USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 40
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Returning to his home in Winnebago county Mr. Warren spent several months in recuperating his lost health. He was married there on the 25th of February, 1866, to Miss Amanda Chamberlain, a native of Vermont, who spent her early girlhood in New England and at the age of nine years became a resident of Winnebago county, Illinois. She is a sister of Harry Chamberlain, of Spencer. Following, his marriage Mr. Warren engaged in farming until the fall of 1882 and then removed to Clay county, Iowa, securing a homestead claim of eighty acres in Clay township. Good health and willing hands largely constituted his capital. He did not fear earnest and persistent work, however, and broke his eighty acres, making some improvements upon it, including the building of a small house. Later he bought eighty acres more and continued the work of development along modern lines, replacing his early dwelling with a commodious and substantial house, while barns and outbuildings were also put up and the farm thus became a model property of the twentieth century. The fields were carefully tilled and from time to time he secured the latest improved farm ma- chinery to facilitate his work. As the years passed the sale of his crops added materially to his income and he is now numbered among the men of affluence in the county. He continued in active farm work until 1904, when he removed to Everly and purchased a residence and thirteen lots. He has since built a good barn on one of these lots, for he always keeps a carriage and horses, and is now comfortably situated in life, his income being sufficient to supply him with all of the necessities and many of the luxuries that make life worth living.
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As the years have passed seven children have been added to the Warren household: Nora, now the wife of Lyman French, a resident farmer of Lone Tree township; Florence, the wife of William French, who is living in Clay township; Clara, the wife of Charles Stone, a resident of Dickens; Bettie, the wife of William Edwards, also living in Dickens; Arthur, who is married and now owns and cultivates the old home place; William R., who follows farming in Clay township; and Nellie, the wife of Norman Doolittle of Everly.
When age conferred upon him. the right of franchise William Warren proudly cast his first presidential vote for General U. S. Grant in 1868. Each nominee at the head of the party since that time has received his loyal support and he has ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day and gives his cooperation to many movements for the public good. In Clay town- ship he served on the school board for a number of years, was also assessor for three consecutive terms, was school treasurer for eleven years and postmaster at Yankee Postoffice for seventeen years. He likewise served as justice of the peace, being appointed to fill a vacancy, and has acted as delegate to numerous county conventions, his opinions carrying weight in local councils of his party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Warren is a mem- ber of the Grand Army post at Peterson. In days of peace he has been as loyal to his country as he was in times of war, when he followed the old flag on south- ern battlefields. While his life has been quietly passed, his life record, neverthe- less, contains lessons of value, for it shows what can be accomplished by deter- mined and persistent spirit and honorable dealing. He now occupies a position among the prosperous citizens of Clay county and the most envious cannot grudge him his success, so worthily has it been won.
GEORGE H. PARKER.
George H. Parker owns and cultivates a large farm in Herdland township, and by constant application has surrounded himself with an enviable degree of prosperity. He was born in Manchester township, Boone county, Illinois, July 20, 1862. Little is known of the grandparents of the subject of this review, aside from the fact that his paternal grandparents were Isaac and Mary Jane (Poor) Parker, and his maternal grandfather was Isaac Stockwell, both sides of the house having been natives of England, while an uncle, John Parker, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His ancestors are said to have been remarkable for their longevity. Edward and Elizabeth (Stockwell) Parker, the parents of George H. Parker, were natives of New Hampshire and Canada, respectively, and settled in Boone county, Illinois, in the early '40s. There his father engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1852, when becoming inspired by the news of wealth gleaned in the California gold fields he made the journey across the plains with an ox-team to that state, where for three years he successfully engaged in mining. At the expiration of that period he returned to Boone county with a neat little fortune and there remained until his death, which occurred in September, 1899, when he was in his seventy-sixth year, while his wife still resides on the old
THE NEW YORK PUBLICLIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
MRS. G. H. PARKER
G. H. PARKER
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
homestead. To them were born the following children: William, who passed away in his ninth year : Byron L., a resident of Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Ellen, who entered into rest in her twenty-first year : Maria, who lives in Beloit, Wisconsin ; Charles H., a resident of Okoboji Lake, Iowa; George H .; Perry, who lives in Boone county, Illinois ; Ed, on the old homestead with his mother.
