USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 6
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Thomas Hunt spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Ohio and was a young man of twenty-one years, when in 1854 he came to this county. He settled in Butler township and has always made it his home, residing upon a farm until fifteen years ago, when he took up his abode in Clarksville. He is the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of rich and productive land on sections 10 and 11 and for about thirty years he was engaged in the live- stock business. He would purchase large herds of cattle in Minne- sota and bring them to Iowa for sale. He also bought horses and mules in St. Louis and sold them in North Dakota. He was an excellent judge of live stock and thus his business affairs were carefully and profitably conducted.
On the 13th of February, 1856, Mr. Hunt was united in mar- riage to Miss Nancy Farlow, who was born in Boone county, Indiana, December 2, 1838, and when fifteen years of age came to this county with her parents, Abner and Sarah (Martin) Farlow, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Darke county, Ohio. They were married, however, in Indiana and spent their last days in Winterset, Madison county, Iowa. They had eight children, of whom six are living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hunt were born seven children: Sarah Etta, the deceased wife of Samuel Ren; U. F., a resident of Fesington, North Dakota; Charles A., of Milk River, Saskatchewan, Canada; Mary, the wife of Thomas Dougherty of Mission, Texas; Samuel, of Missoula, Montana; Lillian, the wife of D. J. Moore of Chicago; and T. A. of Comstock, Wisconsin.
In politics Mr. Hunt is a republican and has served as town- ship trustee and as justice of the peace. He was also township school trustee and treasurer for a number of years, but his atten-
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tion has been given mostly to his business affairs up to the time of his retirement. When he came to Iowa, this section of the state was largely undeveloped. The broad prairies were covered with an unbroken dazzling sheet of snow through the winter months while in June they were starred with a million wild flowers. Indians were still frequently seen in this part of Iowa and at times occasioned trouble to the settlers on the frontier, Mr. Hunt aiding in bringing them into subjection. It was an arduous task to break the sod, plant the crops and develop new fields, especially as the farm machinery of that day was by no means equal to that which we use at the present time. However, Mr. Hunt was per- sistent and energetic and as the years passed on he not only converted his own land into productive fields, but saw a marked change in the condition of the county and has ever rejoiced in what has been accomplished along the lines of progress and improvement.
EDWIN MORRILL.
Edwin Morrill has many important claims to respect and honor among his fellow citizens, for he is not only one of the prominent and substantial men of Butler county but he is also one of the early settlers in Iowa and one of the few surviving veterans of the Civil war men to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude that can never be fully repaid. He is now living retired in Greene, having won rest and leisure during forty-three years of close identification with agricultural interests of the locality. He was born in Pis- cataquis county, Maine, January 22, 1844, and is a son of Frederick Morrill, also a native of that locality. Frederick Morrill grew to manhood there, afterward following farming for a number of years. He later worked in a woolen mill for some time but in 1873 moved to Iowa, where he joined his son. He purchased a farm near Greene and continued active in its development until his death, which occurred in 1891, when he was seventy-eight years of age. His wife who was Dianona S. Lyford, a native of the same locality in Maine, survived him some years, dying at the home of her daughter in Minnesota in 1910. In the family there were ten children : Edwin of this review ; Emma M .. the deceased wife of H. L. Douglas; Minnie A., now the wife of H. L. Douglas, of
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EDWIN MORRILL
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Wadena, Minnesota; Frederick, Jr., deceased; William H. S., a resident of Wyndmere, North Dakota; and five younger children, all of whom died in infancy.
