USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 31
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W. Ernest Barnhart resided in Funkstown, Maryland, between the ages of three and nine years and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Cave- town, where he spent seven years. On the expiration of that period the family went to Mount Aetna, Maryland, where W. Ernest Barnhart continued to reside until twenty-one years of age. In the meantime he acquired his education in the public schools, passing through consecutive grades and supplementing his gram- mar school training by the high school course. On the 4th of September, 1898. he left home and sought the broader business opportunities of the middle west, first making his way to Ogle county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm until the . fall of 1900. Feeling the necessity of further educational training, if he would attain success in life, he then became a student in the Northern Indiana Law College, at Valparaiso, Indiana. While on the farm in Ogle county, Illinois, he had read law two years and continued his law studies in Valparaiso, being grad- uated from the law department of that school with the class of 1902. However, he practiced for a year before his graduation, having been admitted to the bar in 1901. There he remained until May, 1903, practicing with T. H. Hurd, at one time prosecuting attorney there. Later he returned to Ogle county, Illinois, where he remained until August, 1903, when he came to Spencer and entered into partnership with O. A. Thomas, a relation that was maintained until August I, 1905. Since that time Mr. Barnhart has been alone and has secured a good clientage, connecting him with much important litigation tried in the courts of the district. He also does a collecting and insurance business.
On the 4th of April, 1906, occurred the marriage of Mr. Barnhart and Miss Berta M. Roybar, a daughter of Frank and Lucretia (Lee) Roybar. They have two children, Harold Ernest and Margaret Helen. The parents are well known in the social circles of the city and their home is most attractive by reason of their warm-hearted hospitality. Mr. Barnhart holds membership in the Christian
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church while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Spencer, in which he is serving as chancellor commander, and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen camp. His political views are in accord with the principles of the republican party and in 1904 he was elected on its ticket to the office of city attorney. His first term received public indorsement in his reelection in 1906 and in 1908 he was elected to the office of county attorney. He is recognized as a strong and able lawyer, with thorough understanding of legal principles, while his application of the points of law is always correct and logical.
BENJAMIN PITCHER.
Among the residents of Spencer who at one time were closely associated with the agricultural interests of the county and are now enjoying the fruits of their former toil, is numbered Benjamin Pitcher. He is in his seventy-third year, his birth having occurred in Cambridgeshire, England, August 29, 1836. The family is an old one in that country and the grandfather. John Pitcher, spent his entire life there, meeting his death through the kick of a horse. He always followed farming as a source of livelihood. One of his children was Benjamin Pitcher, who was reared in his native land and became a butcher, following the trade in early manhood. Subsequently he turned his attention to farming. He was mar- ried in England to Miss Ann Hall, a native of that country and a daughter of Thomas and Ann Hall, who also remained residents of England, passing their lives on farms in that country. The death of Mr. Hall occurred when he had reached the venerable age of eighty-two years. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin began their domestic life in England, remaining residents of Cambridgeshire until September, 1846, when the father with his family sailed to the new world and took up his abode in Rensselaer county, New York. There Mr. Pitcher again engaged in farming until 1863, when he removed westward to Illinois, locating in Winnebago county, about eight miles from Rockford. His remaining days were given to general agricultural pursuits in that locality, where he died in 1881 at the age of seventy-nine years. He had long survived his wife, who died in England in 1844. They were both members of the established church of England. Of their family of three sons and two daughters only three are now living: Frances Ellen, the widow of George Warren, of Seattle, Washington ; Benjamin, of this review ; and William, of Port Townsend, Washington.
