USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler County, Iowa: a record of settlement., Volume 2 > Part 8
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THOMAS A. HOBSON, M. D.
For nearly a quarter of a century Dr. Thomas A. Hobson has practiced medicine in Parkersburg and during that time has gained an extensive and representative patronage. He was born in Poweshiek county, Iowa, February 1, 1864, and is a son of William B. and Mary (Caldwell) Hobson, the former born in Steubenville, Ohio, and the latter in Ireland. The father was a millwright and farmer. He came to Iowa about 1858 and made this state his residence until his death, which occurred about 1893. All who knew him respected and honored him and he stood high in the estimation of the general public. In the family of William B. Hobson were nine children: James C .; Rebecca; Eliza; Joseph C .; Benjamin F .; John W .; Abraham J .; William, who died in infancy ; and Thomas A., our subject.
Thomas A. Hobson attended school in Franklin county, con- tinuing his preparatory course at the Friends Academy at Le-
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grand, Iowa. He received his professional training at the Iowa State University, graduating from the medical department on March 6, 1889, with the degree of M. D. Shortly thereafter in the same year he opened an office in Parkersburg and has ever since been engaged in general practice, attaining a high degree of suc- cess. He conducts a private hospital, well appointed and equipped for all emergencies that may arise. He is deeply interested in his profession and keeps well in touch with the latest discoveries in scientific research. Careful in diagnosis, he is decided after reaching a conclusion and is seldom if ever at fault in applying the remedy which the case on hand may demand. Moreover, he inspires that confidence which is so necessary to effect a cure and in many families is not only the trusted physician but is consid- ered as their truest friend. Dr. Hobson is interested in any- thing that tends to bring to man the key to that complex mystery which we call life and his reading is broad and comprehensive, so that his knowledge and efficiency have continually advanced.
At Bristow, Iowa, July 2, 1889, Dr. Hobson was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Anderson, a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (McKernan) Anderson. Dr. and Mrs. Hobson have adopted a son, William Thomas Hobson. The Doctor and his wife reside in their own home, which is renowned for its open-hearted hospitality. In politics the Doctor is a republican but has never cared to enter the arena of active public life although he served as health officer of Albion township for one term. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church and, interested in Sunday- school work, he served for several years as superintendent. He is a trustee of his church. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America. As one of the long- established physicians of Parkersburg, Dr. Hobson enjoys the highest confidence and regard and well merits the esteem which is generally conceded him.
CYRUS DOTY.
Cyrus Doty was one of the venerable, worthy and highly respected residents of Butler county, his home being not far from Clarksville, on section 14, Jackson township. He was the first white child born in Ogle county, Illinois, his natal day being September 4, 1834. His parents were Elisha and Hannah (Reed)
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Doty. The father was born in Pennsylvania, September 7, 1806, and was a son of Cornelius Doty, who was born in New Jersey in 1779. He was married in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, to Catherine Sutton and they had two sons, Elisha and James. The mother died soon after the birth of the younger and Cornelius Doty married again and had quite a large family, including Cor- nelius, who was born in Athens county, Ohio, July 25, 1824, and was a soldier of the Mexican war, enlisting in Company A, Six- teenth Illinois Regiment, and afterward reenlisting May 25, 1861, for service in the Civil war as a member of Company I, Seven- teenth Illinois Regiment. He was married in 1848, reared a large family and died at Columbus Grove, Ohio, May 4, 1893. Another son of the second marriage, Samuel Doty, was also a soldier of the Civil war, after which he went to California, where his remain- ing days were spent. The Doty family removed westward, became pioneer settlers of Illinois and soon after the Black Hawk war Cornelius Doty, Sr., removed to Texas, traveling across the coun- try with wagons. He did not remain long, however, but returned to Peoria, where he died in 1842, at the age of sixty-three years.
