USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 30
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PETER SCHROLL.
Peter Schroll, a well known and enterprising agrieulturist of Westburg town- ship, is the owner of an excellent farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, which he has operated continuously and sueeessfully for the past twenty-two years. His birth oeeurred in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1850, his father being Daniel Schroll, likewise a native of the Keystone state. In 1850 he removed to Illinois and subsequently took up his abode in Coffeyville, Kansas, where he entered a traet of land. A short time afterward, however, he disposed of the property and made his way to Montana, spending the remainder of his life in that state.
Peter Schroll was still but an infant when the family home was established in Illinois. The year 1892 witnessed his arrival in Buchanan county, Iowa, and here he has sinee devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits, purehas- ing a farm of one hundred and sixty aeres in Westburg township, in the operation of which he has won a most gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity. He conduets his interests in a most practical and progressive manner and enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the representative and respected citizens of his community.
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In 1870 Mr. Schroll was united in marriage to Miss Belle Wheeler, by whom he has had nine children, as follows: Catherine, who passed away September 22, 1876, in Illinois; Charles D .; Phoebe E .; Grace Belle; Elizabeth Helen ; James Alvin, who died in 1908; Chester Peter; Ira Orville; and John Burton.
JOHN N. SMITH.
John N. Smith, cashier of the Iowa State Bank at Hazleton, has in his busi- ness career made steady advancement through the utilization of opportunity, through fidelity to duty and through the employment of the qualities of enter- prise, diligence and determination. He was born in Guthrie county, Iowa, No- vember 1, 1880. His father, Frank Smith, was a native of Luxemburg, Ger- many, born in 1834, and was only ten years of age when he accompanied his parents on the voyage across the Atlantic to the new world, the family home being established near Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where the father carried on agri- cultural pursuits until 1870. In that year Frank Smith removed to Guthrie county, Iowa, settling on a farm, on which he continued to reside until called to his final rest. He was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land and successfully carried on general farming and stock-raising.
In early manhood Frank Smith wedded Margaret Meyer, whose birth oe- curred near Luxemburg, Germany, in 1838. They became the parents of five children, of whom John N. is the youngest. The father has now passed away, dying in 1898, at the age of sixty-four years, but the mother is living in Guthrie county with a daughter at the age of seventy-six years. In politics he was a democrat but never aspired to hold office. One of his brothers, who came to the United States at the same time he crossed the Atlantic, was killed in the battle " of Gettysburg, while serving as a member of a Wisconsin regiment during the Civil war.
John N. Smith was reared under the parental roof and pursued his educa- tion in the schools of Yale, Iowa, and in a business college at Des Moines. Through his youthful days he remained upon the home farm and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and earing for the erops. He was twenty years of age when he entered upon his business course at Des Moines and after his graduation went to California, where he spent a year and a half for the benefit of his health. He then returned to lowa, making his way to Independence, where in 1902 he became associated with the Palmer Hubbard Produce Company in the capacity of bookkeeper. He thus served for three years, after which he was appointed deputy county clerk under J. T. Steven- son. Later he was with the First National Bank of Independence as bookkeeper and in 1910 he was elected by the republican party to the office of county clerk. in which he made so excellent a record during his term that he was reelected in 1912. However, he was solicited to become cashier of the lowa State Bank at Hazleton, in which he is also a stockholder and director, and accepted the posi- tion. He likewise owns farm lands in this county and is conducting a growing and profitable insurance business.
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In 1904 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Bertha A. Truax, a native of Guthrie county, Iowa, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Truax, who are still living in that county, representatives of early families there. John W. Truax has land which his father, James Truax, entered from the government. The grandfather was one of the first to become identified with the work of general improvement and development in that section of the state and for many years carried on general farming and stock-raising. He died at the very vener- ble age of ninety-eight years. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Truax were five children, of whom Bertha A. is the eldest. She has spent her entire life in this state and was a teacher of music and also a school teacher in the Yale schools. By her marriage she has become the mother of five children, Alton L., J. Vernon, Wilma Pauline, Frances Alella and Kathryn.
