USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 25
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LEWIS SHOENUT.
Lewis Shoenut, deceased, was one of the most prominent residents of Fair- bank, having extensive business interests in the town. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, on the 17th of August, 1853, a son of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Shoenut, both natives of Germany. They emigrated to this country and settled in Chicago when it was a mere village and gave little promise of ever becoming the great city that it is today. They subsequently removed to Independence, Iowa, and kept the first tavern there. The father also owed a farm in the locality. Both died in Independence.
Lewis Shoenut was the only child born to his parents and accompanied them on their journey westward from Illinois, arriving in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1854. They almost immediately removed to Independence, where he attended the public and subscription schools. In 1888 he removed to Fairbank and for more than twenty years he engaged in mercantile business here, retiring from the same in August, 1913. He was a progressive and successful merchant, being always anxious to improve his stock and satisfy his customers. He was inter- ested in many other business projects and helped to incorporate the Farmers State Savings Bank of Fairbank, of which he served as president for a time. He was still a stockholder and director in that institution at the time of his death. He likewise owned an interest in the elevator at Fairbank and had invested heavily in local real estate, owning a number of business blocks and dwelling houses in Fairbank, besides his own commodious residence. He was also the proprietor and manager of the opera house and was one of the most important men in the financial world of Fairbank. He had retired from active work and devoted his time to looking after his extensive business interests, but death claimed him on the 3d of October, 1914, and the community thus lost a valued and useful citizen.
LEWIS SHOENUT
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Mr. Shoenut was married at West Union, Iowa, in 1883, to Miss Ella Leonard, who was born in Fairbank, where she was educated and grew to womanhood. Her father, Matthew Leonard, died in 1893, but her mother, who was in her maidenhood Miss Catharine Kehoe, survives and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Shoenut. There were six sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Leonard, namely : Thomas, now a resident of Herman, Nebraska: and Patrick, Mat, John, James and Henry, all five deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Shoenut became parents of two daughters. Mrs. Catharine Leehey, who was born at Independence, Iowa, was educated in the parochial schools at Fairbank. She married Hugh Leehey and passed away at Fairbank in 1909. Helen, who was born in Fairbank, Iowa, attended the parochial school of her native town and died in August, 1911.
Mr. Shoenut was a communicant of the Catholic church of Fairbank, to which his wife also belongs, and they contributed generously to the furtherance of its work. He was a democrat in politics and served as mayor of Fairbank for one term. He was councilman for twelve years and did a great deal both in an official capacity and as a private citizen to secure the progress and advance- ment of his community. He resided in Buchanan county continuously from 1854, with the exception of one year, and, as he was but an infant when brought here by his parents, he spent practically his entire life here. His was a nature that could not endure inactivity and his initiative and enterprise not only won him prosperity but benefited the' county as well, and he was held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.
THOMAS ROBINSON.
Thomas Robinson is a retired farmer, but still makes his home on his farm on section 20, Liberty township, where for many years he was busily engaged in tilling the soil. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, May 28, 1830, and is therefore one of the venerable citizens of Buchanan county, having passed the eighty-fourth milestone on life's journey. His parents, John and Sarah Robin- son, were also natives of England and the family is noted for longevity. Both the father and mother lived to a ripe old age, and the former died in California when a nonagenarian. He devoted his early life to farming but afterward worked as a railroad contractor in England. The hope of bettering his financial condition led him to seek a home in the United States, and after crossing the Atlantic he made his way to Wisconsin, where he carried on farming for many years, and upon his retirement from active business life he went to California, where he lived retired until called to the home beyond.
Thomas Robinson had practically no school advantages. His early life was largely devoted to farming and after coming to the United States he made his home in Iowa. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted as a member of Company E, Fifth Iowa Infantry, under Captain Lee, and served for three years, when he reenlisted and served one month and one day. He acted as wagonmaster and was driver of a six-mule team. He was on active
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duty in the battles of Corinth and Iuka and carries the sears of wounds sus- tained.
After the war Mr. Robinson returned to Buchanan county and was employed on a railroad which was then being built between Dubuque and Sioux City. Later he removed to Liberty township, where he owns one hundred and fifteen acres of land on section 20. He then turned his attention to general farming, which he followed for many years, carefully tilling his fields and cultivating his crops, which brought to him good financial returns as time passed. He now has a comfortable home and a good competence with which to meet the demands of life throughout his remaining days.
