USA > Iowa > Adair County > History of Adair County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 8
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On November 23, 1909, Dr. Gibson was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Reed, a native of Adair county and a daughter of A. K. and Ella (Mock) Reed, who are now residents of Orient, Iowa. The Doctor is a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 539, A. F. & A. M., and he is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fontanelle, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Creston, and the Woodmen of the World. He is esteemed alike in fraternal, social and professional circles, for his characteristics are such as everywhere awaken respect and regard.
JACOB GOETZ.
Jacob Goetz, who makes his home on section 9, Summerset township, has resided in Adair county for more than thirty years and is widely recognized as one of its prosperous and representative agriculturists, owning three hundred and fifty acres of valuable land in Summerset and Washington townships. His birth
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oeeurred in Bureau county, Illinois, on the 6th of April, 1861. his parents being Jacob and Katherine Goetz, both of whom were natives of Germany. They emi- grated to the new world in 1858 and took up their abode on a farm in Bureau county, Illinois, there spending the remainder of their lives. They became the parents of three children but our subjeet is the only surviving member of the family.
Jacob Goetz attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and began providing for his own support at the early age of thirteen years, seeuring employment as a farm hand. In 1883, when twenty-two years of age, he came to Adair county. Iowa, and here continued working as a farm hand for two years. His wife inherited from her foster father one hundred and sixty aeres on section 9. Summerset township, which Mr. Goetz has operated continuously sinee, and on which he has made many excellent improvements. Later he bought another quarter section in Washington township, which he has also improved, and he made still further purchase of land until his holdings now embrace three hundred and fifty aeres. He eultivates the cereals best adapted to soil and elimate and also makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock, both branches of his business returning to him a gratifying annual income. He owns a residence and three lots in Fon- tanelle and has long been numbered among the substantial and esteemed citizens of his community.
In 1883 Mr. Goetz was united in marriage to Miss Aliee Higgins, a native of La Salle county, Illinois, and a daughter of Eugene and Elizabeth (Master- man) Higgins, who were born respectively in New York and in Maine but who were married in La Salle county, Illinois. Mrs. Goetz lost her father when she was but two years of age, at which time the family was broken up and she was adopted hy G. G. Rechtenbach. When fifteen years old she eame to Adair county with her adopted parents. To Mr. and Mrs. Goetz have been born thirteen children: Emma; Katherine; George, deceased; Eugene; Pearl; Minnie; Alpha, deceased ; Bert ; Viniee ; Edward; Lucile; Clarenee, deceased ; and Arthur.
Politically Mr. Goetz is a staneh democrat who has done able service in the interests of education as a member of the school board. Fraternally he is identified with the Woodmen of the World, while with his family he attends the serviees of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has a host of friends in the community who have found. him to be active and enterprising, faithful in the discharge of his obligations and entirely trustworthy in every relation of life.
JAMES P. KEMBERY.
James P. Kembery, a well known resident of Adair county, who owns land on section 32, Washington township, is concentrating his energies largely upon the breeding of pure bred Pereheron horses. His birth occurred upon the farm where he now resides on the 8th of September. 1867, and his parents were Thomas and Sarah (Campbell) Kembery, natives respectively of Somersetshire, England, and of Page county, Iowa. The father emigrated to this country in 1853, landing at New Orleans, whenee he immediately proceeded to Muscatine, Iowa, where he worked by the month for a time. He subsequently went to Indiana, where he resided for some
THOMAS KEMBERY
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HISTORY OF ADAIR COUNTY
time, and he also lived for a while in Ohio and while a resident of those two states engaged in teaching school and in selling books. Upon returning to Iowa he took up his residence in Adair county and purchased land which was being sold for taxes and which was the nucleus of the farm now owned by our subject. In 1863 the father enlisted in Company I, Second Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, and served until the close of the war, after which he returned to this county. He then again turned his attention to school teaching. He also began breaking the prairie sod and it was said that he owned more oxen at one time than any other man in the county. He was very successful financially and acquired seven hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. His political faith was that of the republican party but he was never an office seeker. He passed away on the 28th of January, 1905, but is survived by his widow, who resides with our subject.
