USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 34
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In an old log schoolhouse which stood near his father's farm in Jones county, James French acquired his education, in the meantime assisting his father in the duties of the farm, and after completing his studies remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-five years of age, when, desirous of launching out into the world for himself and becoming independent, he engaged in agricultural pursuits on a rented farm in Jones county for a time, and in 1872 settled in this county, where he took up a claim in Clay township. He had a difficult time getting a start here, since none of the land was in a fit condition for cultivation, and it fell upon him to clear it off so that he might plant seed and derive sufficient crops to enable him to subsist. During the first three years of his occupancy of the land prosperity did not seem to accompany him, and among his few possessions was one cow, and, unfortunately, it turned out to be a poor one, as it did not give milk. Deciding it was of no advantage to keep the animal, he concluded to dispose of it, and about three o'clock one morning, long before daybreak, he tied the cow behind his dilapidated wagon and started on the long journey to Cherokee, where he proposed to put the cow up for sale. After an all-day's wearisome journey he arrived in that town in the evening, about five o'clock, and the first thought which struck him was where he should put up for the night. His decision was not long in forming, since, as he had no money, he could not stop in a hotel or lodging house, and he finally decided to do the next best thing and spend the night in his wagon. The next morning he put the cow up at a public sale and succeeded in getting only one bidder, who offered him twenty-five dollars for the animal, on condition that he might have two weeks to make payment. This being granted, the deal was clinched, and at five o'clock the next morning our subject started back to his farm behind his old team and finally reached home at twelve o'clock, midnight. The two weeks which he had given the man to reimburse him for the purchase of the cow having elapsed, the debt was cleared off, and Mr. French was the possessor of twenty-five dollars, but this sum was far beneath what would enable him to meet his outstanding obligations and he did not hold it long until he was forced to pay ten dollars to the store keeper, and in a short time the remaining fifteen was paid out, so that Mr. French was not much better off than before he parted with his cow. After a while, however, prosperity began to look his way, when he traded a team of horses for a poorer team and in addition received also a cow and heifer as part of the barter. It was not only with his stock that he was unfortunate, but also with his log cabin, which was a poorly constructed shanty, the only redeeming feature about the building being a first-class floor, while the roof was in bad condition and leaked, but in the course of time Mr. French succeeded in so cultivating his farm as to derive bountiful harvests and presently was able to remove the incommodious cabin and replace it with a comfortable dwelling house. Although his reverses were
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many and the difficulties with which he had to contend great and discouraging, yet he overcame them all and year by year, applying himself diligently to his tasks, transformed his raw prairie land into as fine fields as there are in the township, and so improved his farm that it is now one of the most desirable in the county. He owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and upon which during his career he has met with splendid success in general agriculture and stock raising. Aside from this excellent tract of land he also possesses a first-class residence in the village of Peterson, and five years ago retired from active life and is now living there.
November 29, 1869, Mr. French was united in marriage to Miss Cora Tinker, by whom he has had two children, namely: Alice, wife of M. C. Remington, an agriculturist of Clay township, this county: and Irwin, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in this township. Mr. French in the early days was affiliated with the democratic party, but later changed his political views, and now votes with the republican party. He has been prominent in political circles in the county and has officiated in a number of local offices, having served as trustee of the township and also for a number of years as justice of the peace, in which office he acquitted himself with much distinction and executive ability. He is well known throughout the county for his noble traits of character, and being a man who has always been in favor of public improvements, ready at all times to further any movements which might add to the benefit of the community, and at the same time maintaining an upright walk among his neighbors, he has always entertained their respect and confidence.
WILLIAM E. ROSE.
