USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 17
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Mr. Crew holds membership with the Royal Highlanders in Keokuk county.' In politics he is a republican but not an active party worker. He belongs to the Methodist church and his life has been ever upright and honorable, winning for him the high respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact. His has been an active and useful life and through his persisteney of purpose, capable management and recognition of opportunities he has worked his way steadily upward until he has become one of the prosperous farmers of Buchanan county.
EDWARD W. RAYMOND.
Edward W. Raymond is conducting a well equipped job printing estab- lishment at Independence and is accorded a liberal and well deserved patronage. Ile is likewise a well-known figure in the musical circles of the city as leader and instructor of Raymond's Concert Band. He has a wide acquaintance and many friends attest their high regard for him. His birth occurred at Man- chester, Iowa, June 28, 1867, his parents being Charles A. and Emma (Fleisch) Raymond, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New York city. In early life the father learned the trades of a carpenter and mason. He was quite young when he accompanied his parents to lowa, and at the last call for troops to serve for one hundred days during the Civil war, he joined an Fowa regiment and went to the front. After the cessation of hostilities he followed varions voeations, continuing his residence in Manchester, however, until his death. His widow afterward married Stephen S. Potter and is again a widow, now residing in Independence.
Edward W. Raymond was the eldest of five children born of his mother's first marriage. His education was acquired in the public schools of Manchester and when but thirteen years of age he began learning the printer's trade at that place, being connected with the Manchester Press for five years. He afterward entered the office of the Manchester Democrat, with which he was associated for eight years. He then came to Independenee and rented the job department of the American Trotter, a few years later purchasing that part of the plant
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and thus establishing the present E. W. Raymond joh printing house. He has since continued in the business and his place is equipped with all of the latest and most improved kinds of presses and other printing machinery for doing the most up-to-date and attractive work. He has a stitcher, perforator, cylinder press, punching machine and, in fact, everything to be found in a first-class job printing office. He does contract work in addition to the usual run of business which comes to the job printing office and he is accorded a liberal patronage. He is likewise interested in other local enterprises and is accounted one of the progressive, enterprising business men of the city.
On the 10th of April, 1887, occurred the marriage of Mr. Raymond and Miss Emma Elizabeth Alcock, who was born near Manchester, Iowa, a daughter of Ralph and Almina (Krapfl) Alcock, the former a native of New York and the latter of Holland. The father was a farmer in early life but eventually took up his abode in Manchester, where he was employed by others. There he passed away in 1912, but his wife is still living in Manchester. To Mr. and Mrs. Raymond have been born three children: Earl Edward, who was born in October, 1889; Minona Mildred, born August 5, 1892; and Clarence Lionel, born December 12, 1906. The elder son wedded Miss Mary Fern Jean- nette Farris, a native of Independence, and they have two children: Jeannette Farris, born May 26, 1913; and Earline Elizabeth, born May 5, 1914. Earl E. Raymond is assisting his father in the printing business.
In fraternal circles Mr. Raymond is well known. He has attained the Knight Templar degree in the York Rite, the thirty-second degree in the Con- sistory and is now sword bearer in the Commandery. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Owls. His political allegiance is given the republican party and he served for one term as alderman. He is the present chief of the volunteer fire department and on the 11th of August, 1913, was given a certificate recognizing his twenty years of service in the company. He is also well known as the leader and instructor of Raymond's Concert Band, numbering twenty-six pieces, and his musical talent has been one of the notable attractions of many public and private gatherings in this section of the state. He has an inherent love of music which he has developed through study, and he has made the band of which he is the head one of the leading musical organizations of the state.
EDWIN P. BUCKLEY.
One of the more recently established but reliable and enterprising business concerns of Rowley is that conducted by the firm of Buckley Brothers, of which Edwin P. Buckley is a partner. The business was started only in 1913, but the partners were already well known in their section of the county as reliable and energetic men and they have secured a liberal patronage which is steadily growing.
