USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 6
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James Johnstone of this review passed his boyhood in Inverness and Ballintore, both romantic and historic old towns of Scotland. There he attended the public schools, receiving thorough instruction until fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to the baker's trade in Inverness, serving for four years. After
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having completed his indenture he set sail from Glasgow for New York, where he arrived in May, 1886. After a short stay he removed to Boston, where he was employed at his trade for three years, and then went to Chicago after having visited various states. He spent the years 1892, 1893 and 1894 in Chicago and then proceeded to Des Moines, Iowa, where he had charge of the S. B. Garton bakery for a time. This was the largest establishment of its kind there in those days. Mr. Johnstone next came to Boone, finding employment with the Perrine bakery for about three years. At the end of that period he started in the same business independently in the old Crary building, on the site of the present garage and removed from there one and one-half years ago to his present place, his estab- lishment turning out a grade of goods which is eagerly demanded by a large list of customers. Mr. Johnstone is a thoroughly up-to-date business man, having equipped his plant with modern machinery and using the most sanitary methods in the manufacture of his goods. He enjoys a high reputation for fairness- a reputation which is merited.
In May, 1895, James Johnstone married Miss Alice Reed, of Rose Hill, Iowa, a daughter of William Reed. They have three sons, Horatio, William and George. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and politically Mr. John- stone is a stanch republican, ever upholding the issues and candidates of his party. He is thoroughly well informed upon all public questions and particularly interested in those affecting his city and county. He has been a prime mover in promoting a number of valuable measures which have turned out beneficially for the city and stands in the front ranks with those men who have at heart the progress of the community. He is esteemed and respected by all who know him in a business or social way and is well entitled to the confidence and trust with which he is met on all sides.
NATHAN E. GOLDTHWAIT.
Nathan E. Goldthwait was born in Mendon, Worcester county, Massachusetts, December 29, 1827. At the age of eight years he moved with his parents to Uxbridge, Massachusetts, where he attended the common public schools until the age of seventeen. At that time his ambition led him to seek a college educa- tion, depending on his own resources to win his way. For two years he attended in succession the Worcester and Uxbridge Academies of his native state. He en- tered Brown University in September, 1848. and graduated in June, 1852. He was at once appointed a teacher in the Worcester (Mass.) Academy, where he remained two years. In the years 1854 and 1855 he was principal (the last principal) of the Uxbridge Academy and also the first principal of the Uxbridge high school.
Early in 1856 the western fever took him to Wisconsin, where he became president of the Wisconsin Female College at Fox Lake, now transferred to Milwaukee and one of the best ladies' colleges of our country. Before coming west he was appointed president of Wayland University, of Beaver Dam, Wis- consin. This he declined and took the position at Fox Lake subsequently. In November, 1868, he came to Boone, Iowa, as first superintendent and organizer
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N. E. Gold thwaid
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of the graded schools of the city. Previous to this time only a common district school kept by Mr. Ford had been maintained in the city. Soon after arriving in Boone he bought fifteen hundred acres of prairie land at from three to five dollars per acre. While engaged in his profession he improved a part and sold a part of the land. Although retaining his residence in Boone, he was elected professor of mathematics in Des Moines College, but in the year 1886, on January I, he with Clinton Tomlinson, as partner and business manager, bought of Means & Downing the Boone Republican, then a weekly paper of good reputation in the county and state. Since that time he has been engaged in the newspaper business and in managing his real estate. About the year 1906 he sold the Daily News to his son Stephen and assisted him in establishing the Boone News-Republican after buying out a rival daily. The News-Republican now has a new office build- ing and press as fine as any in a town of fifteen thousand people in this state.
On the 25th of April, 1845, Mr. Goldthwait united with the Baptist Church of North Uxbridge, Massachusetts, and has been a loyal member of the denomi- nation since. On August 25, 1852, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Thayer, also of Uxbridge, Massachusetts. On January 12, 1914, the wife of more than sixty-one years departed this life. The burial occurred on Wednesday, January 14, 1914. The casket adorned with her favorite flowers and containing the sacred relics, rests in beautiful Linwood Park.
