USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66
613
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
of the language and soon had quite a good command of English. He next removed to Sioux City, lowa, where he learned candy making. His ambition front the start was to enter business on his own account, and saving his money carefully he invested the same in a candy establishment. At the end of two years, or in 1904. he came to Boone and here opened what is now known as the Boone Candy Store, later acquiring a restaurant, which he still conducts, under the name of the Little Savoy, in conjunction with his candy kitchen in Boone, another in Sioux City and four in his native land, two being located in Tripolis and two in Perea. He understands thoroughly the making of high class confectionery and his business methods are efficient and thoroughly hon- orable. The quality of his product and the courteous attention given customers have been leading factors in securing his success.
When the Balkan war broke out Mr. Poulos' patriotic spirit demanded that he offer his service to his country. He accordingly turned over the manage- ment of his business to his brothers and departed for the seat of war, enlisting in the Eleventh Regiment. He was on the firing line for five months and partici- pated in many hard fought battles and skirmishes, receiving a bullet wound at the battle of Jonina. When peace was declared he returned to the United States, bringing with him his niece Stella and his sister-in-law, Mrs. Leonidas Poulos. Since then he has devoted his time to the management of his various business undertakings. He is a member of the Greek Orthodox church and is faithful to his religious belief. The fact that he has been able to overcome the difficulty of a strange language and to win prosperity in a foreign land in a comparatively few years speaks much for his ability to adapt himself to varying conditions and for his energy and business sagacity.
SIMON HOMESLEY.
Simon Homesley, who is engaged in the operation of a fine farm of cighty acres in Cass township, was born on the 12th of February, 1866, in Washington county, Arkansas, his parents being Sydney M. and Nancy (Sanders ) Homesley. The father was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war and never fully recovered from the effects of the hardships endured while in the service. He died in Arkansas in 1878, and his wife, who was born in Washington county. that state, is also deceased. In their family were five children, of whom four are still living, namely: Simon and Stephen, twins, the latter still a resident of Washington county, Arkansas; Mrs. Lulu Fitch, deceased ; Mrs. Frances Thur- man, a resident of Temple, Texas; and John, of Washington county, Arkansas, which was the birthplace of all the children.
Simon Homesley passed his boyhood and youth in much the usual manner of farm boys, early becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits and pursuing his studies in the common schools. Throughout his active business life he has followed farming and stock-raising and on coming to Boone county, Iowa, in 1800 located on section 16, Cass township. where he is now engaged in the culti- vation of eighty acres of highly cultivated and productive land. His place is
614
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
well improved, and his home is supplied with all the comforts of life. Here he has met with success and is now enjoying a comfortable competence.
Mr. Homesley was married in Washington county, Arkansas, February 10, 1889, to Miss Carrie Alice Carrel, who was born in Boone county, Iowa, Janu- ary 19, 1872, and here grew to womanhood, attending the common schools. Her parents, Philip and Elizabeth (Kirk) Carrel, were among the early settlers of Boone county. Her father was born in Indiana, March 27, 1827, and died in Woodson county, Kansas, on the Ist of January, 1903, while hier mother was born in eastern Tennessee, March 24, 1830, and passed away in Boone county, Iowa, January 13, 1894. They were married on the 9th of July, 1846, and came to Boone county in 1853, locating in Cass township. Their family con- sisted of eleven children, of whom eight are still living, as follows: Mrs. Sarah Ann Tollivar, who died at the age of twenty years; John Wesley, who is also deceased ; William, who is deceased : Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Eversole, who is now a resident of California; Samuel J., who lives in Livermore, Iowa; Asa, who resides in Madrid, Iowa; Mrs. Emily Oviatt, who also lives in Madrid; Jacob M., who makes his home in Hibbing, Minnesota; Charles H., who lives in Fresno, California; Theodore, who resides in Algona, Iowa; and Carrie Alice. now the wife of the subject of this review.
