USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume II > Part 9
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Mr. Higbee is a democrat and has served for a number of years as council- man at Fairbank. He has also been for several years a member of the school board and takes a keen interest in everything that affects the welfare of the public schools, as he realizes that an excellent system of education is a necessity - in a democracy. Fraternally he belongs to Fairbank Lodge, No. 292, A. F. & A. M .; and to Lodge No. 741, B. P. O. E., at Oelwein. Besides his business in Fairbank he owns a commodious and well furnished home here and is recognized as one of the well-to-do citizens of the town. He is a man of com- mendable public spirit and has been identified with many movements that have resulted in good to the town.
MICHAEL L. SHINE, M. D.
Dr. Michael L. Shine, deceased, was for twenty-seven years a leading physi- cian and surgeon of Winthrop, Iowa, and was always forgetful of self in his care for his patients. This characteristic eventually cost him his life as his death was occasioned by blood poisoning contracted while attending a patient. He was born in Kentucky on the 29th of September, 1856, a son of Patrick and Sarah Shine, both natives of Ireland. Upon coming to the United States they resided in Kentucky for several months but in 1857 removed to this county and located upon a farm in Westburg township. The mother died when the subject of this review was but five years of age and he was only fifteen or sixteen years old when his father also passed away. Of the children born to that union only one, John Shine, of Texas, survives.
As Michael L. Shine was the oldest son the care of the family devolved upon him following the death of his father, and although he was but a boy he bravely shouldered the burden and, engaging in farming, earned enough not only to care for himself but to provide for the support of the younger children as well. He had completed the course offered in the country schools but was not satisfied as he desired to become a physician and when he reached his majority he decided to work with that end in view. He was compelled to depend entirely upon his own resources but he had a strong physique and a resolute determination to succeed. He entered Tilford Academy at Vinton, Iowa, and worked his way through, being graduated with the class of 1882. He subsequently entered the College of Medicine of the University of Iowa at Iowa City, but owing to lack of funds was unable to complete the course. He walked from his home in Quasqueton to Winthrop rather than pay money for a conveyance although it was bitterly cold and began the practice of medicine in Winthrop, but the state legislature soon afterward passed a law requiring a diploma from an accredited medical school before one could be licensed to practice. He then returned to the State University and completed his medical course, receiving the degree of M. D. from that institution in 1887. He again located for practice in Winthrop and from that time until his death was accorded the respect and
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confidence of the community. He soon gained a large and representative prac- tice and was very successful in curing or, if that were impossible, checking disease. He was more than a physician to his patients as he took a personal interest in their recovery and his cheerful personality inspired confidence in an ultimate cure. Those to whom he ministered thought of him as a friend and felt sincere sorrow when they heard of his untimely demise. He passed away on the 2d of March, 1911.
Dr. Shine was married on the 24th of September, 1884, to Miss Mary Williams, who was born in Quasqueton, a daughter of Cornelius and Susan (Kirk) Williams, natives of New York state and Ohio respectively and among the pioneers of Buchanan county. By their marriage Dr. and Mrs. Shine became the parents of four children : Ben Richard and Dan W., twins, born June 17, 1885, the former of whom is a farmer and the latter a graduate of the medical department of the University of Iowa with the class of 1914 and now located for the practice of his profession at Farley, Iowa; and Byron Lewis and Kirk Neal, at home.
Dr. Shine was a democrat in his political belief. He was a director of the Winthrop Telephone Company and his influence was always used to secure a normal steady growth for that concern. His fraternal relations were with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons. He was a member of the Buchanan County Medical Association, the lowa State Medical Association and the National Association of Railway Surgeons and found these professional organizations of much value. He was active in local political affairs, serving for six years as mayor of the town, for a number of years as a member of the city council, at the time of his death was president of the school board. He had a large private practice and was also surgeon for the Illinois Central Railroad and his days were busy ones. Nevertheless he could always be counted upon to aid in the furtherance of any movement that sought the public welfare and his unselfish spirit won him a warm place in the regard of many.
