USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 49
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After attending local schools Harry E. Netcott pursued his studies in the Lenox College at Hopkinton, also at Mount Vernon, Iowa, and in the Polytechnic Institute of Chicago. To the age of twenty-six he was associated with his father in business and then as an architect opened an office at Parkersburg, where he remained for two years. He went there after the great fire and was the designer of many of the new buildings of that place, among them the C. C. Wolf mansion. He again came to Independence in 1895 and opened the office which he has since conducted. During a part of this time A. M. Donnan was associated with him in business under the firm style of Netcott & Donnan, but for the past ten years he has been alone in the work. He is especially widely known as the designer and architect of many schools, giving special attention to that class of building. He has designed schools all over the state, among the best known being those at Independence, Rockwell City, Oelwein, Reinbeck and Postville. He has also drawn the plans for many of the best buildings in this section of the state, including two new bank buildings at Monticello. Beauty of design goes hand in hand with convenience of arrangement and thoroughness of construction in the execution of his work and he ranks today with the leading architects of the state.
In 1893 Mr. Netcott was united in marriage to Miss Carrie South, who was born in Hopkinton, Iowa, a daughter of Frank M. and Helen (Anthony) South. The father was born in Cascade, Iowa, in 1842, and the mother's birth occurred in Davenport, this state, in 1849. They are now residents of Dubuque. Mr. South was a soldier of the Civil war, serving for four years. He then returned to Hopkinton and engaged in farming, but afterward turned his attention to. the hotel business. He has filled a number of public offices and is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic, while his wife is president of the Woman's Relief Corps in the city in which she makes her home. In the same organization at Independence Mrs. Netcott has been honored with the presidency and is now occupying that position. She is likewise department president of the state organization. To Mr. and Mrs. Netcott have been born four children. Roland, who was born in Grundy county, is now a student in the University of Illinois .. Victor A., Helen R. and Marion are all attending school in Buchanan county.
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Mr. Neteott holds membership with the Knights of Pythias, of which he is a prominent representative. He has been chancellor commander of the local lodge and for three different terms has served as distriet deputy grand chancellor. He likewise has membership with the United Commercial Travelers and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political belief is that of the republi- can party and he has been chairman of its county central committee since 1906. Of all the recommendations for federal offices made by the congressional dele- gation, none received the attention that was given to the recommendation that Mr. Netcott be made United States marshal, but owing to the fact that there is a democratic senate, the nomination was held up. For three years he was president of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a stal- wart champion. His religious belief is that of the Presbyterian church and he is a man in whom both the physical and moral life have been intense and vital. His activities touch the various interests of society in all that pertains to the material, intellectual, social, political and moral welfare and his ehar- aeter stands every test.
PERRY V. CRAIG.
Perry V. Craig, carrying on general farming in Middlefield township, is one of the worthy citizens that Pennsylvania has furnished to Buchanan county. He was born in the Keystone state in 1854 and is a brother of E. O. Craig, of Independence, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. He attended the district schools and also the schools of Quasqueton, making good use of his educational opportunities, which, however, were somewhat limited, for he was only seven years of age at the time of his father's death, and even at that time he began doing what he could upon the farm, and as the years have passed by he has assisted more and more largely in its development and improvement. Nearly all of his life has been spent upon farms in this county, Middlefield township numbering him among its residents during the greater part of the period. Gradually he has worked his way upward and by economy and industry was at length able to purchase property, to which he has added until he now owns three hundred and eighty acres situated in Middlefield and Liberty townships.
