USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 23
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ANTON L. CHALLBERG.
Anton L. Challberg is a member of one of the best known families of Beaver township. There he owns one hundred and twenty acres on section 36, all of which is highly improved, annually bringing him rich harvests. Mr. Challberg is a native of Boone county, his birth having occurred in Marcy town- ship in February, 1873. His parents, Nels P. and Lena (Olson) Challberg, were natives of Sweden. On his arrival in America the father located in Dixon, Illinois, in 1853. He was a mason and worked at that trade for some time, remaining in Dixon until his removal to Minnesota, where he bought land, oper- ating the same for about thirteen years or until 1868. That year marks his arrival in Boone county. He became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Swede Lane, Marcy township, which he improved and cultivated for the remainder of his life, being so successful that he was enabled to grad- ually acquire six hundred and twenty acres in Marcy and Beaver townships. The father died in September, 1878, and the mother in January, 1909. During the later years of her life she made her home with her son Anton. In the fam- ily were ten children, five of whom are now deceased. Those living are: John, a resident of Fort Dodge; Emma, the wife of N. M. Peterson, an agriculturist
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of Marcy township; Charles, a successful contractor residing in California; Minton L., who farms on the old homestead in Marcy township; and Anton L.
The last named was reared and educated in Marcy township, attending the Marcy Center school. It may be of interest to note here that this school was destroyed by the cyclone of 1882. Mr. Challberg early devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, thoroughly acquainting himself with the details of the work and acquiring the knowledge necessary for the successful conduct of a farm. He remained with his widowed mother on the home farm until 1901, when the land was divided and he came into possession of one hundred and twenty acres situated on section 36, Beaver township. He has since improved his place wonderfully, and there his mother lived with him until her death, having the love and tender care of her son. MIr. Challberg has remained on this place continuously with the exception of two years, during which time he was engaged in the coal and feed business in Fort Dodge.
He is at present assessor of Beaver township and has served in that office to the entire satisfaction of all concerned for five years. He is a stockholder and director in the Farmers Savings Bank of Berkley, Boone county, and has proved himself a valuable member of the board in giving suggestions in regard to the business management of the bank. Politically he is a republican, inter- ested in the welfare of his party, yet not an active politician. He is ever ready to give his support to worthy public enterprises and aids in all movements under- taken to improve his township. He belongs to the Swedish Mission church and carries his Christian principles into his everyday life. Mr. Challberg has many friends in Marcy and Beaver townships and all who know him speak highly of him.
ERASTUS R. IRVING.
Forty-seven years have come and gone since Erastus R. Irving took up his abode in Boone county and since 1857 he has been a resident of Iowa. Through the past seven years he has lived in the city of Boone, having retired from active business life. For many years, however, he was extensively and successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and is still the owner of valuable farm property in Colfax and Jackson townships. His birth occurred in Washington county, New York, November 1. 1830. his parents being Adam and Roby (English) Irving, the latter a lineal descendant of Stephen English, a May- flower passenger. The father of Mrs. Irving was Luke English, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, who participated in a number of the hotly contested engagements which brought independence to the colonies and was present at the surrender of General Burgoyne. His daughter Roby was born in Connecticut and in early womanhood gave her hand in marriage to Adam Irving, who became the founder of the Irving family of which Erastus R. Irving is a repre- sentative. Adam Irving was born in northern England, at Carlisle, and he had a brother who fought under the Duke of Wellington in the battle of Water- loo, in which he was slightly wounded. Adam Irving was a tailor by trade and came to America as an English soldier at the time of the War of 1812.
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Liking the country, he decided to remain and settled in New York state, where he was married and resided for some time. In later life he removed to the west and spent his last days in Boone county, Iowa, where he passed away about thirty years ago at the age of eighty-three. He had long survived his wife, who passed away at the comparatively early age of thirty-nine years. They were the parents of six children.
