USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 33
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JOHN L. ADDINGTON.
John L. Addington, editor of the Webb Record and postmaster of the town. was born in eastern Indiana, October 8, 1856, a son of John L. and Nancy E. (Fancher) Addington, who were natives of Indiana and Tennessee, respectively. The father was a Methodist minister, whose labors in behalf of Christianity were a potent influence in the moral development of the localities in which he lived. He came to Iowa in 1864 and for a time was located in Davenport but in 1867 removed to Hardin county, where he remained for a number of years or until his death, which occurred in 1879. His wife died March 15, 1879. The first representative of the family in America was Henry Addington, whose birth oc- curred in England about 1727 and who, on emigrating to the United States, took
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up his abode near Philadelphia. He became separated from a younger brother, from whom he never afterward heard. Henry Addington married Elizabeth Buson, by whom he had three sons: John, William and James. About the year 1755 the family removed to South Carolina, where the eldest son, John, wedded a Miss Lamb, by whom he had two children, William and Alsie. After losing his first wife he married Elizabeth Heaton and unto them were born seven children, namely : Mary, Joseph, John, Sarah, Thomas, Elizabeth and James. The year 1806 witnessed the arrival of the family in Wayne county, Indiana, near the pres- ent site of Richmond. James, the youngest child, was married in 1809 to Nancy Llewellyn, by whom he had the following children : John L., William L., Rachel, Benjamin L., Thomas L., Isaac L. and Mary. John L. Addington, the eldest, was married on the 8th of November, 1832, to Sallie Stephens and they became the parents of eight children : James A., Matilda A., Francis S., Nathan, Alice. Mary, William B. and George. Subsequent to the death of his first wife he was again married, on the 5th of May, 1848, his second union being with Nancy Fancher, by whom he had three sons: Samuel : Thomas F .; and John La Salle Addington, of this review.
John L. Addington was educated in the common schools and in the high school at Ackley, Iowa. In 1875 he took up the profession of teaching, which he followed in Grundy county, this state, for three years, and in 1878 he became the teacher of what was then known as the Park Avenue school at Des Moines, Iowa, and later was principal of the schools at Alton, Iowa. Later he accepted a like position at Mitchellville, where he continued for two years and then resigned to remove to Filley, Nebraska, having been appointed as one of the teachers in the public schools of that place, where he remained for six years. He next accepted a position at Narka, Kansas, and when he had taught there for six years his services as a public-school teacher aggregated a period of over twenty-two years. For more than fifteen years of that time, covering the period of his residence at Alton, Iowa, Filley, Nebraska, and Narka, Kansas, he was also engaged in the newspaper field.
In Septemebr, 1900, Mr. Addington came to Webb, Iowa, and established the Webb Record, a weekly newspaper which has an extensive circulation in the town and county. Not only in journalistic lines is he connected with the inter- ests of this city but is also serving as postmaster under presidential appointment. to July 9, 1908.
On the 6th of April, 1881. Mr. Addington was united in marriage to Miss Mary Crist, a daughter of John and Mary (Sellen) Crist, who were natives of Wisconsin, in which state they remained until called to their final rest. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Addington have been born eight children: Marion H., at home ; Grace L .. the wife of Albert C. Ringbloom, a resident of Minneapolis, Minne- sota ; Doris C., a stenographer in Des Moines, Iowa ; John L., living in Salt Lake City, where he is attending school; Roy S .; and Charley T., at home : and two who died in infancy. The wife and mother passed away January 25, 1901.
Aside from his service as postmaster he has been called to every office, hav- ing served as mayor of Webb for four years-from 1902 until 1906-his admin- istration being characterized by a progressive spirit and by practical reform and municipal advancement. For seven years he has been justice of the peace and
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is still the incumbent in the office, and also a member of the city council. He was also president of the school board for four years and the cause of education found in him a stalwart friend. He holds membership relations with the Masonic fraternity, having become a charter member of Temple Lodge. No. 175, of Filley, Nebraska.
