USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 10
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He was born in Wheeling, Virginia, now West Virginia, in 1857, his parents being .J. H. and Hannah JJ. (Pollock) Crumbacker. The father's birth occurred in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1823, and the mother was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in 1826. J. H. Crumbacker was a student in Bethany College of Virginia, which was conducted by Alexander Campbell, the organizer of the present Christian church. He was a druggist and carried on business with his father at Wheeling. while later he removed to Washington, Ohio. At length he took up the study of medicine and in 1865 was graduated from the Sterling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio. He then located for practice in Antrim, Guernsey county, Ohio, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1894. His wife survived him for about eleven years, passing away
W. P. Grumbacher, M. D.
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in 1905. He was captain of the Ohio State Militia at Washington, Guernsey county, Ohio, a member of the town council, of the board of education, and held various minor offices, the duties of which he discharged in a prompt and capable manner. He took an active interest in the promotion of the schools and his efforts in support of higher education were far-reaching and beneficial. His religious faith was that of the United Presbyterian church and he was an carnest worker for the upbuilding of the organization. His family numbered six children, five daughters and a son, of whom Dr. Crumbacker was the third in order of birth.
In the village schools W. P. Crumbacker pursued his carly education and afterward attended an academy at Philadelphia, conducted by F. W. Hastings. He spent two years, from 1876 until 1878, as a student there, after which he entered the Medical College of Ohio, now the medical department of the University of Cincinnati. He was graduated in 1882, with the M. D. degree, and ten years later he pursued post-graduate work in the New York Polyclinic. In 1897 he visited hospitals in Dublin, Ireland, and in Edinburgh, Scotland, making special investigations concerning the treatment of nervous and mental diseases. He has constantly read and studied along those lines and has attained a high degree of proficiency in practice. His education, however, was not con- tinuous but was acquired through the improvement of every opportunity which came to him. He was only sixteen years of age when he began teaching in the country schools of Guernsey county, Ohio. He followed that profession through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he continued his studies, thus alternating his time until his first year in medical college. Following his course he practiced in Ohio with his father for two years and then entered the Athens (Ohio) State Asylum, now the State Hospital, in which he became assistant physician, remaining there for five years in that capacity. He afterward took up private practice in Cambridge, Ohio, where he remained for a year, and on the expiration of that period he returned to the Athens Asylum as superintendent, filling that position for three years. He next went to the West Virginia State Hospital for the Insane at Weston, West Virginia, continuing in charge for five years, after which he resumed the private practice of medicine in Athens, Ohio, where the succeeding three years were passed. He left that city for Pasadena, California, to engage in the private practice of his profession in the Green Hotel, the leading hostelry of that city. He remained as house physician, however, for only a brief period and was then selected as superintendent of the State Hospital at Independence, Iowa, entering upon his duties here on the 1st of July, 1902. He has since continued in charge, covering a period of twelve years, and during his regime the work has steadily advanced. Several new buildings have been added, including a psychopathic hospital, while a new nurses' building has just been completed. He has also introduced many radical and beneficial changes in treatment. In his care of the patients he uses no mechanical restraint and has abolished all of the severe methods which in past ages made the care of the insane a blot upon the fair name of many a state. He has made another improvement in the way of introducing female attendants, having only sixteen male nurses. At the present time there are eleven hundred and ninety-seven patients and one hundred and eight nurses. Dr. Crumbacker is directly responsible for the entire institution in all of its branches. His
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work here has been successful in the extreme. The entire atmosphere is one of sympathy and help, and the work accomplished has been most commendable.
In 1888 Dr. Crumbacker was united in marriage to Miss Emma L. Bower, a native of Athens, Ohio, and a daughter of Captain J. C. Bower, who was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1835. Her mother, Lovisa (Cooley) Bower, was a native of Athens county, Ohio. In early life Captain Bower took up the occupation of farming, which he followed until he enlisted for service in the Civil war, in which he held the rank of captain in a regiment of Ohio infantry. Following the close of hostilities he resumed agricultural pur- suits and cultivated six hundred acres of land and also engaged in raising horses, mostly driving stock. He also raised Holstein cattle and the various branches of his business have proven profitable, owing to his practical and progressive methods. At one time he served as coroner of Athens county, continuing in the office for three terms. He was a member of the state board of agriculture several years, at one time being president of the board. Mrs. Crumbacker is the second in order of birth in a family of five children and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, James Bower, who is now a student in Harvard University at Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Dr. Crumbacker practically gives his entire time to his professional duties and interests and is continually seeking to augment his knowledge by reading and study and thereby increase his skill and efficiency. He belongs to the American Medico-Psychological Association, of which he has served on the council for three years, and he also has membership in the Buchanan County Medical Society and the Iowa State Medical Society. His practice represents the ideas and ideals of a higher civilization, and the truths which he has gleaned from his own broad experience have constituted a valuable contribution to medical science.
