USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 55
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John J. Callahan had limited educational opportunities, his parents being in stringent circumstances. He early turned his attention to farm work and stock- raising, being employed by others at the beginning of his business career. His first earnings for half a month's work totaled six dollars and twenty-five cents and Mr. Callahan relates how he secured the greatest benefit from that sum by divid- ing it with those at home. He was happy in being able to send something to his parents and the kindness of heart which prompted that act has ever since re- mained his heritage. From 1893 until 1902 he followed farming in Peoples township, also giving considerable attention to stock-raising. He then spent five years on a farm in North Dakota and the next three years engaged in mining in western Idaho. He has traveled extensively and on three occasions has made the trip to the Pacific coast. He also has traversed this country from Canada to the gulf. Mr. Callahan is now numbered among the substantial residents of Wood- ward and there is none who grudges him his prosperity, for it has been won entirely by his own efforts.
On March 1, 1893, Mr. Callahan was married in Woodward, Iowa, to Miss Minnie E. Wade, who was born in Peoples township, July 14, 1866. Her father, Washington Wade, was one of the pioneers of Cass township (now Peoples town- ship), of whom extended mention is made in connection with the sketch of A. B.
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Wade. Mr. and Mrs. Callahan have one daughter, Winifred Imogene, who was born on the old Callahan homestead in Peoples township, June 27, 1896, and is now attending the Woodward high school.
Since 1911 the family have been residents of Woodward, having returned from Idaho in that year, and Mr. Callahan now holds a position with the Wood- ward Creamery Company. He also deals in real estate and has negotiated some profitable deals. He derives a gratifying addition to his income from one hundred and sixty acres of land which he owns in Winnebago county. The family reside in a handsome home in Woodward and have many friends in that city. Politically Mr. Callahan is a democrat and fraternally a member of Woodward Lodge, No. 460, I. O. O. F. He is a useful citizen, a true and faithful friend, a reliable busi- ness man and a patriotic American and has made a record which reflects honor upon him.
CAPTAIN MARION BROOKS.
Not only is Captain Marion Brooks one of the most prosperous landowners of Peoples township, Boone county, but he has participated in the public life of his district, having represented Boone county in the state legislature. Moreover, he has to his credit a military record which reflects great honor upon him. He was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, February 8, 1842, and is a son of Alphonso and Eliza Brooks, natives of New York, both of whom passed away in Peoples town- ship, the former having attained the age of sixty years. In their family were five children, as follows: Franklin, of Whiteside county, Illinois; Mrs. Alice Shulters, of Boone, Iowa ; Marion, of this review ; Mrs. Elma Parks, of Boone county ; and Harriet, who died at the age of eight years. All were born in White- side county, Illinois.
There Captain Brooks grew to manhood, attending the common schools and subsequently following farming. He enlisted in the Union army at Spring Hill, Illinois, September 20, 1861. As the Illinois regiments were complete at that time the members of his company were placed under the command of James Lane and were sent to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Lane was securing men for an expedition to New Mexico and there were about fifteen hundred in his band. They proceeded as far as Fort Riley, where they were disbanded, Captain Brooks' company returning to Fort Leavenworth. Colonel Martin of that place was then organizing the Eighth Kansas Regiment, and the company joined it. This regi- ment was part of the Army of the Cumberland and also of the Central Army and was at different times under the commands of Generals Sherman, Grant and Thomas. Captain Brooks was present at the battles of Corinth and Chickamauga and in eastern Tennessee, participated in the fighting at Strawberry Plain and Knoxville. His term of enlistment having expired, he again joined the army and saw active service at Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. After the battles around Atlanta, he was sent to Nashville under the command of General Stanley. His company was then ordered to San Antonio, Texas, where the Captain was honorably discharged in February, 1866. He commanded his company from the
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first, although he did not receive his commission until after he had served about five months.
After the was he returned to the pursuits of private life in Illinois but came overland to Boone county March 7, 1867, and settled on section 16, Peoples town- ship, acquiring land which he developed into a richly bearing farm. He has ever since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising and has been one of the most successful auctioneers of his part of the state. He now owns five hundred acres of choice land, upon which four sets of buildings are found. Such success as has come to him is well merited, for he has attained prosperity entirely through his own efforts.
