USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 20
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Calvin H. Gilbert is an only child. He attended school in both Beloit and Afton, Wisconsin, and afterward took special work in a training school at Chicago which fitted him for the duties of secretary in the Young Men's Christian Association. He was eighteen years of age when he began studying photography in Janesville, Wisconsin, devoting two years to a mastery of the principles of the art. He then took charge of a studio at Antioch, Illinois, where he remained for a year. He was afterward in Clinton, Wisconsin, where he conducted a studio for eighteen months, and later spent one year as operator in a photographic gallery in Elkhorn. He was afterward with Norman B. Lawson of Chicago for six months and in the Gibson studio for a short time. It was during that period that he attended school, pursuing his special course, after which he became assistant secretary of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation at Janesville, where he remained for about a year. In the year 1898 he came to Independence and for a year was employed in the photographic studio of Mr. Fairbanks. Ile was then elected secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association but after serving a year as such purchased the Fair- banks studio in 1901 and has since conducted it. It is most thoroughly equipped and he does most artistic and expert work at reasonable prices.
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Mr. Gilbert has never deviated from the highest artistic standards. He has kept in touch with the most advanced processes of photography and under- stands fully the scientific principles underlying his work as well as the artistic worth and value of light, shade and posing. In 1902 he won the gold medal in the miniature class and gained the same medal through three successive years and also one silver medal. He won the prize in Class B for portrait work and two diplomas in Indiana on the same exhibit in 1907. The silver medal which he gained was awarded in 1908 on Class A. In 1910 he seeured the gold medal in that class in Iowa. In 1912 he was elected the second vice president of the Iowa State Photographers' Association and the following year he was appointed the first vice president, while in 1914 he was elected president of the association-a fact indicative of his high standing among his brother artists. He devotes his entire time to the studio. He also displays marked artistic talent as a painter in oils. He was gifted by nature with ability which he has developed through study and experience until he stands as one of the eminent representatives of photographie art in Iowa. He has attended all the state and a number of national photographers' conventions and thus has kept abreast with the most advanced ideas and methods.
On the 20th of December, 1899, Mr. Gilbert was married to Miss Oma Kiefer, who was born in Hazelton, Iowa, a daughter of William H. and Ella (Bates) Kiefer. The father's birth occurred at Mishawaka, Indiana, September 26, 1856, and the mother was born at Janesville, Wisconsin, September 19, 1857. Mr. Kiefer engaged in merchandising in early life at Hazelton, Iowa, for exactly twenty years and then removed to Independence, where he organized the lowa Grocery Company, conducting business under that name for four or five years. He then retired and became a salesman for the Mishawaka Woolen Company, which he represented for three or four years. He is now engaged in selling specialties for the National Clock & Manufacturing Company, being the Iowa representative of that house, and he makes his home in Independence. He was at one time alderman from the fourth ward. To him and his wife have been born three children, of whom Mrs. Gilbert is the eldest. The others are : Donna, who became the wife of W. B. Phelps, a traveling salesman, and died April 17, 1911. leaving a child, Pauline, who is living with her paternal grandparents; and Beulah, the wife of George Seully, of Waverly. Iowa, who is county treasurer of Bremer county. Mr. and Mrs. Kiefer also reared a child, Robert Bates, a nephew, whose mother died when he was but eight months old and who has ever been given the place of a son in the household, although not legally adopted. He is a graduate of the Upper Iowa University of the class of 1913 and is at present studying law. To Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have been born three children: Anita Grace, born January 29, 1901; Helen May, February 24, 1903; and Donna Elizabeth, May 28, 1913.
Mr. Gilbert holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America, with the Modern Brotherhood of America, with the Methodist Episcopal church and with the Brotherhood of the Methodist Episcopal church. His political allegiance is given the republican party, although he displays independent tendencies, voting according to the dictates of his judgment regardless of party ties. His entire life has been guided by upright principles and purposes. He has never deviated from a course which his judgment has sanctioned as right between
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himself and his fellowmen, nor are his standards the superficial ones of the world, but have their root in those principles which are the basic element of the Christian religion, and it is this which has made him thoroughly reliable in all of his business dealings and progressive in all of life's relations.