Erastus R. Irving is the only one now living, the last of the others having died in 1913, at the age of eighty-seven. All reached a good old age. One was a twin brother of Erastus R. Irving and died in 1901. The youngest brother, George, came to Boone county in 1866 in company with Erastus and here fol- lowed farming for many years. At his death he left a family of five children, four daughters and one son.
In taking up the personal history of Erastus R. Irving we present to our readers the life record of one who has long been widely and favorably known in Boone county. He spent the period of his boyhood and youth in the east, pursuing his education in the public schools of New York and in 1854 he removed westward to Illinois, settling in Boone county, where he conducted a store. In 1857 he went to Mankato, Minnesota, where he entered a quarter section of land and proved up his claim. This he sold some years later and invested the proceeds in Boone county property. He now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land lying largely in Colfax township, with eighty acres in Jackson township. The farm is worth at least two hundred dollars per acre. Upon it are fine improvements and all modern accessories and conveniences of the model farm of the twentieth century. Farming, however, has not always occu- pied the time and attention of Mr. Irving. In early manhood he engaged in teaching school in Benton county, Iowa. Following his marriage, which was celebrated in November, 1858, he and his wife located upon a rented farm in Boone county, Illinois, where they remained for two years. Upon coming to Iowa they settled in Benton county, and through the succeeding winter Mr. Irving engaged in teaching school. Later he again went to Minnesota, where he carried on farming through the summer months, but in the autumn again went to Boone county, Illinois. There he carried on farming until 1865, when he again sought a home in Iowa. In the spring of 1866 he purchased ninety acres of land on section 1. Worth township. Boone county, and began the development of a farm. The land was in its primitive condition and destitute of all improvements, but with characteristic energy he began its development. After two years he sold that property and invested in one hundred and sixty acres on section 7, Colfax township. This, too, was unbroken prairie when it came into his possession, but his labors soon wrought a marked transforma- tion in the appearance of the place. In addition to tilling his fields he set out a large orchard and planted a walnut grove. Later he purchased another farm and again began its development with the same characteristic energy that has always marked his life work. He built good barns and outbuildings upon the place and continued to till the soil until he retired from active business life. His labors were crowned with a substantial measure of success, for his work was intelligently directed and he acquired, therefore, a handsome income.
It was in November, 1858, in Boone county, Illinois, that Mr. Irving wedded Miss Nancy M. Burton, who was born in Dutchess county, New York, March
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27, 1835, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Stuart) Burton, who in the fall of 1838 went west to Boone county, Illinois, where they spent their remaining days. AIr. Burton passed away when more than eighty years of age, and his wife died when about seventy-one years of age. Mrs. Irving had three sisters and four brothers, of whom three brothers and one sister are living. Two of the brothers are now in Iowa and one in New York, while the sister is a resi- dent of Wisconsin. Mrs. Irving spent her girlhood days in Illinois, remaining there until her marriage, which occurred when she was about twenty-four years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Irving were born two daughters, who have passed away, the daughter Myra dying in early childhood, while Edna E. became the wife of Dr. O. F. Beckett, of Boone, and died in May, 1913, at the age of forty-three years. They were at that time residents of Hiawatha, Kansas, and at her death Mrs. Beckett left a son and daughter. George B. Irving, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Erastus Irving, resides at home and is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Colfax township. He wedded Mary Brown, and they have one daughter.
In public affairs Mr. Irving has taken a deep and active interest. He served his township as justice of the peace and as town clerk, and his duties have ever been promptly and faithfully discharged. He cast his first presidential ballot for Franklin Pierce and in 1856 supported John C. Fremont, since which time he has always voted for the presidential candidates of the republican party save on one occasion when he supported Cleveland. He has frequently been a delegate to party conventions. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have contributed generously to its support and taken an active interest in its work. A contemporary biographer has said of him: "Mr. Irving is a citizen of worth, who has cooperated in many move- ments for the general good. His life record is a creditable and honorable one, and the success he has achieved has come to him as the direct result of his energy and capable management. When he started out in life he had no influ- ·ential friends to assist him and no inheritance upon which to depend, but with strong purpose and laudable ambition he has worked his way steadily upward to the plane of affluence." He is now living retired at the age of eighty-three years, and the rest which has come to him is well earned.
