USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 44
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JAMES JOHNSON.
James Johnson, owner of a neat and carefully cultivated farm on section 18. Lone Tree township, his home being not far from the village of Moneta, has been a witness of the growth and development of the county for thirty-six years. as his residence in this part of the state dates from 1873. He was born in Den- mark, March 1, 1848, and remained a resident of his native land until after he
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had attained his majority. His educational opportunities were very limited, but reading, experience and observation have made him a well informed man since he attained his majority. He came to the new world as a young man of twenty years, sailing from Liverpool to Portland, Maine. He did not tarry in New England, however, but made his way directly westward to Brandon, Wisconsin. He was unaccompanied by friend or relative and he brought no capital with him into the new world save his self-reliant spirit and commendable ambition. It was imperative that he obtain immediate employment and he went to work on a farm, where he remained through the summer, while in the winter seasons he was employed in the pineries. Subsequently he removed to the lumber regions of Michigan, settling at Ludington, where he worked in a sawmill one season. He then returned to Wisconsin and felt that his business prospects justified him in establishing a home of his own.
It was in the Beaver state, in the spring of 1872, that Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Anna Anderson, a native of Denmark, who came to the new world' with her parents. In 1873 the young couple removed westward to Clay county, Iowa, which was then a frontier district, in which comparatively few settlements had been made, while many evidences of frontier life were here to be seen. Mr. Johnson first purchased eighty acres of land and the pioneer home was a little sod house in which they lived for eight years. It contained little beyond the necessities of life, but Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were willing to undergo hardships and privations, for eventually they might gain prosperity. With char- acteristic energy Mr. Johnson gave his attention to the ardnous task of breaking the sod and bringing the fields into a state of rich fertility. It meant much hard labor but he did not falter and as prosperity attended him in the course of time he was able to purchase an additional tract of eighty acres adjoining the first purchase. This he also improved and still later he bought one hundred and sixty acres on section 20, Lone Tree township. On the home farm he set out a grove and also planted an orchard. Through the work of such men as Mr. Johnson this district of the county no longer deserves its appellation of Lone Tree township, for on almost every farm are now seen many fine trees, representing every kind of forest growth native to the state. Mr. Johnson has made many improvements on his place in other ways, including the erection of a large and attractive residence. He has also put up a big barn and cattle shed and now has a neat place on which none of the accessories of a model farm property is lacking.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were born three sons and two daughters : Andrew W., who is married and cultivates his father's second farm; Henry, who resides in Roberts county, South Dakota, on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres which his father owns there : Martin, who is the owner of six hundred and forty acres of land which he homesteaded in Nebraska ; Minnie, the wife of M. R. Proctor, of Los Angeles, California, and Hannah, who is in Nebraska with her brother and also owns six hundred and forty acres adjoining his land.
The parents are members of the Seventh Day Adventist church and Mr. Johnson gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is conversant with the leading issues of the day. He has served as road supervisor and also as a member of the village board and is a man of strict integrity and worth, who
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has the confidence and regard of the entire community. As one of the early settlers of the county he justly deserves mention in this volume, for he has done an important work in advancing its present development, especially along agricultural lines.
O. B. SCOTT.
O. B. Scott, early recognizing the fact that no obscure secret constitutes the key to success but that prosperity has its foundation in persistent, honorable and intelligently directed labor, has worked his way upward until he is now well known as a prominent representative of banking interests in Clay county. He was born near Ruthven, Iowa, May 25, 1872, a son of Horace and Sarah (Moore) Scott. The father was a native of the state of New York and about the time of the close of the Civil war, in 1865, he removed westward to Wis- consin, locating near Wankau, where he resided for about six years. In thic fall of 1871 he came to Iowa and settled at Ruthven, where he resided until his death, his remains being interred in the cemetery there. His political allegiance was given to the republican party, while his religious faith was indicated in his membership in the Baptist church. His wife was also a native of the Empire state and they were married in New York. She, too, died in Iowa, passing away in Ruthven in March, 1883. They were the parents of seven children: Emily, now deceased: Nettie, the wife of George Hamm, a lumber dealer residing at Feeley, Minnesota : Matilda, the wife of Charles Harris, who is engaged in farming at Ruthven, Iowa; Horace E, who died in October. 1895; Ida M., the wife of W. L. Miller, a hardware merchant of Julesburg, Colorado; W. B., who is engaged in the express and transfer business at Oakland, California ; and O. B., of this review.