HORACE W. HOVEY.
Horace W. Hovey is now living retired at Independence but for forty-two years was engaged in the drug business in this city and won the success which now enables him to put aside further business cares. His birth occurred at Worcester, Vermont, September 26, 1841, his parents being Horace and Alpha (Hammond) Hovey, who were also natives of New England, the former having been born at Hanover, New Hampshire, August 2, 1805, and the latter at Thetford, Vermont, July 29, 1803. The ancestry of the family in America is traced back to 1635, Horace W. Hovey having in his possession the genealogy from that period to the present in a work that was largely prepared by his cousin, Horace, who recently passed away. The coat of arms is a hand holding a pen, with a seroll beneath and the words "Hine Orior," by this we rise. A brother of Horace Hovey, Sr., was one of the founders of Wabash College in Indiana. The paternal grandfather of our subject served in the Revolutionary war and patriot- ism has always been one of the salient characteristics of the family. In early life Horace Hovey, Sr., carried on general agricultural pursuits. He continued his residence at Worcester, Vermont, to the time of his death and held the office of justice of the peace there, but political honors and emoluments had no attraction for him.
Horace W. Hovey was the third born in a family of five children, three of whom are yet living. He acquired his preliminary education in the district schools of Vermont and afterward attended Wabash College of Indiana. His youthful days were spent upon the home farm with the usual experiences that fall to the lot of the farm lad. He assisted in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting and after the close of the Civil war, when in his twenty-fifth year, he made his way westward to Iowa, arriving at Independence in 1868. There he began learning the drug business and was in the employ of A. B. Clarke until 1882. He then purchased the store, which he successfully con- ducted for thirty years or until 1912, when he sold out and is living retired, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. He is spending his leisure time in travel, gaining thereby the knowledge and culture which only travel can bring.
On the 20th of June, 1872, Mr. Hovey was united in marriage to Miss Marial Barnhart, who was born at Mayville, Chautauqua county, New York, a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Herrick) Barnhart, the former born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1789, and the latter in Essex county, Vermont, in 1801. Mr. Barnhart became an early settler of New York, where he followed various business pursuits, being connected with the management of a hotel, with the tanning business and with farming. About 1857 he brought his family to Iowa, settling in Independence, where he lived retired. His sons engaged in the
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newspaper business, establishing what is now known as the Conservative. Later four of the brothers engaged in the type foundry business in Chieago, forming the firm of Barnhart Brothers & Spindler, which has beeome one of the largest type foundries in the world. Mr. Barnhart died in the year 1876, while his wife survived until 1878. Their daughter, Mrs. Hovey, was the fifth born in a family of nine children and she is entitled to belong to the Daughters of the American Revolution, for her paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war for independenee. Her father was twice married and had six children by his first union. To Mr. and Mrs. Hovey has been born a son, Royal Barnhart, who was born March 20, 1874, and resides in Winnetka, Illinois, his business interests being in connection with the Barnhart Brothers type foundry of Chicago, of which he is a director. He was married October 31, 1905, to Miss Nellie E. Willey, and they have three children: Ruth Marial, born Janu- ary 21, 1907; Sarah Elizabeth, June 23, 1908; and Eugenia, August 23, 1912.
In 1877 Mr. Hovey ereeted his present residenee in Independence and here expects to spend his remaining days. His has been a well spent, useful and active life, crowned with a measure of success that is the direet reward of his efforts. His record should serve to inspire and encourage others, showing what may be accomplished when energy and ambition point out the way. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and his entire career has commanded for him the confidenee and good-will of those with whom he has been associated, for he has ever been honorable, straightforward and reliable in every relation of life.
MONSIGNOR J. J. GARLAND.