Mr. and Mrs. Homesley have two children .. Theodore Troy, born in Wash- ington county, Arkansas, October 6, 1890, is now engaged in the cultivation of a farm in Cass township near the home of his parents. He was married in Sonora, Arkansas, February 14, 1912, to Florence Davis, who was born, reared and educated in Henderson county, Kentucky, and is especially proficient in music. Beulah May, born in Cass township, this county, May 26, 1904, is attending the common schools. Mrs. Homesley and her children hold membership in the Liberty Methodist Episcopal church of Cass township, and the family is one of prominence in the community. Mr. Homesley affiliates with the democratic party and has held school offices in his township as well as served as road com- missioner. He is one of the representative men of the community and a most highly esteemed citizen.
THEODORE H. KEIGLEY.
Theodore H. Keigley is a farmer and stock-raiser and is the owner of a finely improved farm of two hundred and forty acres of land situated on section 20, Colfax township. He was born in this county, August 17. 1856, and is a son of W. J. and Elizabeth (Throckmorton) Keigley. The father was born on the 12th of June, 1824. in Greene county, Pennsylvania, of German descent, his father heing a native of the fatherland. The latter was a farmer and spent his last years in Boone county, where he passed away. The mother was born Novem- ber 27, 1824, in Greene county, Pennsylvania, where her marriage occurred. Her parents were likewise natives of the Keystone state. W. J. Keigley engaged in farming in Boone county for a number of years and then became the owner of a mercantile enterprise at Madrid. After ten or twelve years spent as a merchant he retired and enjoyed a well earned leisure until his death, which
615
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
occurred on December 29, 1904. His widow preceded him in death over a year, passing away April 23, 1903. Both were members of the Methodist church and were known as two of the most upright citizens of the county. Mr. Keigley would have taken part in the Civil war but that he was taken ill at Davenport and so was unable to serve. He and his wife were the parents of seven sons and one daughter, of whom the following grew to maturity: Warren, who passed away in the fall of 1913 at Boone; Clayton, who is the owner of a planta- tion at Crowley, Louisiana; Theodore H., of this review; L. F., who is engaged in business in Ames. lowa : Robert M., who died in Madrid, lowa, in September, 1903, at the age of forty-four years; Emma E., the wife of Andrew E. Suther- land, a farmer residing near Madrid; and Wilbur H., who is engaged in the real-estate business in Madrid.
Theodore H. Keigley was reared in Boone county and here attended the public schools. He has always followed farming as an occupation and has reaped bounteous harvests due to his knowledge of, the best methods of agricul- ture and his energy in carrying on the work of the farm.
On the 12th of October, 1879, Mr. Keigley was united in marriage to Miss Janet Gunder, whose birth occurred November 18. 1860, in Whiteside county, Illinois, near Sterling. Her mother passed away when she was but an infant and her father later re-married. She came with her father and stepmother to Boone county when but a child, the family settling in Colfax township, where the father became known as a citizen of worth. Mrs. Keigley's two brothers are G. B., of Polk county, Missouri ; and John A .. of Montour, Iowa. By her mar- riage she became the mother of the following children: Roland A., a business man of Luther, married Miss Hallie Luther, a daughter of M. H. Luther. a farmer of that locality, and they have one child, Harlan. Alta E. is the wife of Walter L. Lundahl, of Garden township; and Bert L., the youngest of the fam- ily, is at home. William T., the third in order of birth, died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Keigley are members of the Congregational church of Garden Prairie. He has always supported the democratic party at the polls, and he has served his township in various official capacities, giving entire satisfaction to his constituents. His public-spirited activities as a citizen and his worth as a man have gained for him the respect of the community.
W. M. PEOPLES.
W. M. Peoples is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Boone county and was born upon a farm in the township which bears the family name. his natal day being December 17, 1861. His father, W. M. Peoples, was a native of Pennsylvania, born near Brownsville, but in youth he came to the middle west and at the time of the Civil war enlisted from Boone county in the Union army, becoming a member of Company D, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer In- fantry. He was killed at Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, April 8, 1864. He left a widow and an only son. The former, Mrs. Catharine ( Miller) Peoples, was born in La Grange county, Indiana, but now resides in Woodward, Iowa.