In 1894 Mr. Craig was united in marriage to Miss Eva Merrill, a native of this county and a daughter of Jesse and Mary (Scott) Merrill, who were natives of Ohio and Mercer county, Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was born in 1835 and during the period of his early manhood engaged in farming in his native state, but in the '50s he heard the call of the west and came across the country to Buchanan county, settling here amid the pioneers who had already taken up the task of converting the raw prairie country into a prosperous and productive district. That the settlers were few at that time is indicated by the faet that there was considerable land still in possession of the government, and Mr. Merrill seeured a claim and began its cultivation, following agricultural pur- suits until his death, March 28, 1868. He was an active, helpful member in the old Hickory Grove Presbyterian church. At the same time his business affairs
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were capably managed and, owning two hundred and forty acres of land, he carried on general farming and stock-raising.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Craig are widely and favorably known in that part of the county in which they make their home. He stands at all times for advance- ment and is the champion of every measure which tends to promote the best interests of the individual and of the community. He is of a retiring disposition and at no time has sought to figure prominently before the public, but there is no one in the township who has a greater number of friends or is held in higher esteem than Perry V. Craig. He is a Christian man, formerly active in the work of the Congregational church in Winthrop until he became connected with the Unity Presbyterian church of Middlefield and Liberty townships. He gave the land on which the church stands, was one of its charter members and is now one of its elders.
H. T. LYNCH.
H. T. Lynch, president of the Northern Iowa Land Company and interested in the Eastern Kansas Oil Company, Limited, of Moran, Kansas, is well known as a progressive and successful business man, thoroughly familiar with every phase of land operations. Illinois numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Lee county, that state, in 1862. His father, Thomas J. Lynch, was a native of Elmira, New York, and wedded Rebecca Clendenning, who was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. In early life Thomas J. Lynch learned and followed the wagonmaker's trade and continued in that line of busi- ness after his removal to Illinois. In 1870 he came to Iowa, settling at Rowley, Buchanan county, after which he entered the railroad employ. For about six years he lived in Rowley and then went to West Branch, where he also engaged in railroading, spending about two years at that place. He became the owner of land in Buchanan county, which he farmed after leaving the railroad service at Rowley. He next removed to Nebraska, where he lived retired.
H. T. Lynch attended public schools in Illinois and in Rowley, Iowa, and at the age of sixteen years began learning telegraphy at the latter place. For about four years he was agent for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad and then turned his attention to the real-estate business in Kansas City, Missouri, where he remained for six years, giving his entire attention to that line of activity. In 1891 he came to Independence and here continued in the land business, organiz- ing the Northern Iowa Land Company, of which he became the first president, and so continues. This company owns about two thousand acres of land in the different states in which it operates and its well directed business affairs result in substantial sales annually. Mr. Lynch is also interested in the Eastern Kansas Oil Company, Limited, of Moran, Kansas, and his capable direction of his busi- ness affairs has won for him gratifying returns.
In 1887 Mr. Lynch was married to Miss Jessie F. Todd, a daughter of Morris Todd and a native of Buchanan county. Four children have been born to them : H. C., a civil engineer, who is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and is now with the C. E. Bryan Engineering Company of Chicago; Percy L., who is
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looking after his father's farming interests in southeastern Kansas; Frank T., who is attending Grinnell College at Grinnell, lowa; and Clara R., who is pur- suing her education at Lake Forest, Illinois. All four children are graduates of the high school at Independence.
The family attend the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Lynch and children are members. Mr. Lynch is republican in his political views and is identified with no lodges or clubs. He has always followed an independent course, adhering closely to the principles in which he believes, yet never interfering with the rights of others. He has preferred always to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs and his persistency of purpose is the potent element in his grow- ing success.
LAFAYETTE N. NORMAN.
