USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 25
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On the 27th of January, 1886, occurred the marriage of Mr. Gough and Miss Emma J. Chapman, who was born in Butler county, December 12, 1865, a daughter of Ira and Mary (McKin- ney) Chapman. The mother died when the daughter was but six years old, and the father is now an inmate of the Gough home. Seven children have been added to the Gough family as the years have gone by. Edward T., who married Miss Edna Robbins, is a Methodist Episcopal preacher, residing at Boston, Massachu- setts. After his graduation from the Upper Iowa University he attended the Boston University for three years, pursuing the theological course. His wife is also a graduate of the Upper Iowa University and spent one year in the study of music in Chicago. They were married on the 3d of September, 1913, and started the same day for Boston, where they are now located. Susannah E. is the wife of A. E. Kernahan, who was graduated from the Upper Iowa University and is now a student in the theological department of Boston University. Mildred J. is the wife of Lewis Currell, who for several years has been superin- tendent of schools at different places and is now located on a farm in West Point township, Butler county. Wilford I., who married Lilly Roberts, is a resident farmer of West Point town- ship. Joseph J. is at home. Galal R. is a high-school pupil at Bristow. John B., who was named after a distant relative, the famous temperance lecturer, John B. Gough, is now a high-school pupil at Bristow.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Gough has voted with the republican party. He holds member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church and for the past ten years has been a local preacher in that denomination, having now been minister of the church at Aredale for the past two and a half years. He devotes all of the time possible to church work. A self-educated man, he never had the advantage of the high-school
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or college course, but he possesses a large library and has been an extensive reader. Possessing a retentive memory, he is con- tinually adding to his knowledge and thus promoting his efficiency as one of the world's workers, and his high ideals of life find expression in his practical and effective efforts for the benefit of his fellowmen.
J. C. CARTER.
Statistics show that many of the substantial citizens of this county have come from Wisconsin. With the tide of emigration steadily flowing westward they crossed the Mississippi to become active factors in the development of a frontier region here. Among the number is J. C. Carter, who was born in Monroe, Green county, Wisconsin, October 25, 1856, his parents being John and Dorothy (Hickman) Carter, who were natives of Yorkshire, England, and arrived in America at the age of seventeen and eighteen years respectively. They were married in Green county and there the father passed away June 25, 1881, at the age of forty-nine years. The mother still survives and is living in that county, having reached the age of seventy-nine years on the 22d of April, 1913. Mr. Carter was a successful farmer and a good man, whose religion was to do right to all his fellows. His politi- cal indorsement was given to the republican party and he held a number of local offices. Legislative honors would have also been conferred upon him, but he preferred not to become a member of the general assembly. His life record indicates what may be accomplished when laudable ambition and unabating energy point the way, for he started out in life empty-handed and by means of his persistent and well directed labors he left an estate valued at eighty thousand dollars.
His children, eleven in number, were: J. C., of this review; W. M., of Clarksville; George Henry, who died in Jackson town- ship in September, 1901, leaving a family, who are still living in this county; Joseph, who died in his third year; Frank E., of Monroe, Wisconsin ; Fred M., also living in Monroe; Fannie Mary, the wife of A. W. Jenny, mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Dora May, the wife of Edwin Deal of Monroe, Wisconsin; Anna E., the wife of William Dreibelbis of Green county, Wisconsin ;
J. C. CARTER
PUBLIC
XON37 ADATION.
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Ella M., the wife of John Haase, of Monroe; and Newton Le Roy, who died at the age of eighteen years.
