USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
Upon leaving the military ranks he returned to Genesco, Illinois, where he started in the drug business for himself, conducting the enterprise until the year 1866, when he went to Ottawa. La Salle county, Illinois, as bookkeeper for a glass manufacturing concern then under the management of his father and, in this capacity, served for something over four years, when he repaired to Colo- rado, locating in Boulder county, and there engaged in general farming until the year 1875, during, which year he went to Chicago and entered the employ of the North-Western Railroad as clerk in the freight offices. There he remained until October of the year ISSo, when he went to Hardin county, Illinois, which was then known as New Providence, but now as Lawn Hill, and was station agent there until July 25. 1882, when he came to Peterson and was given charge of the company's interests here, where he has since resided, performing the duties of his office. Ile took charge of the station here shortly after the rail- road had extended its line to this place and about three weeks after he had taken hold of the affairs of the office the company began to extend the road to Suther- land, but still used Peterson as the terminal until the road had been completed as far as Paullina. Mr. Turner was the first station agent in this place and the building he first occupied in which to transact the affairs of his office was a box- car, which he occupied about four weeks, when the company erected a suitable building.
In 1866 Mr. Turner was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia Deem. a resi- dent of Geneseo, Illinois, and the couple have one child, Lullu, who resides with her parents. Mr. Turner's political views are with the republican party, to which he has been loyal since he cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln and, being a man who is thoroughly reliable and who has a marked degree of execu- tive ability, he has been chosen to fill a number of town offices, among which is
261
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
that of treasurer, in which responsible position he is now acting. He belongs to Peterson Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been treasurer for eleven terms ; the Knights of Pythias, American Order of United Workmen and the Brother- hood of American Yeomen. Mr. Turner has always been influentially associated with the business and financial affairs of this place and is a man whose high moral character and uprightness have always merited him the respect and confi- dence of his fellow citizens.
ALBERT C. PERINE.
Through successive stages of business development and progress Albert C. Perine has worked his way upward to a prominent place in commercial circles in Spencer, where he now conducts a lumber yard, having an extensive and grow- ing patronage. His life record began in Racine, Wisconsin, on the 18th of Sep- tember, 1850, his parents being William M. and Margaret S. (Welch) Perine, who were natives of the state of New York. The paternal grandfather was also born in the Empire state and both he and his wife lived to an advanced age and reared a large family. Their son, William M. Perine, removing westward at a very early day, settled in Racine, Wisconsin, and became treasurer and general freight agent for the Racine & Mississippi Railroad Company at that place. He continued to reside there until his life's labors were ended in death in 1864, when he was fifty-four years of age. His widow survived him for a long period and died in 1903 at the advanced age of eighty-three years. They were both Presby- terians in religious faith and were loyal in their devotion to the church. Their family numbered six children, of whom three died in infancy. Those still living are: Josiah W., who is now living in Chicago; Helen, the wife of H. H. Mun- ger, of the same city ; and Albert C.
The last named spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the city of his nativity and at the usual age was sent to the public schools, where he continued his studies through successive grades, eventually becoming a high school pupil. When seventeen years of age he left home and went to Chicago, where he was employed in the car works of the Wells & French Company, occupying a position in the office for ten years. In the meantime he carefully saved his earnings and in 1878 came to Spencer, where he invested his capital in a lumber yard. For thirty-one years he has now continued in this business, being one of the oldest as well as one of the most reliable lumber merchants of the county. He has a liberal patronage and in all of his dealings is strictly fair and reliable, his commercial probity standing as an unquestioned fact in his career. He is also known in financial circles as a director of the First National Bank of Spencer.
Mr. Perine was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Wood, a daughter of Henry B. Wood, and unto them have been born three daughters. Margaret, the eldest, is now the wife of Crowley E. Cole, a resident of Atlantic, Iowa, and they have one son, Edward Perine Cole. Mary, the second daughter, is a teacher in the public schools of Hartley, Iowa, while Helen, the youngest, is attending the Spencer high school.