William E. Rose is a retired farmer, who since 1904 has lived in Spencer, enjoying the fruits of his former toil in a well earned rest. Success-the thing for which all men strive-is not so difficult of attainment, but means continuous effort day by day and a neglect of no opportunity. A life of continuous industry brought to Mr. Rose his present position as a substantial citizen, who depends upon good investments for the income which now supplies him with all of the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. He was born in Newcastle county, Delaware, August 3, 1839, and was a son of Henry L. and Mary A. (Marvel) Rose, who were likewise natives of Delaware, their birthplace being near Dover. The father was a sailor in early life, afterward became a ship builder and sub- sequently was a carpenter and joiner. As the west was opened up to civilization and business interests of all character established in the Mississippi valley, he felt that it might be a wise step for him to take advantage of the opportunities here offered. Accordingly he made his way to Illinois and established his home in Belvidere, where he lived for four years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Iowa and became one of the early residents of Waverly, where he followed the carpenter's trade. He was thus identified with the substantial improvement and development of the town and county and continued a factor in the life of that community until he passed away when about eighty years of age. His wife died in 1866 at the age of forty-five years. She was a member
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of the Methodist church, loyal to its teachings, and Mr. Rose also belonged to the same denomination and was faithful to its precepts. This worthy couple were the parents of three sons and four daughters, of whom three are now living: William E., a resident of Spencer ; Angie, wife of Jayman St. John, of Waverly, Iowa; and Arenna, the wife of Abner Baskins, also of Waverly.
William E. Rose was a youth of sixteen years when the father removed with his family to Belvidere, Illinois, and a young man of twenty when they came to Iowa. His education was acquired in the schools of Delaware, and when fifteen years of age he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed continuously until 1862, when, putting aside all business and personal considerations, he joined the Union army as a member of Company B. Thirty- eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, or for a little more than three years. He was a non-commissioned officer and was mustered out at Houston, Texas. In the meantime he participated in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, in the battle of Mobile and in numerous skirmishes. After the war he returned home to Waverly, Iowa, and followed his trade for a year. On the expiration of that period he began farming on his mother-in-law's place. He had been married in the meantime, having on the Ioth of May, 1866, wedded Miss Hannah L. Baskins, a daughter of Abner B. and Mary (Kerr) Baskins, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Her father was a farmer and came to Iowa in 1851, settling near Waverly. He spent his remaining days on the farm upon which he first located, his death there occurring in 1864, when he was sixty-four years of age. His wife died in 1889, at the age of seventy-two years. Their family numbered six sons and five daughters, of whom five are still living: William, who makes his home at Waverly; Abner K., also of that place; Rachel, the wife of Farnum Dudgeon, of East Grand Forks, Minnesota; Bethsheba, the wife of Ezra Williams ; and Hannah, who was born in Morrow county, Ohio, October 3, 1846, and when twenty years of age became the wife of William E. Rose.
As stated, they soon afterward took up their abode on her mother's farm, which Mr. Rose cultivated and improved, but, thinking to find still better business opportunities in Clay county, he removed there in 1870, finding it a frontier district in which the work of improvement and development had scarcely been begun. He secured as a homestead claim the northwest quarter of section 18 in Riverton township, and with characteristic energy transformed the raw prairie into arable fields. He turned the first furrows upon the place, planted his crops and in due course of time he gathered rich harvests. There he lived continuously until December, 1904, when he removed to Spencer and purchased the present home, which he now occupies. He still owns the farm, however, which lies in Riverton township and is a valuable property, which annually returns to him a good income.
Upon the farm Mr. and Mrs. Rose reared their two children, Flora and William Henry. The daughter is now the wife of Frank Babcock, of Spencer, and they have one child, Bertha. William Henry, who operates the home farm, wedded Sarah Rino and they have two children, Edna Marie and William Francis: Mr. Rose votes with the republican party and belongs to Annett Post, G. A. R. This brings him into close connection with his old army comrades,
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and around the campfires they recall many interesting incidents of the tented fields. Mr. Rose is now in the seventieth year of his age and in the review of the past it is seen that his life record has been an honorable and useful one, characterized by thorough and progressive business activity that has resulted in bringing to him a comfortable and well merited competence. Moreover, he has borne his full share in the work of general development and improvement here since he took up his abode in this county, which was then a frontier district, giving little evidence of what the future had in store for it. It was rich in its natural resources, but its opportunities had not yet been utilized. Mr. Rose is numbered among those who believed in the value of the land and its possi- bilities-the wisdom of this opportunity being evidenced as the years have gone by.
