USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 49
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CONRAD RIEDINGER.
General farming and stock-raising command the attention of Conrad Riedinger, who cultivates an extensive tract of land in Dickens, and is a man who began life with little education and without pecuniary means or influence. On the strength of his own resources, through the constant application of perse- verance, coupled with hard work and careful management, he has put his energies to excellent work and has subserved them to such a degree that he has been able to rise in the world from comparative penury and obscurity to a position of prominence in the affairs of the county, both as a man of finance and a sub- stantial agriculturist. He is a native son, his birth having occurred in Scott county, February 9, 1858, and his parents were Conrad and Mary (Brindel) Riedinger. His father was a native of Germany and came to the United States in 1852, locating in Davenport, this state, where he lived seventeen years, removing to Welton, Clinton county, in 1876, and thence to Jackson county, where he resided until he departed this life in 1892. In his native land he followed rope making as an occupation and after coming to this country engaged in general agriculture, în which he continued until the time of his death. Mr. Riedinger's mother, also a native of the fatherland, was married in Scott county and now resides in Jack-
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son county. She was the mother of the following children: William, who resides on a farm in Jackson county ; Conrad, of this review ; Emma, deceased ; Lewis and Albert, both operating farms in Jackson county.
The boyhood days of Conrad Riedinger were spent in Scott, Clinton and Jackson counties, this state, where he attended the district schools, remaining with his parents until he was twenty-four years of age, at which period he started out in the world for himself. He rented a farm in Clinton county and followed gen- eral agriculture and stock-raising until the death of his father, when he bought the home farm and worked it until the year 1900, when he removed to Clay county and purchased a quarter of. section 6, and since settling upon it has met with such prosperity as to enable him to add to his tract eighty acres in section 5. The soil of his farms is very fertile and both of them are highly improved and provided . with every convenience with which to successfully carry on his occupation, and aside from doing a general farm business, he pays considerable attention to buy- ing, feeding and shipping stock. In the spring of 1909 Mr. Riedinger and sons, John and Daniel, bought and added another one hundred acres of land to the farm, so that he now owns three hundred and sixty-one acres. In addition to his growing farm interests he is concerned in a number of other commercial enterprises and is a stockholder in the Farmers' Telephone Company.
In 1883 Mr. Riedinger wedded Miss Veronica Ast, a native of France, who came to the United States in 1872 with her parents, and to this union were born : John, at home; Mary, deceased; Daniel, whose birth occurred in 1887 ; Bernice, who was born in 1890; Ida, born in 1894; Albert, died in infancy; and Cora, born in 1904. Mr. Riedinger is an independent democrat in politics and belongs to the Lutheran denomination. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, meeting at Dickens, and of the M. B. A., meeting at Welton, Clinton county, with which his wife is also affiliated. Mr. Riedinger is one among, many who deserves great credit for his successful career, inasmuch as he has gained his way in life by his own exertions. Industrious habits and straightforwardness have enabled him to maintain his standing in the community as a substantial and desirable citizen.
JOHN B. WILSON.
Since 1872 John B. Wilson has resided on a farm in section 28, Freeman township, which is yet his home. He is; therefore, familiar with the pioneer history of the county and his memory forms a connecting link with the primitive past and the progressive present, with all of the advantages that have been secured through the labors and efforts of its enterprising, citizens. His birth occurred in Derby, Orleans county, Vermont, January 21, 1843. He was the only child of Chauncey and Emily (Ballou) Wilson, both of whom were natives of the Green Mountain state. The mother died when her son was only three or four days old and the father married again, his second wife being Harriet M. Blodgett. There were five children of this marriage: Frank B. of Derby, Vermont ; Henry
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M., of Monona, Iowa; Willie E., of Janesville, Minnesota; Mary Ada, who died at the age of fifteen years; and Emma, the wife of C. C. Clark of Derby, Vermont. The father of this family also devoted his life to agricultural pursuits and continued for many years a resident of Derby, where he died in 1893 at the age of eighty-three years. His second wife survived him two years and then she, too, was called to the home beyond. In community affairs he was quite prominent and aided in shaping public thought and opinion. His fellow towns- men, recognizing his worth and ability, called him to represent them in the Vermont legislature. Tracing back the history of the family we note that John Wilson, the grandfather of John B. Wilson, was one of the early settlers of Vermont. He married Miss Elizabeth Ellsworth and devoted his energies to the occupation of farming. He died when past middle life, while his wife reached the advanced age of eighty-three years. The maternal grandfather of John B. Wilson was Otis Ballou, a resident of Waterford, Vermont, who later made his home in Littleton, New Hampshire, just across the Connecticut river.
