USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 42
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MR. AND MRS. GEORGE LAFFERTY
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ticipated in the battle of Perryville and of Stone River and was in the campaign through to Chickamauga. He also participated in the battles at Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Georgia, Peach Tree Creek, the hotly con- tested battle of Kenesaw Mountain and the siege of Atlanta. He was likewise in the engagement at Jonesboro and went in the Georgia campaign to Savannah, where he aided in besieging that city. There he was honorably discharged, De- cember 25, 1864, after more than three years devoted to the most strenuous and arduous military service.
Mr. Lafferty returned to his old home in Wisconsin, but came almost imme- diately afterward to Iowa, reaching Boonesboro on the ioth of September, 1865, accompanied by his wife and one child. He had learned the cabinet-maker's trade at Monroe, Wisconsin, and in Boone he worked at his trade until 1870, when he took up carpentering, which he followed continuously until his retire- ment about a year ago. He was closely identified with building operations in this city and was accorded a large patronage. He still enjoys good health, being a hale and hearty man for one of his years.
In Monroe, Wisconsin, Mr. Lafferty was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Sutterlee, a daughter of William E. Sutterlee, who was born December 20, 1812, and died September 25, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Lafferty have but one child, Mamie, now Mrs. John Doran, of York, Nebraska. Mrs. Lafferty is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Lafferty belongs to McCook Post, G. A. R., and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades and recounts with them interesting events which occurred upon the battlefields of the south. In politics he is a stanch republican, having supported the men and measures in the party since its organization. He erected his present home in 1893 on an acre and a quarter of ground at the corner of Tenth and Division streets. He is now one of the venerable residents of Boone and well merits the high regard enter- tained for him. His life history has connected him closely with the city and its upbuilding through almost a half century.
FRANK A. HALL.
Frank A. Hall, a representative and enterprising citizen of Boone county, is the owner of a productive farm of ninety acres on sections 15 and 22, Grant township, which he purchased in 1894 and has operated continuously through- out the intervening two decades. His birth occurred in Sweden on the 16th of September, 1861, his parents being Gabriel and Angeliza (Anderson) Hall, who were likewise natives of that country. They emigrated to the United States and took up their abode in Boone county, Iowa, in August, 1870, the father purchasing land in Grant township and cultivating it for some time. Subsequently he bought and improved a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on sections ro and 15, Grant township, and operated the same success- fully throughout the remainder of his life. He passed away in December, 1907, while the demise of his wife occurred in August, 1896. Gabriel Hall had been a resident of this county for a period of thirty-seven years and enjoyed an enviable reputation as one of its prosperous agriculturists and esteemed citizens. Vol. II-21
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Frank A. Hall, who was a lad of nine years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, acquired his education in Grant township and remained at home until he had attained his majority. He then learned the trades of carpentering and plastering and worked at those occupa- tions for some time. Subsequently he turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits, cultivating rented land for three years. On the expiration of that period, in 1894, he purchased a tract of ninety acres on sections 15 and 22, Grant town- ship, where he has remained continuously since, his residence being on section 22. He has improved the farm until it is now a valuable and highly productive property and yields him a gratifying annual income. Mr. Hall is likewise a stockholder, director and the president of the Farmers Elevator Company, a stockholder in the Farmers State Bank of Boxholm and chairman of the Farmers Institute of that town.
Mr. Hall has been married twice. In the spring of 1890 he wedded Miss Johanna Lundberg, by whom he had one son, Gilbert E., who is now twenty- two years of age. The wife and mother passed away in August, 1893, and on December 23, 1894, Mr. - Hall was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary G. Carlstrom, a daughter of C. M. and Catherine Carlstrom, who were born in Sweden and are still residents of that country. Our subject and his wife have eight children, as follows: Francis M., Floyd M., Fred, Clarence, Levina, Ruby, May and Allen.
In the exercise of his right of franchise Mr. Hall supports the men and measures of the republican party. He is now serving as trustee and has acted in that capacity for five years, while for eight years he ably discharged the duties of school treasurer and for four years held the position of assessor. He is identified fraternally with the Modern Woodmen of America, and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Mr. Hall has lived in Boone county for forty-four years and during that time has risen to a high place in the ranks of progressive agriculturists and useful citizens.