J. C. Carter spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native county and is indebted to its public-school system for the educational opportunities which he enjoyed. He came to Iowa in 1886 when a young man of thirty years and has since lived upon his present farm on section 17, Jackson township. His first purchase of land made him owner of eighty acres, to which he has added from time to time, thus extending the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises three hundred and twenty acres. It is without a doubt one of the finest farms in all the county, the work of cultivation and the improvements that have been made upon it enhancing its value until it is now worth two hundred dollars per acre. Its buildings are substantial ; commodious barns and sheds furnish ample shelter for grain and stock; and the home is an attractive residence. Mr. Carter has largely engaged in raising stock, both cattle and hogs, and has had as high as three hundred head of cattle upon his place at one time. His shipments average about six carloads of stock annually, he sending away a carload about every two months. Mr. Carter, however, feels that his active labors as farmer and stock-raiser are nearly at an end, for he has rented his farm for the succeeding season, and will retire from business life in February, 1914, removing at that time to Allison. He was prominently identified with financial interests as a director and president of the Farmers Savings Bank at Alli- son, having been at the head of that institution for ten years, or until it was sold. He is also a stockholder in the Farmers Co- operative Elevator Company of Allison; the Cooperative Cream- ery Company of Allison, and is secretary of the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company. His cooperation is eagerly sought in the conduct of important business interests because it is recognized that his judgment is sound and his enterprise unfaltering.
In 1884 Mr. Carter was married to Miss Mary B. Earlewine, who was born in Monroe, Wisconsin, in 1861, a daughter of Jack- son and Mary Jane (Ely) Earlewine, the former a native of Ohio. His death occurred in Broadhead, Wisconsin, where his wife still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have become the parents of six chil- dren : Charles Hugh at home ; Elsie B .; Ruth Imo, a graduate of the high school of Allison and now engaged in teaching; Amy Ethel; Mary Hope, who died at the age of six months; and Dean J.
Vol. II-17
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Mr. Carter has ever been a public-spirited citizen, interested in all measures for the general good and his cooperation has been a valuable factor in promoting worthy public projects. He is a director of the Fair Association of Allison and as such has done much to stimulate an interest in its exhibits. He was census enumerator for the United States when but twenty-two years of age and has been school officer for many years but has no political ambition. He votes independently, holding himself free to sup- port the candidates whom he regards as best qualified for public office. His record proves how excellent are the advantages which Iowa offers to her agriculturists. The man who is not afraid to work will always find that her soil responds readily to his wise cultivation. Mr. Carter won success in that way and his many friends rejoice that a well earned rest is soon to be his.
FRANK A. YEOMAN.
Frank A. Yeoman owns one hundred and ninety acres of val- uable land comprised in two farms, and in their development he has met with a degree of prosperity which places him among the substantial and prosperous agriculturists of Dayton township. He has been a resident of Iowa since 1866, coming to this state when a youth of sixteen years, his birth having occurred in Loraine county, Ohio, May 4, 1850. When he was two years of age his parents removed with their family to Wisconsin, where he resided until he reached the age of ten years. In 1860 the family returned to Amherst, Ohio, remaining in that state until 1866, in which year they again migrated westward, their destination being Mahaska county, Iowa, where the father purchased a farm of two hundred acres. Upon that place Frank Yeoman grew to man- hood and in 1872, when a young man of twenty-two years, he came to Butler county, where he was employed as a farm hand for some time. Subsequently he returned to Mahaska county, where he was married.
Mr. Yeoman then rented a farm in that locality, but at the end of four years came again to Butler county, where he settled upon a tract of land of two hundred acres. For ten years there- after he made his home upon that property and in 1890 took up his abode upon a tract of two hundred acres adjoining his pres- ent farm, there remaining until 1912. In the meantime he pur-
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chased a farm of eighty acres which he improved and developed, but did not locate thereon until 1912. Upon the natural building site he erected an excellent residence. The house stands high, commanding an excellent view of the surrounding country and a comprehensive view of the farm. He set out a good orchard, built a substantial barn, fenced his fields and carried forward the work of improvement along the most progressive lines. From time to time he added to his holdings, owning today two excellent farms comprising one hundred and ninety acres. In the cultiva- tion of these properties he is assisted by his son, and they have been very successful, conducting both general agricultural pur- suits and stock-raising, which they carry on extensively. They breed shorthorn and Polled Durham cattle, Belgian and Norman horses and a good grade of hogs, and their live-stock interests constitute an important source of revenue for them. Mr. Yeo- man is, moreover, a stockholder in the Farmers' Cooperative Elevator Company of Greene and is widely recognized as a man of business ability and sagacity. His success is entirely due to his own well directed labor, for he began life with few resources and has steadily worked his way upward to success.