George H. Parker acquired his knowledge of agriculture on the home farm and obtained his education during his boyhood days in the district schools. When in his nineteenth year he left home to enter the business world and for about three years in various localities he hired out as a farm hand by the month. Presently he returned to Boone county, Illinois, locating near Belvidere, where he remained until 1886, when he came to this state and entered land. He now owns one of the finest and most highly improved farms in Herdland township, consist- ing of three hundred and twenty acres, all of which is under cultivation. It is provided with an attractive home, large barns and outbuildings and at the same time is excellently situated for farming purposes so that his premises are among the most desirable in the county. Aside from general agriculture he also engages in stock feeding, making this a remunerative department of his business and. giving undivided attention to the enterprise, he enjoys the reputation of being one of the most progressive farmers in the vicinity.
In April, 1891, Mr. Parker wedded Miss Caroline Mckenzie, a daughter of Ennis and Sarah (Nickelson) Mckenzie, natives of Canada, who settled in McLean county, Illinois, at an early date, afterward removing to Sac county. Iowa, where they remained for several years, finally locating in Sioux Rapids about 1880. There the father died in 1904, in his seventy-sixth year, while his wife passed away in March, 1908, in her sixty-third year. To Mr. and Mrs. Parker have been born four children: Lillian E., whose birth occurred January 31, 1892; Ellen P., born November 2, 1894; George E., born August 8, 1902 ; and Gladys M., whose birth occurred September 20, 1904. Two of the children attend the Central school at Webb, Iowa. Mr. Parker belongs to Enterprise Lodge, No. 332, A. F. & A. M., at Sioux Rapids, and is also affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. Politically he is a republican, believing firmly in the policies set forth in the principles of the party, and he is always a loyal supporter of its candidates. Locally he is interested in the betterment of the community and for a number of years rendered the township excellent service as a trustee and a member of the school board. He is a man of many sterling traits of character, reliable in business, progressive in citizenship and at all times trustworthy and reliable.
T. L. BAILEY.
T. L. Bailey, now living retired, is numbered among the veterans of the Civil war and for a long time was actively and successfully engaged in business, the energy which he displayed therein bringing to him the success that now enables him to rest from further labor save for the supervision of his investments. He was born in Waitfield, Vermont, June 24, 1848, and is a representative of an old New England family, his parents being Andrew C. and Aresina ( Bailey) CLAY 2".
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Bailey. The father was born in Berlin, Vermont, in which state he always resided, devoting his attention to general farming. His death occurred in 1898. The family, probably, springs from English ancestry. The mother, also a native of the Green Mountain state. died there in 1863, T. L. Bailey being their only child. After the death of his first wife the father married again, his second union being with Mrs. Emma Eddy, and unto them were born four children : Ida. the wife of E. (). MacIntosh, of Vermont : Susie, the wife of Elmer Scott ; May, the wife of Arthur Bailey; and Myrtle, the wife of Edgar McNichol. All are residents of V'ermont.
