USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 43
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Lafayette MeBane was the eldest of the four sons in his father's family and, therefore, assumed heavier responsibilities in the early days. He pur- sned his education in a log schoolhouse which stood in the forest near his home and when not busy with his text-books gave his time and attention to the farm work, aiding his father up to the time of his marriage, when he began farming on his own account, having in the meantime purchased land. He has added to his original holdings until he is now the owner of four hundred and forty-five acres of valuable farm land in this county and has successfully tilled his fields until the crops harvested have made him one of the substantial farmers of the township. He also raises Hereford cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs and this has become an important feature of his business. At the present time he is in large measure living retired, enjoying the fruits of his former toil, and the most envious cannot grudge him his success-so honorably has it been won and so worthily used.
In 1874 Mr. MeBane was united in marriage to Miss Galena Shoemaker, of Montour county, Pennsylvania, born in 1855, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Reed) Shoemaker. Her father owned a large tract of land in the Keystone state and there resided until 1857, when he removed westward with his family to Rock county, Wisconsin, where he remained until 1866. He then again turned his face toward the setting sun and became a resident of Byron township, Buchanan county, having traveled overland to his destination. Here he became a pioneer settler and aided in the establishment of churches and schools and in the early material development of the county. Mrs. MeBane was one of a family of six children and by her marriage has become the mother of three sons. Lemnel, a farmer owning land in Liberty township, wedded Elizabeth Braden, a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county. Charles is a bookkeeper in the Hospital for the Insane at Independence. George, who married Leta Meyers, is on his father's farm in Byron township.
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While Mr. McBane still resides upon the old homestead farm, he largely leaves its care and cultivation to his son, advising with him concerning its management and further cultivation. He is a democrat, but has never been an office seeker. He feels, however, the deepest interest in the welfare of his township and county and has been a helpful factor in promoting public prog- ress along various lines. He has been practically a lifelong resident of this county and has deep attachment for its institutions and its people, many of whom are numbered among his stanch friends.
WILLARD E. BUTTERFIELD.
Willard E. Butterfield, a representative and successful agriculturist of Buchanan county, operates an excellent farm embracing one hundred and twenty acres on sections 33 and 34, Cono township, and also owns a tract of forty acres in Linn county. His birth occurred in Kalamazoo county, Michi- gan, in August, 1843, his parents being Justice C. and Maria (Irvin) Butter- field, who were natives of New York and Michigan respectively. The father removed to the Wolverine state in an early day and there carried on agricul- tural pursuits for a number of years. In 1859 he came to Buchanan county, Iowa, and purchased a tract of land in Newton township, near Newton Center, which is now called Newtonville, where he followed farming continuously and successfully until 1879. In that year he disposed of the property and removed to Nebraska, where he carried on farming throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in 1895. The demise of his wife occurred in Michigan in 1855.
Willard E. Butterfield obtained his education in the state of his nativity and was sixteen years of age when he came with his father to this county. When a young man of about nineteen he went to Manchester to learn the blacksmith's trade, but on the 12th of March, 1862, enlisted for service in the regular army, joining Company H, Thirteenth United States Infantry. He remained with that command for three years and was then mustered out on the 12th of March, 1865, returning to his home in Buchanan county with a most creditable military record. Mr. Butterfield assisted in the operation of his father's farm for two years and subsequently spent a similar period in the cultivation of rented land. Then he purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 33 and 34, Cono township, and also forty acres of land in Linn county, which he has cultivated continuously to the present time. He is one of the most progressive agriculturists of his district and such success as has come to him is entirely due to his persistent labors, his good judgment and his thorough understanding of farming methods.