Benjamin Pitcher spent the first ten years of his life in the land of his birth and then came with his father to the United States, living in New York until 1855. In that year he became a resident of Winnebago county, Illinois, where he lived for several years and later removed to Green county, Wisconsin, in which locality he followed farming. A few years later he returned to Winnebago county and on the 7th of August, 1862, offered his services to the government in defense of the Union army, becoming a member of Company H. Seventy-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he did active duty until mustered out on June 10. 1865. He was wounded in the leg at the battle of Missionary Ridge
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and had a part of his heel shot away at Kenesaw Mountain, while at Dallas he was slightly wounded in the hand. He participated in eighteen hard-fought bat- tles, including the engagements at Perryville, Stone River, Tallahassee, Dalton, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. He was first a private but was mustered out with the rank of sergeant. After the war he returned to Winnebago county, Illinois, where he had engaged in farming and teaming. He dates his residence in Iowa from the 5th of September, 1872, on which day he arrived in Spencer and soon after- ward took up a homestead of eighty acres in Dickinson county, while later he secured eighty acres in Clay county. He still owns the original tract together with eighty acres in Meadow township, Clay county, where he lived until 1893, and during that period transformed his land into a rich and productive farm, supplied with modern equipment and accessories. The place in all of its appoint- ments is neat and well ordered, and Mr. Pitcher continued his personal supervi- sion and practical work upon the place until 1893, when he removed to Spencer, where he has since made his home.
On the 29th of November, 1857, Mr. Pitcher was married to Miss Mary W. Barnard, who was born in North Beckett, Massachusetts. Her father. John Barnard, wedded a Miss McClure, and their family included Mrs. Pitcher, who, by her marriage, has become the mother of six children. John L., the eldest, a resident of Milford, Iowa, wedded Elizabeth James and has five children, Anna, John, Olive, Mary and Walter B. Mary A. is a bookkeeper and stenographer in Spencer. Homer E. conducts an agricultural implement business in Spencer, and married Tirza Waldo, who has become the mother of two children. Dolly is the wife of George Walker, of Spencer, and has three children, Lou. Leslie and Francell. Agnes is the wife of C. A. Claypole, of Fort Dodge. Iowa, and has two children, Agnes and Keith. Benjamin completes the family.
Mr. and Mrs. Pitcher attend the Congregational church, of which she is a member. Mr. Pitcher's membership relations are with Evening Shade Lodge, No. 312, A. F. & A. M., and Waller Post, G. A. R., of Milford. In politics he is a republican and has always voted for the men and measures of the party. There is no more loyal American citizen in Clay county than this adopted son who, though born across the water, has spent almost his entire life in the United States and has deep attachment for the institutions of this free land. He cer- tainly proved his loyalty by his service in the Civil war and in days of peace he has been as faithful to his country as when he followed the stars and stripes on the battlefields of the south.
WILLIAM I. ROOD.
William I. Rood, a photographer of Spencer, whose artistic skill is evidenced in the excellent work which he turns out, is now accorded a liberal patronage by reason of the ability which he manifests. New York numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Cayuga county, August 8, 1842. He is a son of Jacob Rood and a grandson of Augustus Rood, both natives of the
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Empire state. The latter learned and followed the shoemaker's trade in early life but afterward gave his energies and attention to farming. He was for a short time a soldier of the war of 1812. Both he and his wife died when well advanced in years, after rearing a family of five children : John, Augustus, Jacob, Eliza and Lorena.
Jacob Rood. reared in his father's home, began learning the harness-maker's trade when thirteen years of age and was thus connected with industrial interests for some time. After arriving to years of maturity he wedded Caroline Smith, who was also born in the Empire state, and they made their home in Cayuga county. New York, until 1844, when they came westward to the Mississippi valley. Mr. Rood established his home near Green Lake, Wisconsin, and became prominently identified with agricultural interests in that locality. He afterward owned five different farms in Columbia county, near Portage City, Wisconsin, and improved them. He was in business association with his two brothers and father while at Green Lake. In 1856 he again started in the harness business, opening a shop at Marcellon, where he remained for a year. In 1858, however, he took up his abode on a farm in Monroe county, Wisconsin, where he lived for about fourteen years, or until 1872, when he came to Clay county, Iowa, where he practiced veterinary surgery. He lacked but twenty days of being eighty years of age when he passed away toward the opening of the Twentieth century. His wife survived him and died at the age of eighty-three years, six months and eighteen days. Mr. Rood always gave his political allegiance to the republican party from Lincoln's time until his death and while living in Wisconsin held the office of clerk of the court, while in Clay county he served as county coroner. Wherever he was known he was highly esteemed, for he was loyal and progressive in all matters of citizenship, and in business affairs showed determination, purpose, careful management and keen sagacity.