DEWITT C. WOODRUM.
Dewitt (. Woodrum is a well known and prosperous farmer residing in Perry township, his land adjoining the corporation of Jesup on the north. He was born in Shasta county, California, September 5, 1854, a son of Henry H. and Nancy H. (Brassfield) Woodrum. The former was born in Kentucky. where he remained until he was a young man of about twenty years of age, or until 1848 or 1849, when he removed to Towa and settled upon a farm near Oskaloosa. In 1852 he and his wife went overland to Cali- fornia with ox teams and settled in Shasta county, where he farmed to some extent. A great deal of his time, however. was given to mining and he was often gone for many days at a time prospecting. After four years his wife felt that the hardships of the new country and the loneliness were more than she could endure and accordingly returned to her home in Iowa, bringing with her the subject of this review, who was then but a small child. The latter never saw his father again and did not hear from him for many years. At the time of the Civil war the father joined the Union army and while in the military service of the government received an injury which eventually caused his death.
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although he lived to be seventy-six years of age. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the War of 1812.
The mother of Dewitt C. Woodrum was a native of Indiana but was taken by her parents when an infant to Peoria, Illinois, where she was reared. She was married in Iowa and, as before stated, accompanied her husband across the plains in 1852. Upon her return to the middle west she rode a burro and carried her son in her arms for a distance of one hundred and fifty miles, or until she reached Sacramento, where she took a boat for San Francisco. From the latter city she went to the Isthmus of Panama, as she believed that route preferable to the long overland trip. She died at the advanced age of seventy- five years and six months.
Dewitt C. Woodrum spent his boyhood upon the farm near Peoria with his mother and step-father, but when sixteen years of age left home. He had care- fully saved what little money he had received and had purchased a team, which he took with him when he went to the home of an uncle. He had received very little education previous to this time and, as he was eager to remedy his deficiencies in that respect, he attended district school for three winters while assisting his uncle with the farm work during the summers. At the end of that time he went to live with his grandfather, who owned a great deal of land and loaned money at interest. The subject of this review assisted his grandfather in many ways in the care of his business and in this way received a valuable commercial education. Later he rented land in Marshall county, Illinois, which he farmed for some time, but afterward became a dealer in horses and the owner of a livery stable in the same county. Unfortunately the market for horses was poor and money was hard to obtain and so he was compelled to sell his livery in order to pay his creditors. He next rented a farm belonging to his uncle in Peoria county, Illinois, and devoted his time to agriculture and dealing in horses. Upon leaving Peoria county he went to Ford county, Illinois, and purchased a farm near Gibson City, which he operated for several years. He kept everything upon the place in good repair and by wise management conserved the fertility of the soil, and his foresight, coupled with the general advance in land values, enabled him to sell his place at a large profit. He pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres for six thousand dollars and at the end of nine years sold his land for one hundred and sixty dollars per acre. He then went to Gibson City and for three years engaged in the livery and horse busi- ness, after which he bought three hundred and sixty acres of land in Lee county, Illinois, near the town of Dixon, paying forty-five dollars per acre. After cul- tivating the same for four years he sold it for seventy-five dollars per acre. IIe subsequently bought and sold four or five different tracts of land in the vicinity of Dixon and in 1906 came to this county, purchasing his present farm, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres in Perry township. He bought it for seventy-five dollars per acre, but it could now be sold for two hundred dollars per acre. The land is very fertile and is in a high state of cultivation, while the place is provided with the necessary buildings which are kept in fine repair. Mr. Woodrum has prospered in his various undertakings and is now in the possession of a competence.
Mr. Woodrum was married when twenty-two years of age to Miss Adeline L. Wood, a native of Marshall county, Illinois, and they are the parents of two
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children : Edna M., who has lived in various places in the west and has been a music teacher, but is now engaged in the millinery business in Montana ; and Marie, at home.
Mr. Woodrum is a republican and takes a keen interest in everything relat- ing to the welfare of the community. Fraternally he belongs to Safety Lodge, No. 416, K. P .; Jesup Lodge, I. O. O. F .; to the Encampment; and to the Patriarehs Militant. His energy and business acumen have enabled him to prosper materially and he has won also the respect of those who know him.
REV. THOMAS EDDY TAYLOR, D. D.
