USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 40
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In 1913 Mr. Revel was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was born in Jefferson township, this county, in 1864 and spent her entire life here. She was for a quarter of a century a devoted and faithful member of the Chris- tian church and was the organizer of the Cemetery Association, of which she was president at the time of her death. Her many excellent traits of heart and mind endeared her to all who knew her and she left behind an extensive circle of friends. Mr. Revel has one son, Howard G., who is twenty-one years old and a partner of his father's in business. He attended the public schools and the Tilford Academy at Vinton, Iowa, and was graduated from the Commercial College of Cedar Falls, Iowa, in June, 1914. Mr. Revel is widely and favorably known in Brandon and throughout the surrounding district and enjoys the high regard and confidence of all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
ALBERT A. SMITH.
Albert A. Smith operates four hundred acres of fine land located on sections 28, 29, 32 and 33, Madison township. He carries on general farming but pays special attention to the raising of cattle. He breeds high grade black Polled Angus, the heads of the herd being all registered animals. He was born in Madison township on the 12th of April, 1859, a son of Lemuel Holly and Mary (Colby) Smith. The former was born in Rutledge, Vermont. July 29, 1823, and in 1839, when a youth of sixteen years, went to McHenry county, Illinois. He subsequently purchased land there and farmed in that state for a number of years. During this period, or in 1849, he took an overland trip to the gold fields of California, where he remained for less than one year. Returning to MeHenry county, Illinois, he resumed his farming operations. His marriage occurred there. but in 1854 he brought his family to Madison township, Buch- anan county, Iowa. He entered some land from the government and bought other tracts until he was the owner of one thousand four hundred acres, part of which was in Buffalo township. He supervised the operation of his land until his death, which occurred in September, 1902. His wife was also a native of Rutledge, Vermont, born May 22, 1826, and her death occurred in March, 1904. Eight children were born to them, namely: Montraville, who makes his home in Kansas; Nellie, now the wife of William Andrews. of North Dakota; Olive, who married R. M. Jenks and is now deceased; Herbert, who resides in the state of Washington; Carrie E., who is the widow of C. E. Todd and resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota ; Albert A .; Mary, who died in childhood ; and Mary, the second of the name, who lives in Minneapolis. The four oldest children were born in Illinois and the younger ones in this state.
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Albert A. Smith received his elementary education in the country schools and supplemented the knowledge thus acquired by two terms of study in Fay- ette College. He remained at home until he attained his majority. Early in life he began assisting his father with the work of the farm and when it became necessary for him to decide upon a life occupation he determined to devote his time and energy to agriculture. He now owns four hundred acres of land and is successfully carrying on mixed farming. He takes a great interest in the raising of high grade eattle and ships many head annually to Chicago. He breeds blaek Polled Angus eattle and, as the animals at the head of his herd are all registered, his stock is of high grade. He is considered one of the well- to-do and progressive agriculturists and stockmen of the county and his assets are steadily inereasing.
On the 9th of September, 1883, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Amy A. Garland, a daughter of William and Elsie (Dykeman) Garland. To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born two sons. Carroll G., whose birth occurred on the 3d of August, 1888, operates part of his father's farm. He is a graduate of the Lamont high school and married Miss Edith Hauser. Albert Putnam, who was born November 19, 1889, lives at home. The family are con- sistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Smith is a democrat and is one of the leaders in politieal cireles of this county. He has often been a delegate to the county conventions of his party and is serving his fifth year as one of the board of trustees of Madison town- ship. In his early manhood he held that office for twelve consecutive years. He has been vice president of the Lamont Savings Bank for the last four years and in that connection has manifested the same sound judgment that has ehar- acterized his management of his private affairs. He is a man of strict integrity in his dealings with his fellowmen.
WALTER THOMPSON.