MOSES H. DONELSON.
Moses H. Donelson, one of the prosperous citizens of Ogden and Boone county, justly ranks with the leading business men of his part of the state and has done much to win for Iowa its splendid and enviable reputation as one of the chief agricultural centers of the entire country. He has been closely connected with farming and stock-raising and is now the owner of five hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land. A native of New Jersey, he was born in Salem county, on the 14th of November, 1844, and is a son of Henry and Ann Eliza- beth (Atkinson) Donelson, the former a native of the north of Ireland and the latter of New Jersey. In 1830 the father came to America, settling in Phila- delphia, where he remained for twelve years in the employ of one man. During
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MRS. MOSES H. DONELSON
MOSES H. DONELSON
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that time he managed to save seven hundred dollars of his earnings, but was cheated out of this. He then went to New Jersey, where he remained until December, 1863, when he removed to Illinois. In the latter state he purchased a farm and with characteristic energy began its cultivation and development. In course of time his fields were bringing forth splendid crops and many improve- ments were added to his place. Upon that farm he spent his remaining days, his death occurring February 11, 1874, when he was sixty-two years of age. IIis wife passed away at the age of eighty-two.
Moses H. Donelson was reared and educated in New Jersey, but his oppor- tunities for acquiring an education were exceedingly limited, as he never went to school after reaching the age of ten years. However, experience has taught him many valuable lessons and he is today a well informed man with a good business education and possesses the ability which many a college-bred man lacks. When a little lad of but ten years he began working as a farm hand and was thus employed until 1868, when he determined to engage in farming independently and rented a tract of land in Illinois. He operated that place for a year. In September, 1869, he removed to Boone county, driving across the country from Illinois. He purchased eighty acres of land, now in Peoples township, going in debt for the amount. This land he improved, adding many modern equipments and also extending the boundaries of the farm from time to time until it now comprises five hundred and twenty acres of rich and productive land. The work of development has been carried forward year by year, and his place is now one of the best improved farms of the county. Upon it he has raised thousands of bushels of corn, but has never sold an entire load during his farm- ing experience, feeding it all to his stock. He has been a most successful feeder and stock dealer, feeding on an average two carloads of steers each year and from one hundred to three hundred head of hogs. He operated this place until December, 1913, when he retired and removed to Ogden, 'purchasing a com- fortable home that he now occupies. In all of his business affairs he has dis- played sound judgment and keen discrimination, and thus his success has been honorably and worthily won. For twenty-five years he was statistical corre- spondent for the agricultural department at Washington and had three assistants under him in the county.
On the Ist of October, 1868, Mr. Donelson was united in marriage to Miss Tollitha C. Cameron, a daughter of James and Elizabeth ( Harrell ) Cameron, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The father was a farmer and went to Illinois at an early day, there securing a tract of land upon which he carried on general agricultural pursuits until the evening of his life. He passed away at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, having long survived his wife, who died in August, 1874. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Donelson were born three children : James H., a farmer of Beaver township; Welcome B., who is operating the home farm ; and William C., who is manufacturing spring bolsters for all makes of wagons at Chariton, Iowa.
Mr. Donelson served as one of the trustees of Peoples township and was also school director for nine years. Politically he is a republican and ever keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is able to sup- port his position by intelligent argument. He attends various churches and his influence is on the side of reform, progress and improvement. Energy has been
Vol. II-12
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the guiding spirit of his life, and his industry has never faltered. From a com- paratively humble position in the business world he worked his way steadily up- ward, and in the course of years he became the owner of one of the large and valuable farms of the county. His business judgment is sound and his sagacity keen, and his careful management of his affairs has been the salient element in his success which now ranks him with the men of affluence in Ogden.
EMANUEL LAWBAUGH.