Elisha Doty, the father of Cyrus Doty, was but an infant when his parents removed westward from Pennsylvania to Peoria, Illi- nois. When in young manhood he went to Ogle county, where he became interested in milling and merchandising and in the grain and live-stock business. He went through all of the experi- ences of pioneer life. In 1824 he and another young man walked from Peoria to the lead mines near Galena with a view of finding work, hiring Indians to ferry them across Rock river. Neither were experienced in mining so did not long remain, but returned to Peoria, where Elisha Doty took up the occupation of farming. In 1828 he married Hannah Reed, who was born in New York, October 10, 1808. They became the parents of six children, two of whom were born at Peoria: Samuel, in 1830; James, July 10, 1832; Cyrus, September 4, 1834; Aaron, January 8, 1836; Louisa, May 12, 1837; and Lavina. In the summer of 1832 Elisha Doty made his way to Buffalo Grove, Ogle county, with a view of estab- lishing his home there. The Indians, however, were so threaten- ing that he remained but a short time, deeming it best to return to Peoria. The Black Hawk war was soon declared and was continued until 1833. In the spring of 1834 Mr. Doty made a second attempt to secure a home at Buffalo Grove. He did not enlist for service but was drafted and remained in readiness at
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Peoria to go to the front if the call came. His brother, James, who joined the army, was killed at the battle of Stillman's Run.
When peace was restored Elisha Doty brought his family to Ogle county, where they underwent many of the hardships and privations common to pioneer life. They had experiences with prairie fires, with the Indians and with wild animals. Mr. Doty found a bee tree, which he was carefully guarding for his own use. On one occasion he found that the Indians were near it, but as they saw Mr. Doty approach they ran away. He discovered that they had cut down the bee tree and had the honey done up in a deer skin, beside which were two guns. He took one of the guns and retreated a little distance. Soon the Indians came back and missed their gun. Mr. Doty motioned them to come to him, ยท but they took the honey on two ponies and made their escape. He sent them word to come and pay for the honey and get their gun, but they never did so. In the early days the settlers were troubled with a large gray wolf that proved so destructive that they all agreed together to pay ten dollars each to the man who would kill the wolf. For some time Mr. Doty had a trap set, but with- out avail. At length he placed his trap at a point where beef had been butchered. It was securely tied to a poll ten feet long and a cow bell tied to the other end. About ten o'clock Mrs. Doty heard the bell ringing and Mr. Doty, calling two men to his assistance, went for the wolf, which had dragged the poll and bell twenty- five rods. The animal was soon dispatched and placed in a wagon and the next morning Mr. Doty drove around among the neigh- bors showing that he had killed the wolf and most of them paid the ten dollar bounty. Mrs. Doty became ill and sent her son Cyrus to call her husband, who was at work hauling wood. Mr. Doty went for Dr. Benton, two miles away, and he bled her in the arm according to the methods of the time, but she grew worse and the next day Elisha Doty started for Dixon to call Dr. Everts. He reached the Rock river just at night and was told the ice was unsafe for a horse, but attempted to lead his horse across. He proceeded only a short distance when the horse went through the ice, but help soon came and the animal was saved. Mr. Doty then walked across the river, found Dr. Everts and with him returned to his home, but the mother's condition was such that she could not be saved.
In 1842 Elisha Doty was a second time married, Catharine Jones becoming his wife. They had seven children who reached adult age, and those now living are: Salina, of Charles City,
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Iowa; Angeline, of Osage City, Kansas; Mrs. Marion Stone, of Oklahoma; Erastus, of Clarksville; and Mrs. Alice Matcham, of Packard, Iowa. Those deceased were Mrs. Harriet Kellogg, of Montour, Iowa, and Mrs. Ida Ornsdorf, of Watonga, Indian Ter- ritory. There were also two children who died in early life and the mother passed away at Charles City, Iowa, September 12, 1902. Although the family experienced many of the privations of pioneer life, Elisha Doty prospered in his business affairs as the years went on. He was one of the builders of the first stone windmill at Polo and as time passed on became an active factor in milling and merchandising and in the grain and stock business. When the panic of 1857 came on he threw his possessions into the breach and prevented much financial disaster to his neighbors. In 1866 he removed to Tama county, Iowa, where his death occurred December 16, 1893, his last days being spent in Montour.