On March 23. 1864, in Whiteside county, Illinois, Captain Brooks married Miss Louisa Matson, who was born in Illinois, January 4, 1844, and attended the schools in that state, where she grew to womanhood. Her parents died while she was yet quite young. Captain and Mrs. Brooks became the parents of five children, as follows: Mrs. Grant, of Rolfe, lowa; C. W., of Wilton, North Dakota; Mrs. Myrtle McFarland, of Peoples township; Bradford M., also of that township; and Mrs. Loretta River, deceased. All were born and reared in Peoples township.
The Captain has always been a stanch adherent of the republican party, thor- oughly believing in its principles and ideals and loyally supporting its candidates. He served as state representative of Boone county in the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth general assemblies, ably taking care of the interests of his constituents and participating in important legislation which affected not only his district but the whole state. He has also held several minor offices in Peoples township. Mrs. Brooks is a member of the Baptist church, while her husband is connected with the Masons, being enrolled among the members of Peaceful Lodge, No. 454, A. F. & A. M .. of Woodward. The Captain is one of the most highly respected and esteemed residents of his community and has many friends, all of whom speak most highly in regard to his achievements and those qualities of his character which have made possible his success.
WILLIAM H. RAYBOURN.
William H. Raybourn early became identified with the development and pros- perity of Boone county and was for many years regarded as one of the leading farmers of Cass township, but is now practically living retired in Woodward. He was born in Kentucky on the 17th of October, 1837, and is a son of John and Mary ( Mathias) Raybourn, also natives of that state. In 1838 the family removed to Indiana and settled in Marion county, where they made their home until 1852. which year witnessed their arrival in Iowa. The journey was made across the country by wagon and they settled in Albia, Monroe county, where the father died in 1853. Shortly afterward, in the same year. the mother and children removed to Polk county, this state, and she purchased a tract of forty acres near Madrid, which our subject cultivated for some time. In 1857 they came to Boone county, and here he secured a quarter section of land on section 6, Cass township. At that time the majority of the settlers were living along the Des Moines river
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and conditions in this locality were still very primitive. In connection with gen- eral farming Mr. Raybourn of this review gave considerable attention to the raising of stock, and as time passed he prospered in his undertakings and became one of the well-to-do men of his community. After his children were grown he sold his farm and purchased a home in Madrid, where he resided for three years, and at the end of that time disposed of his property there and removed to Woodward. Here he has a nice residence, well furnished, and is surrounded by all the comforts of life.
Mr. Raybourn's mother died in Indiana and of the ten children in the family only two now survive. Eight were born in Kentucky and two in Indiana. In order of birth they were as follows: Mrs. Elizabeth Stoops, David, Mrs. Mary Ann Bevans, Theodore, Mrs. Catharine Jennings, Mrs. Melinda Watt and Mrs. Amanda Wright, all deceased; William H., of this review; Mrs. Eliza Jane Brockston, deceased; and Mrs. Missouri Copeland, who resides in Illinois.
William H. Raybourn was married in Polk county, Iowa, in 1857, to Miss Lydia M. Harvey, a native of Indiana, who died in Woodward in 1909. Her parents were Henderson and Sarah (Rinker) Harvey, who died in Marcy town- ship, this county. Her father was a native of Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. Raybourn became parents of five children, namely : Francis M., now a resident of Colorado; Mrs. Sarah Isabelle Adams, of Pilot Mount, Iowa; and Harvey H., Joseph and Charles, all three of California.
Mr. Raybourn is an earnest and consistent member of the Christian church, to which his wife also belonged. His political support is given the republican party, and he served as road supervisor in Cass township, but has never taken a very active part in public affairs, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He is an upright, reliable business man and in every relation of life has been found true to any trust reposed in him.
ARCH OVIATT.
Arch Oviatt carries on agricultural pursuits on section 7, Cass township, where he owns a good farm of three hundred and twenty-four acres. Its neat and thrifty appearance plainly indicates that he thoroughly understands the occupation which he follows and is a man of good business and executive ability.