Mr. Robinson has been twice married. His first wife died in 1882. and in 1885 he wedded Margaret Wilson, a native of Ohio. He has one son, Thomas, who married Marie Dougherty, of Independence. Mrs. Robinson is a representa- tive of one of the oldest families of Buchanan county, closely connected with its history from pioneer days.
Mr. Robinson has held some local offices, and when his health permitted he was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is today one of the oldest and best known men of his township and a well spent life has won him the regard and respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact. He has never had occa- sion to regret his determination to come to the new world, for here he found the business opportunities which he sought and by a life of earnest and persistent labor gained a substantial measure of success that now enables him to live retired.
A. II. GROVER.
A. H. Grover, who passed away on the 12th of May, 1906, had been long and actively identified with agricultural pursuits in Buchanan county, and at the time of his demise owned more than eight hundred acres of valuable land. His birth occurred in Jackson county, Iowa, on the 15th of December, 1844, his . parents being Harvey and Lucinda (Griffen) Grover, the former a native of Chautauqua county, New York, and the latter of Ohio. Harvey Grover. an agri- culturist by occupation. took up his abode among the first settlers of Jackson county, Jowa, and there purchased a traet of land which he cultivated during the remainder of his life, passing away in 1847. His wife, who survived him for more than a half century, was called to her final rest in 1903.
A. HI. Grover was reared and educated in the county of his nativity. In 1861 he enlisted for service in the Union army as a member of Company I. Thirty- first lowa Infantry, remaining with that command until honorably discharged on the 22d of May, 1864. and participating in several battles. He fought under General Grant and made a splendid military record, never faltering in the per- formance of any task assigned him and at all times proving a brave and loyal soldier. For one year following the cessation of hostilities he devoted his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits in Jackson county. Iowa, and in 1867 removed to Jones county, this state, where he continued to reside until 1870. In that year
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he came to Buchanan county and purchased a tract of land in Homer township. which he improved. As the years passed and his financial resources inereased. owing to his untiring industry and capable management, he augmented his hold- ings by additional purchase until at the time of his death he owned more than eight hundred acres of rich and productive land. He passed away on the 12th of May, 1906, at the end of thirty-six years' residence in this county, and the com- munity mourned the loss of one of its most prosperous agriculturists and highly esteemed citizens.
On the 4th of March, 1864, Mr. Grover was united in marriage to Miss Olive E. Buell, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bouck) Buell, both of whom were natives of Canada. The father, a farmer by occupation, took up his abode in Jackson county, lowa, in 1862, but at the end of two years returned to his native country, where he passed away in 1879. His wife was called to her final rest in the year 1889. To Mr. and Mrs. Grover were born eleven children, as fol- lows: Harvey Y., who is a resident of Rowley. Iowa; Agetta, who died in De- cember, 1869 : William A., who follows farming in Homer township; Nellie, who gave her hand in marriage to Stewart Sloans, an agriculturist of Cono township; Byron E .. à resident of West Branch, Iowa; Guy I., who is engaged in farming in Homer township; John A., living at Rowley, Iowa; Ethel, who is the wife of W. H. Junkins, of Hartland, Minnesota; Mary, the wife of Edgar Crane, who follows farming in Homer township; Laura, who is the wife of Harvey Sprague, an agrieulturist of Hazleton township; and Mabel, who passed away on the 1st of February, 1892. Leora B. Grover, daughter of Harvey Y. Grover, and a little maiden of seven years, has been in the home of Mrs. Olive E. Grover sinee babyhood. John A. Grover, who lives with his widowed mother in Rowley, has operated the home farm since his father's demise and is widely recognized as an enterprising and successful agriculturist of the community.
In his political views, Mr. Grover was a stanch Republican, and for one term ably served as county supervisor of Buchanan county, while for a number of years he also acted as a trustee. He was a valued member of Franeis Post of the Grand Army of the Republic at Walker, and also a worthy exemplar of the Masonie fraternity, while his religious faith was that of the Methodist church. His life record is an example of what may be attained when industry and energy lead the way, and the high esteem and confidence that was eoneeded him on every hand was but justly bestowed upon him.