For many years Rev. Thomas Eddy Taylor devoted his life to the active work of the ministry but has now retired. although there are few Sundays in which he does not act as a supply in some pulpit and his interest in the work of the church has never abated in the slightest degree. He was born in Lake county, Illinois, June 20, 1864, a son of Charles H. and Elizabeth Ann (Rawson) Taylor. The father's birth occurred in Devonshire, England, January 24, 1837, and he passed away on the 12th of October, 1905. As a boy he began earning his own living and the necessity of providing for his own support greatly limited his opportunities for acquiring an education. Ile came to the new world when about eighteen years of age and settled in Lake county, Illinois. There he was married on the 12th of October, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Rawson, who was born in Michigan in 1841. Mr. Taylor afterward engaged in farming and also became a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church. He resided in Illinois until the fall of 1864, when he came with his family to Iowa, settling on a farm in the northern part of Mitchell county, where he continued to make his home until 1871. He was then admitted to the upper Iowa conference and from that time until within eighteen months of his death he continued active in the work of the ministry. being called to the pastorate of various churches in northeastern lowa. Near the close of his ministry he served as a presiding elder for a term and a half, but because of failing health he went to California and died at Burbank, that state. Mrs. Taylor survives and is now a resident of Manchester, Iowa.
Rev. Thomas Eddy Taylor is the eldest of a family of five children. He supplemented his publie-school course by study in the Upper Iowa University, from which he was graduated witih the class of 1887. He also attended the Moody Bible Institute and when he had finished school he took up the task of preaching the gospel, joining the upper Iowa conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. His first charge was what was known as the eleventh circuit north of Waterloo. He later filled the pastorates of the churches at Marble Rock, Greene, Cresco, Independence, Osage and then again at Independence, and in 1911 he retired from the active work of the ministry, although he still preaches almost every Sunday, doing supply work. He also frequently preaches at the hospital at Independence. In 1901 his alma mater conferred upon him the Doctor of Divinity degree. In the previous year Dr. Taylor began the publieation of a series of books, his authorship having sinee made him widely
E Taylor
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known. His first volume was "Studies in the Life of Christ," which has since been followed by "Studies in the Apostolic Church" and "Studies in the Old Testament." These volumes were adopted as the official Bible study text-book in the Epworth League and also as the official text-book of the United Christian Endeavor Society. It has likewise become the official text-book of the Young People's Societies of Canada, and in 1901 he was given charge of the Bible study department of the Epworth League for three years. In addition to his active work along the lines of moral progress and development Dr. Taylor has become interested in agricultural pursuits and is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land in Buchanan county comprised in two farms, to one of which he gives his personal attention and supervision. This is known as Idlewild and is situated in Washington township. He operates this farm of one hundred and sixteen acres in a general way but also specializes in the raising of shorthorn cattle and Duroe Jersey hogs. The farm adjoins the city limits and is supplied with all modern equipments and accessories.
On the 12th of June, 1889, Dr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Margaret Huie, who was born at Polo, Ogle county, Illinois, a daughter of Robert J. and Julia (Hammond) Huie. The mother was born in New York and about 1841 was taken to Illinois by her parents, her marriage being celebrated in Polo in 1862. Mr. Huie's birth occurred in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1840, and in early life he followed farming. Later he engaged in the lumber business and was also employed as an official weigher at the stock yards at Polo by the Illinois Central Railroad Company. In 1862, immediately after his marriage. he enlisted for service in the Union army as a private of Company A, Ninety- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was afterward promoted to the rank of orderly sergeant, subsequently became second lieutenant and still later first lieutenant, serving altogether for three years, when he was mustered out. He was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea and for a short time was confined in the hospital with fever. At the close of his military experience he returned to Illinois and assisted his father in the further development and im- provement of a large farm. In the meantime he purchased a farm in Floyd county, Iowa, and later came to this state with his wife and daughter, now Mrs. Taylor. For seventeen years he resided upon his Floyd county farm and then removed to Charles City, where he engaged in the lumber business until about 1895, after which he returned to his native county. A few years later he became official weigher for the Illinois Central Railroad and is still a resident of Polo but is now living retired. He also engaged at one time in the life insurance business, representing a mutual benefit association of New Jersey, but made that simply a side issue to his other interests. While living in Floyd county, Iowa, he served as assessor. His wife passed away in May. 1901. Mrs. Taylor was the eldest of their five children. She attended the Upper Iowa University, from which she was graduated with the class of 1888, and she is a member of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Cirele and other organizations advancing educational and church work.
Dr. and Mrs. Taylor have three children. Hartness D., who was born July 16, 1891, and was graduated from the Upper Iowa University in 1913, on the completion of a course in the College of Liberal Arts, has been superintendent of the public schools at Stanwood, Iowa, and is now studying law at Iowa City.
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Karl S., born July 20, 1898, is in the second year of high school. Lloyd M., born September 20, 1901, is attending grammar school.
In his political views Dr. Taylor is a stalwart republican and at the present time is a candidate for the office of representative to the state legislature. His life interests have been broad and varied and he is identified with that class of men who ever stand for progress and improvement. He is usually to be found in those circles where intelligent men are met for the discussion of important questions and association with him means expansion and elevation.
