USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 4
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In New Hartford, on the 12th of June, 1894, Dr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Nettie Cousins, a daughter of Hon. John A. and Rebecca Cousins, the former the oldest male resident in Towa. He was in business for a great many years in New Hart- Vol. II-3
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ford, being engaged in the sale of drugs, hardware, implements and lumber, his business activity making him one of the foremost representatives of commercial interests in the town. He was twice elected to represent his district in the state legislature, in which he served with distinction. Mrs. Evans was born in Grundy county, began her education there, and was afterward a student in the public schools of New Hartford. When sixteen years of age she entered the Iowa State Teachers College. She did not graduate there, however, but returned home and acted as her father's book- keeper until her marriage to Dr. Evans. She is a lady of native culture and refinement and is a prominent member of the Wom- an's Club of New Hartford and the Woman's Relief Corps.
Dr. Evans holds membership with the Masons. and both he and his wife are connected with the Eastern Star, in which she has been warden and treasurer. He is a charter member of the Mod- ern Brotherhood of America and medical examiner for the Modern Woodmen of America. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has been very active in school affairs, serving for nine years as school director. In 1913 he was made mayor of New Hartford and has proved an excellent executive, promoting the best interests of the city in an intelligent and practical man- ner. A man of broad culture and high standards, his interests have extended to many fields and have become powerful forces in promoting professional, political and business growth in this section of the state.
LYMAN L. DOWNS.
Forty-three years have come and gone since Lyman L. Downs arrived in Butler county, where he became an active factor in agricultural pursuits, continuing the development of his farm until, content with the competence which he had acquired, he put aside business cares and retired to private life. He now makes his home in Clarksville, where he is most pleasantly situated, and his life history indicates what may be accomplished when energy and perseverance lead the way and industry and honesty consti- tute the salient features in the acquirement of success. He was born in Belvidere, Boone county, Illinois, May 15, 1842, a son of George W. and Marana (Norton) Downs, natives of New York and of Michigan, respectively. In his boyhood the father accom-
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
panied his parents to Illinois and afterward went to Michigan, where he was married. For many years he followed farming in Illinois but later entered the wholesale and retail grocery busi- ness in Belvidere. The only interruption to his active business life came at the time of the Civil war, when he joined the com- missary department, enlisting on the 4th of September, 1862, on which date he became a member of Company G, Ninety-fifth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged during the second year of his service and returned to his home. He died in 1892, at the age of seventy-four years, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1854.
Lyman L. Downs is the only survivor of the three children born of his father's first marriage. The latter married again but there were no children of that union. After spending his boyhood, youth and early manhood in his native. county Lyman L. Downs removed to Butler county in May, 1870. He enlisted September 4, 1863, as a member of Company G, Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged at the close of the war, returning to his home with a most creditable military record. He had tried for enlistment the same year that his father was mustered in but was not accepted on account of physical con- ditions, but was accepted one year later. He devoted his energies to farming in his native state until he came to Iowa, where he pur- chased one hundred and ninety acres of land on section 5, Jack- son township. Here he farmed until he retired and he is still the owner of the land. In the summer of 1912 he erected his present commodious and attractive residence in Clarksville and is now most pleasantly situated, the fruits of his former toil supplying him with all of the necessities and comforts and many of the lux- uries of life.
In 1880 Mr. Downs was united in marriage to Mrs. Millie Smith Howe, who was born in Indiana, May 3, 1845. Her father died before she was born and she lost her mother when but a year old. At six years of age she came to Butler county with her grandfather, Almond Tree. Her grandmother had died when Mrs. Downs was but two years old. Her grandfather was a grand old man who had served in the War of 1812. He took care of his little granddaughter as best he could without a woman's aid. He would find her a place to stay and when he saw that she was not being well treated he would get her and secure for her another home. He died in Floyd county, Iowa, and his memory is deeply cherished by Mrs. Downs. By her former marriage Mrs. Downs
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had no children, but two have been born of the second union: George A., now a practicing dentist of Sterling, Illinois, and Mar- ana M., the wife of John W. Best, of Waterloo, Iowa.
