USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 18
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a general store, which he conducted for a number of years. He withdrew from commercial connections, however, in 1907 and entered the Fairbank State Bank as cashier. He has since been elected to the presidency of that institution, and now devotes his entire time to its management and upbuilding. Thus gradually he has worked his way upward to a prominent position in business circles and his life has been one of continually increasing usefulness and value to the com- munity in which he lives. To him and his wife were born five children: Edwin E .; Bessie, the wife of F. W. Kautz, a farmer residing in Fairbank; C. Herbert, a telegraph operator of Utah, connected with the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company ; Harry L., a railroad man living at Le Pas, Canada; and Mildred, the wife of J. L. Gorman, who is engaged in the drug business in Fairbank.
At the usual age Edwin E. Everett entered the public schools of Fairbank, in which he continued his education as a high school pupil until 1898. He afterward spent a little more than a year as a student in Drake University at Des Moines. After completing his studies he was employed in the Fairbank State Bank as bookkeeper for about a year and then went to San Francisco, California, on a prospecting trip. He afterward returned to Fairbank, and a little later located in San Francisco, where he was employed as clerk in the Russ Hotel for about three years. He next returned to Fairbank as cashier of the State Bank, which position he acceptably filled for about eighteen months and then came to Independence as teller in the People's National Bank, con- tinuing to occupy the latter position until elected to his present office.
In his political views Mr. Everett has ever been a stalwart democrat and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking, but four years ago was chosen county auditor and is now the capable incumbent in that position, having made an excellent record through the prompt and faithful discharge of his duties. Fra- ternally he is connected with both the Masons and the Knights of Pythias and is loyal to the teachings and purposes of those organizations. Much of his life has been spent in Iowa, and he is well known as a representative young man, alert and enterprising and embodying in his life the progressive spirit which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of this section of the country.
GEORGE LOWRY.
George Lowry, one of the venerable and respected citizens of Jesup, where he is now living retired after a period of connection with agricultural interests of Buchanan county, dating from 1869, was born in Underhill county, Vermont, March 16, 1825. Ile is a son of James and Rebecca ( Pratt) Lowry. The father was likewise a native of the Green Mountain state and was a soldier in the War of 1812. In early life he followed the carpenter's trade, but in later life engaged in agricultural pursuits. About 1835 he removed to Cass county, Michigan, making a location in the village of Adamsville, where he continued to work at his trade until 1856 or 1857, when he came to Iowa and secured a soldier's grant of land of one hundred and sixty acres in Jackson county, which he improved and to which he later added a tract of one hundred and twenty
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acres. He cultivated this land until the time of his demise, which occurred when he had reached the advanced age of seventy-seven years. His wife sur- vived and subsequent to his death made her home in California with a daughter, and there her death occurred. In their family were nine children, but only two are living. The record is as follows: Ann, deceased; George, of this review ; Oliver, Jane, Myron, Elia and Emily, all of whom have departed this life; Harriet, now making her home in California; and Frank, who has also passed away.
George Lowry was reared under the parental roof and accompanied his parents on their various removals during the period of his boyhood and youth. He later learned and worked at the carpenter's trade, being thus engaged until 1850. He was married about this time, but his wife died in 1853 and he subse- quently went to California by the overland route, making the journey as far as Salt Lake City with horses, but at that point he traded his horse team for a yoke of oxen and continued his journey to Bidwell's Bar, Oroville and Spanish Town. He then hired a man to drive his team and haul freight, while he spent three years at Bidwell's Bar, California, working at his trade. He was also interested in a mine, but eventually sold his interest therein for five hundred dollars. He spent five years there working at his trade and then, disposing of his team and other interests, returned to Michigan, where he purchased a farm, operating the same some seven or eight years. In 1867 he came to Iowa, operat- ing his father's farm in Jackson county two years, on the expiration of which period he made a permanent location in Buchanan county, purchasing land in Westburg township, his place comprising one hundred and sixty aeres, on which had been erected a small house. He made many improvements on the farm and added sixty acres to his original holdings, operating the same until 1911, in which year he took up his abode in Jesup, where he has since lived in honorable retirement. His undertakings both as a farmer and carpenter were attended with a gratifying measure of success, and he has long been numbered among the prosperous and esteemed citizens of his community.