WILLIS F. VAN ORSDOL.
It has been said that death loves a shining mark and many times this seems to be exemplified when a leading and valued citizen is called from the scene of his activities. Willis F. Van Orsdol was one of the valued residents of Rowley and throughout his entire life displayed qualities and characteristics that endeared him to all who knew him, causing his death to be greatly re- gretted wherever he was known. He was born in this county in November, 1863, a son of James and Jessie Van Orsdol, who were pioneer settlers of this part of the state. The father was for many years actively and successfully engaged in general farming and eventually removed to Rowley, where he con- dueted a grain and live-stock business in connection with his two sons. Willis F. and Frank J., remaining active in that partnership until his death, which occurred July 24, 1912. His widow still resides in Rowley and extended mention of them is made on another page of this work.
Willis F. Van Orsdol spent his youthful days in his parents' home and good opportunities and advantages were afforded him. He attended the publie schools and also continued his education in Vinton, Iowa. After reaching his majority he took up his abode in Rowley, where he became connected with the live-stock and grain business, carrying on operations along that line until his life's labors were ended in death on the 27th of August, 1910, after he had been ill for only a brief period. In business he was a resourceful, energetic man who readily recognized and utilized opportunities and as the years went on his reliable business methods, combined with unfaltering energy and de- termination won for him a gratifying measure of prosperity.
In January, 1890, Mr. Van Orsdol was married to Miss Emma Page. a daughter of George W. and Lenora (Chandler) Page, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Maine. Her father was one of the first settlers of Linn county, Iowa, where he purchased wild land and developed and improved a farm, being busily engaged in agricultural pursuits until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he considered his duty to his country his foremost interest and enlisted from Linn county as a member of Company II, Twentieth Iowa Infantry, with which he served for ten months. He then returned to Linn county and throughout his remaining days was actively engaged in farming, his death occurring June 5, 1888. His wife survives and took up her residence in Rowley in 1904. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Orsdol were born three children : Jay W., now engaged in the grain and stock business in Rowley,
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who was married on the 13th of December, 1913, to Miss Ruby Finch, a native of Courtland, New York; Ivadel, six years of age; and one who died in infancy. They also adopted a little daughter, Genevieve, who came to them when but five weeks old.
Mr. Van Orsdol was a member of Holman Lodge, No. 593, A. F. & A. M., and was also identified with the Eastern Star chapter and with the Modern Woodmen camp. He voted with the democratic party and never regarded lightly his duties of eitizenship but met every obligation that devolved upon him in that connection through hearty cooperation with movements for the general good. He affiliated with the Presbyterian church of which his widow is a member and guided his life by its teachings. He left to his family not only a comfortable competence, but that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches. He was an honorable and progressive business men, a loyal citizen, a faithful friend and a devoted husband and father. Mrs. Van Orsdol still makes her home in Rowley, where she owns an attractive residence and she also has good farm lands in this part of the county.
GILBERT E. TITUS.
Gilbert E. Titus is a well known lumberman and horse dealer of Winthrop, whose reputation for ability to correctly judge the good points of a horse has extended beyond the limits of this county. Wholesale houses and ice dealers throughout the state often intrust him with the buying of their horses, merely telling him what type of horse they wish and the price they are willing to pay and leaving the rest to him. He is a man seventy-five years of age but is still very active in business and in the various phases of life.
Mr. Titus was born in Warrensville, Ohio, which is about eight miles from the city of Cleveland, August 6, 1839, a son of John H. and Angeline (Miller) Titus. His father was born near Rochester, Ohio, a son of Austin Titus. John II. Titus was reared in the vicinity of Rochester and there married, after which he removed to Warrensville, where he operated a sawmill and gristmill. These were destroyed by fire but he subsequently rebuilt the sawmill and continued to conduct it for some time, eventually selling it. He then removed to Paines- ville, Ohio, where he built a mill which he ran until 1862. In that year he traded the mill, which was yielding good profits, for one thousand acres of land in Wisconsin and one thousand aeres in this county. He came here and began to develop the tract of land which he owned, which was wild prairie as yet un- touched by man. He farmed during the summers and in the winters went to his holdings in Wisconsin, where he engaged in logging and in shipping the lumber which he cut from his land to this place. At the end of three years he sold his northern property and in 1865 started a lumber yard in Winthrop, ยท condueting the same for a year, at the end of which time he sold out. In 1867 he started another yard, which he ran for two years, after which he sold it also. From that time until he retired from active life he devoted his energies to farming and developing his land, bringing it to a high state of cultivation. As his children grew to maturity he gave each of them eighty acres of land and
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started them out in life for themselves and as they had previously been well trained in agriculture they have met with success. He remained in Winthrop until about eighty-one years of age and then went to Storm Lake, where he passed away a year later.
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