USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 16
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RICHARD I. BUCKLEY.
Richard I. Buckley is a partner in the firm of Buckley Brothers, dealers in agricultural implements at Rowley, and is classed with the enterprising and successful young business men of Buchanan county, within the borders of which he was born on the 12th of July. 1880, his birthplace being the old home farm in Homer township. His father, Benjamin F. Buckley, was born in Barnstable, Massachusetts. April 30. 1838, and during his infancy his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Buckley, removed to Summer Hill. New York. William Buckley, followed the sea for twenty-five years and by reason of industry and merit worked his way upward from cabin boy to master of a vessel. Many times he sailed around Cape Horn and visited various important ports. He was engaged in whale fishing in the northern Pacific and experienced many narrow eseapes as a sailor.
Benjamin F. Buckley, father of Richard I. Buckley, remained at home with his parents in Summer Hill, New York, until eighteen years of age. after which he began earning his living, and while working out also attended school. He
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engaged in teaching until he was twenty-three years of age, but with the out- break of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and in August, 1861, enlisted as a private in the Forty-fourth New York (Ells- worth's) Regiment. After several months spent with that command he was taken ill and was sent to a hospital at Philadelphia, where he suffered an attack of typhoid fever. Following his partial recovery he was honorably discharged, but after resting for thirty days he again enlisted, joining the One Hundred and Thirty-eighth New York Infantry, which subsequently became the Ninth Heavy Artillery. He continued with that command for fifteen months and in recognition of gallant and meritorious conduct on the field of battle was com- missioned a lieutenant in the Third United States Colored Regiment, and with that command assisted in the recapture of Fort Sumter. About a year later he was honorably discharged because of physical disability. Mr. Buckley then came to Iowa and settled in Homer township, Buchanan county, where he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land. The tract was entirely destitute of improvements and he at once began to develop and cultivate it, his labors resulting in a quick and marked transformation of the place. The wild territory was converted into productive fields and year by year he carefully tended his erops until subsequent harvests were gathered. He thus operated his farm until 1901, when he retired from agricultural life and moved to Rowley. He then accepted the position of rural mail carrier and acted in that capacity for ten years. He died January 14, 1913, and in his passing Buchanan county mourned the loss of one of its honored pioneers and highly esteemed citizens. In early manhood he had wedded Miss Addie J. Fleming, who was born at Sumner Hill, New York, and who survives, residing in Rowley. They were the parents of four children : Susie E., who was born November 20, 1867; William R., June 11, 1873; Edwin P., who was born January 23, 1876, and is mentioned else- where in this volume; and Richard I., of this review, whose birth occurred on the 12th of July, 1880; William died in infancy. Mr. Buckley was long a valued citizen of his community and served as assessor, clerk and trustee in Homer township.
Born on the old homestead farm, Richard 1. Buckley entered the district schools at the usual age and therein continued his studies to the age of seven- teen years, when he entered the Upper Iowa University at Fayette, remaining as a student there for two years. He then returned home and thereafter gave his father the benefit of his services in the cultivation of the farm until 1902, when he took up his abode in Rowley and embarked in merchandising in part- nership with G. J. Sherman, under the firm style of Buckley & Sherman. That relation was maintained for a year and a half, at the end of which time Mr. Buckley sold out and began work at the carpenter's trade, being thus identified with industrial activity until December, 1913, with the exception of two years which he spent in the service of "Uncle Sam" on a rural mail route. At the date mentioned he formed a partnership with his brother, E. P. Buckley, and engaged in the agricultural implement business, in which they have since con- tinued. They handle a large assortment of the leading makes of farm machinery and their business in now extensive and profitable. In addition to their estab- lishment at Rowley the Buckley Brothers have a branch house at Kiene, this county.
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On the 18th of December, 1900, Mr. Buckley was married to Miss L. Blanche Ketterman, a daughter of James S. and Lucy (Storts) Ketterman, who were natives of Indiana and Pennsylvania, respectively. At an early period in the development of Iowa they settled in Benton county, where the father engaged in general agricultural pursuits, operating his farm for many years, or until 1909, when he retired from active life. He is now residing in Urbana. Mr. and Mrs. Buckley have became the parents of four children: Harold F., who died in 1902; Richard Lowell, born April 27, 1904; Benjamin F., September 5, 1906; and Lillian R., February 18, 1912.
