USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 50
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
children whose parents are John P. and Jennie (King) Farmer, natives of New Hampshire and Massachusetts respectively. The mother was a daughter of Dr. George E. King, a physician and surgeon, who was born and reared in the old Bay state. There he married Miss Lucy Eddy and they both lived to advanced years. Their family numbered several children but all died in early youth save Mrs. Farmer and Francis E. The latter was a soldier of the Civil war and for two weeks was incarcerated in Libby Prison but was released on parole for attending the sick.
John P. Farmer, father of Harry L. Farmer, is one of the most prominent citizens of western Iowa. He was reared as a farm boy and afterward worked with his father, who was a contractor. In early manhood he went to Massachu- setts and there became interested in the manufacture of woolen goods, becoming connected with several large woolen mills. For some years he was thus asso- ciated with manufacturing interests in the east but in 1882 sought the opportunities of the growing west and that the step which he then took was a wise one is indi- cated in the success which has since attended his efforts. Arriving in Iowa, he took up his abode in Sioux Rapids and there organized the Bank of Sioux Rapids, of which he is now the president. This is a private banking institution and in its ownership he is associated with F. H. Helsell. As he has prospered Mr. Farmer has extended his efforts to other undertakings, being now interested in a number of banks, so that he figures prominently in the financial circles of the state. He is a man of well balanced capacities and powers, who inspires confidence in others and at the same time is capable of mature judgment of his own capacities and of the people and circumstances that make up his life contacts and experiences. He is eminently a man of business sense and easily avoids the mistakes and disasters that come to those who, though possessing remarkable faculties in some respects, are liable to erratic movements that result in unwar- ranted risk and failure. He has never failed to venture where favoring oppor- tunity is presented and his judgment and even paced energy generally carry him forward to the goal of success. Aside from his connection with the banking interests of the state he is known locally as a progressive citizen whose labors have been of value in promoting public progress. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, having taken the Royal Arch degree. His wife is a member of the Congregational church. Their family numbers three sons and a daughter: Harry L., Clara L., George E. and William H.
Harry L. Farmer was reared in Sioux Rapids, for the removal of the family from New England to the middle west occurred when he was but a lad. Her was graduated from the high school at Sioux Rapids and then further continued his education as a pupil in the Iowa State College at Ames. After putting aside his text-books he took charge of a bank at Peterson, where he continued for a short time and then went to Laurens, Iowa, acting as assistant cashier of the bank at that place for eight months. On the expiration of that period he came to Greenville as cashier and general manager of the Greenville Bank, which was organized September 20, 1900, by Dr. Charles McAllister, Mrs. Emma S. Miller, A. F. Lamar, E. B. Herrington and M. P. W. Albee. In the early part of 1901 it was purchased by the well known banking firm of Sioux Rapids, Farmer & Helsell, who are the present proprietors. On the 16th of November, 1901, the
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bank was burglarized and the safe blown to pieces by two white men and a negro, who secured fifteen hundred and twelve dollars and thirty-nine cents, which was reimbursed by the New York Burglary & Casualty Company of New York city, for the bank carried a policy with that company, as it still continues to do. The crime occurred after midnight and the burglars made their escape on a hand car to Albert City, where they were in the depot waiting for a train when they were discovered by officers, who ordered them to throw up their hands. This they did, although at the same time they shot the constable and a deputy. One of the burglars-a white man-was killed. The other two were later captured in a running fight, tried and sentenced to be hung, but secured a new trial and had, the sentence commuted to imprisonment for life, so that they are now serving their time at Anamosa in the state penitentiairy.
Mr. Farmer is well known as one of the enterprising young bankers of western Iowa and is also a popular resident of this part of the state. He belongs to Enterprise Lodge, No. 332, A. F. & A. M., of Sioux Rapids, and to Sioux Rapids Chapter, No. 129, R. A. M. He is likewise connected with Estherville Lodge, No. 528, B. P. O. E., Harmony Lodge, No. 188, Knights of Pythias of Spencer, and Buena Vista Chapter, No. 109, of the Eastern Star. His member- ship relations extend to Greenville Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America and he is in thorough sympathy with the teachings of all of these orders. Politically he is a republican, interested in the success of his party and'alive to the issues of the day. Alert and energetic, he is in close touch with all the interests which are factors in the life of a progressive citizen and of the community at large and is recognized as a forceful factor for development and improvement in the locality where he now makes his home.