J. H. DOTY.
Through well directed business activity and enterprise J. H. Doty has gained recognition as one of the prosperous farmers of Clay county. He owns a highly improved tract of land near Spencer and since 1881 has lived in the county, dur- ing which time his labors have not only contributed to his own prosperity but have proven effective forces in advancing the general welfare. A native of Michigan, his birth occurred in St. Joseph county, March 5, 1844. There he was reared to manhood but had no special advantages in his youthful days. His opportunities for securing an education were somewhat limited and it has been in the school of experience that he has learned many valuable lessons, while observation and reading have also added materially to his knowledge. He was a young man of but eighteen years when in the spring of 1864 he responded to the country's call for troops, joining Company C of the Twelfth Michigan Infantry. This com- mand was assigned to the First Brigade of the Second Division of the Seventh Army Corps and went to Arkansas, where they participated in the battle of Duval's Bluff. They were also in a number of skirmishes and Mr. Doty thus served until the close of the war, being mustered out at Camden, Arkansas, in the spring of 1866. He was then honorably discharged at Jackson, Michigan, and with a creditable military record returned to his home. He had always been faith- ful to his duty whether on the lonely picket line or the firing line and manifested loyalty equal to that of many a veteran of twice his years.
Following his return to St. Joseph county Mr. Doty engaged in farming as foreman on a place there. He afterward took up his abode in Constantine, Michi- gan, where he was employed in a foundry and machine shop for two or three years and later worked in a lumber business.
It was while living in Constantine that Mr. Doty was first married on the 5th of March, 1868, the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah A. Curtis, a native of St. Joseph county, Michigan, where her girlhood days were passed. The young couple lived happily together for about seven years and were then separated by the death of the wife, who passed away October 8. 1873, leaving three children. Mr. Doty continued to reside in Constantine and was again married there, his second union being with Augusta A. Anderson, who came to Iowa with her husband in 1881. Attracted by the better opportunities of the new but rapidly growing west Mr. Doty came to this state and located in Riverton township, Clay county. Here he secured one hundred and sixty acres, on which he built a place and began the development of his farm. He worked resolutely and diligently to achieve success and in course of time the capital which he acquired from the sale of his crops enabled him to purchase more land until he became owner of three
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
MRS. J. H. DOTY
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J. H. DOTY
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR L NOX TILDEN FOUNDATION8
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hundred and thirty-four acres. Subsequently he bought forty-two acres in an- other tract. Upon the home place he continued to carry on farming until 1902. He was also superintendent of the county farm, cared for, cultivated it, improved it and there lived for seven years. In 1903, however, he took up his abode in Spencer, where he purchased residence property. It was in that year that he lost his wife. Later he bought and owned several places in the town and eventually he sold his farm and invested in land in Summit township, securing four hundred and six acres. The two sons took up their abode there and cultivated and further improved that place. They erected another dwelling, put up outbuildings and con- tinued farming there until the spring. of 1908, when Mr. Doty sold the property and bought the Peso farm near Spencer. This comprises a half section, on which is a good set of farm buildings and he is now erecting another set and making fine improvements.
Returning to Michigan about four years after losing his second wife, Mr. Doty was again married in Constantine, on the 20th of February, 1907. On that (late he wedded Mrs. S. J. Shellenberger, a native of Elkhart county, Indiana, who was reared and educated in Michigan. She was a daughter of T. J. Jones, who for some years was a successful farmer of St. Joseph county, Michigan, where he died in 1907 at the advanced age of ninety years. His wife survives him and spent the winter of 1907-8 with Mrs. Doty in Spencer. Their daughter was a young girl when she went with her parents to Michigan. She was married there in 1874 to Clark W. Shellenberger, a farmer of St. Joseph county, who later died there, leaving one son, Howard J. Shellenberger, who is now a resident of Elkhart county, Indiana.