JAMES HOOD.
James Hood. deceased, was for many years a prominent farmer and stock- raiser of Buchanan county and was well known within its limits. He was born in Forfarshire, Scotland, November 19, 1834, and was there reared and educated. He learned the blacksmith's trade in his native country and when a young man came to the new world and settled in Illinois, where for a few years he worked at his trade in the employ of others. When he had accumulated sufficient capital he opened a shop of his own in Harvard, Illinois, which he conducted until 1867, when he came to this county and bought three hundred and twenty acres of land in Byron township. It was prairie land and as yet untouched by a plow, and the first residence thereon was but a small rude building. Mr. Hood broke his land, planted his erops as soon as possible and continued to cultivate the place, reaping annually abundant harvests. He found Iowa land such a profit- able investment that he added to his holdings by degrees until he became the owner of over one thousand acres. The family resided in the first dwelling
MR.AND MRS. JAMES HOOD
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house for a number of years, but Mr. Hood afterward erected a fine residence which was one of the best in the county. He was very successful in his work as a farmer and as his sons started out in life for themselves he gave each of them a tract of land. He retired from active labor in April, 1908, and removed to Independence, where he lived until his death, which occurred on the 24th of March, 1914.
Mr. Hood was married on the 31st of December, 1860, to Miss Jannet Mc- Claren, who was born in Perthshire, Scotland, May 25, 1838. She remained there until she was sixteen years of age, when she accompanied her mother and brother and sister to the United States, the family loeating upon a farm near Elgin, Illinois. The mother died a few days later. Mrs. Hood resided in that locality until her marriage and since the removal of the family to this county in 1867 she has lived here. She still resides in Independence and has the esteem of those who know her. To Mr. and Mrs. Hood were born nine children : William H. and John Edward, farmers of Byron township; Kate, the wife of John Hamilton, and May, the wife of A. Bureher, agriculturists of Byron town- ship; Fred D., who follows farming in Byron township; Martha C., who died when sixteen years of age; Albert J., who resides in Byron township; George, who passed away when a young man of twenty-six years; and Florence, who married Garfield Christianson, a farmer of Byron township.
Mrs. Hood is a member of the Presbyterian church and active in its work. Mr. Hood was a republican in his political belief and much interested in public affairs, although he never desired office for himself. He was a man of strict integrity and gained an honored name at the same time that he amassed a com- fortable fortune.
GEORGE T. BLAMER.
George T. Blamer is a well known lumber merchant of Independence, who along business lines has steadily worked his way upward until he is now num- bered among the men of affluence in this, his native county. His birth occurred in Westburg township, September 20, 1869, his parents being Thomas and Edna Ann Blamer, the former born in Chester, Ohio, in 1844, while the latter was born in Connecticut in 1841.
Thomas Blamer attended school at Mentor, Ohio, and at Willoughby, Ohio. He was married at the age of twenty-four years and soon afterward established his home in Independence, Iowa, where he remained for a brief period. He then purchased a farm in Westburg township, which he cultivated for six years and at the end of that time returned to Independence, where he became man- ager of the Grange elevator, being one of the pioneer grain merchants operating at Independence, Rowley and Livermore. In the conduct of this business he was associated with Mat Stewart for many years, also with the Van Orsdols of Rowley and with A. M. Record of Independence, having elevators in different towns in Buchanan county. He continued in the grain business until 1889, when he became associated with J. Wackerbarth in the lumber business, organ- izing the Wackerbarth & Blamer Company, in which he continued until his Vol. 11-5
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death in 1912. He was thus prominently identified with business affairs of Buchanan county for many years and aided in its material development. He was also one of the original stockholders of the Rush Park Seed Company, the Commercial State Bank and the Independence Canning Company, of which he was the treasurer. He was likewise identified with the Kelly Canning Com- pany of Waverly, Iowa, and for a brief period before embarking in the lumber business was connected with Henry Stewart in the ownership and conduct of a dry-goods store. He was widely recognized as a man of tireless energy and of ability to devise and execute the right things at the right time. About thirty years ago he served as one of the aldermen of Independence and at all times was a stanch republican. To Mr. and Mrs. Blamer were born three children, of whom George T. is the eldest. The second son, De Witt Blamer, born in Buchanan county in 1871, was graduated from the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, in 1910, and was on the battleship Charleston when it sank on a reef near the Philippine Islands. He managed to make his escape, however, and he is still connected with the navy, being at the present time captain of the navy yard at Bremerton, Washington. The third member of the family is Mrs. Eliza- beth Turney, of Rome, New York.