NELSON M. WHITEHILL, M. D.
Dr. Nelson M. Whitehill, a successful physician and surgeon of Boone, has here followed his profession continuously for the past decade and is accorded an extensive practice. His birth occurred in Green Mountain, Marshall county, Iowa, on the 13th of October, 1870. his parents being William H. and Margaret J. (Gibson) Whitehill, natives of Virginia. The father, who devoted his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career, passed away on the 3d of March, 1908. The mother survives, however, making her home at State Center, Iowa. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Nelson M., of this review ; William J., who acts as cashier of the Dobbin & Whitson Bank of State Center, Iowa; Benjamin C., residing in Saskatchewan, Canada ; and Anna Belle, the wife of L. J. Rice, a druggist of Hubbard, Iowa.
Nelson M. Whitehill pursued a high-school course, subsequently followed the profession of teaching for two years and then for three years attended Grin- nell College of Grinnell, Iowa. Having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered Rush Medical College of Chicago for professional training and in 1897 was graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. During the next seven years he practiced at Garwin, Tama county, this state, and in 1904 came to Boone, which city has since remained the scene of his professional labors. He is careful in the diagnosis of a case and has been very successful in the administration of remedial agencies, bringing back health and happiness to many of his patients.
On the 25th of December, 1897, Dr. Whitehill was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary L. Brown, a native of Iowa, by whom he has two children, Marguerite
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and Charlotte. He is a republican in politics and now holds the office of county coroner. He has been a member of the school board for three years, thus evincing his interest in educational matters. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, and he serves as president of the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. He has those personal qualities which make for popularity and has gained many friends outside of professional circles.
F. H. GRAVES.
F. H. Graves of Madrid is to be numbered among the successful bankers of Iowa, having been a valuable factor in the upbuilding of the Farmers Savings Bank of Madrid, of which he now serves as cashier. The high reputation for solidity which this institution enjoys is largely due to the circumspect efforts of its able manager, Mr. Graves. He was born in Belle Point, Douglas town- ship, Boone county, July 2, 1867. His parents were Henry M. and Caroline (Hull) Graves, the former born in Clay county, Indiana, April 1, 1840, and the latter a native of Missouri. The Graves family were among the pioneers of Boone county, and the father is yet residing in Madrid. The mother, however, died in that town in 1904. She came with her parents to this county by the overland route when but six months of age, in 1846, the family settling at Belle Point. There were no railroads at that time and the stage station was at their place. Around them still stretched unbroken prairie in all directions. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Graves took place in this county, and they became the parents of four children, of whom two are living: F. H., of this review : and H. C., also residing in Madrid.
F. H. Graves was reared in Boone county and in the acquirement of his fundamental education attended the common schools. He subsequently in- proved his opportunities by attending the Iowa State College at Ames, from which he was graduated in 1887. His business activities have been confined to Boone county with the exception of one year, during which he was engaged in com- mercial pursuits in Des Moines. For eleven years Mr. Graves conducted a drug store in Madrid and earned during that time the reputation of being an up-to- date, successful, aggressive and honest business man. In 1901 he was chosen assistant cashier of the Madrid State Bank and in 1908, upon the reorganization of the Farmers Savings Bank of Madrid, he became its cashier. He occupies that position at present and has proven himself a shrewd, able and progressive banker. He thoroughly understands the world's mart of finance and readily makes use of those legitimate opportunities which present themselves in order to further the interests of his institution. He is a man of rare executive ability, yet he has the capacity of handling a lot of detail and is ever ready to embrace suggestions which might prove of value to the growth of the bank. However, Mr. Graves is very conservative in regard to the investment of the funds of the bank and is exceedingly careful of his depositor's interests. On the other hand, he is ever ready to extend credit to new industry and enterprise if he can be convinced of the solid foundation of such new ventures. In that manner he has
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contributed to the growth of his city by means of his bank. His gift of keen observation and his understanding of human nature are also valuable factors in his success. The bank of which he is now at the head was organized in 1904 as a private firm by Schooler & Son of Des Moines. The capital and surplus amounts to thirty thousand dollars at present, and their field extends to all departments of general banking.