Following his marriage Mr. Doty returned to Spencer, where he has since resided. He has been a very busy man, has improved three farms on his own account and also the county farm and has thus contributed in substantial measure to the progress and development of this section. As the architect of his own for- tunes he has builded wisely and well. He has depended upon no outside aid or influence but has wrought out his success along the well defined lines of labor and has achieved his prosperity by his industry and perseverance.
Mr. Doty now has three sons : Carleton L. is married and resides in Fresno, California, where he is engaged in the jewelry business. He served three years in the First United States Cavalry at Fort Grant, New Mexico, being honorably discharged. Another son, Bertrand W., for thirteen years was engaged in busi- ness in Spencer but is now on the farm. Clyde A. is also living on the farm. Both are enterprising agriculturists, are also breeding and dealing in Shorthorn cattle and are well known as stock raisers and feeders. Mr. Doty and his sons are members of the Masonic fraternity, as is his stepson, and he and his wife are both members of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Doty belongs to the blue lodge at Spencer but first became a Master Mason in Constantine, Michigan, in 1867. Both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church at Spencer and he assisted materially in erecting the new house of worship there. In his political views he is an earnest republican. He cast his first ballot for General U. S. Grant and has never failed to endorse the presidential nominees of the party since that time. In Riverton township he is regarded as one of the stanch advo- cates of the party and has been elected to several local offices, serving as justice
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of the peace, as township trustee and also on the school board. He has been chairman of the board of township trustees and chairman of the school board and in the different positions has been most loyal to the public welfare. He has served as a delegate to county and state conventions and has never faltered in his allegiance to the party which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and thus main- tains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. His life has been well spent. In all of its relations he has been true to high and honorable principles and has never faltered in a choice between right and wrong but has always endeavored to follow a course that his judgment and his conscience have sanctioned.
PETER MONROE MOORE.
On the roster of county officials in Clay county appears the name of Peter Monroe Moore, who is now serving as surveyor. Moreover, he is the owner of valuable farming property, his holdings comprising five hundred acres of rich and productive land. His record both as a business man and citizen is com- mendable and he enjoys in large measure the confidence, good will and friend- ship of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He was born near Con- cord, Ohio, October 13, 18441, and is a son of William W. and Naomi (Monroe) Moore, natives of Delaware and Ohio respectively. The latter was a daughter of Peter Monroe, native of Virginia, who followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He wedded a Miss Lyons and they reared several children, namely .: Margaret, Ann, Mary, Naomi, Matilda, Elijah and William.
William W. Moore became a house builder. He was a lad of about twelve years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio and in Muskin- gum county, that state, he was reared to manhood amid the environments and conditions of frontier life. When a young man he went to Rock Island, Illinois, with his brother, Amos L., the year of his removal being 1835. He lived there for five years and during that time was married, after which he returned to his old home in Ohio. In the fall of 1857 he went with his family to Wisconsin, taking up his abode at Point Bluff. Adams county, on the Wisconsin river, where he lived for nine years, being engaged in carpentering and in the lumber business. In the spring. of 1863, in company with his son, Peter M., he made an overland trip to Montana, where he was engaged in the mines for eighteen months. At the time of his arrival that district was all known as Idaho and during the period of his residence there the new territory of Montana was organized. he being a mem- ber of the convention that met for this purpose. The return trip was made over the divide to the headwaters of the Yellowstone river. He and his son bifilt boats and floated down the river to Yankton, South Dakota, and were nearly ice- bound in the vicinity of Fort Sully and saw no white men save the soldiers at Fort Union, Berthold, Fort Rice, Sully, Riley and Yankton. In September, 1866. William W. Moore arrived in Clay county, Iowa, and here in connection with his son, Peter Moore, he purchased a farm of eight hundred acres at Gillett's Grove and turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. They afterward divided
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the land and continued their farming interests independently. Mr. Moore was long a witness of the development and progress of the middle west and in the communities where he lived bore his full share in the work of public advance- ment. While residing at Rock Island, Fort Armstrong was garrisoned and Dred Scott was there acting as a servant to the army surgeon. Mr. Moore was also present at the time the treaty was made with Black Hawk and saw the whole assembly of Indians who were there to make peace with the government. He spent his last days upon the home farm in Clay county, Iowa, where he departed this life October 2, 1890, when nearly seventy-eight years of age. His wife sur- vived him for about sixteen years and died on the 18th of April, 1906, lacking but ten days of being ninety-seven years of age. They were both members of the Methodist church in early life but later united with the Friends society. They were always earnest Christian people, never neglectful of their duties to their fellowmen and in all business relations Mr. Moore was strictly reliable as well as enterprising. In their family were four children : Peter M .; Matilda H., the wife of Lewis Kidder, of Pittsburg, Kansas ; Emeline, the wife of W. T. Prescott, of Seattle, Washington ; and Wilson H., a resident of Gillett's Grove, Clay county. Miles C. Moore, a cousin of Peter Monroe Moore, was the last territorial gov- ernor of Washington and now resides in Walla Walla.