DARIUS GATES.
Among those who, while active factors in the world's work, contributed to the development and substantial improvement of Buchanan county, was Darius Gates. He was born in Pennsylvania, October 27, 1854, a son of Ira and Mari- etta (Bowman) Gates, who were likewise natives of the Keystone state. They there resided until 1868, when they removed westward, arriving in Buchanan county, Iowa. The father purchased land in Homer township and cultivated it through his remaining days. His wife died in the year 1890.
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Darius Gates was a youth of fourteen when he reached Buchanan county, having previously been a public-school student in his native state. He then started out in life on his own account, and, dependent upon his own resources from that early age, could surely be called a self-made man. He was employed as a farm hand for some time, but the ambition to engage in farming on his own account was strong within him and prompted him to save his earnings and live most economically until the sum he possessed was sufficient to enable him to start out in life independently. He then rented land which he cultivated until 1881, and during that period he again practiced close economy, as well as in- dustry, so that he was at length able to purehase a farm in Homer township. From that time on his progress was continuous, and after several years he sold his original property and bought two hundred acres on sections 25 and 35, Homer township. Hle then had the added incentive of developing a larger farm. to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his remaining days. About four years' illness preceded his death, which occurred April 26. 1895, when he was at the comparatively early age of forty years.
It was on the 25th of April. 1880, that Mr. Gates was united in marriage to Miss Alma Combs, a daughter of Charles and Susan (Grover) Combs. To Mr. and Mrs. Gates were born three children. as follows: Ralph E., now thirty-three years old ; and Charles R. and Harry I., who are thirty and twenty-three years of age, respectively. All are still at home with their widowed mother. In 1906 Mrs. Gates purchased the place where she now lives-a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 27 and 28. Homer township, and has sinee directed the operation of this farm.
Mr. Gates served as a trustee of his township and was holding that office at the time of his death, having been elected on the republican ticket. He was ever a most earnest supporter of the republican party, believing firmly that its principles contained the best elements of good government. He was equally loyal in his belief as a Methodist, and Christian teachings guided him in every relation of life, making him a man whom to know was to respect and honor. His death was deeply deplored not only by his immediate family but by many friends. Success had attended his labors, bringing him a comfortable competence, and in addition to leaving to his family a good farm he also left to them the still more priceless heritage of that good name which is rather to be chosen than great riches.
HARRY L. COBB.
As a dealer in shorthorns, Harry L. Cobb is known throughout not only Buchanan county and lowa, but throughout the United States, for some of his herd hold the world's record among stock of that class. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for his success is the legitimate outcome of carefully directed labor and wisely planned investment. He was born Novem- ber 20, 1869, in the house which he now ocenpies at Independence, his parents being Edwin and Phinanda (Butterfield) Cobb, who were both natives of the
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Empire state. The father was born at Windham, Greene county, in the midst of the Catskill mountains, June 7, 1823, and the mother's birth occurred at Johnson Creek, Niagara county, July 17, 1825.
In early life Edwin Cobb became a farmer and dealer in live stock. Emigrat- ing westward, he first settled in Illinois, and in 1853 came to Iowa, establishing his home in Independence, on the spot where his son Harry L. now resides. At that time this section of the state was but sparsely settled and the work of im- provement and development seemed seareely begun. Mr. Cobb became the owner of a fine farm adjoining the city. At first he engaged in selling wagons, which he hauled from Dubuque. He also bought hides, furs, etc., and along these different lines of commercial activity laid the basis of his success. A few years later he built his residence, known as the Cobb place, and conducted a hotel there in early times, but later he devoted his entire attention to farming and as soon as the county beeame sufficiently settled to make such a business a paying one, he engaged in buying and shipping stock, which he sent to Chicago and other markets, continuing actively and successfully in that business until his retirement, which occurred a few years prior to his death. The Cobb place covers four aeres, situated directly across the street from the Hawthorne school in In- dependence. In addition to his other business affairs, Mr. Cobb was a director of the First National Bank for many years. Throughout his life he carried on farming and stock-raising and became the owner of two valuable farm properties. To him and his wife were born five children: Franklin Butterfield, who was born November 13, 1855, and died February 27, 1910; Edwin Simon, who was born October 19, 1858, and is now state agent for a large flour mill of Kansas, his home being in Cedar Rapids; Albert Sidney, who was born August 30, 1862, and is engaged in merchandising in Independence ; George Woodworth, who was born September 25, 1865, and is now eonneeted with a large cattle company operating in southern California, his home being in Pomona; and Harry L., of this review. All the children were born in the Cobb home in Independence.