JOHN W. WEIKEL.
John W. Weikel, a merchant and grain dealer, conducting business at.Jordon Station, was born in Preble county, Ohio, near Camden, in November, 1866, a son of Joseph and Eliza ( Huffman ) Weikel. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Weikel, was a native of Pennsylvania and in early life removed to Ohio, settling in Butler county. There he took up land which is still owned by his son Jacob. The grandparents died in the Buckeye state, and they are survived by seven children, their sons John and Joseph having passed away. The former went with his father to Preble county, Ohio, and purchased a farm in 1865. He married Miss Leiter and continued a resident of that county until his death. Samuel, who married a Kentucky girl, is living in Montgomery, Indiana, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Eva married Henry Brill, who is living in I'reble county at the age of eighty-seven. Susan, the widow of John Smith, is also living in Preble county. Mrs. Kate Kerns is a resident of the same county.
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Jacob, who married Martha Skenk, is upon the home farm. Daniel is living retired in Middletown, Ohio. Lydia is the wife of John Bailey.
Joseph Weikel was born on the old homestead farm in the Buckeye state, December 30, 1831, and attended the common schools there. He was employed at farm labor throughout the summer months and when twenty-one years of age began work at the mason's trade in connection with his brother-in-law Mr. Brill. He followed that trade for five years. In 1858 he was married and removed to Madison county, Alabama, where he carried on farming for an extended period. In 1879 he became a resident of Champaign county, Illinois, settling in Champaign township, where he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land. His wife died there March 26, 1880, and in 1895 Mr. Weikel came to Jordon, Boone county, where he joined his son John W. in the establishment and conduct of a stock, grain and lumber business, in which he continued up to the time of his death, which occurred April 5, 1905. He was active in the affairs of the com- munity, and his influence was always on the side or progress and improvement. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party. The family num- bered seven children: Lizzie, the wife of Charles Brill of Preble county, Ohio; Annie, who is living in Danville, Illinois; John W .; Lewis W., a farmer of Hamil- ton county, Nebraska, who married Hattie E. Weikel; Frank, a resident of Boone; Edward, twin brother of Frank and a resident of Helper, Utah, who mar- ried Jennie Williams, who died leaving two children, Ethel and Mabel, the for- mer now residing with her uncle John; and Marvin, who died in 1880.
John W. Weikel was a pupil in the public schools of his native county and of Madison county, Alabama, and also attended a private school in Champaign county, Illinois. When but nine or ten years of age he began work upon the farm, following the plow almost as soon as old enough to reach the plow handles. He received his first wages when sixteen years of age for digging a ditch, his salary being sixteen dollars per month, and he paid seven dollars for boots in which to do the work. He was employed in that way for a short time and then went to Nebraska, where he secured work in Hamilton county upon the farm of his uncle, who paid him eighteen dollars per month for nine months out of the year. He spent six years in that way and then returned to Champaign county, Illinois, settling at Staley Station, where he secured a position with B. P. Staley in the grain and lumber business. In 1895 he came to Jordon, Boone county, and in connection with his father and Mr. Staley established the merchandising and grain business, of which he is now sole proprietor. From boyhood he has led a most industrious life, and the success he has acquired is attributable entirely to his own efforts. In the spring of 1899 the business was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Weikel afterward built his present place. When his father died his interest was purchased by F. G. Brohling, but after two years John W. Weikel bought out his partner and is now sole owner of the business, which has reached large and gratifying proportions. At the time of the fire he lost everything he had save his home. Undeterred by this deplorable circumstance. he resolutely set to work to retrieve his possessions, and the result is seen in his present prosperity.
On the ist of August. 1901, Mr. Weikel was married to Miss Dorothy Fitz- gerald of Jackson township, Boone county, a daughter of Daniel and Dorothy Fitzgerald. They have one child, Ione Margaret. Mr. Weikel is an independ- ent voter, nor is he identified through membership with any church or fraternal
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organization. He follows an independent course, nor has he the least wish to dictate to others what they should do. Those who have met him in business relations find him trustworthy as well as enterprising, and his example in this regard is, indeed, worthy of emulation. What he has accomplished represents the fit utilization of his innate powers and talents, and his life history indicates that success and an honored name may be won simultaneously.