Cyrus Doty remained in Ogle county, Illinois, until the 1st of August, 1860, when he came to Butler county, Iowa, locating on the farm on which he spent his remaining days, his death occur- ring February 15, 1912. He had a good business education and made farming his principal life work. He owned three hundred and twenty acres of land, which he converted into rich and pro- ductive fields, deriving therefrom a substantial income.
On the 12th of March, 1856, Mr. Doty was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Aplington, who was born in Sanford, Broome county, New York, July 20, 1836, and at sixteen years of age went to Polo, Ogle county, Illinois, with her parents, James and Sarah Jane (Anthony) Aplington. Her father died at Aplington, Iowa, a town which he and his brother Zenath had founded. Mrs. Doty was one of a family of eight children, four of whom are now liv. ing, and by her marriage she became the mother of twelve children: Samuel N., . who died at the age of forty-six years; Wil- liam N., of this county ; Mary, at home; Edith, the wife of Mitchell McDonald, of Stillwater, Oklahoma; Charles, living in Osage, Iowa; James, who died in infancy; Nellie Marietta, the wife of Charles N. Richards, of Zion City, Illinois; Rose, who is the widow of W. C. Guptell and lives with her mother; Simon Harvey, of Stillwater, Oklahoma; Lillian Catharine, who died at the age of thirty-eight years, six weeks after her father's death; Myrtle, the wife of Frank Davis, of this county, and Rev. Earl Isaac Doty, who spent four years in China as a missionary and is now study- ing in the Chicago University.
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In politics Mr. Doty was a democrat and took a deep interest in the political situation, yet did not seek nor desire office. He was an active and consistent member of the United Brethren church and his life was ever upright and honorable, winning for him the high regard and good-will of all with whom he came in contact. He was familiar not only with the phases of pioneer life in Illi- nois but also in Iowa, and his efforts were an element in the ma- terial development and substantial progress of both states.
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HARRY A. LEETE.
Harry A. Leete, who for the past eleven years has conducted a large furniture store and a well appointed undertaking parlor in Greene, was born in Jackson township, this county, July 22, 1875. He is a son of Allan Leete, a pioneer in Butler county and one of the first settlers in Jackson township, where he owned and oper- ated a valuable farm for a number of years. He was also well known in public life, serving as county supervisor for some time and holding various other positions of trust and responsibility. Eventually he sold his farm and moved into Clarksville, where he engaged in business for a few years and where his death occurred in April, 1913, when he was eighty-nine years of age. His wife survives him and makes her home with her daughter at Packard, this county.
Harry A. Leete was reared upon the home farm in Butler county and acquired his primary education in the district schools. He later attended high school at Clarksville and after laying aside his books became connected with his father's business enterprise there, gaining valuable practical experience in the furniture and undertaking business. This he supplemented by a course in em- balming at Grand Forks, North Dakota. He remained in his father's employ for two or three years and at the end of that time moved to Greene, where he put in a stock of furniture and under- taking goods and established himself in the business which has engaged his attention for the past eleven years. He carries a well selected stock of furniture, including pianos, organs, rugs and mirrors, and he does practically all of the undertaking for Butler county. He has met with excellent success in business and his prosperity is the direct result of his own energy and enterprise.
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On the 10th of October, 1898, in Clarksville, Mr. Leete mar- ried Miss Pearl Gilbert, a native of Iowa, who was reared and edu- cated in Clarksville, where she afterward engaged in teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Leete have become the parents of a daughter, Doris. The family reside in an attractive home in the new addition to Greene. Mr. Leete is a member of the Greene lodge of the Knights of Pythias and belongs to the Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife are well known in Greene and hold the respect and esteem of a large circle of friends.
HENRY ATKINSON.
No history of pioneer times in Butler county would be com- plete without mention of Henry Atkinson, now deceased, who arrived here during the early period in the development of this part of the state. He was born in Yorkshire, England, October 3, 1831, a son of George and Margaret (Jackson) Atkinson, who spent their entire lives in their native land. Their family num- bered three sons and three daughters, of whom three came to the United States. The brother of Henry Atkinson died, however, soon after his arrival in the new world and the sister became a resident of Kansas.