In early times Edwin Cobb served as treasurer of the school board and was connected with the fair association, but he steadily refused to fill political posi- tions. With the growth and development of the county he was closely associated and his name is found on the roll of honored pioneer settlers who laid the foun- dation for the present prosperity and progress of the county. He died June 3, 1914, lacking but four days of being ninety-one years of age. He had long sur- vived his wife, who passed away February 20, 1872.
Harry L. Cobb acquired his education in the publie schools of Independence and in the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. He worked with his father until he attained his majority and then began to acquire interests with the latter in the live-stoek business. . He has always resided in Independence and was contin- ually connected with his father in live-stock dealing until the latter's death. About 1908 Harry L. Cobb began buying and breeding pure bred dairy short- horn cattle, starting with a pair. He now has a valuable herd. including the cow which holds the world's shorthorn record for milk and butter. This cow is Ruth III, and the register number is 20440. Mr. Cobb likewise owns the cow which stands in the second place, Charlotte B. He keeps on hand a number of pure blooded eows, shipping all over the United States. Recently he shipped to California a number of choice cattle, which he sold at fancy prices, and .he devotes
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his entire time to the live-stock business and to farming, his activities in those directions bringing him a substantial annual income.
On the 30th of May, 1890, Mr. Cobb was united in marriage to Miss Pearl Kays, a native of Independence and a daughter of James and Palona (Spencer) Kays, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1835, and the latter in Ohio in 1841. In early life Mr. Kays followed blacksmithing. He emigrated westward to Wis- eonsin and thence to Independence, where he arrived about 1864. Here he also engaged in the blacksmithing business for a number of years. He then removed to a farm in the vicinity of Hazleton, whereon he lived for fifteen years, and at the same time conducted a blacksmith shop on his farm. He next took up his abode in the town of Hazleton. where he again conducted a smithy. Later he returned to Independence, where he remained for a number of years, and then went to Waterloo, Iowa, where he now lives retired, making his home with his daughter. To Mr. and Mrs. Kays were born seven children: Emma, the wife of John Coonrad, a lumber dealer of Waterloo; Irene, the deceased wife of Lester Lawrence, who is residing in Cedar Rapids : Laura, who died in childhood ; Nettie, the wife of Myron Vining, a carpet maker of Waterloo; Ora, who married Lillian Peterson, and is a traveling salesman, living at Waterloo; Mrs. Cobb; and Nellie N .. the wife of Charles Baker, a traveling salesman. living in Kansas City.
Mr. and Mrs. Cobb have become parents of five children: Grace, who was born May 15, 1891, and died in infancy : Glen Albert, who was born November 2, 1892. and who is associated with his father in the stock business; Veda, who was born September 21, 1899: Harriet Lueile, born December 3, 1903; and Harold George, born December 2. 1910. Glen A. Cobb married Verona Sensor, who was born in Hawkeye, lowa, and they have a daughter, Marion Leona, born August 27, 1914.
Mr. Cobb belongs to the Masonic lodge and is a loyal advocate of its teach- ings. The greater part of his attention. however, is devoted to his business affairs and his wise management of his interests has led to the attainment of substantial success. Moreover. he has done much to improve the grade of stock raised, not only in this section of the state but in other parts of the country, and has done much to win for Iowa its well earned reputation as a leading live-stock center of the country.
JACOB ARNOLD.