FRANK P. MOYERS.
Frank P. Moyers now lives retired in a comfortable home at No. 221 Tama street, Boone, having after many years of arduous labor along agricultural lines acquired a competency which enables him to pass the remainder of his days amidst the comforts and conveniences of life. He came to Boone county in 1860 and has ever since made it his home.
Mr. Moyers was born in Putnam county, Indiana, September 14, 1855, and is a son of H. L. and Elizabeth (Clark) Moyers, who became residents of Boone county in 1860. The father followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life, passing away in 1904, at the age of sixty-nine. He was a stanch democrat, prominent in the public life of his neighborhood. His religion was that of the Christian church. He was born in Virginia, subsequently coming to Indiana. where he arrived when a child, his parents becoming at that time settlers of Putnam county. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Cary Moyers and his wife before her marriage was Susan Lockett, both members of Virginia families. H. L. Moyers was one of their six children, of whom two are yet living : Mrs. Frances Zenor, who resides near Ontario; and A. T. Moyers, of Madrid, Boone county. Elizabeth (Clark) Moyers was also a native of Indiana and was a daughter of the Rev. John A. Clark, who later in life paid extended visits to Boone county. She was an only daughter, but there were four brothers in the family, Perry, Martin, Silas and James. She died in Boone county in 1895, at the age of sixty-two years. She was a Baptist in her religious faith, and her father was a minister of that denomination. She bore her husband seven children, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest and of whom four are yet living. Those beside our subject are: John A., an agriculturist of Luther, Boone county; A. E., of Tabor, Iowa, who followed farming for a number of years but is now traveling; and Mrs. Zelda Kinsley, who resides near St. Cloud, Minnesota.
Frank P. Moyers was but five years of age when he came with his parents to Boone county. Here he attended the public schools and early in life began to assist his father with the farm work. Later he took up stock buying and shipping and was so engaged for about twenty years. In March, 1906, he removed to Boone, where he now lives retired, enjoying the comforts of life. He still owns two farms which are highly improved and include his father's homestead, the original patent being signed by President Franklin Pierce. He also has a government patent for the other farm, which was granted to a man by the name of Dyer.
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In 1879 Mr. Moyers married Miss Mary J. Johnson, who was born in Warren county, Illinois, in 1858, and is a daughter of Peter and Cynthia Shelton (Johnson) Johnson, both of whom died in Kansas, the father on December 19, 1897, at the age of seventy-one, and the mother in 1905. The former was a native of Stockholm, Sweden, and he and his wife came to Boone county, Iowa, in 1868, locating in Colfax township, near Luther. In 1871 they removed to Republic county, Kansas, and there resided until their deaths. The father was a member of the state church in Sweden and the mother was a Campbellite. The latter had been previously married and had three children by her first union and five by the second. The brother and sisters of Mrs. Moyers are: Mrs. Clara Emma Taylor, of the state of Washington; Mrs. Ella A. Edwards, of Republic county, Kansas; Mrs. Frances Lowell, who resides near Belleville, Kansas; and Joseph H., who is engaged in the automobile business in Beatrice, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Moyers have two children: Lenora, who married A. E. Smith, residing near Luther, by whom she has one son, Francis; and Arlie Frances, at home, who is a graduate of the Boone high school and also received a degree in music from Drake University of Des Moines.
Mr. Moyers is a democrat and thoroughly conversant with the questions and issues of the day. He has contributed toward the development of Boone county and has done valuable work, particularly in raising agricultural stand- ards. Mrs. Moyers is a Presbyterian, devoted to her church and a member of the Ladies' Aid Society.
THEODORE L. ASHFORD.
Theodore L. Ashford has been president of the Boone State Bank of Boone since its organization in February, 1911. His identification with banking, how- ever, continues for a much longer period, as he had previously served as cashier of the Boone National Bank from its organization in 1904. His residence in the county covers a period of twenty-one years, for on the ist of March, 1893. he arrived in Boone and throughout the intervening period has been identified with industrial and financial interests.
