USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 34
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AUSTIN W. PERKINS.
Austin W. Perkins is a veteran of the Civil war and a retired farmer of Middlefield township. He has almost reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey and certainly deserves the rest which has come to him after a life of activity and usefulness erowned with substantial success and the high respect of his fellowmen. He was born in Woodstock, Maine. August 8. 1835, his parents being Enther and Sallie (Dural) Perkins. The father was a native of England, but was only six months old when brought to the United States, the family home being established in Maine. He attended one of the old-time backwoods schools of Maine and when a young man began preaching for the Baptist church, devot- ing his life to that calling, but death claimed him when he was still in early
AUSTIN W. PERKINS
MRS. AUSTIN W. PERKINS
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manhood. The mother of our subject was probably born in Maine and was of French extraction.
Austin W. Perkins started out in life on his own account after his father's death when he was a young man of twenty years. Previous to this time, however, he had worked as a farm hand for Stillman Berry, who afterward became his father-in-law. He was employed for a time in a sawmill at Bangor, Maine, and later worked in a store with his brother at Chelsea, Massachusetts. In 1856 he came to Buchanan county, Iowa, and located upon a tract of land which he and his wife had inherited from her father. This place has since been his home and year after year he tilled the soil and cultivated his fields, but in 1898 retired from farming and has since left the operation of his land to others.
Mr. Perkins also took a most helpful interest in public work. He aided in organizing schools and churches and in furthering many projects intended for the benefit and upbuilding of the community. He is today the only survivor among the voters at the first township election of Middlefield township, this being in the fall of 1857. The spirit of patriotism has ever been strong within him and following the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in 1862, becoming a member of Company H, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, with which he served for three years, participating in eleven important engagements under Colonel J. S. Gilbert and Captain J. Miller. The regiment was attached to the Second Brigade, Third Division of the Sixteenth Corps of the Army of the Tennessee. He took part in the battles of Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Nashville, Fort Blakely and others. He was never wounded but his health became impaired. He rendered valuable and valiant service to his country and returned home with a most creditable military record.
On January 27, 1857, Mr. Perkins was united in marriage to Miss Olive Berry, who was born in Paris, Maine, March 23, 1838, a daughter of Stillman and Persis (Cushman) Berry and a representative of one of the prominent early families of the Pine Tree state. Her father farmed in Maine for a number of years and then made the journey across the country to Quasqueton, which was then the only town in that vicinity, arriving in 1855, when all of the conditions of pioneer life were here to be met. He worked to some extent at the carpenter's trade in the early days and erected some of the first buildings of the township. He was a true pioneer, active, helpful, energetic and willing at all times to assist a neighbor or friend or to promote public progress. He held membership in the Baptist church, guided his life by its teachings and served as one of its deacons.
Mr. and Mrs. Perkins became the parents of five children, all born here. The eldest, Julia A., is the wife of A. S. Leach, a former Protestant Methodist preacher, who is now engaged in business at Coggon, Iowa. They have four children. Luther Stillman, the second member of the family, was born May 5, 1859, and now occupies the old home farm in Middlefield township, which he is carefully and systematically conducting. He married Miss Cora A. King, a daughter of Ezra B. King, one of the active and prominent pioneer settlers of Byron township. Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Perkins had two children, Addie O. and Bertha E. The former is the wife of Marshall Ball, who is engaged in the auto- mobile business in Jesup, Iowa, and they have one child, Harold. The younger daughter, Bertha E., became the wife of Albert.P. De Greif, a prominent farmer of Middlefield township, but she died September 19, 1910, leaving two children, Vol II-17
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Cora May and Arthur L. Cynthia A. Perkins is now the widow of Charles M. Hunt, who was a prominent citizen and political leader of Pocahontas, Iowa, and they had four children, Gilbert, Melville, Hazel and Wilbur. Gilbert A. Perkins, the fourth member of the family, is with the Warfield-Pratt-Howell Grocery Com- pany of Cedar Rapids. He is married and has a daughter, Evangel, aged eighteen years. Addie O., the youngest member of the family, died in 1879. Mr. Perkins now has fourteen grandchildren and one deceased and also fourteen great-grand- children and one deceased. ITis wife died on the 9th of March, 1898, mourned by all who knew her.
