USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 21
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To Mr. and Mrs. Boies have been born four children : Hawley, who attended the Upper Iowa College at Fayette and the Cedar Falls Normal School, is now living on one of his father's farms. He married Lulu Slater and has three chil- dren, Willis, Wilma and Leonard. Lucretia, who attended Upper Iowa Univer- sity at Fayette, died at the age of twenty-three years. Ruth is the wife of Dr. E. W. Shine, a graduate of the State University of Iowa City. Glenn also occupies one of his father's farms. He wedded Leta Gaylord, whose grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Byron township, and they now have two chil- dren, Marion and June.
Mr. Boies gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps thoroughly informed concerning all of the vital questions and problems of the day. His fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, have fre- quently called him to township and town offices, and he has served both as councilman and mayor of Quasqueton and as township trustee, exercising his official prerogatives in support of many valuable and progressive public meas- ures. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and the underlying principles concerning man's duty to his fellowmen find expression in his every- day life, as seen in his honorable business dealings, in his devotion to the public good and in his helpful attitude toward his fellow townsmen.
WILLIAM B. MILLER.
William B. Miller is a native son of the county and has gained and held the respect of those who have come in contact with him. He is now manager of a hardware and implement store in Winthrop for the W. D. Hoyt Company, which concern also owns stores in Manchester, Earlville and Robinson. He was born in Quasqueton, Liberty township, on the 12th of March, 1862, a son of William and Lavonia (Fleming) Miller. The former was born in Prussia, January 11, 1829, and removed to Canada with his parents when but a child of two years. He was married on the 2d of November, 1856, in this county, where he had settled in 1855. He was a blacksmith by trade and followed that occupation until late in life, when he became a partner of his son William
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B. in the conduct of a hardware business. This association was formed in October, 1890, and was continued until the death of the father on the 3d of August, 1898. In 1862 he enlisted in the First lowa Cavalry and served throughout the Civil war until its close, being honorably discharged in 1865. His wife was born in New York state, November 27, 1836, and died Novem- ber 8. 1887. She arrived in this eounty in 1853. They had three children, namely : Della, now the wife of William Baitey, who lives in Sebastopol, Cali- fornia ; William B., of this review; and Minnie, the wife of C. W. Bucher, of Winthrop.
William B. Miller received his edneation in the district schools and in the schools of Quasqueton. After reaching manhood he farmed for two years and subsequently, in connection with his father, bought the hardware stoek of Wil- liam Wynette, of Winthrop, on the 1st of October, 1890. After the death of his father he continued alone in business until 1912, or for twenty-two years. During that time he became thoroughly familiar with the various makes of hardware and implements and acquired the ability to judge accurately the value and lasting qualities of any article in those lines. He also eame to understand the problems of the buyer and salesman and was recognized as one of the most able men in the hardware trade in this county. In 1912 he sold his store and accepted the position of manager for the Winthrop branch store of the W. D. Hoyt Company, which is one of the largest concerns in the county, incorporated under the state laws of Iowa. Their name is a synonym for integrity, initiative and high quality of goods. The fact that Mr. Miller is their representative in Winthrop is added proof of his eapability and enterprise.
Mr. Miller married Miss Lizzie A. Griswold, who was born on the 10th of December, 1863, and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. To their union have been born three children: Glen H., born 1890, is a graduate of Cornell College at Mount Vernon, Iowa, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1913; Donna, born 1894, is a graduate of the Winthrop high school and is bookkeeper in the store of which Mr. Miller is manager; and Marjorie, born 1900, is attend- ing sehool.
Mr. Miller is a republican and since attaining his majority has taken an active part in politics. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonie order, of the Eastern Star and of the Woodmen. His wife is likewise a member of the Eastern Star and the Congregational church. Mr. Miller owns his comfortable home in Winthrop and is one of the substantial citizens of the town.
WALTER GEORGE STEVENSON.