Mr. Buckley is well known as a representative of Masonie interests, being a charter member of Holman Lodge No. 593, A. F. & A. M. He has held various offices in the lodge and was master for two years. He also belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star and was worthy patron for a year. In his life he exem- plifies the beneficent spirit of this organization, which is based upon a recog- nition of the brotherhood of mankind. He also has membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a republican and his religious faith is evidenced in his membership in the Methodist church. There have been no unusual chapters in his life history, nothing particularly spectacular, yet there is in his record that which is worthy of commendation and of emulation, for he has displayed in business persistency of purpose coupled with integrity ; in citizenship has shown fidelity to the publie welfare; and in his social relations has ever been true to high standards of manhood which are manifest in con- sideration for others, geniality, cordiality and sincerity.
P. G. FREEMAN.
P. G. Freeman, now living practically retired in Independence, has been iden- tified with many pioneer experiences of Buchanan county and has not only been an interested witness of the growth and development of this section of the state, but has taken a helpful part in promoting the changes which have brought the county to its present state of progress and prosperity.
IIe was born in Allegany, New York, in 1839, a son of Isaac G. and Elizabeth (Armstrong) Freeman, the latter also a native of Allegany. The father was born at Boundbrook, New Jersey, and in early life became a farmer of Allegany, New York. In addition to tilling the soil he engaged in raising sheep. He took an active part in the public life of the community, serving as sheriff for several years in the early '30s and also commanding a regiment of the New York State Militia as colonel. On removing to the west he settled at Belvidere, Illinois, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits, remaining there for eight years. In the spring of 1854 he came to Buchanan county and took up land from the government. Not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon the place, but with characteristic energy he began to develop the fields and soon brought his farm to a high state of cultivation. To his original holdings he added until he was the owner of considerable land in Buchanan county. He was likewise active in shaping the public policy and molding the destiny of the
P. G. FREEMAN
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county along other lines. He filled the offices of county supervisor and justice of the peace and was a recognized leader in the ranks of the whig party until its dissolution and afterward in the ranks of the republican party. He was also a very helpful and earnest member of the Baptist church and his life was ever guided by its principles. In his family were twelve children, of whom P. G. was the fourth in order of birth. One of his sons, Reuben, who was the sixth child, served in the Civil war, going to the front as a member of Company D, Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and died of measles, which he con- tracted at Pea Ridge, Arkansas.
P. G. Freeman was but a little lad at the time of the removal to the Missis- sippi valley. He pursued his education in the schools of Illinois and of Iowa, and when eighteen years of age secured a clerkship in Van Winkle's store at Lowell, Michigan. There he remained for two years, spending the last year as manager of the Van Winkle sawmills at Greenville on the Grand river. Because of sickness he then went to Beloit, Wisconsin, and for a year was employed in the general store of W. P. Adams. On the expiration of that period he returned to Buchanan county and entered the store of P. C. Wilcox of Inde- pendence as clerk. The following year, 1861, he opened a store of his own, but sold out in the fall of 1862 and became connected with Beardsley Brothers, a wholesale house of Chicago, which he represented as salesman for five years. His next connection was with the Edward Lafercade Erwin Company of Phila- delphia, wholesale dealers in dry goods, with whom he continued for twelve years, representing the house upon the road as a traveling salesman. When his em- ployers sold out he became connected with John Mott & Company of New York. Eventually he retired from the dry-goods business and afterward engaged in buying and selling butter and eggs. He is the owner of a farm in Buchanan county comprising two hundred and forty-six acres, which includes a part of the original land taken up by his father, who had come to the west with an ox cart, bringing with him sheep, horses, cattle and oxen. Before leaving the farm in his boyhood Mr. Freeman had driven a six-yoke team of oxen in breaking up the sod for his father and neighbors. He knows much concerning the early pioneer experiences of this part of the state and can relate many an interesting incident of the early days. In addition to his farming property he has other interests, being now a stockholder, director and the treasurer of the Sherman Smith Manu- facturing Company.
