USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 44
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was then offered the position of cashier of the First State Bank of Strawberry Point, the duties of which he efficiently discharged for eighteen months or until April 1, 1911, when he accepted a similar position with the Farmers Savings Bank of Lamont, Iowa, in which capacity he still serves, giving uniform satis- faction. Since 1912 he has been secretary of the Lamont Creamery Association at Lamont and has charge of the operation of their plant. Under his expert man- agement it is proving a profitable enterprise and not only benefits the farmers who are associated in its ownership, but also contributes to the business develop- ment of the locality.
On the 17th of November, 1898, Mr. Gladwin was married to Miss Elizabeth Alderson, a native of Dubuque, who was for many years a resident of Fayette county. To them have been born four children: Harold, John Donald, Olive and Marian, all attending school.
Mr. Gladwin has purchased and remodeled a residence at Lamont and has thoroughly identified himself with the interests of the town. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church and the integrity of their daily lives is the best testimony of the genuineness of their religion. Politically Mr. Gladwin is a republican and served as clerk of Putnam township, Fayette county. Fra- ternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Lamont is the gainer by his residence here and he has made many friends among his fellow citizens, who prize his good opinion highly.
JOHN GARDNER.
John Gardner, a representative citizen and prosperous agriculturist of Bu- chanan county, derives a gratifying annual income in the operation of his excel- lent farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 26, Cono township. His birth occurred in New York on the 28th of April, 1851, his parents being Wil- liam and Mary (DeForrest) Gardner, the former a native of Steuben county, New York, and the latter of Pennsylvania. William Gardner, who followed farming in the Empire state, removed thence to Michigan, where he worked in sawmills for some time. In 1868 he made his way to Jones county, lowa, where he followed railroading for a number of years, and subsequently came to Bu- chanan county, here being identified with agricultural pursuits for some time. His last days were spent in honorable retirement at Cedar Rapids, where his demise oceurred in 1894. His wife was ealled to her final rest in 1902.
John Gardner acquired his education in Michigan and subsequently was employed in sawmills with his father, also working with him at railroading in Anamosa, Jones county, Iowa. Following his arrival in Buchanan county he began farming on the Zimpfer place and operated the same throughout the next twenty-seven years. During that period he purchased the tract of eighty acres which is now in possession of his son, W. II., to whom he afterward sold the property. Eight years ago he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 26, Cono township, the further cultivation and improvement of which has claimed his attention continuously since. The place today com- pares favorably with the finest agricultural properties in the locality and reflects
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everywhere the care and supervision of the owner, who. is a practical, modern and progressive farmer.
On the 27th of February, 1873, Mr. Gardner was united in marriage to Miss Emma Heiland, a daughter of Jacob and Magdaline (Shopps) Heiland, who were born in Germany and France respectively. In 1854 they came to Iowa from New York and took up their abode at Quasqueton, in Buchanan county, Iowa, Mr. Heiland here purchasing a tract of land which he cultivated through- out the remainder of his life. He was also a weaver by trade but never followed that occupation in this country. His demise occurred in 1861, while his wife passed away when eighty-two years of age. They were the parents of two children, namely : Mary, who is the wife of .J. B. Norton ; and Mrs. Emma Gard- ner. To Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have been born five children, as follows: Mary, who died in 1875 at the age of nine months; W. H., who follows farming in Cono township, this county; Jesse L .. who is engaged in the livery business at Walker, Iowa; Gladys N., who gave her hand in marriage to Charles Crawford, an agriculturist of Cono township; and Mearl H., at home.
In politics Mr. Gardner is a republican, having supported the men and measures of that party since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. Wherever he is known he is honored and respected, for he is a man of many sterling traits of character, reliable in business, progressive in citizenship and at all times upright and trustworthy.
HOMER J. DAKER.