Walter George Stevenson, cashier of the First National Bank at Inde- pendence, was born in Muscatine, lowa, April 4, 1860. His father, George D. Stevenson, was born in the state of New York in 1796 and removed from the Empire state to Pennsylvania, becoming one of the pioneers in the section in which he settled. He aided in clearing a traet of land and engaged in farming, carrying on agricultural pursuits there until his removal to lowa in the '50s. at which time he took up his abode in Museatine, where he engaged in farming,
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owning a large tract of land near that city. He carefully cultivated and tilled the fields and while so engaged made his residence in Muscatine. About 1864, however, he removed to Independence, where he engaged in the furniture busi- ness in partnership with William Sampson. This relation was continued for several years, at the end of which time Mr. Stevenson retired from the business. In the meantime he had aided largely in promoting various improvements in Independence and his worth as a man and citizen was widely acknowledged. He owned a number of residence properties which he rented to others and which he left for the support of his family. He was also actively interested in the sash and door factory at one time and was widely recognized as a man of determined purpose who in his business career brooked no obstacles that could be overcome by persistent and honorable effort.
Mr. Stevenson never aspired to public office, but his patriotic spirit was manifest in his service in the War of 1812. in which he carried an old flintlock pistol and also a sword which are now in possession of his son, Walter G., and are most highly prized. George D. Stevenson was married twice and by his first union had a large family. After losing his first wife he married again, his second union being with Sarah A. Carpenter, who was born in England in 1841. They had four children. of whom Walter G. is the eldest. The father died in August, 1870, and the mother passed away on the 24th of May, 1875. He was a most earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, served on its board of trustees and did everything in his power to promote the church work.
Walter G. Stevenson, spending his youthful days in his parents' home, acquired his education in the public schools until graduated from the high school with the class of 1878. He afterward entered the Upper Iowa Uni- versity and was graduated with the class of 1883. Ile then took up the profes- sion of teaching, which he followed at Fairbank and later in the high school of Independence, devoting about five years to the work of the schoolroom. In the meantime he had served as deputy county clerk and it was subsequent to that period that he became a teacher in the high school at Independence. He was afterward teller in the Commercial State Bank, to which position he was called in 1892, serving in that capacity for about ten years. He next entered the First National Bank as assistant cashier in January, 1902, and thus served until about 1911. when he was elected to his present position-that of cashier. He is a popular official, prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties, courteous in his treatment of the bank's patrons and at all times carefully safe- guarding the interests of the stockholders. He is likewise a stockholder in the Iowa State Bank at Hazleton and in the State Savings Bank at Quasqueton, but he devotes the major part of his attention to his duties as cashier of the First National Bank.
Mr. Stevenson is well known in the Knights of Pythias lodge, in which he is serving as master of the exchequer. His religious faith is evidenced in his active and helpful membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a republican with independent tendencies. He served as deputy county clerk for eighteen months under O. M. Gillett and W. E. Bain but otherwise has not sought nor desired office. He is pleasantly situated in his home life. He was married December 20, 1894, to Miss Mattie E. Miller, a native of this
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county and a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Miller. Theirs is a hospitable home whose good cheer is greatly enjoyed by their many friends, and both Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson are widely and favorably known in Independence and throughout Buchanan county.
LEON C. SIMMONS.
Leon C. Simmons is proprietor of the largest hardware store in Buchanan county and is justly accounted one of the most enterprising and progressive business men of Independence. He conducts his interests according to the most modern commercial methods and his earnest endeavor to please his patrons has acquired for him the large trade that he now enjoys. This eounty numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred at Winthrop on the 8th of September, 1879, his parents being Adam C. and Eva E. (Pulis) Simmons. The father was born in Ohio and in early life took up the occupations of a farmer and of a mechanic. He came to Iowa prior to the Civil war and follow- ing the outbreak of hostilities put aside all business and personal considerations, enlisting in 1862 as a member of Company B. Twenty-fifth Iowa Regiment. He was commissioned on the 28th of September, 1864, as a corporal and was honorably discharged June 6, 1865, at Washington, D. C. He participated in a number of the most hotly contested engagements, but was never wounded nor confined in a hospital through illness.