Mr. Downs holds membership with the Grand Army of the Republic and greatly enjoys meeting with his old-time comrades and recalling the scenes of the tented fields. He is a prohibition- ist and a Presbyterian-connections which indicate how high and honorable are the principles which govern his life. He stands at all times for those things which work for the betterment of the individual and for the community and he has never deviated from a course which he believed to be right between himself and his fel- lowmen.
M. H. SPROUL.
For the past twenty-one years M. H. Sproul has been engaged in the lumber and implement business in Greene and today con- trols important interests along this line as a member of the firm of Cave, Sproul & Company. He is numbered among the progres- sive and substantial business men of Greene and among the promi- nent and public-spirited citizens of Butler county, where since 1882 he has made his home. He was born in Ontario, Canada, June 9, 1861, a son of W. J. Sproul, also a native of that province, his birth having occurred in 1833. The father grew to manhood in Ontario and there married Miss Sarah J. Ray. He engaged in farming in his native province for a number of years but in 1882 moved with his family to Iowa, making a permanent location in Bennezette township, Butler county. There he and his sons pur- chased a tract of six hundred and forty acres of land which they improved and developed for a number of years. The father later moved to Greene where he lived retired. His wife passed away in 1904. In their family were five children, four sons and one daughter, all of whom are living and are heads of families.
M. H. Sproul grew to manhood in Ontario, acquiring his edu- cation in the public schools of that province. He accompanied his parents to Iowa in 1882 and settled in Butler county, where he has since remained a continuous resident. He engaged in farm- ing in Bennezette township for ten years and then rented his farm and moved to Greene, securing a position as salesman for the firm of Cave, Tyler & Company, dealers in lumber and imple-
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ments. At the end of ten years Mr. Sproul purchased an interest in this concern, which was then reorganized under the name of Cave, Sproul & Company. This is his present business connec- tion and his energy and well directed labor have been helpful fac- tors in making this one of the leading firms of its kind in Iowa. The company carries a complete stock of lumber and building materials, farm implements, assorted vehicles and coal and the members of the firm are ranked among the most progressive and substantial business men of Butler county. Mr. Sproul is in addition connected with the Greene Electric Light & Power Com- pany, which he aided in promoting, and his name is a synonym for integrity and straightforward dealing along business lines.
. In Ontario, on the 19th of December, 1881, Mr. Sproul was united in marriage to Miss Eva Hanes, who was born in Minne- sota but reared in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Sproul are the parents of two sons. Charles F. grew to maturity and turned his atten- tion to farming. He died August 31, 1911, at the age of twenty-seven, leaving a wife and two children. The younger son, Carl, is engaged in farming near Greene.
Mr. Sproul is a Master Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Greene, and is past grand of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. For over twenty-one years he has been a resident of Greene and one of its most active and progress- ive citizens and during that time he has gained the esteem and high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
W. H. BUCHHOLZ.
W. H. Buchholz, a representative of a well known pioneer family of Butler county and one of the most prominent and repre- sentative business men of Greene, where for the past eighteen years he has controlled important mercantile interests, was born in Fremont township, this county, September 12, 1872. His father, William Buchholz, was born in Hanover, Germany, May 22, 1846, and came to America with his parents, locating in Clay- ton county, this state, in 1853. There William Buchholz grew to maturity, acquiring a limited education. He moved to Butler county in 1866 and located on a farm near Clarksville, purchas- ing one hundred and sixty acres of land upon which he resided for
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a number of years. He was married in Rockford, Illinois, in 1872, his wife being Miss Mary Brockmann, a native of Iowa. They commenced their domestic life near Clarksville and later moved into the city, where Mr. Buchholz purchased an established mer- cantile business, conducting it successfully for ten, or twelve years. In 1906 he moved to Greene, where he joined his son in the organ- ization of the firm of William Buchholz & Son, with which he is still connected. His wife passed away in 1892, leaving four children: W. H., of this review; Frances, the wife of Louis Schellenger, of Clarksville; Nettie, who married Bert Ochiltree, of Tipton, Iowa ; and Lelah, who lives at home.