Homer J. Daker, a representative and successful agriculturist of Buchanan county, owns and operates a well improved farm comprising two hundred and forty acres on sections 34 and 35, Cono township. His birth occurred in Dela- ware county, Iowa, on the 9th of January, 1868, his parents being James and Mary (Graham) Daker, the former a native of England and the latter of Penn- sylvania. James Daker, who emigrated to the United States in 1856, was a shoemaker by trade and located at Delhi, Delaware county, Iowa, where he worked at his occupation for some time. Subsequently he began farming in that county, being actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until he passed away about 1879. The mother of our subject is still living.
Homer J. Daker acquired his education at Manchester, Delaware county, and remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage. He then rented the old home farm for several years and subsequently purchased a tract of land in Delaware county, continuing its operation for seven years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of the property and took up his abode on a farm of two hundred and forty aeres which he had purchased on seetions 34 and 35, Cono township, Buchanan county, Iowa. The further improvement and cultivation of that place has claimed his time and energies continuously since and his undertakings as an agriculturist have been attended with a gratifying and well deserved measure of success.
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In November, 1889, Mr. Daker was united in marriage to Miss Francis M. Wright, a daughter of Isaac S. and Nancy (Purdy) Wright, both of whom were natives of New York. They removed to Wisconsin in an early day, the father following farming in that state for several years. Subsequently he settled in Delaware county, Iowa, and there engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout the remainder of his life, passing away in October, 1905. The demise of his wife occurred in 1887. To Mr. and Mrs. Daker have been born eight ehildren, as follows: Flossie, who is the wife of J. H. Mitehell, an agrieulturist residing in South Dakota; Alta, who attends sehool at Cedar Rapids; Clifford, Frances, Harold, Dorothy and Marjory, all at home; and Lloyd, who died in 1909.
In politics Mr. Daker is a stanch republiean, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist church. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Brother- hood of America and the Modern Woodmen of America. His life has been such as to merit the respect of his fellowmen, and by his honesty, uprightness and in- dustry he has contributed much toward the upbuilding of the community of which he is a representative citizen.
HARRY CHURCH CHAPPELL.
Harry Church Chappell, a leading member of the bar of Independence and president of the school board of that city, recognized as well as a prominent member of the republican party, was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on the 21st of Decem- ber, 1870. His parents were Alonzo Barger and Sarah Rebecca (MeKee) Chap- pell. The family comes of English ancestry and was established on American soil in the seventeenth eentury. Alonzo Barger Chappell was born in Jackson- ville, Illinois, March 16, 1839, and there aequired his edueation in the common schools. In 1860 he erossed the plains with a wagon team and spent the next five years in the mining regions of Utah, Oregon, California, Idaho and Mon- tana. After his return to Jacksonville he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Rebecca MeKee, of Keokuk, lowa, by whom he had two sons, Jesse MeKee and Harry Church. For some time he was engaged in the upholstering business in Keokuk and later devoted his attention to real estate until 1890, when he located on a farm, his attention being given to its cultivation for the following two years. In 1892 he came to Independence and after farming in Buchanan county for one year, entered into partnership with Arthur Morgan in the livery busi- ness, which they condueted for two years. He was next engaged in the real- estate business with his son, Jesse MeKee, under the name of the Hawkeye Land Company, with which he was affiliated up to the time of his death, which occurred May 20, 1913. His wife still survives him. She was born in Keokuk, August 9, 1849, and proved an efficient and careful housewife ; a devoted mother and wife. She has always been of a very generous disposition and has devoted much time and means to charity. The father died May 20, 1913, but the mother still survives.
Harry Church Chappell was graduated from the Keokuk high school in June, 1890, and he entered upon the study of law in preparation for the bar under the direction of Hon. Charles E. Ransier, with whom he remained from
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HARRY C. CHAPPELL
KATHARYN J. CHAPPELL
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
June, 1892, until January 1, 1895. Following his admission to practice in the courts of this state he was chosen deputy clerk of the district court of Buchanan county, which position he filled from the 1st of January, 1895, until January, 1897. At the latter date he was made district court clerk and so continued until January, 1901, since which time he has engaged in the active practice of law in Independence. In 1903 he was elected to the office of city attorney at Independ- ence and remained in that position through the year 1907.