Mr. Lowry has been twice married. He was first married about 1850 to Miss Sarah E. Mattox, of Michigan, who died three years later, leaving one son, Charles Wallace, a resident farmer of Buchanan county. His second union was with Sarah E. Plass, who was born October 14, 1843, in Elkhart county, Indiana, a daughter of John and Eliza E. (Curtis) Plass. Her father was a native of New York and was a blacksmith by trade, following this line of work in Kansas, where he died at the age of seventy-eight years. His father, William Plass, was a native of Holland, while his mother was born in Germany. Mrs. Lowry's materal grandfather was a Scotchman and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Her mother, Mrs. Eliza E. Plass, departed this life at the age of seventy- seven years. Mrs. Lowry spent her early life on the state line between Indiana and Michigan and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, James R., who makes his home in Jesup.
Mr. Lowry has always supported the men and measures of the democratie party, but has never consented to hold publie office. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Although he has reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years, he still retains his mental faculties unimpaired and takes a keen interest in the happenings of the times. He has always been a steady,
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hard-working man and the course he has followed has commended him to the eon- fidence and good-will of all and he has an extensive cirele of friends throughout Buchanan county.
WHEELER B. HALLECK.
Wheeler B. Halleck, president of the Winthrop State Bank, and also an extensive landowner, is a man of excellent financial ability whose resources are constantly increasing. He was born in Erie county, New York, on the 16th of March, 1846, a son of Peter M. and Mary B. (Buffum) Halleck. The father was born in Steuben county, New York, on the 25th of June, 1820, and accom- panied his parents, Caleb and Dorcas (Marcelle) Halleck, to Colden, Erie county, New York, when a child, receiving his education there. He was one of a family of nine children and early began to provide for his own support, working upon nearby farms and living at home. After reaching mature years he engaged in farming and also ran a sawmill. In 1845, when a young man of twenty-five years, he married Miss Mary Buffum at Colden. She was born June 15, 1822, in Erie county, near Colden, and was one of thirteen children, whose parents were Wheeler and Electa (Curtis) Buffum. Her father was born in November. 1800, and died in 1887, while her mother, born in May, 1803, passed away in 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Peter M. Halleck remained for ten years at Colden after their marriage, but then came west, settling at Buffalo Grove, Buffalo township, this county. They left New York on the 8th of May. 1855, and visited six months in Illinois before continuing their westward journey. Upon arriving at their destination Mr. Halleck purchased one hundred and sixty acres and farmed the same for twenty-five years. His health then failed and he removed to what is now Buffalo Grove, but in 1887 he left that place and settled at Aurora, where he resided until his death in 1897. He was a republican in politics, but never accepted office. His religious faith was attested by his membership in the Free- will Baptist church. He was the father of eleven children, namely: Wheeler B., the subject of this review ; Richard B., a resident of Lamont, Iowa : Sylvester O., who died in 1909; Mary A., now Mrs. James Weston, of Aurora, Iowa ; Emma, living in Sioux City, Iowa ; Hannah E., a resident of Winthrop; Dorcas Eleeta, now Mrs. Adelbert Hawkins, of Aurora: Ruby and David C., both deceased ; Henry Il., of Oelwein: and Sarah Anna, deceased. The mother, who is still living at the venerable age of ninety-two years, resides with her daughter, Mrs. James Weston.