After being mustered out Mr. Simmons again returned to Iowa and located once more in Mount Pleasant, but afterward went to Winthrop, where he was united in marriage to Miss Eva E. Pulis, who was born at Geneva, Wisconsin, on the 15th of July. 1854. Ile then engaged in the business of driving wells, but afterward removed to Independence and filled the office of deputy under Sheriff Ed Curier for two terms. He continued his residence at the county seat until his death, which occurred in February, 1898, and his widow is still a resident of Independence. In addition to his service as deputy sheriff Mr. Sim- mons likewise filled the office of constable for a number of years and made an excellent record as a public official. He was twice married and by the first union had one child, Katherine, now the wife of Frank Ahorn, a druggist resid- ing at Sheffield, lowa. By the second marriage there were three children: Leon C .; Vera, the wife of George K. Perrin, who is engaged in the general insurance business at Hutchinson, Kansas; and Don, a window trimmer living at Los Angeles, California.
Leon C. Simmons attended the public schools of Independence and made his initial step in the business world when eighteen years of age as a clerk in a grocery store. He was afterward employed as a salesman in the retail elothing store owned by his father-in-law for ten years, at the end of which time he pur- chased a half interest in a hardware store. The partnership existed until 1910, when Mr. Simmons became sole proprietor, and he is today condueting the largest store of the kind in the county. The building has been remodeled and completely restocked by Mr. Simmons since 1910. He has a modern, up-to-date store, handling all kinds of heavy, shelf and builder's hardware, stoves and
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plumbing and heating apparatus. His trade is now extensive and he has ever recognized the faet that satisfied patrons are the best advertisement. The foundation upon which he has builded his success has been made of energy, industry and straightforward dealing and he is now one of the prosperous merchants of the city. He also has other local interests.
On the 12th of November, 1905, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Littell, who was born at Prairie du Sae, Wisconsin, a daughter of W. H. and Helen Josephine (Tabor) Littell, natives of New Jersey and of New York respectively. They were married, however, in Wisconsin and in 1879 came to Independence, where Mr. Littell embarked in merchandising, in which he engaged until 1895, when he retired from active business. He still retains his residence in Independence, where he has vested interests. After coming to the county he became a landowner. He was a soldier of the Civil war, enlisting for three years in a Wisconsin regiment. He was forunate in that he escaped wounds and illness, although he was often in the thickest of the fight and took part in the long marehes and arduous campaigns that marked the progress of the Civil war.
Mr. Simmons gives his politieal allegiance to the republican party, but has never sought nor desired political preferment. He is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. Both he and his wife are well known socially and have an extensive eirele of warm friends in this county. He deserves much eredit for what he accomplished, for he started out in life empty-handed. The steps in his orderly progression, however, are easily diseernible and mark the wise use of his time, talents and opportunities.
CLINTON . WILSON WOLGAMOT.
Clinton Wilson Wolgamot recently sold his draying business in Fairbank, in which line he had been engaged since 1913, although previous to that time he was a stock buyer. He was born in Fairbank township, this county, October 18, 1859, a son of Joseph and Atha T. (Buckmaster) Wolgamot. The former was born in Maryland in February, 1829, and while still an infant of less than a year was taken by his parents to Holmes county, Ohio. He enlisted as a private from that eounty for service in the Mexican war and was in the army for about three years. His wife was born in Holmes county, Ohio, Mareh 3, 1822, and passed away in Fairbank, Iowa, September 16, 1898. He died in Fairbank on the 27th of August, 1911. To their union were born eight children, six of whom survive : Dr. A. R., whose birth oeeurred on the 10th of January, 1852, and who passed away in Stockville, Nebraska, in 1909; Andrew, who was born June 23, 1853; Mrs. Nancy MeGranahan, of Oeheyedan, Iowa, who was born May 8, 1855; Jasper, who was born August 16, 1857, and is now a resident of Portland, Oregon; Clinton W., of this review; John W., who was born April 30, 1862, and now resides in Fairbank; D. Sheridan, who was born January 10, 1865, and is a resident of Fairbank township; and Mrs. Eva Higbee, who was born Feb- ruary 23, 1868, and resides at Vermidji, Minnesota. The two eldest ehildren were born in Holmes county, Ohio, and the six younger in Buchanan county.