ANDERSON G. HARDIN.
Almost four decades have passed since Anderson G. Hardin became a resident of Clay county and throughout the years he has figured prominently in community affairs through his business activity and his unselfish devotion to the general good. For the past twenty years he has been numbered among the merchants of Spencer, where he is now dealing in furniture and household goods, having a well appointed store, while his straightforward business methods com- mend him to the liberal patronage of the public. He started upon the journey of life in Marion county, Indiana, December 1, 1833. and has therefore reached the age of seventy-six years. Few men at his time of life remain as active factors in the world's work and indeed many a younger man seems anxious to relegate to others the duties and responsibilities which he should bear in business relations. Mr. Hardin, however, has been a most diligent and energetic man and his life of usefulness has been crowned with success.
His paternal grandfather was a native of Kentucky and became one of the pioneer residents of the Miami valley of Ohio, while later he established his home in Indiana. He served as a soldier of the war of 1812 and fought the Indians in Kentucky when they contested the invasion of the white race into what they
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regarded solely as their hunting grounds. Henry Hardin, father of Anderson G. Hardin, was born in Ohio and was reared in that state amid conditions which are always prevalent in a frontier district. He devoted his life to farming pur- suits and on leaving his native state went to Marion county, Indiana, becoming also a frontier settler there. Again he sought the "far west" when he came to Iowa in 1839, crossing the Mississippi river at New Boston. He settled first at Black Hawk in Louisa county, where he lived for about two years, when he removed to Yellow Springs township, Des Moines county, and took up his abode near Burlington, where he continued for two years. He next located in Jefferson county near Fairfield and helped to lay out that town and also the town of Burlington. His attention was devoted to general agricultural pursuits and he preempted a large tract of land in the midst of an Indian camping ground. As the years passed, however, the evidences of Indian occupancy were replaced by the improvements of modern civilization and Mr. Hardin was among those who labored to promote the progress and development of his portion of the state. He lived upon his farm for twenty years, after which he removed to the town of Richland, Keokuk county, where his remaining days were passed in the enjoyment of well earned rest and when in old age he was called to the home beyond his years numbered eighty-three. His wife had passed away the previous year at the age of eighty. In their lives they exemplified their Christian faith as members of the Methodist church and Mr. Hardin was one of the pioneer preachers of that denomination in Iowa. In early manhood he had wedded Catharine Ludwick, also a native of Ohio and a daughter of George Ludwick, a farmer, who was killed in the war of 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hardin were parents of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of whom four are now living: Anderson G., of this review; Luther, residing near Sioux City, Dakota county, Nebraska ; Sylvanus, also living at that place; and Margaret, the wife of Levi Johnson, living near Independence, Kansas.
When only five years of age Anderson G. Hardin was brought to Iowa and from that time was reared in this state, which at that time was under territorial government. Acre after acre of land was not only uncultivated but was also as yet unclaimed, still belonging to the government. There were no railroads and few towns beyond those which bordered the Mississippi. The state, however, was rich in its natural resources and there came within its borders a colony of progressive pioneer people who realize the advantages that might here be obtained and laid the foundation for the present enlightened, progressive and prosperous commonwealth. Mr. Hardin was reared as a farm boy in a day when most of the homes were log cabins, heated by fireplace and lighted by tallow candles. The farm machinery, too, was very crude as compared with the modern implements of the present time, but neighbors were hospitable and friendly and did what they could to assist others. In his youthful days Mr. Hardin walked three miles to attend a subscription school. The teacher "boarded round" and gave instruc- tion in a few of the elementary branches but the schools bore no comparison to the present school system of a state which today has every reason to be proud of her public schools, which are in advance of the system of public instruction in any other state in the Union. Mr. Hardin remained upon the home farm until twenty-one years of age. after which he worked for a time by the month as a
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farm hand and then rented land until his labors and economy had brought him sufficient capital to enable him to purchase eighty acres in Keokuk county. There he lived for five years and afterward gave his attention to the live stock business during the period of the Civil war. In 1870 he came to Clay county and settled in Spencer, where for seven years he conducted a hotel and also bought stock. That was before the era of railroad building in this section of the state. He also did auctioneering and after a time he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Gillett Grove township, where he carried on general agricul- tural pursuits for seven years, although making his home in the town. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his farm and established a store in Spencer, dealing in furniture and household goods here for the past twenty years. He has enjoyed a gratifying and growing trade and has one of the well appointed mercantile houses of the city.