In Mahaska county, Iowa, on the 30th of March, 1876, Mr. Yeoman was united in marriage to Miss Katherine Stout, a native of Mahaska county, Iowa, and they have become the parents of three children. Charles Arthur is in partnership with his father and resides upon one of the latter's farms. He is married and has one son, Gilbert. Lila May is the wife of Lon Woodward, of Greene, and they have two sons. Luella married Theodore Thomas, of Greene, and they have four children, two sons and two daughters. In 1912 Mr. and Mrs. Yeoman made a trip to the Pacific coast, traveling through the Rocky mountains and visiting Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Spokane and many other- places of interest.
Fraternally Mr. Yeoman is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past grand, and he and his wife are members of the Rebekahs. He is independent in his political views and has always taken an active part in community affairs, being recognized as a public-spirited and progressive citizen. He was elected township trustee and was twice reelected to this office. He has also been a delegate to numerous county conventions. He is a trustee in the Packard Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active and helpful part in various lines of church work. Throughout his residence in Butler county, cov-
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ering about thirty-five years, he has proved himself an active and industrious farmer, a careful and conservative business man and a progressive and public-spirited citizen, his many salient traits of character winning him the confidence, esteem and good-will of the entire community.
JOHN H. PLANTZ.
John H. Plantz, now deceased, was the owner of an excellent farm on section 36, Shell Rock township, where his family still resides. He was born in Johnstown, New York, May 31, 1830, a son of Peter and Margaret (Putnam) Plantz, who were also natives of the Empire state, but died in Illinois. The family continued to reside in New York until 1846, when they removed to Ogle county, Illinois. The father was a millwright and fol- lowed that trade during the greater part of his life. To him and his wife were born nine children: Catharine, the deceased wife of Timothy Plantz; John H .; Jacob, who has passed away; Mar- tin, who is living in Nebraska; Maria, the wife of Harry Clayton, of Des Moines, Iowa; Rebecca, the deceased wife of John Kiested; Victor, a resident of Des Moines; David, of Washington; and Malvina, the deceased wife of Will Wright.
John H. Plantz was a youth of sixteen years when the family left the east and went to Illinois. He continued a resident of Ogle county until 1861, when he came to Iowa and settled on a farm five miles south of Shell Rock, there residing to the time of his death which occurred forty-five years later, on March 21, 1906. He always carried on general agriculture pursuits, yet also worked at the carpenter's trade to a considerable extent. He carefully developed his place and made it a well improved farm, the changes being wrought through his own efforts. His fields were carefully tilled so that he annually harvested good crops. He erected a large residence and substantial outbuildings, which in turn were surrounded by broad acres devoted to the cultiva- tion of corn, wheat and other cereals. He also made stock-raising a feature of his place.
On the 4th of June, 1857, Mr. Plantz was married to Miss Samantha Whitney, who was born in Prescott, Ontario, Canada, July 15, 1834, and in 1854 went to Illinois with her sister and brother-in-law. Her parents were Samuel and Mary (Jackson)
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Whitney, who spent their entire lives upon the farm in Ontario. They had nine children, four sons and five daughters. It was in Ogle county, Illinois, that Mr. and Mrs. Plantz were married and to them were born five children: Cynthia, who became the wife of George Hettler and died in Colorado; Hannah Margaret, the wife of Henry Nichols of Des Moines, Iowa; William W., who operates the home place for his mother; Joseph Milton, liv- ing in Nashua, Iowa; and Harry Roy, of Finchford, Iowa. The two eldest children were born in Illinois and the three youngest upon the home farm in Shell Rock township. Mrs. Plantz is now in her eightieth year, yet does all of her own housework and is accounted one of the good housekeepers of this part of the county. In politics Mr. Plantz was a republican, and his sup- port was given to the party without hope of the rewards of office. He was willing, day after day, to perform the duties that devolved upon him, and his sterling traits of character gained for him the respect and confidence of all who knew him. Mrs. Plantz has now been a resident of Butler county for fifty-two years and can relate many interesting incidents of the early days when this was the frontier district and the work of development and improvement seemed scarcely begun. Many changes have occurred since then, and the primitive homes have been replaced by com- modious and substantial farm residences. There are also many changes in the methods of farming, as improved agricultural implements have been introduced. Well advanced in years, Mrs. Plantz is still active, and it is the wish of her many friends that she may yet be spared for years to come.