Although he began his business career without resources other than his strength, intelligence and determination to succeed, and although he had to go into debt in order to buy his first land, Walter Thompson is now one of the sub- stantial citizens of Byron township and the owner of a fine farm on section 27, and considerable other real estate as well. He was born in Ontario county, Ontario, Canada, May 13, 1850, a son of George and Catherine (Metcalf) Thompson, both natives of Ireland, the former born in Tipperary and the latter in Belfast. The father emigrated to Canada with his parents when a boy of ten years and lived there until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-six years of age. He was a farmer by oceupation and was highly respected in his community. The mother was but an infant when brought by her parents to New York city, where she was reared and educated. She died in Ontario at the age of eighty years. Both parents were members of the Eposcipal church, to the support of which they contributed. Twelve children were born to them, of whom the subject of this review was the fifth in order of birth.
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MRS. WALTER THOMPSON
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WALTER THOMPSON
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Walter Thompson was reared at home and aided his father in the operation of the homestead. He was educated in an old log schoolhouse, studying there during the winters until he was twenty-two years of age. He was then married and engaged in farming in Canada until 1876, when he came to this county and purchased his present farm of one hundred and sixty acres, paying thirty dollars per acre. He also owns two other farms in Washington township, one compris- ing one hundred acres and the other forty-five acres, both of which he rents. He likewise holds title to ten acres of land in Independence which he leases to others, and has a lot in Tacoma, Washington. He never allowed himself to become discouraged by temporary hardships or obstacles in his way, as he was convinced that persevering labor and good management would enable him to attain success eventually, and his faith has been justified, as he is now one of the well-to-do farmers of his locality. He understands agriculture thoroughly and is enterprising, planting his crops in good season and giving them the necessary cultivation during the summer months. As a result he harvests annually large crops which he sells at a good price.
In the county of Ontario, Canada, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage to Miss Flora Jane McDonald, who was born in Ontario on the 10th of April, 1852, and was reared and educated in her native country. They have four children : Florence, the wife of Edward Hood, a farmer of Byron township; Lewis Walter, at home; Mable, the wife of George Slemmons, of Liberty township ; and Verna, at home.
Mr. Thompson is a republican in his political belief and has been quite active in local affairs. For nine years he has served on the county board of commission- ers and was reelected in the fall of 1914, his term to begin January 1, 1915. For twenty or twenty-five years he has served as township trustee, which office he holds at present, and for several years he has been a member of the school board. Both he and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church, in which he has served as elder for thirty years. Fraternally he belongs to Winthrop Lodge, No. 546, A. F. & A. M .; the Modern Woodmen of America; Crescent Lodge, K. P., of Independence ; and both he and his wife hold membership in the Royal Neighbors. The life record of Mr. Thompson is an example of what a man of initiative, indus- try and sound judgment may accomplish if he but persists in his endeavor to achieve success. Not only has he won material prosperity, but he is also one of the most respected citizens of his township.
JOHN LEARY.
Early in life John Leary realized that the chief factor in the attainment of success is industry, and in cultivating and utilizing that quality he has become one of the well-to-do farmers of Westburg township, where he now makes his home, owning and cultivating two hundred and forty acres on section 3. He was born in Rochester, New York, in 1852, his parents being Dan and Margaret (McMullen) Leary. The father, a native of Ireland, came to the United States when thirteen years of age, settling in Rochester, New York. and removing to Kendall, Orleans county, that state. in 1856. For ten years he was a stage Vol. II-20
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driver and later rented a farm which he cultivated for a short time. He sub- sequently returned to Rochester, where he worked as a boiler maker until his health failed him and he went to live with his daughter at Carlton, Orleans county, where he passed away in 1903. In politics he was a democrat and his religious faith was that of the Catholic church. His wife was born in Dublin, Ireland, and when a young lady came to the United States, making her way to Rochester, New York, where she became the bride of Dan Leary.