Emanuel Lawbaugh is one of the most highly respected and esteemed citi- zens of Madrid. He has been an active factor in the growth of the city, having platted and laid out an addition to the town of Madrid known as Lawbaugh's Addition. He still owns much valuable realty in Madrid and also has interests in Des Moines. Mr. Lawbangh, moreover, has been mayor of Madrid for six terms-terms which have been replete with growth and accomplishment. He has recently been reelected to the office. Mr. Lawbaugh was born at Mount Eaton. Wayne county, Ohio, June 14, 1837. His parents were John and Mar- garet (Shoup) Lawbaugh, the former born in 1799 and the latter April 4, 1804, in Pennsylvania. They died in Geneseo, Illinois, the father July 22, 1872, and the mother November 11, 1886. Their marriage took place in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, January 6, 1823. In their family were the following children : William, born October 10, 1823, who died February 17, 1896; John J., whose birth occurred April 25, 1825, and who died May 7, 1888; Lucy A., who was born January 12, 1827, and died September 4, 1902; Jacob, born October 10. 1828, who passed away on the 3d of July, 1910; Eliza, who was born May 6, 1831, and died December 12, 1886; George, born March 4, 1833, who is a resi- dent of Salem, Oregon: Henry, born February 26, 1835, who died February 21, 1904; Emanuel, of this review; Elizabeth, born May 9, 1839, of Geneseo, . Illinois : Peter, born February 18, 1841, who died May 18, 1842; and Josiah R., born June 10, 1843, who died January 13, 1912. The seven oldest members of this family were born in Tuscarawas county and the four younger in Wayne county.
Emanuel Lawbaugh removed with his parents to Henry county, Illinois, in 1854, the family settling on a farm. Two brothers had preceded the other mem- bers of the family and there they all gave their attention to agricultural pursuits for some time. Emanuel Lawbaugh then learned the trade of stone mason, which he followed during the summer months. In the meantime he qualified for teaching school and subsequently followed that profession for nine winters in Illinois. He still has the first certificate permitting him to teach school in his possession-a manuscript of which but few are extant in these days. His first teacher's certificate, a first grade one, was issued in 1857 and later he obtained others of like grade. After having married in 1865 he engaged in the Jun- ber business with his brothers, their headquarters being in Geneseo, Illinois, and there he was very successful in business for a number of years. Since com- ing to Madrid in 1889 he has platted and allotted an addition to the town which is known as the Lawbaugh Addition. He still retains a number of lots in this
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tract. Mr. Lawbaugh also has interests in Des Moines and is numbered among the substantial residents of Madrid. For six terms he has been mayor of Madrid and while occupying the executive chair has given the city a business- like and most beneficial administration. He is the present mayor of Madrid, having been elected in 1914 for the seventh time. He acceptably filled the office of justice of the peace and school director nine years before coming to Iowa.
On April 6, 1865, Mr. Lawbaugh married Miss Elizabeth Lord, who was born in Toronto, Canada, April 11, 1841. In 1843 the family removed to Cleve- land, Ohio, and there remained until 1856, when they went to Davenport, lowa. Her father died in that city in 1862. He was James Lord, a native of London, England, a highly educated man who for a number of years held a position with the British government. Her mother, Belinda ( Hurd) Lord, a native of Canada, died in Geneseo, Illinois, in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Lord had four children, of whom Mrs. Lawbaugh, who is the youngest in the family, is the only one surviving. The others were : Emma, who died in Oregon ; Fannie, who passed away in Newton, Iowa; and Esli, who entered the Union army and has never since been heard of. Mrs. Lawbaugh in the acquirement of her education attended the common schools in Cleveland, Ohio, and Davenport, lowa. She bore her husband four children: Charles Sumner, born August 13, 1866, who received a business education and is now residing in Cedar Rapids ; Horace Benton, born March 12, 1869, who died in Atkinson, Illinois, August 18, 1881 : Mary Margaret, born August 14 1871, who passed away August 15, 1881; Morris Hale, born June 30. 1874, who resides in Manning, lowa. Mr. and Mrs. Lawbaugh have four grandchildren, a daughter born to their son Charles and a son and two daughters born to Morris H. Lawbaugh.