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All were reared here and received their education here, all but two being gradu- ated from the local high school.
After Clinton W. Wolgamot had completed his schooling he gave his atten- tion to farming in his home community for many years. For eight years, however, he cultivated land in O'Brien county, Iowa. He was engaged in buying stock at Fairbank for twelve years and as he is an excellent judge of cattle and hogs he found that business profitable. In 1913, however, he abandoned that and bought the dray line in Fairbank which he has recently sold, after running it for about a year. He was well equipped for the transfer business and was not only careful, thus avoiding damage to the goods intrusted to him, but was also reasonable in his charges.
Mr. Wolgamot was married at Littleton, Iowa, October 29, 1883, to Miss Martha Hitchens, who was born in the state of New York on the 3d of August, 1858, a daughter of John and Gertrude Hitchens. Her father passed away at Hazleton, Iowa, and her mother at Fairbank. There were four children in their family, two of whom survive: Mrs. Nettie Thomas, of Linn county, this state; and Mrs. Wolgamot. By her marriage the latter has become the mother of four children, as follows: Mrs. Flossie Smalley, who was born in O'Brien county, Iowa, and is now residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Earl, who is a professional baseball player and is at present employed by West Union as catcher; and Atha and Wesley, both residing with their parents. `The three younger children were all born in Fairbank and all were reared here and acquired their education in the local schools.
Mrs. Wolgamot is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fairbank, and Mrs. Wolgamot belongs to the local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a democrat in his political belief and is stalwart in his support of that party at the polls. He owns a comfortable home in Fairbank, and his many admirable qualities of character have won him the esteem of many friends.
JOHN A. WEBER.
A busy life is that led by John A. Weber, who is extensively and successfully engaged in farming, owning and cultivating a valuable property of three hun- dred and sixty acres in Washington township. Ile was born in Luxemburg, Germany, in 1854, and of that place his parents, Theodore and Mary (Kiefer) Weber, were also natives, both born in 1818. They continued residents of Ger- many until their son John was a lad of thirteen years and then sailed for the new world. attracted by the broader business opportunities offered on this side the Atlantic. The father had just previously been engaged in merchandising in Ronsdorf, Germany, and had followed farming in that country, owning land there. On reaching the new world he made his way at onee to Buchanan county, Iowa. It was in 1867 that he became identified with farming interests in this county, where he continued the work of tilling the soil to the time of his death. His study of the political situation of the country led him to give active support to the demoeratie party after he had become a citizen of the United States, but
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MR. AND MRS. JOHN A. WEBER
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the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him, as he always preferred to give his attention to his business affairs. As the years passed by he prospered and became the owner of two hundred acres of land. Both he and his wife were of the Catholic faith. The former died in 1891, at the age of seventy-three years, and the mother passed away in 1890, at the age of seventy- two years. In the family were fifteen children, but not all lived to adult age, John A. Weber being the youngest now living. He has one sister, Emma Weber, who is a resident of Independence.
John A. Weber began his education in the schools of Germany and continued his studies in the schools of Buchanan county. His training at farm labor was not meager, for from an early age he assisted his father in the development of the fields upon the old homestead. He was twenty-four years of age when he began farming on his own account and has since followed that pursuit, winning success as the years have gone by. From time to time he has added to his holdings until he is now the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of arable and productive land in Washington township, all of which he farms himself. He has a splendidly developed property, of which one hundred acres is planted to corn, with sixty acres in oats and the remainder in hay and pasture land, save twenty acres of timber. He makes stock-raising an important feature of his place, specializing in Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs. Everything about his farm indicates his careful supervision and progressive methods, and at all times he utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields.