262
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Mr. and Mrs. Perine hold membership in the Congregational church and he is a prominent Mason, belonging to Evening Shade Lodge, No. 312, A. F. & A. M .; Clay Chapter, No. 112, R. A. M .; Esdraelon Commandery, No. 52, K. T., and Za-Ga-Zig Temple of the nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Des Moines. He is an exemplary representative of the craft, being in hearty sympathy with its humanitarian purposes. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party and he has served as school director and as a member of the city council for several terms, discharging his duties in that position in a manner to further the welfare and progress of the city. He is widely known in Spencer and his substantial characteristics have gained him the warm regard and unquali- fied trust of his fellow townsmen.
CHARLES M. PINNEO.
Charles M. Pinneo, a well known resident of Spencer, is numbered among those who have contributed to the upbuilding of the great west and his experiences have been of a varied and interesting character. He has always resided on this side of the Mississippi and in various localities has proved his worth as a loyal and progressive citizen.
A native of Missouri, he was born in Stewartsville, De Kalb county, on the 2Ist of August, 1857, and is a son of William W. and Eunice (Eaton) Pinneo, both of whom were natives of Nova Scotia. The father was a merchant, who, when a young man, crossed the border into the United States and after living for a time in Stewartsville, Missouri, removed to Paola, Kansas, where he engaged in merchandising from a period just prior to the Civil war until his death, which occurred when he was forty-six years of age. His widow long survived him and died in 1897 at the age of sixty-five years. Both were consistent members of the Methodist church and, in every community in which they resided, enjoyed the warm regard and respect of those who knew them. They were the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely: Anna, the wife of Dolph Edwards, of Chicago; Minnie, the wife of William Wharton, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : William, a resident of Chicago; Edward W., who makes his home in Colorado : Charles M., of this review : Frank, who is deceased ; and May, the wife of David Smythe, of Rooks county, Kansas.
In taking up the personal history of Charles M. Pinneo we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in this county. He resided in Paola, Kansas, between the ages of two and seventeen years, and there acquired his education in attending the public schools. In 1873 he came to Spencer and has followed various pursuits during his residence in this county, covering a period of thirty-six years. During this time the county has been converted from a pioneer district into one of the thriving and growing districts of this great commonwealth. In the early days there was no railroad and he drove stage to Storm Lake, Sibley and Spirit Lake for seven or eight years. He also had the first express wagon in Spencer and at another time he worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company for a brief period. During
263
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the past fifteen years he has been engaged in auctioneering and has done a good business in this regard, being a popular crier of sales. In November, 1906, he was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of county sheriff and entered upon the duties of the position in 1907, completing his term of service in Decem- ber, 1908. He was fearless and impartial in discharging the duties of the office and has thus won the approval and support of all law-abiding citizens.
In 1882 Mr. Pinneo was united in marriage to Miss Emma Wolf, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Wolf. There was but one child born of that marriage. Minnie, who is now the wife of Paul Miller and a resident of Badger, Iowa. They have two children, Vernon and Donald. Mrs. Emma Pinneo died in 1887 at the age of twenty-nine years and her death was deeply regretted by many friends, who esteemed her for her genuine personal worth. In 1889 Mr. Pinneo was again married, his second union being with Miss Nettie McCaulley, a daugh- ter of Isaac McCaulley. She was born in Rock Grove, Illinois, and by this mar- riage has become the mother of three children, Harry, Carroll and Audrey.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Pinneo hold membership in the Friends church and are earnest Christian people, closely following the teachings of their denomination. Mr. Pinneo belongs to Spencer Lodge, No. 247, I. O. O. F., and his wife is con- nected with the Rebekahs-the auxiliary degree of that order. Mr. Pinneo is likewise a member of the Maccabees and his political allegiance has always been given to the democratic party. Something of his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen is indicated in the fact that he was the only democratic county officer during his incumbency and in securing his election overcame a normal republican majority of seventeen hundred. He is genial and courteous in manner, wins friends wherever he goes and receives and merits the trust and good will of his associates.