In 1865 Mr. Freeman was united in marriage to Miss Adelaide J. Smith, who was born in New London, Connecticut, a daughter of Sabin Smith, a merchant of that place. To that marriage was born a son, Ledyard M., who is a traveling salesman, selling Ball brand products of Mishawaka, Indiana. He is married and has one child, Kenneth G. Mrs. Freeman died in March, 1901, and in June, 1902, Mr. Freeman was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Jose- phine (Smith) Jones, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Wilbur R. and Mina C. Smith. Her father was a farmer of Ohio. Mrs. Freeman takes an active part in the religious, social and club life of Independence, having been president of the Ladies Musical Club, the Literary Club, the Missionary Society and was the organizer of the Civic Improvement Club. She is deservedly recognized as one of the most prominent women of Independence and her efforts along the lines of progress are far-reaching and beneficial.
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Fraternally Mr. Freeman is connected with the Masons and his political allegiance is given to the republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. His has been an active and well spent life, in which effort has brought to him suecess. Wherever he is known-and his business has brought him a wide acquaintance-he is held in high esteem and most of all where he is best known.
WILLIAM H. BLANK, JR.
William H. Blank, Jr., is a resident farmer of Liberty township, his home being on section 10, where he now owns one hundred and sixty acres of land devoted to general farming and stock raising. His life record had its beginning in Du Page county, Illinois, his natal year being 1866. His father, William II. Blank, was born in Niagara county, New York, in 1840, and is still living, making his home on a farm in Liberty township with his son and namesake. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Martha Ann Plank, was born in Memphis, Scotland county, Missouri, in 1846, and departed this life in 1903.
In early manhood William H. Blank, Sr., engaged in farming in Illinois and at the outbreak of the Civil war responded to the country's call for troops to aid in crushing out the rebellion in the south. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he accordingly enlisted in Company K, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infan- try, with which he served for more than four years. He took part in a number of hotly contested battles and became disabled. The most important engage- ments in which he participated were those of Stone River, Mission Ridge and Chickamanga, and at the time of his discharge he was holding the rank of corporal. He stayed at the front as long as able and returned home with a most creditable military record. He has long been an active and prominent worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has held all of the offices, doing all in his power to further the work of the church and extend its influence. He is living practically retired from business, but is yet an active man for one of his years. He came to Iowa in 1870, settling first in Middlefield township, after which he removed to Quasqueton, but remained there for only a brief period. He bought land north of the town and engaged in general farming and stock raising for a long period, but at length put aside the active work of the fields and now lives with his son William in Liberty township.
William H. Blank, Jr., was but a young lad when brought by his parents to Iowa, and after mastering the branches of learning taught in the district schools of Buchanan county, continued his education in the Upper Iowa Uni- versity at Fayette. He always lived at home and in early manhood learned the creamery business and for a time was connected with the creamery at Quasqueton. Most of his life, however, has been devoted to general farming and stock raising in Liberty township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of good land. The fields respond readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon them, and thus he annually harvests good crops. Practically his entire time and attention are devoted to the farm, which is a valuable property.
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In 1894 Mr. Blank was united in marriage to Miss Mabel L. Crinklaw, a native of Rockwell, Iowa, and a daughter of George B. and Alice (Simms) Crinklaw. The father was born in London, Canada, in 1845, and the mother in Byron, Illinois, in 1850, and both are now residents of Cedar Falls, Iowa. When a youth of fifteen years George B. Crinklaw removed to Mount Carroll, Illinois, and when he attained his majority he was ordained a minister of the Methodist church. His first pastorate was at Sabula, Iowa, and while living there he was married. He afterward became a resident of Buchanan county and was the Methodist minister of Quasqueton. To him and his wife were born seven children, all of whom yet live with their parents save Mrs. Blank. Rev. Crinklaw has always been an ardent temperance man and active worker for the prohibition cause. His life has, indeed, been one of usefulness and distinction, constituting an important force in the moral progress of the com- munity. He is still connected with the Methodist conference, but is now on the retired list, having devoted more than forty years to preaching the gospel and much of this time has been given to Iowa pastorates.