In 1888 Mr. Graves married Miss Frederica Schaal, who was born in Polk county, Iowa, July 19, 1868. There she attended the common schools and grew to womanhood. She taught school in Polk county and afterward attended the Iowa State College. Her parents, Adam and Miriam (Leighty) Schaal, were honored pioneers of Polk county, where they settled in 1851. The father was born in Wurttemberg, Germany, and passed away in the county which had been so long his home in December, 1912. The mother, a native of Pennsylvania, died while visiting in the state of Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Schaal had eleven children: W. J., of Polk county ; Mrs. Mary Rogers, of Grand Junction, Colo- rado; F. A., of Seattle, Washington ; Mrs. Frederica Graves; Mrs. W. C. Arie, of San Francisco, California; Mrs. R. M. Harvey, of Perry, Iowa; D. F., of Sheldahl, Iowa; C. D., of Beach, North Dakota; E. A., of Polk county ; R. B., of Des Moines, Iowa, and Mrs. Roy Johnson, of Alleman, Iowa. All were born in Polk county.
F. H. Graves gives his allegiance to the progressive party. He believes in the ideals and ideas of this organization and eagerly advocates their adoption. He has been a member of the town council of Madrid, serving with distinction, and for one term has held the office of town clerk. Both he and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church of Madrid. Fraternally Mr. Graves is a member of Star Lodge, No. 115, A. F. & A. M., and has held all the offices in the same. He also belongs to Tuscan Chapter, R. A. M., of Boone; El Kader Commandery of Boone ; and Za-ga-zig Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Des Moines. He is a member of Madrid Lodge, No. 433, I. O. O. F., of Madrid and Camp No. 2426, M. W. A., of that city. Mr. Graves owns a handsome home where both he and his wife extend warm-hearted hospitality to their many friends. He is considered one of the most substantial citizens of his community, and it redounds to his credit that he has won a prominent place among his fellowmen through his own efforts. Interested in all measures and movements of public welfare, he has been a great factor for good, and his life's actions have not only brought him individual prosperity but have influenced the growth of his community and county.
JOHN M. KNAPP, D. D. S.
Dentistry may be said to be almost unique among occupations, as it is at once a profession, a trade and a business. Such being the case, it follows that in order to attain the highest success in it one must be thoroughly conversant with the theory of the art, must be expert with the many tools and appliances incidental to the practice of modern dentistry and must possess business qualifications ade- quate to dealing with the financial side of the profession. In all of these par-
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ticulars, Dr. John M. Knapp is well qualified and therefore has attained prestige among the able representatives of dentistry in Boone county. He has followed the profession in Boone for the past six years and is a young practitioner of undoubted skill and ability. His birth occurred in Vinton, Benton county, Iowa, on the 16th of April, 1885, his parents being George Redmond and Dora (Den- man) Knapp, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Iowa. To Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Knapp were born six children, as follows: Grace, who gave her hand in marriage to E. M. Gunther, of Boone, Iowa ; George E., a resident of Washington, D. C .; Elsie, deceased : Anna, who is the wife of Russell Shreeves, of Keystone, lowa ; John M., of this review ; and Esther, at home.
John M. Knapp was graduated from the Vinton high school in 1904 and subsequently worked for a short time in his father's office. Ile also spent a brief period as deputy recorder and later entered the dental department of the State University of Iowa at łowa City, being graduated therefrom in 1908. It was his intention to locate for practice in the West, but he first visited his sister in Boone and was so attracted by the town and its opportunities that he bought out Dr. T. B. Hollenbeck and has remained there continuously since. The wisdom of his choice of a location is indicated in the large and lucrative practice which is accorded him, for his skill is widely recognized and' constantly called in requisition.
On the 7th of June, 1911, Dr. Knapp was united in marriage to Miss Belle Ray, a native of Benton, Iowa. He is a republican in politics and supports the Presbyterian church. while fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In both professional and social circles of his community he is popular and highly respected.
HENRY D. HAGGE.