John B. Wilson spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, amid the pic- turesque scenery of the Green Mountain state, and attended the district schools to acquire his preliminary education, which was later supplemented by an academic course in Derby. He also engaged in teaching school for several terms in the east and then heard and heeded the call of the west. In 1866 he arrived in Minnesota, settling near Kasson, in Dodge county. In the spring of 1872 he came to Iowa and took up his abode on his present farm, which then comprised eighty acres of land and which had been secured as a homestead by his brother- in-law, George Keller. As the years have gone by Mr. Wilson and his children have added to the farm until they now have about six hundred acres of valuable land, the place being rich and productive, the well-tilled fields responding readily to the care and labor which were bestowed upon them. All days, however, have not been equally bright with him. During the early period of his residence here there were several seasons in which the grasshoppers ate almost every spear of living grain in the county. This brought on hard times and many of the settlers, becoming discouraged, removed from this district, but Mr. Wilson persevered and in the course of years his energy and industry triumphed over obstacles and difficulties. In the winter he could not obtain coal or wood and had to burn hay for fuel. This he would twist into a hard bundle and use in the cooking and heating stoves. He could also well remember "the winter of the deep snow." It was in 1880, when snow fell to the depth of several feet all over this part of the country and continuing cold, laid upon the ground for weeks. It was almost impossible to get beyond one's own home but, though so many hardships were to be endured, such as were incident to frontier life, Mr. Wilson, with resolute courage, continued here until changing. conditions brought all of the comforts and evidences of a modern civilization. Year after year he carried on the work of the farm and has now developed a fine property, improved with good buildings and equipped with all the modern accessories and con- veniences of the model farm of the twentieth century.
On the 24th of December, 1868, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Betsy E. Keller, who was born in Jefferson county, New York, November 19, 1842, a daughter of Matthew and Catharine (Zimmerman) Keller, who were
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likewise natives of the Empire state. On removing westward they settled first in Minnesota, among the pioneers who were reclaiming that region for the purpose of civilization. They made their home in Dodd county, eventually removing to Canton, South Dakota, where their last days were passed, both being about seventy-five years of age when they were called to their final rest. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are now living: Barbara A., the widow of Charles Van Allen of Minnesota; Henry Keller of Washington ; Betsy E .; Mary, the wife of Charles Storing of North Dakota; George, of Deadwood, South Dakota; and Frank, also of Deadwood.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been blessed with a son and two daughters: Edward J., who is associated with his father in the operation and improvement of the home farm; Katie, who is a teacher in Minnesota ; and Hattie E., at home. Mr. Wilson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He served as county supervisor for two terms and has been school director for many years, the cause of education finding in him a warm friend, for he believes that the public school system is one of the bulwarks of the nation. During the first few years which he lived in Clay county he taught school and at times went four miles each day to the school house, but for about two years of the time taught in his own home. He also taught several terms in Minnesota. He thus was among the early promoters of the educational interests of the community and at all times has been a stalwart advocate of whatever tends to promote the material, intellectual and moral progress of the community. He has lived to see a remarkable transformation in the county, as pioneer customs have been replaced by the evidences of a progressive and advanced civilization. Little pioneer homes have been replaced by the commodious and substantial residences built in modern styles of architec- ture, trees have been planted and the native prairie grasses have been replaced by all the cereals that are cultivated by the farmer today. In all the work of general improvement Mr. Wilson has borne his part and well deserves mention in this history.
