USA > Iowa > Carroll County > History of Carroll County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume II > Part 17
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California; Emma A. and Edwin C., twins, the former of whom is the wife of Lysander Robinson of North Ansen, Maine, and the latter is de- ceased. Jesse Russell, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was the head of a family of seven sons and three daughters, namely: William, Eastman, Josiah, Charles, Augustus, Alden, Jesse, Sarah, Frances and James. The maternal grandfather, Daniel T. Hilton, was a native of New Hampshire, and a very wealthy man, being owner of land covering two townships. His wife, whose maiden name was Phoebe Hilton, was of English descent. He passed away at the age of sixty-two years, but his wife lived until she was about eighty. Of their children the names of the following are known : Elbridge, Joseph, Hannah, Jane, Alice and Mahala.
George E. Russell was reared on his father's farm near Cornville, and educated in the district schools and at Athens Academy. In 1863, being then twenty years of age, he came west to Cairo, Illinois, and worked in saw mills, getting out lumber for the Union army. In 1864 he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and became manager of the Minneapolis cor- poration, having authority from the city to act as marshal and to make arrests. From Minneapolis he returned to his native state and was mar- ried, after which he started west with his bride and stopped in Logan county, Illinois, where he rented land and engaged in farming and stock- raising for six years. In 1874 he arrived in Carroll county, Iowa, and purchased two hundred and forty acres north of Arcadia. He cultivated this farm for fourteen years and then disposed of it and for two years engaged in the dry-goods business with John F. Grote at West Side. Craw- ford county. After giving up this business he purchased two hundred and forty acres in Carroll, now Maple River township, Carroll county, and later acquired three hundred and twenty acres in Crawford county, north- west of Denison, one hundred and sixty acres in Holt county, Nebraska, and two hundred and eighty acres in Wagner county, Oklahoma, becoming known as one of the most prosperous farmers in this county. In 1903 he removed to Carroll, and has since resided in one of the attractive homes of this city.
On the 15th day of January, 1867, Mr. Russell was united in marriage in Maine to Miss Abbie A. Judkins, who was born at Athens, Maine, May 24, 1846, daughter of John S. and Sarah C. (Butler) Judkins. To this union three children were born, two of whom died in infancy. Charles Melville, the surviving son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell, is a farmer and breeder of Polled Angus cattle. He lives in Carroll township, a mile and one-half north of the city, and has become very successful in his business. He married Lillie M. Fowler, and to this union two children have been born-Byron A., and Grace.
The parents of Mrs. George E. Russell were natives of Maine, the mother having been born at Cornville and the father in Palmyra. He was a farmer and merchant and he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist church. There were ten children in their family, five sons and five daughters, namely : Henry, William, LeRoy. Sylvanus, Mar- tin Van Buren, Sarah, Isabella and Arabella, twins, Hannah and Abbie.
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The five sons were all soldiers of the Civil war and each of them served for more than three years. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Russell was Ebenezer Judkins. He was a native of Palmyra, Maine, and was by trade a carpenter. His wife was Betsy Shaw, and there were ten children in their family-Benjamin, John, Samuel, Ebenezer, Pluma, Betsy, Harriet, Sophia, Clifford and Sarah. The maternal grandfather was Benjamin Butler, a cousin of General Benjamin Butler of the Civil war and a de- scendant of General Henry Butler of the Revolutionary war. His wife was Hannah Hilton, a cousin of Mr. Russell's grandfather Hilton. Of their family the following may be named : Sarah, Isabella, Mary, Abigail, Hannah, Elizabeth, Joanna, Joseph, Henry and Benjamin Franklin, the latter of whom was known as Frank. Edward Hilton, who was an an- cestor of both Mr. and Mrs. Russell, came from London, England, in 1623, and was the first magistrate of Massachusetts in 1641. His son Edward married Ann Dudley, granddaughter of Thomas Dudley, second governor of Massachusetts colony. The mother of Ann Dudley was Mary Win- throp, daughter of John Winthrop, first governor of Massachusetts.