William I. Rood was the oldest in a family of three sons and four daughters and is the only one now living. He was less than two years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Wisconsin and there he was largely reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He was nineteen years of age when in August, 1862, he offered his services to the government and with patriotic ardor went to the front as a member of Company D, Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He served as a private until the close of the war and participated in a number of smaller engagements although he was not in any heavy battle. However, he went with Sherman on his celebrated march to the sea and met with most of the experiences and hardships of a rigorous warfare.
When hostilities were over and peace again reigned in the land William I. Rood returned to the farm in Wisconsin but, as his health was impaired, he could not stand the hard manual labor and took up photography, to which he has since given his attention, following the profession for about forty years. In 1871 he came to Spencer and for thirty-seven years has conducted his gallery at this place. In all this time he has kept informed concerning the progress made in the process of photography, has been quick to adopt any new and practical improvement and with ready appreciation of the value of light, shade and pose, he has done good work and has enjoyed a liberal patronage.
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Pleasantly situated in his home life, Mr. Rood laid the foundation for his domestic happiness in his marriage on the 21st of October, 1872, to Miss Belle Brown, of Vermont. There were seven children born unto them but only two are now living: Edna and Abbie. The former is the wife of W. F. Conley, of Easton, Minnesota, and has two children, Kenneth and Beatrice. Abbie is conducting a kindergarten in Chicago. Mr. Rood is a member of the Christian Science church, of Boston. Mrs. Rood was a member of the Congregational church from the age of twelve years until recently, when she, too , became identified with the Christian Science movement. Politically Mr. Rood is a republican and served as town clerk in Wisconsin for one term, but has never been eager for office, preferring to do his public service in other ways. He is interested in the welfare of Spencer and as the years have gone by he has won for himself a creditable position as a valued citizen and business man.
GEORGE F. SOEHREN.
George F. Soehren, now living in Everly, was formerly closely associated with the agricultural interests of Lone Tree township. He possessed a spirit of perseverance that enabled him to carry forward to successful completion what- ever he undertook and thus he developed a good farm of one hundred and forty acres, from which he annually derived a substantial income as the result of his industry and diligence. A native of Iowa, he was born in Benton county, on the 18th of January, 1871. His father, George D. Soehren, was born in Germany, where he remained to the age of seventeen years, when he came to the new world, first locating in Indiana. There he worked for a year or more, after which he made his way to Davenport. Iowa, and soon took up farm work in Scott county. It was in that county that he wedded Miss Lena Miller, also a native of Germany. in which country her girlhood days were passed. They lived for some time in Benton county and in 1884 came to Clay county, Mr. Soehren purchasing three hundred and sixty acres of land in Lone Tree township. At that time it was entirely destitute of improvements and not a furrow had been turned upon the place, but he broke the sod, fenced the fields and converted the land into an arable and productive tract. He continued to engage actively in farming until 1898. when he lost his wife, since which time he has resided in Everly with his son, George. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George D. Soehren were born four sons and four daughters : John. a carpenter, who resides at Dayton, Montana; Emma, the wife of Henry Nagle, of Guthrie Center, Iowa; Minnie, the wife of George Lambin, of Waubay, South Dakota : George F .; Anna, the wife of Egbert Emmertsen, of St. Paul, Minnesota : Daniel D., a farmer of Lone Tree township, who owns the old homestead : Louisa, the wife of A. T. Rohlf, of Bowman, North Dakota ; and F. C., who is engaged in farming with his brother Daniel on the old homestead.