Mr. Perkins was one of the organizers of the Baptist church at Winthrop, served as a deacon in the same during its existence and was superintendent of the Sunday school for seven years. He has always been a progressive citizen, helpful in his attitude toward public affairs, and filled the office of constable of his township for one year and as school director for one term. He is a very prominent and influential member of the Grand Army of the Republic and for six years has been chaplain of the post at Winthrop. He has attended both the state and national eneampments for seventeen consecutive years. His life has been exemplary in many respects and he has never taken a drink of liquor or used tobacco in any form. He has traveled to considerable extent, making four trips to the Pacific coast, a like number to the Atlantic coast and has also visited Canada and Mexico. His son, L. S. Perkins, with whom he now resides, has like- wise been prominent in Middlefield township. He, too, was a deacon in the Bap- tist church and now attends the Methodist Episcopal church of Winthrop. His life is an exemplifieation of Christian teaching and his religious faith finds mani- festation in his honorable business dealing and in his straightforward conduet in every relation of life.
DORIC C. CARVEY.
Doric C. Carvey, who resides on section 26, Hazleton township, started out to earn his own living when a little lad of but thirteen years. That he has come off victor in the battle of life is evidenced in the fact that he is today the owner of a valuable farm property of two hundred and five acres and he enjoys a well earned reputation as a careful man of business, enterprising and progressive.
Mr. Carvey was born in this county April 26, 1870, his parents being D. C. P. and Euphrasia (Tucker) Carvey, who were natives of the Empire state, born in 1834 and 1844 respectively. The year 1867 witnessed their arrival in Iowa as they removed to this state from Walworth county, Wisconsin, driving across the country with three horse teams, crossing the ice at Dubuque. The ladies of the family, however, eame by train. Mr. Carvey settled in Hazleton town- ship when there were only a few homes within its boundaries. There was one log schoolhouse but no churches and it seemed that the work of settlement. development and civilization had seareely been begun. The father was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, for his death occurred through an aeei- dent in a threshing machine three years later. He filled the offices of county
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treasurer and collector when in Walworth county and his political allegiance was always given to the republican party. In his family were seven ehildren, two sons and five daughters, of whom one daughter is now living in Hazleton township. Upon his arrival in this county the father secured one hundred and sixty aeres of raw prairie land, on which not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made. He broke the sod and began the development of the fields and continued actively in his farm work until his death. It was Mr. Carvey and J. E. Tryer, who were instrumental in securing the building of a schoolhouse near the former's farm.
It was in that school that Doric C. Carvey began his education and later he had opportunity to attend the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. Owing to his father's early death, which left the family in somewhat straitened cir- cumstances, it was necessary that he begin to earn his own living when but thirteen years of age and out'of his wages he also contributed to the support of the family. When twenty-one years of age he started out as a farmer on his own aeeount by renting land and carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economic expenditures had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase property. To his original holdings he has added until he now owns two hundred and five acres in Hazleton township, all well improved and highly cultivated. He paid his own way while at the Upper Iowa Uni- versity and after attaining his majority engaged in teaching in the country schools for six terms, but now he devotes his undivided attention to his farm and its further development. IIe also engages in raising good stock, the annual sale of which brings him a substantial return. Upon his farm are found all modern equipments and accessories and his work is conducted along the most progressive lines of agriculture.
Mr. Carvey was united in marriage February 26, 1896, to Miss Elizabeth Menzel, who was born in Buchanan county, a daughter of John H. and Marie (Schneider) Menzel. natives of Germany. Her father was born in Prussia in 1832, and her mother was born in that kingdom in 1835. They came to the United States when twenty-three and twenty-two years of age respectively. John H. Menzel did not have to serve in the German army, but his father fought under Blucher in the Franco-Prussian war and was wounded in the battle of Waterloo in 1815. In his native country John H. Menzel followed farming and in 1856 he became a resident of Dubuque, then a small town, remaining there for about eleven years. In 1867 he came to Buchanan county, where he worked as a farm hand until he had acquired a sufficient sum to enable him to purchase land in this county. In addition to tilling the soil he engaged quite extensively in raising stock and also bought and sold stock. He has been a resident of Iowa sinee pioneer times. There was still plenty of game to be had in the state at the time he took up his abode in Dubuque. He has held some local offices and has been an active and carnest worker in the Lutheran church. In 1901 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife.