In the graded schools of Montpelier. Vermont, T. L. Bailey acquired his education. He remained at home until sixteen years of age and then enlisted as a member of Company E, of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, on the 14th of Angust, 1864. Although but a boy in years, he did valiant duty and was hon- orably discharged in June, 1865. the war having been brought to a close. He had participated in the three days' fight at Petersburg, in the battle of Hatchers Run and Welden Raid, and had followed Lee to Poplar Grove, in a six days' running fight. In the ten months of his service he saw active duty, becoming familiar with all of the experiences meted out to the soldier. On his return from the war he again took up his abode at Montpelier, where he remained a short time, and then removed to Rutland, Vermont, where, for four years, he acted as salesman in the store of Mr. W. H. B. Owens. The opportunities of the west, however, attracted him and, believing that he would have a better chance to improve his financial condition beyond the Mississippi, he made his way to Clay county and secured as a homestead claim the northeast corner of section 22, Clay township, in 1870. Upon the farm which he there developed he remained thirty years. During that period he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and made many substantial improvements and he still owns that land. Year after year he carefully tilled the soil and his farming operations brought him creditable success. In 1901 he removed to Royal and as indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature, he felt that he could not be content to have no business pursuit, so devoted three years to clerking in a store. Since that time he has lived retired, in the enjoyment of well-earned rest. In addition to the home place he owns eighty acres of land on section 13. Clay township, and his wife has some property in the town, including a store building. Starting out empty-handed. Mr. Bailey has accumulated a comfortable competence. He deserves much credit for what he has done. He has witnessed many changes since coming to the county, which was a pioneer district at the time of his arrival. He had made the journey westward with two other farmers and together they owned but the one team of horses, their financial resources being too limited to enable each to own a team.
It was in 1868 that Mr. Bailey was married to Miss Julia A. Smith, who was born in Roxbury, Vermont, in 1849. She was a daughter of Alvin and Susan (Lewis) Smith. Her father is now living in Barre, Vermont, while the mother died in January. 1854. In their family were six children, Emery L .. Gilbert O., Sanford S., Amelia, Mrs. Bailey and Edwin F. After losing his first wife Mr. Smith was again married, the second union being with Miss Vienna Williams, whom he wedded in 1861. They had one son, Alvin J., now of Massachusetts.
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The Smith family came of Welsh and English ancestry. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born two children. Ozias T., born in February, 1873. is now a member of the firm of Bailey Brothers & Albers, dealers in implements at Royal. George L., born in November. 1878, is also a member of the firm. The elder son married Miss Laura L. Thomas and has two children, Wendell L., born in 1900, and Blanch L., in 1903. George L. Bailey wedded Miss Marie Albers, of Royal.
In his political views Mr. Bailey has long been a stalwart democrat and. though he has not been a politician in the sense of office seeking, he is very loyal to the best interests of the community and has served as both secretary and treas- urer of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend. He belongs to Peterson Post of the G. A. R., in which he has passed through all of the chairs, and he has likewise filled the various offices in the Odd Fellows Lodge at Royal. Both he and his wife are connected with Rebekah Lodge and Mrs. Bailey belongs also to the Woman's Relief Corps, of Peterson. They fre- quently attend the Willow Creek Methodist Episcopal church and have assisted in building several churches. Well known in this county, where they have resided from pioneer times, they well deserve representation in this volume, for their social qualities have made them many friends, while the business record of Mr. Bailey is most creditable and enviable.
CHRIS PETERSEN.
Chris Petersen, living on a farm on section 27, Lone Tree township, has a place of one hundred and sixty acres which presents a neat and attractive appear- ance. In his life he has manifested many of the sterling characteristics of his Germany ancestry and his record is another proof of the fact that the sons of Germany have usually been recognized as valued citizens wherever they have cast in their lot in America, employing its advantages and its opportunities for their own welfare and the good of the community at large.
Mr. Petersen was born in Schleswig, Germany, February 13, 1871. His father, Julius Petersen, was also a native of that province and there passed his youthful days and married. He became well known as a business man of the lo- cality and also held various official positions of honor an'l trust. He is now post- master at Hattstedt, which position he has filled for many years, although he has reached the age of seventy-two.