Their son. John Leary, remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age and then started to earn his living by working as a farm hand. He was employed in that manner for seven years, after which he removed to La Rose, Marshall county, Illinois, where he followed farm work for five years and also operated a farm on shares for two years. About that time he wedded Miss Mary Ellen Wills, of Lacon, Illinois, and they began their domestic life upon a rented farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In the cultivation of that property he met with success and afterward rented another tract of one hun- dred and forty acres, thus making three hundred aeres which he farmed for ten years. He afterward left that place and rented another tract of two hun- dred and twenty acres on which he remained for three years. On leaving Illinois he took up his abode in Barclay township, Black Hawk county, Iowa, and after living upon a rented farm there for two years he removed to Perry township, where he rented two hundred and seventy-five aeres. continuing the cultivation of that place for three years. He next came to Buchanan county and in Westburg township purchased two hundred and forty acres constituting his present home. This is today a valuable farm property. He paid sixty-five dollars per acre for the first quarter section and seventy-four dollars per aere for the remaining eighty acres. He has added many modern equipments and improvements to his place and has good farm buildings which furnish ample shelter for grain and stock, while in his sheds is found the latest improved farm machinery.
In all these years Mr. Leary has had the able assistance and encouragement of his wife, who was born in Lacon, Illinois. in 1863. a daughter of David and Mary (Martin) Wills. Her father was born in Ripley, Ohio, in 1830, a son of Samuel and Belinda (Martin) Wills, and left home at the age of fifteen years. going to Peoria, Illinois, where he learned steamboat engineering. He after- ward accepted a position as engineer on one of the Mississippi river boats and was on the Jennie Lind during the Civil war. He was also an engineer on Mis- souri river boats and on boats on the Illinois river at different times, and in the winter seasons when navigation was impossible he worked at his old trade of coopering, which he had learned and followed in Ohio and in Peoria, Illinois. At length he retired to Henry, Marshall county. Illinois. where he passed away in 1906 at the age of seventy-six years. His wife was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1836, and was a little maiden of but eleven summers when brought to the United States. Her father died near Pittsfield, Massachusetts, almost immediately after their arrival, but the mother and daughter continued on their way to Lacon, Illinois, and lived upon a rented farm. Mrs. Wills now makes her home with Mrs. Leary. To Mr. and Mrs. Leary have been born five chil- dren : Charles E .. George E., Ora J .. Owen D. and Harry W.
The political belief of Mr. Leary is that of the democratic party. The visible evidence of his life of thrift, industry and determination is his well kept farm,
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which he has gained entirely through his own efforts. His business career has at all times been creditable and his path has never been strewn with the wreck of other men's fortunes. On the contrary he has ever been reliable and trust- worthy in his dealings and his prosperity has its root in indefatigable labor.
WILLIAM II. GARLAND.
William H. Garland is a native son of Buchanan county and throughout his life his interests have been identified with those of the community in which he lives. He owns and operates two hundred and sixteen acres of land on sections 19 and 20, Madison township, and raises blaek Poland China hogs and high grade cattle and horses.
He was born upon the farm where he now resides, on the 11th of July, 1865, a son of William and Elsie (Dykeman) Garland. The father passed away at that place on the 4th of March, 1906, at the age of seventy years. He was born in Cambridgeshire, England, and came to America when sixteen years of age, locating first at Palmyra, Wisconsin. where he worked for some time. He was married in Janesville, that state, on the 1st of March, 1863, and in 1865 re- moved to this county. The family home was established upon land which is a part of the farm in Madison township now in possession of the son William H. The place was partially improved when it came into his possession but he further developed it and erected better buildings. He bought at first eighty acres which he operated for a while, and then conducted a mill at Manchester, Iowa, for some years but in 1877 returned to his farm in this county and resided there until he removed to Lamont in October, 1898. He was a democrat in pol- ities and fraternally belonged to the Masonic order. His wife was born in Wal- worth county, Wisconsin, November 1, 1844, a daughter of Henry and Anna (Whittaker) Dykeman. both natives of Schoharie county, New York. She is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star at Manchester. She is still living at the age of seventy years and resides at Lamont. Besides her son she has a daughter, Mrs. A. A. Smith, of Madison township.
William H. Garland was reared in this county and has made his home here during his entire life save for a few years spent in Manchester. He attended school in that city and also pursued his studies in the Richardson schoolhouse at Buffalo Grove, Madison township. More than two decades ago he took eharge of the home farm and has sinee cultivated it. The place now comprises two hundred and sixteen acres of fine land and as he is a man of industry and sound judgment his success has been assured and his resources have steadily increased. He follows diversified farming and gives considerable attention to the raising of black Poland China hogs and cattle and horses.