Mr. Russell throughout his life has shown traits of energy, persistence and cool judgment so necessary in the accomplishment of important under- takings, and has at all times aimed to be just and fair in his dealings with others. As an intelligent and respected citizen he occupies an enviable position in the community. He and his wife are valued members of the Presbyterian church. Politically, he is identified with the republican party, and although he has not sought office he has served as county super- visor. Fraternally he is connected with Signet Lodge, No. 264, 'A. F. & A. M., and Copestone Chapter, No. 78, R. A. M., both of Carroll. Mrs. Russell is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and also is matron of Signet Chapter, No. I, Order of Eastern Star. She has been president of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Presbyterian church a number of years.
HENRY SIEVE.
Germany has furnished a valuable class of citizens to the new world, a large portion of whom have found their way to Iowa. They have brought with them from the old country the sturdy characteristics of their nationality and in the great majority of cases have attained success in the management of varied business affairs. Among those who have directed their efforts along agricultural lines is Henry Sieve, one of the prosperous and progressive farmers of Carroll county. Born in Oldenburg. Germany, on the 20th of February, 1867, he is a son of Joseph and Mary (Theman) Sieve, also natives of the fatherland, where they still make their home. In their family are nine children, as follows: 'August, of Noble county, Minnesota; Henry, of this review; George. Clemens and Gottfried, also
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residing in Noble county, Minnesota; Garrett, Ross and Frank, who live in Germany, and Mary.
In the common schools of the fatherland Henry Sieve acquired his edu- cation and when only seventeen years of age came to the United States, determined to take advantage of the opportunities offered in the new world to ambitious and enterprising youth. He first located in Minne- sota, but that remained his home for only one year, after which he made his way to Carroll county, Iowa, and here took up the occupation of farm- ing. He purchased a tract of land about three miles north of Arcadia, in Arcadia township, and here he resides, concentrating his entire atten- tion upon its further cultivation and development. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he has placed many im- provements, introducing all of the accessories and equipment for the success- ful conduct of a farming enterprise. Since coming into his possession he has reaped bountiful harvests from the fields, which, from year to year, have enabled him to place himself in prosperous circumstances. He farms by modern principles and his land is as well kept and productive as any in the township.
In 1890, when but twenty-three years of age, Mr. Sieve was married to Miss Catherine Neihaus, and unto this union have been born the fol- lowing children: Joseph, Herman, George, Louisa, Paulina, Clemens and Cecelia, all at home. The parents hold membership in the Catholic church and Mr. Sieve gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. His life has been quietly spent for he has never desired to figure prominently in the public life of the community, although he has ever made the interests of his adopted country his own. He has never regretted his decision to seek a home in the new world, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has met with gratifying success.
HENRY MEYERS.
A native son of Iowa and one of its successful business men and farmers, Henry Meyers is now living retired at Carroll in the enjoy- ment of a handsome competence which he acquired by many years of in- dustry. He was born in Dubuque county, Iowa, February 28, 1849, a son of Christopher and Mary (Eslinger) Meyers, both born in Westphalia, Germany. The father was reared in the old country and after arriving at manhood came to America and worked in the coal mines of Pennsyl- vania. He was married in the Keystone state and subsequently settled in Dubuque county, Iowa, where he purchased two hundred acres of govern- ment land. He was a good farmer and by his well applied labor largely increased the value of his property. He passed away about thirty years ago, at the age of sixty-five, and Mrs. Meyers died a number of years later, being also about sixty-five years of age. The father was a con-
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sistent member of the Lutheran church, while the mother was a Catholic. There were fourteen children in their family, nine sons and five daughters, eight of whom are now living, namely: Henry, of this review; John and Christ, twins, both living in Carroll county ; Albert, who lives on the family homestead; Peter and Benjamin, both of Dubuque county; Catharine, the wife of Peter Clemens, of Dubuque county ; and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Ber- nard Jordan, also of Dubuque county. The paternal grandfather passed his entire life in Germany and was twice married. The maternal grand- father came to America and was one of the pioneers of Dubuque county, lowa. He had one son and several daughters.
Henry Meyers was reared on his father's farm and attended the dis- trict schools. He continued at home until he had reached the age of manhood and his father then gave him one hundred acres of land in Chick- asaw county, Iowa. After improving the land he sold it and in 1876 came to Carroll county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in Roselle township. He was very successful as an agriculturist and stock-raiser and added one hundred and sixty acres to his farm, also acquiring eighty acres in Eden township, all of which he brought to a high state of culti- vation. In 1906 he removed to Carroll, having purchased a handsome residence, and has since lived retired in that city. He has disposed of all his land except one hundred and sixty acres.