Edwin P. Buckley was born in Homer township, January 23, 1876, on the old family homestead, a son of Benjamin F. and Addie J. (Fleming) Buckley, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume in connection with the sketch of
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their son, Richard I. Buckley. The experiences of the youth of Edwin P. Buckley were those which usually come to the farm lad. He worked in the fields through the summer months and in the winter seasons pursued his studies in the district schools, thus gaining along both lines in knowledge which has been the foundation of his later success. He continued with his parents until twenty- three years of age and then rented land in Homer township, carrying on general farming for five years. . At the end of that time he had saved a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase one hundred and sixty acres on 'sections 22 and 23, Homer township. The ability which he displayed in carrying on farm work was manifest in the fact that he was later able to add forty acres to his original holdings. With characteristic energy he began to till the soil and added to his farm the modern improvements which a progressive spirit demands. He con- tinued actively in farm work until March 1, 1913, when he rented his place and came to Rowley, where for six months he engaged in clerking in a store. He then formed a partnership with his brother, Richard I. Buckley, under the firm style of Buckley Brothers, and opened a general implement establishment, of which they are the proprietors. Success has attended their efforts, it being the legitimate outcome of their energy, capable management and trustworthy business methods.
On the 10th of February, 1897, Mr. Buckley was joined in wedlock with Miss Nellie M. Lotts, a daughter of William G. and Ella (Creighton) Lotts, the former a native of Wisconsin and the latter of Tennessee. In an early day they arrived in Buchanan county and purchased land in Homer township, which for many years Mr. Lotts continuously cultivated. At the present writing he is living retired in Oelwein. In 1897 Mr. Buckley was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 24th of April of that year, and on the 9th of September, 1898, he was again married, his second union being with Delia C. Wright, a daughter of Richmond and Maria E. (Pease) Wright. Her mother was born in Massachusetts, while her father's birth occurred in Paris, Monroe county, Missouri, October 8, 1837. He was a son of Rev. Alfred Wright, who in 1846 brought his family to Iowa, settling in Anamosa, whence he removed in 1853 to Quasqueton, Buchanan county, where he organized a church. Richmond Wright was educated in the district schools and in Cornell College of Iowa. In 1855 he took his initial step in the business world in connection with his unele, Ransom Wright, in burning brick, which business he followed for several years. He afterward cultivated his father's farm until 1858, and during that period carefully saved his earnings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to purchase eighty aeres of land in Liberty township. This was but the beginning of a successful career as an agriculturist, for he bought more land from time to time until he owned three hundred and ten acres. This he improved, adding all the modern accessories and equipments of a model farm. The remainder of his life was carefully and systematically devoted to general agricultural pursuits with the result that he has won a place among the prosperous farmers of the county. In 1875 he built a cheese factory and a creamery upon his place and also conducted business along those lines. In 1863 he was united in marriage to Miss Maria E. Pease and they became the parents of four children : William, Louise B., Delia C. and Charles A. The father, who was born October 8, 1837, passed away February 10, 1907,
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when in the seventieth year of his age, and his wife, who was born January 16, 1834, died March 18, 1908.
Mr. and Mrs. Buckley are widely and favorably known in Rowley, having a large eircle of warm friends. For two years he served as assessor of Homer township and is now filling the office of justice of the peaee, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. He votes with the republican party, and he has membership relations with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Methodist church-associations which indicate the rules that govern his conduct, making him a man whom to know is to respect and honor.
ANDREW HIGGINS.
Although now eighty-one years of age, Andrew Higgins still supervises the operation of his farm, which is situated in Washington township, not far from Independenee. Old age need not suggest, as a matter of course, helplessness nor want of occupation. There is an old age which grows stronger mentally and physically as the years go on and gives out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience for the benefit of others. Such is the record of Andrew Higgins, who is now one of the most venerable among the active farmers of Buchanan county. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1833. There also oeeurred the birth of his parents, John and Margaret (Downey) Higgins. The father died in Ireland in 1888, when over seventy years of age. He engaged in business as a buyer and seller of flax and had several teams which he used in hauling flax to Belfast. He was also the owner of farm property and made his home upon a farm, there rearing his family of seven children, who eultivated the fields while he devoted his attention to other business pursuits.