In taking up the personal history of O. B. Scott we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known, for he has made a good record as a business man and as a citizen. He pursued his early education in the country school and continued his studies in the Ruthven high school, from which he was in due course of time graduated. He then engaged in teaching in the country schools of Clay county from 1889 until 1894 and proved a capable teacher, maintaining discipline and imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge which he had acquired. In the latter year he was appointed deputy postmaster at Peterson and served until 1895, when he left that position to become assistant cashier of the First National Bank at that place. There he remained for five years, gaining comprehensive knowledge of the banking business, so that broad experience well qualified him for the duties of his present position, when he was made cashier of the Citizens' Savings Bank at Royal. He is also a stockholder in the bank here and is the owner of some valuable and desirable real estate in the town.
Mr. Scott is also well known in fraternal circles and is a faithful repre- sentative of various organizations. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Royal, in which he has served as master, and he also belongs to Clay chapter.
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R. A. M., at Spencer. He is likewise connected with the Eastern Star at Peterson and he belongs to Royal Lodge, I. O. O. F., to the Rebekah Lodge at Roval and to the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 7038, at that place. He also belongs to the Bankers' Association and is popular in these different organizations.
In 1895 Mr. Scott was married to Miss Elizabeth Roberts, daughter of Hugh R. and Rachel (Jones) Roberts. Mr. Roberts was born in Wales, in 1829, and came to the United States in 1857, while his wife, also a native of Wales, was born in 1840, and came to this country one year earlier than her husband. They were married in February, 1859, moving to Clay county, Iowa, in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are now residing in Lincoln township, this county, and have just celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their married life together.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott are both well known in this county and have an extensive circle of warm friends. Mr. Scott's enterprise and industry have carried him into important relations with business affairs and he has won for himself a most creditable reputation by his enterprise and reliability in every connection in which he has been found.
JOHN CHEEVERS.
John Cheevers, a retired agriculturist of Douglas township, this county, and a veteran of the Ciivl war, who was distinguished for his bravery at the battle of Missionary Ridge, is a native of Wexford county, Ireland, where his birth occurred February 26, 1832, a son of Peter and Bettie (Carten ) Cheevers, both of whom were natives of the Emerald isle, where they spent their entire lives. Peter Cheevers was twice married, by his first wife, who was a Miss Kerwin. having had three children, Patrick, William and Nicholas, all deceased, and by his second wife five children, John, Simon, Michael, Jane, living in Brooklyn, New York, and Margaret, living in Ireland in the house where our subject was born.
In the national schools of his native land John Cheevers acquired his educa- tion and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-one years of age, at which period of his life he came to the new world, landing in Quebec, Canada, where he remained for a few weeks, and then repaired to Rochester, New York. At that place he worked in a livery stable for a period of three years. At the expiration of that time, in 1856, he went to Chicago, where he worked for a transportation company, remaining in that position for a period of five years, after which he began farming in La Salle county, Illinois.