On the 26th of February, 1871, Mr. Meyers was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Rosauer, who was born in Cologne, Germany, October 2, 1850, a daughter of Joseph and Nellie (Demmer) Rosauer. Ten children came to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Meyers, three of whom died in infancy. Joseph. the eldest. is a graduate of the State Agricultural College at Ames and of the law department of the State University at Iowa City. He was admitted to the bar and practiced in Carroll several years, then moving to Spokane. Washington, and later taking up his residence in Texas. He married Celia Wolfe, of Carroll, and they have one daughter, Rita. Frank, the second in order of birth, is a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Chicago and is a successful practicing physi- cian of Dubuque, lowa. Louis passed away at the age of eighteen years. Harry graduated from the Carroll high school and the Denver Dental College and is now practicing dentistry in the city of Denver, Colorado. Caroline married Joseph Arts, vice president of the German-American Bank of Carroll and they have three children, Baldwin, Bernardette and Louisa. Adelaide became the wife of Maurice Wolfe, of Carroll, and they now reside in Jerome, Idaho, and have two daughters, Helen and Maxine. Olive lives at home and is a school-teacher of Carroll county.
The parents of Mrs. Meyers were born in Cologne, Germany, and in 1853 came to America and spent the first two years in New Orleans. Louisiana. They then moved to Mendota, Illinois, where they lived until 1864, when they took up their residence in Floyd county, Iowa. Mr. Rosauer passed away at the home of his son at Danbury, Iowa, in June, 19II. aged eighty-nine. His wife died in 1888, having arrived at the age of sixty-four. Seven of their children grew to maturity, namely: Kate,
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Mary and Carrie, all of whom are deceased; Nellie, now Mrs. Henry Meyers; Lizzie, who lives near Coon Rapids, Iowa; and Peter and Joseph, both of whom live at Danbury, Iowa. Henry Rosauer, the paternal grand- father, married Nellie Kiper in Germany, came to this country and estab- lished their home in Floyd county, Iowa. He died at the age of sixty- three, while the wife passed away in her eighty-ninth year. They had two sons, Joseph and Henry. Peter Demmer, the grandfather on the maternal side, married Christina Demmer and they had two daughters, Nellie and Mary.
Politically Mr. Meyers is in hearty accord with the democratic party whose principles appeal to him as being essential to the preservation of the republic. He is a genuine friend of education, as is shown by the rare advantages possessed by his children, and he served very acceptably as a member of the school board. In religious belief he and his wife adhere to the Catholic church and are earnest followers of its teachings. In busi- ness affairs Mr. Meyers has always been governed by upright principles and is greatly esteemed as an intelligent and progressive citizen of the commonwealth.
ALEXANDER TUEL.
Alexander Tuel, who passed away on his farm on section 20, Union township, on the 8th of December, 1908, was successfully identified with general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. His birth occurred in Monroe county, Ohio, on the 23d of December, 1847, his parents being William and Margaret (Knight) Tuel, both of whom were natives of West Virginia. The father was born on the 26th of September, 1824, while the mother's natal day was February 14, 1828. They were early settlers of Ohio and came to Lee county, Iowa, about 1861, while the year 1865 witnessed their arrival in Carroll county. They took up their abode in Union township and William Tuel here followed farming until called to his final rest on the 27th of December, 1902, when seventy-eight years of age. His widow still survives him and resides with her son Will- iam at Coon Rapids. Mr. and Mrs. William Tuel had a family of thirteen children, namely : Alexander, of this review; Malissa and Eli, both of whom are deceased; Ezekiel; Mary E .; Almira, who has passed away ; Brookens ; Andrew, likewise deceased; Luther; Viola; Richard; Margaret, who has passed away ; and William Henry.
Alexander Tuel lived in Ohio until about fourteen years of age and grew to manhood in Lee and Carroll counties of Iowa. He obtained his education in the district schools and after putting aside his text-books turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, in which he was ac- tively engaged throughout his entire business career. In the work of the fields he met with success, annually gathering bounteous crops which found a ready sale on the market.