George T. Blamer, spending his youthful days under the parental roof, was graduated from the high school at Independence and for two years was a student in the University of Iowa. When twenty-one years of age he became bookkeeper in the Commercial State Bank, with which he was connected until 1893. In that year he entered the employ of the Wackerbarth & Blamer Company as book- keeper and is now secretary of the company, which was incorporated in 1902 and of which his father was the treasurer. He is thoroughly familiar with every phase of the lumber business and has been active in controlling and develop- ing the trade. He is a stockholder in the Commercial Bank and was a director of the Buchanan County Fair Association. The exercise of effort and close study of commercial conditions have made him a representative business man and one whose success is well merited. In addition to his other interests he is treasurer of the Independence Canning Corporation and he concentrates his energies upon the lumber and the canning business.
On the 22d of June, 1898. Mr. Blamer was united in marriage to Miss Leonora B. Phelps, who was born in Independence, a daughter of the Rev. W. B. Phelps. On the 2d of May. 1864, in Palmer, Massachusetts. Rev. Phelps, of Oneida, New York, wedded Hattie Smith, of Palmer, Massachusetts, and a half century later they celebrated their golden wedding. At the time of their marriage Rev. Phelps had just graduated from Princeton Seminary and they went at once to Kilbourn City, Wisconsin, where they experienced all the hard- ships of mission life on the frontier. F'rom Kilbourn City they came to Inde- pendence, where Rev. Phelps was pastor of the Presbyterian church for ten years. Hle afterward had the pastorate of two churches in Illinois-at Aledo and Millersburg-and from 1884 until 1895 he was located at Marengo, Iowa. HIis next pastorate was at Sigourney and there because of throat trouble he was compelled to abandon regular pastoral work. In 1902 he came to Independence and he still does some supply work. At the age of seventy he was placed on the list of honorably retired ministers. To Rev. and Mrs. Phelps were born six children, of whom four are residents of Independence, Mrs. W. M. Woodward.
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Mrs. G. T. Blamer, Willis B. and Miss Bernice Phelps. To Mr. and Mrs. Blamer have been born four children: George Phelps, born June 17, 1899, and now attending high school in Independence; Howard M., born April 20, 1901; Thomas Burton, born December 27, 1904; and Josephine Louise, July 3, 1911.
Mr. Blamer is prominently known in fraternal circles. He is a past chan- cellor commander of the Knights of Pythias lodge of Independence and belongs to the Masonic fraternity. He is also on the advisory board of the boy scouts. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party, which has elected him to the office of alderman, and he has served as chairman of the republican cen- tral committee from the fourth ward and has done effective work in promoting the interests of the organization. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church and Mrs. Blamer is likewise a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is active in the organization of Pythian Sisters. Mr. Blamer is serving as a trustee and elder in the church and both cooperate in all movements and plans for the promotion of its growth and the expansion of its influence. His military experience covers service as second lieutenant of Company G of the Fifty-sixth Regiment of Iowa National Guard. His interests in life are broad and his activities have been of benefit along many lines which have promoted the welfare and upbuilding of city and county.
CHARLES EDWARD PURDY.
Charles Edward Purdy, formerly well known in banking circles, is now devoting his attention to the supervision of his individual interests and invest- inents. He stands today among the prosperous citizens of Independence. a posi- tion which has been most worthily won, his record at all times measuring up to the highest standards of manhood and of business integrity. He was born at Galena, Illinois, May 20, 1855, a son of Eliphalet and Catherine (Jaquish) Purdy, both of whom were natives of the state of New York, born in 1822 and in October, 1827, respectively.
