in Madison county for a year. In 1895 he purchased his present home place of one hundred and thirty-four acres from a brother-in-law, who had bought it from the Beaman estate, and since that time his undivided attention has been given to the further development and improvement of the place, which, in its excellent appearance, indi- cates his careful supervision and practical, progressive methods.
Mr. and Mrs. Beaman have become the parents of nine children, and there are also thirteen grandchildren and thus far there has never been a death in the family. There are five daughters and four sons, namely: Mary O., the wife of Clayton Wam- bold, a resident farmer of Harrison township; William E., who follows farming in Lincoln township: Ernest O., a farmer of Madison county; Golda E., the wife of Ellis Estell; Grace M., the wife of Percy Estell, a farmer of Madison county ; Walter Harvey, who also follows farming in Madison county; and Frank I., Hazel M. and Clyde Merle, all at home.
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