On the 26th of April, 1867, Mr. Butterfield was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary L. Hamm, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Louise Hamm, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Coming to Buchanan county, the father here purchased and improved a tract of land which he operated throughout the re- mainder of his life, passing away in March, 1862. The mother was called to her final rest in 1910. To Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield were born six children, as
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follows: Reuben J., who follows farming in Newton township; Alice, the wife of Hiram Potter, a merchant of Troy Mills, Iowa; Charles, who assists in the operation of his father's farm; Chester, an agriculturist of Newton township; Rozell, who is engaged in farming in Benton county; and Nellie, who is the wife of Charles Kelley and resides at Walker, this state. The wife and mother passed away on the 5th of November, 1913, at the end of four weeks' illness.
Mr. Butterfield gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has ably served in the positions of township clerk and school director. He was twice elected to the office of justice of the peace but declined to qualify. He is identified fraternally with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Walker and also belongs to the camp of the Grand Army of the Republic at that place. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. The period of his resi- dence in this county covers fifty-five years and his record is that of one of its most respected, substantial and well known citizens.
ROBERT BIELBY RAINES.
Robert Bielby Raines is a highly respected and valued citizen of Independ- ence who in his business career has worked his way upward from a humble posi- tion to the presidency of the First National Bank, of which he is now the execu- tive head. Each step in his career has been a forward one, bringing to him a broader outlook and wider opportunities, and throughout his career his course has been marked out by ambition, indefatigable industry and enterprise.
He was born in Toledo, Iowa, on the 15th of August. 1859, a son of George and Lorena (Sheldon) Raines. The mother was a native of Canandaigua, New York. The father, who was a native of Philadelphia, was reared near Canan- daigua, New York, and in early life prepared for and engaged in the practice of law, but subsequently entered the Upper lowa Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church about the year 1860 and engaged in preaching until 1870 as a circuit rider in lowa, during which period he was located at Laporte City, Quasqueton and other new towns in northeastern Iowa. When he retired from the ministry, he engaged in the practice of law in Toledo, Iowa, until about 1880, when he went to Huron, South Dakota, remaining there for two years, and then returned to Toledo, where he spent the later years of his life, passing away on the 17th of March, 1904. At intervals throughout his entire career he had en- gaged in preaching and his influence was ever on the side of right, progress, truth and justice. His widow passed away July 8, 1906.
Robert B. Raines, the fourth in order of birth in a family of six children, acquired his education in the public schools of Toledo and in rural schools of this state, but when fourteen years of age he put aside his text-books. He afterward spent about two years in the law office of Judge George R. Struble in Toledo and later taught a term of school in Tama county, Iowa, the winter that he was sixteen years of age. He was forced to discontinue teaching, however, by reason of the state superintendent limiting the age when one could enter upon the work of that profession. He was afterward employed as a farm hand until he was old enough to teach, subsequent to which time he came to Independence.
RRaines
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where his sister, Alice R. Davies, lived. Here he attended the teachers' institute and while studying there was offered a place in the office of the Bulletin and for two years was employed by Judge Toman as compositor. About that time he made the acquaintance of J. I. Prentiss, a grain and stock dealer at. Rowley, who engaged him as manager of the lumberyard in Rowley. He also devoted a portion of his time to clerking in a general store and postoffice until January, 1881, when he applied for the position of deputy county clerk and was appointed to that office by O. M. Gillett. He thus served until the fall of 1882, when he entered the First National Bank as bookkeeper, occupying that position for six years or until the 24th of April, 1888, when he was made teller. His incumbency in that position covered twelve years and in January, 1901, he entered upon two years' service as assistant cashier. On the 14th of January, 1902. he was elected cashier and so continued for six years, when on the 12th of January, 1909, he was elected to the presidency and has since continued at the head of the institu- tion. He has thus gradually advanced, gaining thorough and comprehensive knowledge of each phase of the business, so that his understanding enables him to carefully direct the labors of others and promote the best interests of the bank. He devotes practically his entire time to its management but is also a director in other banks and is the owner of considerable land in Buchanan county, which he rents.