Monsignor J. J. Garland, who passed away September 15, 1914, after thirty- seven years in the priesthood, eame to Independenee on the 24th of June, 1912. He was born at Dover Plains, New York, on the 5th of March, 1854, a son of Thomas and Rosanna (O'Dowd) Garland, who were natives of Ireland. The father, who was born in 1820, died in 1892. The mother, who was born in 1822, passed away October 5, 1877. It was in the year 1846 that Thomas Garland eame to the United States, settling in Dutchess county, New York, where he resided until 1855. He then removed to Kewanee, Illinois, where he owned land and became a successful farmer. He had but two children, the daughter being Mrs. John Hunt, of Sheldon, lowa.
The son, Monsignor J. J. Garland, was only about a year old when his parents settled in Kewanee, Illinois, in April, 1855. In 1867 he was sent back to New York, where he entered the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels at Suspension Bridge, there pursuing his classical course. He remained there for four years, but completed his eourse in St. Ignatius College at Chicago, Illinois, in 1871. In September of the same year he entered the Seminary of St. Bonaventure in Allegany, New York, where he completed his philosophical and theological studies. Being adopted by the late Archbishop Hennessy in 1876, he was ealled to Dubuque but, being too young for ordination, he was sent by the Arch- bishop to St. Joseph's College at Dubuque to become a member of the faculty
MONSIGNOR J. J. GARLAND
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as master of discipline. On the 24th of February, 1877, he was ordained to the priesthood and was immediately appointed assistant to the late Rt. Rev. E. C. Lenihan, then of Sioux City, where he experienced real pioneer missionary life, for the parish contained nine counties of northwestern Iowa. In order to visit the Catholic families scattered over that vast territory, the priests were com- pelled to ride horseback or in lumber wagons over the prairies, finding shelter at night with the frontier settlers.
On the 11th of December, 1877, Father Garland was sent to take charge of a portion of Cresco parish in Howard county, known as the Crane Creek settlement. There, sixteen miles from a railroad, he labored for several years, organizing the mission into a parish, building a parochial residence and securing from the government a mail route. In 1880 he was assigned to Center Grove, Clinton county, as the successor of Rev. J. B. Gaffney, and there he undertook the task of erecting a new church. He had lime hauled from Maquoketa and lumber from Clinton, while other necessary building materials could be secured at that place. After eight years there spent he arrived at Eagle Grove, Wright county, on the 26th of January, 1889. This was a new railroad town and a division point on the Northwestern, and he also served the churches at Dun- combe, Lehigh and Coalville in Webster county. He built the first church in Lehigh, but was relieved of the mission work in 1890. At the time of his arrival in Eagle Grove he found practically no church or school and only twenty-eight families, but the following year he secured the building of a substantial church which was dedicated by Bishop Cotter. On the 20th of June, 1894, however, the building was totally destroyed by a cyclone. He at once undertook the work of rebuilding, and this time the edifice was constructed of brick. He also estab- lished a parochial school, erecting the Dominican convent and high school of the Sacred Heart. In 1902 he celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, and two years later Eagle Grove was made a deanery, with Father Garland as its first dean.
On the death of the Very Rev. P. J. McGrath, August 14, 1904, he was appointed to succeed him as rector and dean of the Charles City deanery. On the 24th of June, 1912, he came to Independence and on the 18th of May, 1913. he was made a monsignor by Pope Pius X. He labored untiringly to further the interests of Catholicism and had the satisfaction of seeing the work of the church grow in each city in which he was stationed.
JOHN W. LEAVEN.
John W. Leaven, a representative and enterprising young agriculturist re- siding in Newton township, is the owner of a well improved farm comprising one hundred and twenty acres on section 20. His birth occurred in Benton county, Iowa, on the 5th of May, 1885, his parents being Nicholas and Anna (Lanser) Leaven, both of whom are natives of Holland. The father came to the United States with his parents when ten years of age, the family home being established in Dubuque county, Iowa. Subsequently he removed to Benton county, this state, and there successfully carried on agricultural pur-
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suits for a number of years. In time he disposed of his property and came to Newton township, Buchanan county, here purchasing and improving a farm of three hundred and sixty acres which he operated for seven years. On the expiration of that period he put aside the active work of the fields and took up his abode in Walker, where he has since lived in honorable retirement. His wife also survives and they enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance throughout the community.