To Mr. and Mrs. Blank have been born four children: Arlee, who is attend- ing the high school at Independence; Berdina, who is a pupil in the Winthrop schools; and Verna and Dorothy, who are attending the district school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Blank hold membership in the Methodist church, in which they are actively interested, taking a helpful part in the work which means so much toward molding character and shaping the ideals of the community. Their lives have ever conformed to high standards, integrity, justice, charity and sympathy featuring as factors in their careers.
P. F. HARRINGTON.
A highly improved farm is that owned by P. F. Harrington in Washington township. It comprises one hundred and twenty acres and upon the place Mr. Harrington has resided since August, 1900. He is one of the native sons of the county, born in 1871, his parents being. John and Mary (Duffy) Harrington, both of whom were natives of Ireland. The parents came to America when young people, and during the period of the Civil war John Harrington was with the government in the bridge building department. Following the cessa- tion of hostilities he removed westward to Iowa, settling at Independence, where he began digging wells. Later he turned his attention to farming and also engaged in breeding and raising Norman horses. At the time of his death he was the owner of four hundred and ninety aeres of rich and valuable land near Hazleton, his possessions being the visible evidence of a life of well directed energy and thrift. He passed away in 1908, at the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife died in 1888 at the age of fifty-one years. When Mr. Harrington retired from active farm life he removed to Oelwein and there his remaining days were passed. Both he and his wife were Catholics in religious belief, and he was a stalwart advocate of the democratic party, active in its support, yet he neither held nor desired public office. Three sons of the family still reside in this county, one brother, T. E. Harrington, now living retired in Waterloo.
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P. F. Harrington, whose name introduces this record, pursued his education in the schools of Hazleton township and when seventeen years of age began farming with his brother, J. M. Harrington, on the old family homestead, to the further development and improvement of which he directed his energies for five years. He then began farming independently and in August, 1900, pur- chased land in Washington township, where he now owns and cultivates one hundred and twenty acres, constituting one of the excellent farms in his part of the county. His is one of the two homes of the township supplied with electric lights. In all things he follows progressive methods and modern ideas, and in large barns and good sheds he has provided ample shelter for both grain and stock. He raises considerable stock, making a specialty of thoroughbred Belgian horses, Duroc-Jersey hogs and Shorthorn cattle.
On June 4, 1900, Mr. Harrington was married to Miss Matilda Reide, who was born on the farm which is still her home, her parents being Conrad and Maria (Weber) Reide, both natives of Germany. The father, who died in 1912 at the ripe old age of ninety-two years, was a young man of twenty-eight years when he erossed the Atlantic to America, settling near Erie, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in farming. In 1860 he made his way westward to Iowa and purchased land in Washington township. Buchanan county, becoming the owner of two hundred acres, constituting one of the valuable farms in the distriet in which he lived. Before leaving his native land he served in the German army. He was a member of the German Presbyterian church and his life was ever honorable and upright. To Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have been born two chil- dren, Roland and Leo, born in 1902 and 1904, respectively, and now attending school in Washington township.
The religious belief of the family is that of the Catholic church, and they attend St. John's ehurch at Independence. Mr. Harrington is a democrat in politics and has held a number of local offices, but has always preferred to con- centrate his energies upon his business affairs, in which he is now meeting with gratifying suecess.
OLIVER KENNETH CREW.
Forest Lawn, one of the excellent farms of Washington township, is the property of Oliver Kenneth Crew, who devotes much of his time and attention to the development and improvement of his place, yet also has other business connections establishing him as one of the enterprising citizens of his com- munity. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, February 10, 1852, a son of Aquilla and Rachel (Farmer) Crew. Both were representatives of old American families. The father was born in Virginia in 1816 and died in 1888, at the age of seventy-two years. The mother was born in South Carolina in 1820 and passed away in 1893, at the age of seventy-three years. In early manhood Aquilla Crew, who was a farmer by occupation, removed from Virginia to Ohio, where he became the owner of a tract of land and carried on general farming, specializing in the production of tobaeeo and also in the raising of sheep. Both he and his wife were of the Quaker faith and, unlike most people of that religious
MR. AND MRS. OLIVER K. CREW
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persuasion, he took considerable interest in politics and filled the office of justice of the peace. He also had two sons who were members of the Ohio State Militia and thus showed their independence in regard to the teachings of their church concerning military service. In the year 1862 Mr. Crew left Ohio and made his way direct to Linn county, Iowa, where he was the owner of two hundred and twenty acres of good farm land. Throughout his entire life he engaged in sheep raising, ever making that an important feature of his farm work.