In politics Mr. Chappell has always been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise and has ever endeavored to perpetu- ate republican principles. He was made chairman of the republican county cen- tral committee in 1903 and continued in that office through 1907, when the posi- tion was taken over by the progressives. He was an alternate delegate to the national republican convention from the third district of Iowa in 1908. He served as postmaster at Independence from March, 1909, until August, 1913, and in April, 1908, he became a member of the board of education, being called to the presidency in April, 1910, and still continuing in that position. His membership on the board of education appealed more strongly to him than any official position he ever held, and he probably devoted more time to the duties of it than any of his predecessors.
At Independence on the 11th of October, 1899, Mr. Chappell was united in marriage to Miss Katharyn Joella Allen, and they have one son, Church, who was born October 15, 1900. The family occupy an enviable social position and to them is accorded the hospitality of Buchanan county's best homes. Mr. Chappell is prominent in Masonry, holding membership in Independence Lodge, No. 87, F. & A. M .; Aholiah Chapter, R. A. M .; and Kenneth Commandery, No. 32, K. T., of which he has been eminent commander since the 1st of January, 1913. He also belongs to Crescent Lodge, No. 46, K. P., of which he was chan- cellor commander for two terms, and he finds recreation through his membership in the Golf Club and in the Country Club. His efforts have been carefully directed and therefore resultant. He has ever stood for progress and advance- ment along lines which affect the general interests of society and he is usually to be found in those gatherings where intelligent men are met in the discussion of important public problems.
MRS. KATHARYN JOELLA CHAPPELL.
Mrs. Katharyn Joella Chappell, whose home is one of the centers of literary and social culture in Independence and who is well known among the women's clubs of Iowa, was born in Homer township, Buchanan county, on the 19th of November, 1877. Her father, Joel Oliver Allen, died November 9, 1877, just ten days before her birth, and soon afterward her mother, Mrs. Mary J. (McGary) Allen, removed to Independence, Iowa, where Mrs. Chappell has since made her home. The Allen family was established in New England at an early period in the colonization of the new world and the branch to which Mrs. Chappell belongs is connected in a collateral line with Colonel Ethan Vol. II-22
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Allen, the famous commander of the Green Mountain Boys in the Revolutionary war. Her grandparents, Lyman Squires and Angeline (Burlingame) Allen removed from Ticonderoga, New York, to Buchanan county, Iowa, in the sum- mer of 1855 and the former, as a teacher, was actively identified with early educational development here. His son, Joel O. Allen. became an active farmer of Homer township and was prominent in community affairs, filling several offices. He was married August 10, 1862, to Miss Mary J. McGary, who was born August 16, 1841, and in June, 1859, came from Norwich, Vermont, to Iowa with her mother, three sisters and a brother. For a number of years she was connected with educational work in this county. Since her husband's death Mrs. Allen has resided in Independence and is still the owner of valu- able farm property in Homer township. She has been very active in club work and in charitable organizations, frequently filling official positions in connec- tion therewith.
Her daughter, Mrs. Chappell, the youngest in a family of four sons and five daughters, of whom four are yet living, was graduated from the Independence high school and on October 11, 1899, married Harry Church Chappell.
Mrs. Chappell is an active, energetic leader in the social, literary and club life of Independence, and has held numerous important offices in the several clubs and societies of which she is a member. Her literary efforts have attracted more than local attention. Several plays which were written by her have been presented by women's clubs in a number of Iowa cities.
She has long been active in the progress and betterment of the community and her ability is recognized and her influence felt by all with whom she comes in contaet. She has been an interested observer and close student of many of the vital and significant problems of the age and her elear reasoning and logical deductions have made her opinions of worth in this connection. She has ad- dressed various women's clubs upon the vital topics of the hour and her writ- ings, which bear the stamp of literary merit as well as deep thought, have attracted wide attention.
EZRA RICHARDSON.