616
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
The only child, W. M. Peoples, was reared to manhood in Boone county and is indebted to its public school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. With the exception of eight years spent in conducting a meat market in Woodward he has always followed farming and stock-raising. It was this occupation to which he was reared, and he has manifested unfaltering energy and determination in the management and improvement of his place.
In Boone county in 1883 Mr. Peoples was united in marriage to Miss Clara J. Woods, who was born in Adams county, Ohio, March 28, 1862, and in 1865 was brought to this county by her parents, Joseph and Ellen ( Lawson) Woods. Her father, also a native of Ohio, was born in April, 1834, and her mother's birth occurred in that state August 27, 1837. From the time of his arrival in this county as an early settler Joseph Woods continued to make his home in this part of the state until called to his final rest, his death occurring in Woodward, August 2, 1906. His wife, who survives, now resides in Los Angeles, California. In their family were six children, of whom five are living, namely: James H., a resident of Waterloo, Iowa: Mrs. Peoples, wife of the subject of this review ; Mrs. Ida Greenhiser, of Los Angeles; John, who makes his home in California ; and Charlie, also of Waterloo, Iowa. One daughter, Ella, who was the fourth in order of birth, has passed away. The three eldest children of the family were born in Ohio and the younger three in Douglas township, Boone county, where all were reared.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Peoples have been born three children, but they lost their eldest, Ray, who was born November 19, 1889, and passed away at Havre, Mon- tana, July 27, 1913. William, born in Clinton county, Iowa, June 5. 1893, and Catharine, born April 29, 1895, are with their parents upon the home farm. They have attended the common schools of the neighborhood and the public schools of Woodward. The Peoples' farm is a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres, situated on section 36, Peoples township. There are good improve- ments upon the place, including a modern residence, well furnished, and sub- stantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. Mr. Peoples carries on general agricultural pursuits and also raises a good grade of live stock. The farm presents a neat and attractive appearance, and that his methods are both practical and progressive is indicated in the success which has come to him. In politics he is independent, voting as his judgment dictates rather than for party. Fra- ternally he is connected with Peaceful Lodge, No. 454, A. F. & A. M., of Wood- ward, and endeavors to exemplify in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft.
SAMUEL LOGAN MOORE.
Samuel Logan Moore has justly won the proud American title of "a self- made man." Energy and industry have been the crowning points in his career. and his intelligently directed effort has carried him steadily forward to the goal of success. He is today a prominent figure in financial circles not only in Boone, but elsewhere in this and surrounding counties. Pennsylvania claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred in Canonsburg, that state, on the 6th of April, 1845. his parents being William and Eleanore (Hughes) Moore, both
619
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father made farming his life work and thus provided for the support of the family. Removing to the middle west, he passed away in Macoupin, Illinois, in 1864. The mother afterward came to Boone with her son Samuel, and her last days were spent in this section of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Moore were born ten children, of whom S. L. was the sixth in order of birth. Only four of the number are now living : Rebecca, the wife of Henry Hill of Boone; Thomas B., living in Des Moines; and Belle, the wife of W. H. Jayne, also of Des Moines.
Samuel Logan Moore is the other member of the family and, like his brothers and sisters, he spent his youthful days upon the home farm in Illinois, attending the public schools in the winter seasons and devoting his attention to the work of the fields through the summer months. He was but sixteen years of age when he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Com- pany F, Seventh Illinois Infantry on the 25th of April, 1861, when the smoke of Fort Sumter's guns had scarcely cleared away. He served throughout the war going to the front with his command and participating in many of the most hotly contested battles. He was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky. He was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, in June, 1865, with the rank of orderly sergeant, being a youth just out of his 'teens, although he had had much experi- ence in connection with military life, experience of the most arduous kind.
