USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Mr. Wolgamot is a democrat in his political allegiance and has always taken an active part in public affairs. He served one term as deputy sheriff of Bu- chanan county and has been a member of the council at Fairbank as well as city marshal and constable. Fraternally he belongs to the Elks at Oelwein. IIis time has not been entirely taken up by his auctioneering business and he has bought, improved and sold a number of farms in this community. He owns two substantial business houses in Fairbank and also one hundred and sixty acres of good land near Otoka, South Dakota. IIis wife owns and manages the leading millinery store in Fairbank. They both have marked business ability, which they have developed, and both are successful and prosperous. All of their rela- tions with their fellowmen are guided by high standards of conduct and their friends are many.
AMOS G. SHELLITO, M. D.
Dr. Amos G. Shellito, engaged in the general practice of medicine at Inde- pendence, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1860, a son of George and Amanda (Slocum) Shellito. The father was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1821, and the mother's birth occurred in Vermont in 1830. George Shellito always followed the occupation of farming and spent his entire life in his native county, where he died in the year 1892. His wife survived him for about thirteen years, passing away in 1905.
Dr. Shellito was the third in a family of six children and after attending the public schools of his native county continued his education in the preparatory department of Allegheny College. He also attended medical school in Cleveland for one year and then entered a medical college at Baltimore, Maryland, from which he was graduated in 1882. The same year he came to Iowa, settling at In-
283
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
dependence, where he entered upon the practice of his profession. He has since continued in the general practice of medicine and has been accorded a liberal patronage.
In December, 1884, Dr. Shellito was married to Miss Nellie F. Campbell, who was born in Independence, Iowa, a daughter of John H. and Ruth R. (Judd) Campbell, both of whom were natives of New York. They came to Iowa about 1856 and Mr. Campbell engaged in the banking business, he and his brother organizing the First National Bank of Independence, with which insti- tution he was connected until his death, which occurred in 1886. His wife passed away January 20, 1910. Dr. and Mrs. Shellito have a son, Judd Campbell, who was born May 25, 1889, and is now attending the Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore, Maryland, as a student in the medical department.
Dr. Shellito is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party but is without aspiration for office. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the lodge, chapter, commandery and Mystic Shrine. Along strictly professional lines his connection is with the Buchanan County Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Thus he keeps in touch with the advance- ment made in his chosen field of labor.
-
GEORGE W. KLOTZ.
A farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 4, Newton township, pays tribute to the care and labor bestowed upon it by its owner and occupant, George W. Klotz, who was born January 8, 1867, in the township which is still his home. He is a son of Charles F. and Rachel (Hekel) Klotz, who were natives of Germany. In early life the father came to the new world, making his way to Dubuque county, Iowa, whence he afterward came to Buchanan county. All through his life he followed the occupation of farming and in Newton township he purchased a tract of land which he continued to develop and cultivate until 1907, when he retired from active business and took up his abode in Quasqueton, where he still remains. In 1907 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in February of that year.
George W. Klotz has always been a resident of this county, spending his youthful days in the usual manner of farm lads, early becoming familiar with the best methods of plowing, planting and harvesting. He remained with his parents to the age of twenty-five years and then rented land and began farming on his own account. He was given one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 4, Newton township, by his father and has since devoted his energies to the further development and improvement of the property. Iowa's soil is naturally rich and productive and pays good return for the care and labor be- stowed upon it. The farm of Mr. Klotz is now well improved with modern accessories and conveniences, and he uses the latest machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He also engages in stock-raising, handling high grade cattle, sheep and hogs, and he is a stockholder in the Kiene Store Building Company in the village of Kiene. Earnest, persistent labor has been the source of his success.
284
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
Year by year he has worked on persistently and energetically and in his business management has displayed sound judgment.
In June, 1892, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Klotz and Miss Nellie Perry, a daughter of Malachi and Lucretia (Cutler) Perry. Four children have been born of this union, namely: Arlene, who is the wife of John Buchanan, of Jackson, Iowa; Florence, a maiden of fifteen summers; and Marion and Nellie, who are ten and eight years of age respectively.