CHARLES ERNEST GRAHAM.
Charles Ernest Graham needs no introduction to the readers of this volume, for he has been a lifelong resident of Butler county, his birth having occurred on the 10th of September, 1868, in Clarksville, in the house which he now occupies. He is a son of the Rev. George and Almyra (Rose) Graham. The father was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, on the 13th of December, 1826, and the mother's birth occurred in Granville, that state, August 3, 1830. They were reared and married in Ohio. The father was educated in the Washington and Jefferson College and a theological college and, having determined to enter the ministry, became a Presby-
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terian clergyman. For nearly forty years he was the loved and esteemed pastor of the Presbyterian church at Clarksville and no man in this county has had more to do with its moral devel- opment. He had held only one pastorate before he removed to Clarksville and from that time forward he devoted his efforts and energies to the work of upbuilding his church in this section of Iowa. He was a man of no restricted influence, being denied not the harvest nor the aftermath of his labors, and his good work is still an active force in the lives of many with whom he came in contact. He died in Clarksville on the 28th of October, 1900, honored and respected by all who knew him. In no less degree was his wife esteemed and when her death occurred, on the 12th of December, 1905, many friends mourned her loss. Aside from his duties as a clergyman Rev. George Graham served for a short time as superintendent of schools in Butler county to fill a vacancy in that office. Unto him and his wife were born four children: Mary, who is now living with her brother, M. H., of Mahtowa, Minnesota; Frank H., a resident farmer of Butler township; M. H., a farmer of Mahtowa, Minnesota; and Charles E.
Throughout practically his entire life Charles E. Graham has been a resident of Clarksville, acquiring his education in its pub- lic schools and afterward conducting a photographic gallery for about three years.' He also spent a year in photographic work in Eldora and was upon the road for twelve years in connection with scenic work, but made Clarksville his home. During that period he represented the interests of the Scenic Art Company, of which he was sole proprietor, and he had a number of employes with him. At different times he conducted two newspapers, the Brookston (Ind.) Reporter and the Tremont (Ill.) Sun, owning and editing both for a year. He then sold out and returned to the road, being engaged in photographic work for a short time. At length he entered upon his present business of painting and decorating and is proprietor of a well appointed paint and wall paper store in Clarksville, which he established in 1912. He car- ries a large and well selected line of wall paper and takes contracts for work of this character. He possesses an artistic nature, which has found expression in his photographic work and is of much assistance to him in carrying on his present business, enabling him to make most helpful suggestions to his patrons.
Mr. Graham was married on the 12th of January, 1907, to Miss Emma Rottink, who was born in Butler township and is a daughter of Herman Rottink, who is mentioned elsewhere in this
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volume. Mr. and Mrs. Graham have a son, George Gordon. In his political views Mr. Graham is an earnest republican and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, yet has never been active as an office seeker, although he filled the posi- tion of deputy county auditor. He has always remained loyal to the Christian faith in which he was reared, being a member of the Presbyterian church, and his life has ever been character- ized by high and honorable principles that make him worthy of the warm regard in which he is uniformly held.
ANSON G. WELCH.
Among the men who enjoy a high reputation as able, up-to- date and shrewd business men in Butler county is Anson G. Welch, prominently and widely known in connection with the Welch Grain Company, an establishment which is of the greatest impor- tance to the farming district surrounding New Hartford. Mr. Welch is a native of Iowa, his birth having occurred in Marshall county, March 5, 1877. He is a son of Isaac P. and Elizabeth (Compton) Welch, natives of Virginia, the former of whom was born in 1831 and the latter in 1839. The father was one of a sur- veying party which many years ago made their surveys in this part of the state. He is now in partnership with our subject under the name of the Welch Grain Company. There are six living children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac P. Welch: Rachel E., Harriet A., Mary A., Anson G., Bertha E. and Charles L: There are also four deceased: Rosa V., Augusta, John W. and Edwin.