W. H. Buchholz was reared in Clarksville and acquired his education in the city schools. After clerking in the store of A. Price for a number of years he moved to Greene, where he became manager of the mercantile establishment owned by Mr. Price at this place. At the end of one year he purchased this enterprise and with his father formed the firm of William Buchholz & Son, today one of the leading mercantile firms of the city. The part- ners control a business worth from seventy-five to one hundred thousand dollars a year and their trade is constantly increasing in volume and importance. They erected the store which they now occupy, a fine two-story brick building originally twenty-six by one hundred and twenty feet in dimensions but since enlarged to fifty-two by one hundred and twenty feet. In 1913 W. H. Buchholz with F. G. Phillips of Clarksville erected two one-story business buildings on Main street and they have rented one as a theater and the other as a mercantile establishment. He was one of the promoters of the Greene Electric Light & Power Com- pany, of which he is now a large stockholder and president, and his influence has been felt as a constructive force in the general business development of the city.
In Clarksville, on the 25th of June, 1900, Mr. Buchholz was united in marriage to Miss Etta Phillips, who was reared and educated in that city. She is the daughter of F. G. and Mary (McRoberts) Phillips, residents of Clarksville. Mr. and Mrs. Buchholz both attend the Presbyterian church, to which they are liberal contributors. Mr. Buchholz is identified with the Knights of Pythias and has passed through all the chairs of the local lodge, being now past chancellor. He is independent in his political views, supporting men and measures without regard to party lines. For two terms he served as mayor of Greene and during that time accomplished a great deal of progressive public
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work, having been instrumental in effecting the installation of the water system in the city. A man of varied interests, he pos- sesses the power of making all of these effective in their different lines and his work has had an important influence upon the com- mercial, moral and political life of the community.
HON. O. F. MISSMAN.
Hon. O. F. Missman, mayor of Allison and a prominent mem- ber of the Butler county bar as well as manager of the Butler County Abstract Company, belongs to that class of energetic men whose recognition of opportunities results in a wise and prompt utilization thereof, with the outcome that substantial results accrue. Born in Hardin county, Iowa, near Ackley, on the 2d of November, 1875, he is a son of Herman and Minnie (Specht) Missman, both of whom were born near Hamburg, Germany, and came to the United States when six and nine years of age respec- tively. They made the voyage with their parents and for a time were residents of Illinois, in which state they were married, the wedding being celebrated in Dixon. About 1862 they arrived in Iowa, residing in Hardin county, until 1878, when they took up their abode near Hampton, Franklin county. In 1893 they removed to Britt, Hancock county, Iowa, and they are now living in Garner, Iowa, Mr. Missman having retired from agricultural pursuits to which he devoted many years of his life. In politics a republican, he has always been loyal to the party and has filled a number of township offices. Both he and his wife were members of the German Evangelical church but now hold member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal church. In their family were ten children, six sons and four daughters, of whom one son, Clarence, died at the age of twenty-three years.
O. F. Missman remained with his parents upon the home farm until 1900, but wishing to follow a professional career, rather than devote his life to the work of the fields, he then entered the law department of Drake University, from which he was graduated in 1905. Previous to that time he had spent one year as a classical student in the Iowa State University. He was admitted to the bar in 1906 and soon afterward was elected clerk of the district court of Hancock county, which office he acceptably filled for four years. He was then nominated for county attorney of Hancock county,
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but withdrew before the election and engaged in the law and abstract business at Allison, which he has continued since.
In January, 1911, he took up his abode in the county seat and is today numbered among the able members of the Butler county bar. He carefully analyzes his cases, reaches logical conclusions and his deductions are always clear and forcible.
On the 6th of January, 1907, Mr. Missman was married to Miss Neva Cloe Welton, who was born in Carroll county, Iowa, November 27, 1885, a daughter of T. M. and Vialle (Harvey) Wel- ton, who are natives of Polk county, and now reside at Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Missman have a son, Thomas Welton. The parents are well known socially in Allison and have gained many warm friends during the period of their residence here. They hold membership in the Congregational church and Mr. Missman is also a member of Opal Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is likewise secretary of the Butler County Fair Association and in politics he is a republican. There have been no spectacular phases in his life history, his record being characterized by devotion to duty and his loyalty to his clients' interests has become proverbial. The excellent record which he has made in professional circles and in private life led to his selection for the important office of mayor, in which he is now serving and his administration is characterized by promptness and businesslike methods, so that the city is profit- ing under his regime.