Mr. Smith is an exemplary representative of the Masonic fraternity and a past master of Independence Lodge. He regards it as the duty as well as the privilege of every American citizen to exercise his right of franchise in support of the measures which he believes to be factors in good government. Accordingly he has been an active worker in the republican party and has done much to further its interests, nor is he neglectful of the higher duties of life. He belongs to the Methodist church and is interested in its welfare and generous in its support. He has made a creditable record in every relation and at all times has been actuated by principles of truth and honor.
EVERETT C. WARD, M. D.
Dr. Everett C. Ward, successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery at Brandon, is widely recognized as a prominent and able representative of the profession in Buchanan county. His birth occurred in Humboldt county, Iowa, in 1876, his parents being C. E. and Harriet (French) Ward. The father was born in New York city in 1826 and when a youth of fifteen went to Vermont, where he lived with relatives and learned the tailor's trade, working at that occupation for a time. Subsequently he removed to Brooklyn, Wisconsin, and there married Miss Cynthia Eddie. At the age of twenty-six years he located on the farm of his father-in-law, clearing and improving the property and carrying on general agricultural pursuits with excellent success. His wife died when they had been married five years, and five years later he wedded Miss Harriet L. French, a daughter of Samuel and Phoebe French.
In 1874 Mr. and Mrs. Ward took up their abode in Humboldt county, Iowa, where he purchased and improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which he operated for seven years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and bought another quarter section in the same vicinity which he cultivated continuously for thirty-one years. He then took up his abode in Ren- wick, Humboldt county, where his wife passed away in 1913, at the age of seventy-three years. and subsequently he came to Brandon, Buchanan county. Here he makes his home at the present time, having now reached the venerable age of eighty-eight years. He served as an enlistment officer for the Federal army during the period of the Civil war and has ever given his political allegiance
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to the republican party, which was the stanch support of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Baptist church.
Everett C. Ward spent his boyhood on the home farm in Humboldt county and after leaving the Renwick high school entered college at Des Moines, where he continued his studies for three years or until obliged to abandon them tem- porarily on account of illness. Subsequently he spent two years in the study of osteopathy at Des Moines and then entered the medieal department of the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, from which institution he was graduated with high honors four years later. He located for practice at Mount Auburn, Benton county, Iowa, there remaining for three and a half years, and on November 12, 1910, opened an office at Brandon, Buchanan county, where he has remained con- tinuously to the present time, being accorded a liberal and lucrative patronage. His ability and skill have been constantly manifest in the excellent results which have attended his efforts for the alleviation of human suffering and the restora- tion of health.
On the 5th of August, 1909. Dr. Ward was united in marriage to Miss Laura B. Furry, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Jones) Furry. They have one child, Everett Lynn Ward. Dr. Ward is a republican in politics and is identified fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs and the Modern Woodmen of America. On account of his unsullied character and his usefulness in his profession he justly ranks high in the respect of the entire community.
GEORGE D. BLACK.
George D. Black justly deserves to be called a self-made man, for he started ont to earn his own living when a lad of but twelve years. Today he is exten- sively engaged in the cultivation and production of gladioli and in this connec- tion is known not only throughont the United States but also to growers of this plant in foreign lands as well. He has built up an extensive and profitable business and a view of his place in the blooming season is indeed a rare treat.
Mr. Black was born in Butler county, Ohio, June 18. 1858, a son of Henry and Sophia (Deem) Black. The father. a native of Pennsylvania, came of German parentage. In early life he learned the cooper's trade and emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio, removing to the latter state at a period which ante- dated railroad building. There he engaged extensively in the cooperage busi- ness, continuing his residence in Ohio until 1859. when he came to Iowa, settling about three miles from Brandon, in Buchanan county. There he purchased a small traet of land and built a log cabin. He had brought some nursery stock with him and began the development of a nursery, but lost this through climatic conditions. Soon afterward he was taken ill with typhoid fever and never regained robust health. He died in 1892 in the ninety-first year of his age. His wife, a native of Butler county. Ohio, still remains upon the old home farm, the boundaries of which have been extended by additional purchase. Mr. Black
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had been previously married twice and George D. Black is the eldest of nine children born of his father's third marriage.