Mr. Garland was married in this eounty to Miss Kate Jenks, a half-sister of C. E. Jenks, of Madison township. She was born and reared in that township and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Elmer, a young man of twenty-two years; and Edith, aged fifteen. Both are at home.
Mr. Garland is a democrat in his political belief and fraternally belongs to the Yeomen of Aurora. Buchanan county is proud to claim him as a native
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son and is the gainer because he has continued to reside here, devoting his life to the cultivation of some of the rich land which is the source of the wealth of the county.
JAMES VAN ORSDOL.
When death called James Van Orsdol a feeling of deep, genuine and wide- spread regret was felt throughout Rowley and the surrounding territory, for through an extended period he was actively connected with business interests in the town and county as a farmer, as a hotel proprietor and as a dealer in grain and stock. His life record spanned seventy-seven years, his birth having occurred in Cook county, Illinois. on the 7th of July, 1835, and his death in Rowley on the 24th of July, 1912. Ilis parents were William and Mercy (Miller) Van Orsdol, natives of New York. Through much of his life the father followed farming near Crystal Lake, Illinois, but died in 1844 when a comparatively young man. Mrs. Van Orsdol long survived him and passed away in Rowley in 1889.
James Van Orsdol was reared and edneated in Illinois and was also married in that state. In 1861 he arrived in Buchanan county, driving across the country and here investing in eighty acres of land in Liberty township. With char- aeteristic energy he began to develop this place and afterward added to it from time to time by additional purchase until he was the owner of more than four hundred acres. For twenty years he lived upon the farm, carefully and sys- tematically tilling the soil and winning thereby a substantial competence. At length he rented his farm and removed to Rowley, where he opened a hotel which he successfully conducted for nine years. Within that period he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Homer township and he culti- vated both farms in connection with the management of the hotel. Eventually, however, he elosed out his hotel business and concentrated his energies upon the grain and live-stoek business in connection with his sons, at the same time earry- ing on his farming interests. He never sought to figure prominently in any public relation, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, and an analyzation of his life record shows that industry, determination and commendable ambition were the salient features in his career.
On the 28th of December, 1858, when a young man of twenty-three years, Mr. Van Orsdol was married to Miss Jessie Forrest, a daughter of William and Jennie (Drynen) Forrest, who were natives of Scotland. On crossing the Atlantic the father settled in Canada at an early day, and it was while the family resided in that country that Mrs. Van Orsdol was born on the 14th of September, 1837. The following year the father took his family to Illinois, where he purchased land and developed a good farm in MeHenry county, there carrying on agricultural pursuits for a number of years. Finally he retired from active business life and removed to Chicago, where he remained until he , was called to his final rest in 1851. His wife died in July, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Van Orsdol became the parents of six children, of whom two died in infancy. The others are : Charles W .. who is a resident of St. Paul, Minnesota ; Willis F.,
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whose demise occurred on the 27th of August, 1910; George, who passed away in 1871; and Frank J., a stock and grain dealer of Rowley.
The family circle was again broken by the hand of death, when on the 24th of July, 1912, Mr. Van Orsdol passed away after an illness of but five days. He had filled the office of county supervisor for three years and was always loyal to the best interests of the community, although not a politician in the sense of office seeking. He voted with the democratic party and held member- ship in the Presbyterian church. He lived the life of an earnest, consistent Christian gentleman and the teachings of his religion found exemplification in his daily conduct and in all of his relations with his fellowmen, so that his record constitutes an example well worthy of emulation. Mrs. Van Orsdol still survives her husband and is now living at the age of seventy-seven years in Rowley, where she has an extended circle of warm friends.
HENRY E. BURKE.