To Mr. and Mrs. Carvey have been born six children : Esther and Eva, who are attending high school in Hazleton; and Lois. John, Dorothy and Donna, who are pupils in the district schools. Mr. Carvey is a republican in his politi- eal views and has served as trustee of Hazleton township and as justiec of the peace. He is not a politician, however, in the sense of office seeking, but takes.
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an active part in furthering all movements which he believes will better politi- cal conditions or advance the civic standards of town or county. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they take a deep and helpful interest. For five years Mr. Carvey was superintendent of the Prairie Center Sunday school and he is one of the trustees of the church. Aside from his church work he has allowed himself little leisure for outside interests, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, and it has been his elose application and unremitting industry that have won for him the measure of success that he now enjoys.
JOHN A. BUCK.
John A. Buek, who is now practically retired but who until 1914 followed farming in Liberty township, is well known as a capable and successful agricul- turist, but there are other interests in his life which are equally worthy of men- tion, for his efforts have been an element in promoting moral progress and in advancing the publie welfare along various lines. He was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1852, a son of John and Margaret (Slemmons) Buck, the former a native of Washington, Pennsylvania, born June 28, 1812, and the latter of Harrison county, Ohio, born June 22, 1816. The father died in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, January 4, 1890, and the mother passed away there July 28, 1898. In early life the father followed farming. When a young man he removed from the Keystone state to Ohio, and was thereafter a resident of Tuscarawas county until death ealled him. He was active in public affairs as a supporter of the democratic party. his opinions carrying weight in its local councils. He served in all the township offices and was likewise county supervisor. The Presbyterian church numbered him among its most earnest, zealous and faithful members and for fifty-two years he was one of the elders. In the family were nine children, of whom John A. Buck is the fifth in order of birth. One of the sons, Thomas, now a resident of Texas, served in the Civil war with the one-hundred-day men.
John A. Buck entered the country school near his father's home in Tuseara- was county and after mastering the branches of learning therein taught at- tended New Comerstown College. In early life he worked with his father upon the farm and afterward divided his time between farm work in the summer months and teaching in the country schools until 1879, when he arrived in Buchanan county, lowa. Settling in Liberty township, he was employed for several years as a farm hand by Jesse Slemmons. Later he bought land which he now owns in Liberty township. comprising one hundred and sixty acres, and the greater part of his life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits. He was, however. for three years engaged in the grocery business in Rowley but returned to the farm which he still occupies. In 1914, however. he put aside the active work of the fields and is now practically living retired.
On the 10th of November, 1886, Mr. Buek was united in marriage to Miss Margaret R. Work, a daughter of George L. and Sarah (Crouch) Work, natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and Harrison county, Ohio, respectively. Mr. Work was born December 5, 1809, and his wife's natal day was June 19, 1816.
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In early life he became a physician, having attended a medical school in Athens, Ohio, and until 1854 he practiced in the Buckeye state. He then removed west- ward to Davenport, Iowa, and became one of the early physicians of that city, where he was well liked and won substantial success, practicing there until his death, which occurred in that city, on the 3d of March, 1854. His widow died in this county, July 21, 1889. They had six children, of whom two sons, John and Alexander, enlisted at Hopedale, Ohio, for service in the Civil war as members of the Forty-third Ohio Infantry and were killed in battle. Dr. Work was always very active in public affairs, especially helpful toward school and church. For many years he was an elder in the Presbyterian church and at all times guided his life by its teachings, so that his career was a most honor- able and useful one and his memory remains as a blessed benediction to those who knew him.
Mr. and Mrs. Buek have two children: Margaret Ellen, who was formerly with Chappell & Todd as stenographer and is now an employe of the Donnon Abstract Company ; and Mary Belle, at home. Mr. Buek and his family are ever interested in matters pertaining to the welfare and progress of their section of the state. They hold membership in the Presbyterian church of Pine Creek and in its work have been most helpful, Mr. Buck serving as an elder of the church for twenty-seven years and also filling other offices such as trustee and steward. For the past quarter of a century he has been a school director and his influence is always on the side of progress and improvement, right. justice and truth.