.It was while pursuing his occupation there that the Civil war broke out and Mr. Cheevers, being among the first to respond to the call for recruits, enlisted for three years' service as a member of Company C. Eighty-eighth Illinois Vo !- unteer Infantry. During his military career he participated in some of the most hotly fought battles of the war, namely: Perrysville, Kentucky; Stone River, Tennessee : Chickamauga, Georgia : Chattanooga, Tennessee : Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia: Lovejoy Station, Georgia; Spring Hill, Georgia;
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Franklin ; and Nashville. At the time of his enlistment in Chicago in 1862 Mr. Cheevers was chosen color sergeant and carried the flag throughout his entire service. At the battle of Missionary Ridge he was in the centre charge and for forty minutes held the flag within twenty yards of the breastworks of the enemy. While he was in that position four bullets pierced his hat, while sixteen were shot through the flag. Determined to carry the colors into the lines of the enemy he made a rush toward the breastworks, succeeded in reaching them and planted the flag firmly in the ground and retreated within his own line without being seriously wounded, whereupon he became known throughout the ranks as the "hero of Missionary Ridge." Benjamin F. Taylor, in describing this battle in his Memoirs, writes : "It is not for me to say who got there first, for so many are looking for the honors, but one thing I can say, I saw John Cheevers there." It is doubtful whether any other man carried the flag for three years and brought it home with- out having received serious wounds.
After the war Mr. Cheevers returned to La Salle county, Illinois, where he remained until the year 1871, and then removed to Iroquois county, that state, locating at Fountain Creek, where he remained until 1882, when he repaired to this county and purchased railroad land, which he cultivated until his retirement from active life. He owns one hundred and sixty acres on sections 25 and 26, Douglas township, and has made all the improvements upon the property, which, since his occupation, has been kept under a higli state of cultivation and is now under the management of his son.
On January 14, 1856, Mr. Cheevers wedded Miss Mary Ryan and to their union were born eight children, namely: Elizabeth, at home ; Jennie, who became the wife of William Sweely, of Clay county, South Dakota: Mary, the wife of William H. Leonard, an interior decorator of Chicago, Illinois; Nellie, who wed- ded Michael Fisher, an agriculturist of Clay county, South Dakota ; Catherine, the wife of E. D. Flangan, a stock buyer of Heron Lake, Minnesota ; Emma, who became the wife of Patrick O'Connor, the couple residing on a farm near Rock Valley, Lyon county, this state ; Margaret, the wife of J. N. Dumas, of Wilder, Minnesota ; and William, who is operating his father's farm.
In politics Mr. Cheevers is a republican, has been trustee of the township for a number of years, and is now serving as treasurer of the school board. He is a member of the Roman Catholic church and his noble qualities of character and upright life have always given him high standing. in the community.
CHARLES S. WEAVER.
Charles S. Weaver, clerk of the court in the fourteenth judicial district and a well known resident of Spencer, was born in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, June 24, 1859. In the paternal line he is of English lineage, for his grandfather, Stephen Weaver, was a native of Sussex, England, and when a young. man came to America, settling in Oneida county, New York, near Utica. There he followed the blacksmith's trade for a time and in 1837 removed westward to Wisconsin with four brothers, all locating in Waukesha county about eighteen miles from
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Milwaukee. A short time afterward Stephen Weaver returned to New York, but his brothers remained in the middle west and followed the occupation of farming. About eighteen years later he again made his way to Wisconsin, purchased a farm and there carried on agricultural pursuits. He died in 1888 at a very advanced age, while his wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Maxon, also passed away.at a ripe old age. Their family numbered one daughter and five sons, including Martin H. Weaver, the father of Charles S. Weaver. He was born in the Empire state and throughout his life followed the occupation of farming until the past twelve or fifteen years. His parents went to Wisconsin to make permanent location when he was eighteen years of age and he lived in Waukesha county and in the northern part of the state for twenty-six years. In 1881 he came to Spencer, where he resided until 1908. In early manhood he wedded Adeline Bartlett, who was born in New York city, a daughter of Charles and Abbie (Smith) Bartlett. Her father was a native of New Hampshire and a carpenter by trade, but principally followed the occupation of farming. In 1845 he removed westward to Wisconsin and traveled extensively over the country. He died in the Badger state at the age of seventy-five years, while his wife, sur- viving him for some time, was more than eighty years of age at the time of her death. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Smith, Adeline, Abbie, John, Charles, Henrietta, Lavinia and Franklin. Of this number Adeline became the wife of Martin H. Weaver and passed away at their home in Spencer in May, 1908, at the age of seventy-one years, since which time Mr. Weaver has returned to Wisconsin to make his home in Milwaukee. They had four children: Charles S., of this review : Emma, the wife of Walter Davidson, of Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin ; William M., a resident of Milwaukee : and Olin B., whose demise occurred when he was seven years of age.
