USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 40
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WALLACE FARLEY.
With the business interests of Boone county Wallace Farley of Ogden has been closely associated. He is now one of the stockholders and vice president of the City State Bank, and he has made extensive investments in real estate and in commercial paper. He was born in Canada, March 4, 1848, and is a son of Peter V. and Elizabeth (Canniff) Farley, both of whom were natives of the same country. The father arrived in this county in 1870 and engaged in farming, winning substantial success through his well directed labors. He had come to Iowa a number of years before, removing from Illinois to this state in 1866. He took an active part in public affairs and was a member of the board of supervisors. His death occurred in 1892, while his wife passed away on the 6th of March, 1852.
Wallace Farley was reared and educated in the public schools of Illinois and of lowa, completing his studies at Mount Vernon, this state. He then came to Boone county, where he engaged in farming for six years, and in the fall of 1875 he established his home in Ogden, where he opened a lumberyard, a hard- ware and implement store and also engaged in the grain business. He was active along those lines for five years and for two years he handled cattle and dealt in real estate. He is a man of determined purpose, carrying forward to success- ful completion whatever he undertakes, and in business affairs he has brooked no obstacles that could be overcome by determined, persistent and honorable effort. In 1884 he erected a building and organized the City Bank, which he conducted for twenty-three years as a private banking institution. He then sold most of his stock, the bank was reorganized as a state bank and Mr. Farley was chosen vice president. The institution is today called the City State Bank of Ogden. It is in a flourishing condition and its success is due in large measure to the enterprising and substantial measures established by Mr. Farley in con- nection with its conduct. As the years have passed on he has embraced his opportunity for investment in real estate and has extensive property holdings. He has also conducted a bond brokerage business and is himself the owner of much valuable paper.
In June, 1869, Mr. Farley was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Bridge- man, a daughter of Benjamin and Lucy A. Bridgeman, natives of Ohio and pioneer settlers of Boone county, Iowa, where they followed farming. The father passed away in 1906, having for a number of years survived his wife, Vol. JI-20
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who died in California about 188o. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Farley were born two children : Elizabeth C., at home ; and Edith M., who died in January, 1913.
Mr. Farley, interested in the public welfare, has served as a member of the city council and also on the school board. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, and he also wears the little bronze button of the Grand Army of the Republic, for he enlisted in 1864 as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. His political faith has always been that of the republican party, and his religious belief that of the Methodist church. Sterling traits of manhood and citizenship have long been exemplified in his life, and he is well known in Boone county. where he has now made his home for more than four decades.
PATRICK H. JUDGE.
Patrick H. Judge is the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. on which he resides, situated on section 14. Des Moines township. He is numbered among the extensive landowners of this part of the state, his posses- sions aggregating four farms, three of which are situated in Des Moines town- ship. this county, and one in Story county, Iowa. His investments have always been judiciously made, and his sound judgment finds expression in his purchase of valuable property.
Mr. Judge was born in Troy, New York, March 14. 1853, and comes of Irish ancestry, his paternal grandparents being James and Ann (Hill) Judge, natives of the green isle of Erin. James Judge, father of our subject, was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, in 1829, acquired his education there and when eighteen years of age came to the United States. He was employed at different places in the state of New York, working as a farm hand at three and four dollars per month, but his industry and worth became recognized and won him advancement. He was married in Troy, New York, to Miss Bridget Kelly who was born in County Galway, Ireland, a daughter of Patrick and Bridget ( Mooney ) Kelly. James Judge's people were well-to-do, owning one hundred acres of land, which is a large estate for Ireland. The brothers of Mrs. Judge, finely educated men, taught school in Ireland and ranked high in educational circles. Two of her brothers, James and John, came to the United States, and their sister Bridget followed their example, giving her hand in marriage in Troy, New York, to James Judge. They conducted a grocery store in Troy for a time but the family removed to Janesville, Wisconsin, where a house and lot was purchased. There, however, Mr. Judge became ill with fever and ague. a disease very common at that time, and left Janesville for Monroe, Wisconsin. In 1872 he removed to Iowa, settling in Colfax township. Boone county, where he passed away on the 16th of December, 1907, his remains being interred in Boone. His political indorsement was given to the democratic party. His wife passed away August 11, 1901. She was a member of Sacred Heart church.