James P. Kembery was reared at home and attended the district schools. He did not make the mistake, however, of considering his education completed when his schooldays were over, but has continued to read broadly and is recognized as one of the best informed men of the county. After reaching mature years he was taken into partnership by his father and they operated the farm together. For several years past our subject has specialized in the breeding of pure bred Percheron horses and has built up an enviable reputation in that connection. He is the owner of the Percheron stallion, Heron, No. 103912, which is said to be one of the best Percherons in the entire state. Mr. Kembery also raises high grade Shropshire sheep. He owns two hundred acres and also operates two hundred acres belonging to his mother. He is one of the substantial men of the county and in addition to his extensive agri- cultural interests is a stockholder in the Carl Telephone Company.
Mr. Kembery is a republican and supports the candidates and measures of that party at the polls. He is a member of the Percheron Society of America and is one of the most successful breeders of the state of Iowa. His entire life has been passed in this county and the fact that those who have known him intimately since earliest boyhood hold him in sincere respect and high esteem is proof of his genuine worth.
RICHARD RAY.
Richard Ray, who was for many years closely identified with agricultural inter- ests in Richland township, was born in Kentucky, December 20, 1837. His parents, Washington and Emily (Moore) Ray, where both likewise natives of the Blue Grass state, where they were reared and married. They, however, became residents of Warren county, Illinois, where both were living when called by death.
Richard Ray grew to mature years in the Prairie state and on beginning his independent business career purchased a farm of eighty acres, which he operated until 1881, when he sold it and came to Adair county, Iowa, where he had previously purchased a farm. He arrived here on the 1st of April of that year and at once located on his land. He continued to make his home there until his demise, which occurred March 17, 1912. The farm comprises one hundred and sixty acres of arable land and twenty acres of timber land, all of which is in the possession of his widow, who still resides upon the place. The farm is operated by a tenant and Mrs. Ray has shown excellent business judgment in the management of her
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affairs. Mr. Ray was an energetic and efficient farmer and his labors yielded him a good annual income.
He was a democrat in his politieal affiliation and for several years served as a member of the board of trustees and as a member of the school board, while he also held a number of other local offices. He was a consistent Christian and a working member of the local Baptist church. His demise was the occasion of mueh sineere grief as Inis personal qualities were such that he made and retained the warm friendship of many. There was never the slightest doubt as to his integrity and all with whom he came in contaet aceorded him their unqualified respect.
On Christmas day, 1862, Mr. Ray was united in marriage to Miss Carrie Talley, a daughter of George Talley, one of the prominent farmers of Warren county, Illinois. Her father resided in Kentneky during his youth but was an early settler of the Prairie state. To Mr. and Mrs. Ray were born eight children, of whom four are still living, namely: Theodore W., a ranehman of Colorado; Guy O., who is farming in Richland township, this county; A. L., a business man residing in St. Joseph, Missouri; and Mollie E., the wife of W. D. Hoskins, of Portland, Oregon. Mrs. Ray is a consistent member of the Baptist church and is highly esteemed because of her many excellent traits of heart and mind.
MARCUS HENNESSY.
Mareus Hennessy, whose grain office was the first building in Orient and who also erceted the first dwelling in the village, came to the west from New England. He was born in Massachusetts, on the 22d of November, 1845, a son of Michael and Mary ( Lynch) Hennessy, both of whom were natives of Ireland. They came to America in the '30s and first settled in Massachusetts, remaining in that state until the early '50s, when they became residents of Ohio, living there for three years. On the expiration of that period they removed to Albia, Iowa, and took up their abode upon a farm, upon which both the father and mother spent their remaining days.