ERNEST M. WHITNEY.
Ernest M. Whitney is a farmer and stockman, owning and operating a finely improved farm of two hundred acres on sections 23 and 27, Madison township. He was born upon a farm near the place where he now resides on the 18th of September, 1869, a son of the late David M. Whitney, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The father was married twice and the subject of this review has a brother living and a half sister, namely: Clarence M., also a farmer of Madison township; and Jennie, now Mrs. Leslie P. Clubine, of Lamont. He had four other brothers, but they have passed away. They were Woodford and Willard, twins, who died when six months old; Herbert, who died when nine years of age; and Claude, who died when a boy of fourteen years.
Ernest M. Whitney was reared upon the homestead in Madison township near his present farm, and attended the common schools of the neighborhood, acquiring a thorough knowledge of the fundamental branches of learning. From boyhood he was accustomed to the work of the farm and upon reaching maturity continued to devote his time and energy to agriculture. He has resided at his present place for the past twenty-seven years and has made most of the improvements thereon. It comprises two hundred acres of land on sections 23 and 27, Madison township, and is one of the best developed farming proper- ties of the locality. Mr. Whitney not only keeps everything about his farm in excellent condition and gives his growing crops the care necessary to insure
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a large yield, but also studies the markets carefully and is enabled to sell his grain at a good advantage. He also raises stoek to some extent and finds this likewise a profitable undertaking.
On the 19th of September, 1887, Mr. Whitney was united in marriage at In- dependence, Iowa, to Miss Minnie Van Vors, who was born in this county on the 9th of April, 1868. Her parents were David and Mary (Foote) Van Vors, the former of whom was born in New York state and came west in young manhood, being married in Illinois. He continued to reside there for some time thereafter but brought his family to Iowa while it was still a pioneer region. He passed away May 30, 1900, when sixty years of age. His widow, who has now reached the age of seventy-two years, resides at Independence. Mrs. Whit- ney is one of a family of six children, four of whom survive. The others are: Mrs. Ida Flauher, a widow residing at Ames, who has two children living and one deceased ; Jason, the manager of the Iowa Telephone Company at Dubuque, Iowa, who married Lottie Baird and has a son; and Edith, now Mrs. Austin Sill, of Independence. Walter, who died in 1901, married Miss Mary Vanek and to their union was born a son, Edgar. The widow resides at Dubuque. Willie, who completes the family, died in infancy. To Mr. and Mrs. Whitney have been born seven children. Harry died in infancy. Ina is the wife of Herman Sharff, a resident of Lamont and a dealer in pumps and a well driller by occupation. They have three children, Edith, Hugo and Gladys. Myrtle, a graduate of the Lamont High school. class of 1910, Orville. Jason, Ruth and Jennie are all at home.
Mr. Whitney is a republican and is a member of the school board of the independent district of Lamont. Fraternally he belongs to the subordinate lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed through all of the chairs in both. His wife and daughters belong to the Rebekahs, and Mrs. Whitney and Miss Myrtle have both filled all of the chairs in that organization. Those who have known Mr. Whitney most intimately hold him in the highest esteem, which is an indication of his sterling integrity and the loyalty of his friendship.
JEFFERSON DAVIS COMBS.
Jefferson Davis Combs, living on section 10, Homer township, was born July 31, 1861. in Mina, New York, a son of Charles and Susan M. (Grover) Combs, who were likewise natives of the Empire state. The father was a farmer by occupation and following his removal westward to Michigan secured a tract of land which he cultivated for fourteen years. In 1876 he arrived in Buchanan county and purchased two hundred and forty acres on seetions 21 and 22, Homer township. He at onee began the task of developing and improv- ing the place and in the course of years brought his farm to a high state of cultivation, his labors being rewarded by golden harvests. He died October 2, 1893, while his wife, who survived for more than ten years, passed away in March, 1904.