Patrick H. Judge was but two years of age when the removal was made from New York to Janesville, Wisconsin, where the family remained for four years and then went to Green county, that state, settling near Monroe. There
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Patrick H. Judge was sent to the public schools, and later he completed his education in Dane county, Wisconsin. He worked upon his father's farm from boyhood until he attained his majority. In 1872 the family came to Iowa, reach- ing Boone county on the 10th of May. All the members of the family made the journey with three teams and wagons, and three of them drove three cows from their Wisconsin home to this state. The family residence was established upon a farm in Colfax township, the father purchasing eighty acres of land, to which he added by subsequent purchase. In the work of tilling the soil Patrick H. Judge bore his part but left home at the age of twenty-one years and went to work for a dairyman, Thomas Barrett, of Franklin township, Story county, with whom he remained nine months as an employe in Mr. Barrett's cheese factory. He afterward spent some time at home, building fences, etc., thus allowing his ยท younger brothers to attend school by relieving them of the necessity of aiding in the farm work. Later he was emplowed at Ames College in 1876, working under Professor Morrow, who was engaged in experimental agricultural work. Mr. Judge's father then gave him a team and in 1877, boarding at home, he began the cultivation of a forty-acre tract of land which he leased from Dan Clark, of Story county. Mr. Judge farmed that place until the following fall and sold his corn at twelve cents per bushel after giving Mr. Clark one-half of the yield as rental for the place. He spent a summer in Grundy county, where he was employed by a German named Franken, receiving a dollar and a half per day. From his earnings he saved nearly one hundred dollars. He had previously invested in a forty-acre tract of railroad land in Colfax township, Boone county, and purchasing stock, he put them on that tract. He invested his money in hogs at a dollar and a quarter per hundred pounds, fattened them and sold them for five dollars per hundred. The money which he thus earned he invested in another forty-acre tract near his original purchase and in 1879 he added still another forty acres. Thus gradually he increased his holdings, for as he gained sufficient capital he made other purchases, his investments being most judicious.
In 1890 Mr. Judge was married to Miss Catherine Coleman, a native of Wayne township, Monroe county, Iowa, born September 9, 1867. Her parents were Joseph and Bridget ( Finnell) Coleman, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the former born in County Tipperary and the latter in County Clare. They came to the United States in early life, landing in New York, and were married in Wisconsin. They afterward settled in Dubuque and thence went to St. Louis, where they lived for nine years. On the expiration of that period they returned to Iowa, settling in Monroe county upon a farm of four hundred acres which the father purchased. He died January 1, 1900. at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife passed away in 1901, at the age of seventy- six years.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Judge had begun their domestic life upon a farm in Colfax township, where he owned a half section, but since then he has disposed of that property. In March, 1902, he removed to his present farm. He had built a fine home upon the place in Colfax township, and he has his present property well improved. The home place comprises one hundred and sixty acres on section 14, Des Moines township, and his holdings include two other farms in the same township and one in Story county, from which he derives a gratifying annual income.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Judge have been born four children: Joseph, who was born August 9, 1891; James Francis, born December 3, 1892; John W., Sep- tember 1, 1896; and Henry A., October 7, 1898. The family is well known, and Mr. Judge ranks with the representative agricuiturists of the county. He has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well. Industry has been the keynote of his success. He has labored long and diligently, his efforts intelligently directed, and as a result of his perseverance and determina- tion he ranks now with the representative and prosperous farmers of the county.
OSMAN L. CLAPP.