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Mr. Tuel was twice married, his first wife bearing the maiden name of Mattie C. Bagley. On the 23d of September, 1877, he wedded Miss Almira Chevalier, who was born in Mahaska county, Iowa, on the 4th of August, 1858, her parents being John F. and Elizabeth (Hetzer) Chevalier, natives of Meigs county, Ohio. They became early settlers of Mahaska county, Iowa, and subsequently removed to Colfax, Washington. John F. Cheva- lier, who has now attained the age of eighty years, still resides at Mount Hope, Washington, where his wife passed away in November, 1910, when seventy-six years old. They were the parents of twelve children, as fol- lows : Cyrinthia ; Mrs. Almira Tuel; Philena and Philura, twins; Elizabeth ; Arizona; John Franklin; Vernile; Martha Belle; Homer ; and Minnie and Seldon, who are deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tuel were born thirteen children, as follows: Leonard, who wedded Miss Muzetta House and has two children, Reginald Clayton and Howard Arnold; Geneva, who died when about nine years of age; Oscar, who married Miss Ethel Bell, by whom he has one child, Hildah; Anna, who died when but six years old ; Ottie, who died at the age of four; Eugene, who married Miss Elsie Knight and has three children-Kenneth, Velma and Beulah; Ina May, who gave her hand in marriage to Earl Johnson, by whom she has two children, Gerald and Clara; Nellie Fay, who is the wife of Albert Car- penter ; and Reece, Edna Opal and Venus, all at home; Hildah Ethel, who died in childhood; and Charles, also at home.
Mr. Tuel gave his political allegiance to the democracy for many years but subsequently became a republican. He was a stanch friend of the cause of education and served as school director for a number of years. Fraternally he was identified with the Masons, belonging to Charity Lodge, A. F. & A. M. His demise, which occurred on the Sth of December, 1908, when he had attained the age of sixty-one years, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had won an extensive circle of friends through- out the community. His widow is also widely and favorably known here, her many excellent traits of heart and mind having endeared her to all with whom she has come in contact.
JOHN WALDRON.
A native son of the Buckeye state but since his early manhood a resi- dent of Iowa, John Waldron, of Glidden, clearly deserves a place in a work presenting a record of prominent citizens of Carroll county. He was born on a farm in Ohio, November 7, 1833, a son of Isaac and Saralı (Ander- son) Waldron, the former of whom was born in New Jersey and the latter in Ohio. They had seven children: Harriet, who married Samuel P. Bordus and is now deceased; Clara, who became the wife of John Rosen- crans and is also deceased; Emeline, who is the wife of A. J. Loudenback, of Glidden; Josiah, who is deceased; John, the subject of this review; Elizabeth, who became the wife of William R. Short, of Mansfield, Mis-
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souri; and Albert, who died in his boyhood in Cass county, Michigan. The father resided with his family for a time in Michigan but in the fall of 1855 came to Greene county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming. His first wife, the mother of our subject, died in 1845, being then upwards of forty years of age. She was a consistent member of the Methodist church. The second wife of Mr. Waldron was Eliza Mott and they had several children. He died at Glidden after reaching the age of seventy- five. The grandfather of our subject on the paternal side was Francis Waldron, who was also a farmer. The names of three of his children are known-Garret, John and Isaac.
John Waldron, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was taken by his parents to Cass county, Michigan, when he was three years of age and continued in that state until he arrived at his majority. In 1855 he came to Greene county, Iowa, and assisted his father in opening up the farm. Not desiring to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits, he learned the jeweler's trade and gunsmithing. Over forty years ago he settled at Glidden and engaged in the jewelry business, in which he con- tinued for many years, being obliged to retire from active work on ac- count of losing his eyesight in 1892. For a quarter of a century he was known as the "Glidden Jeweler" and was one of the most popular jewelry men in this part of the state. He has lived retired for seventeen years except for three years and eight months, during which time he ran the tele- phone system in Glidden.