Peter Monroe Moore spent the first sixteen years of his life in his native state and during that period attended the common schools and also spent one year in Muskingum College. He accompanied his parents on their westward removal and afterward attended the Bronson Institute at Point Bluff, Wisconsin. Sub- sequently he engaged in teaching school for several terms and proved a capable educator. imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had ac- quired. In 1866 he came with his parents to Iowa and has since been a resident of Clay county, witnessing almost its entire growth as it has emerged from pio- neer conditions and taken on all of the evidences of a modern and progressive civilization. He was continuously connected with farming interests for thirty- two years, or until 1898, and prospered in his undertakings. To his original holdings he added from time to time as his financial resources increased until his property now embraces five hundred acres at Gillett's Grove. He improved that land, bringing the fields under a high state of cultivation through the use of modern machinery and the employment of progressive methods in tilling the soil and caring for the crops. He has ever been known as a diligent, enterprising man, accomplishing what he has undertaken and his present rest from business cares is well merited. In 1898 he removed to Spencer, where he purchased a home and now resides.
On the 19th of August, 1865, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Mary S. Rowe, a daughter of Dan and Eliza (Noyes) Rowe. They became parents of two chil- dren: Arthur Rowe, a farmer who is now living in Seattle, Washington, and married Esta M. Daugherty, by whom he has two children, Ralph W. and Fern M .: and Minnie Lynn Moore, now the wife of Vernon W. Buck, of Seattle, Washington. They have four children, Mary Verna. Estelle Naomi, Orris Ken- dall and Laurice Lucile. Mrs. Mary S. Moore passed away in 1873 and her death was deeply regretted not only by her immediate family but also by many friends who esteemed her highly for her good qualities of heart and mind. On
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the 28th of November, 1878, Mr. Moore was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Lizzie F. Adams, the widow of Theodore D. Adams, and a daughter of W. G. W. and Frances E. (Weaver) Sawyer. Mrs. Moore was born in Mogadore, Ohio, on the 29th of March. 1844. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and at an early period in the development of the Buckeye state, removed to Summit county, Ohio, where they resided until 1855. In that year they became residents of Decorah, Iowa, where her father owned a farm. How- ever, he was a tanner by trade. He is still living at the venerable age of eighty- seven years but his wife passed away in 1849. when their daughter Mrs. Moore was but five years of age. There were only two children in the family, her sister being Mrs. Anna Riley, the wife of E. J. Riley. After losing his first wife Mr. Sawyer married again, his second union being with Martha Weaver and they had three children, who are now living .: Hattie E., the wife of J. M. Pecken- paugh ; Allie, the wife of J. H. Williams ; and William H. Sawyer.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Congregational church, in which he is serving as deacon and in the work of the church they take an active and helpful part. He was one of the organizers of the first Methodist Episcopal church in Montana and a charter member of the Congregational church of Spen- cer. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is always loyal to its best interests. For one term he served as county auditor and was also justice of the peace for a number of years. He has likewise been township trustee, was school treasurer for some time and has been school director. In all of these positions he discharged his duties ably, capably and conscientiously and the record which he made as a public official in township offices led to his election to the office of county surveyor, in which he served for two terms prior to 1872. In 1893 he was again elected to that office and with the exception of one term has been continuously the incumbent. Before serving as county auditor he was county judge, filling that position until the office was abolished by act of the leg- islature. He is one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of the county, where he has long made his home. His record is indeed a commendable one and the most malevolent utter no word of reproach against his official service. In business, too, his course has been characterized by the strictest fidelity to prin- ciple and in social relations he displays an unfailing courtesy and a genial cor- diality that have won for him many friends.