Mr. Ashford was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 8, 1869, and is a son of Oliver G. and Josephine (Lones) Ashford. The Ashford family is of English origin and of Quaker stock, coming from the old world with William Penn and establishing their home in Pennsylvania. The ancestry of the Lones family can be traced back directly to Roger Williams. Oliver G. Ashford, who was an Ohio farmer, came to Iowa about 1874, settling near Nevada, Story county. There he purchased land and continued the development and improve- ment of his farm until he retired from active life about 1886, taking up his abode in Nevada. There he served as county sheriff of Story county, and fol- lowing the close of his term of office he spent his remaining days in the enjoy- ment of well earned rest, passing away in August. 1904, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a stanch republican in his political views and filled various town- ship offices, the duties of which he discharged in a capable manner. He was a very active and public-spirited man, doing much to further the welfare and
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progress of the community in which he made his home. His widow, who was born in Pennsylvania, still survives and now resides in Seattle, Washington, at the age of sixty-six years. The family numbered seven children, of whom one son is deceased, while six are yet living.
Theodore L. Ashford is the only one who resides in Boone county. He was reared in Story county, where the family located when he was about six years of age. In the public schools there he acquired his education. He is a thor- oughly self-made man, for he had neither wealth nor influential friends to aid him at the outset of his business career. In early manhood he engaged in teaching for one term and when in his twenty-fourth year he came to Boone, arriving in this city on the Ist of March, 1893. At that time he entered the employ of an abstract firm and engaged in that line of business until 1900. He next entered the service of the Security Savings Bank, with which he was asso- ciated for four years. His initial connection with the banking business was in a humble capacity, but gradually he worked his way upward and upon the organ- ization of the Boone National Bank he was elected its cashier and so continued until he was called to the presidency of the Boone State Bank when it was organ- ized in February, 1911. In fact, he was one of the promoters of the latter institu- tion and has been a moving spirit in its subsequent success. His efforts have been highly satisfactory in promoting the progress of the bank, which is now regarded as one of the safe, substantial institutions of the county. It is conducted along very progressive lines, and the interests of the depositors are most carefully safeguarded.
In Boone Mr. Ashford was united in marriage to Miss Corinna Harkness of Ilumboldt, Iowa, her parents being pioneer settlers of this state and natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Ashford was born in Humboldt and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, Theodore Harkness, born at Boone in February, 1905. The family attend the Presbyterian church, and they reside in an attractive home at No. 1009 Third street. Politically Mr. Ashford is a republican and for years took an active part in political work, serving in some of the city offices, including that of treasurer. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and in the order has attained the Knight Templar degree. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. The motive springs of his conduct are found in high and honorable principles and laudable ambition. Starting out in life empty handed, he has utilized each opportunity that has come to him, and step by step he has worked his way upward, his orderly progression bringing him at length to his present responsible position as a representative of financial interests in Boone county.
DEWEY CLARKE HARMON.
No history of Boone county would be complete without extended reference to Dewey Clarke Harmon, who now follows farming near Jordan in Jackson county township and who from pioneer times has been connected with this county and its development. He is today the oldest resident of Jackson town- ship in years of continuous connection therewith, and in 1857 he plowed the
MR. AND MRS. DEWEY C. HARMON
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tract of land upon which the city of Boone now stands, using oxen for this purpose. He has lived to witness the growth of a prosperous city, containing several thousand inhabitants, while the work of progress and development has been carried on along equally important lines in other sections of the county.