Mr. Oviatt was born in Cass township, December 23, 1867, and is a son of Andrew and Eunice (Williams) Oviatt. The father, who was a native of Massachusetts, came to this county in 1856 and established a home, having made preparations for his family to join him here in 1858. His wife and two eldest sons started for Iowa but on the way westward the eldest son, Coral, and our subject's paternal grandmother, who was also in the party, died. The father passed away on the old home farm in Cass township in September, 1893, and the mother, whose birth occurred in Painesville, Ohio, died here in 1902. Of their nine children six are still living and in order of birth they are as follows: Coral, who died as previously stated; Horace A., who was born September 30, 1858, and now lives in Madrid, Iowa; Mrs. Henrietta Marsh, a resident of Chicago, Illinois ; Mrs. Eva Graves, of Cass township, this county; Arch, of this
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ARCIL OVIATT AND FAMILY
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review; Caroline, who died at the age of seven years; Nettie, who died at the age of four ; Martha, who makes her home in Woodward, Iowa; and Hugh, of Cass township. With the exception of the two oldest, who were born in Ohio, the children are natives of Cass township.
Here Arch Oviatt grew to manhood, in the meantime acquiring a good practical education in the common schools and gaining an excellent knowledge of farming and stock-raising while assisting his father on the farm. Since starting out in life for himself he has met with success and is now the owner of a fine place of three hundred and twenty-four acres improved with splendid buildings. He has placed his land under excellent cultivation and raises the. cereals best adapted to the soil and climate. In connection with general farming. he has given considerable attention to the raising of a good grade of stock, which branch of his business has also proved profitable.
Mr. Oviatt was married in Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1896, to Miss Mary Marschand, who was born in that county, February 28, 1871, and was there reared and educated. Her parents were John and Mary ( Wilger) Marschand, the former a native of France and the latter of Germany. The mother died in Illinois. Their children were : Peter, who is still a resident of that state; Maggie, deceased; Mary, now Mrs. Oviatt; and John, of Illinois. The eldest child was born in Germany but the birth of the others occurred in Illinois, in which state they were reared. Mr. and Mrs. Oviatt have three children, all born in Cass township, as follows: L. D., born September 29, 1898; E. C., January 15. 1902; and M. M., born June 24, 1906. They are still under the parental roof and are attending the common schools of the neighborhood. Mrs. Oviatt is a devout member of the Catholic church, and in politics Mr. Oviatt is independent, sup- porting the men whom he believes qualified to fill the offices regardless of party ties.
ADAM F. BURRELL.
Adamı F. Burrell, deceased, was a representative of an old and prominent family of Boone county. His early home was in the east, for he was born in New York, April 8, 1841, a son of Alexander and Cynthia (Baker) Burrell. (An extended mention of this family is made in the sketch of Walter E. Burrell on another page of this volume.) On removing westward in 1842 the family first settled in Michigan. but a year later became residents of Illinois and in 1857 came to Boone county, Iowa.
In this county Adam F. Burrell grew to manhood and was married to Miss Mary Young, who was born in Port Byron, Illinois, March 23, 1841, and died in Peoples township, this county, July 9, 1904. After their marriage they had located upon a farm in that township and there reared their seven children, pro- viding them with good educational advantages. In order of birth they are as follows: Walter Clark, who is now a resident of Idaho; Earl Grant, who in connection with his youngest brother cultivates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Cass township; Clarence Albert, a resident of Fairview, Okla- homa ; Mrs. Della M. Morello, a resident of Cass township; Charles G., who
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resides in Cass township and is now the nominee of the republican party for the office of county recorder of Boone county; Everett Lemley, who makes his home in Colorado; and Harvey Lester, who is in partnership with his brother Earl Grant in the operation of a farm in Cass township. They are very progressive and up-to-date farmers and have been remarkably successful in the raising of high-grade stock. The children were all given good educational advantages, attending the common schools of the district in which they lived. The father was regarded as one of the most enterprising farmers of his locality and was a man who commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him. In politics he was a republican
A. MARION HARLOW.
A. Marion Harlow is a self-made man to whom is due great credit for what he has accomplished. Some one has said of him: "He is a splendid man, large in stature and just as broad-minded." He was born in Cass township, this county, on the 23d of September, 1863, and has always resided here with the exception of a brief period spent in Nebraska.