MALAKIAS WAHLSTROM.
Malakias Wahlstrom, one of Sweden's industrious sons who settled in this country with little more than his health and strength, was born January 9, 1855, a son of Andrew and Anna Wahlstrom, his father and mother both having been natives of Sweden, where they resided on a farm until their death. In their fam- ily were four children, namely: Christina, who resides in her native land ; Mala- kias, our subject; Charlie, who is an agriculturist of Lincoln township, this county ; and Matilda, who resides in Spencer, Iowa.
Malakias Wahlstrom was reared on his father's farm in Sweden, where he learned the various phases of this occupation. and in the village schools he acquired his education, remaining on the home farm until 1880, when he came to the United States and located in Lincoln township. Clay county, Iowa. Shortly after his arrival he bought a tract of land, and meeting with splendid success in its cultivation, was soon able to increase his holdings to two hundred and forty acres, his land being located on sections 18 and 20. The land is now highly improved, Mr. Wahlstrom having himself built all the buildings and fences upon it, including a fine residence, barns and outbuildings, and the attention which he
264
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
bas given his property has made his farm one of the finest in the township. He engages in general agricultural pursuits, raising hay and the various kinds of grain, and also pays some attention to stock breeding, and the shipping of cattle, sheep and hogs.
In the year 1880 he was united in marriage to Miss Lottie Goothblad. a native of Sweden, who came to this country during that year. Mr. and Mrs. Wahlstrom have been blessed with the following children: Ellen Amelia, who became the wife of Albert Barglof, an agriculturist of Greenville, Iowa; Carl Harry, who wedded Hilma Johnson, and is a farmer of this township: Alfred Rudolph, who wedded Esther Johnson, and also resides in Lincoln township; Anna Matilda, wife of Peter Mathison, who is engaged in blacksmithing in Moneta, Iowa; and Ernest Gerald: Gustave Edwin; Walter Edward; Edith Elizabeth ; Olga Sylvia; and Julia Victoria, all at home. In politics Mr. Wahl- strom is a republican and while he is not an active politician he takes considerable interest in public affairs. As to his religious faith, he is a Lutheran and with his wife attends divine services at the Swedish Lutheran church in Lincoln township. He is one of the most enterprising men in the vicinity, always ready and willing to do what he can for the general improvement of the township, and is held in high respect as a congenial and progressive neighbor.
F. J. COLEMAN, M. D.
A history of the medical fraternity of Clay county would be incomplete and unsatisfactory were there failure to make prominent reference to Dr. F. J. Coleman, who is engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Everly. Throughout the years of his connection with the profession he has made steady progress through his reading and research and has proven his knowledge and capability in the excellent results which have attended his labors. He came to Everly in 1897 and has since devoted his attention to the conscientious performance of the duties that devolve upon him in his professional capacity. A native of Illinois, his birth occurred in La Salle county, January 1, 1868, and he resided there until twelve years of age, when in 1880 he became a resident of Nebraska. His education, which was begun in Illinois, was continued in Nebraska, and later he completed the work of the junior year in the college at Vermillion, South Dakota. Determining upon the practice of medicine and surgery as his life work, he then began reading toward that end and completed his studies in Sioux City in 1897. The same year he came to Everly, where he practiced for a year and then in order to still further perfect himself in the line of his chosen calling he made his way to Buffalo, New York, where he pursued a course in the medical department of the university in that city, and was graduated with the class of 1899. Returning to Everly well equipped for the onerous duties of the profession, he has since built up an extensive business here. The consensus of public opinion regarding his professional skill is altogether favorable for it is well known that he is most careful in the diagnosis of a case and never neglects anything that he believes will prove of
F. J. COLEMAN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LF NOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONE
267
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
value in checking the ravages of disease and promoting health. He keeps in touch with the advanced thought of the profession through his membership in the County, State and National Medical Societies, and his ability is widely recognized in the profession.
His office is well equipped with all modern apparatus, including the latest improved surgical instruments, and he has performed critical operations most successfully.