Lafayette N. Norman is cashier of the Peoples State Bank of Winthrop and is also identified with a number of other local business enterprises. He was born in Fremont township, this county, December 14, 1869, a son of Nicholas V. and Mary A. (Taylor) Norman. The father was a native of England, where he remained until 1848, when he emigrated to this coun- try. He followed agricultural pursuits in the east until 1864, when he came to Buchanan county, lowa, and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Fremont township, situated about two miles northeast of Winthrop. The land was partly improved when it came into his possession and he did much to increase its value, making it one of the best developed prop- erties of the locality. He followed mixed farming and raised cattle and hogs. His enterprise and good judgment won him success and he bought additional land until he became the owner of about six hundred acres. This achievement was the more ereditable as he began his business life with no capital. About 1889 he retired from active life and rented his land, removing to Winthrop, where he resided until his death, May 7, 1901. He was a republican in his politieal belief and was steadfast in his support of that party. He held various township offices and for many years was one of the leaders of his party in this county. His religious affiliation was with the Church of England. His wife was a native of Somersetshire, England, and her birth occurred on the 1st of May, 1830. She remained in her native land until 1848, when she emigrated to the United States, locating in Ohio, where she was married to Mr. Norman in 1849. She survived her husband and passed away in this county, August 23, 1910. She was likewise a member of the Church of England and was buried beside her husband in the Winthrop cemetery.
In their family were twelve children: Freeman W., who died leaving a family ; one who died in infancy unnamed ; Frances A., the wife of Edgar Hur- mance, of this county, by whom she has several children: Albert William, a resident of Winthrop; Charles Richard, of the state of Washington; Ida M., who married Richard Braden and who passed away leaving one son ; Frederick S., agent for the Illinois Central Railway at Independence, Iowa; Henry, who died leaving a family; Grant, who died when nine years of age; Lucy A.,
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LAFAYETTE N. NORMAN
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
the wife of Wilbur Knight, of Oelwein, Iowa, by whom she has three sons; Lafayette N., of this review; and Homer E., a farmer of Fremont township, this county.
Lafayette N. Norman was reared upon the home farm and was taught les- sons of industry and honesty as well as the most practical methods of agricul- ture. His scholastie education was that afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood and the Winthrop school. He was married when twenty-one years of age and for two years engaged in cultivating land which belonged to his father. At the end of that time he purchased one hundred and sixty aeres of land in Fremont township and operated the same for three years. He subsequently came to Winthrop as deputy postmaster, which position he held for four years. He was one of those who organized the Peoples State Bank of Winthrop, which institution was opened for business on the 1st of September, 1901, and he has been its cashier since its establishment. Thomas Thompson is the president, and James McKay the vice president, and under the able direction of its administrative officers the bank has prospered steadily in the thirteen years of its existence and is now strongly intrenched in the confidence of the public, who are sure of the security of their funds. Mr. Norman still owns his farm in Fremont township.
On the 2d of March, 1891, Mr. Norman was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Pierce, a native of this county, and they have become the parents of two children : Leta, the wife of Harry Swartzell, of this county; and Burnita, at home.
Mr. Norman is a republican in his political views and for the past sixteen years has been clerk of the town of Winthrop. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Yeomen, the Modern Woodmen and the Eastern Star. He owns a half interest in the Winthrop Opera House and also a half interest in two farms of one hundred and twenty and one hundred and seventy acres respectively located in this county. In addition to the property previously mentioned he also holds title to a store building in Winthrop. He is quiek to recognize business opportunities and prompt in their utilization and is now one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of his community, where he is held in the highest esteem.
EDWARD D. DUCKETT.
Edward D. Duckett operates a quarter section of land situated on section 18, Madison township, which belongs to his mother. He follows diversified farming and is meeting with success in his efforts. He was born in Somerset- shire, England, August 7, 1859, a son of Edward and Sarah (Durston) Duckett, both of whom were likewise natives of Somersetshire. The father was born on the 8th of February, 1832, and remained in England until 1866, when he came with his family to America and settled in Dubuque county, Iowa. After liv- ing there for four years the family removed to Clayton county, Iowa, and thence to Buchanan county. In 1871 Mr. Duckett purchased eighty acres of
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land situated northwest of the town of Aurora and cultivated his farm for many years. From time to time he added to his holdings until at one period he owned four hundred and fifty-seven acres, all in Madison and Buffalo town- ships. About 1900 he retired and removed to Aurora, where his death occurred July 18, 1906. His wife was born on the 8th of March, 1839, and is still liv- ing in Aurora. Of their eleven children four were born in England. The family record is as follows: Edward D., of this review; Jemima E., deceased ; Jane, now the wife of Edwin Pitman, of Madison township; Michael, who died in 1866; Michael, second of the name, who is living in Fayette county, this state; Mrs. Elizabeth A. Jenney, of Stanley, Iowa; Matthew H., who resides upon the home farm; Frank, who is living upon a farm in Buchanan county ; Frederick W., who died many years ago; Arthur, who resides upon a farm near Aurora ; and Frances Luella, the wife of A. E. Davis, who resides eight miles northwest of Aurora, in Fayette county. The family of eight children have been kept together all their lives and now reside within a radius of ten miles.