WILLIAM PARKER BOWMAN.
Spencer has a goodly proportion of retired men-men who for many years were closely associated with agricultural, industrial or commercial interests here or elsewhere, and in the management of their affairs won the success that now permits of honorable rest from labor. To this class belongs William Parker Bowman, now one of the venerable citizens of Clay county, having reached the eighty-sixth milestone on life's journey. He was born in the town of Jay, Essex county, New York, February 12, 1823, a son of Thaddeus and Martha (Upham) Bowman, both of whom were natives of Windsor county, Vermont. The family was established in New England when this country was still num- bered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. His grandfather, Thaddeus Bowman, Sr., was born in the Green Mountain state and was of German and English lineage. He was a shoe maker by trade, and at the time of the second war with England he put aside business and personal considera-
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tions to fight in defense of American interests. He lived to be more than ninety years of age and was twice married, having a family of five children by his first marriage, this number including Thaddeus Bowman, the father of our subject. The maternal grandfather was Alonzo Upham, who also lived in Windsor county, Vermont, where he devoted his life to the pursuits of the farm. He, too, was twice married and to him was allotted a ripe old age, his years numbering more than ninety when he was called to his final rest.
Thaddeus Bowman, Jr., engaged in the tilling of the soil as a life work, but did not remain always a resident of New York. In fact, he became one of the pioneer citizens of Wisconsin, locating there when it was under territorial government. He took up his abode in Waukesha county and was closely identi- fied with the early development and progress of that part of the state in the effort to plant the seeds of civilization upon the virgin soil of the west. After following farming in Wisconsin for a number of years, he removed to Mitchell county, Iowa, where he remained for seven years, passing away in 1880 at the age of eighty-nine years and seven months. His wife died in 1833 in the faith of the Congregational church, to which Mr. Bowman also belonged. While living in New York he served as justice of the peace. Following the death of his first wife he wedded Nancy Nichols. His eight children, however, were all born of the first marriage.
There were five sons and three daughters, but William Parker Bowman is the only one now living. In his boyhood days he worked on his father's farm in Essex county, New York, taking his place in the fields as soon as he was old enough to handle the plow. When the crops were all harvested in the autumn he had the opportunity of attending the district school, the sessions of which covered little more than the winter months. He was twenty-four years of age when, in 1847, he became a resident of Wisconsin, living in Waukesha county. Subsequently he took up his abode in Rock county, that state, and afterward lived at Marquette, Wisconsin. In 1864 he donned the nation's blue uniform and went to the front in defense of the Union, enlisting as a member of Com- pany K, First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, in which he served until the close of the war. After the war was ended and victory perched upon the northern banners, he resumed the pursuits of peace, returning to his home in Marquette county, Wisconsin, where he engaged in general farming. The following year, however, he came to Iowa, and since 1865 has lived continuously in that state, first locating in Mitchell county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. Eight years were devoted to farming that tract, and in 1874 he came to Spencer, Iowa, where he has since lived, covering a period of thirty- five years. Here he made investment in three hunred and twenty acres of land in Lone Tree township and operated the farm for three or four years, after which he sold that property. His bank deposits and other investments have been amply sufficient in the evening of life to supply him with all necessities and many comforts and luxuries, and thus in his declining days he has not found it necessary to labor for those things which have contributed to his welfare.