Mareus Hennessy is the only surviving member in his father's family of three children. He accompanied his parents on their various removals until they reached Iowa, acquired a common-school edneation and remained at home until his marriage. which was celebrated in 1869, Miss Elizabeth Geary becoming his wife. She was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Edward and Margaret ( Reynolds ) Geary. who were natives of Ireland but came to America in carly life and established their home in the Keystone state. About the year 1819 they became residents of Lee county, Iowa, and afterward removed to Monroe county but the father died in Keokuk, Iowa. Later the mother and her family took up their abode in Monroe county and settled upon a farm, where the mother died. She had six children but only two are now living.
Following his marriage Mr. Hennessy occupied his father's old homestead until after the death of his parents and industriously and successfully gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits. Later he removed to Creston, where he lived for two years and in 1878 he established his home at Orient, where he was engaged
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in the grain business for thirty-five years. His grain offiee was the first building ereeted in the town and he also built the first dwelling house there. Subsequently he bought two lots and ereeted thereon a fine residence, around which he planted a grove, the trees being now of large size, rendering the place most attractive. With the development of Orient he has been elosely and helpfully associated from the beginning and there is no phase of the public life of the village that has tended to advanee its welfare with which he has not been eonneeted.
Mr. and Mrs. Hennessy have beeome parents of three children: Edward M., who died at the age of six years; Mary Margaret, who was a teacher in the public schools and a teacher of music following her graduation from the musical school prior to her marriage to F. A. Strong, of Orient; and Sarah Ellen, who is a graduate of the high school of Orient. She took up the study of nursing and followed that profession for three years. There are also three grandehildren, Mark W., Mary Eileen and Frederick Aloysius Strong.
Mr. and Mrs. Hennessy are members of the Catholic church. He still owns seven aeres of land in the village of Orient. He was mayor of the town for a number of years and is now city treasurer, a position which he has occupied for seventeen years. He has also served on the school board and he drew up the first ordinance for the village, which thirty years later his daughter Nellie rewrote. He has ever belonged to that class of men who, while advancing individual success, contribute to the public prosperity. His life has never been self-eentered but has reached out along helpful lines for the benefit of his fellowmen and for the com- munity, and the town of Orient largely owes its existence and its advancement to his efforts.
N. D. CHADWICK.
N. D. Chadwick, an agrieulturist residing on section 35, Summerset township, owns an excellent farm of eighty aeres which he has operated continuously and successfully for the past third of a century. His birth occurred in New York on the 9th of June, 1846, his parents being Clark and Hester Ann (Van Wormer) Chadwick, who were likewise natives of the Empire state. They came west to Iowa in 1854, loeating in the town of Big Roek, Scott county, where the father condueted a wagon-making shop until 1862. In that year he took up his abode on a farm in Cedar county and there carried on agricultural pursuits until 1880, when he removed to Adair county, here spending the remainder of his life with his sons. His demise occurred in 1895, when he had attained the venerable age of eighty-eight years.
N. D. Chadwick attended the distriet schools in the acquirement of an education and spent the first twenty-five years of his life under the parental roof. In 1871 he started out as an agriculturist on his own account, purchasing a tract of fifty aeres in Cedar county which he cultivated until 1879, when he came with the family to Adair county. Here he bought a quarter section of wild and unimproved land in Summerset township at seven and one-half dollars per aere, ereeted a small frame honse thereon and began the development of his property. As the years have passed he has brought the place to a high state of cultivation and improvement and
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now owns a valuable and productive farm which yields him a gratifying annual income. He is a stoekholder in the Greenfield Creamery Company and has long been numbered among the substantial and enterprising citizens of his community.
Mr. Chadwick has been married twice. On the Ist of March, 1884, he wedded Miss Ella O. Johnson, of Hardin county, Iowa, by whom he had three children, as follows: Ross G .. a farmer residing in Summerset township; Carroll D., who operates the home farm, and Grace A., who is the wife of Orville Clayton, of Richland township. The wife and mother passed away in 1891 and ten years later Mr. Chadwick was again married. his second union being with Mrs. Mary Vandevort.