Mr. Duckett of this review was about six years of age when brought by his parents to America and was educated in the common schools of Iowa. When a youth of fourteen he left home and worked upon farms in the employ of others. He was so occupied until twenty-three years of age and then, from 1882 until 1888, he rented and operated other farms. In 1888 he bought and began operating the farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 18, Madi- son township. In 1893 his father bought the property, but Edward D. Duckett has since managed and operated it and he has so developed and improved it that it is now one of the most valuable tracts of land in the county. In its cultivation he follows the methods that experience has shown to be best adapted to conditions in this state, and as he is enterprising in his work and does every- thing at the time that it should be done, his crops are large and his annual returns from the farm gratifying. He also raises stock of a good grade.
Mr. Duckett was married on the 10th of November, 1886, to Miss Ella Toole, a daughter of Jacob and Caledonia (Wolfe) Toole. The former was born in Virginia on the 16th of June, 1831, and came to Iowa in 1882, settling in Madi- son township, this county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 18. Ile farmed his land until his death, which occurred on the 21st of August, 1884. He was twice married, his second wife being in her maidenhood Miss Caledonia Wolfe. who was born in Illinois about 1846, and they were married in Metamora, Illinois, on the 28th of May, 1865. She passed away in 1876. To them were born five children : Mrs. Ida M. Rozell, of Vinton, Iowa; Mrs. Duckett; Mrs. Emma Bowers; Lawrence, who died November 5, 1874; and Mrs. Estella Johnson, whose death occurred on the 19th of July, 1903. Mrs. Duckett was born May 10, 1868, and was educated in the public schools of the neighborhood. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children. Edward Floyd, who was born October 13, 1887, is a graduate of the Lamont high school and for five terms he taught school in this and Fay- ette counties. Donald D., born November 23, 1889, received his education in the Lamont high school and has been in the employ of W. A. Abbott, of Lamont, as clerk and pharmacist since May 19, 1910, except the first six months of 1913. In January of the latter year he entered Babcock's School of Pharmacy at Des Moines and was graduated from that institution the following June.
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Mr. Duckett is a republican and has served as a delegate to both the county and state conventions of his party. For eight years he has been assessor and he has served as justice of the peace for one term. In the election of November, 1914, he was chosen clerk of Madison township by a large majority, his term of office to begin January 1, 1915, and extend for two years. Fraternally he belongs to Aurora Lodge, No. 410, K. P .; to the Masonic lodge at Lamont and the chapter at Manchester. He likewise holds membership in Camp No. 2605, M. W. A. His wife is a member of the Pythian Sisters. He was reared in the faith of the Church of England and has never departed therefrom. His life has always been controlled by the highest standards of conduct and he has an assured place in the esteem of those who know him.
ADAM ZIMPFER, SR.
Adam Zimpfer, Sr., has passed the eighty-second milestone on life's journey and is now living retired upon his farm, which is in Linn county, adjoining the border line of Buchanan county. He has extensive landed interests in the latter comprising four hundred acres. His life has been devoted to general agricul- tural pursuits and well managed business affairs have brought him the very substantial competence which has enabled him for several years to rest without further recourse to labor. He was born in Germany, September 25, 1832, his parents being Nicholas and Amelia (Heiland) Zimpfer, who were also natives of the same country. The father was a farmer and cultivated a tract of land in Germany throughout his entire life. His wife passed away in 1871 after reach- ing the ripe old age of eighty-three years.