His father, Abner Harlow, was born in Saratoga county, New York, on June 4, 1834, and is residing on the old Harlow homestead near Woodward, Iowa. He wedded Mary E. Waldo, who was born in Madison county, Ohio, April 12, 1840, and died in Cass township, January 14, 1905. The Harlow family came to Boone county at an early day, arriving on the 26th of October, 1854, and thus for six decades Abner Harlow has resided in this part of the state. He was married in this county and reared his family in Cass township. There were ten children born unto him and his wife, nine sons and a daughter, of whom four are living. The record of the family is as follows: William Holmes, the eldest, died at the age of four and a half years. Mrs. Ella Staker died in 1906. Samuel D. died at the age of six weeks. Abner Lycurgus died in 1907. A. M. is the next younger. Orin died at the age of twenty-two years. Oscar died at the age of eighteen years. Charles D., born July 10, 1872, is residing in Des Moines, Iowa. George is a resident of St. James, Minnesota. Jacob, born June 15, 1877, is residing on the old home farm in Cass township. All were born and reared in Cass township. They were among the early settlers here, and the family has been prominent and successful. The old frame house which was the original home of the family was supplanted in 1876 by a substantial brick residence, the only brick dwelling in their part of the county.
A. M. Harlow had the usual experiences of the farm boy. He was trained to habits of industry and economy and these have constituted the basic element in his success. Ile was married in Nebraska December 24, 1890, to Miss Genevieve Grandell, who was born in Wisconsin and died at Henningford, Nebraska, April 30, 1893. Unto them was born a daughter, Mrs. Winnie White, whose birth occurred in a sod house in Nebraska on the 5th of May, 1892, and who is now residing in Cass township. Mr. Harlow was again married November 24. 1899. when Miss Mary Shultz became his wife. She was born in Germany. November 28, 1875, and came to America with her parents, Gottlieb and Mary
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Ann ( Anton) Shultz, who were also natives of Germany, the former born May 1, 1836, and the latter in 1846. Mr. Shultz died in North Dakota, Janu- ary 14, 1914, and his widow is still living in that state. In the Shultz family were six children, who survive and all of whom were born in Germany, namely : Mrs. Lena Weilhus, of Illinois; Herman, who is living in North Dakota ; August, a resident of Canada; Mrs. Minnie John, who makes her home in North Dakota ; Mrs. Laura Lee, of Canada; and Mrs. Harlow, the wife of the subject of this review.
Mr. and Mrs. Harlow became the parents of five children, all of whom were born in Cass township and whose names follow: Ella, born June 28, 1901 ; Olive, born December 28, 1902; Laura, January 25, 1904; and Abner Marvin and Abbie May, twins, born July 25, 1907. Abner died at the age of one week. They were all born in the same community in which the father spent his youth and are attending the schools of the neighborhood.
In his political views Mr. Harlow is a democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Woodward and are interested in its work and the adoption of its principles. He has led the life of a busy, energetic man and is now the owner of two hundred and five acres of choice land on section 28 besides ten acres of land on section 29, Cass township, whereon he has placed many modern improvements. He and his wife deserve much credit for what they have accomplished. He has won his competency entirely through his own efforts and that, too, in the face of difficulties that would discourage the aver- age man. They are giving their children every possible advantage. Their home is pleasantly, comfortably and attractively furnished, and they surround their children with the best literature. They are broad and liberal-minded people and are public-spirited, as is manifest in their active and helpful interest in many movements for the general good. In addition to developing and cultivating his farm Mr. Harlow raises all kinds of live stock of good grades and has won success in that undertaking.
WILLIAM LEMASTER.