Edwin Morrill was reared in his native county, acquiring his education in the public schools. In 1862, when a young man of eighteen, he joined Company B, Twentieth Maine Volunteer In- fantry, for service in the Civil war. Soon after its organization his regiment was sent south, where it joined Mcclellan's army. It was engaged in the battle of Antietam and afterward participated in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, being present at General Lee's surrender in 1865. Mr. Morrill was wounded at Get- tysburg, being shot in the left leg below the knee, and he was afterward in a hospital for four months. He later rejoined his regiment at Rappahannock and nine days before the close of the war was again wounded, being shot in the nose. He participated in the grand review at Washington. He was mustered out with his honorable discharge at Portland, Maine, and with a creditable military record returned home. He afterward worked in a woolen mill for five years but in 1870 moved to Iowa, locating first in Floyd county, where he rented land. He afterward purchased a quarter section of improved property, to which he later added one hundred and sixty acres adjoining. Upon this he erected a good residence and convenient barns and outbuildings and he continued active in the operation of the property until 1895. In that year he moved to Greene, where he purchased the comfortable residence in which he now resides. He was formerly a stockholder and di- rector in the Merchants National Bank, of which he served as vice president for a number of years, and he was one of the pro- moters of the Greene Electric Light & Power Company. His name can always be found among the leaders in the support of any pro- gressive public movement and his cooperation in community affairs is ready and hearty.
On Thanksgiving day, 1866, Mr. Morrill married Miss Addie A. Cass, who was born and reared in Piscataquis county, Maine. Mrs. Morrill died November 26, 1913. They became the parents of three children: Estella, the wife of G. W. Brunner, a business man and postmaster at Whittemore, Iowa; Herbert E., a resident of Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he is an engineer on the Minne- apolis & St. Louis Railroad; and Anna, the wife of Fred Kivell, of Greene. Mr. Morrill attends the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a liberal supporter, and of which Mrs. Morrill was also a faithful attendant.
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Fraternally Mr. Morrill is a blue lodge Mason and he is con- nected also with Greene Post, No. 200, G. A. R., of which he has served as commander. In June, 1913, he attended the reunion of the surviving participants of the battle of Gettysburg and received a knife, fork, spoon and metal plate as a souvenir of that mem- orable occasion. Mr. Morrill gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has held various positions of trust and responsibility, having served as township trustee of Pleasant Grove township, Floyd county. Since moving into Greene he has been elected mayor on two different occasions, his administrations being characterized by a great deal of progressive work for the benefit of the city. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of But- ler county and of Greene and during many years his work has won him the high place which he now occupies among progressive and representative citizens.
FRANK L. WITT.
Frank L. Witt of Shell Rock possesses much of the enterpris- ing spirit characteristic of the middle west. He has long been identified with newspaper publication, and this has kept him in touch with those progressive interests which mark the upbuilding and development of the country. At the present time he is engaged with his son in various undertakings, and is accounted one of the worthy citizens of Shell Rock. He was born in Clarksville, October 7, 1860, a son of Ross Elden and Sarah C. (Burton) Witt, who were natives of Indiana. The mother came to this county with her parents when seven years of age, the family home being established near Clarksville. The parents of Ross E. Witt removed to Keokuk, Iowa, and subsequently to Bedford. He came to this county in 1859. It was on the 1st of January, 1860, in Butler county, that Ross E. Witt and Sarah C. Burton were married. Here they resided until 1878, when they went to Grand Forks, North Dakota, there remaining until 1887. They next became residents of Henry county, Missouri, and in 1889 returned to Butler county, taking up their abode on what was the old Burton homestead. Later they removed to Clarksville, where their remaining days were passed. They had three chil- dren : Frank L .; Mamie E., who became the wife of E. R. Waugh
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and died in Missouri; and Adelaide, the wife of Richard H. Waugh, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work.
Frank L. Witt spent the first eighteen years of his life in his native county and then accompanied his parents to Grand Forks, where he was engaged in newspaper work until 1887. He next went to Henry county, Missouri, and was a traveling salesman for office supplies. He returned to this county and spent the win- ter of 1890, after which he removed to Superior, Wisconsin, where he engaged in newspaper work until the spring of 1892. In that year he returned to Grand Forks, where he continued in active connection with journalistic interests and also was engaged in the theatrical business until 1896. Through the succeeding year he was at Fargo, North Dakota, where he was connected with newspaper publication and in November, 1897, returned to Clarksville. He there continued his residence until December, 1900, when he purchased the Shell Rock News.