FRANK H. BLACK.
Iowa derives her wealth largely from her agricultural interests. The great broad prairies of the state offer excellent opportunities to the farmer and stock raiser. The soil requires none of that previous laborious preparation necessary in a district of native forest growth, but responds readily to the care and labor which is bestowed upon it as the furrows are turned and the fields are culti- vated. To this work of tilling the soil Mr. Black gives his time and energies, but does not confine his efforts entirely to one line. He raises pure blooded registered shorthorn cattle and in commercial circles has won for himself a cred- itable place, being now the president of the Farmers Elevator of Spencer. His home is known as the Acadia Stock Farm and comprises two hundred acres, constituting one of the best improved farms of the county.
Mr. Black is a native of Nova Scotia, his birth having there occurred in Acadia, September 17, 1867, in a region made famous through Longfellow's beautiful poem, Evangeline. On the home farm he was reared to manhood, spending his boyhood days with his father, Rev. A. B. Black, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, who for twenty-five years lived in Nova Scotia. He was of Scotch and English lineage. There Frank H. Black passed his youthful days, and after mastering the elementary branches of education he continued his study in Amherst Academy. Arriving at years of maturity, he took up farming on his own account in the land of his nativity, and also engaged in raising shorthorn cattle, carrying on the business there for several years.
At Amherst, Nova Scotia, on the 18th of October, 1886, Mr. Black won his companion and helpmate for the journey of life, for it was on that date that he wedded Anna E. Lusby, who was there born and reared, a daughter of George Lusby, also a native of Nova Scotia. In 1893 he sought a home in Iowa, locating in Humboldt county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of farm land. To the further development and improvement of the property he directed his energies and also began breeding and dealing in short- horn cattle there. For eight years he resided upon that farm, but in 1901 sold the place and came to Clay county, purchasing the farm upon section 33, Summit
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township, on which he now resides. He has called it the Acadia Stock Farm in honor of his old home in Nova Scotia. It contains two hundred acres of valuable and productive land, in the midst of which stands a large frame resi- dence, while in the rear are found good barns and substantial outbuildings. In fact this is one of the best improved places in the county, on which none of the accessories and equipments of a model farm of the twentieth century are lacking. In all of his work he is progressive, employing the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields, while his close study has given him progressive and accurate knowledge concerning the best methods of raising stock. He has some sixty head of registered shorthorn cattle, including some very fine animals, with an imported male at the head of the herd. He has bred and sold some very fine shorthorns in Clay and adjoining counties and his live-stock interests constitute an important and lucrative branch of his business. More- over, he is a stockholder and president of the Farmers Elevator of Spencer.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Black has been blessed with three children: Helen, now a junior in Cornell University of Iowa: Leroy, who assists in the operation of the home farm; and Margery C., who completes the family. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Spencer and take an active and helpful part in the work of the church and of the Sunday school, Mr. Black now serving for the second year as Sunday school superintendent. He is also a member of the official board and he does all in his power to promote the growth and extend the influence of the church. His political allegiance is given to the republican party at state and national elections, but at local elections where no issue is involved he votes independently of party ties, nor has he ever consented to become a candidate for office. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, and in the community is known as a reliable and public-spirited citizen. He cooperates in many movements for the general good and is particularly interested in everything pertaining to the agricultural development of the county. His activity in this direction is shown in the fact that he is president of the Farmers Institute. He is an active and willing worker for the upbuilding and advancement of the county in many lines and stands high in the regard of all who know him, while his acquaintance covers a wide territory because of the extent of his business interests.
ADOLPH SEIBEL.