On the 16th of October, 1884, Mr. Raines was united in marriage to Miss Cora Belle Curtis, who was born at Pine Hill, now Elba, near Batavia, New York, a daughter of Dr. John L. and Lucy Cram Curtis, who were likewise na- tives of the Empire state. Her father was a physician and surgeon who, residing in Batavia, had offices in Rochester and Buffalo, where he had a large and lucra- tive practice and was regarded as one of the foremost practitioners in that part of New York. He died at Batavia, New York, June 15, 1880, at fifty years of age. Mrs. Raines' grandfather, Newman Curtis, was a pioneer resident of Bu- chanan county. living for many years two and one-half miles from Independ- ence, on the Otterville road on the farm which afterward came into possession of his son, Lyman J. Curtis. After the death of Dr. John L. Curtis, his widow became the wife of his brother. Lyman J. Curtis, and resided in Independence.
In January, 1884, Mrs. Raines came to Iowa to visit her mother and on October 16th of that year, gave her hand in marriage to Robert B. Raines. Her mother passed away in her daughter's home. March 8, 1910. To Mr. and Mrs. Raines have been born four children: Robert Jean, who was born July 11, 1885, and died March 3, 1904; Ruth Curtis, who was born July 24, 1887; Rose Marjorie, who was born March 23, 1892, and passed away on the 18th of March, 1894; and Richard Campbell, who was born December 23, 1898.
Mr. and Mrs. Raines hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and are interested in all matters pertaining to the moral progress of the community. Mr. Raines gives his political allegiance to the republican party but has never been an aspirant for office. He holds membership in the Masonic lodge and the Knights of Pythias, having been elected for two years to the office of grand master of exchequer for the Grand Domain of Iowa. He certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for starting in life empty-handed when a youth of fourteen, he has worked his way upward. His life has not been free from the difficulties and obstacles which usually beset the career of
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every individual, but these he has overcome by determined purpose and energy and his growing powers have continually fitted him for larger responsibilities until his work has brought him advancement to his present position as one of the leading financiers of Buchanan county.
GEORGE RISK.
George Risk is meeting with marked success as a real-estate and insurance dealer in Aurora and is a native son of the county, born March 30, 1873. His parents, Alexander and Nancy (Hamilton) Risk, are both deceased, the for- mer dying in 1894, when sixty-eight years of age, and the latter in March, 1913, at the age of seventy-five or seventy-six years. The father was born in Scot- land and after emigrating to the United States made his way to Buchanan county, Iowa, where his marriage occurred. He was for some time a grain dealer at Winthrop and later purchased fourteen hundred acres of land in the southern part of Fayette county, this state, and removed there, giving his time and attention to its operation. He was quite active in public affairs and prominent in democratic cireles of that county, being often asked to address political gatherings. He died in Fayette county. The mother of our subjeet was the second wife of Alexander Risk and was born in Steubenville, Ohio, but came to Buchanan eounty in young womanhood and taught for a num- ber of years previous to her marriage. Her religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church and her daughter, Mrs. Nellie Wimmer, of Oelwein. is a member of the same denomination. The subject of this review is the third in a family of five children, his brothers and sisters being: Maria J., the wife of H. J. Griswold, of Des Moines, who was formerly a resident of this county; Mrs. Nellie Wimmer, of Oelwein : Loren, an attorney at Waterloo ; and Howard, a practicing physician of Waverly.
George Risk was reared upon the home farm and was given the advantages of the public schools in the acquirement of his early education. He realized the value of a liberal training and subsequently attended the Upper Iowa University at Fayette. On leaving school he returned home and remained upon the farm until 1903, when he embarked in the real-estate and insurance business at Aurora. At about the same time he also began loaning money and not only does he place out at interest his own capital and that of his business associates, but also aets as agent for others who may wish to loan money upon good security. He has built up a splendid business along all three lines. In 1914 he took Frank Richardson into partnership and that association is prov- ing a very profitable and pleasant one. He at one time owned four hundred acres of land in Fayette county but has now disposed of it.