On the 4th of November, 1857, Mr. Waldron was married to Miss Cecelia Chambers, a daughter of Herman and Harriet (Elmer) Chambers. and to this union nine children were born, five of whom survive, namely : Alvah E .; Sherman T .; Delos E., who lives at Glidden; Josiah E., of Des Moines; and Ida May, who is the wife of F. P. Briggs, of Glidden town- ship. Mrs. Waldron was born in the town of Dix, Chemung county, New York, August 15, 1838. She removed with her parents at eleven years of age to Kane county, Illinois, where the family spent several years. In the fall of 1854 they came to Greene county, Iowa, and afterward to Carroll county, finally locating at Glidden. The father died in his eighty-ninth year and the mother lived to the age of ninety years, six months and fif- teen days. Mr. Chambers was a printer by trade and also engaged as a carpenter and joiner. He was a great lover of books and throughout his life was a constant reader and student.
Politically Mr. Waldron is a republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln as president of the United States. He was for many years prominent in local affairs and served as mayor of Glidden and for two years as member of the city council. He and his wife are sincere be- lievers in the Christian religion and are members of the Presbyterian church. Although he has been sorely tried in the school of affliction, his faith in a divine providence has remained unshaken. He remembers the time when the deer and elk roamed at large in Greene county and the country teemed with game of all kinds. He was a violinist and played for country dances, being one of the musicians at the time of the first public
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celebration at Jefferson, lowa. For more than fifty-six years a resident of Iowa, he is recognized as one of the pioneers who assisted so nobly in redeeming the wilderness and making the state a safe and pleasing abode for tens of thousands who have here found homes and friends.
JAMES EDWARD DAVIDSON.
James Edward Davidson, an agriculturist residing on section 27, Union township, was born in Windham county, Vermont, on the 14th of April, 1853. His parents, Lewis and Fanny (Monroe) Davidson, were both na- tives of Vermont. The paternal grandfather was likewise born in the Green Mountain state, where both hie and his wife passed away. They had two children, George and Lewis. The latter learned the carpenter's trade and became an early settler of Du Page county, Illinois, where his demise occurred when he had attained the age of sixty-three years. His wife, who survived him for a number of years, passed away in Pierce county, Nebraska, at the age of seventy-three. Unto them were born five sons and five daughters, as follows : Aurelius ; Martha ; Riley ; Lorette, who gave her hand in mariage to Henry King; Henrietta; Elizabeth ; Welcome; James Edward, of this review; Eldora, the wife of Eli Smith, of Norfolk, Nebraska; and Henry, living in Plainview, Nebraska.
James E. Davidson was reared to manhood on a farm in Windham county, Vermont, and attended the district schools in the acquirement of an education. 'After attaining his majority he left the parental roof and started out in life on his own account, securing employment by the month as a farm hand. In 1875 he removed westward to Illinois and for three years thereafter was employed as a traveling salesman in Du Page county. Subsequently he came to Iowa and followed farming in Benton county for three years. On the expiration of that period he came to Carroll county and purchased and located on a tract of eighty acres of raw prairie land north of Glidden, turning his attention to the development and improve- ment of the property. 'After disposing of the place he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres six miles south of Glidden, which is still in his possession, as is also another quarter section of land which he later purchased. In the spring of 1910 he rented the farms and bought his present home place just north of the corporate limits of Coon Rapids, where he owns a ten-acre tract of land.
Mr. Davidson has been married twice. On the 10th of May, 1877, he wedded Miss Cora Thorne, a native of Benton county, Iowa, and a daugh- ter of Leander and Elizabeth (Thorne) Thorne, who were born in Maine and became early settlers of Benton county, this state. By that union there were three children, namely: William, who died as the result of an acci- dent when a lad of eight years; Irvin, an agriculturist of Richland town- ship, who married Lola Wier and has three children-Gertrude, Harold and Ethel; and Lilly, living in Richland township, who is the wife of
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Thomas Elliott and has one child, Laura. Mrs. Cora Davidson passed away in June, 1891, and on the 6th of February, 1894, Mr. Davidson was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Liona Lovell, whose birth occurred in Union township, Carroll county, Iowa, on the 4th of March, 1864. She was the widow of Washington Lovell and a daughter of Squire Armstrong and Catharine A. (Morris) Davis, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work. By his second wife Mr. Davidson has one son, Charles.
In politics .Mr. Davidson is a republican, loyally supoprting the men and measures of that party. In religious belief both he and his wife are Friends. They are worthy representatives of that class of citizens who lead quiet, industrious, honest and useful lives and constitute the best por- tion of a community.
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