Andrew Higgins is the eldest living member of that family, six of whom came to the United States. His older brother died in Independenee. Andrew Higgins attended school in Ireland and when a youth of fifteen erossed the Atlantic to the new world. For two years he resided in Pennsylvania, where he worked as a laborer, and then continued on his westward way until he reached Independence, where he was employed on the building of the court- house. He afterward took up the occupation of farming, being employed by the month until he saved from his earnings a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase property. At length he invested in farm land in Washington town- ship at a time when its value was very low, paying but twelve dollars and. a half per acre. He is now the owner of a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty aeres, of which he has forty acres planted to eorn and twenty acres to oats, while the remainder is in hay or in pasture. He raises considerable stock and is still active in the management and operation of his farm, although he has long since passed the time when most men would put aside business cares.
Mr. Higgins was married July 18, 1864, to Miss Mary Ann Downs, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1846, a daughter of Robert and Hannah (Nevell) Downs, who were also natives of Holmes county. The father, born in 1823, died in 1860, at the early age of thirty-seven years, and the mother passed away at the age of seventy-one. In early life Mr. Downs engaged in
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teaching school, but after he removed westward to Buchanan county followed farming in Liberty township. While in Ohio he served as assessor, yet he was not active in politics as a seeker for office. His life was characterized by high and honorable principles and he belonged to the Bethel church in Liberty township. In his family were four daughters, of whom Mrs. Higgins is the eldest. By her marriage she has become the mother of eleven children, ten of whom are living, while one died in infancy. The others are as follows: W. J .. a resident farmer of this county, is married and has six children; Ethel, Eva, Grace, Frank, Charles and Ralph. Mary is the wife of Thomas Welch, living in South Dakota, and they have ten children. Ellen is the wife of H. Bray, a resident of Salem, Wisconsin, and they have five children: Celeste, Glenn, Lillian. Henry and Ella. James is upon the home farm. Daniel, also living upon the home farm, is married and has three children: . Lawrence, Howard and Andrew. Andrew, residing upon his father's land in Washington town- ship, is married and has six children: Rose. Mabel, Alice, Ella, Bernard and Leo. Edward, connected with the gas plant at Independence, is married and has three children. Adolphus is home with his parents. Lewis married Blanche Stone, of Buchanan county, and has two children : Dorothy and Lewis. Emma is the wife of Clint Christianson, of Milbank, South Dakota. There are now forty-one grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Higgins attempted to join the army and enlisted for active service, but was rejected on account of defective eyesight. He holds membership in the Catholic church, and he votes with the democratic party. He has held some local offices, yet has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring always to give his undivided time and attention to his business affairs. Whatever success he has achieved is the reward of his own labors, and his life record shows what may be accomplished when energy and determination point out the way.
WILLARD B. COLTMAN.
Willard B. Coltman, one of the owners of the Bulletin Journal of Inde- pendence, was born in Lafayette county. Wisconsin, February 15, 1876. His parents, John II. and Huldah (Lindsay) Coltman, were also natives of the same county and in early life the father took up zine and lead mining. He con- tinued actively in that business until about 1898, when he removed to California, locating first at Angels. He engaged in prospecting in that section of the state and afterwards removed to Sonora, where he now resides. He is still engaged in mining, having practically devoted his entire life to that occupation. While a resident of Wisconsin he held various local offices and was an influential man in the community in which he made his home. In his family were three chil- dren : Willard B .; Lemoine, deceased ; and one who died in infancy.