Anson G. Welch was reared under the parental roof and attended school in Grundy Center, this state, until sixteen years of age. He then turned his attention to farm work, continuing along that line until 1909. He then spent one year in traveling and, returning to New Hartford, engaged with his father in grain buying, their operations being conducted under the name of the Welch Grain Company. Shrewd, and an able business man, Mr. Welch has been exceedingly successful in his line, in which he has come to be recognized as an expert. The firm buys a great deal of the grain which is raised in this section, and Mr. Welch has been able to market his staple to such good advantage that pros-
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perity has rewarded his transactions although he has been in business but a few years.
Politically Mr. Welch is a republican, giving his stanch sup- port to the measures and candidates of that party. He is inter- ested in all matters of public benefit, but he himself has never seen fit to enter the political arena although his interest in the cause of education has led him to accept a position on the school board, of which he is still a member. He attends the Methodist church and fraternally is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. In business circles of New Hartford he enjoys a repu- tation as one of the most progressive men in commercial life, and he is generally highly respected, for all of his business transac- tions have ever been such as to merit the highest confidence.
HENRY W. HARMS.
For thirty-eight years the name of Harms has figured in con- nection with the history of Butler county, being identified with its agricultual and financial interests. Henry W. Harms is today an active farmer, owning and cultivating the old home place of three hundred and twenty acres on sections 6 and 21, Jefferson township. His residence is a commodious and beautiful one stand- ing on an elevation and commanding a fine view of the surround- ing country. Every phase of farm life is carefully superintended by him and his practical methods and capable management have made him one of the men of affluence of Butler county.
Henry W. Harms was born in East Friesia. Germany. August 16, 1868, his parents being G. P. and Deborah (De Bower) Harms, who were also natives of the same locality, the former born Febru- ary 19. 1844, and the latter on the 31st of August, 1837. They were married in 1867. Mrs. Harms was at that time a widow and by her former husband, Martin Meffen, who was a sailor and was drowned at sea, had one child, a daughter, Martha, who is now the wife of Ed De Bower, of West Point township. In the fall fol- lowing the birth of their son, Henry W., Mr. and Mrs. G. P. Harms crossed the Atlantic and became residents of Dane county. Wisconsin, where they resided for a number of years, or until the fall of 1875. They then came to Butler county, arriving at the home of William Folkers, north of Allison, on the 10th of October. The father drove a team and Henry W. Harms also drove one from
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MR. AND MRS. G. P. HARMS
THE NEW 1012800 730.
LENOX TATIONS
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Wisconsin, while the women and children of the household fol- lowed on the train. For four years G. P. Harms cultivated rented land and then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of what is now the old Harms homestead. The family practiced frugality, economy and industry so that Mr. Harms was able to add one hundred and sixty acres to his original purchase and later bought tracts of one hundred and twenty, one hundred and sixty and two hundred acres respectively. Subsequently his sons rented a quarter section east of him and when they had saved one thousand dollars he sold them the quarter, allowing them two thousand dol- lars for their one thousand dollar payment down. Later he sold them still more land. The father continued to engage actively in general agricultural pursuits until 1896, when he removed to a small place and let his son, Henry W. Harms, have the old home- stead. He then retired and now spends a part of his time in visit- ing around among his children. He has made two trips back to Germany since coming to the new world and during 1912 spent most of the summer in Europe. The success which has come to him enables him now to enjoy life without further care concern- ing an income. For a time he owned a controlling interest in the Farmers Bank of Allison and he also conducted a lumberyard for a number of years both enterprises proving a gratifying source of profit. He also bought and sold considerable land, from which he realized a good return. He has ever been most generous with his means in assisting others and has been especially help- ful to many German friends in enabling them to secure farms. He had only about twenty-five dollars when he arrived in this county and a widowed mother and younger brothers and sisters in Ger- many, who were dependent upon him for support. His entire life was one of unfaltering industry and perseverance and gradually he worked his way upward, his record proving that success is not a matter of genius or of fortunate circumstances, as some declare, but is rather the outcome of clear judgment and unfaltering enter- prise. While he became a self-made man he has never selfishly hoarded his gains nor is there any taint of dishonor about his accumulations. He has never taken advantage of the necessities of others in business transactions, and his record is another proof of the old adage that honesty is the best policy.
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