Mr. Risk married Miss Blanche Jenks, of Aurora, a daughter of Earl and Marietta Jenks, early settlers of Buchanan county. To Mr. and Mrs. Risk have been born five children: Don, born in 1897, who is conducting a motorcycle garage in Aurora and who took a technical course in Massachusetts in prepara- tion for his work ; Mildred, born in 1899; Nelma and Thelma, twins, born in 1903 : and Margaret, born in 1911. All are at home.
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Mr. Risk is a republican in his politieal belief and has served as township clerk for a number of years. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias at Aurora and is popular among his lodge brothers and also with the general public. He has built a fine residence in Aurora and as the years pass not only does his material prosperity increase, but the respect and esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens increases, for those who know him most inti- mately hold him in the highest regard.
W. C. KAESSER.
W. C. Kaesser, the period of whose residence in Buchanan county covers forty-five years, is a well known and prosperous agriculturist of Cono town- ship, owning an excellent farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 20 and 21. His birth occurred in Germany on the 8th of January, 1856, his par- ents being Louis and Louisa (Myers) Kaesser, who were likewise natives of that country. The mother died in Germany in 1860, and the following year Louis Kaesser emigrated to the United States, locating in Illinois, where he was engaged in farming for eight years. On the expiration of that period he came to Buchanan county, Iowa, and took up his abode on a tract of one hun- dred and sixty acres on sections 20 and 21, Cono township, which is now in possession of our subject. He began the improvement of the property and continued its operation throughout the remainder of his active business ca- reer, spending his last years in honorable retirement at Walker, where his demise occurred on the 27th of September, 1894. Ilis death was deeply mourned. for he had won many friends in the community which had been his home throughout a quarter of a century.
W. C. Kaesser, who was but five years of age when brought to this coun- try by his father, obtained his education in Illinois and in Buchanan county, Iowa. He remained on the home farm with his father and when the latter abandoned agricultural pursuits he rented the place from him, thus operating the same for about five years. On the expiration of that period he bought the propery and later augmented his holdings by additional purchase, acquiring altogether two hundred and forty acres in Cono township, where he has car- ried on agricultural pursuits successfully to the present time. He also de- votes considerable attention to the raising of shorthorn cattle and has long been numbered among the substantial and representative farmers of the com- munity.
In April, 1881, Mr. Kaesser was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Ann Kautz, a daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Stauffer) Kautz, both of whom were natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States at an early day and after residing for a time in Illinois took up their abode in Cono town- ship, Buchanan county, Iowa, where Mr. Kautz purchased land and followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. His demise occurred February 20, 1888, while his wife was called to her final rest July 20, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Kaesser have two children, namely : Katie, who is the wife of W. H. Gard-
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ner, an agriculturist of Cono township; and William F., who assists his father in the operation of the home farm.
In his political views Mr. Kaesser is a democrat, loyally supporting the men and measures of that party. He is now serving as assessor of Cono town- ship and has held the office for the past six years, making a most creditable record in that connection. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Walker, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He is a man of high character, industrious and enterprising, and his honesty and uprightness have always merited him the confidence and respect of his neighbors.
WILLIAM N. WALTON.
William N. Walton is the owner of two hundred and fifty-seven aeres of the arable land of Newton township but is living practically retired, making his home on a little tract of thirty-seven acres on section 19, just south of the old home farm, which is being operated by his son. His rest has been well earned and is richly deserved, for in former years he was most closely associated with agricultural pursuits and in all of his business affairs his labors were directed by sound judgment and landable ambition. He was born in Linn county, Iowa, March 28, 1852, a son of Josiah and Maria (Cunningham) Walton, who were natives of Ohio. The year 1847 witnessed the arrival of the father in Linn county, where he purchased land from the government, paying the usual price of a dollar and a quarter per acre. Not a furrow had been turned nor an im- provement made upon the place at that time, but with characteristic energy he began to break the sod and till the fields. He there carried on general farm- ing until 1880, when he sold that property and came to Buchanan county, where he purchased and improved a farm in Liberty township, upon which he spent the remainder of his days, passing away in April, 1901, at the age of eighty years. His wife died at the age of sixty-five in February, 1884.