When a lad of fourteen years George F. Soehren came to Clay county and was here reared to manhood, while the common schools afforded him his educa- tional privileges. Through the period of his boyhood and youth he assisted in the work of the fields and, after attaining his majority, carried on the home farm
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for a time. In 1903 he went to South Dakota and purchased land at White Rock, Roberts county, becoming owner of three hundred and five acres. There he opened up a new farm, which he cultivated for three years, after which he sold out and returned to Clay county, here purchasing one hundred and forty acres from his father. Carefully, systematically and energetically he continued the work of the farm until the fall of 1908, when he sold the place and bought a neat home in Everly, where he now resides. He has here eight acres of land and his place is one of the attractive homes of the town, because of its neat and well kept appearance. While on the farm he conducted a dairy business in connection with the tilling of the soil. For some thirty years he has been engaged in raising fine poultry, making a specialty of Barred Plymouth Rocks. He has always had a large flock, has bred the finest chickens and has sold perhaps more poultry than any other man in this part of the county. He is now also engaged in raising squabs, starting with one hundred and four pairs of mated pigeons. His place is well equipped for the conduct of the business and he now devotes his time to this task, being the only man in Clay county engaged in raising squabs. For the birds he finds a ready market and receives good prices for all he sells.
On the 19th of December, 1907, Mr. Soehren was married to Miss Dorothy Schoenewe, a native of Germany, who was here reared and educated. Both are members of the German Lutheran church, in which faith they were reared. Mr. Soehren gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a firm believer in its principles, but has never sought nor desired public office. His life has been a very busy, active and useful one. He has helped to improve and make two farms and has been closely associated with the progress and upbuilding of Lone Tree township. He is now conducting a successful and growing business in Everly and is one of the representative residents of the town.
WILLIAM F. TORBERT.
William F. Torbert. living on section 24, Riverton township, is one of the few remaining. residents who secured homestead claims in this township in the early period of the county's development. He owns one hundred and seventy- four acres in the place on which he now resides-a well improved and valuable farm-pleasantly situated about two miles from Spencer. In the spring of 1871 he arrived in Clay county but has always been a resident of the middle west and is imbued with the spirit of enterprise and progress which has been the dominant factor in the upbuilding of the Mississippi valley. His birth occurred in Dodge county, Wisconsin, February 21, 1847. His father, S. S. Torbert, was a native of Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy Long, also a native of Lycoming county. They began their domestic life in that commonwealth and lived there until after the birth of two of their children, when they removed westward and established a home in Dodge county, Wisconsin, in 1846. There Mr. Torbert opened up a new farm, clearing the land of the timber, turning the first furrows and making his place an arable tract, on which he reared his family. Later, however, he
FAMILY OF WILLIAM F. TORBERT
THE NEW YORK PUBLICLIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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came to Clay county, Iowa, and spent his last years. He had lost his wife in Wisconsin in 1873, while his death occurred in Clay county, November 15, 1897. Their family numbered two sons and three daughters: Samuel, who became a Union soldier in the Civil war and died in the service; Susan, who was married and died in Chicago; W. F., of this review; Maggie, the wife of W. H. Cook, living in Dodge county, Wisconsin ; and Clementine, who was married and died in California.
William F. Torbert was reared on the old home farm in Dodge county, Wisconsin, and as a public-school student gained a knowledge of the elementary branches of English learning. Observation, study and reading have since greatly broadened his knowledge and in the school of experience he has also learned valuable lessons. He remained with his father until he attained his majority and then became a teacher, following the profession through a number of winter terms, while the summer seasons were devoted to farm work. In 1871 he came to Clay county and secured a homestead on section 18, Riverton township, obtaining eighty acres, on which he turned the first furrows. He also built a sod house immediately after his arrival and occupied it until he could erect a good frame dwelling, for which he hauled the humber from Algona. He used oxen in turning the first furrows and in cultivating. his farm for a time. He fenced his land and for four years kept bachelor's hall while putting the first improvements on his place. He continued to engage in teaching through nineteen winter seasons and in the summer months continued to till the soil, purchasing more land as his financial resources increased, until the old home place now comprises two hundred and eighty acres. For thirty-two years he there engaged in farming and then purchased his present home. In connection with his agri- cultural interests he has been carrying on a dairy business for the past fifteen years. His stock is pure-blooded shorthorn and this branch of his business is proving quite profitable.