Henry Atkinson spent his boyhood and youth in England to the age of nineteen years, when he came with an uncle to America in 1850. A location was made at Niagara county, New York, where he worked for his uncle for a few years, before securing a home in the new but growing west. He arrived in Clarksville December, 1855, and spent the remaining days of his life in this county. He became the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land six miles east of the town, which is still in possession of the family and for a long period he energetically and successfully carried on farming.
It was in 1860 that Mr. Atkinson was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Cloukey, who was born in Ontario, Canada, October 15, 1833. Her parents removed to Vermont and she was reared in the Green Mountain state, living there until 1857, when the family home was established in Butler county. The journey west was made by train to Dubuque, where they had to hire teams to bring them to their destination, as there were then no railroads through this part of the country. Many conditions of pioneer
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life still existed, and at the time of their arrival prairie fires were burning and things did not look very inviting. However, with courageous spirit they began the establishment of a home. The father entered land in Bennezette township, Butler county, and in this county Augustus and Mary Ann Cloukey, parents of Mrs. Atkinson and natives of Canada, spent their remaining days, passing away in Clarksville. Their family numbered seven chil- dren, two sons and five daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson also had seven children: Viola, the wife of Arthur Downing of Kansas; May, at home; Francis, liv- ing in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lester, the principal of the schools at Kesley, Butler county, Iowa; George, whose home is in South Dakota; Mrs. Clara Clock, deceased; and Hon. William I. Atkin- son, of whom mention is made on another page of this work.
The death of Mr. Atkinson occurred June 10, 1889. His widow made her home in Clarksville. In politics he was a republican, but never sought nor desired office. He held membership in the Metho- dist Episcopal church and his religious faith was manifest in all of the relations of life. As a pioneer he lived to see some remark- able changes as the wild prairie land was converted into rich fields, as the log cabins were replaced by substantial and commodi- ous modern residences and as the work of development and improvement was carried steadily forward, bringing about the prosperity and progress of the present day.
SAMUEL L. PATTERSON.
Samuel L. Patterson occupies a leading position in financial circles of Austinville as cashier of the Austinville Savings Bank, and he has besides various other business connections the im- portance of which places him among the substantial and repre- sentative men of the community. His prosperity is due entirely to his own efforts and demonstrates the value of perseverance, industry and integrity as elements in a successful career. He was born near Belfast, Ireland, April 28, 1870, a son of Samuel L. and Jane (Lawson) Patterson, also natives of the Emerald isle, the former born in 1842 and the latter in 1844. The father was a farmer and stock dealer, following these occupations in Ireland until his death in 1910. His wife survives him and makes her home in her native country. Thirteen children were born to their
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MR. AND MRS. SAMUEL L. PATTERSON
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union, David, Maggie, Hugh, Lizzie, Samuel L., Sarah J., Essie, Robert, William J., Joseph, Martha, John, and a child who died in infancy.
Samuel L. Patterson attended school in Ireland until he was sixteen years of age and then secured a position as a farm laborer, working for two years for twenty-five cents a day. After he came to America he settled in Illinois, working as a farm hand in Kane county for two and one-half years at a salary of twenty-three dol- lars a month. In 1891 he moved to Aplington, this county, and worked as a butter maker for four years, after which he came to Austinville as manager and butter maker for the Austinville Creamery, of which he is now half owner. He retained this posi- tion until 1910, when he became connected with financial interests as cashier of the Austinville Savings Bank, in which he is a stock- holder and director. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Sav- ings Bank of Aplington, half owner of the Austinville Creamery and has valuable property interests, including an excellent resi- dence in the city.
In Washington township, on the 25th of September, 1899, Mr. Patterson married Miss Alice E. Austin, a daughter of Henry Austin, a prominent and wealthy farmer and stock breeder of that locality, who met death by accident in Waterloo in 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Patterson have two children, Clarence A. and Mildred A. Mr. Patterson is an elder in the Presbyterian church and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He gives his political alle- giance to the republican party and has served as chairman of Washington township and as secretary of the school board. He occupies a position of prominence and importance in business circles of this locality, and his success has been well earned and worthily used.