Adolph Seibel, the owner of a farm of four hundred and twenty-five acres in Lincoln and Gillett Grove townships, where he is also engaged in raising high grade stock, is moreover entitled to representation in this volume from the fact that he is an honored veteran of the Civil war. He was born at Linberg, Germany, May 15, 1838, a son of Franz Joseph and Frances (Petmeky) Seibel. His father engaged in the manufacture of buttons, trimmings and official insignia in Germany. He came to the United States in 1853 as a passenger on a sailing vessel which was thirty days in completing the voyage to New York city. From that point he proceeded up the Hudson river to a place where he could
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get a train and by rail continued his journey westward to Chicago and to La Salle, Illinois, which was then the railroad terminus. By boat he went down the Illinois river and up the Mississippi to Burlington, from which point he proceeded with ox teams to Keokuk county, Iowa. There he resided from 1853 until his removal to Burlington in 1865, continuing his residence in the latter city until his demise. His wife, who was born in Germany, died in Keokuk county. They were the parents of four children: Sebastian, now deceased; Nannie, the widow of Carl Mahlinger, who died in Denver, Colorado ; Adolph; and Francis, now dead.
In the schools of Germany, Adolph Seibel pursued his education, his train- ing being equivalent to a high school education in this country. When fifteen years of age he came to the United States with his father and remained at honie until 1858, when he went to Kansas, where he secured a claim. Later he gave up that tract, however, and removed to Nebraska, driving from Winterset to Weston, about seven miles from Council Bluffs, without seeing a single house. In the fall of 1859 he returned to his Iowa home and was identified with farm- ing interests in this state until the fall of 1861, when he felt that his country needed his aid and he enlisted as a member of Company F, Eighth Iowa Infantry, to serve for three years or during the war. When his term had almost expired he reenlisted and was with the army altogether for four years and eight months. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded in the right arm by a minie ball and lay for nine months in the hospital. He was then discharged from the hospital, but the arm has never been entirely well. Early in his military experience he participated in a number of battles in Missouri, and when he rejoined his regiment after being wounded he took an active part in the Vicksburg campaign and was for nine months on provost guard duty at Memphis. There he took part in a hard fight, after which he proceeded with his command to New Orleans and to Mobile. The troops were just ten miles from Montgomery, Alabama, when the news reached them that Lee had surrendered. About this time they lived for three weeks on one pint of corn meal per day to each soldier and the meal was made by grinding the cob as well as the kernels. Mr. Seibel participated in all of the hardships that are meted out to the soldier and was holding the rank of corporal when at the close of the war he was honorably discharged.
When the country no longer needed his military aid, Mr. Seibel went to Burlington, Iowa, where he engaged in clerking in a wholesale house for a short time, but his health was still so poor that he was obliged to give up the position. Later he was a shipping clerk in a store for a year and then went to Keokuk county, Iowa, where he began teaming, hauling freight until the build- ing of the railroad, which drove him out of business. He next bought a sawmill, which he operated for seven years, and then turned his attention to farming. In 1882 he removed to Clay county and now owns four hundred and twenty- five acres of land in Lincoln and Gillett Grove townships. Here, in addition to cultivating the cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he is raising high grade stock, which proves to him a profitable source of income. That he pro- duces fine crops is shown by the fact that in one year he raised four thousand bushels of oats, twenty-five hundred bushels of barley, seven hundred bushels of
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wheat, six thousand bushels of corn and one hundred and fifty tons of hay, in addition to smaller crops. He has improved his land and now has a good home and buildings, the place presenting a neat and attractive appearance.
Mr. Seibel was married in 1867 to Miss Tina Mohme, who was born in Germany. They have become the parents of ten children: Anna, the wife of Lewis Boylen, of Almont, North Dakota; Frank, who is proprietor of a hard- ware and implement store at Sigourney, Iowa : Nannie, deceased ; Josephine, the wife. of David Logan, a farmer of this county: Clara, the wife of William Maurer, of Spencer ; Mary, Henry, Minnie, Carl and Florence, all at home.
In his political views Mr. Scibel is a republican and has been honored with a number of local offices, serving as township justice of the peace, clerk and trustee. He has also been treasurer of the school board for twelve years, belongs to the Catholic church and is a member of Spencer Post, G. A. R., thus main- taining pleasant relations with his old army comrades. No native born son of America was more loyal to the interests of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war, and in times of peace he has been equally faithful to his adopted country.