Mr. Klotz is a believer in the principles of the republican party, and for four years he served as trustee of his township, while he has also been justice of the peace. Otherwise, however, he has not held nor desired public office, preferring to give undivided attention to his business affairs. He has member- ship with the Modern Brotherhood of America and the family attend the Con- gregational church. In those associations are found the motive springs of his conduct, making him a man of genuine worth enjoying the unqualified regard of neighbors and friends.
THEODORE B. HOUSHOLDER.
The year 1886 witnessed the arrival of Theodore B. Housholder in Buchanan county, at which time he purchased land and became identified with agricul- tural pursuits. For many years he carried on general farming but since 1910 has lived retired in Rowley, enjoying a well earned rest. His birth occurred in Barrington, Cook county, Illinois, on the 7th of December, 1858, his parents being Charles and Maria (Casteline) Housholder, both of whom were natives of New York. Removing westward, they settled in Cook county, Illinois, at an early period in the development of that section of the state and there the father embarked in farming, continuing to engage in that occupation throughout his remaining days. Both he and his wife have passed away.
Theodore B. Housholder was reared and educated in his native county and received ample training in farm work through the assistance which he rendered his father in cultivating the fields of the old home farm. On attaining his majority his desire to engage in business on his own account caused him to rent land which he cultivated until 1886. He then removed westward with Buchanan county as his destination and purchased forty acres of land in Homer township. This he at once began to cultivate but after three years sold out and purchased eighty-five acres, upon which he made his home throughout the remainder of the period that he devoted to active business. His labors were soon evidenced in the good crops which he gathered and in the excellent appearance of his place, characterized at all points by neatness and thrift. His careful manage- ment of his business affairs and his well directed industry brought him a competence sufficient to enable him to put aside further cares in 1910 and retire from active life.
On the 20th of February, 1880. Mr. Housholder was married to Miss Amanda Shouler, a daughter of Eli and Mahala (Hankins) Shouler, who were Illinois pioneers, removing to that state from Wisconsin and there spending their re-
285
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
maining days. Mr. and Mrs. Housholder have become the parents of three sons, Eli, Jay and Wayne, all residents of Rowley.
Mr. Housholder is a republican in his political views and keeps in touch with the leading questions and issues of the day. He has served as a trustee of Homer township. He and his wife are highly esteemed in the community in which they make their home. More than a quarter of a century has passed since their arrival in this county and throughout the entire period their lives have been such as to win for them the confidence and good-will of all with whom they have come in contact.
WILLIAM G. BROWN.
William G. Brown is one of the foremost business men of Independence, a position to which he has attained through indefatigable energy and intelligently directed effort. He started out in life practically empty-handed and is today one of the partners in an enterprise employing two hundred and eighty people. He was born in Independence, July 25, 1869. His father, Ellis P. Brown, whose birth occurred in New London, Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, came to Iowa from Pennsylvania in 1864 and engaged in the grain business in Inde- pendence. He wedded Mary E. Norris, who was born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, in 1842. Following their removal to Iowa she engaged in the millinery business, her store being located in the building in which originated the great fire that practically destroyed Independence on the 3d of May, 1874. It was with difficulty that they managed to escape from the fire, which completely destroyed the business. Ellis P. Brown was a soldier of the Civil war, serving for ninety days with the Pennsylvania Artillery, his command being called out at the battle of Gettysburg. He was of the Quaker faith. He had no political aspirations and held no public office, but his life was upright and honorable and won for him warm regard.
William G. Brown, the elder of two children, attended the schools of Inde- pendence and at the age of eighteen years accepted the position of baggageman in his native city in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad. When he had thoroughly acquainted himself with the duties of that position and proven his worth, he was advanced to the position of ticket agent at Dubuque in the service of the Chicago & Great Western. In 1897, however, he returned to Independence, where he opened a cafe which he conducted until 1911. He next entered into partnership with E. O. Parker and Joseph Limbert for the manufacture of novelty cards and jobbing of other fancy novelties. The business was started in one room and something of its rapid and substantial growth is indicated in the fact that they now occupy five store buildings. They conduct their own printery and employ two hundred and eighty people. The cigar and candy boards and other novelties which they make are sold all over the United States, Mexico and Canada and their output along all lines is shipped to every part of this country, their business being now one of mammoth proportions. Mr. Brown keeps in close touch with the trade, studies its indications and the de- mands of the public and is ever ready to meet any emergency that may arise.