Ezra Richardson is identified with the financial interests of Buchanan county as president of the Aurora Savings Bank and until a short time ago was actively connected with the agricultural development of the county, as he operated his fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres situated in Buffalo township. Recently, however, he retired from the work of the fields and is now living in his comfortable residence in Aurora.
He was born in this county in the old village of Buchanan, which was located about two miles south of the present city of Aurora, on the 6th of November, 1852, a son of Abithar and Elmira (Noyes) Richardson. The father was born near Rockland. Maine, on the 12th of August. 1809, and resided there a number of years after reaching maturity. He then went to Wisconsin, where he spent eight years, and in 1847 or 1848 he came to this county, entering the first land on seetion 25, Buffalo township. for he was the first settler of that
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township. A year or two later he sold his claim to a Mr. Messenger. He then secured a farm on section 25, Buffalo township, but later settled on seetion 24, where the subpeet of this review was born. This remained the family home for many years and the father died there in February, 1872. He was a democrat, active in political affairs, was the first postmaster in the township, served as justice of the peace, and his advice was sought in the local councils of his party. The family is of English descent and its first representatives in this country settled in Massachusetts, but some time later the family was established in Maine. The mother of our subject was born at Elmira, New York. Her father died in New York or in Illinois en route to Iowa, but the widowed mother con- tinued west and settled upon a farm in Buffalo township. She passed away in 1864 in Madison township. Her daughter Elmira was married in this county and died November 29, 1857, on her twenty-ninth birthday. She was the mother of two sons, Ezra, and Frank, who died in 1906 in Detroit, Minnesota. The father subsequently married Miss Caroline Jewett, who died many years ago.
Ezra Richardson attended the common schools in the pursuit of his educa- tion and in the mornings and evenings and during the summer months assisted his father with the care of the stock and the cultivation of the fields, thus becoming by the time he was grown an efficient agriculturist. He resided upon the old home farm until 1894 and then traded it for the farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Buffalo township where he lived until he retired. He still owns the place and rents it to his son Ralph W. He followed general farming and paid considerable attention to stock-raising, finding that a very profitable branch of agriculture. He was very successful and his labors returned him a gratify- ing annual income. He saw an opportunity of profitable investment and also of service to the community in the organization of a new bank and was one of those who chartered the Aurora Savings Bank, of which he has been president for several years past. Everything that he has undertaken has prospered and he is recognized as a progressive and able business man, his sound judgment enabling him to avoid alike that conservatism which refuses to recognize new conditions and that radicalism which fails to profit by the experience and work of the past.
In 1877 Mr. Richardson was married in this county to Miss Evaline A. King, a daughter of Charles W. King, who settled on section 26, Buffalo township, about 1850. He was born in Saratoga, New York, on the 16th of January, 1835, a son of Charles and Julian (Wyatt) King, the former a native of England, who emigrated to Troy, New York, and made arrangements to purchase a grist mill there. He left his wife and son Charles and returned to England to get his money in order that he could buy the mill and locate permanently at Troy. He was never heard of afterward and five years later his widow married James Jewell. They came to Buchanan county, Iowa, about 1850. To them were born two sons: James E., who moved west and passed away about 1911 in Portland, Oregon; and Richard T., who died December 31, 1913, in Buffalo township. The father, James Jewell, had three brothers. Charles W. King married Miss Lovisa J. Grout, who was born January 12, 1840, in Cattaraugus county, New York, a daughter of Samuel and Jane (Russell) Grout, the former a native of Massachusetts. They also come to Buffalo township in the early '50s when this county was but sparsely settled. They resided there until their
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deaths. Mr. Grout passed away in 1880. John W. and George W. Russell, also pioneers of this county, were brothers of Mrs. Richardson's maternal grand- mother. Mr. and Mrs. Charles King were parents of seven children, of whom Mrs. Richardson is the eldest and of whom the following are living: John W., of Aurora ; Orville J., a farmer of Buffalo township; Mrs. Olive Foster, of Waterloo; and Mrs. Lulu Murphy, also of Waterloo. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have become parents of four children: Ralph W., who is now operating the home farm and who married Miss Ella Thaden ; George W., a farmer residing in Colorado, who married Miss Nellie Sherren, by whom he had two daughters, the elder deceased; Frank L., a member of the real-estate, insurance and loan firm of Risk & Richardson, Aurora ; and Ruth, at home.