Osman L. Clapp, an engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern, connected with the passenger service between Boone and Omaha for the past sixteen years, has been continuously in the employ of the corporation which he now represents since the Sth of August, 1876, at which time he became a switchman under S. L. Moore, then yardmaster. Gradually he has worked his way upward, and his fidelity to duty is recognized by the company, as is plainly indicated in his long retention in the service. He was born at Fitchburg, Dane county, Wisconsin, March 31, 1857, and was the fourth in order of birth in a family of nine children, six of whom are yet living. He was reared upon a farm, with the usual experiences of the farm lad. His parents were George W. and Sally (Black) Clapp, both of whom were natives of Onondaga county, New York. They were born, reared and married near Geneva, that state, their wedding being celebrated in 1850. Soon afterward they removed westward to Wisconsin and began their domestic life upon the farm which Mr. Clapp had entered from the government in 1848. With characteristic energy he began to develop his fields and there resided until called to the home beyond. The father died December 31, 1900, at the age of seventy-seven years, and the mother was seventy- six years of age when she passed away in 1907. Both were of English descent. At the time of the Civil war George W. Clapp enlisted for service in the Union army, but illness prevented him from going to the front.
It was upon the old homestead farm in Wisconsin that Osman L. Clapp was reared. He early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and, while working in the fields through the summer months, he devoted the winter seasons to the acquirement of a public-school education. lle favored mechanical rather than agricultural pursuits, however, and when a youth of nineteen years entered railway service as a switchman in the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern at Boone. Later he became connected with the yard service and afterward entered the locomotive engineering department and for the past thirty-one years has been an engineer, acting in that capacity on freight trains for some time, while for the past sixteen years he has been an engineer in the passenger service. There has never been an accident to his train when the fault was his. He is most careful and painstaking, recognizing how important is the duty that devolves upon him, and his worth and fidelity are recognized by the company which he represents.
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Mr. Clapp has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Mary Warner, who was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania, and during her infancy was brought to Boone by her parents. Three children were born of that union. Arthur L., who is a graduate of the State College at Ames, is now roadmaster of the Southern Illinois division of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, with headquarters at Pekin, Illinois. He married Emma Skinner and has a daughter, Lajene. Mary Ruth, the second member of the family, is a noted violinist and pianist of Urbana, Illinois, where she has charge of the music in the public schools. She had previously traveled for a year in connection with the Lyceum Bureau. She is a graduate of the American Conservatory of Music, in which she won a gold medal and made the highest record. Charlotte is head saleslady in the millinery department of a large store in Des Moines. The wife and mother passed away October 1, 1910, when almost fifty years of age. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, in which faith the children were reared. For his second wife Mr. Clapp chose Mrs. Rachel J. Williams, nee Ballou. She was born in Missouri and prior to her present marriage had lived in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, where she still owns a farm.
Politically Mr. Clapp was reared a democrat, but now votes independently, supporting men and measures rather than party ties. He is connected with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and his wife is a member of its ladies' auxiliary. They reside at No. 526 Benton street, in an attractive home which he has remodeled and improved, and in Boone, where he has long resided, they have an extensive circle of warm friends.
ORVILLE M. THATCHER.
Orville M. Thatcher, the well known cashier of the Luther Savings Bank and one of the most progressive young business men of the town, was born in Grant township, Dallas county. Iowa, and spent his early life upon a farm. His father, M. H. Thatcher, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, and came to Iowa in 1867, settling on a farm in Dallas county, where he is now living retired. In connection with general farming he was at one time extensively interested in stock-raising and in business affairs prospered until he is now regarded as one of the well-to-do men of his community. He was one of the defenders of the Union during the Civil war. His wife is also a native of Clinton county, Ohio, and is still living. They had seven children, namely: Frances, now the wife of J. T. Thatcher, a resident of Kansas; Silas J., of Altoona, Iowa; Harriet, the wife of O. M. Coate of Orange, California; Virginia, the wife of A. B. Coate of Des Moines, Iowa; Martha, at home; Catherine, the wife of O. B. Price, of Dallas county ; and Orville M., of this review.