William Lemaster, who was born in Marion county, Indiana, November 25, 1853, is one of the well known agriculturists of Cass township, Boone county, where he owns a valuable farm. He has attained to prosperity entirely through his own efforts and much credit is due him for what he has achieved in life. for he began his career in comparatively humble circumstances. He is a son of Abram and Ann (Smock) Lemaster, the former born in Kentucky, October 13, 1818, and the latter in Mercer county, that state, May 8, 1822. The family set- tled on a farm in Cass township, Boone county, Iowa, May 3. 1857, having left Indiana on March 3Ist of that year. Here the father followed farming and stock-raising beginning under the most trying conditions which were then yet existing. Settlements were few at that time, their nearest neighbors being located at Elk Rapids, and numerous bands of Indians were yet seen. They traded in that city and Des Moines, and many were the dangers which con-
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fronted them on their trips to market. Mr. and Mrs. Abram Lemaster were the parents of eight children: Newton, deceased; Mrs. Martha Ellen Haney, of Perry, Iowa; William, of this review ; Simon, a resident of Woodward; George, of Dallas county, Iowa; Mrs. Emma Cole, of Woodward; Frank, who resides in Peoples township ; and Mrs. Addie Dickinson, of Woodward. The five oldest children were born in Indiana and the others in Cass township, this county. The father died in Woodward, March 12, 1906, and the mother in the same city, July 30, 1900.
William Lemaster was but three years of age when he removed with his parents to Cass township. There he attended the common schools and subse- quently devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, always following modern and up-to-date methods. He today owns a farm of one hundred and thirteen and a fourth acres on section IS, all of the land being under high cul- tivation and yielding him rich annual returns. His buildings are kept in repair and the general appearance of the property gives evidence of the prosperity of its owner.
On December 13, 1877, in Marcy township. Boone county, Mr. Lemaster married Miss Mary Ann Tembey, who was born in Wisconsin, March 12, 1859. Her parents, William and Emily Tembey, both natives of England, were pioneers in Wisconsin. They subsequently removed to Boone county, where the father followed farming. He was born January 1, 1832, and now resides in Ames, Iowa, but his wife passed away in that city in 1908. In their family were nine children, of whom six are living, as follows: Henry, of North Dakota; Hattie, of Ames, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Ann Lemaster; Mrs. Eliza Mellor, of Ames ; William, of Perry; and Richard, of Ames. Mr. and Mrs. Lemaster have six children, all of whom were born in Cass township excepting the oldest, who was born in Peoples township, and they attended the common schools. They are: Mrs. Luella Belle Halley, of Dallas county ; W. Floyd, of Cass township; Edith, residing with her parents; R. J., of Cass township; Mrs. Emily Lincoln, also of that township ; and John Harold.
Mr. Lemaster is a republican and has served as trustee of Cass township, as road supervisor and as a member of the district school board. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which she is deeply interested. Both have many friends and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them as worthy and substantial people who have assisted in carrying forward the development of Cass township and Boone county.
PETER M. SAMBERG.
Peter M. Samberg, of Boone, is the oldest citizen of the county, being now in his ninety-third year. He was born in Sweden on the 7th of July, 1821. His father, Johan Tapper, became a soldier at the age of seventeen years and fought against Germany in 1812. He served in the army for thirty-two years and when not connected therewith he followed the tailor's trade. He married Katrina Johnson, also a native of Sweden, and both died in that country, the mother passing away when her son Peter was but six years of age. The family were
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quite poor and when a child Peter M. Samberg would frequently beg. The father's use of intoxicants deprived the family of much of their rightful income. On one occasion when the mother was crying because there was no bread in the house, Peter M. Samberg ran to a stone in the yard, under which he had hidden the pennies that had been given him, and brought them to his mother, who purchased with them two loaves of bread. thus relieving the immediate hunger of the family. The mother left six small children at her death.
Peter M. Samberg never had the opportunity of attending school. He and a brother tramped through the country and he earned his first money-six shil- lings-by working at the tailor's trade. He served a three years' apprenticeship at that trade and at sixteen years of age went to work in a paper mill to learn the trade, spending three years in that way. He was employed for a year at a salary of twenty crowns and he had to get up at three o'clock in the morning and go to work. The second year his wage was advanced to thirty crowns. Though many hardships and difficulties were his through the period of his boyhood, youth and early manhood, he advanced steadily but surely and when twenty-six years of age was foreman of a farmi.
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