OWEN W. HARDMAN.
Owen W. Hardman, a prominent and well known farmer and stock-raiser of Dayton township, is a native son of Butler county, born in Coldwater township, August 22, 1866. His father, Aaron Hardman, was one of the early settlers in this state, settling in Coldwater township, Butler county, Iowa. His death occurred June 5, 1878.
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Owen W. Hardman was reared upon his father's farm and acquired his education in the public schools of Greene. After the death of his father he worked as a monthly laborer for several years and then rented land which he operated for some time. In 1906 he purchased eighty acres in Dayton township and upon this property he has since resided, carrying forward the work of its development in a practical and progressive way. He repaired the buildings which were upon the property when it came into his possession, remodeled the house and erected a substantial barn and granary, a wagon shed and corn cribs. He has fenced and cross fenced his fields and put out a grove of orchard and orna- mental trees and today the entire place reflects his careful and well directed labor. In addition to general farming he engages extensively in stock-raising, keeping a good grade of Durham cattle, Duroc Jersey hogs and heavy work horses. He is one of the directors and adjusters in the Farmers Fire Insurance Com- pany of Butler county and is recognized as a man of excellent business ability.
In Coldwater township, April 3, 1889, Mr. Hardman mar- ried Miss Etta Keister, who was born and reared in Bennezette township. They have three children: Glen, who is assisting in the operation of his father's farm; Homer H .; and Helen Gertrude. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Packard and are known as people of exemplary character.
Mr. Hardman is a member of the Greene lodge of Odd Fel- lows, in which he has held all of the chairs, and is now a past grand. His wife is a noble grand of the Daughters of Rebekah and well known in the affairs of that organization. Mr. Hard- man's political allegiance is given to the republican party and for a number of years he served as street supervisor of Greene. He never neglects the duties of citizenship but concentrates his atten- tion principally upon the conduct of his farm, in which he is meet- ing with gratifying and well deserved success.
LAMBERT J. ROGERS.
During the period of the Civil war Lambert J. Rogers with patriotic spirit responded to the call for troops and since the close of hostilities he has been equally loyal to the stars and stripes, standing at all times for the best interests of the country. He has
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made a creditable record in public office in Butler county and is now numbered among the substantial business men of Allison, where he is engaged in buying stock. His birth occurred in Wash- ington county, New York, April 8, 1843, a son of Clark and Lovisa (Herron) Rogers, both natives of the Empire state. They spent the greater part of their lives in Washington county, New York, and in 1853 removed westward to Wisconsin, settling in Walworth county, where their remaining days were passed. The father died in July, 1856, at the age of fifty-three years, and the mother passed away in January, 1869, when sixty-five years of age. He had always followed milling in support of his family, which numbered five sons and three daughters, but one of the daughters died in early girlhood. The only ones now living are Lambert J. and John Rogers, the latter a resident of Sharon, Wisconsin.
Lambert J. Rogers was a little lad of ten years when he accom- panied his parents to Wisconsin, where he remained until April, 1868, and then came to Butler county, Iowa, where he has since lived. For eleven years he engaged in farming. It was prior to his arrival in this state that he served in the army, enlisting in 1863 as a member of Company K, Second Wisconsin Cavalry, with which he served for nearly three years as a non-commissioned of- ficer. He was on active duty, scouting and raiding most of the time, and he was under General Custer in Texas. He was mus- tered out at Austin, Texas, in December, 1865, and returned to the north with a creditable military record, being only about twen- ty-two years of age when the war closed.
After following farming in this county until 1879 Mr. Rogers engaged in the live-stock business for about eight years, or until January, 1887, when he took up his abode in Allison. He served for four years as county recorder, occupying the position from January, 1887, until 1891, after which he retired from office with a creditable record. He then went upon the road as a traveling salesman, but later was appointed postmaster and filled the posi- tion for ten years under Presidents Harrison, Mckinley and Roosevelt. During the remainder of the time he has been engaged in the live-stock business, in which he is very successful, capably managing his interests so that substantial returns are obtained upon his investment.
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