The educational opportunities of George D. Black were limited. His labors were needed upon the home farm but in the winter months he attended the dis- trict school near by and when twelve years of age began to earn his own living and also assist in the support of the family by working for others. When eighteen years of age he secured a position as a farm hand and in that way earned a sum sufficient to enable him to continue his education as a student in the Tilford Collegiate Academy at Vinton, Iowa, where he remained the major part of three years. During the most of that time he. did janitor work in pay- ment of his tuition. He taught school for two winters and after completing his course in the Tilford Collegiate Academy he again took up the profession of teaching. He also conducted an apiary near Brandon, on the old home farm, and at one time owned one hundred and eighty stands of bees, which in one year produced thirteen thousand pounds of honey. After a few years he gradually worked into the nursery and seed business and as he did so withdrew from bee culture and the production of honey. As his nursery business developed he began dealing in seeds at Brandon and later put his seeds in all the stores of the county. He continued upon the old home place up to the time of his marriage and then removed to Independence.
Mr. Black has now practically discontinued the seed business and does not issue a catalogue, as was formerly his custom, but concentrates his efforts upon the propagation and production of gladioli. He has a tract of twenty acres of land all platted within the limits of Independence. He devotes his attention to the nursery business, specializing in the production of gladioli, and now has six acres in bulbs. He has a large yellow seedling of his own and received a reward of merit in England from the National Gladioli Society and is assured of a first- class certificate, these certificates never being issued the first year. He frequently imports bulbs from Holland and other foreign countries and has some of the rarest and finest specimens of the flower to be found on the American continent. Independence is noted as a center of gladiolus production. Mr. Black is a con- tributor to the Modern Gladiolus Grower, a magazine issued in 1913 and pub- lished at Calcium, New York.
On the 15th of April, 1890, Mr. Black wedded Miss Martha E. MeLaughlin, a native of Canada and a daughter of Robert and Laura (Baxter) MeLaughlin, both of whom were natives of that country. The father became a woodworker and operated a factory at Oshawa, Canada, his principal output being wooden clocks, although he manufactured many other things in wood. About 1871 he came to Iowa, settling at Brandon, where he engaged in the building of wagons, cutters and buggies, continuing active along that line until competition became too strenuous. He then turned his attention to the house-moving business, in which he continued until he retired from active life about 1904. He is now eighty-eight years of age, and he and his wife reside with Mr. and Mrs. Black. Mr. Mclaughlin served in the war with Mexico and is perhaps the only Mexican war veteran now living in Buchanan county. His family numbered five chil- dren, of whom Mrs. Black is the second. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Black. Robert Henry, born June 18, 1892, is a graduate of the In- dependence high school and also of the Upper lowa University of Fayette of
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the elass of 1913. Immediately after his graduation he went to Philadelphia, where he became connected with the Burpee seed house, and he is now located at Albert Lea, Minnesota, where he is engaged in the seed business. Oscar W., born in 1894, and Harry N .. born March 12, 1897, are both at home and are assisting their father.
Mr. Black is a charter member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Brandon, and both he and his wife are connected with the Fraternal Bankers Association. They also belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and he is serving as class leader at Independence. In politics he has been a stalwart republican sinee age conferred upon him the right of franchise and while at Brandon he served as justiee of the peace and held other township offices. He has ever been actively interested in the welfare and development of the section in which he makes his home and cooperates heartily in every movement for the public good. He has become widely and favorably known and in his chosen field of business has made for himself an enviable name and place. His is a ereditable record inasmuch as he started out in life on his own account whena youth of but twelve years, since which time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources.
CLESSON A. KENYON.
Clesson A. Kenyon is a retired business man living in Lamont and is among the most highly respected citizens of the town. He was born in the neighboring county of Delaware on the 25th of September. 1861, a son of Amos and Caroline ( Wycoff) Kenyon. The father was born in Rutland, Vermont, June 3, 1819, and there grew to manhood. He was married in his native state and subse- quently came to lowa, locating in Delaware county. in the early '40s. He bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in that county and eighty acres in Buchanan county and farmed it until his death on the 5th of May. 1891, when seventy- two years of age. His wife was born in the Province of Quebec, Canada, on the 17th of May, 1825, but was educated in Vermont, where their marriage occurred. She passed away on the 23d of July. 1889.