On the 15th of August. 1905, occurred the demise of Jacob Arnold, who, although born in Germany, was for many years a resident of Buchanan county, Iowa, gaining in that time many warm friends. His natal day was the 14th of January, 1834, and he remained in the fatherland until he was a young man of twenty, when he crossed the Atlantic to America and continued his way west- ward to Du Page county. Illinois, where he located. He was married in 1862, and in 1865 he and his wife with their two oldest children eame to Buchanan county, making the journey in a wagon. They settled upon an eighty acre tract of wild prairie land in Cono township and Mr. Arnold immediately began its
MR. AND MRS. JACOB ARNOLD
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cultivation. He was compelled to go in debt in order to make his first purchase, but as both he and his wife were hard workers and economical the indebtedness upon the property was eventually paid off and Mr. Arnold bought more land from time to time until he became the owner of about nine hundred acres, from which he derived a handsome income. He was industrious and alert and his success was but the merited reward of his enterprise and good management.
In 1862 Mr. Arnold married Miss Katherina Kautz, a native of Germany, born on the 3d of November, 1846. Her parents, Daniel and Katherine (Stoffer) Kautz, who were likewise natives of the fatherland, came to the United States when she was a child of nine years. The family settled in Du Page county, Illinois, but both Mr. and Mrs. Kautz died in Cono township, this county, where they had resided for some time before called to their final rest. All of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Arnold are married and have homes of their own. At the death of the father the property was divided and each received a good farm.
Mr. Arnold was a member of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. In political matters he supported the democratic party and held various township offices. His widow still resides upon the eighty acres which they first purchased and which has remained the homestead throughout the many years since their arrival in this county. Mr. Arnold conformed his life to high stand- ards of conduct and in addition to winning material success, gained the sincere respect and esteem of those who knew him, and his death in 1905 deprived the county of a valued resident.
JOHN W. WOLGAMOT.
John W. Wolgamot, of Fairbank, is one of the leading auctioneers of this part of the state and cries many sales annually. He was born in Fairbank township, Buchanan county, April 30, 1862, a son of Joseph and Athae T. (Buck- master) Wolgamot, natives of Maryland and Holmes county, Ohio, respectively. The father was taken by his parents to Holmes county, Ohio, when but an infant. He was a soldier in the Mexican war, serving for three years, and at the close of the war returned to Ohio. In the early fifties he brought his family to Bu- chanan county, where he lived until his death, which occurred at Fairbank in 1911. His wife died in 1898. They were the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this review is the sixth in order of birth. A fuller account of the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wolgamot will be found in the sketch of Clinton W. Wolgamot, which appears elsewhere in this work.
John W. Wolgamot grew to manhood in this county and received his educa- tion in the common schools. He followed agricultural pursuits until 1882, when he engaged in the butchering business and in the buying and selling of live stock in Fairbank. He continued in those occupations for some time but is now an auctioneer and his services are often required in other counties, as he has a a reputation for efficient work that extends throughout this section of Iowa. He understands his business thoroughly and is almost always able to secure a good price for the articles offered at auction. He is not only largely in demand for the sales of household goods, but cries most of the sales of live stock and farm imple- Vol. II-13
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ments held in this county and many held in adjoining counties. He understands a crowd thoroughly and this knowledge enables him to present the merits of the artiele which is for sale in such a way as to get a good price for it.
Mr. Wolgamot was married, in Waterloo, Iowa, on New Year's day, 1896, to Miss Ida Hoffman, who was born in Dixon, Illinois, January 3, 1866. In 1872 she accompanied her parents to Iowa, the family locating near Dunkerton on a farm. Her father, William Henry Harrison Hoffman, was born in Penn- sylvania and died in Fairbank, Iowa, 1897. Her mother, who was in her maidenhood Miss Rebecca Hersel, was also a native of the Keystone state and likewise died at Fairbank. To their union were born seven children, of whom four are living. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Wolgamot were: Mary Luetta, who died in Pennsylvania when a child of two years; Reuben, residing in Bondurant, Iowa; John Aaron, whose home is near Butterfield, Minnesota ; Charles Luther, of Staples, Minnesota; Alice May, who died when nine years of age ; and Mrs. Rosetta Matilda Busby, who died in Fayette county, Iowa. The eldest child was a native of the Keystone state, the four next in order of birth were born in Illinois and the two youngest in Black Hawk county, Iowa. Mrs. Wolgamot is a member of the Episcopal church and aids in the work of its various organizations.
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