After the close of the war Mr. Moore returned to the north and was em- ployed in a warehouse at Bunker Hill, Illinois, until 1866, and the following year he came with his mother to Boone and entered upon railroad work as a switchman in the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company. He was employed in that capacity and as yardmaster for eighteen years, or until about 1885, when he entered banking circles, and has since been prominently identified with financial interests in his county. Gradually in this connection he has worked his way upward. He organized the First National Bank and has continuously been its president. He has also become an officer and stockholder in seven other Iowa banks, being connected with the Security Savings Bank of Boone and with six country banks. He is likewise identified with three Okla- homa banks and one in North Dakota. At the time he organized the First National there were two banks in Boone, one of which was a private institution. He is also president of the Boone Blank Book Company, is interested in the Spurrier Lumber Company, the Brick & Tile Company, and in other industrial and manufacturing enterprises. He is a large landowner in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Oklahoma. His worth is well known. his enter- prise is unfaltering, and at all times he most carefully safeguards the interests of his patrons by tempering progressiveness with a wise conservatism.
Mr. Moore is well known in fraternal circles, holding membership with the Masonic lodge and the Eastern Star, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Rebekah degree. He also wears the little bronze button that indicates him a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and through that organization he maintains close and cordial relations with those who wore the nation's blue uniform when he, too, was fighting for the supremacy of the flag and cause it represented. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. and his life, honorable and upright in all of its purposes and principles, has given him high standing in both business and social circles. Mr. Moore greatly enjoys travel
-
620
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
and has crossed the ocean eight times, traveling around the world four times. LIe is modest in demeanor and assumes no special credit for what he has accom- plished, but the office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments but rather to leave the perpetual record establishing his position by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellowmen, and judged in this way Mr. Moore ranks as a leading citizen of Iowa, for the extent and importance of his business affairs have impressed his name indelibly upon the material development of the state, while his support of progressive measures along other lines has shown him to be a man of broad public spirit whose fidelity to the best interests of the community is unquestioned.
ANTON E. CHECK.
Anton E. Check has been a lifelong resident of Boone county, and the con- census of public opinion concerning him is altogether favorable. He represents a family that has always stood for that which is best and highest in citizenship and noblest in conduct, and the family name in business circles is a synonym for integrity as well as enterprise. Anton E. Check was born about a mile east of Madrid on the 15th of September, 1868, a son of John and Hannah ( Pearson ) Check, both of whom were natives of Sweden, the former born January 10. 1840, and the latter on the 31st of August, 1841. Mr. Check still resides in Madrid, but the mother passed away there April 10, 1904. In their family were three sons as follows: Axel, who died in Moro, Minnesota; Anton E .; and J. W., who now makes his home in Moro. The eldest of the three was born in Sweden and the two younger in Garden township, where all were reared.
Anton E. Check spent his youthful days under the parental roof and divided his time between the work of the fields, the duties of the schoolroom and the pleasures of the playground. When his parents brought their family to the new world they settled upon the farm where Anton Check now resides, and he has been a representative of agricultural interests in this section of the state throughout his life.
Mr. Check was married in Garden township, May 21. 1890, to Miss Matilda Johnson, who was born in Keokuk, lowa, August 6, 1873. the family having come from Sweden in 1872, at which time they established their home in Keokuk. there remaining until 1882, when they came to Garden township, settling upon a farm, which has since been in possession of the family. The father, J. A. John- son was born in Sweden as was the mother, who bore the maiden name of Minnie Anderson. Both are still residents of Garden township. In their family were six children, five of whom survive: Mrs. Check, of this review : Mrs. Anna Hegberg, living in Minnesota : Eric, whose home is in Garden township; Ed. also residing in Garden township: Mrs. Jennie Ward, who has passed away; and Mrs. Esther Enquist, also of Garden township. The four eldest children were born in Keokuk, lowa, and the younger members of the family in Garden town- ship.
Mr. and Mrs. Check have become the parents of four children, all born in Garden township, namely: Arthur, born July 28, 1891 ; Blanche, born Septem-
621
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
ber 9, 1892; Lloyd, March 15, 1900; and Ada, April 20, 1908. All are now students of the public schools of this locality. The family residence is situated in the midst of an excellent farm of two hundred acres of choice land on sec- tion 21, Garden township, where are many modern improvements, including all of the accessories and conveniences known to the model farm of the twentieth century. Mr. Check also owns one hundred and ten acres on section 34, of the same township, which is a well developed property. He has an attractive home, tastefully furnished, and in the management of his farm he has won success and secured a comfortable competence. He has large herds of live stock of good grades, and in his business management he displays the sagacity and enter- prise which enable him to triumph over all difficulties or obstacles.