Clesson A. Kenyon was the ninth in order of birth in a family of ten chil- dren and received his early education in the common schools of the county. He subsequently attended Manchester Academy at Manchester, Delaware county, and Upper lowa University at Fayette. He took a normal course and after leav- ing school taught for five winters. Upon abandoning that profession he farmed the home place for three years and then purchased eighty acres of land near Lamont. He operated that tract of land for six years and on selling it embarked in general mercantile business in Lamont with his brother. In 1899. under President MeKinley, he was appointed postmaster and held that office for four- teen and a half years, handling the incoming and outgoing mails with dispatch and accuracy. He was the candidate on the republican ticket for county recorder in the election of November. 1914, and received a splendid majority. His term of two years begins January 1, 1915.
Mr. Kenyon married Miss Eva M. Sheldon, a daughter of William P. and Julia (Smith) Sheldon. The father was born in Allegany county. New York,
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July 29, 1827, and in May, 1858, came to Iowa. He taught school and farmed in connection with his brother for some time. He then bought land in Dela- ware county and operated his farm until 1888, when he retired and moved to Strawberry Point, Iowa. He resided there for five years but now makes his home with the subject of this review. His marriage to Miss Julia Smith oc- curred on Christmas day, 1862. She was born in Michigan on the 18th of September, 1837, and came to Iowa with her parents when sixteen years of age. She died on the 4th of October, 1910. In the Sheldon family were two children, Mrs. Kenyon, and Frank, who is a commission agent living in Chicago, Illinois. Mrs. Kenyon spent two years in the Manchester Academy after com- pleting the public-school course and subsequently attended Upper Iowa Uni- versity at Fayette for a term. She taught school for six terms previous to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Kenyon have three children : Mildred E., born Decem- ber 27, 1886, is the wife of David Curtis, a resident of Lamont; Claire C., born June 1; 1888, is a registered pharmacist in the Miller drug store at Waterloo, where he makes his home. He married Miss Anna Pieper, by whom he has a son, Paul, born February 3, 1914. Gladys Julia, born January 6, 1892, is still at home. All of the children are graduates of the public schools.
The family attend the Methodist church and are always willing to cooperate in any movement seeking the moral welfare of the community. Mr. Kenyon belongs to Mohawk Lodge, No. 310, K. P .; to Bush Camp, No. 2605, M. W. A .; and Lamont Camp, No. 214, W. O. W. Mrs. Kenyon is a member of the Pythian Sisters, and is a member and the recorder of the Royal Neighbors since 1903. They have many friends in Lamont and in the surrounding country and all who know them hold them in high esteem.
MRS. JOSEPH BUNNELL.
Mrs. Joseph Bunnell, who makes her home on a farm in Jefferson township, has continuously resided in this county during the past thirty-six years and is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community. She was born in New York on the 1st of July, 1839, and on the 3d of October, 1860, gave her hand in marriage to Joseph Bunnell, whose natal day was April 15, 1835. The young couple established their home in Indiana immediately following their marriage, and in that state Mr. Bunnell engaged in the milling business, operat- ing a flour and sawmill with the turning lathe attachment. Mrs. Bunnell still has two chairs that were made by him at that time. In 1864, during the gold excitement then raging in Idaho, he and others started for the west, going by rail to the end of the road, which was at Grinnell, Iowa, and then across the plains by ox teams and covered wagons. He remained in the west for two years and at the end of that time returned to Indiana, where he was engaged in the hardware business until 1873.
That year witnessed the arrival of Mr. Bunnell and his family in Iowa and for about five years they made their home upon a farm in Black Hawk county. but in 1878 became residents of Buchanan county, purchasing a tract of land in Jefferson township. Mr. Bunnell won prosperity in the conduct of his farm-
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ing interests and became widely recognized as a substantial farmer and a respected citizen. He passed away on the 30th of July, 1911, at the age of seventy-six years.