Mr. Harmon is a native of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Lorain county, October 7, 1844. His father, William B. Harmon, was born in the state of Vermont at the foot of the Green mountains, on the 28th of January, 1814. He was a son of Horatio Harmon and a grandson of Nehemiah Harmon, who was born in New England and there spent his entire life, following the occupation of farming. His descendant, Seliah Harmon, who lived and died in Vermont, married Rhoda Dewey, and these Deweys were of the same family as Admiral Dewey. It was through that line of descent that the subject of this review received his first name. Horatio Harmon, the grandfather of Dewey Clarke Harmon, on leaving New England, made his way to Lorain county, Ohio, where he cast in his lot with the carly settlers and there followed farming, continuing his residence in that county until he was called to his final rest. He married Lucy Clarke, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Smith) Clarke, and their children were as follows. Mary Ann, born October 4, ISII, became the wife of a Mr. Dudley and after his death married William Powell. They removed to Wisconsin and she lacked but a month of being one hundred years of age at the time of her demise. William B. Harmon, father of our subject, was the second of the family. Lucy, born March 19, 1816, became the wife of a Mr. Jones. Harriet L., born August 3, 1818, married Chester Smith and died near Charlotte, Michigan. Horace C .. born January 26, 1822, removed to Ohio, where his remaining days were passed. Elvira, born February 6, 1825, became Mrs. Bryant and died in Ohio. Elmira, her twin sister, married Silas Francisco, the marriage taking place in Ohio, and later they removed to Boone county, but subsequently went to Nebraska, her death occurring near Lincoln. Lafayette, who was born July 21, 1827, married Miss Catherine Barnes, who died at Rippey, Greene county, Iowa. Isaac C., born October 29, 1831, is living at Mackey, in Harrison township.
William B. Harmon, father of Dewey Clarke Harmon, accompanied his parents on their removal from New England to Ohio. He married Caroline Sage, who was born near Oswego, New York, and came of the same family as Russell Sage. It was in the year 1854 that William B. Harmon removed with his family from Ohio to Boone county, where he purchased two hundred acres of government land. It was virgin prairie, not a furrow having been turned nor an improvement made upon the place, but, determined to have a good home here, he at once began the development of the farm and soon there was a notable change in the appearance of his land, for the tract was transformed into pro- ductive fields. At the time of his arrival there was no house nearer than Boone. The first home of the family was a log cabin, fourteen by sixteen feet, containing but one room. After the first winter an addition eight by sixteen feet was built on the north end. This primitive dwelling was afterward replaced by a frame residence which still stands.
The father died July 6, 1871, and was buried in Linwood cemetery at Boone. His political views were in accord with the principles of the republican party from its organization, although all of his brothers were democrats. He was a
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devout member of the Universalist church in Boone, and the salient traits of his character were such as commanded for him high respect and regard. His wife died on the old homestead September 8, 1874, and was laid to rest by the side of her husband. She, too, was a consistent Christian, holding membership in the Universalist church. The children of this marriage were eight in number. Emma Elvira, who was born in Lorain county, Ohio, became the wife of John- Slocum and died in Boone county in 1897 at the age of fifty-six years. Lucy Marilla, born August 12, 1842, was married January 1, 1860, to Samuel Coe and died in Boone, October 17, 1907. Dewey is the third of the family. Albert Washington, born March 28, 1846, married Julia Sage and now resides in Marion, Ohio. Francis Delano, born in Lorain county, Ohio, near Oberlin, on the Ist of June, 1849, was educated in the Boone county schools, being five years of age when his parents removed to this county. He left school at the age of eighteen and afterward assisted in the further development and improve- ment of the home farm until his father died. He was married July 27, 1876, to Miss Rosie E. Smith, of Boone, a daughter of Edward and Mary (Walden) Smith. Following his marriage he settled on a farm in Jackson township adjoin- ing the old home place and later purchased eighty acres in Jackson township. He then removed to a small farm near Boone and afterward established his home in Calhoun county on the 10th of October, 1909, settling in the town of Rinard, where he engaged in general merchandising as a partner of A. J. Shower. In March, 1910, he withdrew from that connection and has since engaged in the buying and shipping of stock at Rinard, where he is recognized as a leading, active and influential business man and citizen. He is a member of the Christian church and in politics is a progressive republican, while fraternally he is con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He had two children, Grace and Daisy B., but both are now deceased. Harriet Loretto, the sixth member of the family of Mr. and Mrs. William B. Harmon, was born April 11, 1852, and on the 11th of April, 1883, became the wife of Adelbert Smith. They estab- lished their home in Charlotte, Michigan, where she passed away. Wesley, born in April, 1856, died in Boone in childhood. Willis Briggs, born November 19, 1861, removed to Michigan and afterward to Texas. He has made carpentering and building his life work. He was first married in Ohio and after losing his first wife was married in Texas.
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