Some time later he admitted his elder son to a partnership and later sold out to him. In 1905 Mr. Witt was appointed deputy collector of internal revenue and filled that office for eight con- secutive years. In politics he has been a life long republican, unfaltering in support of the party.
On the 4th of November, 1880, Mr. Witt was united in mar- riage to Miss Vashti C. M. Griggs, who was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in May, 1862, and was reared there and in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The family afterward removed to Grand Forks, where her father, John Griggs, became a prominent steamboat man. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Witt were born two sons; Charles E. and Fred B., both born at Grand Forks, North Dakota. The lat- ter is engaged in the grain, lumber and coal business in Shell Rock. The former, born April 8, 1882, has always been con- nected with the newspaper business, acting as assistant to his father for a long period, during which time he thoroughly acquainted himself with the work of newspaper publication in principle and detail. Soon after his father purchased the Shell Rock News he became an equal partner in its ownership, and in 1910 he purchased the paper, of which he is now sole owner and proprietor. This is a bright, newsy sheet, carefully edited, and its circulation is a large and growing one, owing to the enterpris- ing methods followed by Mr. Witt. In 1910 Charles Witt was appointed postmaster at Shell Rock and his term expired in January, 1914. He gave efficient service during his administra- tion. On the 19th of May, 1906, he wedded Maude L. Waite, a
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native of Belvidere, Illinois, and a daughter of Judson Waite. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks, the Masons and the Knights of Pythias, and his political support is given to the republican party.
W. F. RAY.
It has been said that banking institutions are the heart of the commercial body indicating the healthfulness of trade. It is a well known fact that a safe, reliable and conservative banking institution does more to establish public confidence in times of widespread financial panic than any other single agency. The course followed in the State Bank of Allison has ever been one which commends itself to the public and as its guiding spirit, William F. Ray has made a splendid record. In other business connections, too, he is widely and favorably known and his labors have been an important event in promoting the material progress and substantial upbuilding of Butler county. He was born at Shell Rock, February 9, 1869, a son of John W. and Emma R. (Bartholemew) Ray. The father's birth occurred in Mahoning county, Ohio, in April, 1840, and when he was three years of age he was taken by his widowed mother to Cedar Falls, Iowa, the husband and father having died during the infancy of his son, John W. The latter spent his school days in Cedar Falls and in carly manhood engaged in the milling business as an employe, but with the outbreak of the Civil war he put aside all business and personal considerations and enlisted in 1861 as a member of Com- pany B, Thirty-first Iowa Infantry. This company was organ- ized at Cedar Falls and he remained in the service for four years, veteranizing on the expiration of a three years' term. When hos- tilities had ceased he was honorably discharged and returned to his home with a most creditable military record. He continued a resident of Cedar Falls until the spring of 1867, when he removed to Shell Rock where he engaged in the milling business until 1879, owning and operating both mills during that period. He was then elected to the office of county treasurer and resided at Butler Cen- ter, then the county seat, for a year. In 1880 the county seat was removed to Allison and he continued his official duties at that point, remaining in the office of county treasurer for two terms and retiring from the position as he had entered it-with the con- fidence and good-will of all.
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He entered the banking business in Allison in 1882, continu- ing to conduct a private and state bank until his death which occurred September 7, 1907, at the age of sixty-seven years. His business record was as creditable as was his official service, over which there fell no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. In poli- tics he wa's a republican and was always interested in matters of progressive citizenship. He served for a number of years on the board of education and the public schools found in him a stalwart friend. He was also an exemplary Mason and attained the Knights Templar degree in Cedar Falls Commandery. Allison and Butler county mourned the loss of one of its prominent, valued and honored citizens when he was called to the home beyond. His widow still resides in Allison. Their family num- bered four children: William F .; Cora R., who is the widow of Horace A. Foote, who now resides in Allison; Frank J., cashier of the State Bank of Allison ; and Lulu R., the wife of C. G. Burling, of Clarksville.