Henry E. Burke is engaged in general farming, owning and cultivating two hundred and ten acres in Hazleton township. He was born March 25, 1862, in Independence and his entire life has been passed in this county. His parents were Robert and Ann (MeLaughlin) Burke, both of whom were natives of Ire- land. The father, who was born in 1830, died in 1896 and the mother, who was born in 1841, is now living with a daughter in Chicago. Robert Burke was twenty-one years of age when he came to the new world and the lady whom he afterward married crossed the Atlantic when a maiden of seventeen summers. He resided for a time in Baltimore, Maryland, and in 1857 arrived in Inde- pendence, which was then a small town and gave little evidence of the growth and prosperity to which it would attain. The MeLaughlins arrived in Iowa in 1859 and it was subsequent to that time that the young couple were married. In early manhood Robert Burke learned the mason's trade, which he followed until his retirement from active business, being employed on all of the early brick buildings erected in Independence. He also owned land near this eity, but never engaged in farming, and he was living in Independence at the time of his demise. His political allegiance was given to the democratic party, and his religious belief was that of the Roman Catholic church.
In the family were four children, but Henry E. Burke, the second in order of birth, is the only one now residing in Buchanan county. He attended the schools of Independence and remained with his parents until thirty-five years of age. He engaged in teaming and also in the cultivation of land owned by his father. After starting out in life independently he carried on farming in Sumner township for five years and in 1904 removed to Hazleton township, settling upon his present farm of two hundred and ten acres, which is a well developed property. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and annually harvests good erops as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon the place. He also raises considerable stoek and his business affairs are most carefully, energetically and systematically managed and directed. In ad-
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dition to his other interests he is a director and stockholder in the Bryantburg Savings Bank.
In 1890 Mr. Burke was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Crinnion, a native of Ireland and a daughter of Michael and Ann (McGinnis) Crinnion, who were also natives of the Emerald isle and are now residing upon a farm in Fairbank township, this county. They came to the United States in 1882, settling first in Illinois and thence removing to Iowa. In their family were twelve children. Mr. and Mrs. Burke have become the parents of four children : Robert, who wedded Mary Michaels and has one son; and Harry, Thomas and Leo, who are assisting their father in the cultivation of the home farm.
The religious faith of the family is that of the Catholic church, and Mr. Burke has membership with the Knights of Columbus at Oelwein. In politics he is a democrat, but does not seek nor desire office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs, in which he is meeting with substantial suecess as is indicated in the fact of his ownership of his present valuable farm property.
EDWARD LIVINGSTON CURRIER.
Edward Livingston Currier, president of the Soldiers' Life Roll of the house of representatives and a well known veteran of the Civil war, living at Inde- pendence, was born at Chester, New Hampshire, July 2, 1837, a son of David and Lydia R. Currier. His paternal grandfather, David Currier, Sr., was born in Leslie, Scotland, and about 1776 emigrated to America. He fought in the battle of Bunker Hill and throughout the Revolutionary war. He married a Miss Dinsmore, whose ancestors emigrated from the banks of the Tweed, Seot- land, and whose latest descendant, Helen Dinsmore Huntington, recently married Vincent Astor. David Currier, the father of Edward L. Currier, was a pros- perous merchant and became eashier of the Derry National Bank of Derry, New Hampshire. He was also United States assistant assessor of revenue from 1864 until 1868.
Edward Livingston Currier completed his education in the Pinkerton Aead- emy at Derry, New Hampshire, in 1860. His early business experiences came to him through work in a shoe manufactory at Derry and as clerk or teller in the Derry National Bank. In the summer of 1861 he recruited twenty-five men for the Eighth New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry and was promised the position of lieutenant in the regiment but was cheated out of this. He was offered the rank of sergeant major but refused the commission, and yet with a spirit of marked patriotism afterward enlisted as a private in the First New England Cavalry on the 12th of December, 1861. That command was afterward called Troop M of the First Rhode Island Cavalry, and upon the final organization he was appointed third sergeant. In the winter of 1863-4, on account of disability occasioned by wounds which he had sustained, he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps. The First Rhode Island Cavalry participated in the battle of Front Royal, which was their first fight and in which the captain of the troop was killed. At Chantilly Mr. Currier sustained his first wound, occasioned by
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