Oliver K. Crew was the seventh in order of birth in a family of eleven children and is the only one who came to Buchanan county. He acquired his early education in the public schools of Ohio and was a youth of ten years at the time of the removal of the family to Iowa, where he continued his studies in Linn county. He remained with his father upon the home farm until he had attained his majority and afterward worked as a farm hand for four years. He was then married and began farming on his own account in Linn county, where he invested in land. In 1902 he removed to Buchanan county, where he is also a landowner. He had previously lived in Keokuk county for eight years after leaving Linn county.
His place, known as Forest Lawn, comprises one hundred and fifteen acres of rich and arable land and is one of the splendidly kept farms of Washington township. Since starting out in life on his own account Mr. Crew has engaged quite extensively in the raising of Chester White hogs. He has also handled standard bred horses and is today the owner of some high grade stock. He won two prizes with a driving team at the Cedar Rapids State Fair, also carried off the blue ribbon at the Linn County Fair and the Keokuk Fair, where he displayed five horses and captured five first prizes. He has won prizes on both his horses and hogs in every county fair where he has exhibited. No higher indication of the value of his stock could be cited. He has ever believed in holding to the highest standards in stock-raising and he has done much to improve the grade of stock produced in this section of the state. He has also handled Shropshire sheep, and while he never exhibited them but once, on that occasion he took a second prize. He devotes the greater part of his time and attention to his farming and stock-raising interests, but is also a stockholder in the Bu- chanan County Fair Association and in the Western Iowa Land Company of Waterloo.
On November 25, 1877, Mr. Crew was united in marriage to Miss Harriett Hodgin, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, in 1856, a daughter of Robert and Martha (Rhodes) Hodgin. The father's birth occurred in Morgan county, Ohio, in 1828, and in early life he learned the tanner's trade. He also conducted a hotel when in the east, and on coming to Iowa in 1862 he began farming in Linn county, where he purchased a farm and in connection with its cultivation engaged in the raising of Berkshire hogs. In the later years of his life he retired from active business and lived in Springville, Iowa, until his death, which occurred in 1878 when he was fifty years of age. His widow resided at Belle Plaine, Iowa, where she passed away in August, 1914, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Mr. Hodgin filled the office of justice of the peace and served in other minor positions, being thus active in public life for many years.
Mrs. Crew was the second in order of birth in a family of three children and is the only one who has ever become a resident of Buchanan county. By
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her marriage she became the mother of eight children, but Mande, the third in order of birth, died in 1903 at the age of twenty-four years. She was the wife of C. E. Walden, of Council Bluffs, an engineer on the Rock Island Railroad. The children still living are as follows. Ora is the wife of S. S. Barkley, a farmer owning one hundred and sixty acres of land in Holyoke, Phillips county, Colorado, and they have three children : Bernard, born in 1902; Oliver Kenneth, in 1907; and Cecil, in 1913. Bertha is the wife of John Heald, a machinist of Mora, Minnesota, and they have three sons: Virgil, born in 1898; Merle, in 1904; and Donald, in 1907. Lulu is the wife of Milton Whitcher, a farmer living near West Union, Iowa. Olive is the wife of Hobart Pierce, a carpenter of Sae City, Iowa, and they have one child, Quentin, born in 1913. Roy and Ray, twins, born in 1890, are now upon the farm with their father. Cecil, born in 1894, is a graduate of the Waterloo Business College and is now bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Independence. The twin sons attended the high school of Independence and they are members of the Mystic Workers.
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