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JEFFERSON D. COMBS AND FAMILY
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Jefferson D. Combs grew to manhood in Homer township and remained with his parents upon the farm to the age of thirty-six years, when he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 10, Homer township. He at once began to develop this along still more progressive lines and today has one of the best improved farms of the county. He is engaged in the raising of thoroughbred Hereford cattle and Poland-China hogs, and he is a stock- holder in the Rowley Bank.
On the 10th of August, 1897, Mr. Combs was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Ferry, a daughter of Hobert G. and Susanna (Smiley) Ferry, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Wisconsin. The father was a carpenter by trade and in an early day came to Buchanan county, where he took up farming, which he followed in Homer and Sumner townships. Later, however, he removed to Independence, where he resumed work at his trade and engaged in carpentering throughout his remaining days, passing away April 6, 1895. His wife died January 9, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Combs are the parents of six children, as follows: Ruth A., who is sixteen years of age; Charles H., a youth of fourteen ; Newell, twelve years old; and Wilma B., Helen B. and Lois Gunilda, who are ten, seven and four years of age re- spectively.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Presbyterian church, and the political belief of Mr. Combs is that of the democratic party. He has never sought nor desired political office but for fourteen years has served as school director and is still acting in that capacity. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and, while there is nothing in his life record that differentiates it greatly from the lives of others who have followed farming in this part of the state, there are nevertheless qualities worthy of high com- mendation and of emulation. He has always closely applied himself to the duties in hand, has been honorable in his dealings with his fellowmen and through laudable ambition and unremitting diligence has gained a creditable place among the substantial farmers of Homer township.
JOHN F. CARR.
John F. Carr is a furniture dealer and undertaker of Lamont and is ranked as one of the successful business men of the town. He was born in Madison township, this county, on the 1st of October, 1861, a son of John and Anna (Kane) Carr, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was educated in the country schools near his home and subsequently took a business course in the academy at Manchester, Delaware county, this state. He completed his work there in 1886 and afterward operated his father's farm for six years. In 1892 he became associated with his brother, James Carr, and J. D. Thompson in the general produce and cattle business. Upon the dissolution of the firm Mr. Carr of this review took over the furniture business and has since conducted it. He is also a licensed embalmer, having passed the required examination before the state board of examiners at Des Moines, Iowa. His services in that line are expert and his charges are reasonable. His furniture
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store is one of the best in his part of the county and his patronage is large and steadily increasing.
Mr. Carr is a democrat in his political belief and has been a delegate to both state and county conventions of his party. In 1909 he was alderman from the second ward and the eredit for the installation of the present water system is due to him more than to any other member of the council. Fraternally he is a charter member of Mohawk Lodge, No. 310, K. P. His life has been one of industry and upright living, and his sterling qualities of character insure him the respect of those who know him.
JOHN F. HEKEL.
John F. Hekel. devoting his energies to farming and stock-raising in Lib- erty township, his home being on section 24, was born in Newton township, this county, in 1867, his parents being Julius and Mary (Cottenburg) Hekel. The father's birth occurred near Brussels, Germany. in 1831, while the mother was a native of Dubuque county, Iowa, in 1839.
When but a boy Julius Hekel came to the United States in company with his parents, who traveled across the country to Iowa, settling in Dubuque county. There Julius Hekel worked as a laborer and farm hand until 1851, when he came to Buchanan county, settling in Newton township. Here he found the conditions usually met with in pioneer districts-raw prairies, uneut timber and streams unbridged. He met with all of the hardships and privations incident to frontier life. but he was actuated by a strong desire to become the owner of a good farm and the difficulties which he encountered did not deter him. In faet, his efforts were an element in the early development and progress of this section of the state and he is numbered among those to whom the county owes a debt of gratitude for what they accomplished in pioneer times. He was also active in early affairs aside from farming. for he assisted in building churches and schools and otherwise advancing early improvements. He also aided in organizing the township. At the time of his arrival Indians were still numerous in this section of the state and they passed to and fro from their hunting trips in the north. Deer and lesser game were to be had in abundance. Mr. Hekel belonged to the German Methodist church and was active in its work, thus contributing to the early moral progress of the community. He prospered in a material way, becoming the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land, which he continued to successfully cultivate until his death, which occurred in 1886.
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