Orville M. Thatcher received good educational advantages, first attending the public schools and later the schools of Des Moines and Dixon, Illinois, where he pursued a college course and was graduated in 1903. He then entered the private banking house of W. J. Stewart of Grimes, Iowa, as assistant cashier, remaining there one year. In July. 1904, he came to Luther as cashier of the Luther Savings Bank, which he and his father. M. H. Thatcher, organized at
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that time. His father is now president of the institution, while Oscar Oakleaf of Madrid, is the vice president, with our subject as cashier and Charles Goodrich assistant cashier. This is one of the safe, conservative financial institutions of the county, and those at its head are reliable and enterprising business men.
Orville M. Thatcher was married on the 26th of June, 1907, to Miss Lillie Eckersley, who was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, a daughter of Henry H. and Harriet ( Hunt) Eckersley. Her father was born, reared and educated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in early life learned the machinist's trade. During the Civil war he entered the service and for four years was connected with the marines. During a terrible storm he was saved from a watery grave by the ship Sabine. On leaving the east he removed to Chicago and later to a farm in Grundy county, Illinois, and from there to Iroquois county, the same state, but now makes his home in Wright county, Iowa. His wife died in Illinois. In their family were eight children, namely: Sadie, who is now a school teacher in Iroquois county, Illinois; Anna, the wife of John Lovelace of that county; Cornelia ; Harry, a resident of Iroquois county ; William and Thomas, both of Wright county, Iowa; John, of Iroquois county, Illinois ; and Lillie, the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher have two children, Wilbur Clayton and Orville Donald. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take a very active interest, Mr. Thatcher serving at the present time as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is republican in politics, and takes a commendable interest in public affairs, never withholding his support from any enterprise which he believes calculated to pro- mote the moral or material welfare of his community.
C. H. RECKSEEN.
C. H. Reckseen is well known in business circles of Madrid as manager of the Rex Lumber Company, owning one of the best equipped lumber yards in central Iowa. His birth occurred in Sweden in 1876, his parents being Swan and Christina Peterson, likewise natives of that country. In 1888 the family emigrated to the United States, coming directly to Boone county, Iowa, and taking up their abode on a farm in Colfax township. The parents now reside in a new and modern home at Madrid and are among the well known and highly esteemed people of the community. Unto them were born eleven children, as follows : Alfred, who is a resident of High Bridge, Iowa: Mrs. Anna Clay, living in Des Moines, Iowa; Lina, who is deceased; Maria, who has also passed away ; John Albert, who makes his home with his parents in Madrid; Edwin, a resident of Colfax township; Matilda, who is living in Des Moines, Iowa ; C. H., of this re- view ; Mrs. Maria Young, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Mrs. Hulda Olson, of Chicago, Illinois ; Mrs. Oscar Anderson, living in Colfax township. All the above named were natives of Sweden.
C. H. Reckseen, who was a youth of twelve years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, acquired his education in the com- mon schools and also pursued a course of study in the Capital City Commercial College at Des Moines, Iowa. He was subsequently employed as a bookkeeper
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C. H. RECKSEEN
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for one year and in 1900 became identified with the lumber business, in which he has remained continuously since. He spent six years at Des Moines and two years in Denver, Colorado, and for the past six years has acted as manager of the Rex Lumber Company of Madrid, Iowa, conducting one of the finest equipped lumber yards to be found in the central part of the state. Mr. Reckseen is widely recognized as a man of excellent business ability, sound judgment and scrupulous integrity, and his efforts have contributed in no uncertain degree to the con- tinued prosperity of the concern with which he is connected. He is a heavy stockholder in the Rex Lumber Company, owns an attractively appointed home in Madrid and is numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of the county.
In 1906 Mr. Reckseen was united in marriage to Miss Emelia Timan, who was born in Sweden in 1880, her parents being Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Timan, likewise natives of that country. They emigrated to the United States and established their home at Laurens, Pocahontas county, Iowa, where the father turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits. He is now a resident of Madrid, this state, but the mother passed away in Laurens. Unto Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Timan were born five ". children, namely : Adolph, who is a resident of Laurens, Iowa ; Mrs. Anna Berg- ling, of St. James, Minnesota ; Hulda, living in Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Emelia Reckseen ; and Carl, who is a resident of Hayfield, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Reckseen have one son, Harold Timan, who was born in Denver, Colorado, on the 6th of October, 1907, and is now a public-school student of Madrid.