In polities Mr. Chadwick is a stanch republican and he has ably served in the capacity of supervisor and school director. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Pythias and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church, to which his wife also belongs. He has ever led a busy, active and useful life and commands the respect and high regard of all with whom he comes in contact, for his conduet has ever conformed to the highest principles of morality.
JAMES G. HENDRY.
James G. Hendry is a factor in financial circles of Adair county as proprietor of the Union Bank, a private institution of Bridgewater, which he established on the 6th of January, 1890, and which was the first banking institution of the town. His birth occurred in Andover, Essex county, Massachusetts, on the 2d of February. 1812. his parents being James and Catherine (Greig) Hendry, both of whom were natives of Scotland. They emigrated to the United States in young manhood and young womanhood, locating in Andover, Massachusetts, where they were married. In 1819 they removed westward to Wisconsin. locating in Fond du Lac county, where the father took up government land and spent the remainder of his life. Both he and his wife passed away in the year 1877.
James G. Hendry was reared under the parental roof and in the acquirement of an education attended the district schools and also pursued a high-school course at Fond du Lac. After putting aside his textbooks he assisted his father in the opera- tion of the home farm until the time of his marriage in December. 1869. In the spring of that year he had come to Adair county, Iowa, purchasing three hundred and twenty-two acres of land on sections 8 and 9, Washington township, and in the following fall he returned home, was married and brought his bride to this county. He won a gratifying measure of success in the conduct of his agricultural interests and remained on the farm for forty years. It might still have been his home at the present time execpt for the fact that his wife's failing health necessitated a removal. In February, 1910, he took up his abode in Bridgewater, where he had established the Union Bank on the 6th of January, 1890, this being the first banking institution of the town. For twenty years Mr. Hendry had daily traveled the distance from his farm to the bank. In the conduct of his financial interests he has manifested splendid executive ability and sound judgment and his efforts have contributed in large measure to the continued growth and success of the institution of which he is at the head.
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In December, 1869, Mr. Hendry was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary E. Clark, a daughter of Daniel Clark, who came to Iowa from New Hampshire, taking up his abode among the early pioneer settlers of this state. To Mr. and Mrs. Hendry were born ten children, as follows: Grace A., who is the widow of Cyrus Covel and resides in Bridgewater ; Katic A., the wife of H. D. Dinsmoor, of Buckingham, Colorado; Hattie E., who holds the position of cashier in her father's bank; James C., who is deceased; Jessie M., who gave her hand in marriage to Leroy Warrior, an agriculturist of this county; Fred G., the proprietor of a meat market in Bridge- water; Charles R., a telephone man residing in Bridgewater; Hayes D., who died as a soldier in the Philippines; Edna F., who is the wife of Dr. Clifford Ross, of Belle Plaine, Iowa; and Lucy P., who is the wife of Robert Purdom. The wife and mother passed away on the 23d of July, 1914, her demise being the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
In politics Mr. Hendry has always been a stanch republican and for many years took an active part in local affairs. He has served in various township offices, including those of trustee, clerk and road supervisor, while for about forty years he held the office of justice of the peace, making a most creditable record in that capacity. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Fontanelle Lodge, No. 138, A. F. & A. M., and St. Johns Chapter, No. 73, R. A. M., of Greenfield, Iowa. The period of his residence in Adair county now covers about forty-six years and he has long been numbered among its leading, valued and prosper- ous citizens.