CHARLES GLENN BURLING.
Charles Glenn Burling, of Clarksville, filling the position of county attorney and well qualified by a comprehensive knowl- edge of the law and the careful preparation of his cases for the duties that devolve upon him, was born at West Union, Fayette county, Iowa, September 18, 1875, and is a son of F. S. and Flora (Ketchum) Burling. The father, a native of England, came west with his parents in early childhood and settled in Free- port, Illinois, but subsequently removed to Fayette county, Iowa. It was there that he married Flora Ketchum, a native of New York, who had come to this state with her parents. They now reside at Postville, where Mr. Burling has engaged continuously and successfully in the practice of law since 1872, in which year he was graduated from the law department of the State Univer-
CHARLES G. BURLING
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
sity of Iowa. Unto him and his wife have been born four children : C. G .; Josephine, the wife of F. L. Marquis, of Waterloo, Iowa; Genevieve ; and W. H., who studied law under his father and at the State University and is now practicing his profession as his father's partner.
C. G. Burling remained with his parents until 1897, when he came to Butler county, remaining for a few months at the county seat and then removing to Clarksville. He is a graduate of the Postville high school of the class of 1892 and was graduated from the State University in 1896, on the completion of the arts course, and from the law department of the State University in 1897. It was then that he came to Butler county, where he has since remained, devoting his time and attention to his profession, in which he has made steady advancement. In politics he has always been a republican and upon that ticket he was elected county attorney in January, 1901. The excellent record which he made during his first term's service led to his reelection and he served for four years. In January, 1913, there occurred a vacancy in the office and the board of supervisors appointed him to the posi- tion. Aside from his professional interests he is a director in the Butler County State Bank of Clarksville and is financially interested in farm lands.
On the 30th of December, 1903, Mr. Burling was married to Miss Lula A. Ray, who was born in this county and is a daughter of J. W. and Emma Ray, of whom mention is made else- where in this volume. The two children of this marriage are Beth Ray and Irma May. Fraternally Mr. Burling is a Royal Arch Mason and his allegiance to the organization and its prin- ciples is never doubted. High principles of manhood and citizen- ship have characterized his life and his salient traits are those which win regard, good-will and confidence. In his profession he has made substantial and gratifying progress and his developing ability promises well for the future.
T. R. TAMMEN.
T. R. Tammen, cashier of the Beaver Valley State Bank, has filled his present position since 1907. A native of Parkersburg, he was born November 6, 1882, being the only child of Fritz and Meta (Renken) Tammen, both of whom were natives of Germany,
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
the former born in 1841 and the latter in 1847. The father came to Iowa in 1873 and here successfully followed mercantile pur- suits. being highly respected and esteemed in business as well as in social circles.
T. R. Tammen attended school in Parkersburg until seventeen years of age and after taking a business course in Des Moines, Iowa. entered into active connection with the banking business. He accepted a position with the State Exchange Bank. with which institution he remained for five years. thoroughly acquainting himself with the details of the business. In January. 1907. he was elected to the position of cashier of the Beaver Valley State Bank and has since remained in that connection. his efforts and ability contributing in no small measure to the success which has attended the institution. Mr. Tammen is also one of the directors of the bank and holds considerable stock therein.
Mr. Tammen was united in marriage to Miss Gertrude Bode, a daughter of Rev. Henry and Grietje Bode. the ceremony tak- ing place at Parkersburg on the Sth of August. 1906. Two chil- dren have been born of this union. Frederick B. and Harold C.
Mr. Tammen gives his political allegiance to the repub- lican party and, although interested in matters pertaining to the general welfare, has never entered actively into politics. He is a member of the Christian Reformed church.
CHARLES MERRITT STARKWEATHER.