Mr. Hardin was married September 29. 1855, to Miss Sarah Jane McConnell, a daughter of James and Nancy McConnell, and a native of Pennsylvania, where her birth occurred December 3, 1835. Her parents later came to Spencer, Iowa, where they passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Hardin celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on September 29, 1905. They became the parents of six children. Arabel, the eldest, died in infancy. Belle became the wife of David Potter of Kansas City, Missouri, and they have had six children : Harry, deceased; Inez, Coral, Iva, Pearl and Rea. William died at the age of forty years. Alonzo, now living in Ames, Iowa, is editor of the Ames Times. He wedded Ella Eckley and they have one son, Max. Lillie is the wife of Charley Jones, of Spencer, and they have two sons living. Dale and Charles H., and Iva married William Lewis, of Des Moines, and their two children are Madge and Franklin. Mrs. Hardin's grandfather McConnell was a native of Scotland, but having come to America, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. On her mother's side she is a descendant of the famous Dana family of New York.
Mr. Hardin is a republican in his political views, having supported the party since its organization. He has never sought nor desired office, however, yet has never been remiss in the duties of citizenship and at all times has given his allegiance to those interests which he believed would promote the public welfare. Few residents of the state have remained within its borders for a longer period, as seventy years have come and gone since he came to Iowa. He has been a witness of many events which to others are matters of history and he relates many interesting incidents of the pioneer days.
A. J. PADDOCK.
A. J. Paddock is one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil war and one of the early settlers of Clay county, dating his residence here since 1869. He now owns and occupies a good homestead property in Riverton township. He was a young man of twenty-six years when he arrived in the county, for his birth occurred in Lake county, Illinois, December 6, 1843. There he was reared on the home farm, receiving the educational opportunities offered by the common
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schools. He was but eighteen years of age when, in June, 1862, he responded to the country's call for troops and was assigned to duty with the boys in blue of Company D, Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He went south with the Army of the Tennessee and later was with the Army of the Cumberland. At Brentwood he was first under fire and later participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and the Atlanta campaign. He participated in the capture of Atlanta and later was at Franklin, Tennessee, where Hood charged the Union works. There Mr. Paddock was taken prisoner on the 30th of November, 1864, and was kept in captivity by the Confederate forces until the close of the war. When hostilities had ceased he was taken to Vicksburg and thence returned northward to Chicago, where he was honorably discharged in 1865.
When the country no longer needed his aid, Mr. Paddock returned to Lake county and subsequently worked on a farm for about four years. He knew that land could be secured at cheaper rates in Iowa and he saw no reason why the wild prairie of the west could not be converted into productive fields. Accord- ingly. in 1869, he came to Clay county, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, upon which he now resides. He broke the sod with ox teams and during the first summer built and lived in a sod shanty. Later he erected a little frame house and continued the work of improving and cultivating his farm until he had brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and had added many modern equipments to his place. He divided the farm into fields of con- venient size, by well kept fences, and bent his energies toward cultivating the crops best adapted to soil and climate, so that he annually gathered and marketed good harvests.
On the 27th of December, 1877. Mr. Paddock was married in Spencer to Miss Rosa Damon, who was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and a daughter of Joseph Damon, a native of Canada and of French descent. In Canada her father wedded Mary Venoir, a French lady. At the time of the Civil war he joined the Union army and served throughout the period of hostilities, while later he came to Iowa, locating in Palo Alto county, where his daughter, Mrs. Paddock, was reared.