For over a half century he and his wife had traveled life's journey together and on the 3d of October, 1910, celebrated their golden wedding, at which time their children and grandchildren were all present. Their children are: Mrs. O. M. Kinney, H. S. and B. B. Since the father's death the last named has operated the home farm and is meeting with good success in its cultivation. He was married on the 25th of December, 1895, to Miss Grace Standish, and they have four children, Miles Standish, Floyd B., Clarence J. and Sarah B. The family is one of prominence in the community where they reside and are held in high esteem by all who know them. Although not a member of any religious denomination, Mrs. Bunnell is a firm believer in the Bible and her life has ever been in harmony with its teachings.
RANFORD E. COOK.
Ranford E. Cook owns and operates five hundred and eight acres of land, most of which is situated on section 19, Fremont township. This land has been in his possession for thirty-three years and he has long been numbered among the substantial and progressive farmers of the county. In addition to eulti- vating the soil, he raises high grade stock, breeding Belgian draft horses and Black Polled Angus cattle. For many seasons he has owned a threshing machine and has threshed most of the grain in his neighborhood.
Mr. Cook was born in Oswego county, New York, on the 29th of February, 1856, a son of Emery and Mary Jane (Benson) Cook. The former was born in Chautauqua county, New York, on the 17th of February, 1829, and lived there until 1869, when he removed with his family to Manchester, Delaware county, Iowa. He rented a farm for some time but subsequently purchased one hundred and forty acres three miles west of Manchester, which he farmed for about thirty years. At the end of that time, or in 1905, he sold his land and retired. He is still living, making his home with a daughter in Coffins Grove township, Delaware county. His wife was born in Oswego county, New York, on the 16th of June, 1833, and they were there married. She passed away in this state in 1903. To Mr. and Mrs. Emery Cook were born five children: Malcolm, whose birth occurred on the 2d of April, 1854, and who is a farmer of Liberty township, this county: Ranford, of this review; Edward W., who was born December 14, 1858, and lives in Coffins Grove town- ship, Delaware county ; Helen M., who was born August 17, 1863, and died in 1891; and Susie L., who was born August 17, 1870, and resides in Coffins Grove township, Delaware county.
Ranford E. Cook was educated in New York until he was a lad of thirteen years and then he accompanied his parents on their removal to Delaware county, this state, remaining at home until twenty-two years of age. He then rented a farm for five years and subsequently came into possession of the land which he now operates. It comprises five hundred and eight acres and all but a
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RANFORD E. COOK
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quarter section is situated on section 19, Fremont township. The one hundred and sixty acre tract is located three miles from the other. Mr. Cook raises a great deal of grain but is chiefly interested in stock. For twenty-five or thirty years he has been a well known breeder of Belgian draft horses and his stallions have always been registered animals. He also raises high grade Black Polled Angus cattle. For thirty seasons he has owned a threshing outfit and has been given the patronage of the farmers of his neighborhood.
Mr. Cook was first married when twenty-eight years of age and, as his first wife died, in 1891 he married Miss Neva B. Coates, who was born in Delaware county, Iowa, on the 14th of September, 1863, a daughter of Ezra and Eliza- beth (Hetherington) Coates. Her father was born in New York in 1835 and is still living in Delaware county. Her mother, who was born in Ohio in 1837, died in 1867 while still a young woman. They were married in Iowa City, this state, and had four children, namely : Sadie, the wife of Louis Coon of Delaware county ; Clarence, deceased ; Neva, the deceased wife of our subject; and Charles, a resident of Minnesota. Mrs. Cook passed away January 19, 1910. She was the mother of six children: James Blaine, who was born Feb- ruary 8, 1893, and is operating a farm in this county; Helen Margaret, who was born May 8, 1895; Donald Dean, whose birth occurred March 9, 1897; Clarence Coates, whose birth occurred on the 23d of February, 1899; Clyde R., born May 25, 1905; and Mary Elizabeth, who was born December 29, 1909. All of the younger children are at home.
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