Mr. Lawbaugh gives his allegiance to the progressive wing of the republican party. He has always taken a deep interest in public affairs and is well informed upon all questions that affect his community. his county, his state and the nation. It is interesting to note in this connection that he voted for Lincoln both times and that his father and five of his brothers attended the same polling place at Lin- coln's second election-a father and six sons voting for Lincoln. The two sons of Mr. Lawbaugh are members of Star Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M., of Madrid, and Mr. Lawbangh and his wife are members of the Baptist church of Geneseo, Ill. He owns a handsome, modernly equipped home in Madrid and is the proud owner of one of the choicest libraries in the community. Mr. and Mrs. Lawbaugh stand high in the esteem of the community and enjoy a respect which is well merited by their high qualities of character.
WESLEY B. SHERMAN.
Wesley B. Sherman, manufacturer and dealer in confectionery at No. 1005 West Third street in Boone, is a wideawake and alert business man, who has ad- vanced to his present position through his intelligently directed effort. He was born near Peoria, Illinois, in 1845, a son of D. H. and Sarah (Gifford) Sher- man, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, in which state they were reared and married. In the early '30s they removed westward to Illinois, casting in
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their lot with the pioneer settlers of that state. The father followed farming for many years and spent his last days in Boone, Iowa, where he departed this life in the early 'gos, when in his ninetieth year, having long survived his wife, who died in Illinois at about the age of forty-five years. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and were people of the highest respectability.
Wesley B. Sherman was reared in his native state, where he made his home until eighteen years of age. The Civil war was then in progress, and his spirit of patriotism was aroused by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union. He, therefore, enlisted at Chicago in 1864 as a member of Com- pany F, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, with which he served until October, 1865. He spent twenty months in the south, attached to the Sixteenth Army Corps, and saw some active, arduous duty, but he never faltered whether in the thickest of the fight or stationed on the lonely picket line.
Following his return from the army Mr. Sherman went to Kossuth county, Iowa, intending to secure a homestead there. Later, however, he removed to Boonesboro and has since resided much of the time in Boone county, although at different periods he has gone elsewhere. He engaged in brick manufacture and made brick for the west wing of the Iowa State Agricultural College at Ames. Several years were devoted to that business, in which he won sub- stantial success, but his health failed and he was obliged to give up manual labor. He then opened a barber shop in Boonesboro about 1875 and conducted it for several years. On selling out he turned his attention to the restaurant business, which he conducted for a few years, at the end of which time he sold out and opened a grocery store, in which he continued for an extended period, being the head of the firm of W. B. Sherman & Company. On selling his interest in that business about four years ago he purchased the Candy Kitchen of Mr. Eggenberger and now continues in this line of business, manufacturing candy and ice cream, which he sells both wholesale and retail. He employs four or five people and sells and delivers locally to many customers. His business has now reached large and gratifying proportions and is bringing to him a substantial annual income.
Mr. Sherman was married. in Hamilton county in 1882 to Miss Emma Swanson, who for years made her home in Boone. Her parents were residents of Hamilton county. The death of Mrs. Sherman occurred in 1903, and she was survived by four daughters: Edith, who is now the wife of W. D. Craw- ford of Boone, by whom she has a daughter, Bernadine; and Carry, Emma and Marie, all at home. The family residence is at West Boone, and Mr. Sher- man and his daughters are widely and favorably known. Politically he is a democrat and has filled various local offices, to which he has been called by the vote of his fellow townsmen, who have recognized his ability and wish to profit by the benefit of his service in office. He has twice been a member of the city council of Boonesboro and served in that capacity in Boone for one term. Three times has he resigned from that position, once because of ill health, once because of removal to another city and the third time that he might accept the position of postmaster, to which he was called during President Cleveland's second term. He acted in that position for three and a half years and then resigned in favor of J. B. Patterson. Fraternally Mr. Sherman is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias. He also belongs to J. G. Miller Post,
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