In 1878 Mr. Weber was united in marriage to Miss Anna Gerslenberger, who was born in Dubuque, a daughter of Frank and Theresa ( Ernest) Gerslenberger, both of whom were natives of Schleswig, Germany. The father, who was born in 1826, passed away in 1908, and the mother, who was born in 1831, is now living in Dubuque at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Mr. Gerslenberger was a young man of about twenty-five years when he bade adieu to friends and native country and sailed for the United States. He began farming near Dubuque and afterward came to Buchanan county in 1874. Here, too, he became inter- ested in agricultural pursuits as the owner of about two hundred acres of land. He and his wife held membership in the Catholic church, in the faith of which they reared their family of six children.
To Mr. and Mrs. Weber have been born twelve children: Rosa, now thirty- five years of age, is the wife of Leonard Pint, a resident farmer of Perry town- ship, and they have eight children : Elizabeth. Joseph, Hilda, Herman, Verona. Gertrude. Matilda and Margaret; George, thirty-four years of age and now engaged in farming in Washington township, wedded Mary Pint, a sister of Leonard Pint, and they have three children: Lewis, Herbert and Lillian; Mathias, thirty-two years of age, also owns and cultivates a farm in Washington township, and he wedded Anna Pint. by whom he has two children, Oscar and Ervin : William, aged thirty, is a farmer of Fulton, Kansas, who married Nellie Shields: Frank, twenty-nine years of age, follows farming in Washington town- ship; Elizabeth, twenty-six years of age, is at home with her parents; Charles, twenty-three years of age, and John, twenty years of age, are assisting their father upon the home farm; Matilda, aged eighteen, is a teacher in Washington township; Leonard, fourteen, Theresa, thirteen, and Edward, eight, are all at home with their parents and are attending the public schools. Vol. II-11
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The family are communicants of St. Joseph's church. Mr. Weber has been a resident of the county for forty-seven years, and has therefore witnessed much of its growth and development. He has seen the wonderful changes which have occurred, transforming the wild lands into fine farms, while towns have been converted into cities. He rejoices in what has been accomplished and stands ready to further any movement for the general good. In politics he is a democrat.
CHARLES E. BOYACK.
Charles E. Boyack is now living practically retired in Independence, in which city he took up his abode in 1908. Indolence and idleness, however, are utterly foreign to his nature and to some extent he continues active in the field of surveying and engineering work. He was born in this county in 1862, a son of William and Jane (Doig) Boyack, both of whom were natives of Dundee, Scotland, born in 1822 and 1824 respectively. They were reared and married in that country and there the father learned and followed the trade of linen weaving. On crossing the Atlantic to America they took up their abode in Rockford, Illinois, in 1851, and there spent two years, during which period he was foreman of a lumber yard. In 1853 they arrived in Buchanan county, settling in Sumner township, where Mr. Boyack purchased land and began farming. In addition to tilling the soil he engaged in raising thoroughbred. shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs and took several prizes at the county fairs. He was, however, not much of an exhibitor, being more of a breeder. He had no political aspiration for himself, yet was active in politics in Sumner township and labored earnestly to uphold those principles in which he believed. Many sterling traits of character won for him the confidence and high regard of those with whom he came in contact, and he remained one of the valued residents of Buchanan county until his death, which occurred in 1901.
Charles E. Boyack, who was the youngest in a family of six children, acquired his early education in the common schools of Buchanan county. When about twenty-five years of age he formed a partnership with his father to carry on general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of pure blooded cattle and hogs. Year after year he continued to live upon the farm until he removed to Independence. At different times he has been called to public office. In 1894 he was elected county supervisor on the republican ticket, and he has also been county surveyor for six years and county engineer for three years. He had acquired his knowledge of engineering when working in that way as a boy upon the farm and he still engages in engineering to some extent. He yet owns farm lands in Buchanan county, but is not actively engaged in their cultivation at the present time.
In August, 1892, Mr. Boyaek was united in marriage to Miss Helena Clue. who was born in Buchanan county and in early life was left an orphan. Her father came to Iowa direct from Germany. He was a stonecutter by trade and worked in connection with dressing the stone used in the building of the state hospital but lived upon a farm. He had only two children. Mrs. Boyack being the younger. By her marriage she has become the mother of two daughters.
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