Dr. Coleman was married in Everly, in June, 1901, to Miss Mary Tyndall, of Spencer, who was born in Illinois but was reared in the county seat of Clay county, her education being largely acquired in the schools of Spencer. There is one child of this marriage, a son, Francis Tyndall Coleman. Dr. Coleman is a member of Everly Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Spencer Chapter, R. A. M. He has filled all of the offices in the former and is now a past Master, while both he and his wife are connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. Dr. Coleman also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Everly and to the Elks' lodge at Estherville. He is a gentleman of genial manner and hopeful spirit and his presence is like a ray of sunshine in the sick room where an air of hopefulness and encouragement constitute a valuable factor for health. He has made an excellent professional record, as is indicated by the lucrative practice now accorded him, and is, moreover, known as a progressive and public-spirited citizen.
CALVIN CAUVEL.
Calvin Cauvel, carrying on general farming, is one of the self-made men of Clay county who through his own labors has reached a creditable financial posi- tion, being now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable and pro- ductive farming land. He was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, September 13, 1832, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Malory) Cauvel. His father was also a native of the Keystone state and there spent his entire life, devoting his time and energies to farming. His father was a native of Germany and the founder of the family in the new world. The mother of our subject was prob- ably born in the state of New York but was married in Pennsylvania, where her remaining days were passed. In the family were twelve children: John, a carpenter and farmer living in Venango county, Pennsylvania ; Elizabeth, deceased; Calvin, of this review; Harriet, who is the widow of David Ketner and lives in Saegerstown, Pennsylvania; Russel, who makes his home in Titus- ville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania ; Wesley, Hamilton, Wilson, Louisa, Will- iam and Jonas, all now deceased; and one child who died in infancy.
To the public-school system of his native state Calvin Cauvel is indebted for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youthful days. He worked with his father on the farm and remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when in the hope of bettering his financial condition he started to Illinois and established his home in Stephenson county near Freeport. He learned the car- penter's trade in Pennsylvania, and followed building pursuits as well as farming
268
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
for eighteen years. On the expiration of that period he came to Clay county, Iowa, and here purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land. It was entirely destitute of improvements but with characteristic energy he began its development and there matured a well improved farm, on which is a good residence, together with substantial outbuildings and all the equipments of a model farm property. This model farm has lately been turned over to his son C. W. Both grain and stock are raised on this place. Mr. Cauvel has also worked to some extent at the carpenter's trade since coming to Iowa.
It was on the IIth of March, 1859, that Mr. Cauvel was married to Miss Elizabeth Bordner, of Illinois. Unto them were born eight children: Milton, now deceased ; Clara, the wife of Jacob Croskrey, a farmer at Gould, Minnesota ; Grant, at home ; Daniel Lincoln, deceased : Charles Wilson, at home : Adelaide, who has also passed away ; Mary, at home ; and Rella, the deceased wife of Wal- ter Biggs, of Hankinson, North Dakota. The wife and mother passed away June 3, 1905, a firm believer in the doctrine of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which denomination both she and her husband belonged.
The farm of Mr. Cauvel lies near Rossie. He has been a very busy man and though he has had to depend entirely upon his own resources from early boyhood, he has been quite successful. Year after year he has persistently car-' ried on his business affairs, save that at the time of the Civil war he enlisted as a member of Company K, Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry, and was at the front for one year, at the end of which time he was honorably discharged. He participated in the charge of Fort Blakeley and throughout his entire life he has suffered from diseases brought on by exposure and hardships while at the front. It is said that the regiment marched farther that year than any other year of the service and many privations and hardships were to be borne. Mr. Cauvel, however, did his full duty and in fact has always been loyal and progressive in his citizenship. In politics he has always been a republican, having served as township trustee for several years.
EDWARD M. DERRY.