O. C. PRIDDY.
O. C. Priddy, a representative and successful agriculturist of Adair county, has carried on farming here for a period of forty-two years and now resides on section 5, Orient township. His birth occurred near Indianapolis, in Hancock county, Indiana, on the 3d of November, 1845, his parents being D. M. and Thankful (Earl) Priddy, the former probably a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. They were married in the Hoosier state and took up their abode on a farm in Hancock county, where they resided until 1855. In that year they came to Iowa, locating first in Marion county and four years later in Jasper county, while in the fall of 1866 they removed to Adair county. For a time D. M. Priddy lived in Green- field, acquiring extensive holdings in the eastern part of the town, while subse- quently he built on the farm where the fair grounds are now located. He owned this property and resided thereon until 1880, when he disposed of the farm and moved back into the town of Greenfield, there passing away at the age of eighty- eight or eighty-nine years. His wife was in her ninetieth year when called to her final rest. D. M. Priddy served as justice of the peace in Greenfield for many years and enjoyed an extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout the county. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for service with the Ninth Cavalry at Monroe, Jasper county, Iowa, remaining at the front for over three years and making a most creditable military record.
O. C. Priddy was reared under the parental roof and attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. Though but a youth of about sixteen
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when his father entered the Union army, he was the oldest son of the family and the operation of the home farm therefore devolved upon him. He remained at home for two or three years after his father's return from the war and then seeured employment as a farm hand, working for wages during a period of seven years. Mr. Priddy did not accompany his father to Adair county but remained in Jasper county and in 1870 took up his abode in Madison county. The same year he purchased his present home farm in Adair county, but he did not remove to this county until 1873. During the following six years he resided upon a rented farm adjoining the property which he had purchased and operated both places. In 1880 or 1881 he erected his present home and here he has carried on his agricultural interests continuously since. meeting with a gratifying and well merited measure of success in his undertakings.
In 1873 Mr. Priddy was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Aley Brown, of Madison county, Iowa, by whom he had nine children, five of whom survive, as follows: Mabel, who is the wife of Edward Foster, of Summerset township, this county ; Leroy, an agriculturist of Orient township, this county; Bessie, who gave her hand in marriage to J. V. Poush, of Orient township, this county; Nellie, the wife of Bert Ady, of Preseott, Iowa; and May, who is the wife of Henry Miller, of Greenfield, Iowa.
In his political views Mr. Priddy is a republican, supporting the men and measures of that party at the polls. His wife is a consistent and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He stands fearlessly in support of what he believes to be right and the principles which have governed his conduet throughout his entire life are such as are indispensable elements of good citizenship and honor- able manhood.
JAMES RUSSELL PETERS.
James Russell Peters has for forty-three years been a witness of the changes that have been wrought and the development that has been carried forward in Adair county, for he has spent the entire period of his life in this county, his birth having occurred in Jefferson township in April, 1872. He is a son of James and Mary Ellen ( Russell) Peters, who were natives of Peoria county, Illinois. The father lived in the city of Peoria until he reached the age of ten years, when his parents removed to a farm in that county, so that he was reared to agricultural life. early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer. When he had attained his majority he began farming on his own account and was thus busily engaged in Peoria county until 1869, when he drove across the country to Adair county, Iowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 22, Jefferson township, for which he paid eight dollars per acre. The work of improvement has been carried steadily forward since that time and the farm is now valued at one hundred seventy-five dollars per acre. James Peters continued the active work of the fields until 1909, when he retired from business, but is still living on the old home place at the age of seventy-four years. His wife also survives and has reached the age of seventy-eight.
JAMES PETERS
MRS. JAMES PETERS
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James R. Peters was reared upon the old homestead and the public schools of Menlo provided him his educational opportunities. He remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-five years, although on attaining his majority he began farming for himself on rented land. After operating that place for ten years he removed to Madison county, Iowa, where he carried on farming for five years, owning three different tracts of land during that period. He then sold out and returned to Adair county, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres of land in Grove township. For a year he remained upon that place and then traded it for land in Canada and also purchased a half section in Howard county, Iowa, which he later exchanged for two hundred and forty acres in Jefferson township, Adair county. Upon the latter tract he has placed many excellent improvements, but he rents the farm to others and operates the old homestead, having followed this course for six years. He gives his attention to the development of this place, which com- prises two hundred and forty acres, and the excellent appearance of the farm indi- cates his careful supervision, his practical and progressive methods and his unfalter- ing determination.
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