Following his marriage Mr. Paddock engaged in farming and continued the work of improving his place, erecting a good residence and substantial barn and adding other modern equipments, which have made this an excellent property. As the years passed four children were added to the household: Bert, who is now a resident farmer of Clay county; Florence, the wife of Sewell Rogers, of North Dakota; Lewis, also of that state; and Clara, at home. They lost one son, Walter, who died at the age of four years.
Politically Mr. Paddock is a republican and cast his first presidential ballot for General U. S. Grant, in 1868, since which time he has voted for every nominee of the party. He served here for some years as township trustee, is now town- ship school treasurer and for eight years has been assessor. He has been identified with the schools for a long period, and the cause of education finds in him a stalwart friend. He has also frequently served as a delegate to the county con- ventions. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church and attends its services, while fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army post
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at Spencer. He has been a resident of Clay county forty years and has helped to make it what it is today. With the growth and development he has been closely connected and he is a man of tried integrity and worth, who has the confidence and esteem of all.
STEPHEN D. FRAD.
Stephen D. Frad, who is largely identified with the financial interests of Logan township, is a farmer and stock-breeder and also a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company and Creamery. He is a native of Lucas county, this state, his birth having occurred on the 2d of February, 1861, a son of Joseph and America (Berget) Frad, his father, who was of German origin, having been born in Brown county, Illinois, locating in Lucas county, this state, where he followed agricultural pursuits until he departed this life in 1896. His mother, who was a native of Indiana, passed away in 1876. Among their chil- dren were: Hilda, deceased; Mary. the wife of Frederick Irging, engaged in agriculture in Lucas county, Iowa; Stephen D., of this review ; Henry J., a farmer; William, deceased; Joseph, a farmer, and Hannah, deceased. One child passed away in infancy.
On his father's farm Stephen D. Frad was reared, taking part in the daily routine of the home place during the summer months and in the winter attending the district school, where he acquired his education. Remaining under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, he at that period of life "hired out" by the month and finally acquired sufficient means with which he purchased forty acres of land in the county of his birth. This he cultivated one year, at the expiration of which time he again worked by the month, and so continued until he was twenty-four years of age, when he located in O'Brien county and there bought a small farm, on which he engaged in general farming a few months. Two years more were then spent as a hired hand, at the termination of which he came to Clay county, in the year 1890, and first located on section 5, where he remained until 1894. That year he located on section 9, where he owns one hundred and twenty acres of highly improved land, provided with a comfortable dwelling, outbuildings, machinery and other necessities with which to successfully pursue his occupation. Since acquiring this land he has worked hard and perse- veringly and the fruits of his toil have enabled him to add to his possessions one hundred and seventy-two acres in Lake township and as well, to become a stockholder in the Farmers Telephone Company and in a large creamery at Dickens. Aside from these interests he is also influentially affiliated with the Grain Elevator at Gillett's Grove. In addition to producing general grain crops, Mr. Frad takes some interest in stock-breeding and has a number of head of high grade specimens of cattle, sheep and hogs.
In 1888 Mr. Frad wedded Miss Jennie Miller, a native of Whiteside county, Illinois, where her birth occurred February II, 1868, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Marshall) Miller, her father having. followed agriculture until he departed this life in 1901. Mr. Miller was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, and
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
S. D. FRAD
MRS. S. D. FRAD
THE NEW YORK PUBLICLIBRARY
ASTOR L NS X TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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came to this county in 1876. He first settled in Whiteside county, Illinois, and moved from there to O'Brien county, where he died. Mrs. Miller was born in Bellsills, Scotland. Both were life-long members of the Presbyterian church. They reared seven children, namely: Mary, who became the wife of William Crighton, a farmer of South Dakota: Jennie, the wife of Stephen D. Frad ; Elizabeth, who married John McCallum, a carpenter of Pipestone, Minnesota ; Robert, engaged in agriculture in O'Brien county; John, of Sioux City; and James and William in O'Brien county, on the old homestead, which is called the Miller farm.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frad were born: Elizabeth, who departed this life March 12, 1894; Robert, who was born November 11, 1893, and is at school ; Ethel, whose birth occurred August 10, 1896, and resides with her parents ; Esther, who was born August 17, 1902 ; and Ida, whose birth occurred December 14, 1904. Politically Mr. Frad is loyal to the republican party and, while he has always been ready with his vote and influence during campaigns in an endeavor to assist his party in attaining success, he is not an aspirant for public office. He is a member and liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church and for the past two years has been affiliated with Dickens Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Frad is well known throughout the community as an honest and reliable farmer and enjoys the respect and confidence of all with whom he is acquainted.