Henry D. Hagge represents important commercial interests in Beaver as manager of the grain business owned by the Quaker Oats Company. He was born in Amaqua township, Boone county, June 5, 1877, and is a son of Claus and Margaret (Hensen) Hagge, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Jackson county, Iowa. The father emigrated to America in his young man- hood and after residing elsewhere for a short time came to Boone county, where he at first rented land but shortly afterward bought a farm in Amaqua township. This he improved and operated until 1893, when he retired to Ogden. His energy, however, would not let him rest and later he engaged in the lumber and grain business until 1903. Both he and his wife are still residents of Ogden and are enjoying a comfortable competence.
Henry D. Hagge was reared and educated in the district and public schools of Ogden. For six summers he worked as a farm hand and attended school during the winter season. In the spring of 1899 he came to Beaver and had charge of the lumber and grain business of his father until 1902. From July of that year until January 1, 1906, Mr. Hagge was con- nected with Nylander Brothers & Williams, at Ogden, who were implement and grain dealers. On the latter date he embarked in the grain and live-stock busi-
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ness independently in Ogden, associating with him Claus Tams, the firm becom- ing Tams & Hagge. This association continued until 1910. On March I of that year Mr. Hagge came to Beaver, accepting the position of manager of the Wells Hord Grain Company, in which capacity he has since remained although the ownership of the concern has passed to the Quaker Oats Company of Chicago. Mr. Hagge has proven himself an able business man and enjoys the full con- fidence of the officers at headquarters. His business ability is readily recognized in Beaver and he is considered one of the most shrewd grain dealers. Mr. Hagge has succeeded because he combined with business ability a policy which stamps him as a man of the highest character. His methods have always been fair and square and his word is as good as his bond.
On October 15, 1902, Mr. Hagge married Miss Emma Reimers, a daughter of John and Botilda ( Thompson) Reimers, who were Boone county pioneers. Her father throughout life followed agricultural pursuits and on one property resided for thirty-two years. He passed away December 18, 1907. His widow now lives in Ogden. Mr. and Mrs. Hagge have two children: Carl W., who is nine years of age; and Irene L., aged six.
Mr. Hagge has always taken a deep interest in the progress and growth of Beaver and stands high in the regard of his fellow citizens. He is the present mayor and has served in that capacity for three years, giving his community a businesslike and satisfactory administration. He is a democrat and his religious faith is that of the Lutheran church. Mr. Hagge must be considered a vital force in the growth and upbuilding of Beaver, upon the development of which city he has had a most beneficial influence.
JOHN A. PETERSON.
John A. Peterson has since 1903 been an equal partner with Charles Rosen in the firm of Charles Rosen & Company of Ogden, with which establishment he first became identified as an employe a quarter of a century ago. They carry an enormous stock of harness and horse goods and a full line of shoes. Mr. Peter- son was born in Sweden on the 11th of October, 1867, his parents being Peter A. and Christine Johnson, who are also natives of that country. The father, a farmer by occupation, is now engaged in agricultural pursuits in the interests of the government. He has reached the age of seventy-six years, while his wife is seventy-four years old.
John A. Peterson was reared and educated in the land of his nativity and there followed farming in association with his father until 1887. When a young man of twenty years he crossed the Atlantic to the United States and came direct to Boone county, Iowa, entering the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- way at Ogden and being thus employed for two years. In December, 1889. he secured a position with the harness firm of Goetzman & Company and learned the trade, finding the business so much to his liking that he has remained con- tinuously identified therewith to the present time. The establishment later came into possession of Charles Rosen, and on the 2d of January, 1903, Mr. Peterson became an equal partner in the concern, which has since been known as Charles
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Rosen & Company. They carry a very extensive stock of harness and horse goods as well as a complete line of shoes and enjoy a liberal and lucrative patron- age that has made the enterprise most profitable. Mr. Peterson owns a handsome residence in the eastern part of Ogden and also has a fine orchard of two acres.
On the 17th of April, 1893, Mr. Peterson was united in marriage to Miss Anna Anderson, a daughter of E. M. and Emma Jonson, natives of Sweden, where the father is engaged in business as a butcher. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson have four children, namely: Ruth, who is nineteen years of age : Paul, eighteen years old; and Werner Linne and David C. A., who are fourteen and twelve years of age respectively. Mr. Peterson gives his political allegiance to the pro- gressive party, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Swedish Mission. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought .- which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man,- and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He pos- sesses the resolution, perseverance and reliability so characteristic of his nation. and his name is now enrolled among the best citizens of Boone county.