Wheeler B. Halleck was a child of nine years when the family removed to this county and located in Buffalo township. His boyhood was spent upon the home farm and his education was acquired in the public schools of the neighbor- hood. When the family first came there was no schoolhouse and the children of the locality were taught in his father's home. When he became of age he located in Winthrop and engaged in the livery business and in the buying of horses for a time, but in 1875 he was married and turned his attention to farming . for eight years. He then again located in Winthrop and from 1884 to 1892 he engaged in buying and selling horses and cattle. In 1892, in association with
WHEELER B. HALLECK
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Elmer Brintnall, he owned and managed a lumberyard, but in 1897 sold his interest in that enterprise. In 1884 he was one of the leaders in the organization of the Winthrop State Bank and sold a great deal of the stock in that institution, He was from the start a director therein, and in 1911 was elected its president, which office he still holds. In this capacity, as in all others, he manifests financial acumen and detailed knowledge of the business situation. He has invested heavily in land and owns eighteen hundred acres, all fenced and in pasture land, in Meade county, South Dakota; two hundred and forty acres in Macon county, Missouri, all of which is improved; and one hundred and twenty acres in Littlefield township, this county, which is in a high state of cultivation.
In 1875 Mr. Halleck married Mrs. Frances J. (Miles) Smiley, a native of Illinois, whose death occurred in January, 1906. Mr. Halleck is a republican in his political belief, has served as township trustee, and upon coming to Win- throp was elected alderman, holding that office at the time that the town was incorporated. He belongs to the Congregational church and is a trustee therein. Fraternally he belongs to Winthrop Lodge No. 550, I. O. O. F. He has proved very successful and is respected in his community for his ability and his integrity and honesty.
HARRY HIGMAN.
Harry Higman has resided in Winthrop since 1877, save for five years which he spent in South Dakota. He is now engaged in the real estate and insurance business here and is meeting with well deserved success. He was born in Plymouth, England, July 1, 1854, a son of William and Harriet (Bray) Hig- man, also natives of that place, born in 1814 and 1821, respectively. They brought their family to America in 1858, and remained for eighteen years at Galena, Illinois, where they first located, but in 1876 removed to Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa. The following year they came to this county and located at Winthrop, where the parents resided until called to their final reward. The father was during his active life an agriculturist, but for a number of years prior to his death lived retired. He died in 1904 when about ninety years of age. He was a member of the Episcopal church. His widow survived for three years and died when eighty-six years old. To them were born seven children, three . of whom survive, those besides Harry being: J. B., a retired farmer of Manchester, Iowa; and Mrs. Annie Noble, of Graettinger, Iowa.
Harry Higman was but a child of four years when he accompanied his parents to this country and his education was received in Galena, Illinois. After graduating from the high school he remained upon the home farm for a time, but subsequently engaged in the manufacture of butter and cheese near Winthrop, Iowa, for four years, during which time he resided at Winthrop. His marriage then_occurred and he removed to Plankington, Aurora county, South Dakota, when that state was still a territory. There he took up a home- stead claim and also a tree claim, three hundred and twenty acres in all, and improved the homestead, residing there for five years. At the end of that time he returned to Winthrop and was employed at a creamery as butter-maker for
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two years. He was subsequently in the retail harness business for seven or eight years, and in 1897 was appointed postmaster by President Mckinley, serving in that capacity for sixteen and a half years. During his incumbency in that position the rural free delivery system was established throughout the country and the four routes which radiate from Winthrop were then instituted, being among the first started in this part of the state. Since retiring from the office of postmaster he has engaged in the insurance and real estate business and is also interested with L. N. Norman in a moving picture theater. His long residence in this part of the county has thoroughly familiarized him with property values and this knowledge, coupled with his business experience and sound judgment, makes him unusually efficient as a real estate agent. He represents several of the better known insurance companies and is doing eon- siderable business in that line. He is prouder, however, of his long service as postmaster than of his success as a private business man, and his record is indeed one that reflects much credit upon him.