While in Galena Eliphalet Purdy engaged in the hotel business and in June, 1856, he removed from Illinois to Iowa, becoming proprietor of the Montour House at Independence, which he conducted successfully for eighteen years, or until 1874, when the hotel, which stood at the corner now occupied by the Com- mercial Bank, was destroyed by fire. Mr. Purdy thereafter lived practically retired until his death, although he was vice president of the Commercial Bank, was one of the directors of the Peoples Bank and of the First National Bank and was active in founding the Peoples National Bank. He was likewise one of the organizers of the Commercial State Bank and owned the building now occupied by that corporation. As his financial resources increased he made extensive and judicious investments in property and was the owner of a num- ber of valuable farms at the time of his death, which occurred in January, 1893. For twenty years he was a member of the school board and the cause of education ever found in him a stalwart champion. He cooperated in many other movements of direct benefit to the community and as the years went on he became more and more widely recognized as a citizen of sterling worth. His
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widow survives and makes her home in Independence. There were but two children in the family and the younger son passed away in Galena.
Charles E. Purdy, whose name introduces this review, was only about a year old when the family came to Independence and in the public schools of this city pursued his early education, while later he spent a number of years in Racine College of Wisconsin. When seventeen years of age he entered the employ of a Mr. Curtis, a liveryman, and at the age of nineteen secured a posi- tion in the Peoples National Bank, acting first as messenger, while later he became bookkeeper, filling that position for eleven years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the grocery business, which he conducted in connection with Mr. Will Scott. Afterward, however, he bought out the interest of his partner and continued the business alone for six years. He was then offered the cashiership in the Commercial State Bank and, accepting, remained with that institution until February, 1912, when he resigned to devote his entire attention to his individual interests, which are extensive and im- portant. He is a director of the Corn Belt Telephone Company, with head- quarters at Waterloo, Iowa, an organization capitalized for five hundred thou- sand dollars, is a director of the Commercial State Bank, a stockholder in the Quasqueton Savings Bank and the First National Bank, is one of the largest stockholders in the Peoples National Bank, of which his father was one of the original organizers and stockholders. and is receiver for the Keifer Savings Bank at Hazleton.
Mr. Purdy has been administrator for several estates and is the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of valuable land in this county, operated as a general stoek farm. He also owns two business blocks on Main street and is the owner of a number of houses in Independence, which he rents. His invest- ments have been judiciously made and his success is the merited reward of capable management, earnest effort, keen discernment and honorable dealing. Public service, too, makes demand upon his time and energies. for he is the present efficient and popular mayor of Independence, to which office he was elected in 1913. He had previously served as city treasurer for three terms and in 1913 was a candidate for the state legislature, but was defeated by fifty votes. Ile is proving a capable and progressive chief executive of his eity and has the indorsement of all fair-minded citizens. His political allegiance has always been given to the republican party.
On the 12th of May, 1885, Mr. Purdy was united in marriage to Miss Maud Durham, who was born in this eity, a daughter of Charles M. and Helen (Cameron) Durham, both of whom were natives of New York. The father was appointed station agent at the time the Illinois Central Railroad was built through Independence and continued in that position throughout his remaining days. He, too, was mayor of the city. having been elected in 1881, 1882. 1883 and 1884. He came to Iowa prior to the Civil war and remained a valued resi- dent of Buchanan county until called to his final rest. Mr. and Mrs. Purdy have become parents of two children, Arda and Catherine, both at home.
In Masonry Mr. Purdy has attained high rank, having taken the degrees of the lodge, chapter. commandery and Mystic Shrine. He belongs to the Golf and Country Clubs and of the latter is the president. He is also a member of the Episcopal church and his life has ever been in harmony with its teachings.
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High and honorable principles have ever characterized his career and he is honored and respected by all. No man occupies a more enviable position in business or financial circles-not alone by reason of the success which he has achieved but also owing to the straightforward business policy which he has ever followed.