286
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
In 1906 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Bonita Walker, of Inde- pendence, a daughter of John W. and Maria Agnes (Naylor) Walker, the former born in Indiana in 1847 and the latter in Pennsylvania in 1848. The father died in 1905, at the age of fifty-eight years, and the mother now makes her home at Weyerhauser, Wisconsin, at the age of sixty-six years. In early life the father was a resident of Orangeville, Illinois, and was there located at the time of the Civil war. Responding to the country's call for troops, he went to the front and while in the army sustained a sunstroke from which he never fully recovered. He was a carpenter and builder and in the '70s removed to Iowa, where he made his home for a considerable time. At length he left Inde- pendence and went to Yates Center, Kansas, and later removed to Wisconsin, where he passed away.
Mr. Brown holds membership with the United Commercial Travelers. He is a man of marked initiative spirit who at all times is forceful and resourceful. His plans are carefully formed and promptly executed and, moreover, he has the ability to recognize and utilize opportunities which others pass heedlessly by. Gradually he has worked his way upward and today he is at the head of an extensive and prosperous business which is not only a source of gratifying individual income but also an element in the prosperity of Buchanan county.
GEORGE W. BARE.
Homer township is divided up into many excellent farms which indicate the progressive spirit of their owners in their well tilled fields, good crops and sub- stantial buildings. George W. Bare has a fine traet of land on sections 27 and 28, Homer township, comprising two hundred acres. His life record began in Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 4th of July, 1861, his parents being John and Elizabeth (Haas) Bare. The father was born in Pennsylvania, but the mother was a native of Switzerland. In early life John Bare learned and followed the carpenter's trade and after leaving Pennsylvania lived for some time in Ohio be- fore going to Indiana. Following his arrival in the last named state he settled in Whitley county, where his remaining days were passed. He died in 1863, while his wife's death occurred in 1879.
George W. Bare, spending his youthful days in Indiana, attended the publie schools there and received thorough training in farm work, carly taking his place in the fields in connection with the tasks of plowing, planting and harvest- ing. He remained at home until 1880, when at the age of nineteen years he came to Buchanan county, where for four years he cultivated a rented farm. He then put aside that task and was employed as a farm hand for four years. At the end of that time he again began farming on rented land, spending two years in Benton county, lowa, after which he purchased eighty aeres on section 27, Homer township. Ile then bent every energy to the development of that place and from time to time he has extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises forty acres adjoining the original homestead, and in 1912 he bought eighty aeres on section 28, Homer township, making in all two hundred acres which he is carefully tilling. The high tasseled corn and the golden heads
287
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
of the wheat indicate that his methods of cultivating the soil are practical and insure substantial results. In his pasture lands are found high grade stock, including thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs.
On the 30th of April, 1890, Mr. Bare was united in marriage to Miss Eva L. Robison, a daughter of L. E. and Fannie (Mosier) Robison, who were natives of New York. The father followed farming until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted for service at the front with the boys in blue, joining the Sixteenth New York Heavy Artillery in January, 1864, and being subsequently transferred to the First New York Mounted Rifles, with which command he served until the close of the war. In 1869 he arrived in Buchanan county and two years later purchased land in Homer township upon which he continued to reside until 1908. During that period he carefully carried on general farming but ulti- mately retired and removed to Walker, Iowa, where he now resides at the age of seventy years. His wife is sixty-two years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Bare are the parents of eight children, namely: Elmer D., who is twenty-three years of age and is an electrician at Walker; Lida J., twenty-one years of age, who is a milliner of Dumont, Iowa; Charles Leslie, a young man of nineteen years; John, a youth of fourteen; and Harold, Hattie, Carrie and Fannie, who are twelve, ten, six and four years of age respectively. The last six named are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Bare exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party and has filled the office of justice of the peace, in which connection he carefully weighs the evidence of the case and bases his decisions upon the equity and the law. He belongs to the Modern Brotherhood of Amer- ica and to the Methodist church and in these associations are found the motive springs of his conduct, making him a man worthy the high respect of those with whom he has dealings or with whom he is brought in contact in social rela- tions.
DON W. ANDERSON.