His political allegiance is given to the republican party, and his religious faith is that of the Congregational church, his membership being with the organi- zation of that denomination at Garden Prairie. A resident of the county for forty-six years, he has witnessed much of its progress and development and rejoices in what has been achieved in the way of advancing civilization. His aid may be counted upon in movements for the general good, and in the community where he lives he has come to be regarded as a most reliable and enterprising citizen.
STEPHEN DOUGLAS STURTZ.
Among Boone county's native sons is numbered Stephen Douglas Sturtz, who is now engaged in the occupation of farming in Dodge township, having a well developed tract of land, from which he derives a gratifying annual income. He was born November 3, 1860, and is a son of J. M. and Caroline ( Goetzman ) Sturtz. His father was born January 9, 1833. in Muskingum county, Ohio, and comes of German ancestry. In the place of his nativity he was reared and when a young man of twenty years he came to Boone county, in 1853. Here he engaged in farming and the tract of land upon which he first settled remained his place of residence until his death, which occurred in Chicago, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Paulson, on the 2d of August, 1911. He had devoted his entire life to farming and stock-raising up to the time of his retire- ment from active business and was numbered among the leading agriculturists of Boone county. His political support was given the democratic party and he attended the Lutheran church. He was strong in his honor and his good name and sterling traits of character endeared him to those with whom he came in contact. In August, 1854, he married Caroline Goetzman, who was born Sep- tember 12, 1836, in Alsace-Lorraine. In her girlhood she came with her parents to America, the family home being established in Ohio. In 1853 she became a resident of Boone county, where she remained until her death, which occurred on the home farm in July, 1909.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturtz were the parents of seven children. William A., born in 1857, is now a retired farmer and stock-buyer, residing in Boone. Stephen D. is the next of the family. George, born in 1866, is engaged in the real-estate business in Sioux City, Iowa. Ann D., born in 1871, is the wife of William
622
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY
Paulson, a resident of Chicago. James, born in 1878, is engaged in farming in Boone county. They were also the parents of two other children, who died in infancy.
Stephen Douglas Sturtz was born and reared in this county and during his youthful days he divided his time between attendance at the public schools and the work of the fields. He continued to assist his father upon the home farm until 1884, when he was married and purchased a tract of land. He then began farming and stock-raising on his own account and has since followed that pur- suit, residing continuously in Dodge township with the exception of eight years, when he was a resident of Boone. He owns about three hundred and fifty acres. which he has brought to a high state of cultivation and to which he has added many modern improvements and equipments. The success which has crowned his efforts is well merited and indicates what may be accomplished when ambition and energy point out the way.
On the 24th of September, 1884, Mr. Sturtz was married to Miss Cordelia Swigert, a daughter of Anderson and Mary ( Winklepleck ) Swigert, who were married in Ohio. They had a family of eight children, of whom four survive, Madill, George A., Frank and Cordelia. The last named was born on the 12th of June, 1866. in Boone county, where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Sturtz became the parents of five children, three of whom are living. Beatrice, who was born in 1887, is a graduate of the Boone high school. In 1908 she became the wife of A. V. Dalberg, a chemist in a beet sugar mill at Sterling, Colorado. They have two children, Helen and James. Horace, born in 1889, was graduated from the high school of Boone and married Leam Williams. He died January 7, 1913, as the result of an accident. Geneva, born in 1891, and Herschel D., born in 1898, are at home with their parents. Clayton B. died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Sturtz are members of the Presbyterian church and are loyal to their professions. He has never held political office outside of township posi- tions and is rather independent in his political views. Throughout his entire life, covering a period of about fifty-four years, he has lived in Boone county and has been an interested witness of all the changes which have occurred, wrought by time and man. He has lived to see the pioneer homes upon the farms of this county replaced by commodious, substantial residences, while the work of agricultural development has been carried forward until Boone ranks with the leading counties of the state in the productiveness of its soil and in the amount of harvests produced on a given area.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.