Mr. Higman married Miss Ida E. Griswold, a daughter of the late Harvey Griswold, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. She was reared and educated here and by her marriage has become the mother of three children, the eldest of whom was born in South Dakota, the others being natives of Win- throp. Arley B. is at home and is assistant postmaster: Gladys N. and Marian .J. are also at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Higman are members of the Congregational church and assist in its work. Mr. Higman is a republican and for many years has taken an active part in politics as county committeeman. He belongs to the Modern Wood- men of America, No. 434, at Winthrop, of which he is clerk, and also to the local lodge of the Masons. He is one of the most widely known men in Winthrop and the number of his friends is proportionately large, as his splendid qualities of character command the respect and regard of those who are brought in contact with him.
WILLIAM BOYACK.
William Boyaek is practically living retired in Independence, although he still has valuable farming and stock-raising interests in Buchanan county. He was born in Dundee, Scotland, on the 24th of December, 1851, his parents being William and Jane (Doig) Boyack, who were likewise natives of the land of hills and heather. Both have now passed away, the father's death having occurred when he was eighty-two years of age. When in Scotland he worked as a weaver in Dundee and there lived until after his marriage, subsequent to which time he came to the United States, where he followed general farming and stock- raising. He arrived in Iowa in 1855 and was thereafter a resident of this state to the time of his demise. He was very active in polities as a supporter of the republican party, although he had no political aspirations.
William Boyaek attended school in Sumner. Buchanan county, Iowa, and when about twenty-one years of age began farming in Buchanan county, and subsequently carried on general agricultural pursuits to the time that he estab-
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lished his home in Independence. He still owns valuable farm property in this county and is engaged in raising red Duroc Jersey hogs and Durham cattle. He owns one hundred and forty-five acres of rich and productive land and the careful cultivation of his fields has brought to him a very substantial measure of success.
On April 12, 1883, Mr. Boyack was united in marriage to Miss Ida Safford, a native of Michigan and a daughter of M. O. and Eliza (Hoard) Safford, who removed from Michigan to Iowa, settling in Buchanan county, where the father carried on farming. His family numbered twelve children. To Mr. and Mrs. Boyack have been born five children: Frank, living on the home farm in Sumner township; Mercan William; Nellie, a graduate of the high school and of the Cedar Rapids Business College, since which time she has been teaching in the schools of this county; Bessie, who is a graduate of the Independence high school and is now the wife of Earl E. Penrose, living on a farm at Bonner Springs, Kansas ; and Donald, at home.
Mr. Boyack is an Odd Fellow and is the present noble grand of the lodge at Independence. He also belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of America. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he was especially active in political affairs when living in Sumner township. From the age of four years he has been a resident of Iowa and throughout almost the entire period of his connection with the state he has been identified with its agricultural development, his success being attributable to the capable, persistent manner in which he has cultivated his fields and raised his stock.
DANIEL KAUTZ.
Daniel Kautz has lived retired at Rowley since the spring of 1914, but still owns two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land on section 20, Cono township, where he successfully followed farming throughout his active business career. His birth occurred in Germany on the 25th of April, 1849, his parents being Daniel and Katherina (Stauffer) Kautz, who were likewise natives of that country. They emigrated to the United States in 1855, locating first in New York and six months later making their way to West Chicago, Illinois, where the father was employed as a section hand. In 1866 he came to Buchanan county, Iowa, and purchased and improved a tract of land in Cono township, which he cultivated throughout the remainder of his life. His demise occurred on the 17th of February, 1888, when he had attained the age of seventy-two years, while his wife died July 12, 1887, at the age of sixty-nine.
Daniel Kautz, whose name introduces this review, was a lad of six years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world and acquired his education at West Chicago. He was a youth of seventeen when the family home was established in Buchanan county, this state, and remained on the home farm until his marriage. Subsequently he took up his abode on his wife's farm of forty acres in Cono township and turned his attention to the further cultivation and improvement of the property. Later he purchased eighty acres more and afterward bought a quarter section of land, devoting his
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attention to general agricultural pursuits with excellent success until the spring of 1914, when he put aside the active work of the fields and purchased an attractive residence in Rowley, where he has since lived retired. His holdings embrace two hundred and forty acres of valuable land on section 20, Cono township, and he is also a stockholder in the Farmers' Land Company of Waterloo, Iowa.