Adam Zimpfer was reared and educated in Germany, remaining with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-four years, when, attracted by the favorable reports which he heard concerning the opportunities and advantages of the new world, he bade adien to friends and native land and sailed for America in 1856. Iowa was his destination and throughout all the intervening years to the present he has lived in Buchanan and Linn counties. He settled first in the former, where he purchased a tract of land which he at once began to develop and improve, continuing its cultivation until 1900, when he rented that farm and removed over the line in Linn county, where he purchased one hundred and thirty acres that constitutes the farm upon which he now makes his home. He also owns four hundred acres in Cono township, Buchanan county, on sections 24, 33 and 34, and from his property holdings derives a gratifying annual income that supplies him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
In May, 1856, Mr. Zimpfer was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Hansel, a daughter of Martin and Magdalina Hansel, who were natives of Germany. They were farming people of that country and never came to the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Zimpfer became the parents of eight children, as follows: Adam E., who follows farming in Cono township; Charles George, a resident of Inde- pendence ; Carrie, who passed away in 1892, when thirty-one years of age; Minnie, who is the widow of L. M. Keys and makes her home in Dubuque; IIenry W., an agriculturist of Cono township; Margaret, who died at the age of nine years ;
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Fred, who is manager of an elevator at Walker; and Mary M., who lives at home with her father. The wife and mother passed away on the 7th of May, 1911, after a short illness, and her death was deeply regretted by all who knew her.
In his political views Mr. Zimpfer is a democrat, having supported the party since becoming a naturalized American citizen. For twelve years he filled the office of trustee in Cono township and he has also served as school treasurer and director. His religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, to the teachings of which he has ever been loyal, his belief guiding him in all of his relations with his fellowmen and making him one of the honored citizens of this section of Iowa, receiving the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded to one of his years.
REV. THEODORE MORNING, D. D.
Rev. Theodore Morning, who for seven years has been pastor of the Presby- terian church at Independence, was horn in Parsons, Kansas, in 1871, his parents being James and Caroline (Hudson) Morning. The mother's birth occurred at Whippany, New Jersey, in 1838. The father was born near Prairie City, Illinois, in 1837, and in early manhood devoted his life to the occupation of farm- ing, but in the early 'SOs engaged in the furniture business at Cherryvale, Kansas. He lived in Iowa in the early '60s, making his home near Blairstown after coming to this state from Illinois, and eventually he took up his abode in Kansas, owning farm land in both Iowa and Kansas. After the time of his retirement from active business life he was a resident of Ogden and later of Salt Lake City. In his religions faith he was a Presbyterian and was very active in the work of the church, in which he served as a ruling elder. He died January 10, 1912. His wife is still living and resides in Salt Lake City.
Dr. Morning of this review was the fifth in order of birth in a family of eight children. He supplemented his preliminary education by a course of study in the University of Omaha and was graduated from that institution in 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He next attended the Theological Seminary in Omaha for three years and won his Master of Arts degree in 1899, while in 1913 the Doctor of Divinity degree was conferred upon him by his alma mater. Following his graduation he accepted his first pastorate at Randolph, Nebraska, where he remained for three years. He was also at Madison for three years, and for four years at Marengo, Iowa, before coming to Independence, February 1. 1908, to enter upon his work as minister of the Presbyterian church of this place. Here he has remained for about seven years, his labors being attended with excellent results. He is an carnest, forceful speaker, a logical thinker and a clear reasoner, and his oratorical ability enables him to present effectively the truth which he wishes to bring to his hearers. He is now a member of the lowa Presbyterian Board of Home Missions and is a member of the board of trustees of the Lenox College at Hopkinton, Iowa.
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