Chris Petersen spent his youthful days under the parental roof and was afforded good educational privileges, being instructed in both the German and English languages. He came to the new world in 1887 when a youth of sixteen years, sailing from Hamburg to New York. He did not tarry in the east. however. but made his way direct to Iowa and settled in Jones county, where he had rela- tives living. It was this that influenced him to become a resident of the Hawkeye state. For a year he worked as a farm hand in Jones county and in 1890 came to Clay county, where he was again employed at farm labor for a year. On the ex- piration of that period he took charge of the Everly creamery, which he capably
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and successfully controlled for six years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until his industry and economy brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase a farm. He then invested in one hundred and sixty acres in Clay township and removed to this farm, which he cultivated for two years. In 1902 he bought his present place of residence on section 27, Lone Tree town- ship. Here he has one hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting a neat and well improved place. In all of his farm work he is energetic and diligent, over- coming all difficulties and obstacles by his perseverance and determination. The improvements which he has placed upon his farm are of a modern character. He has fenced his land and divided it into fields of convenient size and promoted its arability through the judicious use of tiling. He has a good barn upon the place, has built a corn crib, a granary and hog house. The farm is today neat and well improved and he annually gathers considerable fruit from an orchard he had planted. He also has a nice grove upon the place and with his farming raises, feeds and fattens stock, shipping about two carloads of fat hogs and cattle cach vear.
While living in Everly Mr. Petersen was married, on Thanksgiving day of 1895, to Miss Martha Brugman, a native of Iowa, who was born in Davenport but was of German parentage. They now have four children: Helen, Alice. Julius and Florence. In politics Mr. Petersen is recognized as one of the leading supporters of the democracy in this locality and his fellow townsmen, appreciat- ing his genuine personal worth, have several times called him to office. He was elected and served as township clerk for one year, after which he resigned. Ile was next elected assessor and, being continued in the office through successive elections, has been the incumbent for nine successive years, being again chosen in the fall of 1908 for a few years' term. He believes thoroughly in good schools and competent teachers and is now serving as secretary of the school board. Both he and his wife are consistent and faithful members of the German Lutheran church, in which Mr. Petersen is acting as a trustee. 1Ie belongs also to Everly lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, has filled all of its chairs and is a past grand. He is likewise a member of the Modern Woodmen camp. He has no occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world. In fact he has always regarded it as one of the wisest steps he ever made, for in this country, where labor and ambition are not hampered by caste or class, he has worked his way steadily upward, winning success and at the same time gaining the good will of many friends in the community where he makes his home.
W. J. BEEKS.
The ranks of Civil war veterans are fast being, decimated. Year by year many respond to the last roll call, and it is fitting that while some of the boys in blue survive they should be honored by their fellow townsmen for the service which they rendered to the country during the darkest hour in all its history. Mr. Beeks is among those who for three years or more did active duty on southern battlefields, and in days of peace he has been equally loyal to his
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country and is now numbered among the public-spirited citizens of Everly. At the present time he is living retired, but for many years was a progressive farmer of Dickinson county and is numbered among the oldest settlers of the state, dating his residence here from 1840. Iowa had not yet been admitted to the Union when he took up his abode within its borders. He had been born on the frontier, in Dearborn county, Ohio, on the Indiana line, June 28, 1824. His. father, Samuel Beeks, was a native of Virginia and, following his removal to the Buckeye state, was there married to Elizabeth Lambden, who was likewise born in the Old Dominion. Mr. Beeks was a miller and millwright by trade. He became a factor in the pioneer development and progress of western Ohio and eastern Indiana and in 1840 again took up his abode on the frontier by becon- ing a resident of Linn county, Iowa. He worked at his trade in Cedar Rapids and other towns and continued his residence in this state until he passed away in Dubuque county.
W. J. Beeks was reared in Linn county and in his youthful days learned tlie carpenter's and millwright's trades. He also engaged in farming for four or five years in Jones county, and it was in that county, in October, 1847, that he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Jane Robinson, a native of Virginia. About 1840 he had gone to Dickinson county, where he had secured a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres. Following his marriage he gave consid- erable attention to the development of his farm.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Becks put aside all business and personal considerations and offered his aid to the government, enlisting at Anamosa in June, 1862, as a member of Company K, Sixth Iowa Cavalry. The regiment was assigned to duty in the west among the Indians, and out on the plains he participated in many skirmishes, continuing in the service for three years and eight months. He had a horse killed from under him and at that time sustained injuries from which he never recovered. At the close of the war he was mustered out and was honorably discharged at Davenport late in the year 1865.