On the 20th of December, 1879, Mr. Kautz was united in marriage to Mrs. Magdalena (Pfaadt) Kaesser, a daughter of Jacob and Magdalena (Kautz) Pfaadt, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father was a wool spinner in that country and there spent his entire life, passing away in 1872, while the demise of the mother occurred in Buchanan county, Iowa, in 1874. To Mr. and Mrs. Kantz have been born five children, as follows: Fred, who operates his father's farm in Cono township; Minnie, the wife of Elmer Height, of Walker, Iowa; Ann, who gave her hand in marriage to Eli Housholder, a car- penter residing at Rowley ; and William and Frank L., who operate their father's farm. By her first husband Mrs. Kautz had four children, namely: Lena, who is the wife of Martin Kress. a farmer of Cono township; Henry, an agri- culturist by occupation and a resident of Arlington; Edward, who makes his home in Oregon ; and Charles, who follows farming in this county.
Mr. Kautz gives his political allegiance to the democracy and has served as school director of Cono township for a period of seventeen years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stanch champion. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, the teachings of which he exemplifies in his daily life. The period of his residence in Buchanan county covers nearly a half century and his record is that of one of its most esteemed, substantial and representative citizens.
ELIAS PARKER.
Elias Parker is perhaps the oldest business man in Jesup or in that section of Buchanan county, and although he is now eighty-five years of age he is to be found daily at his store, which is one of the important concerns of the city. He was born in the state of New York. August 20, 1829, a son of Oliver Parker, and was left an orphan at the early age of three and a half years, after which he made his home with relatives, by whom he was reared and educated. At the age of eighteen years he started out to make his own way in the world, and to this end served a three years' apprenticeship to the blacksmith's trade.
Mr. Parker remained in the east until April, 1857, which date marks his arrival in Buchanan county. On locating in Littleton. he had but twenty-five dollars in his pocket but he was determined to establish himself in business. He purchased a slab shanty on credit and went to work at the blacksmith's trade. going in debt for his material. In August following he was joined by his wife, whom he had wedded in the east, and to provide a home for her he had to borrow money, paying for the same four per cent interest per month. He was also obliged to borrow a stove, bed and other necessities but he went to work in earnest and for six years conducted a blacksmith shop in Littleton. He then
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MR. AND MRS. ELIAS PARKER
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purchased a farm in Perry township, paying for the same eight hundred dollars. this money having been furnished him by his wife's people. He broke the wild land, cleared and improved the same and thereon made his home four years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Jesup and opened a wagon and blacksmith shop, which he conducted with success until 1884, when he dis- posed of his interest in this line and engaged in the hardware and implement business. In February, 1912, he once more sold out and embarked in the furni- ture and undertaking business, to which he has since added a line of implements and also deals in coal. He is associated in business with his son, Oliver, and they enjoy an extensive and gratifying patronage, being classed among the repre- sentative business men of this section of the county. Mr. Parker does not feel the weight of his years, being still hale and hearty, and is found daily at his place of business, discharging his duties in the same capable manner that has ever characterized his career.
Mr. Parker was married on the 8th of October, 1856, to Miss Amelia C. Brown, a native of New York, and they reared five children to years of maturity: Ida A., the wife of James McSparran, who lives in Jesup; Oliver, who was born October 3, 1860, and is now associated with his father in business; Isabelle, the wife of V. W. Davis, cashier of a bank in Fairbank, Iowa; Fred E., who died when a young man; and Leora, the wife of C. A. Emerson, of Jesup. Two chil- dren died in infancy.
Mr. Parker gave his early political allegiance to the whig party but when the republican party was formed he joined its ranks. He never aspired to public office though he has served as a school director. Looking back over his past record, one cannot help rejoicing in the success he has achieved and feel that it is justly merited, for, deprived of parental care at a tender age, he early had to depend upon his own resources and though at times the outlook seemed dis- couraging, he worked on with tireless energy and today stands among the successful and representative men of Buchanan county.
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