Don W. Anderson has for a number of years been identified with business activity in Rowley and is now a salesman in the F. M. Williams general store. He was born in Otterville, this county, November 7, 1885, his parents being William and Flora (Pratt) Anderson. The father, a native of Indiana, arrived in Buchanan county in early life in company with his parents. He afterward followed farming for some time and finally turned his attention to commercial pursuits, engaging in the grocery business in Otterville, where he conducted a store for about eight years. He still makes his home in that place, but his wife passed away in 1885.
Don W. Anderson was but two weeks old when his mother died, and he after- ward lived with his uncle, L. R. Miller, at Independence, until nine years of age. He pursued his early education in the schools of that city and subsequently attended Highland Park College at Des Moines, Iowa, from which he was grad- uated with the class in pharmacy in December, 1904. After completing that course he worked in a drug store for others and afterwards engaged in busi-
288
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
ness on his own account. For two years he was proprietor of a drug store at Aurora, this county. Later he spent a year in Independence, and then came to Rowley, where he conducted a drug store for two years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the real estate business. with which he was connected until January. 1914, when he accepted his present position as clerk in the general store of F. M. Williams. He is well known to the trading public, is ever courteous in his treatment of patrons and thoroughly reliable in his busi- ness methods.
On the 28th of October, 1905, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Lena Hutton, a daughter of Ira and Louise (Culbertson) Hutton, the former a native of Kansas, and the latter of Greeley, Iowa. Her father was at one time engaged in the creamery business in Otterville and also in Independence, and is now conducting a similar enterprise at Earlville. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have three children. namely: Gladys and Merle, who are five and four years of age, respectively; and Roth, who is in the second year.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, to which both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson belong. Politically he is a democrat and is a candidate for the office of clerk of the court on that party ticket. At the present writing he is filling the office of assessor of Homer township, which posi- tion he has occupied for two years. Ile holds membership with the Masonic lodge at Rowley, with the Eastern Star Chapter. and with the Modern Wood- men Camp at Otterville, and to the teachings of those organizations is always loyal. He and his family occupy a pleasant residence in Rowley, which he owns, and their home is the abode of a warm-hearted hospitality which is greatly en- joyed by their many friends. Mr. Anderson is a young man of genuine personal worth and justly merits the high esteem which is uniformly accorded him.
ZENAS A. COMFORT.
Zenas A. Comfort, a prominent factor in financial cireles of Buchanan county, is the president of the Jesup State Bank at Jesup and is also a successful stock- man and owner of extensive farm lands. His birth occurred in Cook county, Illinois, August 19, 1850, his parents being William and Matilda (Blackman) Comfort. The parents were both natives of Canada but took up their abode in Illinois early in life, being married near Elgin, that state. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, took up his abode in Buchanan county, Iowa, in 1868, purchasing four hundred and eighty acres of land a mile and a half east of Jesup. This he improved and cultivated throughout his remaining days, passing away on the home farm at the age of seventy-two years. He was a republican in his political affiliations and was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was well known throughout the county and his death brought to the community a distinet loss. His wife survived for a few years and passed away July 17, 1910, in the faith of the Methodist church, in which she was like- wise a devoted and active worker. In their family were seven children : Zenas A., of this review; W. J., who makes his home in Sioux City, lowa; George M., who has passed away: E. W .. who operates the old homestead farm in Perry
ZENAS A. COMFORT
291
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
township ; Levi L., who has also departed this life; Elmer E., a farmer of Perry township ; and Matilda, the deceased wife of John Cruikshank, of Cedar Rapids.
Zenas A. Comfort was educated in the schools of Illinois and was a youth of eighteen years when the family home was established in Buchanan county. He assisted his father in the cultivation of his new land and remained under the parental roof to the age of twenty-five years, when he was married and estab- lished a home of his own on eighty acres of land in Perry township. To this tract he added eighty acres four years later and actively engaged in its cultivation for many years. During the winter months he gave his attention largely to shipping stock, but in 1901 he disposed of all his stock, rented his farm to his son and took up his abode in Jesup. He here formed a partnership with M. R. Considine and from that time to the present they have engaged quite ex- tensively in buying and shipping stock. In 1901 Mr. Comfort and J. H. Carey solicited stock and organized the bank which has since conducted business under the style of the Jesup State Bank. Upon the inception of this institution Mr. Carey was elected president and Mr. Comfort was made vice president. Five years later the death of Mr. Carey occurred and Mr. Comfort then succeeded to the presidency, in which capacity he has since served, contributing in no small degree to the growth and success of the institution. In addition to his banking interests Mr. Comfort has accumulated farm lands in North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Texas, his possessions now aggregating nine hundred acres. He also owns city property in Jesup and holds stock in the telephone company and the creamery of this place and in the Rath Packing Company at Waterloo, Iowa.