JOSIAH D. LAIRD.
Prominent because of his success as a farmer and also because of his long residence in Buchanan county, Josiah D. Laird is numbered among the influen- tial citizens of Jesup and Perry township. For fifty-four years he has lived in this section of lowa and there are few men who are so well acquainted with the early history of this section or who retain a more distinct recollection of its pioneer settlers than does Mr. Laird.
He was born in Mesopotamia, Trumbull county, Ohio, January 14, 1835, and has therefore passed the seventy-ninth year of his age. His parents were James and Katherine (Cox) Laird, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1806. His father, who also bore the name of James, was born in Scotland and settled in the Keystone state in an early day. The father of our subjeet was reared in the latter place and was there married, subsequent to which time he purchased land in Trumbull county, Ohio, to which he removed. He cleared his farm and eventually brought it to a high state of cultivation. In the winter months, however, he engaged in teaching school for many years. He died in Trumbull county when he had reached the age of sixty-five years. His wife, who was born in 1809 and was of German extraction, died at the comparatively early age of forty years.
Reared on the home farm in Trumbull county, Josiah D. Laird attended the distriet schools of the neighborhood until he was fifteen years of age, at which time he entered an academy at Orwell, Ohio. At the age of seventeen he taught a winter term of school and subsequently taught one season at the academy which he had previously attended. His time was alternated by farming and teaching until 1860, when he came to Buchanan county, Iowa, to locate on one hundred and sixty acres of land which had been given him by his father. Dur- ing the succeeding three winters he engaged in teaching at Littleton and then disposed of his land. He next engaged in buying grain for a time and in the meantime built an elevator at Jesup. He dealt in farm lands and for five or six years served as deputy sheriff in Buchanan county. He eventually made a trade by which he came into possession of forty acres of land adjoining the town of Jesup. He has since added to this until the property now comprises two hundred aeres, one hundred and forty aeres of which lies within the cor- porate limits. This land is well improved and is under a high state of cultiva- tion. There are also to be found here three substantial sets of buildings. Al- though well advaneed in years he is still active and appears much younger. He has seen this distriet develop into a prosperous region, having located here in pioneer days even before the railroad was built and he has done not a little to bring about the transformation that has here been witnessed along various lines.
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Mr. Laird was married on the 19th of March, 1863, to Miss Abbie Mosher, a daughter of Allen and Phoebe (Wilbur) Mosher, who was born in Columbia county, New York, May 5, 1835, and comes of Quaker stock. Her parents were both natives of Columbia county and about 1855 they made their way to Clay- ton county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming. They subsequently removed to Jesup, where they spent a decade, then made their home among their children, spending much of their time with Mr. and Mrs. Laird. They, too, were Quakers and both lived to a venerable age, the mother passing away at the age of eighty-four, while the father reached the age of ninety years ere he was called from this life.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Laird has been blessed with three children: Fannie K., the wife of Charles Oliver, of Omaha, Nebraska; Jay R., who operates the home farm; and Abbie May, the wife of E. R. Shoemaker, of Waterloo. Iowa.
Mr. Laird has always been a stanch supporter of the republican party and in his earlier life was very active in public affairs. For six years he served as deputy sheriff and at one time was a candidate for the office of sheriff but met defeat by fifteen votes. He was township trustee and also served as a member of the board of supervisors for one term, while for many years he was a mem- ber of the school board. Fraternally he is a Mason and both he and his wife have been members of and active workers in the Presbyterian church for more than half a century. For fifty years Mr. Laird was elerk of the sessions of the Presbyterian church but then resigned. Their children, too, are all devout members of the church. His sterling traits of character have won for him a wide acquaintance and he and his family enjoy the highest esteem of a host of warm friends.
W. P. CRUMBACKER. M. D.
Dr. W. P. Crumbacker is superintendent of the State Hospital at Inde- pendence, having received his appointment to this position on the 1st of July, 1902. Ile is well qualified- for the onerous and responsible duties which devolve upon him in this connection and at all times has proven himself worthy the liberal patronage accorded him.
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