William N. Walton was reared and educated in Linn county, Iowa, and remained with his parents to the age of twenty years, when he began farming in connection with his father-in-law. After eight years spent in that way he purchased eighty acres of land on section 18, Newton township, and bent his energies to the further cultivation of the tract. Soon the fields were bringing forth good crops of wheat and corn and by the successful management of his business affairs he was able to add to his property until he became the owner of two hundred and fifty-seven acres, which now yields to him a substantial annual income. He won success as the years went by and now with a handsome competence is living practically retired, making his home on section 19, where he has thirty-seven arres constituting a small but well developed and highly attractive farm just south of the old homestead.
In October, 1872, Mr. Walton was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Hoover, a daughter of Charles and Martha (Rogers) Hoover, natives of Ohio and Penn- sylvania respectively. They arrived in this eounty in 1851 and the father entered a claim from the government, paying the usual small price for wild land.
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The remainder of his life was devoted to the development and cultivation of that place, whereon he passed away in April, 1895. His wife died in November, 1898, having survived him only about three and a half years. Mr. and Mrs. Walton are the parents of eight children as follows: Charles, an agriculturist, residing in Minnesota, married Ella Saxton and they have six children: Guy; Opal; Maggie; Ross; and Donald and Dorothy, twins. Alva, who follows farm- ing in Cono township, this county, married Winnie Price and has four children, Frank, Lyle, Marshall and Lanabell. Ida is the wife of Fred Klotz, of Independ- ence, and has a daughter, Bertha. Esther gave her hand in marriage to Frank Keller, of Independence, and they have become the parents of four chillren, Gifford, Oakley, Orville and Grace. Junius, who is engaged in farming in Newton township, this county, married Ollie Blankenberg and has four chil- dren, Wilbur, Ruth, Lois and Edna. Ray is operating his father's farm in Newton township and married Mabel Blankenberg. Sylvia, who is the wife of Dale Floyd, an agriculturist of Linn county, Iowa, has three children, Wilma, Alta and Pauline. Lee is at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Walton hold membership in the Wesleyan Methodist church, of which he is one of the trustees. In the work of the church they are much interested and contribute generously to its support. Mr. Walton also holds to other high ideals. He is a strictly temperate man and gives his political allegiance to the prohibition party. His influence has ever been against evil tendencies and in support of the good. He holds to high standards for the individual and for the community and endeavors to promote public progress along various lines that have added to the welfare and to the highest advancement of this section of the state.
O. C. GLADWIN.
Since April 1, 1911, O. C. Gladwin has been cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank of Lamont, to which institution he devotes the major portion of his time. In addition to his duties as cashier he is also secretary and manager of the Lamont Creamery Association of Lamont, Iowa, and he has had a wide and varied experience in the management and operation of ereameries. He was born in Dubuque county, this state, in 1869, a son of John Gladwin, who followed farmning during his active life, but is now living retired at Arlington, Iowa.
O. C. Gladwin was reared upon the home farm in Dubuque county and for a few years after reaching maturity gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was offered the secretaryship of the Farmers Creamery Association at Straw- berry Point in 1900 and was the manager of that concern for seven years, dur- ing which time the association erected their own building, reputed to be the finest building of the kind in the state, if not in the country. While there he acquired a detailed knowledge of the processes in the making of butter and learned the most efficient methods and the best types of machinery. He also understands intimately the accounting and financial phase of the business, in- cluding the problems of the cost of labor, the cost of milk, the cost of the delivery of the finished product and the determination of the selling price. He
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