HUGH.CORCORAN.
. Hugh Corcoran, influentially identified with the agricultural and stock raising interests of Peterson township, this county, where for a number of years he has kept an extensive acreage under a high state of cultivation, was born in Ross county, Ohio, August 9, 1852, a son of John and Bridget (Cavanagh) Corcoran. His father was a native of the Emerald Isle and came to the United States in 1850, locating in Ross county, where he operated a large farm and resided until he died. He was a man deeply interested in the welfare of the community and always in favor of such improvements as would tend to make living easier, and was particularly interested in the school system, which he desired to see reach the highest possible standard. In politics he was a democrat, and although not ambitious to receive office, he was enthusiastic during cam- paigns in endeavoring to secure the election of his party's candidates. His wife, also a native of Ireland, was married there, but passed away and was laid to rest in the Chillicothe ( Ross county ) Catholic cemetery. She gave birth to the following children: Dennis, Thomas, John, P. H., Andrew, and William, all of whom are agriculturists in Ross county, Ohio; James, deceased ; Mary, who became the wife of Jacob Baum, a farmer of Ross county ; Margare:, wife of Samuel Shots, also a farmer of that county; and Hugh, the oldest of the family.
In the common schools of Ross county, Ohio, Hugh Corcoran acquired his education and remained at home, engaging in farm duties, until he was twenty- one years of age, when he went to Chillicothe, worked at the dairy business and
CLAY 26
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delivered milk throughout the city. Leaving this occupation he tended stock two years, at the expiration of which time he came to Fowa, in the year 1882, locating in Clay county, where he bought up a number of acres of school land, in the southeastern portion of section 16, which he highly improved, providing a comfortable dwelling, outbuildings and all conveniences necessary to the farming occupation, and has given his time to raising general crops, together with stock breeding. As a farmer he has been quite successful, and, taking pride in the appearance of his farm, he has added every improvement which might contribute to its neatness and fertility. He has also made such study of the soil as to enable him to so adapt his crops as to reap the maximum yield per acre. While he does not deal extensively in livestock, he always keeps on hand a number of the finest specimens of horses, cattle and sheep, and puts them in condition for the market.
On the 7th of January, 1879, Mr. Corcoran wedded Miss Kate Conley, daughter of Patrick and Sarah ( McCarville ) Conley, her father having been a native of Ireland, where her inother was also born and married. The parents came to the United States in 1850, locating in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, later removing to Darlington, where they both died and were laid to rest. They reared the following family: Michael, a general mechanic, residing in Mil- waukee, Wisconsin ; P. H., an attorney at law, of Darlington, Wisconsin ; Owen, who operates a large farm near that place: John, a clerk, of Darlington, Wisconsin ; James, deceased, who was ordained for the priesthood; Frank, an attorney. at law in Darlington ; Sarah, who became the wife of H. J. Gallagher, a banker; Margaret, deceased: and Kate. To. Mr. and Mrs. Corcoran the following children were born, namely: Sarah, deceased; May Eveline; and Margaret Agnes. Politically Mr. Corcoran gives his support to the republican party. He has been treasurer of the school board of this township fourteen years and a trustee four terms. He belongs to the Catholic church of Sutherland. and is a man whose high moral character, industry and straightforwardness, together with his interest in the general welfare of the community, have given him high standing in the township.
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