Charles Merritt Starkweather has been a resident of Butler county since 1874 and since that time has been prominently con- nected with its agricultural interests, owning today a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 10. Coldwater township. and another tract of sixty acres in the vicinity. He was born in Potter county. Pennsylvania. Sep- tember 17. 1854. and is a son of Sidney William and Delight (Lewis) Starkweather. natives of New York state. the former born in Chautauqua county. They removed to Potter county, Pennsylvania. where the father engaged in farming for a number of years. In 1874 he moved west to Iowa. locating in Butler county, where he purchased ninety acres of land upon which was a small log cabin. A few acres of the property were under culti- vation and the remainder Mr. Starkweather cleared. carrying on
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the work of developing his homestead along progressive and mod- ern lines. He replaced the log cabin by an excellent farm house and erected good barns and outbuildings, neglecting nothing which would add to the appearance or value of the property. He died upon his farm in 1896, having survived his wife since 1892.
Charles Merritt Starkweather is one of the three surviving members of a family of seven children. He was reared upon his father's farm in Potter county. Pennsylvania, acquiring his edu- cation in the district schools. From his childhood he aided in the improvement and development of his father's property and after- ward assisted in the operation of the farm in Butler county. After the death of his father he purchased the homestead. to which he has later added from time to time, owning today two hundred and twenty acres. He has built to and remodeled the house and now has two barns, cribs and granaries and a machine shop, besides an excellent hog house and a cement silo with a capacity of one hun- dred tons. He has put out an orchard and a grove of forest and evergreen trees which adds greatly to the appearance of his place. In addition to general farming he engages extensively in raising Aberdeen Angus cattle, of which he has a herd of fifty head. some pure-blooded and the remainder high-grade animals. He raises also good grades of hogs. horses and sheep. He is a stockholder in the Greene Cooperative Creamery Company and is known as a resourceful and discriminating business man.
In Dayton township, this county, on the 22d of July. 1885. Mr. Starkweather was united in marriage to Miss Tamar C. Delker, who was born and reared in Butler county. a daughter of Fred- erick Delker. one of the early settlers in this part of Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Starkweather have become the parents of nine chil- dren: William F., a farmer in Coldwater township, who married Lottie Filkins, a native of New York state: Charles L., who is aiding in the operation of the homestead : E. L., who married Clara Stepp, a native of Virginia. and now resides in Dayton township : Alice D., the wife of George E. Hansen. a farmer in Coldwater township: Archie G .: Clarence G .: Lawrence G .: George Rolly and Cecil W.
Fraternally Mr. Starkweather is a Master Mason. holding membership in the blue lodge of Greene. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church of Coldwater. He was for many years connected with the republican party but in 1912 joined the ranks of the progressives. He served for two terms as road supervisor and has been prominently identified with school
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY
affairs. He is a successful and prosperous farmer and a repre- sentative business man and he holds the esteem and high regard of his neighbors and friends.
RICHARD MINER.
Since 1877 Richard Miner has been a resident of Iowa and during the greater portion of that time has made his home in Greene, where he is prominently connected with business inter- ests as secretary of the Electric Light & Power Company. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, April 30, 1845, and there remained until he was ten years of age. He is a son of John and Rebecca A. (Dudgeon) Miner, natives of Ohio. Both parents are now dead. Our subject afterward resided for a similar period of time in Greene county, Wisconsin, acquiring a common school edu- cation. As a young man he came to Towa, locating in Butler county in 1877. He later removed to Clay county and there engaged in the undertaking and furniture business for four years. At the end of that time he moved to Greene and opened a furniture and under- taking business here, continuing active in its conduct for twenty- eight years thereafter. During the period of his residence here his interests have extended to many fields and have carried him for- ward into important relations with business life. He was one of the promoters of the Greene Electric Light & Power Company and has been its secretary since its organization. The company pur- chased the interests of the Greene Manufacturing & Milling Com- pany and rebuilt the dam, thus obtaining water power sufficient to supply both the electric light plant and the flour mills. It controls large interests and has a representative patronage, its officers being ranked among the prominent and substantial men of the city. In addition to his connection with this company Mr. Miner is a stockholder in the First State Bank of Iowa and has valuable property interests, owning a fine brick business house which he erected on Main street, and an attractive residence on the west side of the river.
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