On the 2d of June, 1847, Mr. Bowman was married to Miss Lestina Charlotte Boynton, a daughter of Ephriam and Alice (Thurston) Boynton. She was born in the town of Jay, Essex county, New York, and in her girlhood days
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was a schoolmate of him who later became her husband. For more than sixty years they traveled life's journey together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows, adversity and prosperity, their mutual love and confidence increasing as the years went by. At length, however, they were separated in the death of Mrs. Bowman, who passed away January 4, 1908, at the age of eighty years and five months. There were eleven children in their family, five sons and six daughters. Harriet is the widow of Sidney Purdy, and they had four children, but Lula is the only one now living. Caroline became the wife of R. E. Talpey. and died, leaving five of her six children, one having already passed away. The others are Fred, Roy, Edward, Katherine, and Mattie. Henry is a physician and farmer, of Buckhorn, Wyoming, who wedded Miss Ida Potter. They have three children, Laura, Potter and Dorothy. Charles, also living at Buckhorn, married Miss Lucy Osborn, and has two children, Minnie and Reuben. Martha is deceased. Minnie is the wife of Dr. McDonald, of Fremont, Nebraska, and they have one son, Duncan Bowman. Wilbur, living in Owatonna, Minnesota, married Nellie McKay ,and has three children. Clifford, Jessie and Lloyd. Ella is employed in the money order department of the Spencer postoffice. The others of the family died in infancy.
Mr. Bowman belongs to Spencer Lodge, I. O. O. F., and to the Annett Post, G. A. R. He has been a stalwart advocate of republican principles since the organization of the party, and while in Wisconsin served as supervisor and served as a member of the city council of Spencer. A life of activity and useful- ness has won for him an enviable position in the regard of his fellowmen. He early learned to value life's opportunities and appreciate its purposes, and never has been content to choose the second place. He is now one of the revered patriarchs of his community, who was born during the administration of Presi- dent Monroe and has lived to witness the notable events which have not only shaped the history of the country but have also largely molded the destiny of the world. His reminiscences of the earlier days are interesting and give a glimpse into the bygone civilization almost totally unknown to the youth of the present time.
ALBERT W. GREENE.
Albert W. Greene is numbered among the prosperous and enterprising business men of Spencer, where he is well known as proprietor of a fire, light- ning and tornado insurance agency. He is now the president of the Iowa Mer- cantile Mutual Fire Insurance Association and secretary of the Clay County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association. A native of Ohio, he was born in Clinton county on the 20th of February, 1845, and is one of a family of ten chil- dren, whose parents were David and Mary (Jessup) Greene, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina. The paternal grandfather, Reuben Greene, was likewise born in the Old Dominion and was of English descent. He followed the occupation of farming as a life work, thus providing a good living . for his family. He wedded Rhoda Ballard, who died when about fifty years of age, while he survived to the age of eighty years. They reared a large family,
A. W. GREENE
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including Isaac, David, Robert, John, Abigail, Rhoda, Asa and Roland. The maternal grandparents were Thomas and Ann Jessup, natives of North Carolina. He, too, followed agricultural pursuits as a life work and died in middle life, while his wife was about eighty-five years of age at the time of her demise.
David Greene, reared in Ohio from the age of nine to a life on the farm, chose general agricultural pursuits as a means whereby to obtain a substantial income, and was connected with farming interests in Ohio until 1863. He spent four years in Indiana and then removed westward to Iowa, taking up his abode in Marshall county. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, how- ever, for he passed away in 1868 at the age of sixty-eight years. His widow afterward removed to Clay county, where she passed away in 1872 at the age of sixty-eight years. Both were members of the Friends' church and were people whose loyalty and honorable principles won them the love and friendship of all with whom they came in contact. Their family numbered ten children, eight sons and two daughters, of whom four are now living: Dr. E. H. Greene of Loveland, Ohio; Rebecca, widow of Alva Griest of New Haven, Connecticut ; Albert W., of Spencer ; and Levi, also of Spencer.