In November, 1875, in Riverton township, Mr. Torbert wedded Miss Maria McArdle, who was born in Pennsylvania but was largely reared in Iowa and was one of her husband's pupils before her marriage. Her father was James McArdle, also one of the early settlers of the county, who secured a homestead here in pioneer times. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Torbert. Nellie is now the wife of O. M. Peterson, a farmer of Russell, Minnesota, and they have two sons, Ervin and Harold. Samuel A., who has been cultivating the old home farm, is married and has two children, Mildred and Anna May. Maggie is the wife of T. C. Hanna, a farmer of Riverton township.
Politically. Mr. Torbert has been a life-long republican, supporting each presidential nominee of the party since casting his first vote for General U. S. Grant. He has taken an active interest in local elections and has been called to fill several township offices, serving for some years as township clerk and later as trustee. He has also been township treasurer and school treasurer for a number of years and has been identified with the schools almost continuously since locating here, and is at the present time acting as president of the school board. He has always been deeply interested in the cause of education, regarding it as one of the bulwarks of the nation and he has done much to further the school system in this part of the state. He likewise capably served as assessor for ten
CLAY 17.
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consecutive years and has been a delegate to almost every county and state con- vention. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and take an active and helpful part in church and Sunday school work, acting as Sunday school teacher and as church trustee. Great changes have occurred since Mr. Torbert came to Clay county thirty-seven years ago. He has seen the towns built up, railroads established and the whole county transformed from a wilder- ness and swamp. He has broken several hundred acres of the virgin soil and has thus borne an active and helpful part in the work of general improvement and progress. His influence has always been found on the side of material, intellectual and moral development and his work has been an element in the county's advancement.
GEORGE W. MOELLER.
There is no movement formulated in Waterford township for the benefit of the community along lines of substantial upbuilding that does not receive the endorsement of George W. Moeller, and his labors have always been a cooperant factor in the work of general improvement. A quarter of a century has passed since he came to Clay county and throughout this period he has given proof of the fact that the term citizenship is to him no mere idle word. He is now busily engaged in the conduct of his farming interests for he has a good property on section 21. Born in Iowa, the place of his nativity was in Benton county and his natal day the 6th of July, 1875. As the name indicates, he comes of German ancestry. 'His father. Fritz Moeller, was a native of Germany, where he remained until early manhood, when he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. After living for a time in Scott county, Iowa, he removed to Benton county, where he carried on general farming. He was married in the former county to Miss Dora Strohbeen, also a native of Germany, and after living for a considerable period in Benton county they removed to Clay county in 1884. Mr. Moeller becoming identified with agricultural pursuits here through his investment in a farm of four hundred acres. The land was largely in its primitive condition when he came into its possession, but he bent his energies toward transforming the wild prairie into cultivated fields and continued actively in business up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1887. His wife still survives and is now a resident of Everly.
George W. Moeller was only eight years of age at the time of the removal to the farm in Clay county, so that his youthful days were here passed and to the public school system he is indebted for the educational advantages he enjoyed in his youth. Later he attended a business college at Davenport, Iowa, and through the periods of vacation worked on the home farm so that broad practical experi- ence qualified him to carry on farming when he started out in life on his own account. Subsequent to attaining his majority he worked as a farm hand by the month for a year and was also employed in a creamery one summer. He then returned to the home place and took charge of the farm and in its control has dis- played good business ability and unfaltering energy. He now owns two hundred acres of the old homestead, which is attractively and appropriately called the
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