Charles S. Weaver was reared upon the old home farm in Waukesha county, Wisconsin, and attended the district schools, while in the summer months he aided in the work of the farm. He taught one term of school in Wisconsin and after removing to Iowa followed that profession for four years. In 1881 he came to Spencer, where he has since made his home and after devoting a brief period to teaching he engaged in clerking in a store for six years. Ambitious to engage in business on his own account. he then established a grocery store which he conducted for five years, after which he again engaged in clerking. In 1898 he was elected clerk of the district court and has since filled the position, covering a period of eleven years. He discharges his duties with marked promptness and fidelity and his excellent record is indicated in the fact of his re-election. He is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Traverse county, Minnesota, and also owns a good home in Spencer.
In 1881 Mr. Weaver was married to Miss Mary E. Hindes, a daughter of Frank and Eliza (Smith) Hindes. They were the parents of six children, four daughters and two sons: Ralph Mortimer, Nina Pearl. Ethel May, Frank. Helen and Mary. The mother passed away in 1898, at the age of thirty-eight years, in the faith of the Episcopal church, in which she held membership. In 1902 Mr. Weaver was again married, his second union being with Miss Florence E. Mack, a daughter of Squire and Lucy (Barry) Mack. Mr. Weaver belongs to Spencer Lodge, No. 247, I. O. O. F., and also to Encampment No. 189. He is likewise a
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member of Harmony Lodge, No. 188. K. P., and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is recognized as one of its stalwart workers, active in its support and earnest in his efforts to promote its success. He has made a most commendable official record and has the good will of all the lawyers practic- ing at the bar of the district, while in other relations of life he enjoys to the full extent the confidence and good will of those with whom he has been brought in contact.
DANIEL D. LONG.
Lone Tree township has its full quota of progressive farmers who have contributed their share to the upbuilding and development of the county. Among this number is Daniel D. Long, now living on section 32, Lone Tree township, where his time and energies are fully occupied with the care and further improve- ment of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which presents a neat appearance and is the visible evidence of his life of well directed thrift. Mr. Long is a native of England, his birth having occurred in Somersetshire, December 21, 1863. There he was reared to the age of seventeen, when he heard and heeded the call of the new world. The reports which he had received concerning its business conditions proved irresistibly attractive to him and in 1880 he crossed the Atlantic, becoming a resident of Morrison, Illinois. He had acquired a good common- school education in his native country and had afterward received a systematic and thorough business training when clerking in a store, so that he was well qualified to start in on his own account when he came to the United States. In Morrison he purchased a general mercantile store and carried on the business for three years, after which he sold out and turned his attention to dealing in implements, in which line he continued for another period of three years.
It was during his residence in Morrison that Mr. Long was married, on the Ioth of February, 1886, the lady of his choice being Miss Esther Murray, who was born and reared in Illinois. They have become the parents of four sons, Bert S., Franklin L., Murray S. and Frederick C., all of whom are yet under the parental roof and assist in carrying on the home farm.