Following his military experience Mr. Beeks was connected with various industrial pursuits. He followed carpentry and other business interests in dif- ferent places, and in Dickinson county he homesteaded and opened up a farmi of one hundred and sixty acres. Upon the place he built a good house, barn and sheds and also divided his farm into fields of convenient size by well kept fences. He likewise planted a grove and cultivated an orchard, and altogether made a nice place of his property. Year after year he capably and success- fully tilled the soil, until 1906, when he rented his farm and removed to Everly, where he purchased a home and has since lived retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
In 1908 Mr. Beeks was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in Everly in December of that year. They had traveled life's journey together for more than sixty years, their mutual love and confidence increasing as time passed on. They were the parents of the following three sons and three daughters: Christopher, who is a stone mason and lives in North Dakota ; John T., a farmer of Dickinson county; Charles R., a carpenter and farmer, who is connected with building interests in Everly and who was married here in August, 1890, to Miss Ida Schulz, a native of Germany, who came to the
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new world when a maiden of nine summers and by her marriage has one son, George H. Beeks, who is now a young man ; Elizabeth, the wife of J. B. Grapes, of Delaware county, Iowa : Nancy J., the wife of Nelson Frederickson, of North Dakota : and Levina, wife of James Gilmore, of Killum, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Beeks were also called upon to mourn the loss of three of their children. Their first-born, a daughter. Mary Jane, died at the age of seven years, while William J. passed away at the age of six months. Katie died in Jones county, Iowa, at the age of nineteen years.
Mr. Beeks gives his political fealty to the democracy and two of his sons are supporters of the same party, while his son Charles is a republican. There are few residents of Iowa who have so long resided within the state ; for through- out sixty-nine years Mr. Beeks has made his home within its borders and has been an active and helpful factor in improving and developing a number of counties. His life has been at all times honorable and well spent and he now receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one of his years, whose leading characteristics have been the sterling qualities of upright manhood. His memory goes back to the time when in certain sections of the state there were many log cabins, while in other regions sod houses were to be seen. The most far-sighted could not have dreamed of the changes which were to occur and were to make this one of the leading states of the Union, with advantages in some directions superior to those of any other district. In his youthful days the homes were lighted by candles and heated by fireplaces and the winds swept over the prairies unbroken by forest or buildings. Rich in its natural resources, the state has responded readily to the labors of its people, especially in agricultural lines and Mr. Beeks has lived to see every section of the state settled by a contented and prosperous people.
H. L. CHATTERTON.
H. L. Chatterton, who for many years has been a practicing veterinary surgeon and is numbered among the substantial farmers and representative citi- zens of Peterson township, is a native of Beekmantown, New York, where he was born August 8, 1861, a son of William H. and Hilah S. (Edsell) Chatterton, his father having been a native of Vermont and located in New York state about the year 1838 and in 1868 removed to Jones county, Iowa, near Onslow, where he pursued agriculture until he departed this life January 8, 1894. He served the township a number of years as constable and collector and for thirteen con- secutive years in early life he engaged in lumbering. His mother was also a native of Vermont. her birth having occurred in Addison, August 10, 1823. Pre- vious to this union both she and her husband had been united in marriage, he having wedded Marietta Foote, in Middlebury, Vermont, May 29, 1838, by whom he had two sons: Henry C., who resides in Jones county, this state : and Benja- min, who passed away September 22, 1869. On July 26, 1842, she was united in marriage to Joseph Humphrey, to which union were born: Alice Paulina, deceased wife of H. P. Chatterton, who served in Company H. One Hundred and
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