JOHN T. S. WILLIAMS.
John T. S. Williams, one of the leading and respected citizens of Boone county, where he has resided continuously for the past forty-five years, has since 1907 lived retired in Ogden. He has reached the ripe old age of seventy- nine years, his birth having occurred in Canada on the 3Ist of August, 1835. His parents were the Rev. Ebenezer and Margaret (Sheriff) Williams, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Scotland.
In 1869, when a young man of thirty-four years, John T. S. Williams came to Boone county, lowa, from Wisconsin, purchasing land in Beaver township which he improved and cultivated until 1879. He was then elected county treasurer and filled the office with credit for two years, on the expiration of which period he embarked in the general mercantile business at Ogden, conduct- ing an enterprise of that character for six years. Subsequently he again devoted his attention to farming for a year but at the end of that time returned to Ogden, where he was successfully engaged in the implement business until 1893. In that year he was appointed postmaster under President Cleveland and for four years ably discharged the duties devolving upon him in that connec- tion. Afterward he embarked in the real-estate business and was thus success- fully engaged until 1907, since which time he has lived retired. He owns a handsome residence in Ogden and also has considerable farm property.
On the 20th of October, 1858, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Miss Jane Thomas, a daughter of William and Mary (Bowden) Thomas, who were natives of England. Unto our subject and his wife were born seven children, as follows: G. K., who operates liis father's farm in Boone county ; Charles H .. also an agriculturist of this county : Charlotte J., the wife of J. A. Nylander, who is living retired : Lilly S., who passed away on the 20th of October, 1909; Laura M., the wife of C. L. Thomas; Edgar R., who is the editor of the Ogden
MR. AND MRS. JOHN T. S. WILLIAMS
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Reporter ; and Amy F., the wife of J. C. Davis, who is dean of Marquette Uni- versity in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Mr. Williams is a democrat in his political views and for a number of years ably served as clerk of Beaver township, which he organized. The cause of education has ever found in him a stalwart champion and has benefited by his labors on the school board, of which he long served as secretary. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He is an honored pioneer of his com- munity and has not only witnessed its growth but has earnestly aided in the work of development and upbuilding. The circle of his friends is almost coex- tensive with the circle of his acquaintances, for his life has ever been such as to win for him the esteem and regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
JOHN B. MATHERS.
Although John B. Mathers is one of the youngest business men of Boone he must be numbered among the most successful in the industrial circles of the city. He is the senior member of the contracting and building firm of Mathers & Addison, who conduct a most profitable and growing business in Boone, where Mr. Mathers has now resided for about eight years. He was born in the town of Linlithgow, Scotland, December 23, 1882, and is a son of James and Ann (Baxter) Mathers. The grandfather, Robert Mathers, was a native of Inverness- shire, Scotland. He was a brewer and distiller and did an extensive business in his native district. His death occurred in 1904, at the age of eighty-one years. He was twice married and was the father of the following children: David; Nell, of Edinburgh, Scotland; Elizabeth, of Glasgow; Mary, of Boness; James, the father of our subject ; and Alexander, of Glasgow.
James Mather was born in Fettercairn, Inverness-shire, Scotland, about the year 1856. His education was a meager one and he early began work in his father's brewery and distillery. Later he succeeded him in business, carrying on the same in his native district for a number of years. About 1878 he went to Middleton, County Cork, Ireland, and has since been employed as a brewer and distiller by the Cork Distillery Company. His wife is also living and both are members of the Episcopal church of Ireland. In their family were the follow- ing children: Robert, who died in infancy; Robert, second of the name, who also died when young; Margaret, who died in infancy : John B., of this review ; David, of Middleton, Ireland; Agnes, who married James Hendry, of Lynn, Massachusetts ; Nell, of Newport, Rhode Island; Annite, of Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina ; and Mary, of Lynn, Massachusetts.
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