William F. Ray has been a life long resident of this county and here and in Hampton, Iowa, acquired his public-school edu- cation supplemented by a course in the Bayless Business College at Dubuque, Iowa. He entered his father's bank as an employe and later was engaged in the lumber business for a year. In part- nership with G. M. Craig, in 1887, he organized the abstract busi- ness of Craig & Ray and the partnership relation was maintained until 1902, when they incorporated the business under the style of The Craig-Ray Abstract Company. Mr. Ray continued as vice president until 1910, when he sold out. About 1898 his father had admitted him and his brother, F. J. Ray, as partners in the banking business under the style of J. W. Ray & Sons. This was the first bank of Allison. They continued as partners until 1902, when the bank was incorporated under the state banking laws as the State Bank of Allison. William F. Ray remained as vice president until his father's death when he succeeded to the presi- dency. He has also been president of the Citizen's State Bank at Bristow, Iowa, since his father's death and has been interested in that bank since 1897 as a stockholder. He is likewise a director of the Butler County State Bank at Clarksville and in 1912 he and his brother erected the new Allison hotel. In addition to his realty holdings in the city, he has one thousand acres of farm land in this county. He is one of the most substantial citizens of this section of the state and while wisely and successfully promoting
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his individual interests, he also conducts his affairs in such a manner that public prosperity is enhanced.
Mr. Ray has been twice married. In 1895 he wedded Laura Youngblood, a native of Indiana, who died in November, 1908, leaving three children: Roberta M., Lucile and Bernice. In 1909 Mr. Ray wedded Olive H. Timmons, a native of Dubuque county, who was then a widow with one child, Matilda Jane, who has now taken her stepfather's name. Mr. Ray has always been interested in the upbuilding of the town and the surrounding coun- try. He erected two beautiful homes in Allison and has done much to improve the city along substantial lines. The bank of which he is president owns its own building, which is a substantial structure equipped with modern conveniences and every accessory to safeguard the interests of the depositors.
In politics Mr. Ray is a republican. In 1895 he was elected mayor of the city and something of the character of his official career is indicated in the fact that he was reelected for four suc- cessive terms thereafter. For five years he served as a member of the school board and he was on the building committee when in 1912, a new school house was erected at a cost of twenty thou- sand dollars. In 1908 he was made presidential elector from the third congressional district of Iowa. While managing extensive and important business interests, he never neglects duties of citi- zenship and has made a most creditable and honorable record in all of life's relations.
A. W. JOHNSON.
A. W. Johnson, widely known as a capable, prominent and successful contractor and builder of Allison, has made his home in this county since 1883 and for twenty-eight years has lived in the county seat. He was born in Monroe, Ogle county, Illinois, November 20, 1860, and is a son of John and Grace (Hagemeyer) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Ost Friesland, Hanover, Germany, where they were married. Two children were born unto them ere they came to the new world. They settled in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1873 and Mr. Johnson there spent his remaining days, his death occurring upon the home farm in 1880. Two years later the mother came to Iowa to live with her children and passed away in 1890. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born five
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sons and a daughter: Herman, who is living on the old home- stead in West Point township; Mrs. Jennie Roalf, deceased; A. W .; Frank, of Emmet county, Iowa; Henry, a resident of Minne- sota ; and John, also of Emmet county. All of the sons are pros- perous farmers with the exception of A. W. Johnson, who has devoted the greater part of his life to building pursuits.
He was twenty-one years of age at the time of his father's death and in 1883, when twenty-three years of age, came to But- ler county. He was reared upon the farm and when he started out in life on his own account it was as an agriculturist, but he had learned the carpenter's trade when a boy and for the past twenty-eight years has followed that pursuit with the exception of the time which he devoted to political office. He is now widely known as a contractor and builder and something of the volume of his business and of his success is indicated in the fact that he employs from eight to fourteen men. His work has stamped him as a master in his chosen field. He conducts a general con- tracting and building business, furnishes plans and specifications, superintends construction, and during the long period of his resi- dence in Allison has erected some of the finest homes in the city and county. He has also built a number of business blocks and public buildings and his work always gives satisfaction because of the thoroughness with which it is done, the excellence of the ma- terials used and the honesty of his business methods.