At the usual age Willard B. Coltman became a pupil in the schools of Lafayette county, Wisconsin, and pursued his studies through the grammar and high schools. Later he pursued a private course in stenography, and all through his life he has been a close and discriminating student in the school of expe-
WILLARD B. COLTMAN
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rience. When about twenty years of age he went to Manchester, Iowa, where he was employed in a printing office, remaining there until January, 1909. He then came to Independence and was employed on the Bulletin Journal for one year, at the end of which time he was admitted to a partnership, becoming a member of the present firm of Willey, Farwell & Coltman. This paper was established in the year 1864 and is the second oldest in Buchanan county. Mr. Coltman devotes his entire attention to the office and its duties, practical expe- rience as a printer well qualifying him to carry on the work.
On the 28th of June, 1904, occurred the marriage of Mr. Coltman and Miss Gertrude M. Lawman, who was born at Manchester, Iowa, a daughter of Baltz J. and Louise (Denzel) Lawman, both of whom were natives of New York. The father engaged in the harness and saddlery business in Manchester for a number of years, and both he and his wife passed away in that town. To Mr. and Mrs. Coltman have been born two children: Frances Lenore, born July 24, 1905; and Paul Denzel, born December 2, 1909.
Mr. Coltman exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party, but has never aspired to public office. He is identified with several fraternal organizations, including the Masons, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is also a member of the Interstate Business Men's Association, and lie stands for progress along all lines, believing that the opportunity for advancement is ever before us and should be utilized for the benefit of the individual and the community. He has made close application and indefatigable energy the basis of his growing success, which has brought him to a creditable position in newspaper circles of Iowa.
JOEL F. OSSMAN.
A good farm of one hundred acres on sections 10 and 11, Homer township, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by Joel F. Ossman, its present owner. He was but a little lad of three years when brought to Buchanan county in 1858, his birth having occurred in Pennsylvania, July 7, 1855. He is a son of Israel and Catherine (Gharus) Ossman, who were natives of the Key- stone state. The father followed agricultural pursuits and for some years operated a farm in Pennsylvania. He also worked in coal mines there for three or four years and in 1858 came to Buchanan county, Iowa, where he rented land for sixteen years. He was ambitious, however, to own a farm and carefully saved his earnings until he was able to purchase eighty acres in Fayette county. Iowa. His time and attention were then given to the task of tilling the fields upon that place, and subsequently he retired, taking up his abode in Rowley, where his remaining days were passed. He died in August, 1897, and it was ten years later that his wife passed away, on the 27th of August, 1907.
Joel F. Ossman, coming to Buchanan county at the early age of three years, was here reared and educated and to his father gave the benefit of his service in the work of the fields until twenty-seven years of age, when he rented land and began farming on his own account. For seven years he cultivated that place and then purchased one hundred acres on sections 10 and 11, Homer Vol. II-9
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township, the buildings being upon the former section. He has since carried on general farming and substantial results have accrued, for he is now one of the well-to-do agriculturists of his community.
On the 7th of December, 1882, Mr. Ossman was united in marriage to Miss Anna Ginther, a daughter of John T. and Betsy (Wheeler) Ginther, natives of Ohio. The father was a farmer and at an early period in the development of Buchanan county settled within its borders. He engaged in farming from the early '50s until his death in 1884, his home place being situated in Sumner township. His wife had passed away in 1870. To Mr. and Mrs. Ossman have been born four children, as follows: Jessie, who is the wife of Raymond Hand, an agriculturist of Cono township; and Roy, Guy and Alva, all at home.
Mr. Ossman votes with the republican party and has served as trustee of his township for three years, but prefers to give his attention to his farm work rather than to office holding. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and his religious faith is that of the Church of God, his membership being in Bethel church near Independence. For more than a half century he has been an interested witness of the county's development. At the time of his arrival there were large tracts of land upon which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made, and as the years have gone on the events which have figured largely in the history of the county have left their impress upon his mind and he can relate many interesting incidents of the early days and the manner of living at that period. He has never been content to stand still, but has always furthered that progress which is perhaps most manifest in the methods of farming at the present time.