H. W. HENDRICKSEN.
H. W. Hendricksen, although a young man, has already attained an enviable position in commercial circles, being a member of the Jones-Hendricksen Lumber Company. He now occupies the position of secretary in that commercial organi- zation and is active in the management of the business at Royal. giving close attention to every detail pointing to success. He was born on a farm in Lincoln township. this county, May 31, 1881, and is a son of J. P. Hendricksen, of whom mention is made on another page of this work. The district schools afforded .
him his early educational privileges and later he attended the Elkhorn Commer-
MR. AND MRS. H. W. HENDRICKSEN
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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cial College at Elkhorn, Iowa, and also the Capital City Commercial College at Des Moines, Iowa. He was graduated from the latter in the class of 1901. Prior to that time he was associated with the Royal Lumber Company for two years and following his graduation he was with a sash and door firm in Des Moines. Later he returned to the Royal Lumber Company, with which he was connected for three years, at the end of which time the Jones-Hendricksen Lumber Company was organized and incorporated with a capital stock of twenty-five thousand dollars. This company operates at both Royal and Rossie, owning a hardware store in the latter place. The officers of the company are: D. S. Jones, presi- dent ; Lars Hendricksen, vice president ; C. S. Hagedorn, treasurer ; and H. W. Hendricksen, secretary and general manager. Following the organization of the company they purchased the business of the Superior Lumber Company at Royal and of the Branden Brothers at Rossie. H. W. Hendricksen has thus been in charge of the enterprise at Royal since the Ist of November, 1907, and under his control the enterprise is meeting with good success. The company owns a well equipped lumberyard and deals in all kinds of building materials and the trade is constantly growing, their liberal patronage now bringing to them a gratifying financial return.
On the IIth of November, 1903. Mr. Hendricksen was married to Miss Johanna Hagedorn, a daughter of Chris Hagedorn, the treasurer of the Jones- Hendricksen Lumber Company. The marriage has been blessed with two chil- dren, James and Lorene. The family residence is a most hospitable one and is the center of a cultured society circle.
In his political views Mr. Hendricksen is a stalwart republican, giving earnest support to the party and is now serving as clerk of the school board in Royal. He has never been an office seeker, however, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. He holds membership in Sunset Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Royal and is serving as its secretary. He also belongs to Clay Chapter, No. II2, R. A. M., at Spencer and to the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 7038, at Royal, of which he is serving as clerk. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and are held in high esteem in the community in which they reside.
JAMES FRENCH.
James French is now living in retirement in the village of Peterson, this county, after having for many years been influentially identified with the agri- cultural and stock raising interests of the community. He is a native of Licking county, Ohio, his birth having occurred near Columbus, August 24, 1844, and a son of Bethuel and Sarah (Sinkey) French, his father having been a native of the Keystone state, where he was reared, and early in life removed to Ohio, stopping for a brief period near Columbus, from which place he repaired to Jones county, Iowa, in the year 1845, where he remained engaged in general farming pursuits until the year 1872, and then settled on a farm in Clay county, where he departed this life in 1903. His mother was united in marriage in Ohio, but entered into her eternal rest in Peterson. In the family were eight children, CLAY 18.
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namely: James; J. W., who is engaged in farming in this township; Annie, wife of William Johnston, the couple residing on a farm near Dickens, this county ; the next two children born died in infancy; Sarah, wife of Jesse Lemaster, an agriculturist of Clay township; Mary, deceased : and Albert C., who resides four miles north of the village of Peterson.
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