Edward M. Derry is closely associated with the commercial interests of Clay county as a successful general merchant of Dickens. He first came to the county in 1877, although he did not permanently take up his abode here at that time. He was born in Pomeroy, Meigs county, Ohio, February 11, 1869, and is a rep- resentative of an old Pennsylvania family, his paternal grandfather, a native of that state, dying there when well advanced in years. His father, William Derry, was a shoemaker by trade and on removing from Pennsylvania to Ohio settled in Pomeroy, where he still makes his home. He wedded Ellen McIntyre, who was born in West Virginia and was a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Williams) McIntyre, who were also natives of that state. At an early day they became resi- dents of Ohio, settling in Pomeroy, where Mr. McIntyre passed away at an advanced age, while his wife reached the ripe old age of ninety-two years. They reared a large family. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William Derry have been born five
269
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
children, four sons and a daughter: William, a resident of Clay county, Iowa; John, who is deceased ; Thomas, of Dickens; Cora, the wife of Arthur Curtis, of Middleport, Ohio; and Edward M., of this review. The parents hold membership in the Methodist church and are people of the highest respectability, widely and favorably known in the county where they reside.
Edward M. Derry lived in Pomeroy until eighteen years of age and was a pupil in the public schools there. In 1877 he came to Clay county, Iowa, and worked for his brother John at railroad grading in Nebraska and in this state. Later he went to Colorado, where he took up a preemption claim one hundred miles east of Denver. In the fall of that year he returned to Ohio on a visit and in the following spring started again for Colorado, but while en route stopped at Dickens to visit his brother John and has remained here continuously since. Later he entered into partnership with his brother in a mercantile line and they were together for a short time, after which E. M. Derry sold out and began farm- ing on a tract of rented land in Freeman and Lake townships. In October, 1907, with the capital he had saved from his earnings, he purchased a stock of general merchandise and began business in Dickins, carrying now a fine line of goods and conducting a business which is constantly growing in volume and importance. He has now a liberal patronage and his trade is increasing, owing to his straight- forward business methods, his reasonable prices and his earnest desire to please his customers.
The marriage of Mr. Derry was celebrated on the 23d of May, 1894, when Miss Blanche S. Perkins became his wife. She was born in Salem, Lawrence county, Ohio, a daughter of George and Eliza (Beasley) Perkins and a grand- daughter of Eliphaz Perkins, who was a native of Connecticut. In his early boy- hood, however, he accompanied his parents on their removal to Vermont. He married Zipporah Porter and both lived to an advanced age. Eliphaz Perkins was a fifer in the war of 1812. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Derry was John Beasley, who was a native of Ohio and a carpenter by trade. He wedded Harriet Mathena and died in the Buckeye state when more than seventy years of age. They were the parents of three children, Moses, Eliza B. and Mary Albertine, the last named being the widow of Silas P. Austin and now a resident of Greeley, Nebraska.
The Rev. George Perkins, father of Mrs. Derry, is a minister of the United Brethren church, who has been connected with that denomination as a preacher for forty-five years. He was a missionary for four years among the Indians and early settlers, and can relate many interesting and thrilling reminiscences. He volunteered for service twice in the cause of the Union, but on account of the regiments being full was each time refused. He made many enemies among the people with whom he worked in Kansas on account of his views. Mr. Perkins. though near his eightieth year, is still bright and pleasant in his conversation. Unto him and his wife have been born six children: Harriet Z., the wife of A. D. Evans : Edward H. Perkins; Lelia C., the wife of N. Gorsuch ; George E. Per- kins : Blanche S. ; and one who died in infancy.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Derry has been blessed with four children, two sons and two daughters: Bruce Edward, George Perkins, Harriet May and Cora Ferne.
270
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Aside from his mercantile interests Mr. Derry is a stockholder in the Dickens Cooperative Creamery Company. He votes with the republican party and is public-spirited in his citizenship. His wife is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and they are well known in social circles, where many excellent traits of character have won for them the good will and friendship of those with whom they have come in contact. Mr. Derry is a progressive business man who seems to recognize the value of every situation and to make the most of his oppor- tunities. Through the legitimate lines of trade he is now building up a growing business that is indicative of his spirit of enterprise and determination.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.