Mr. Reckseen is a republican in politics and a prominent factor in the local ranks of the party, being now a republican committeeman of Douglas township. He is likewise the president of the board of education of Madrid and in this connection has made a highly commendable and creditable record. He is a man of strongly marked character who has come to be recognized as a forceful element in the community and his sterling personal traits of character have won him the high regard and confidence of all with whom he has been associated.
EDWARD H. WANE.
Edward H. Wane, a well known farmer and stock-raiser, owning and operating a good farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres on the state road in Worth township, was born on the old Wane homestead in Des Moines town- ship, this county, February 18, 1862. He is a brother of J. W. Wane, in whose sketch extended mention is made of the family. Reared in Des Moines town- ship, he is indebted to its public schools for the educational privileges he enjoyed during his boyhood and youth. On leaving the home farm he was connected for two years with the conduct of a grocery store at Boone, being in partnership with his brother, but the greater part of his life has been devoted to farming. He purchased his present place. known as the old George W. Brown farm, on section II, Worth township, and has since erected a good residence, barn and other outbuildings, and in connection with the cultivation of the land he devotes considerable attention to the raising of graded stock.
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Mr. Wane was married in this county to Miss Lenora Brown, who was born August 29, 1867. Her father, George W. Brown, was a native of England, born in Norfolk county, March 22, 1820, and at the age of sixteen years went to Canada with his mother and three sisters, but shortly after their arrival there he settled in Watertown, New York. In 1837 he began learning the saddler's trade, which he continued to follow until 1849, when he removed to Antwerp and engaged in business for himself for five years. He was a self-educated, as well as a self-made man and became a great leader and student. In 1855 he came to Iowa, locating in Worth township, Boone county, where he converted an old schoolhouse into a residence. This building is still standing upon the farm, and many of the early residents of the neighborhood were educated there. Mr. Brown was married January 2, 1844, to Miss Sophia L. Fluno, of New York, and to them were born ten children, namely: Mary, the wife of C. T. Norton; Harriett, the wife of Frank Woosley; Charles B., a resident of Boone, Iowa; Jane, the wife of J. H. Pilcher; George; Frank; Clarence; and Lenora, the wife of our subject. A son, William, was accidentally shot in September, 1876, and one child died in infancy. Mr. Brown passed away August 29, 1906, and his wife died five months later, on the 19th of January, 1907. She was born July 3, 1826, in the Empire state. Beside their children, they left thirty-six grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. Mr. Brown was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was a man highly esteemed by all who knew him.
Eight children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wane, all of whom were born in this county, namely: Mrs. Opal McCaskey, who was born March 3, 1890, and has one daughter, Alice Loraine; Mrs. Ruth Marie Hannum, born January 21, 1892 ; Mabel May, born April 29, 1894; John Howard, July 18, 1896; Alice Louise, November 9, 1903: Florence Avis, September 11, 1905; Loran Brown, August 11, 1908; and James Edward, June 13, 1912. In his religious views Mr. Wane is liberal, and in politics he is a republican. He has served as township trustee, but has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his business affairs. He is, however, public-spirited and cooperates in all movements which he believes will prove a benefit to his community.
HUGH A. CHAMBERS.
On the roster of county officials in Boone county appears the name of Hugh A. Chambers, who is making a creditable record in the capacity of surveyor. His birth occurred in Columbus, Indiana, on the 5th of August, 1873, his parents being G. S. and Amelia ( Murphy) Chambers, who are natives of North Carolina and Indiana respectively. In 1879 the family home was established in Boone county, Iowa, and here the father embarked in the grocery business, also following farming near Madrid. Subsequently he was engaged in the machinery business at Des Moines but at the present time is living retired in California with his wife.
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