John W. Leaven was reared and educated in the county of his nativity and remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age. He then started out as an agriculturist on his own account, cultivating rented land for two years, at the end of which time he bought from his father a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on section 20, Newton township, this county. He has made a number of excellent improvements on the property and has been actively and successfully engaged in its operation to the present time, carrying on the work of the fields in a most practical, progressive and resultant manner.
On the 25th of November. 1909, Mr. Leaven was united in marriage to Miss Mamie Burke, a daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Tarpy) Burke. Her father came to Buchanan county in an early day and has since followed farm- ing in Newton township. Our subject and his wife have three children, namely : Anna Catherine and Bernice, who are four and two years of age respectively ; and Thomas Francis, who is in his first year.
Mr. Leaven gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is a Catholic in religious faith. His life is actuated by high principles and characterized by manly conduct, and in his home community he enjoys that warm personal friendship and kindly esteem which are always given in recognition of genuine worth in the individual.
GUY 1. GROVER.
Guy 1. Grover is a native son of Homer township, born on the 4th of March, 1876, and he still resides in that township, owning a tract of land on sections 2 and 3. His parents. Azotus and Olive E. (Buell) Grover, are mentioned on another page of this volume. When Guy I. Grover had attained to sufficient age he entered the public schools and when he had mastered the branches of learning there taught he became a student in the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. He then remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty- two years, after which he began farming and rented land of his father for eight years. At that time the father died and the son came into possession of a place of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 2 and 3. Homer township, and later he purchased sixty acres adjoining, so that he now has a fine farm of one hundred and eighty aeres. A glance at the place indicates something concerning the owner. Neatness and order characterize. the entire farm and his earnest work finds its reward in the abundant harvests which he gathers. He also buys, sells and raises stoek in large numbers. ยท His judgment concerning the value of an animal is seldom, if ever, at fault and he is thus able to make judicious purchases and profitable sales.
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On the 23d of December, 1897, Mr. Grover was united in marriage to Miss Eunice Crain, who was born March 26, 1876, a daughter of Charles E. and Elizabeth (Haines) Crain, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ohio. Mr. Crain followed farming as a life work and in 1853 arrived in Iowa, settling in Cedar county, where he purchased land and began farming. He afterward removed to Linn county, where he again carried on farming and later he removed from that place to Buchanan county, living in Rowley for five years or until the time of his death, which occurred in June, 1910. His widow survives and now makes her home with her children. Mr. and Mrs. Grover have four children, namely: John Devere, a youth of sixteen; Walter Lloyd, fourteen years old; and Charles Azotus and Elizabeth Buell, who are eight and five years of age respectively.
Taking up the study of political questions in his early manhood, Guy I. Grover became convinced that the republican party could best solve the govern- mental problems vexing the country and he has never seen occasion to change his opinion. He belongs to the Methodist church at Rowley and is superin- tendent of its Sunday school. In its teachings are found the source of his moral strength and his devotion to the highest standards. He ever attempts to live peaceably among his fellowmen, works persistently to further the best interests of the community and at all times his influence is on the side of righteousness and truth.
GEORGE SHERRER.
George Sherrer, deceased, was during his lifetime one of the representative farmers of Buchanan county. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, on the 23d of September, 1854, a son of Valentine and Magdalena (King) Sherrer: The former, who was born in Bavaria in 1829, emigrated to America and settled in Iowa in 1871. He passed away in March, 1909. His wife was born in the same kingdom and in the same year and also died in 1909. They had seven children, of whom George was the eldest.
George Sherrer was educated in Germany and had liberal advantages along that line. During his youth he was in the employ of others and after coming to this country continued to work as a farm hand until he had saved money enough to purchase land. In 1878 he bought an eighty acre tract in this county and gave his attention to its cultivation, carrying on general farming. His widow still lives upon that place. He subsequently bought two hundred and seventeen acres in Delaware county, Iowa, which he also cultivated, and as the owner of two hundred and ninety-seven acres of rich Iowa land he was finan- cially independent and enjoyed the comforts of life. He was a man of marked industry and enterprise and was also characterized by sound judgment, which enabled him to manage his business affairs so as to avoid waste and secure the maximum profit. He died July 31, 1908, and his many friends mourned his loss.