LEWIS LAHMON.
Lewis Lahmon is now living retired at Gilletts Grove after many years of close application in cultivating the soil in Clay county, his industry and enterprise having remunerated him with such a competence as now enables him to put aside the active duties of life and enjoy somewhat of its rest and pleasures. He was born in Knox county, Ohio, September 8, 1854, a son of James and Margaret (Humphrey) Lahmon, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Ohio. They went to Cedar county, this state, in 1868 and in the spring of 1872 removed to Logan township, Clay county, where they spent their remaining days, the father, who was born August 20. 1814, having passed away January 6, 1893, while the mother, who was born November 7. 1822, entered into rest October 8, 1894. In their family were the following children: Jonathan, born October 6, 1840; Eliza Ann, born August 15. 1842: James, Jr., who was born January 14, 1845, and died December 30, 1869: Margaret Elizabeth, born July 4, 1847 ; Abraham, born June 26, 1851, who died in infancy ; Henry, whose birth occurred September 21, 1852 ; Lewis, of this review : and Mary Ellen, born March 28, 1860.
Lewis Lahmon acquired his education in the common schools of his native county, and being fourteen years of age when his father settled upon a farm in Cedar county he there assisted him in the duties of the fields. In 1872 he removed with his parents to the farm he now has under cultivation in this county, on which he worked with his father until the death of the latter, when he assumed the management of the place on which he engaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing until the year 1904 when he left the old homestead and removed to Gillett Grove, where he is now living in the enjoyment of his well earned rest. Mr. Lahmon has practically grown up with this district, having witnessed its devel- opment through its several stages until it now presents a far different aspect from
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LEWIS LAHMON
THE NEW YUM !. PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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what it did when he first came here with his parents thirty-seven years ago. At that time their nearest market was either Storm Lake or Newell, and for many miles in all directions from their dwelling the prairies extended. Wild geese, ducks, deer, elk and other game were in abundance, and the feathered denizens of the forest were so numerous that they would often destroy the grain crops, thereby causing the farmers considerable loss. Now all wears a changed appearance, primitive conditions having passed, and instead of wide and vacant prairie region the locality in which his farm is situated is a settlement having many inhabitants and bearing every evidence of civilization and progress.
Mr. Lahmon has always been an ardent supporter of the principles of the democratic party, ever loyal to its candidates. In local affairs he has taken con- siderable interest, and for many terms served as a member of the school board. He is now in the prime of life and enjoys to the fullest measure the many advan- tages afforded by the present day, and being progressive, and a man whose life has always been in keeping with high standards, he justly deserves the full meas- ure of confidence and respect now entertained for him by all who know him.
CHARLTON B. BAILEY.
In a history of the business development of Dickens it is imperative that mention be made of Charlton B. Bailey, who is well known in the town as a lum- ber merchant and although his connection with commercial interests here has covered only a comparatively brief period, he had in his farming operations demonstrated his business worth and reliability. He was born in Montpelier, Vermont, August 20, 1869, and was a son of William and Alma (Wells) Bailey, both of whom were natives of the Green Mountain state. The father was a son of Eben Bailey, who was likewise born in Vermont, and followed the occupation of farming for many years. He was nearly ninety years of age at the time of his death. The maternal grandfather of our subject was also born in the Green Mountain state and devoted his energies to the shoemaker's trade. William Bailey has always been an agriculturist. He continued his residence in New England until 1870, when he removed westward with his family to Fort Dodge, Iowa, and then continued his journey by team to Royal, Clay county. In this county he homesteaded eighty acres of land and with characteristic energy began to cultivate and improve that farm, upon which he still makes his home. In 1908 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in the summer of that year. She was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mr. Bailey belongs to the Christian church. Unto them were born five children : Charlton B., of this review; Edwin H., a resident of Spencer, Iowa ; Thomas W., of Royal, Iowa ; and two who died in early life.
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