It was in 1901 that Mr. Long came to Clay county and purchased one hun -. dred and sixty acres of land on section 32, Lone Tree township, constituting his present farm. On the land was a small house and a corn-crib, but otherwise it was destitute of improvements. He fenced the place and with characteristic energy began to cultivate his land in the production of cereals best adapted to climatic conditions here. Today fine fields of waving grain give promise of golden harvests in the autumn and he has erected a large granary and corn-cribs to shelter his products. He has also built large cattle-sheds and has used woven- wire fences to surround his fields, thus protecting the crops from hogs and sheep. He has also put out beautiful shade trees and an orchard of his own planting yields its fruits in season. His home is one of the fine country residences and, glancing over his place, it is seen that none of the accessories of a model farm is here lacking. In the pastures and feed-lots are found good grades of stock and
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he annually fattens about two carloads of hogs and cattle. He also raises short- horn cattle, keeping high grade animals. He is now turning his attention to the breeding and raising of pure-blooded Leicestershire sheep. His financial interests extend to the Everly Farmers' Elevator Company, of which he was one of the promoters and is now a stockholder and the secretary. In all of his business deal- ings he has shown good judgment and marked enterprise and has made his efforts count to the utmost, utilizing every opportunity to the best advantage.
Mr. Long has been a stalwart republican since becoming a naturalized American citizen, for he believes that the party principles are most conducive to good government. While in Morrison he was elected and served three years as township clerk and also served on the equalization board and the board of com- missions. His wife is a member of the Evangelical church, while Mr. Long belongs to the Knights of Pythias lodge and has passed all the chairs in Morrison, being now a past chancellor. He is likewise connected with the Woodmen and in fraternal relations is loyal to the beneficent spirit which constitutes the basic element of these organizations. In a review of his life it will be seen that he is a man of good business training and of undaunted enterprise, who has formed his plans readily and has carried them forward to successful completion, ever basing his business principles and actions upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity and unfaltering industry.
SAMUEL FERGUSON.
Scotland has many representatives in the new world and they have been found foremost in giving impetus to the march of progress and in directing affairs along safe and conservative lines and consequently this country in its various vocations has been in many ways eminently honored and benefited by the sturdy Scot to whom for its civilization and institutions it is in large measure indebted. Samuel Ferguson, who is well known in agricultural lines in Logan township, this county, is a native of that country, his birth having occurred in Thornhill, Perthshire, May 21, 1855. He comes from a family which can trace its ancestry far back in the annals of the nation, while its members attained con- siderable distinction in their native land. His paternal great-grandparents were John and Kate Ferguson and on the maternal side the grandmother's name was Katherine McCauley. His grandfather. Archibald Ferguson, was a blacksmith by trade and worked in Glasgow with the great ship builder, Napier. Living at Thornhill, a distance of thirty miles from that city, he would regularly make the journey back and forth for his stay over Sunday and, leaving home early each Monday morning, would walk the thirty miles and be on hand at six o'clock to resume his duties-a fact indicative of both his industry and hardihood. All the members of the Ferguson family were noted for their strength and agility, while longevity was also a family characteristic. James Ferguson, a son of Archibald Ferguson and father of the subject of this review, was also a black- smith in his native land until he departed this life in 1859 when eighty years old. His wife, who was Elizabeth McCauley, passed away in 1899.
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Samuel Ferguson was a lad of five years when his father passed away and three years later he was put out to service, where he remained until he was about twenty-seven years old, during which time he was employed herding cattle. In 1882, hearing of the opportunities offered in the new world to industrious young mr.en, he decided to try his fortune in the United States and in the month of May, 1882, set sail on the vessel, Devonia, for New York city. He did not remain long in the metropolis, but went instead to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for four years, at the expiration of which time he came to this county. Land was then cheap and he purchased the place on which he now resides, but instead of locating on this at once he worked a farm in Garfield township, which he cultivated for about one year and then began to improve his own property. The new country was fast being settled and upon all sides the land, which had lain for untold centuries in a crude state, was being overturned by the plow. Mr. Ferguson recalls that one morning he counted sixty different places where plows had been in operation. The first year of his settlement in this county there were only three families living between his place and Ruthven, a point six miles distant, and land was worth only from six dollars to ten dollars per acre. From time to time he added to his first purchase until he now owns two hundred and forty acres in Logan township, all of which is thoroughly drained and under a
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