Mr. Sherrer was married in February, 1876, to Miss Frances Halamrach, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1857, a daughter of George and Mar- garet (Marshall) Halamrach. Her father, who was a decorator by profession,
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was born in Bavaria in 1835 and came to America in 1866. He died in 1868. His wife was also a native of Bavaria and was born in 1835. She passed away in January, 1908, surviving her husband for forty years. To their union were born four children, of whom Mrs. Sherrer is the eldest. The latter became the mother of eight children: Mrs. Barbara Faber; Mrs. Jenny Shaufhauser; Mrs. Mary Reed; Charles M .; Arthur, at Monti; Frank S., living in Fremont township, this county ; Albert, at home; and Mrs. Eveline Crisull. Mrs. Sherrer owns and her son Albert operates one hundred and sixty-seven acres of land in Delaware county and eighty acres in Buchanan county, following general farming, and stock raising. The family is of the Catholic faith.
Mr. Sherrer was a democrat in his political belief and served upon the school board. Fraternally he belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America and his widow is a member of the Royal Neighbors. He possessed in large measure those sturdy and admirable qualities of character which have made the Tentonie race such a power in the world, and he not only won snecess for himself but also contributed to the prosperity of Buchanan county.
HORACE L. BOIES.
Horace L. Boies, an extensive landowner and farmer living at Quasqueton, where he is also connected with banking interests, belongs to that class of men who have won success through the ready recognition and utilization of oppor- tunity. Ile was born in Boone county, Illinois, November 1, 1850, a son of W. D. and Sarah (Bugby) Boies. The life record of the father covered a span of eighty-six years, his birth having occurred near Buffalo, New York, in 1820, while in 1906 he passed away. His wife was a native of New England, born in Putney, Vermont, in 1822. In early manhood W. D. Boies followed the occu- pation of farming in the Empire state and afterward removed westward to Illinois, settling about sixty-five miles from Chicago, the journey being made before any railroad lines had been built into that city. For many years he was identified with agricultural interests in Illinois and in 1873 arrived in Buchanan county, Iowa, establishing his home in Liberty township, where he owned con- siderable land. In addition to general farming he engaged in the manufacture of cheese.
Horace L. Boies was a pupil in the district schools of Illinois and continued his edueation in the public schools of this state after coming to Iowa in 1869. It was subsequent to the time when he attained his nineteenth year that he became a student in the high school in Waterloo, studying under Professor Van Colin, afterward state superintendent of education. He began business life as a farm hand, working for an uncle in Grundy county after a year spent in Quasqueton. In 1873 his father brought the family to Buchanan county, and Horace L. Boies returned to Quasqueton, where he has since lived. That his life has been one of unremitting diligence and determination, that his invest- ments have been judiciously made and his business affairs carefully conducted is indicated in the fact that he is now the owner of six hundred aeres of valuable land in Buchanan county, and he devotes most of his time to assisting his sons
HORACE L. BOIES ,
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in looking after the farms. He is also the vice-president of the Quasqueton State Savings Bank and in business affairs his judgment is sound, his sagacity keen and his enterprise unfaltering.
On August 29, 1880, Mr. Boies was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Tower, who was born in Canada, July 2, 1850, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tower, both of whom were natives of England. The father came from that country when a young man and for several years followed farming in Canada. In November, 1865, he arrived in Buchanan county, Iowa, settling near Win- throp, where he made purchase of farm property. until he was the owner of more than six hundred acres. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States, but he did not seek to figure prominently as an office holder, preferring always to give his time and attention to his general farming and stock-raising interests. His business was so capably conducted that success in large measure attended him. He and his wife are buried at Fort Dodge, Iowa.
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