Mr. Comfort was married, September 6, 1875, to Miss Mary Jane Wills, a native of England, and their union has been blessed with seven children : Fred, Clifford and Jesse, all of whom follow farming in Perry township; Jasper, who resides in Texas; Birdie, the wife of W. J. Campbell, a merchant of Jesup ; Lora A., at home; and one who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Comfort is a stanch republican and both he and his wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which for many years he has served as a trustee. His life has been characterized by principles that command respect, and in all his dealings he has shown a probity that reflects upon him the highest credit.
REMINGTON FRED FRENCH.
Remington Fred French is well known as an active and successful live- stock dealer, which business he has conducted along extensive lines. Ilis birth- place was in Buchanan county, a mile and a half north of his present place of residence, his natal day being August 29, 1870. He is one of a family of eight children born unto Philander and Mary Ann (Van Netten) French. The father's birth occurred in Cayuga county, New York, November 12. 1812, and the mother was born in New Jersey, March 20, 1832. Mr. French always followed farming and for a number of years in early life engaged in surveying. He came to Iowa about 1848, settling in Buchanan county, about a half mile south of the county
292
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
farm. He became a land owner and continued upon his farm throughout the remainder of his days, devoting his entire life to the cultivation of his fields, covering three hundred and sixty acres, his efforts resulting in greatly enhanc- ing the value of his property. He died July 30, 1892, and his wife passed away March 28, 1913.
Remington F. French was a pupil in the old stone school house in the home district and afterward pursued a business course in Des Moines. Later he was graduated from the Iowa State University, having completed the law course with the class of 1899. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, and after preparing for the bar he formed a partnership in 1899 with Captain Holman, who was then county attorney. The relationship between them existed for three years, at the end of which time Mr. French removed to his present home, which he had previously owned. He has made all of the improvements upon the farm, which is today one of the finest places in the county. He has two hundred and thirty-five acres of excellent farm land, which he cultivates in a general way, and in 1907 he began the breeding of full-blooded Belgian horses. In 1911 he began importing direct from Belgium. making the first trip in that year. He made his own selections and did his own buying and today owns a number of full-blooded imported horses. He sells in a number of surrounding states and in Canada, handling more stoek of this kind than all other stock dealers of the county together. He is a most careful buyer, seldom if ever at error in estimating the value of a horse, and his success is well deserved. He devotes his entire time to his farm and his livestock interests and is today one of the. representative men in this line in Buchanan county. For some years he was extensively engaged in feeding cattle upon a farm north of the poor farm. but sold that property. He afterward disposed of his farm a mile and a half east of his present place, which is situated in Washington township and is one of the valuable properties of the county. He is now concentrating his energies upon the breeding, raising and sale of horses. His stable contains the mare which won the first prize in the three-year-old class at the Iowa State Fair in 1913, and also the colt which won the first weanling's prize in the same year. He likewise has the sire of this colt in his stable. He is also the owner of a pair of four-year-old mares which won second prize at the State Fair in 1911 and again in 1912, and he is the owner of the stallion which won second prize in the three-year-old class in 1913. . He is likewise the owner of a grandson of the stallion which won five championships in Belgium and Paris exhibits in consecutive years. He now has on hand thirty head of full-blooded Belgian horses. He has no desire to be the largest importer, but has ambition to handle horses of the highest grade. His stable for mares is one hundred and twelve by thirty-two feet. with a shed in the rear sixty-four by twenty-four feet. The stallion barn is equipped with box stalls and its dimensions are thirty-two by eighty feet. He has every facility needed in connection with his business and his name is familiar to horsemen throughout the country. He is an expert judge of horses and his business has been so condueted as to win substantial success.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.