Albert W. Greene was reared in Clinton and Warren counties, Ohio, remaining on the farm until seventeen years of age, after which he spent four years in Indiana. He attended the district and select schools and also engaged in teaching for several terms. In the spring of 1867 he started for Iowa, riding one horse and leading another, but not knowing definitely where he was going. He believed, however, that there were good business openings west of the Mis- sissippi and realized that the country was growing more rapidly than the older sections of the east. He stopped first at Marshalltown, Iowa, where he had friends, and in that vicinity worked by the month as a farm hand, while in the winter seasons he engaged in teaching. During the last year of his residence there he rented and cultivated a farm. In the spring of 1869 he came to Clay county and located on the present site of Greenville, which town was named in his honor. A postoffice was established there at his home and he served as postmaster for twenty-two years. During the first few years of his residence here his time was devoted to farming in the summer seasons and teaching in the winter months. Later he purchased a general store from E. P. Stubbs, which he conducted for seven years. Later he followed farming for two years, having two hundred and forty acres which he purchased and improved from the raw land, save a tract of eighty-eight acres which had formerly been entered as a homestead claim. Thus the years passed in active, earnest toil, his enterprise and industry and determination winning for him a substantial competence as the years went by. In 1893 he removed to Spencer for the purpose of giving his children better educational privileges, and here he established an insurance office, having already been engaged in the insurance business. In 1895 he was instru- mental in organizing the Iowa Mercantile Mutual Fire Insurance Association, of which he has since been president. He has also been secretary of the Clay County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Association for more than eighteen years, and is today one of the best known insurance men in the city, both companies owing their success in large measure to his capable business management and keen discrimination.
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On the 28th of February, 1868, Mr. Greene was married to Miss Lizzie Stanfield, of Albion, Iowa, who was born in Marion county, Indiana, April . 12, 1849. Her parents, David and Jane (Baldwin) Stanfield, were natives of North Carolina, who became early settlers of Indiana and afterward established their home in Marshall county, Iowa, in pioneer days. The father was drowned in the Iowa river in 1859 and the mother, surviving him for some time, passed away in Osborn county, Kansas, about 1890. They were the parents of eight children, of whom six are now living : Irena, Lindsay, Elizabeth, Sarah, Leander and David. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Greene was David Stanfield, who was likewise born in North Carolina, and became a preacher of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. He wedded Elizabeth Baldwin and both lived to an advanced age. They reared a large family. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Greene was Charles Baldwin, and both he and his wife were natives of North Carolina and were identified with the Friends' church.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Greene have been born four sons and three daughters: Evalena, now the wife of Oscar D. Jenkins, a resident of Spencer, by whom she has one daughter, Ruth; Orvan E., a practicing dentist of Clinton, Iowa, who married Gertrude Wheeler of Manona, Iowa; Edgar L., who died at the age of eight months; Elnora, the wife of Clarence L. Thuirer, living near Fostoria, Iowa, by whom she has two living children, Leland and Merrill; Clinton D. and Clara B., who are college graduates and are now at Phoenix, Arizona ; and Fred WV., who married Susan Carver, and is living in Spencer.
Mr. and Mrs. Greene are birthright members of the Friends' church and are people of genuine personal worth, to whom the hospitality of many of the best homes of the county is freely accorded. In politics Mr. Greene favors the republican party, though the character and life of the man influence him to a larger degree than the party affiliation. He has held various township offices, for twenty-one years serving as justice of the peace in Gillett Grove township, also as township trustee and township clerk. At the present time he is serving as a member of the city council and is a member of the school board of Spencer. He is interested in all that pertains to the substantial improvement and develop- ment of the community, being widely recognized as a public-spirited and patriotic citizen.
HARRY L. FARMER.
One of the signs of the times is the fact that young men are filling the im- portant business positions and controlling the trade interests of the country. The reason for this lies in the fact that better educational opportunities have been enjoyed by them than were secured by the majority of the people a generation ago. Then, too, in the middle west a spirit of progress prevails that prompts the individual to put forth his strongest effort and utilize his opportunities to the best advantage. A representative of this class of men is found in Harry L. Farmer, the wide-awake, energetic and popular cashier of the Greenville Bank. He was born in Franklin, Massachusetts, October 23, 1879, and is one of four
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