Mr. Johnson has been married three times. In 1884 he wedded Miss Anna Pals, a native of Illinois and of Holland parentage. She died in 1888, leaving a daughter, Grace, who is now the wife of Clint Miller, of Minnesota. In 1894 he married Miss Carrie Woodward, a native of Butler county. She died in 1897, leaving a daughter, Pearl, who resides at Greene, Butler county. In 1902 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Clara Mead, a native of Butler county and a daughter of Henry C. and Julia Mead. The father and mother are now deceased, the mother passing away in August, 1913. One child, Alberta, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson.
In politics Mr. Johnson is an earnest and stalwart republican and for a period of five years, from 1901 to 1906, he filled the office of sheriff of his county. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows and is loyal to the beneficent spirit and high purposes of those organizations. He has always led a busy and useful life and has just completed
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the new German Lutheran church at Allison. Most of the best buildings in Allison and this section of the county stand as monu- ments to his skill and enterprise. His record as a man and citizen is commendable and the warm regard in which he is held indicates that his has been an upright life.
WILLIAM S. AUSTIN.
Probably no man is better known throughout Butler county as a successful stock dealer and breeder than William S. Austin, who operates the Oak Glen Stock Farm of five hundred and sixty acres on section 10, Madison township. He was born in Washington township, this county, October 15, 1877, and is a son of William Austin, a native of England, who came to America with his father, Henry Austin, in 1846. Henry Austin located with his family near Detroit, Michigan, and five years later moved to Wisconsin, locating in Grant county, where his son William grew to man- hood. In 1870 the latter moved to Iowa and located in Washing- ton township, Butler county, where he purchased a tract of raw land, breaking the soil and opening up a new farm. He there married Miss Charlotte Smith, who passed away in Washington township. William Austin, Sr., became a well known farmer and stock breeder and accumulated extensive landed holdings in Madison and Washington townships. After his wife's death he continued on the farm until 1909 and then moved to Cedar Falls and later to Aplington, where he now resides.
William S. Austin, one of a family of five children, of whom two are still living, was reared in Washington township, supple- menting a public-school education by two years at Ellsworth Col- lege and attendance at the State Normal School at Cedar Falls. Following the completion of his studies he engaged in teaching for two terms in Butler county and after his marriage, which occurred in 1903, he took possession of the Oak Glen Stock Farm, upon which he has since resided. Upon it he has made excellent improvements, erecting a good residence and substantial barns and outbuildings, including a one hundred and twenty ton silo, which was erected in 1911. He has fenced and cross fenced his fields with seven miles of woven wire fencing and has neglected nothing which would add to the appearance or value of his place. Mr. Austin is a well known stock breeder, dealing principally in
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WILLIAM S. AUSTIN
MRS. WILLIAM S. AUSTIN
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Aberdeen Angus cattle, Poland China hogs and Angora goats. He has a fine herd of eighty head of cattle with a pure-blooded inale, Ex. 111595, of the Trojan Erica family, at the head. Mr. Austin has sold and shipped many pure-blooded animals to other states and does an extensive business, being considered an expert judge of stock values and one of the leading breeders in the state. He makes an annual public sale of Poland China hogs and deals also to some extent in Angora goats and Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. He is one of the promoters of the Butler County Tele- phone Company and served as president of this association for several years.
On the 22d of March, 1903, in Humboldt county, Mr. Austin was united in marriage to Miss Florence Rigby, who was born and reared in Cedar county, Iowa, and educated at the Mechanics- ville high school and the State Normal School, later engaging in teaching in South English and Livermore, Iowa. She was assist- ant principal at the latter place. Mr. and Mrs. Austin are the parents of four children: S. Ralph, Lewis H., Edwin G., and Charlotte M. The parents are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Dumont, and Mr. Austin is one of the official board. He has been connected with educational interests of this locality for a number of years, taking an active and prominent part in the advancement of the public-school system. He is a practical and successful farmer and a conservative and able busi- ness man, and he has the esteem and confidence of the entire community.
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