G. E. SHEFFIELD, M. D.
Dr. G. E. Sheffield, engaged in the practice of medicine at Quasqueton, started out in life on his own account at the age of thirteen years and has steadily worked his way upward, dependent entirely upon his own resources since that time. He was born in New York in 1847, his parents being Edward R. and Jane (Radcliffe) Sheffield. The father, a native of New Haven, Con- necticut, was born in 1825 and in early life was associated with his father in a tanning business. When about eighteen years of age he became foreman of a paper mill and while thus employed was killed when but twenty-two years of age. His wife, who was born in New York in 1827, long survived him, passing away at the age of seventy-eight.
Their son, Dr. Sheffield, pursued his education in the schools of Ashland, New York, and his professional training in Drapers College of that state. Long before he entered upon preparation for the practice of medicine, however, he was earning his living, for at the age of thirteen he started out to make his own way in the world and he earned the money to continue his studies by working in a dairy, milking cows for five years. When he had completed a course of medicine in Drapers College, he made his way westward to Illinois in 1868, and there began practice, remaining in that state until 1877, which year witnessed his arrival in Keokuk, Iowa. He followed his profession in that city
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until 1890 and afterward went to Waterloo, Iowa, and later to California, where he remained for eight years. In 1902 he returned to this state, settling in Quasqueton, where he has since practiced, and he is now accorded a liberal patronage.
In 1870 Dr. Sheffield was united in marriage to Miss Julia Sheff, a native of Sangamon county, Illinois, and a daughter of Elijah and Julia (Wright) Sheff, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Onondaga county, New York. In early life her father followed farming, but at the age of twenty-six lost his eyesight and became a broom-maker. He removed to Illinois when pioneer conditions existed in that state. Indians still roamed over the prairies or through the forests and there was much wild game of all kinds. Chicago was then a small village and the most far-sighted could not have dreamed that it would ever reach its present metropolitan status. Mr. Sheff lived to witness many changes in the country. He was a very intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he entertained in his own home.
To Dr. and Mrs. Sheffield have been born six children: Edward, who is engaged in farming; Jennie B., who is the wife of R. A. Brown, a hotel pro- prietor at Quasqueton, by whom she has two children, Helen and Fern; George, an engineer on the Illinois Central Railroad at Waterloo; Cora, the wife of F. D. Moore, who owns a fruit ranch near Spokane, Washington, and by whom she has three children, Myrtle, Nellie and Hazel; Herbert A., who is janitor of the First National Bank building at Waterloo; and Lillian Ethelyn, at home.
Dr. Sheffield is a Mason and has been very active in the organization. He has held all the offices of the local lodge and several times has been a delegate to the grand lodge. He also belongs to the Eastern Star and, in fact, organized the chapter at Quasqueton. He has reason to be proud of his record in Masonic circles, for his life has always been an exemplification of the teachings of the craft, which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man and which at all times urges the acceptance of the spirit of mutual helpfulness. He is continually holding out a hand of assistance to fellow travelers on life's journey and his personal worth has insured him the high respect and warm regard of those who know him.
EDWIN E. EVERETT.
On the roster of county officials of Buchanan county appears the name of ' Edwin E. Everett, who is now serving for the fourth year as county auditor, in which position he has made an excellent record by the prompt, faithful and able manner in which he has ever discharged his duties. He was born in Black Hawk county, Iowa, June 3, 1881, a son of Clarence B. and Achsah (French) Everett, also natives of this state. The father was the first white child born in Fairbank, Iowa, his natal day being September 4, 1855, while the mother was born in Black Hawk county, August 5, 1859. In early life Clarence B. Everett engaged in merchandising in partnership with his father in Fairbank, but subse- quently turned his attention to railroad work, in which he engaged for five years. He afterward established a hardware store in Fairbank and still later opened
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