Mr. Richardson is a democrat in politics and has served in various offices, including that of trustee of Buffalo township. During his entire life Mr. Rich- ardson has lived in this county and has found opportunities here which he has utilized and which have brought him to success and prosperity. He has also won the high regard and the good opinion of his fellow citizens.
ANSON J. SOULES.
Anson J. Soules is actively engaged in farming upon about two hundred and fifteen acres of fertile land on section 6. Byron township. He is one of the leaders in the county in the dissemination of scientific knowledge regarding the various phases of agriculture and is president of the Farmers Institute.
Ile was born in Carroll county, Illinois, August 1, 1855, a son of Jonathan and Deborah (Graham) Soules, both natives of the Empire state, where their marriage occurred. The father was a carpenter by trade but also engaged in farming. He died in 1858 when his son Anson was a child of three years, and his widow survived fifteen years, devoting her life to the rearing of her family. She was left with but little capital and when Anson JJ. was twelve or thirteen years of age he went to live with an uncle who owned a farm and for four or five years assisted him with its cultivation. At the end of that time he and his mother removed to this county and for four years after his eighteenth birthday he worked upon farms here by the month. As he understood well the value of money and lived economically, he was able to rent a farm when twenty-two years of age. Ile subsequently spent one summer in Nebraska, but returned to this county and purchased eighty aeres of prairie land which he broke and improved. Ile has since added another eighty aeres of land and a tract compris- ing about fifty-five acres, all in one body. The land is very fertile and as he keeps everything upon his place in an excellent state of repair his property is one of the valuable farms of Byron township. He gives considerable attention to the stock business, raising high grade Duroc JJersey hogs and feeding cattle for the market. He understands the seientifie feeding of animals and as he knows what to feed in order to seeure the desired results his animals are kept in a good condition and that at a minimum cost. His accurate knowledge of agriculture and stoek and his progressiveness have been recognized. for he
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has been chosen president of the Farmers Institute, which has a strong and beneficial influence throughout the county, as it is a medium through which the farmers may receive the benefit of each other's experience and may also profit by the advice of trained investigators and specialists.
On the 27th of September, 1878, Mr. Soules was married to Miss Margaret Shoemaker, who was born in Rock county, Wisconsin, on the 10th of April, 1860, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Reed) Shoemaker, natives of Pennsyl- vania, where they were reared and married. In 1864 the family removed to this county, where the father farmed until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-four years of age. His widow died when seventy-three years old. Mrs. Sonles was the only child born to them and by her marriage has become the mother of eight children : Jonathan, who is foreman of a creamery at Independ- ence ; Fremont, an electrician of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and a member of the Iowa National Guard; Mary, the widow of Chris Simonson and now a professional nurse ; Homer, who is a farmer of Byron township; Stella, the wife of Arthur Pingree, of the same township; Sirena, who is teaching in Byron township ; Clifford, at home ; and Vernon, who died when a child of two years.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Soules has served as steward for many years and also as trustee, being now the president of the board of trustees. He is likewise a class leader and for the past nine véars has served as superintendent of the Sunday school. His political support is given to the republican party and he is the present incumbent of the office of township trustee, being reelected in November, 1914. He has done much to further scientific knowledge among agriculturists of the county and has himself proved an up-to-date and highly successful farmer. His public spirit is one of his strongly marked characteristics and he is at all times willing to sacrifice per- sonal gain for the general welfare, thus manifesting citizenship of a high order.
CHARLES ARNOLD.
Charles Arnold, who has spent his entire life within the borders of Buchanan county and has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits throughout all of his business career, is now the owner of two hundred acres of valuable land on section 22, Cono township. His birth occurred in that township on the 16th of February, 1877, his parents being Jacob and Katherina (Kautz) Arnold, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
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